Fright Nights at The Resort at Glade Springs Review (2020)

There were ample actors throughout the haunted attractions. Nearly all of them displayed high energy and unparalleled gusto for their craft. Many played their part in a way that made us believe in exactly what they were saying, or simply conveying with their body language.
Having 5 distinct sections, there were plenty of diverse characters.

We started off with the Ghost Town and met several ‘skeletonized’ characters from an Old West town. We met a moustached bartender serving snake venom and a gambler who needs a better grip on his pistol. We jumped out of the way of a bank heist after assuring a frisky hostess we did not need a room. The Asylum housed some barbaric nurses, nuns, and doctors. The nun didn’t say a word, but she didn’t have to! While we were on the hunt for a cute doctor, we were met with a Doctor Dread instead. Deadwood Manor shares a witchy woman, a bewildered tennent, and a ghostly Lady of the Cemetery. Slaughterhouse lead us to a screaming victim and a pigman butcher who doesn’t like screaming’ or anything for that matter. Mr. Beards Freaks and Phobias is always a pleasure to behold, when we aren’t trying to escape man-eating chickens, deranged clowns, and freaky fortune tellers.

GPS brought us directly to the attraction with no trouble. Parking staff got us in a parking place with ease. The ticket booth was accessible without leaving the car. The lit path took us to the actual haunt attraction.

Fright Nights uses a plethora of media outlets to share information about them. They have a website (frightnights.com) and Facebook page (Fright Nights WV) to provide necessary information including ticket pricing, directions, attractions, etc. They are also active on Instagram (frightnightswv) and Tik Tok (frightnightswv).
Patrons were reminded to remain six feet apart and to wear masks. Hand sanitizer was made available. Groups were sent into the haunt as their own group, so no groups were mixed, which provided a more personal experience.

All five themes were independent of each other, and all five were well defined. Everything from the sets and costuming to the characters and acting, everything fits perfectly with each theme.

The Ghost Town consisted of Old West scenes and characters with skeleton masks and makeup in some of the most detailed sets we have encountered. The activities of the actors fit in with what one would expect from an Old Western town, including a saloon, house of ill repute, bank on main street, and a mine. The Asylum played host to patients in various states, orderlies and doctors in common rooms and examination rooms, and even a shower room. Deadwood Manor hosts a witch who has clearly bewitched the tenants inside and caused them to suffer. There was also a cemetery and crypt scene on the property. Slaughterhouse begins with victims trying to escape, and leads outside to encounter new horrors in a corn maze. Mr. Beards Freaks and Phobias lured us in with their finely detailed areas of curiosities and sensory overload with bright paint and many moving parts.

Groups were kept small, so providing attention to everyone in the group was established all through the haunt. We were approached from the front, sides, and back the entire time, so we were kept on our toes the entire night.

Sometimes we were met with high energy, and other times, silent and creepy vibes were thrown out. Distractions were also used, and boy did the Hall of Nuns get us! Shifting floors had us watching our balance, all the while trying to avoid stalking creatures from various corners. The finale was mysterious, being in the laser swamp with nature sounds and a creature lurking about.

Inside the haunt, the action never stopped. We were entertained not only with stand out acting, but also with award winning detailed costuming and set design. Startles came at us time and time again, leaving us hungry for more.

While we missed the Monster Midway this year, COVID changed the rules and Fright Nights answered with a well organized and entertaining time. They used their space wisely providing the social distancing customers needed.

Nearly all the space inside was used effectively. The regular ticket price of $25 is very reasonable, and for those in a hurry, $40 speed pass is a handy option to offer. Travelers will most certainly appreciate the tickets and a room bundle option for an overnight stay.