Fright Nights at The Resort at Glade Springs Review (2024)

The actors we encountered were all well thought out and were true to their assigned roles. The quiet lurkers, shrill shriekers, and pop-up performers did their parts exactly as they should have. We heard some characters using different accents, namely the ticket booth cashier at Wax Museum using a German-sounding accent, and the monkey trainer who used an Australian-like accent.

Some “nephews” toyed with us in the Pink Moonshine cornfield making “critter noises” and rustling in the leaves that surrounded us. We met loud, aggressive pirates and ghouls and also sinister, threatening laughing and chanting from a seance practitioner and bayou witch. When we met the wise-cracking store clerk in the video store, we not only paid close attention to the horror tapes on the shelves but also the homemade tape they tried to hawk on unsuspecting customers. Some actors spoke with a clear script in mind, but we also met a few who did some improv. We did learn to NEVER ask Giggles what we smell like when she sniffed at one of us. Let’s just say she didn’t think we smelled like a rose.

While we did not see anyone banging or hitting with their props or elements in their set, they did use props to entertain us or to point at us as though we needed a warning. We were chased with a buzzing chainsaw and later, a circular saw. We were chased again by a sneaky scurrying doll. There are so many elements and props in the sets, that there is no way to take note of all of them, but the actors do pull them off the shelf and use them well.

Some actors used drop-down panels and swinging doors, while others hid in plain sight to startle us as we walked by them unnoticed. Watching each actor, combined with the fully detailed set, props, and costumes, we easily knew who each character was.

At first glance, we were curious about the custodial character in Camp Killame, until we recognized the resemblance to Zeke the plumber from a show televised “back in the day.” There were other very detailed and interesting masks new this year, including the magician sporting a detailed magician’s costume. Every mask we saw looked well made and fit the actor well. We also enjoyed the addition of the monkey trainer with all the “little presents” left smeared all over them from head to toe.

All costumes appeared complete, well designed, and fit in their scenes. Characters talking about being injured looked injured with makeup and torn and bloodied clothing. Hair, hands, and arms were also treated along with the face, creating believable characters. Makeup was applied skillfully. Accessories and other details enhanced the costumes and made them appear even more believable and complete.

Multiple queue actors took turns rotating between filling a scene in one of the themed attractions inside and in the midway outside. All characters on the shift change were fully detailed skillfully. We counted at least 5 different characters milling about the midway while we were on the property.

The property offered good signage to locate the haunt. Parking was free and a radio station playing music was available to tune into while we waited in line to enter the property parking lot. At times, the line to get into the parking lot can get long, so give yourself plenty of time to get to a spot if driving directly to the haunt. Some patrons ended up parking along the road due to the parking lot being full. The resort offers a complimentary “taxi service” to take guests to all the buildings on the sprawling resort property, including the haunt. This does help alleviate some parking issues. Additional parking areas and shuttles could further help this issue.

Just beyond the parking area, customers can choose from a variety of things to do in addition to the haunted attractions at the barn: a fire pit, putt-putt golf, VIP lounge area with additional perks, alcoholic beverages, food, a virtual ghost-hunting game, and escape room which is right by the ticket booth. Beside the ticket booth, there are several photo-op areas that lead up to the haunt entrance. There is a large sign for restrooms which we all end up needing at some point.

There were no observable safety hazards. All pertinent areas were well lit. When large transitions were about to happen, staff members located in those areas advised us to watch our steps. Group numbers were also monitored in the transition areas to keep numbers less crowded going through the haunt.

The staff on the grounds seemed to be very attentive to the needs of guests. Lines seemed to go quickly. Staff were continually picking up items. At one point we watched a set of string lights fall and immediately two staff members where on it re-adjusting and fixing the problem. While being waited on in all areas, the staff were friendly and patient as decisions on snacks and drinks were being made, offering suggestions. Upon leaving the haunt and during it, several non-cast members repeatedly asked if we enjoyed our time.

The ticket price, dates of operation, FAQ, and address were easily found on the website. The six themes were readily available describing what was included with the price. Tickets are timed, so lines are mostly virtual. This allows customers to enjoy the midway without worrying about getting stuck in line right away.

Entering the haunted property, hauntgoers are lured in by the string lighting along the midway and decorated barn. We could hear lively music and engage in several activities before making our way to the main attraction. The pre-haunt area offers music, food, trucks, covered seating, merchandise, putt-putt golf, a fire pit, animatronics, photo ops, escape rooms, haunt trivia, QR code activities/games to play, and adult haunt-themed alcoholic beverages at the Terror Tavern (some for an additional fee). Along with general and fast pass ticketing, Fright Nights offers a VIP experience for additional perks. Multiple actors are engaging with the crowd in ALL of these areas.

The themes are multi-faceted as there are several unpredictable haunt experiences. The outdoor corn maze featured Pink Moonshine, thus making the corn maze make sense as a haunted experience. (Here we learned where the pink comes from!) Also, the outdoor section hosting Camp Kilame vs Mothman theme was well executed outdoors. Indoors, we easily forgot we were inside a massive barn. We were exposed to sudden sights, sounds, movements and smells that constantly keep the senses guessing and on edge. Fright Nights is a longer haunt that boasts tunnels, trails, spinning, mazes, a myriad of sounds special to each themed area, smells, various lighting strategies, lots of moving parts (both animatronic and digital), and enthusiastic actors. Fright Night consistently gives top-tier immersion vibes throughout all of the experiences.

The ambient sounds played in the background were effective, loud enough to be heard without overpowering, and were played on quality-sounding speakers. The sounds heard in the haunt gave each individual the feeling of being “in the scene.” Sounds heard during walking through included but were not limited to seahawks, screams, ship noises, water, loudspeaker announcements, sounds of creatures, and many more. One can walk through this haunt and even hear the sound of a goat at one point, which sounds real.

The scene designs and details were amazing. We could go through this haunt over and over and see something new every time in all the scenes! There were even “ice cubes” in a cooler that never melt! Areas that had a campfire had the appearance of burning. All scene designs fit the scenes, even the details of the year of this scene had many timepieces from that era. (I could tell my age here, but I felt very nostalgic in this one). All scenes were created with an eye for detail and showed a great deal of creativity.

All areas were covered with items fitting the scene. Even the fish market had the “sale items” labeled. The animatronics were all working as expected with rocking and popping up unexpectedly to startle or distract. The scenes show that a lot of time and thought went into each item throughout. The attention to detail made us feel that we were truly where they wanted us to be.

Lighting was strategically placed throughout to either distract or light the way. Included in this haunt but not limited to were a vortex tunnel, fog, a laser swamp, and let me not forget to mention the scents. We especially enjoyed the mothball scent and Mothman repellent added to the Mothman experience! With the combination of detail in each scene and all other special effects, this makes for an enjoyable and complete experience!

Fright Nights is a scary-fun haunt. Many scare tactics centered on catching guests by surprise with a quick pop-out. We were blasted with powerful air cannons, strobe lighting, an intense soundtrack, and unexpected yelling/screaming/lunging/pop-up actors. We were lured in with distractions and also entertained with light-hearted moments here and there. The team here is clever and always puts a fun and unexpected twist in their themed attractions.

Scares did hit mostly from the front, but actors also popped out afterward toward the middle and ends of the group. The caboose of our team were often followed out of the sets. We did overhear a young kid telling their parents, “I’m going to die here!” and the parents were preparing themselves for a restless night and a bed full of kids too scared to sleep. We also watched the small group of kids try to climb their father to escape a chainsaw-slinging pigman. (A couple of our team members might have screamed at this part as well.)

The finale was dark and suspenseful, but not as intense as other parts of the haunt. We were treated to a disorienting vortex tunnel and quickly followed up with a dark laser swamp with an oversized puppet swinging out from one side.