by Philip Hernandez
Halloween events have evolved into a crucial part of the seasonal calendar for many theme parks, and Dark Nights at Hersheypark Halloween is no exception. As more parks expand their seasonal offerings, Hersheypark’s approach stands out by providing a mix of family-friendly fun and high-quality, immersive scares, all included with general admission.
For 2024, Dark Nights returns with a new haunted house (for a total of 5 haunted houses), three scare zones, and additional live entertainment, making it a key player in the Halloween season. But what makes Dark Nights particularly special? It strikes an ideal balance between intensity and inclusivity – offering thrilling haunted attractions while ensuring that families and guests of all ages can enjoy the event in their own way.
Dark Knights 2024 Full Event Walkthrough by Haunted Attraction Network:
WARNING: Video contains some frightful sights and ghoulish delights.
Five haunted houses with immersive storytelling
Thanks to spectacular fabrication by Adirondack Studios, one of the strongest aspects of Dark Nights is the variety and quality of its houses, each delivering a unique, immersive experience. Hersheypark offers five haunted houses in 2024, ensuring there’s something for everyone, from horror veterans seeking gore to newcomers seeking a lighter scare. Here’s a breakdown of this year’s lineup:
- Estate of Evil (NEW) – This new haunted house invites guests to explore a mysterious brownstone mansion, but with a twist. The lavishly detailed 13 rooms, including a game room and wine cellar, are haunted by the eerie presence of previous owners who met a grim fate. As guests wander, they’ll feel the suspense and dread building, making it a standout addition this year.
- Auntie Mortem’s Abattoir – Returning due to popular demand, this haunted house plunges guests into the disturbing business of Auntie Mortem’s family-run abattoir. The gory sights and sinister ambiance make this a favorite for fans who appreciate a mix of dark humor and horror.
- Haunted Coal Mine: Curse of the Tommyknockers – This haunted mine takes guests deeper underground to face the malevolent Tommyknockers, whose wrath grows more intense each year. The claustrophobic setting and interactive scares make it a consistently terrifying experience.
- The Descent: Catacombs of Decay – Blurring the line between reality and fantasy, this haunted house explores an ancient bookstore that leads to dark tunnels below. The mysterious merchant Vera’s growing power pulls guests into her twisted collection of souls, offering a sense of danger and intrigue with each step.
- Twisted Carnevil – This nightmare-fueled carnival brings chaos to life with a hypnotic new show. It’s a spectacle of creepy clowns and macabre performances that promises to turn guests’ realities upside down.
Each haunted house at Dark Nights offers detailed environments, strong storylines, and a blend of scares that ranges from unsettling to terrifying.
Scare zones & entertainment that enhance the park’s atmosphere
Complementing the haunted houses are three themed scare zones, each with its own distinctive flair:
- Darkstone’s Hollow (NEW) – New for 2024, this scare zone sees the former showman Darkstone caged for all to see while creatures terrorize the area. The concept of an imprisoned showman and his chaotic collection of monsters creates a sense of unpredictability and danger.
- Midway of Misery – A returning fan favorite, this zone is home to the viral Decay Brigade sliders, including characters like Fryboy and Gas Can, who thrill guests with their acrobatic sliding skills. The Decay Brigade adds extra energy and menace to the atmosphere, with performances that make this dark carnival come to life. Their showcase during the last hour of Dark Nights is a highlight, blending athletic stunts with eerie theatrics, making the zone feel both dangerous and exciting.
- Fallout Zone – A mix of sci-fi horror and post-apocalyptic themes, this zone features a radioactive environment shrouded in an eerie green fog. Guests may avoid the fallout, but escaping the madness of those within is a different story.
The scare zones at Hersheypark provide coherency to the Dark Nights area, and the slider zone in particular, offers both jump scares and fun interactions. The addition of a nightly slider showcase also allows guests the opportunity to engage with characters without the jump scares, giving them a chance to take pictures and share the event.
Value, consistency, and accessibility: A balanced approach
One of the things that sets Dark Nights at Hersheypark Halloween apart from other major Halloween events is its inclusivity and value. All Dark Nights attractions are included with regular park admission, offering a strong incentive for families and season pass holders. This is a sharp contrast to events like Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights (HHN), where separate tickets and upcharges for Express Passes can significantly increase the cost of entry.
Hersheypark has wisely clustered its haunted houses, keeping the scary experience compact and immersive. This is in sharp contrast to events like this year’s HHN at Universal Orlando Resort, where guests often experience long stretches with little or no engagement between scare zones. By explicitly dividing the park into scary and non-scary, the clustering creates a more fluid, cohesive event at Dark Nights.
In terms of accessibility, Hersheypark also offers a scare-free option with the Avenue of the Afterlife, a party zone that allows guests to enjoy themed entertainment and food without the fear factor. This area includes a DJ, scare actor meet-and-greets, and festive food stalls, making it a perfect spot for families or those who prefer not to engage with the more intense attractions.
More than just scares: Family-friendly fun
A common misconception is that Halloween events should scare guests – they should entertain guests, not necessarily scare them. Dark Nights isn’t all about the terror. Hersheypark Halloween also offers plenty of family-friendly activities, ensuring that everyone can participate. Families with younger children can enjoy attractions like the Hershey’s Trick-or-Treat Trail, which features 13 candy stops, or the Shake, Rattle, and Glow: Monster Ball show, where guests can dance along with the Hershey Characters dressed in their Halloween costumes.
Additionally, Hersheypark offers dark rides on some of its signature coasters, including Wildcat’s Revenge, Candymonium, and Comet, which give guests a thrilling ride in the dark. For a less intense experience, guests can opt for scenic rides like the Kissing Tower or Ferris Wheel, which offer panoramic views of the park.
A culinary experience worth savoring
No Halloween event is complete without festive food offerings, and Hersheypark’s Dark Nights doesn’t disappoint. The Hersheypark Halloween Tasting Pass allows guests to try five seasonal snacks, desserts, and drinks, making it a delicious way to experience the event. Additionally, Spirit’s Rooftop Bar offers a haunted rooftop dining experience with themed cocktails, adding a touch of sophistication to the event.
Final thoughts: Hersheypark’s approach to Halloween events
In an era where Halloween events are becoming more prevalent and more expensive, Dark Nights at Hersheypark Halloween offers a refreshing alternative. The event combines detailed, immersive haunted houses with accessible, family-friendly areas, providing a balanced experience that caters to a wide range of guests. And with all of this included in regular admission, Dark Nights offers exceptional value that’s hard to find elsewhere.
While events like Halloween Horror Nights excel in offering blockbuster haunted houses tied to famous franchises, they come at a cost – both literally and figuratively. Hersheypark’s approach shows that you can still offer quality experiences without overwhelming guests with crowds or steep ticket prices.
Ultimately, Dark Nights is a testament to Hersheypark’s ability to create an event that’s both thrilling and inclusive, making it a model for the future of seasonal events.
Philip is a journalist specializing in the Haunted Attraction Industry, Halloween & Horror Events, and Theme Parks. He is the Publisher of the Haunted Attraction Network, CEO of Gantom Lighting & Controls, and co-hosts the weekly Green Tagged: Theme Park in 30 Podcast.
