REVIEW: Gateway's Haunted Playhouse of Horrors

Gateway's Haunted Playhouse of Horrors
215 South Country Road
Bellport, NY
(Long Island)

Nyctophobia creator Eric Striffler recommended that we check out Gateway's Haunted Playhouse of Horrors while we were on Long Island and I'm so glad that we did. The final stop on our Triple Feature Friday was at the Gateway Playhouse for a truly fantastic walk-through-style haunted house. The large scale production is 2-3 times longer than the average haunt and covers the 100-year-old estate both inside and out.

"S" and I arrived after getting lost about 3 times. (Don't forget your GPS!) We rushed to the box office to pick up our Fast Pass Tickets (Click Here to buy yours now.) and headed to the haunt entrance. We were thrilled that we got to walk-through the haunt as a group of two. What followed was the Broadway of haunted houses with the advantage of not only having the massive amounts of space available outside Manhattan, but also the history and ambiance of a setting that's over a century old.

Is it Scary?

According to their facebook page: "Gateway’s 100 year old Estate provides the setting for the scariest night of your life."

The Raven & Black Cat says: Fear is subjective, but they have a little bit of everything in the epic journey that is the Haunted Playhouse of Horrors. Something if not everything in this haunt will scare you and if it doesn't you'll have a blast taking in this intricately detailed valentine to Halloween.

Here's A Tip

Head over early and have a drink and something to eat at their bar/concession stand. Some may need the liquid courage.

What I Loved

There is so much to love. The detailed sets and costumes, stellar make-up and special effects, actors that can really act, creepy old theater smells, a variety of textured walk-ways, and an extensive variety of horror themes. It is a brilliant marriage of top-notch theater production and the traditional haunted house.

What Could Be Better

The opening video and story line could use a little work. Gateway's Haunted Playhouse of Horrors is more House of Horrors than Haunted Playhouse. If the explanation for everything is just a haunting than based on what I saw the estate would have to have been the setting of a horrific mass murder, built on some kind of mass grave or both. The one ghost theory isn't satisfying enough.

Final Thoughts

If you love traditional haunted houses you absolutely must attend Gateway's Haunted Playhouse of Horrors.

The Haunted Playhouse Runs

September 30th - October 31st

Discount Tickets

Full Price Ticket Prices
General Admission: $20
Fast Pass Ticket: $25
Not So Scary Daytime Monster House: $7

• 'Like' them on facebook HERE to get a $5 discount. (Sun-Thurs only)

Age requirements

Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Young children are encouraged to attend the 'Not So Scary Monster House' on Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm - 5pm.

Additional Info

• Official Website


• Facebook Page


• Buy Tickets

REVIEW: Nyctophobia Haunted House

Nyctophobia Haunted House
1508 Main Road
Jamesport, NY
(Long Island)

Triple Feature Friday continued with a drive to Long Island for Nyctophobia Haunted House. Nyctophobia requires that you enter alone or in pairs. It is almost entirely dark and the people inside will touch you. It also has a safe word.

Twenty-year-old creator Eric Striffler is a member of Blackout Haunted House's exclusive survivor's club, but he is quick to point out that his inspiration for Nyctophobia didn't come from the Vortex theatre's haunt. In fact, he came up with the concept for Nyctophobia three years ago as part of a high school project, but at 17 he was unable to really put his plan into action. Until now.

As a fellow member of the survivor's club, I can attest to the fact that while there are some similarities between Nyctophobia and Blackout they each provide completely different experiences. Nyctophobia avoids the sexual and violent themes used in Blackout and instead relies on a physical structure that creates a dark sensory fun house. The actors touch you, but they use an intentionally light touch as you make your way through the dark obstacle filled labyrinth.

Is it Scary?

The official answer on their website: "Yes. Very. This is an intense and unique experience unlike any other haunted house on Long Island."

The Raven & Black Cat says: Fear is subjective. Some may find this terrifying. (They have had many people scream out the safe word.) If being touched in the dark while navigating a maze of tunnels, hallways, and sets makes you squirm then you will definitely enjoy this. 

The Rules

You are entering at your own risk.

You must enter the haunted house alone or in groups of two.

Actors will touch you, but you may not touch them.

You will be required to walk, sit, and crawl multiple times.

You will be required to remove your shoes at one point.

You will be required to interact with your surroundings, so please follow instructions.

Use of a light source (phone, flashlight, etc) other than what we provide is prohibited.

You may be recorded and photographed for promotional purposes.

 

What I Loved

The opening was fantastic. Each group of 1 (or 2 ) is forced to wait in a dimly lit holding cell. A fluorescent light with poor wiring sputters and struggles to stay lit occasionally going out completely for a second or two. In the distance you can hear retro children's music so creepy it will make your skin crawl. When an actor finally brings you into the house they explain the premise and then use a simple sensory tactic that made me want to jump out of my skin. The opening set the scene perfectly and was great for building tension, but the highlight of the haunt is only experienced by those who walk through alone. There is an amazingly chilling simulation burial that scared-y cats walking through in pairs will miss.  

What Could Be Better

Eric Striffler's Nyctophobia is brimming with potential, but there are a few things that keep it from being truly terrifying. The first is that there are a lot of missed opportunities where they could take things further and intentionally don't out of concern that their Long Island audience won't attend if it is too scary. I believe very strongly that a haunted house can never be too scary. Instead of catering to the fearful they should offer 2 completely different versions. From 7-9 p.m., allow people to go through in pairs for a toned-down version and then from 9-11 p.m., don't hold back and only allow people to walk through alone. If you are doing something different and really scary people will come.

Final Thoughts

Nyctophobia is a haunted fun house with moments guaranteed to give you goose bumps. It is shocking that it was produced by someone so young. I look forward to future incarnations of Nyctophobia and wonder how the haunt will change and grow as its young creator matures. 

Nyctophobia Runs

October 6th - 22nd

Ticket Discounts

Full Price Ticket Prices
General Admission: $18
VIP Premium: $23

• All tickets must be purchased online. No tickets will be sold at the door. Click Here to buy yours now! (They are nearly sold out for their last weekend.)


• General admission ticket holders will get $3 back if they go through alone and make it all the way to the end.

Age requirements

No one under the age of 14 will be admitted.

Additional Info

• Official Website


• Facebook Page


• Twitter


• Buy Tickets

REVIEW: Nightmare Z-Day

Nightmare: Z-Day
1157 Commerce Avenue
Bronx, NY

 "S" and I kicked off our first ever Triple Feature Friday with a visit to the Bronx for Nightmare: Z-Day, a traditional walk-through-style haunted house, co-created by Tim Haskell and Bobby Ferrara. This brilliant little attraction is exactly what you want in a haunted house. It's clever, scary, and guaranteed to make you jump. You start your journey in the lab of the crazed scientist responsible for the zombie epidemic. "Come meet my children..." he bellows and invites you to begin your tour through the depths of his undead-infested facilities. What follows is a 15-minute  zombie bombardment as you try to keep your brains from becoming a midnight snack.

Is it Scary?

The official answer on their website: "Yes. This isn’t a theme park ride. The whole purpose is to scare you. We have worked long and hard to created the most horrifying experience possible. Get ready for your adrenaline fix."

The Raven & Black Cat says: Yes. This journey through zombie land is chock full of startle scares and clever moments of misdirection. If zombies jumping out at you from every direction gives you the creeps then this is definitely for you. 

What I Loved

Some of the most effective moments of Z-Day employ techniques to confuse, disorient, and all but gift-wrap you for the horde of hungry zombies. Keep an eye out for some familiar friends from Nightmares past and a glorious use of baby dolls.

What Could Be Better

This haunt is wildly entertaining as is, but after the first two rooms it felt like the actors were just sitting around waiting for the startle scare. They were very effective startle scares, but it meant that the action in the room didn't begin until we entered. It would have had more impact if the characters in each room were engaged in an action or activity before we arrived. Then it would provide an opportunity for them to react to being interrupted or create suspense for patrons if they were not immediately noticed. Adding detail and further developing the characters would help the actors move with intention. It would also add depth to the scenes depicted and take Nightmare: Z-Day to a whole new level.  

Final Thoughts

Nightmare: Z-Day has all the horror you've come to expect from the Nightmare series. If Nightmare: Fairy Tales wasn't scary enough for you then take a trip to the Bronx. You won't be disappointed.

Nightmare: Z-Day Runs

October 7th - 31st

Discount Tickets

Full Price Ticket Prices
General Admission: $20 (Oct. 21-31)
VIP Ticket: $40 (Oct. 21-31)

• $20 VIP Tickets & $10 Reg. Admission - Click Here!  


• $5 discount until October 21st with Promo Code: tweet1


• $5 discount until October 23rd with Promo Code: Zombie1

Age requirements

Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. No children under 10 will be admitted.

Additional Info

• Official Website


• Facebook Page


• Twitter


• Buy Tickets 

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