REVIEW: hauntington beach manor
OCTOBER 9, 2021
review: hauntington beach manor
Located inside of Orange County’s Westminster Mall (between the Target and Macy’s) lies one of the more surprising haunts of the season: HAUNTington Beach Manor. This large, asylum-themed maze takes you through an intense journey within the halls of the ward where you will be surprised, spooked, and thoroughly entertained.
HAUNTington Beach Manor’s scare actors were absolutely relentless with their energy. We went through the maze multiple times - and not once did any of the actors seem tired. They always remained fully in character, enthusiastically interacting with us and sometimes even picking up where they left off on our trip before. Collectively, the make-up of the characters followed the same theme of bruising and marred flash. This gave a visual cohesion to the haunt which greatly enhanced the narrative. There were even some classic Knott’s moves, like characters who are attached to elastic ropes, bouncing above guests and seemingly flying over people’s heads before being pulled back into the darkness.
HAUNTington Beach Manor’s maze was very extensive and expertly designed, which allowed for multiple illusions - like characters who keep running in circles around you - disappearing and then reappearing seemingly out of nowhere. The maze also incorporated a perspective illusion which we hadn’t seen before. At one point you are standing and looking below you through a window at the asylum patients. Suddenly, they jump at the window towards you. We have been to hundreds of haunts and can’t think of any room that has accomplished this perspective trick.
It bears repeating that there was no rest between the action in this maze. If characters weren’t yelling at you, then there would be props falling, animatronics moving, and multiple pneumatic air cannons hitting you from all angles. These cannons were fantastic and ruthlessly employed in the hallways - shocking every single person who came into contact with them.
If you make it to Orange County this season, please make sure that you visit HAUNTington Beach Manor. We guarantee that you will love the extreme energy and intensity of this haunt - making your visit to the asylum truly worthwhile!
VC
October 09, 2021
#hauntingtonasylum #hauntedmaze #hauntedhouse #orangecounty #halloween #hauntsofla
