Top Six Tech Advancements in Haunted Houses

Halloween is here and this year haunted houses are incorporating more tech and features than ever before to create a more realistic experience. Larry Kirchner, president of Blacklight Attractions, Halloween Productions and Hauntworld.com, shares the top six tech advancements that are guaranteed to spook out your haunted house this year. For more inspiration, check out these top 13 techiest haunted houses!

About the Author 

Larry Kirchner is a world-renowned expert on Halloween and horror amusements who has been building and operating attractions worldwide for 25 years. His projects have included Spiderman Ultimate Ride, Garfield’s Nightmare in 3D, The Incredible Hulk Experience in 3D and Ghostwood Estates Interactive Dark Ride, as well as hundreds of haunted houses, mini golf courses, mirror mazes, museums and other attractions. He has built more than 300 amusement attractions all over the world, including Europe, Australia, Japan, China, South America, Canada and many other countries.

In addition, he also owns and operates the world’s number-one-rated haunted house, The Darkness, which is located in St. Louis, Missouri and is filled with animations, computer generated special effects and Hollywood quality scenes and sets. His company also produces sophisticated multi-motion animations and computer generated special effects, and operates www.HauntWorld.com, the world’s largest directory for all things haunted.

Teching Out Your Haunted House

Click through for six tech advancements that are making haunted houses spookier than ever, as identified by Larry Kirchner, president of Blacklight Attractions, Halloween Productions and Hauntworld.com.

Check out the Top 13 Techiest Haunted Houses from across the U.S.

Pyrotechnics

Flames are all the rage this year — adding a level of intensity to all haunted houses. Pyrotechnics are mostly used in outdoor venues for proper ventilation and safety precautions. While it adds a real punch and high-tech feel to any haunted house, be careful to follow all safety instructions and take professional guidance. 

Motion Detectors

Motion detectors help haunters trigger animations and FX on cue, which is key to getting good scares. Imagine a werewolf that jumps out just as visitors open the front door. There are all sorts of different motion detectors in different price ranges – just remember the cheaper ones usually don’t always work when needed.

3D Features and Glasses

Blacklight 3D haunted houses are not usually stand-alone haunts but rather secondary attractions that add value to the main attraction. When done correctly, like the team from www.blacklightattractions.com, guests really become immersed in an environment that is unbelievable. 

Moving Walls / Rooms

This feature is often the most surprising to visitors because it removes them from a familiar environment and showcases the unknown. The Darkness brought this effect to life with the swamp house, and later the ice scream truck, where the entire room moves on all four points. Many other haunts have used motion-based systems for elevators, and even dropping floors.

Sound Effects

Most sound FX in haunted houses today are controlled by digital audio repeaters — some are looped for overall sound while others are triggered to happen only when someone comes close.  Digital sound is also often triggered on animations to make it more effective.

Custom Props

Props in general just disguise the scares better – the more detailed the attraction, the more the guests look around looking for the scare point. The key is to have a detailed haunt to get the best scares. Props can be made from simple home materials or can be as advanced as using chainsaws and heavy tomb stones.