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Here at Thrillvania Haunted House Park in Dallas, Baron Michael Verdun’s dying oath of vengeance on any who enters his realm is just one cause of the many forms of werewolves that abound on the property. The innocent, thrill-seekers who are searching for the ultimate scare enter the grounds never suspecting that they may leave changed forever or never leave at all…

Many believe werewolves to be misunderstood, tragic creatures that have no choice but to transform into a hairy, wolf-like creature that loses the ability to think rationally and is controlled by their darker, animalistic nature. There are those who believe that werewolves can change at will and do not have to wait for the full moon and are truly evil at the core, looking only to ravage and destroy those in their path or those who have crossed or injured them in their human form.

The werewolf and werewolf lore has been around since ancient times. The werewolf has been hunted and even put on trial along with witches as early as the 16th century. Gypsies, the poor, and those who were considered heretics were especially susceptible in these times to the persecution of werewolf hunters. In ancient texts, lycanthropy was used by the gods as punishment for humans who dared to insult or mock them. Over the centuries, becoming a werewolf could come in different forms, you could be cursed, you could be part of a race of werewolves, or the more accepted form today is that you are bitten or sometimes even scratched by a werewolf who has been cursed.

Because it is generally believed or accepted that werewolves have no choice but to transform at the full moon, the lunar cycle and patterns of behavior are linked. Along with this belief comes the theory that only silver can harm or ultimately kill a werewolf. If you study alchemy, you will find that certain metals have been associated with planets, gold is associated with the sun, silver with the moon. During the full moon, werewolves are considered to be at their strongest, most powerful and of course their most dangerous. It is an accepted theory that during the full moon, there is an increased rate of criminal activity and unexplained behaviors. In other words, our more basic, animalistic nature can surface during the full moon. As often happens, what makes us stronger can also be the thing that makes us most vulnerable, so the metal most closely associated with the moon, silver, becomes the werewolf’s kryptonite…

It seems that the attraction many of us feel to the werewolf stems from the fact that we all feel that we have a dark side, a wild side that is barely controlled just under the surface; something that most of us work very hard at keeping hidden and tamped down. Could the fear that we may not be able to control the “wild beast” from bursting forth from our very soul be the catalyst, the very curse that could become so overpowering, so tangible that one day, during the full moon, we lose that battle, that we become a werewolf, a lycan, a loup-garou, a beast that is unable to control our most darkest and primal urges.

Who knows, but what better place to take that risk than at Thrillvania Haunted House Park? After all, the werewolves that wander our grounds choose to be here, well…., most of them…

We like to think that, of all the haunted houses in the DFW area, Verdun Manor is the most frightening because of the nature of the crimes committed there. Tales of vampirism, cannibalism and the Baron’s horrific human and animal experiments are enough to make even the bravest visitor quake in his boots.

So why do so many flock to the Manor every Halloween? Because it’s fun – if you’re prepared for the danger that lurks round every corner.

Here are 7 tips to an ensure an enjoyable tour of Verdun Manor at Thrillvania Haunted House Park.

Tip #1 – Know your limits. Decide beforehand if this is something you really want to do. If you’re typically terrified during horror movies then this may not be for you. It’s OK. We understand. Chicken!

Tip #2 – Bring a friend, a close friend, someone you can latch on to when the going gets tough and who won’t laugh at you when you make a run for the nearest exit.

Tip #3 – A group of friends is even better. Sometimes, when there are only two of you, you don’t feel protected at all. After all, there’s just one other person between yourself and imminent death.

Tip #4 – If you find yourself in the middle of a panic attack or paralyzed with fear, remind yourself that it’s all in good fun, nothing you see is real. You will get out alive – eventually – and soon you’ll be tucked up safe in your own bed at home. Of course, then you’ll have to deal with the monster in the closet, but that’s your problem, not ours.

Tip #5 – Have fun and enjoy the show. Because it’s the best show in the country and you’ll miss it if you’re running around like a chicken with your head cut off. Go ahead, let us scare you half to death!

Tip #6 – Plan something fun and lighthearted to do afterward to help ease yourselves back into the real world and wash away all those painful, gruesome memories. Go somewhere bright and cheerful with lots of happy, laughing people around.

Tip #7 – While it might be tempting to toss back a few before you head out to Thrillvania, it’s best to be sober when you arrive. As the saying goes, “The stairway can be treacherous” and if you want to survive you need to be prepared for anything during your stay at the Manor.

It’s an important question, to be sure: What should you wear when your date wants to take you to a haunted house? You want to look your best, after all, especially if this is a first date or someone you’re really trying to impress. But trust us – leave the stilettos at home, unless of course… you have a death wish.

Wear comfortable walking shoes: Yeah, those 8-inch platforms look ultra-sexy, but they’ll also make you look like a laughingstock when you fall on your tookas in front of everybody. Keep in mind you’re going to be covering some pretty treacherous terrain. No guy wants to have to carry his date through a haunted house – no matter how good you look.

Wear something washable: Remember, we’re going to be trying our darndest to scare the living daylights out of you. At some point you’re likely to jump, take off running and flee right into the arms of one of our actors who’s covered with fake blood and grease paint. You definitely don’t want that dry cleaning bill.

Wear dark clothing: For that same reason, you might want to wear dark clothing so the blood and make-up doesn’t show up so much – especially if you and your date are going somewhere brightly-lit and public after you leave the haunted house.

Wear something warm, yet open: During peak times you may have to stand outside in line for a while so wear something appropriate for the weather. On the other hand, once you move inside the attraction it’s going to be warmer. So wear something with a zipper or buttons that you can open and close when needed. Don’t worry. Our “monsters” aren’t looking for something they can grab on to. We just want you to be comfortable so you can enjoy the whole park.

Don’t wear a costume: A little bit of makeup or glitter is fine, or even a silly mask. After all, it IS Halloween. But save the really gruesome, full-body costume stuff for later. Our actors might think you’re just one of them and ignore you, and what fun would that be?