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Awesome & Spooky Halloween Party Ideas

Posted by Thrillvania in Haunted House News on October 8th, 2018

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And we’re not talking about Christmas, Andy Williams.

It’s the beginning of October, which means the Halloween season has finally commenced. For those who love everything to do with Halloween, it’s the best time of year to throw a party. And if you’re planning to throw a spooky soiree, you might be on the prowl for Halloween party ideas.

Sure, a costume contest and mystery box games are the staples of any Halloween bash. But what are some unique and scary ideas for a haunted house party? And what are some ways you can throw an incredible party that people will remember for years to come?

Put your party (or witch) hat on… because it’s time to throw the best party around town this Halloween!

 

 

The Refreshments Table

What’s a haunted house party without some food and beverages to enjoy?

Of course, candy is an obvious choice for any Halloween party. But you’re bound to create some not-so-pleasant tummy aches if all your guests have eaten is sugar. Luckily, there are plenty of spooky and scrumptious appetizers you can whip up for your party.

Take chorizo and caramel stuffed intestines, for example. They look as unappetizing as gutted intestines would. But the flaky crust and the warm sausage, potato, and onion stuffed center are anything but. The recipe even calls for a sweet dipping sauce.

What are some other appetizing Halloween party ideas? You can create mummified pigs-in-a-blanket using mustard drops as eyes. Or, place sliced olives on top of deviled eggs to make them look like creepy eyeballs.

Quench Their Thirst for Thrills

Throwing a party strictly for the adults? Looking for something other than spiked “bloody” punch? Try morgue-a-ritas, witchy cocktails, and plenty of other Halloween cocktails!

You can even pour the beverages into vials to make them look like potions. Seal them off with corkscrew caps and tie tags around them with messages like:

  • Drink Me
  • Poison
  • Beware
  • Aging Potion
  • Snake Venom

Your beverages don’t have to be alcoholic, either. Why not celebrate the time of year by providing warm apple cider? You could even concoct an apple, cranberry, and pomegranate sangria – minus the alcohol. Instead of booze, use ginger ale or flavored seltzer.

Satisfy Their Sweet Tooths

There may be plenty of candy to go around. But why not whip up some bloody cupcakes? Use white cake batter and fill the insides with red jelly or red frosting. Be sure to slather on white frosting so your guests don’t know what to expect inside!

Skip the kiddie caramel apples. Instead, replace the caramel with black toffee and serve up some “poison” apples. Don’t forget to cover the refreshments table with something festive. The darker, the better!

The Decorations

Halloween is the only time it’s socially acceptable to transform your home into a living Hell… well, not literally.

Every haunted house party needs decorations. If you have decorations leftover from previous years, use them! The more, the better. But what are some other Halloween party ideas and decorations?

It’s All About the Ambiance

There’s something eerie about dim lit rooms. Instead of experimenting with the lights in your home, go for candlesticks. Antique-style candlestick holders will create a spooky ambiance… but empty wine bottles can also suffice.

Black-and-orange schemes are traditional for Halloween. But if you want scary ideas for haunted houses, try black-and-white. For example, you could use black plates and silverware along with striped napkins. Keep white to a minimum or embellish all the black with metallic colors.

Flowers may seem like the total opposite of Halloween. But there are black and dark fake flowers that can add a level of elegance to your party. Decorated and carved pumpkins are always a classic choice, as well.

Go the Extra Mile

What’s to stop you from decorating the rest of your house? After all, people are going to need to use the restroom. Here’s a creepy way to startle them when they walk inside…

Buy a white shower curtain at a local dollar store. It doesn’t need to be expensive. Then, slather your hands and wrists with red paint

and create a bloodbath on the curtain. Hang it up for the party and keep it up all throughout Halloween! If you have a bathmat you don’t mind dirtying up, have at it with your feet.

You can also get your guests pumped even before they enter your home. Decorating the outside of your home for Halloween takes time… but with these outdoor Halloween decorations, you can throw the ultimate haunted house party!

The Entertainment

Dressing up and catching up with old friends is entertaining enough. But what’s any party without some music to play in the background and dance along to?

We all know the Monster Mash, Michael Jackson’s Thriller, and the Ghostbusters theme. So, what are some Halloween songs you can play to create an ambient and creepy atmosphere?

  • Don’t Fear the Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult
  • I Put a Spell on You by Nina Simone
  • House of the Rising Sun by The Animals
  • Black Magic Woman by Santana
  • Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon
  • Sympathy for the Devil by The Rolling Stones
  • Zombie by The Cranberries

Many of these songs fall under the classic rock genre. You can never go wrong with playing theme songs from your horror films… or playing music that you and your friends can dance to!

Have Some Good Old Fashioned Halloween Fun!

What are some other entertaining ideas for a haunted house? What types of fun Halloween party ideas and activities can you incorporate?

You can never go wrong with a mystery box game!

Designate a table you’re not afraid to get dirty. Then, you’ll need boxes with small holes cut into the top or front of them. Shoe boxes work great.

After that, it’s time to fill them with some fun (and disgusting) mystery ingredients. Here are some ideas:

  • Cooked spaghetti (brains or worms)
  • Mushrooms cut into quarters (noses)
  • Olives or peeled grapes (eyeballs)
  • Small, boiled hot dogs (fingers)

Trust us when we say to have a disposable tablecloth and some napkins handy for your guests!

What are some other Halloween party ideas that’ll keep your guests entertained?

If you and your friends love horror movies, set up a horror flick trivia game. Instead of throwing a haunted house party, you could host a murder mystery party. If you go that route, be sure to send character profiles to your guests on the invitations.

The Costume Contest

You wouldn’t believe the lengths people go to come out on top at Halloween costume contests. People will shell out hundreds of dollars and spend hours making their costumes. And if you invited some competitive, Halloween-loving folks, raise the stakes!

This year, we’re loving the idea of skeleton trophies. You can buy small ones for cheap online or at a local party store. Then, all you’ll need is gold spray paint… and voila!

What are the categories you should award your disguised and downright creative guests? Here are some categories:

  • Best/most creative costume
  • Creepiest makeup
  • Funniest costume
  • Spookiest couple costume
  • Scariest costume

If the idea of skeleton trophies doesn’t jive with you, never fear. There’s no shortage of prizes to award the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. Money. Gift certificates. Even tickets to a haunted attraction!

Throw an Unforgettable Night with Halloween Party Ideas!

Are you looking to throw the ultimate Halloween bash this year? Now is the time to start planning and sending out your invites. Halloween is only a couple of weeks away!

If you’re looking for more Halloween party ideas, we’ve got one more in store for you:

Thrillvania is the most thrilling Halloween experience in the country… and it’s only thirty miles outside Dallas. Get a group of 15 friends together and experience three terrifying attractions in one unforgettable night… and then, host a Thrillvania after-party!

Buy your discounted group tickets today!

The True Story of Bluebeard

Posted by Thrillvania in Haunted House News on October 4th, 2018

Many adaptations of Bluebeard have been created over the years, and you’ll hear his name used in multiple movies and books, usually ones about pirates. But who was Bluebeard? And what is the true story behind the fairy tale?

The tale of Bluebeard is far more grim than most people remember. It begins with a noble Frenchman, whose beard is so black it looks slightly blue, that has had a series of wives who suffered unfortunate deaths. Bluebeard is a wealthy man with a marvelous castle, and in most stories claims that his wives died of various illnesses. It is not until his new wife, the youngest of all, is left alone in their home that the truth is uncovered.

Bluebeard, who was leaving to go off to war, left this wife with the keys to his castle. He instructed her to invite over whoever she please, and that she can access any room in the house with the keys. He tells her, though, of one small door at the end of the corridor that she must never enter unless she wishes to meet his wrath and rage.

Of course, this comment left her curious, and long after he left for war she unlocked the door to tame her curiosity. When she ventured into the basement, she found the bodies of Bluebeard’s previous wives hanging from hooks on the wall. She’s so shocked by her discovery that she drops his keys into the puddles of blood at her feet. Later, she desperately tries to clean the key, but it’s magical and does not rinse clean.

Bluebeard returns and finds the blood on the key and becomes enraged. He is set to kill his wife by cutting off her head with his blade, but her brothers rush in and kill him to save their sister’s life.

Now, Charles Perrault was known for his eerie stories, but many people think that Bluebeard was based on a real person, which makes the fairy tale far more creepy.

Many accounts say that Bluebeard himself is based on Conomor the Accursed, Prince of Pohor. Now, Conomor lived in the 4th century, so many details of his life have been passed down by oral tale. These stories say that he was a wealthy, powerful man who owned a large piece of property as well as a lavish mansion. Eventually, Conomor acquired many surrounding lands, killing one King and then marrying his widow.

This widow fears him and manages to escape, so King Conomor sets after another young woman’s hand in marriage, St. Trephine. Eventually, the marriage is arranged and the young woman is begrudgingly married to the ghastly Frenchman. However, Conomor was told by a prophet that he would be killed by his own son, so when she found out she was pregnant, she feared for her own life.

shade photo of woman

In an attempt to find a way to escape his castle, she ventured into the royal crypt. Here she finds five caskets, each filled with a woman’s body who was suspected to be one of King Conomor’s past wives. There is also another coffin, empty, which she suspects is meant for her.

Later, King Conomor learns of his wife’s discovery and cuts off her head. There are definitely some similarities between Bluebeard and King Conomor. The idea that this grim fairy tale may have roots in historical truth definitely adds a certain chill factor.

Of course, if this isn’t quite scary enough to satisfy your hunger for true fear this Halloween, a visit to the one of the best haunted house in Texas may be just what you need. Thrillvania Haunted House Park has all the spooks and scares you need to make this Halloween season a truly frightening one, so pick up your haunted house tickets today.

Scariest Haunted Houses in Film & Television

Posted by Thrillvania in Haunted House Stories on September 30th, 2018
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Looking to experience the scariest haunted houses this Halloween? There’s no shortage of scary movies and TV shows to choose from when Halloween rolls around. Slasher flicks. Tales about demonic possession. And don’t forget about zombies, vampires, and werewolves! But what’s Halloween without some haunted houses thrown into the mix? Film and television has long depicted stories about haunted places. But which fictional places hosted the scariest hauntings of all time? Here’s a countdown to the scariest haunted houses in film and television!

The Amityville Horror

If there’s one haunted house story that first comes to mind, The Amityville Horror takes the win. The arguably true story of the Amityville haunting inspired a long line of films in the last 40 years. And out of all the sequels, the original 1979 film goes down as the scariest. Based on true events depicted in Jay Anson’s book, The Amityville Horror tells the story of the Lutzes. The Lutz family moves into 112 Ocean Avenue only a year after the brutal murder of the previous family. Almost immediately, they begin to experience paranormal activities. The story itself makes people question the origins of haunted houses. It always seems like paranormal energy arises in places where trauma – and evil – occurred. You could read Anson’s book, watch the 1979 film, the 2005 adaptation… or even research the real-life accounts from the Lutz family. But one thing is certain: You’ll question whether or not you’re a believer in the paranormal afterwards.

Poltergeist

Poltergeist came out only a couple years after The Amityville Horror. And though it wasn’t based off real events, the film depicted one of the scariest haunted houses nonetheless. The Freeling family lives happily in their development home somewhere in suburban California. Unbeknownst to them, their entire neighborhood rests on an old cemetery. The spirits inhabiting the Freeling home are not at rest… and they take young Carol Anne into their dimension. In the film, the Freeling family and a team of parapsychologists attempt to rescue Carol Anne. Their communications with the little girl across dimensions were not only haunting. It made audiences question how spirits feed off negative energy… even after their death.

American Horror Story: Murder House

FX’s American Horror Story has touched on lots of freaky concepts over the years. Freak shows. Cults. Insane asylums. Cults. But the iconic horror TV show made its debut with the Murder House season. And it became one of TV’s most loved and scariest haunted houses ever. Murder House tells the story of the troubled Harmon family’s downfall after moving to LA. They begin to occupy a home with an extensive – and violent – history. And being present in the home seems to seal their already doomed fate as a family. The spirits of those who die at the house can never leave. Some of the ghosts are kind and watch out for the Harmon’s. But the others intentionally try to cause harm – and succeed at doing so. Towards the end of the season, it’s revealed that this haunted house will bear true evil. And it got so complicated that the story reappears in the show’s eighth season. So, if you’re thinking of starting American Horror Story, be sure to start from the very beginning.

It

Stephen King is quite literally the king of horror. He’s written dozens of horror novels, with many spawning film and television adaptations. Perhaps the scariest adaptation came in the form of It, a 1990 supernatural miniseries based off the novel of the same name (there’s also the 2017 film adaptation). It tells the story of a shape shifting entity that terrorizes a group of Maine kids in the 1960’s. The story also follows the characters in the 1990’s when they’re adults. It can take on any form it chooses… it’s capable of playing on its victims’ worst fears. It’s most notable form comes as Pennywise, a bestial, murdering clown. In the miniseries, the children encounter It at an abandoned house on 29 Neibolt Street. They learn quickly that they can summon It by entering the premises. Yet, this doesn’t stop them from entering it again and again in attempt to put an end to It’s madness. It deviates away from traditional stories of haunted places – in both the 1990 and 2017 adaptations. After all, it’s not necessarily occupied by ghosts. Rather, it’s occupied by something that people can’t pinpoint or explain… and that’s terrifying in itself. If you shudder at the thought of clowns – beware!

Paranormal Activity

What’s scarier than stories of haunted houses? How about actual film footage of real-life haunted places? Paranormal activity shows have certainly raised questions regarding their authenticity. But what we do know is this: Hauntings – rather fictionalized or real – are terrifying when told as documentaries. And no film did a better job with this than 2007’s Paranormal Activity. Told through a series of VHS tapes, Paranormal Activity is about a couple haunted in their home. Unlike Poltergeist and The Amityville Horror, there are no frills. The acting is so authentic that the characters remind you of yourself. And the film is one of the finest examples of jump scares you’ll ever find in cinema.

Experience the Scariest Haunted Houses This Halloween

There are real-life haunted houses where paranormal activity occurs. Maybe visiting these haunted places isn’t on your Halloween to-do list. But that’s okay! You can still experience the thrills with these films and TV shows. And if you’re looking forward to binging on horror films this Halloween, don’t forget to add haunted attractions to the list. Thrillvania is open for the Halloween season! With three horror attractions to experience, you won’t want to miss out. Buy your tickets today!