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Kings Island scares up business with Halloween attractions

Park balances terror  with family-friendly fall fun.

Halloween Haunt 2009 at Kings Island is intended for mature audiences because it includes graphic scenes, suggestive themes and intense imagery, park officials said. For young children, the park offers the much tamer Howl-O-Fest.

Provided Halloween Haunt 2009 at Kings Island is intended for mature audiences because it includes graphic scenes, suggestive themes and intense imagery, park officials said. For young children, the park offers the much tamer Howl-O-Fest.

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By Eric Schwartzberg, Staff Writer 11:34 AM Thursday, September 24, 2009

Kings Island is expanding the two decidedly different options that entertain guests in the weeks leading up to Halloween.

The very gory and graphic Halloween Haunt, replete with ghoulish creatures and severed limbs, kicks off on Friday, Sept. 25, for an expanded 16-night run.

Billed as “the most immersive horror experience in the Midwest,” the attraction feature 500 ghastly creatures and 13 haunted attractions, including the blood-filled Slaughter House butcher shop and pirate-themed Cut Throat Cove mazes and a vampire-filled Hot Blooded “live” stage show.

Kings Island spokesman Don Helbig said the attraction offers more blood, terror and gore than ever before, including “roamers and creepers” who can deliver unexpected jolts of fear anywhere in the park

“Once you’re in, there’s nowhere to run and hide,” he said.

Eighteen thrill rides, including Diamondback and The Beast, are open during Halloween Haunt.

Parents should be advised that Halloween Haunt is intended for mature audiences — not children, Helbig said.

That’s where Howl-O-Fest comes in. Billed as the ultimate Halloween Party for kids, the G-rated and genial attraction is expanding in its second year to offer more family-friendly fare. That includes an indoor maze, a hay bale maze, petting zoo, mask painting, trick-or-treating and a kids-only dance party.

There’s also Tractor Town, where children can ride a miniature John Deere tractor.

Events begin each day at noon with a costume parade.

Howl-O-Fest

Hours: Noon to 5:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 27 through Nov. 1

Halloween Haunt

Hours: 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. every Friday and Saturday night, Sept. 25 through Oct. 31 and from 7 p.m. to midnight select Thursdays (Oct. 8, 15) and Sundays (Oct. 11, 18)

Cost: $21.99 for Fridays and $27.99 for Saturdays when purchased online or free with season pass. At the gate, tickets cost $34.99 for Fridays and $48.99 for Saturdays and Sundays.

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