Ripley's Haunted Adventure is located on the Parkway in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.It is a very popular haunt during the month of October. I visited this haunt several times before but never in the month of October. Until this year.
Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in the month of October, at 6PM sharp, Ripley's has their own version of a zombie crawl. A horde of monsters appear and parade down the Parkway ending up in front of the Haunted Adventure. The monsters interact with the people on the street. After about 20 minutes, the monsters filter into the haunt and add to the excitement and fright.
We bought our tickets earlier in the day to avoid the long line to buy in the evening. When puchasing the tickets, you will be given many ticket options. The packages all include the Aquarium plus the other Ripley attractions in the city. If you are planning on staying for several days and want to sample the Ripleys attraction, buying the package is a good idea. We opted for the $1 off per person coupon we found in one of the many coupons books throughout the Parkway.
There were about 100 people in line when we got to Ripleys right before 6pm. We filmed the monster parade as the Ripley monsters walked up the street and interwacted with the crowd of people that had gathered.
After a short wait, less than twenty minutes, it was now our time to step into the rickety old cage that takes it's paying customers (Victims) to the top of the haunt. It is a very effective prop. Very loud, old, looks unsafe, and has a hint of danger to it. We met a crazy man at the top. I was informed that my camera must be turned off at this point. I obliged.
The haunt is a self guided tour. We were in a group of six people. I was the lead, my wife Patty behind me, the others behind her. We were instructed to put our hand on the persons back in front of us. A few seconds later we began our march through the haunt.
I will say the haunt is much larger than what it looks like from the outside. There were many rooms inside to navigate through. The props and graphics were above average and the actors were well trained and effective. This haunt was all about misdirection.
After about 30 minutes, we found our way out. We stepped into the elevator and.... I won't spoil it for you.
One thing I didn't like about this haunt. Outside while we were waiting in line, a woman was selling fiber optic lights to help you see in the haunt. She said it was absolutely necessary to see inside the haunt for it was pitch black inside. The lights, (Which were throw away quality) cost five dollars. I noticed that if you bought the lights at the ticket box office, they were only $2 dollars. Whip a rip off. I declined to buy the light. The woman selling them told me I would be sorry.
I was not. At no time did I ever need the fiber optic light. DO NOT BUY THE LIGHT! IT IS A RIP OFF. The rest of the haunted adventure was very entertaining and enjoyable. It was actually fun. We recommend it in the month of October.
Happy Halloween
LURKING, IN THE SHADOWS, ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
