By: Valentina Toro
Managing Editor
I have always loved Halloween. The horror movies, costumes, spooky decorations and everything that comes with the season have always been exciting to me.
But somehow, I had never experienced a haunted maze until I visited Six Flags Great Adventure’s Fright Fest in Jackson, New Jersey.
And now I am wondering why I waited so long.
As someone who looks forward to Halloween every year, I had high expectations for Fright Fest. I wanted to be scared, have fun and experience something different from my usual Halloween traditions.
Thankfully, the event delivered exactly what I was hoping for.
The haunted mazes were easily the highlight of my visit.
Walking into a dark attraction knowing someone is waiting to scare you, but having absolutely no idea when it will happen, is an experience of its own.
I thought I was prepared. I quickly realized I was not.
I experienced four haunted mazes: Jason: Blood Reign, Final Destination: Death’s Playground, The Conjuring Universe and Army of the Dead.
Each maze brought something different to the experience, making it difficult to predict what was coming next.
Of all four, The Conjuring Universe was easily my favorite.
There is something about stepping into an attraction inspired by a horror franchise that makes the experience even more exciting.
Instead of watching frightening scenes unfold on a screen, I was suddenly walking through an environment designed to bring that fear to life.
The suspense alone was enough to keep me entertained.
Every corner made me wonder what was waiting ahead and even when I expected a scare, I could never be completely prepared for it.
Jason Universe, Final Destination and Army of the Dead also contributed to the excitement.
I particularly appreciated how the different horror themes gave each attraction its own identity rather than making the experience feel repetitive.
As someone who enjoys horror movies, I loved having the opportunity to experience that atmosphere beyond a screen.
It is one thing to watch characters face terrifying situations, but walking through a haunted maze makes you feel much closer to the action.
Another aspect I enjoyed was the Halloween atmosphere throughout the park.
Fright Fest offered more than the usual amusement park experience, giving visitors another reason to enjoy Six Flags during the fall
I also believe that part of the fun comes from experiencing these attractions with other people. Getting scared is entertaining, but laughing about everyone’s reactions afterward makes the memories even better.
What surprised me the most was how much I wanted to keep going through the mazes.
Rather than feeling relieved when an attraction ended, I was already excited about the next one.
For my first haunted maze experience, Fright Fest exceeded my expectations.
It combined everything I love about Halloween with something I had never tried before.
I would absolutely return, especially for The Conjuring Universe.
After years of enjoying Halloween through movies and traditions, I finally found another way to celebrate my favorite season.
And next time, I will be ready for the scares.
Or at least I will try.
