There are some nights at Woods of Terror that you know are going to be special before they even begin. Then there are nights that completely exceed your expectations. Our Behind the Terror and Preview Night was definitely one of those nights.
After months of planning, building, creating, training, and preparing for another season, we finally had the opportunity to open the gates and give people a look at what we’ve been working on. We welcomed influencers, haunt fans, guests, friends, family, and people who simply wanted to be among the first to experience Woods of Terror this season. And they showed up in a big way.
The crowds were incredible, and seeing so many people excited to experience Woods of Terror again made all of the long hours and hard work leading up to the event worth it. There is something completely different about seeing a crowd gathered outside the gates after you’ve spent months working behind the scenes. Suddenly, all of those walls, sets, costumes, characters, makeup, props, lights, sounds, and countless little details have a purpose. They’re there for the guests.
Behind the Terror gave our influencers and haunt fans a chance to see some of what goes into creating Woods of Terror before experiencing the attractions for themselves. It was an opportunity to get behind the scenes, meet some of the people who make the haunt happen, see what goes into the production, and get a closer look at the work that usually happens long before guests ever walk through the gates.
Then came Preview Night.
And if we’re being honest, Mother Nature definitely decided she wanted to be part of the show.
The weather wasn’t exactly on our side. We dealt with rain and conditions that could have easily put a damper on the night. But instead of sending everyone home, our guests showed up ready to have a good time. That’s something we’ll never take for granted.
Even with the bad weather, the crowds kept coming. People stood in line, laughed with their friends, took pictures, waited for their turn, and walked through the gates ready to experience what we’ve been working so hard to create.
That’s what Woods of Terror is all about. It’s about the people.
One of the biggest highlights of the event was having legendary rock icon Dee Snider join us for a special meet and greet. Having Dee at Woods of Terror made an already incredible night even more memorable. Getting to welcome fans who came specifically for the opportunity to meet him and take photos was something we were incredibly excited about, and seeing the excitement surrounding the event was amazing.
There was an energy throughout the entire night that is hard to put into words. You could feel the excitement in the crowd. You could hear the screams coming from the attractions. You could see people laughing and talking about what they had just experienced. And you could see the reactions from guests as they discovered the new things we’ve been working on.
That’s the moment every haunt worker waits for.
We spend months working when nobody is watching. We build when it’s hot. We work late. We fix things that break. We change things that don’t work. We train actors. We paint. We build. We clean. We rehearse. We troubleshoot. We do all of the behind-the-scenes work that guests never see.
Then one night, the gates open.
And suddenly, it’s real.
Our Preview Night wasn’t perfect. The weather certainly made sure of that. But honestly, we wouldn’t change a thing. Because despite the rain, despite the crowds, and despite the chaos that comes with opening a haunt, we had an incredible night.
Our influencers came out and helped us showcase what Woods of Terror is all about. Our guests came ready to experience the season. Our actors brought their characters to life. Our crew worked tirelessly to keep everything moving. And everyone came together to make the night something special.
That’s the part we’ll remember.
Not the weather. Not the long lines. Not the things that didn’t go exactly according to plan.
We’ll remember the people who showed up. We’ll remember the screams. We’ll remember the laughter. We’ll remember seeing our guests experience the work our team has poured so much into. And we’ll remember looking around and realizing that another season of Woods of Terror was officially underway.
To everyone who came to Behind the Terror and Preview Night, thank you. Thank you for braving the weather, waiting in the crowds, supporting Woods of Terror, and bringing your friends and family. Thank you to every influencer who came out and helped us share the experience with even more people. And thank you to every member of our team who worked behind the scenes to make the night happen.
You could have stayed home. You could have waited for better weather.
Instead, you came to Woods of Terror.
And together, we had one hell of a night.
The 35th Legendary Year is officially underway, and if Preview Night was any indication, this season is going to be one for the books.
Bigger. Better. The Best.
