The Twisted Darkness house introduces a carnival of nightmares that exists in another dimension and is accessible only through the psychic visions of fortuneteller Madame Zola Credit: Zeitgeist/Hersheypark
Creative firm Zeitgeist Design and Production was recently recruited by Hersheypark in Pennsylvania, US, to develop three different haunted houses for the popular theme park’s annual Halloween event.
Inspired by Pennsylvania legends, ‘Haunted Coal Mine’, ‘Creature Chaos’ and ‘Twisted Darkness’ were developed by Zeitgeist’s Ryan Harmon and Joe Lanzisero.
“We approached each haunted house like a dark ride,” said Harmon, who is Zeitgeist’s president and chief creative officer and a former Disney Imagineer.
“Your ride vehicle is your feet as you trepidatiously traverse a series of fantastic environments as a compelling multimedia story unfolds around you, culminating in a spectacular finale every time.
“Our goal was not just the physical scare, but an emotional scare that will haunt you in your dreams.”
Haunted Coal Mine takes guests into an abandoned mineshaft where gnome-like men will do “whatever it takes” to protect the treasure they have discovered.
Creature Chaos is inspired by legends of mythical creatures, with a cryptozoologist named Professor Stanley Darkstone capturing them before they escape their cages and prey on the guests.
In Twisted Darkness, a carnival of nightmares existing in another dimension is presented, with visitors having to escape an evil netherworld or risk being trapped forever.
“The Zeitgeist team instilled each of its three haunted houses with believable backstories, unique characters, clever techniques, and surprising physical situations,” said Brewer Lister, Hersheypark’s managing director of marketing.
“As a result of this fresh approach, each of Zeitgeist’s designs seamlessly integrates immersive theatrical scenics with special effects and costumed ‘scare actors’ to bring each original and spine-tingling tale to life.”
Hersheypark’s Dark Nights event is taking place through October, with the event set to conclude October 30. The event features three scare zones and four haunted houses.
The Twisted Darkness house introduces a carnival of nightmares that exists in another dimension and is accessible only through the psychic visions of fortuneteller Madame Zola Credit: Zeitgeist/Hersheypark
Creative firm Zeitgeist Design and Production was recently recruited by Hersheypark in Pennsylvania, US, to develop three different haunted houses for the popular theme park’s annual Halloween event.
Inspired by Pennsylvania legends, ‘Haunted Coal Mine’, ‘Creature Chaos’ and ‘Twisted Darkness’ were developed by Zeitgeist’s Ryan Harmon and Joe Lanzisero.
“We approached each haunted house like a dark ride,” said Harmon, who is Zeitgeist’s president and chief creative officer and a former Disney Imagineer.
“Your ride vehicle is your feet as you trepidatiously traverse a series of fantastic environments as a compelling multimedia story unfolds around you, culminating in a spectacular finale every time.
“Our goal was not just the physical scare, but an emotional scare that will haunt you in your dreams.”
Haunted Coal Mine takes guests into an abandoned mineshaft where gnome-like men will do “whatever it takes” to protect the treasure they have discovered.
Creature Chaos is inspired by legends of mythical creatures, with a cryptozoologist named Professor Stanley Darkstone capturing them before they escape their cages and prey on the guests.
In Twisted Darkness, a carnival of nightmares existing in another dimension is presented, with visitors having to escape an evil netherworld or risk being trapped forever.
“The Zeitgeist team instilled each of its three haunted houses with believable backstories, unique characters, clever techniques, and surprising physical situations,” said Brewer Lister, Hersheypark’s managing director of marketing.
“As a result of this fresh approach, each of Zeitgeist’s designs seamlessly integrates immersive theatrical scenics with special effects and costumed ‘scare actors’ to bring each original and spine-tingling tale to life.”
Hersheypark’s Dark Nights event is taking place through October, with the event set to conclude October 30. The event features three scare zones and four haunted houses.
