L.A. Haunted Hayride Announces "Drive-Up" Experience for 2020 Halloween Season

Bonelli Regional Park, San Dimas, CA

With the Coronavirus pandemic still raging, we’ve understandably seen a lot of major haunts around Southern California already announce the cancellations of their 2020 season. Dark Harbor was first, followed by Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights, Knott’s Scary Farm, Coffin Creek, Creep L.A., and others. Although some independent haunters like Reign of Terror and In the Black still plan on operating this year at a significantly reduced capacity and strict social distancing, the outlook is bleak for the large scale haunts.

However, the folks over at the L.A. Haunted Hayride are determined not to let COVID-19 ruin the Halloween season parade, and to that end, they’ve crafted a unique, one-of-a-kind “drive-up” experience that will combine elements of a drive-thru and drive-in with a haunted show. Guests will go through a different and creative way of experiencing the frights of Midnight falls within the relative safety of their own vehicles, so that person-to-person exposure is significantly mitigated.

With the unique circumstances this year also come a temporary site change for this season only—from the Old Zoo at Griffith Park to Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas, next to Raging Waters. This concept certainly looks intriguing, and while there are certainly concerns about keeping all guests safe—both from the virus and from potential automotive incidents, the folks at 13th Floor Entertainment have also spent a lot of time researching and planning this event to try to keep things running as smoothly as possible.

If all of this sounds enticing enough (and there is no shame or criticism in being cautious with all of this), head over to the L.A. Haunted Hayride web site tomorrow, when tickets go on sale. As long as everything is conducted safely, we’ll be happy to have some semblance of the fall spooks in our lives!

(Image courtesy of Los Angeles Haunted Hayride.)

From the press release:

LOS ANGELES HAUNTED HAYRIDE CREATES FIRST OF ITS KIND “DRIVE UP” EXPERIENCE 

Tickets on Sale August 25th at LosAngelesHauntedHayride.com and the 2020 Season Kicks Off on September 25th

LOS ANGELES, CA – Do you live in SoCal and worry you're going to miss out on Halloween entertainment this year?  Well, not if the producers of the annual Los Angeles Haunted Hayride have anything to say about it.  This year, they’re taking the hayride off the trail and bringing it to you!  Announcing Los Angeles Haunted Hayride: Live Drive Up Experience.  A first of its kind haunted experience from the "safety" of your vehicle.  An immersive and interactive experience from the creators of LA's favorite Halloween event!  Don't call it a drive thru, and don't call it a drive in, it's a combination of the best parts of both, with a unique spin.  This is a one of a kind live “Drive Up” experience!  Guests will venture down a dark stretch of “All Hallows Lane” that will feature some of the awesomely creepy scenic environments you've come to love at the hayride. Then drive into horror where you will experience a haunted show featuring an original multimedia story displayed on a 40' screen, accompanied by horrifying sets, lighting, sound, effects, and most importantly live characters from the town of Midnight Falls!

“With all of the other heritage Halloween events cancelling in Southern California, it drove us to find a way to bring a safe and unique experience to Halloween fans,” says Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group CEO, Chris Stafford, whose company produces the annual event, “I’m so excited to show our fans what we’ve created for them, and that this reimagined hayride experience will be entertaining people this season.”

Another change this year is a new temporary location for the event.  Los Angeles Haunted Hayride: Live Drive Up Experience will take place at Bonelli Regional Park, in San Dimas next to Raging Waters.  “There was just no way to bring cars into the hayride location at Griffith Park.  We had to find the right spot, one where we could implement the new drive up experience and an outdoor environment that gives you the right fall feeling,” says Jon Cooke, Creative Director. “When I saw the space we’re using at Bonelli, I knew that it would be perfect,” Cooke continued, “the hayride has become a Halloween tradition for people, and although it may be a little different this year, I think people are really going to love it.  As a huge fan of the fall season in SoCal, I couldn’t be happier to be able to share this experience with everyone.”

Los Angeles Haunted Hayride: Live Drive Up Experience will take place select nights from September 25th through November 1st.  Tickets will go on sale Tuesday, August 25th at noon Pacific.  Don’t wait!  Capacity is very limited for this event, much lower than hayride has had in the past, and tickets are expected to sell out nightly.  Complete details can be found at losangeleshauntedhayride.com