By Mariyah Ramirez & Arlene Sanchez

As October creeps up on us, so too does the season of scaring. Theme parks and haunted houses have flung open their creaking gates, welcoming eager thrill-seekers into a world where terror meets delight.

Each year, parks such as Universal Studios, Six Flags, and even the more family-friendly Disneyland hold huge haunted events. Icons of horror such as Pennywise and La Llorona come to life and bring terror and ensure spine-chilling experiences for visitors.

Among these macabre spectacles, Universal Studios’ “Horror Nights” stands out as the model of fear-fueled entertainment. Known for its mazes, this year promises terror in the form of “Evil Dead Rise,” “The Last of Us,” “Stranger Things,” “The Monsters of Latin America,” and “Holidayz in Hell.” “Horror Nights” stands as an annual pilgrimage for Halloween fans who revel in jump scares and adrenaline-pumping chases by people with chainsaws through a darkened theme park.

“I like the way my blood rushes to my ears as I walk through the mazes and hear all the screams,” senior Ari Quilz said.

For those who prefer a lighter dose of Halloween, Disneyland’s “Oogie Boogie Bash” is a great family-friendly event that features an exclusive Halloween parade and trick-or-treating around the park. Visitors of all ages can enjoy live entertainment from the Disney characters donning Halloween costumes and includes delicious food ranging from birria tacos to clam chowder.
“I absolutely love going to Disneyland especially during the Halloween season to see all the cute Halloween decorations around the theme park,” senior Sazin Khan said.

However, if your heart races at the prospect of jump-scares, “Fright Fest” at Six Flags is the haunt for you. This year, Six Flags, unveiled mazes inspired by “The Conjuring” and “Saw X.” Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the park will also feature scare zones, haunted houses, and rides in the dark with zombies.

The realm of Halloween celebrations extends beyond theme parks. Local haunted houses offer interactive nightmares, with one of the most notorious being “The 17 Doors” in Buena Park. There, the actors can stun brave visitors and even lock them in tiny claustrophobia-inducing rooms. It’s a terrifying immersive experience including moving floors, strobe lightning, water inhalation, disorientation, and loud noises.

The Halloween experience is all about fright and delight. Whether you jump from fright or jump for joy, this season calls for all to partake in spine-tingling festivities.