Dracula's Haunted House
*image is from Draculas official website at https://www.draculashauntedhouse.com.au
What a weekend. Originally I had planned to catch the DraxforKids show this weekend but I had mistakenly thought I could go on a Sunday. Unfortunately, they run only run on Saturdays. It's a good thing I had a plan B.
So plan B starts with the fact that I only had to take 2 kids. Due to age or lack of interest I had other plans organised for other. It turns out though that word travels fast. Next thing I know, the two remaining kids were begging me to bring a friend each. It turned out to be a good idea. It was somebody's birthday afterall.
So, this morning, after running on time I was on my way to pick up our last passenger. After being invited in to what I thought was their house and a few minutes of conversations I had realised we were actually at the very friendly neighbours who were overjoyed at the time because they thought someone was visiting them. I had to cut conversations and interrupt with ...'where is he?' Hillarious! I still couldn't understand how our final passenger had been sitting outside their suburban house the whole time while waiting for us with their grandma and still not recognised me, my car or other passengers as we were invited in to the nieghbours house.
After all hiccups were overcome, we then travelled to Surfers Paradise. After a very long game of spot-o we parked at the Chevron Renaissance to take advantage of the two hours of free parking. One lunch later we arrive at the Haunted House. I tell the two nine year olds they are ten today and after 5 or 10 minutes of trying to calm one of our scared attendees down, so we could actually go in, we were then all paid up and inside.
*image is from http://www.hellobrisbane.com.au/listingImages/image/hh_mirror_maze_2.jp
After you find your way through the mirrored halls there is much more to see.
Some people dont like clowns in general. I at least agree that undead clowns are icky and have a very wrong feeling about them.
Uhm.... in we go..... in to Kevin Rudd. What goes in must come out.
Walk through the world of the undead. Don't be surprised when you end up in 'Hell'. You should of known better.
I was hoping it would be worth the trip and $19-$25 per head. The much older boys thought it was awesome. Between themselves they rallied enough money together to go again. They are still asking me to go again and again and again. It was hometime for us though.
I can't tell you if it will be worth it to you because I didnt even time it and I did it for the kids but I can tell you maybe some tips on how to improve your exeperience.
Bring a wuss or two or some kids. It makes it longer and more dramatic and they notice absolutley everything. If you arent caught off gauard at least once or twice you can still laugh at somebody or play the hero.
If you are in a group, be at the front. Make sure the wuss is with you.
Check out every single "Dare door". It adds to it.
Stop and take a photo at every photo point. It's still good. People make funny photos.
If you can go later at night or maybe with a drink in the tank this might add to your experience too.
Don't try to be too smart or brave because you will then rush through it and it will be all over. Try to draw it out.
Draculas Haunted House doesnt recommend children/people under 10 years of age. I asked them if I could fudge that (via a telephone call) because recommendations are not usually inflexible but it sounded otherwise on the phone. Maybe be prepared to go to Infinity or the Odditorium instead if your group has to back out suddenly because of age or fear.
You can look at their website here at https://www.draculashauntedhouse.com.au or ring them on 1800DRACULAS.
I still want to get to DraxforKids, so I guess it's still on the cards. DraxforKids and Draculas Haunted House is of course at two totally different locations. One is a Restaurant and the other is where I went today and it is just a Haunted House on top of the shop.
Drax for kids is much cheaper than the night time Carbaret and runs at 12pm Saturdays and of course is 400% more family friendly. The price looks pretty fair for lunch and a show.
That'll be coming soon to the blog.... when I get there....
Race ya?
-Mez