This light show was so flippin gorgeous! I don’t even know how to start this rant. For me, Corona Haunt ranks high on every level with what they do.
We saw witches, ghosts, jack-o-lanterns, bats, skeletons, and a bloody house all come to life with the Ghostbusters theme. Some people find Disneyland magical. A good Halloween show is my taste of magic. I don’t know how they did it.. the ghost and skeletons were gliding around — and you almost forgot you were staring at a house.
The show ran about 10 minutes, which I was not expecting at all. Oh, and let’s not forget all the fog to add to the spookiness and the lawn covered in jack-o-lanterns. What a treat!
Fingers crossed for a frightful Christmas show of some sorts. Looking forward to the upcoming Shadow Mountain haunt! I’m actually kind of scared — because it looks like it’s going to be super dark in there — but I’m ready for the hike! Do yourself a favor this Halloween season and check out Corona Haunt. Reservations are sold out for time slots but they’re still going to run a virtual stand by line. You’ll scan the QR code at the entrance, head back to your car, and you’ll receive a text when it’s your turn to come back — EASY!
Corona Haunt’s – Shadow Mountain will run Oct 22 & 25 from 7:00 – 9:00. Oct 23, 24, 29 from 6:30 – 9:30 and Oct 30 & 31 from 6:30 – 10:30 coronahaunt.com
We were so excited Seaworld reopened for Halloween. I had a pass years ago. When the only rides were Wild Arctic and Atlantis. Way before Sesame Street were ruling the Seaworld scene. Now, Wild Arctic is gone and one of the main reasons for getting a pass is — Sesame Street! We were really looking forward to all the Sesame Street action that was going to happen starting in spring. Luckily Giuseppe still has one more year to enjoy that Preschool Fun Card.
I reserved tickets before it was even announced to the public that they were available. I may have been obsessively checking.
When we arrived we went through the temperature check that’s a little off the path then what we’re used to. There wasn’t a line so we breezed right in. We saw a few of the cute Sesame Street floats. Security check was easy. Now, when you’re entering the park you need your reservation ticket AND your pass. Which made the lines a little slower and people trying to find their stuff, including us, a little chaotic. Well, the chaotic part was that our passes weren’t scanning easily — even though I keep them in my pass holder at all times.
Giuseppe picked out the Halloween Knight trick-or-treat bag. Its a cute little penguin dressed as a knight. We also purchased the map for the pumpkin scavenger hunt. Trick-or-treat bags and scavenger hunt maps are 50% off for pass holders.
I made reservations online for Cookie Decorating with Cookie Monster and Elmo. We had the first reservations of the day. Elmo and Cookie walk past the line and wave to all the kids. I’d like to say we had the best seat in the house. Our table was right in front of their floats. Giuseppe was showing off his decorating skills to them and they were so happy to see it.
Whoever’s in those costumes are amazing. They were very alert and knew whenever we were taking selfies and pictures and were quick to pose.
Great assortment of toppings for the cookies. They were packed into a cute little lunchbox that you get to take home.
During the process each table were called up to take photos with the monsters in front of their floats.
Part of the package is they print up a photo for you to take home. As well as making sure to grab all of your Sesame Street merchandise. Giuseppe got a really cool Sesame Street light up necklace. Chucky really knows the meaning of fun when he’s not causing terror!
Tickets for Cookie Decorating is $25 per child. Ticket includes; Big cookie with all the toppings, milk or water, a keepsake photo, trick-or-treat bag of your choice.
Trick-or-Treating was one station near Wild Arctic. They advertised it as a Candy Garden.. but it was just one booth that you wait in line for.. and that’s it. Since opening, Seaworld have sent out emails saying that they’ve added 5 more stations.
Right after, Count and Telly came out to have a dance party on their floats. They’ve both recently celebrated their birthdays. I wish this was a little more organized and there was someone making people line up for photos instead of a free-for-all.
Also, beware when you’re playing over priced games. We payed for 3 games of throw a ball into a sideways bucket. We all know that crap is impossible — especially when your 5-year-old is playing it. Dude set up 6 balls in 3 different sections. The rules are, you need to get both balls in a row. Giuseppe threw his first ball, missed. Second ball, and it flew back out at me. I caught it and threw it back at the guy and he grabbed the remainder of the balls and said, that’s it — and that it would be impossible to win at this point and he threw 3 balls. We explained that he threw 2. Well, dude decided to count me throwing the ball back to him as one of the throws. I told him, that’s not fair. And he shook his head and said that was too bad — game is over — you lost. We wanted to know why our 5-year-old couldn’t throw all of the balls that we payed for. Even though we weren’t going to win. Why would someone lay all of those balls out and then scoop them all away. Who does that to a kid? And he sat there giggling like a madman and telling us game over. Then continued to stare at us while we walked away. Clearly, someone that doesn’t have a child. Later in the day when we walked past there was an older fella handling the booth and cheering on the kids playing and asked us if we wanted to play. We told him that we already did and it was upsetting. He totally understood why a little kid would want to throw all the balls we paid for and allowed Giuseppe to throw some balls with him.
We’ve been there a number of times in January-March before they closed down but we had never made it down to see the Orca’s. What a lovely, gorgeous, beautiful treat!!! Pure magic happened.
Giuseppe also got to touch the biggest bat ray. He loves touching the fish and bamboo sharks at Explorer’s Reef. We redeemed the map from the Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt. Spoiler: you get a mystery box containing 2 enamel pins. I was hoping for the Beluga (my favorite) but we got a penguin and a sea turtle. They’re now on our pass holder.
Seaworld have recently released Elmo and Cookie Monster Squishmallows!! Also, their Fried Green Tomato Slider is yummy!
We love you, Seaworld, can’t wait till you finally get back to normal.
We love the Marketplace at Knott’s. During our normal Knott’s visits we never have enough time to stop in and check things out — mainly because we’re burnt out. Since they were the only spot open for a while we were able to get the pins, Snoopy Squishmallow, and Snoopy cookies there. A little bit of Knott’s is better than nothing.
We decided to order his birthday cake from the bakery. I asked for a Snoopy and Charlie Brown Halloween theme. I think it came out so cute. Next time you’re thinking of Albertons, Ralphs, whatever grocery store you shop at cake — head over to Knott’s instead. Same price with all the quality of The Farm. We also ordered a bunch of Snoopy cookies but right now they have the cutest Halloween themed cookies and treats.
While all of these drive thru, up, into haunts are popping up why not get tickets to LA Haunted Hayride? A popular event during normal spooky seasons. If you’re only choosing one to to attend — this is a must! This was our first ever experience so we had no idea what to expect.
They’re at a new location — Bonelli Park, right at the Raging Waters entrance in San Dimas, close for us. Hop off the freeway and it’s easy to spot. One lane line up. They had things moving quickly. Ticket transaction was quick and then that was it — we were in!
We chose the first slot of the evening so it was still light out when our adventure started. Which was good, because we took my nephews and niece. This was my nephews first ever haunt experience. My niece did The Dreich Society walkthrough haunt with us last year, so this was going to be easy for her. Giuseppe is already at pro level. Both of my parents were also present. We had a car full!
And then we enter Midnight Falls and take a romantic drive down All Hallows Lane. The sets and scenes were great! My dad kept telling me to slow down so he could get a good look. Pretty sure this was dad’s favorite part of the evening.
Right after you pass the “Greetings From Midnight Falls” sign Monte Revolta is talking to everyone in his booth. It was sudden, we were moving, and I was driving so I didn’t get a chance to grab a picture or video. I just screamed with joy and my cold heart pitter-pattered. The view of the Midnight Theater Drive In was exciting. We had regular tickets so we were placed in the back. One right ahead of the back row. The parking was a little chaotic and unorganized but I’ll cut them some slack because it was opening weekend.
The music started and Monte Revolta hit the screen with his tunes. Out came the monsters. We had a devil spinning around on the light pole. Something that looked like The Purge popping up on the side of the car. A creature walking around with a leg — or was it a hand? And a dude with a chainsaw. We even saw a few with snacks. Giuseppe joined us in the front and was having a good ol time. The monsters really took to all the kids in the car. Sneaking along the sides, pretending to hurl body parts at them, and the best part was when they would stand at the front of the car and point at the kids.
On the way out there were a few monsters being menacing on a stand and telling us to honk the horn. The next time slot were already lined up, at Monte’s stand, waiting to come in. I yelled, thank you, to Monte and he waved.
The whole experience was 50 minutes, from the drive in until the lights came on.
There are a few Wednesdays and Thursdays left to experience LA Haunted Hayride. They’ll also be operating the whole week leading up to Halloween. Those are still available as well. All Friday-Sunday slots are sold out. www.losangeleshauntedhayride.com
Right before 2020 sunk into a hole we went to Knott’s for Charlie Brown Day. Our most favorite day of the year. Where we cheer on our favorite guy, Chuck, good grief! We went to their first food festival, Taste Of Calico, back in July. Only Ghost Town was open and we were greeted lovingly by the Mayor. I’m sure he senses we are Good Citizens of Calico. We love him.
Like everyone else who adores Halloween we were spending the past few months wishing for things to get back to normal so we could visit Scary Farm. Then it turned into hoping for “Taste Of Spooky Farm”. They always have those crazy Halloween dishes. Then it happened — Taste Of Fall-o-Ween. I jumped at getting tickets for the first day. I love starting spooky season in September. Plus, it landed on Giuseppe’s 5th birthday.
We arrived an hour after opening and it was a breeze to park and a breeze to get in. From temperature screening, security, and entry. BUT we did go on a Friday in September so that may have helped. Not very crowded throughout the day but the entire park is open to roam.
Now, our main reason for going was the trick-or-treating through Camp Snoopy. Hoping to catch a glimpse of our dear friends, The Peanuts Gang. What a beautiful sight! They did SUCH an amazing job. I felt like I was in the most amazing Halloween setting. Sprinkle in all of those little Peanuts Gang cutouts. They had skeletons on every ride. I gotta say, I think Giuseppe was a little jealous seeing all those bones on his rides. He wanted to know what happened to ride operator, Kevin, who was still dressed in his Camp Snoopy outfit. I told him that when everything got shut down — Kevin got trapped in the park — and this is what happened. Snoopy looked great in his Dracula costume. We yelled that we missed them. Lots of kisses were blown our way. Such a tease seeing them from a distance but it was a lovely surprise. Plenty of trick-or-treat stations. Way more than what they offer during Spooky Farm in Calico during normal operations. I hope they keep it like this because I prefer it more. I love all the ghosts in Calico but this experience was just above and beyond.
It’s obvious that Knott’s are the kings of Halloween decorations and props. If we couldn’t have the full thing I’m glad we got a taste. A really good taste.
Best food item I tried: butternut squash soup in bread bowl. Giuseppe’s nana says: Headless Meatball Sandwich.
Also, if you’re looking to grab a birthday pin, those super special 100th Anniversary ones, ask the person at the exit. Both guest services locations were closed and we were finally directed to the exit. They have them locked closely away and are very happy to provide you with one.
Adventures With Candy 