Halloween
Scream ParksBY SOFI VANCOUTREN OCTOBER 31, 2014
October 31, also known as Halloween, inspires amusement parks everywhere. Rose students travel near and far for the Halloween thrill. Busch Gardens is an amusement park that hosts an event called “Howl-O-Scream” every year.
“A lot of the times the haunted houses are always really well done,” junior Christine Schedler said. Schedler attends Howl-O-Scream every year with her youth group. She continues to return not only because of the annual trip, but because of the haunted houses. “I normally don't get scared easily, but haunted houses and the people they have walking around really get me,” Schedler said. Howl-O-Scream is Schedler’s favorite theme park because it is the only place that can get her adrenaline pumping. “I enjoy going through [haunted houses] and not knowing what is going to happen next,” Schedler said. The anticipation that follows wondering what is going to pop out of the next corner is the equivalent to the anticipation junior Jillian Ebron accumulates while waiting in line for her favorite Halloween tradition. About 45 minutes away from Greenville lies an old, rustic miniature theme-park called Deadwood. “I go there every Halloween with my friends,” Ebron said. Deadwood has a restaurant, a short ride, a miniature golf course and a famous train ride. Deadwood decorates for Christmas and Halloween, but Ebron prefers the ghostly spirits over christmas spirit. “I look forward to the train ride every year because the clowns and other monsters who pop out at you nearly give you a heart attack,” Ebron said. This haunted train ride takes you through the woods and down a path with barely any lights. The sides of the train have big open windows so that no one can hide from the mysterious things that pop out. “I go because I love the thrill of it and nothing is too scary,” Ebron said. “Yolo.” While Schedler and Ebron crave a good spook, others enjoy the sweeter side of Halloween. Disney World during Halloween becomes a land full of fireworks, trick or treating and ghosts made out of paper, not so much bloody chainsaws. “It’s more child-themed and appropriate for younger ages,” freshman Ricky Cue said. An annual party occurs in Disney every Halloween. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party includes fun activities for children such as trick or treating, watching plays and going through the PG haunted house. Cue and his family have been to Disney World for Halloween before. They go every year that they can because they believe it is a great way to spend time with the family. “I look forward to hanging out with my whole family, especially my older sister,” Cue said. Spending time with family and riding the rides is Cue’s favorite part of the trip. “‘I have been to Howl-O-Scream before, but Disney would have to be my favorite,” Cue said. Halloween theme parks do not only focus on the cliches of scares during Halloween time. Disney fits young children and families while Howl-O-Scream and Deadwood attract those of older age. Chainsaws and eyeballs or scarecrows and candy toes, one should choose wisely. |
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