Theme parks get frightful for Halloween

October 25, 1996
Web posted at: 11:40 p.m. EDT

(CNN) -- Madison Square Garden may be best known as the home of the Knicks and Rangers, but this time of year it is hosting some scary characters of a different sort.

For Halloween, it's called Madison "Scare" Garden, and New York's most famous arena has been transformed into a giant-horror show-fun house.

Come late October, more and more arenas and theme parks are tapping into the Halloween spirit.

"The Halloween industry has gone through the roof right across the country and coinciding with that the haunted attractions industry has gone through the roof," said Lynton V. Harris, executive producer of Madison Scare Garden.

Universal Studios in Florida has spared no expense in bringing to life "Halloween Horror Nights."

The Orlando "Scream Park" features creatures like goblins and other spine-chilling attractions.

Six Flags offers a Fright Fest," such as a river of blood, zombie graveyard and hayride of horror.

"There are so many things that a family can come and enjoy -- whether it's the rides -- a lot of the shows are transferred over the Halloween -- and then taking advantage of the walkaround characters that we have," said Pete Mitchell, Six Flag's Halloween expert.

Disneyworld is getting in on the Halloween act as well, but it's also offering friendly attractions that won't scare little children.

Related sites:

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

• Halloween Horror Nights VI
• Disneyland's Haunted Mansion

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.

© 1996 Cable News Network, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.

Terms under which this service is provided to you.