The Scream Zone — Attraction in Del Mar

General admission is time based and tickets are available every 30 minutes. I purchased tickets a few hours before we decided to go and the VIP and first three timeslots had already sold out. We ended up with general admission tickets for 8:30PM. Parking is easy and only $10, the lot is at the back of the fairgrounds and a short walk to the entrance of the event.

When you walk up to the event you do not see a lot other than the ticket booth, a few food vendors and some picnic style bench seating. There was no signage directing us where to go to actual enter the event. I saw a sort of laser graphic going on thru a doorway and of course had to go check it out. Do not walk through the doorway if a false moving tunnel is not your thing. We made our way through the tunnel only to find line after line with no real rhyme or reason. Lines were however filtered so that you hit one House after another. While the family stood in line I went up to the ticket booth just to inquire about the VIP option and was able to snag 4 VIP passes (at an additional $10 per ticket).

We hopped in the first line which led to “The Passage” with the VIP we walked right up. I am not sure what this was supposed to be but I would not want to do it every again. No direction, just a bunch of black walls and strobes lights throughout and you had to walk through till you found your way out. It was pure mayhem, large groups of people (mainly teenagers running amuck screaming and pushing). Just as we were going to hop out one of the emergency exits one of the employees directed us to the actual exit. No scares here, just walked out with a headache.

Once you exit you are dumped directly into the Hell-Billy Hootenanny que. There was no specified VIP entrance for this House but the wait was about 5-10 minutes. This House was better than the first for sure. The set dressing was nice but there was some confusion on the theme. About a quarter of the way in both my kids turned around and said there is so much going on what is the theme supposed to be? A few good scares and way more manageable and less nauseating than the first house. Scareators were on point and no matter what the theme was they did a good job of making you feel like part of the House.

Last but not least and by far our favorite was the Haunted Hayride. There were two lines, one for general admission and another for VIP. The general admission line wait was around 45 minutes while the VIP was about 15 minutes. Everyone hopped up on the hay filled tractor bed. There were several scenes throughout the hayride (including everyone’s favorite Circus/Clown theme). There was a good distraction of set dressing and items to help distract you so the scareators could actually scare multiple people. All in all the Haunted Hayride lasted about 20 minutes and was really fun.

Lines were fairly backed up and those who had a timed entry of 7:30 ended up standing over and a half in line before even getting through the first House. I cannot say whether it is worth it or not to spend the extra on the VIP admission. I guess a better statement would be is how much you value your time. This was my first time to the live event (we had been previously during Covid where they set-up a full drive thru haunt experience). I went in with an open mind, I did not want to compare the Scare Zone to other Haunts we have been through. I am glad we experienced once and while this event might be scary and fun for some, but I doubt it will be on my Haunt visit list...

I would like to start out with a positive. The security inside the gate were pleasant and very helpful when we had questions. All the actors were totally amazing and interactive, I've been going for years and this was the best year (2017). They even had people there to scare you in line and one even had a nail he would hammer into his nose. Pretty cool party trick lol. It was very entertaining. Amazing props inside attractions. The haunted hayride is so much better than when I was many years ago! (Pro tip: sit in the back in one of the corners)

There are plenty of restrooms to use, even when it was packed there was barely a line for the bathrooms. There was a dj there to keep everyone in line and at the bar they had entertained. Prices are high on food and drinks but that is expected.

The only issue I had was with the hired security at the front gate. I wasn't aware that you couldn't bring in open water bottles. They told me so, no problem, but.... I refused to throw away a water bottle I took only 3 drinks out of so I said I was just going to take it back to the car. They all decided to laugh at me and one said "oh well I've never heard of that before". Well sir, I like to reuse my water bottles and I don't like wasting water. I'm assuming he's never been a broke college kid. I literally refill my water bottles, so yes. I'd like to save that. When I came back they decided to be sarcastic and...

This place is great. Ignore the poor reviews and go for the right reasons and the right way. We're in our 30s and just wanted some Halloween fun.

Book vip. We went early (right after dark) and it was still great. Skipped the lines mid maze (that's where it backs up) and keeps you in the front of the group (where the best screams happen).

Don't go for food or hanging out after. It's a highschool party. All kids. We hit dinner before in Del Mar which has awesome restaurants.

Aim for that 7-8 window. We showed up at 745 and it was dark and people just getting there. Strangely deserted. But it must of been the tail end of the 7pm bookings and the 8pms not arriving. When we finished the hay ride and got back to the food area/entrance it was dramatically busier.

The event: all in all very cool. Tons of effort and the hay ride part is incredible. If possible (I hate not having a back on my seat) try and get the trailer with a wall. The other is just hay bales and the one with the walls you can kick back and enjoy.

Go....