Hersheypark amusement park is set to debut its new Dark Nights immersive haunt experience which will take place during its Hersheypark Halloween seasonal event. The four-acre addition of Dark Nights represents the largest investment to date for a seasonal event, with three new scare zones and four haunted houses.
Dark Nights Overview
Haunted Coal Mine – Take a daring trek through the abandoned mine, which suddenly becomes an explosive encounter.
The Descent – Who prowls the dark underground tunnels beneath Hersheypark? Follow her into the depths of decay where the only way out is down.
Creature Chaos – Join Professor Darkstone as he pits you against Pennsylvania’s most fearful and deadly creatures.
Twisted Darkness – Dare to have your tarot read by our twisted fortune teller and be forced into a never-ending carnival of nightmares.
Also part of Dark Nights, midways transform from enchanting to unnerving with three Scare Zones, eerie to intense, that are the perfect prelude to the four haunted houses. The Scare Zones include:
Darkstone’s Hollow – Wander among Professor Darkstone’s showmen boasting his array of mythical creatures.
Valley of Fear – Don’t find yourself alone in the murky mists along Spring Creek. The dreadful beings are watching and waiting deep within the shadows, and they know exactly when to strike.
Midway of Misery – Flames burst into the skies as guests are summoned through a sinister gateway into the darkest corner of Hersheypark.
Hersheypark has partnered with industry leaders to bring the event to life.
RWS Entertainment Group
Hersheypark has tapped award-winning attractions, entertainment and experience company RWS Entertainment Group to provide casting and production services for their Halloween and Dark Nights programming. RWS is auditioning the park’s “Scare Crew,” producing hauntingly original live entertainment and creating costumes and makeup that will make Dark Nights guests shiver, shudder and scream. In total, more than 120 RWS scare actors, stunt performers, and hospitality professionals will deliver maximum chills and thrills for the four haunted houses and three scare zones at Hersheypark.
Adirondack Studios
The Adirondack Studios team and Hersheypark came together to develop the design, fabrication, and installation of the haunted houses for Dark Nights. Naturally, the ADK shop thrives on creating personal experiences for attraction guests. Adding ‘fun fright’ to the creative process takes things to another level for their team. For over 45 years, Adirondack Studios have provided creative solutions for designers, artists, producers, and owners across the entire themed entertainment market. With a culture rooted in theatrical production, Adirondack Studios is a collaborative partner that focuses on story and guest experience by examining thoughtful design solutions, innovative methods and materials, and out-of-the-box thinking across the breadth of the project cycle.
Illuminated Integration
Illuminated Integration partnered with Hersheypark to design and integrate entertainment technology systems that communicate four thoughtful, intricate, and thrilling stories. Illuminated’s creative team strives to design immersive visuals and soundscapes that transport each guest to a darker side of Hersheypark. Illuminated Integration comprises talented designers, systems integrators, and installation technicians who leverage the latest lighting, video, audio, and rigging technology to create attractions and entertainment venues that exceed expectations.From concept, design and feasibility, installation and integration, and through training and support, Illuminated works with clients to dream, design, and realise technology projects.
Zeitgeist Design & Production
The Haunted Coal Mine, Creature Chaos, and Twisted Darkness houses as part of Dark Nights were conceived and designed in partnership with Los Angeles-based experience design studio Zeitgeist Design & Production. Led by location-based entertainment industry veterans Ryan Harmon and Joe Lanzisero, the creative team tapped into its nearly four decades of theme park and attraction experience to develop three immersive and story-rich houses inspired by local legends. The Zeitgeist team is primarily comprised of former senior-level Disney Imagineers with over 35-years experience who create UX-IRL – User eXperiences In Real Life for theme parks, attractions, brands, museums, retail centers, and more around the world.
EPIC Entertainment Group
EPIC Entertainment Group will leverage its decade of renowned haunt expertise to deliver an immersive, chilling haunted house experience, The Descent, and a captivating scare zone, Midway of Misery, located in the darkest corner of the park. As a Production Design Partner, EPIC Entertainment Group is consulting in design, production, costume, make-up, and talent. As an Operating partner, Epic will serve as boots on the ground in Production Stage Management, Technical Direction and Show Operations Management.
TAA Group
TAA Group is a family of entertainment professionals, creatives, designers, engineers and craftsmen that are all driven by one common motivation: to create magical worlds that have never been seen before! TAA is bringing their global talents together with Hersheypark to bring the Midway of Misery to life with four larger-than-life and hauntingly detailed set pieces that will transform the Midway into a thrilling adventure.
Brainstorm Design Group
For over a quarter century Brainstorm Design Group has been an industry leader in creating branding, promotional campaigns & imagery for hundreds of the most successful entertainment venues, haunted attractions and Halloween/Horror related businesses in the world. Brainstorm is honoured to work alongside the team at Hersheypark to create unique logo designs and imagery for Dark Nights.
