originally posted on 11/18/2024
Photo: Dalton Crider. View full-sized image.
On October 19, 199 ACE members and friends from 11 states came together to have a spooky good time at Dorney Park (Allentown, Pennsylvania) for Eastern Pennsylvania’s annual Halloween event, HalloThriller. This signature event gathered ACEers not only for a day in the park, but also to experience the thrills and frights of the haunted houses and scare zones. In addition, the first 150 attendees to register for the event were gifted Fright Lane front-of-the-line passes for all of the haunted houses and 26 rides.
Rich and Sue Yekel were among the ACE Eastern Pennsylvania team members who welcomed attendees to HalloThriller.
Photo: Mike Matscherz. View full-sized image.
Photo: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
Attendees were treated to a beautiful, sunny day to enjoy all of the park’s offerings, such as a food truck rally as well as the scheduled events from the club. To begin the day, attendees started with ERT on roller coasters Talon and Wild Mouse and two flat rides, Kaleidoscope and Wave Swinger. Immediately following the first rides of the day, they came together to take a group photo in front of Talon.
Many attendees began the day with ERT on Talon, the park’s 2001 Bolliger & Mabillard invert.
Photos: Dalton Crider. View full-sized image.
ITOTs took place on Dodgem and the 103-year-old Antique Carousel.
Photo: Jessica Knouse. View full-sized image.
Photo: Millie D’Auria. View full-sized image.
In addition to ERT, ACE Eastern Pennsylvania hosted two informal takeover times (ITOTs). The first on the schedule was on Dodgem, which was directly after the group photo and provided an opportunity for members to stick together as their free time in the park began. Shortly afterward, the second ITOT on the Antique Carousel was another fun chance to regroup and ride the park’s 103-year-old carousel.
Treats at HalloThriller included a behind-the-scenes look at Blood on the Bayou and how the park makes the magic happen.
Photos: Jessica Knouse. View full-sized image.
As this event occurred during the park’s Halloween celebrations, attendees were (trick or) treated to a lights-on, behind-the-scenes tour of one of Dorney Park’s haunted houses, Blood on the Bayou. The house is a New Orleans-themed haunt that takes those who dare on an adventure through a haunted French Quarter and a dangerous bayou filled with spirits. During the tour, the haunt-loving and our “no-boo” attendees all could enjoy this Halloween-only attraction. Without the actors, spooky lighting or other special features, attendees got to see the details that make the house come together, such as the hot glue cobwebs, posed mannequins and even the potential scare actor hiding spots!
Lunch included an opportunity to bid on items at a silent auction benefitting ACE and the NRCMA.
Photo: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
Photo: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
The next activity for attendees was lunch. They were treated to grilled chicken quarters, pulled pork, plenty of sides and cookies. During lunch Mike Matscherz, ACE Eastern Pennsylvania regional representative, welcomed attendees and spoke about how the event became a tremendous success. Ryan Eldredge, Dorney Park’s public relations and communications manager, answered questions about all things Dorney. At this time, everyone could also browse items available in the silent auction. The auction raised $960 for ACE’s preservation fund, archives and the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives. As lunch was concluding, members were greeted by AlFEARdo, the Halloween-ified Dorney Park mascot, Alfundo, with whom they could take pictures!
Throughout the day, attendees enjoyed Dorney Park’s collection of roller coasters, including Thunderhawk, Hydra the Revenge and the new-for-2024 Iron Menace.
Photo: Dalton Crider. View full-sized image.
Photos: Dalton Crider. View full-sized image.
View full-sized image.
A part of what makes park Halloween events extra spooky is the costuming and special effects makeup on the scare actors who are found not just in the haunted houses but throughout the park in scare zones. Through a free raffle, a small group of attendees was selected for a haunt makeup tour and got to see the process of getting ready for the night with some of the scare actors. Each HAUNT department manager spoke to the group about their particular preparation and what it takes to execute Haunt for seven straight weeks.
True to its name, the park’s HAUNT meant Dorney Park took on a darker, more sinister vibe after the sun went down.
Photo: Eric Laino. View full-sized image.
Photos: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
View full-sized image.
The final group activity of HalloThriller was the first haunt of the night through Blood on the Bayou. The haunt-loving attendees had the opportunity to be the first guests (victims?) to experience the house in its full glory before the attraction opened to the general public.
The ACE Eastern Pennsylvania team hopes that everyone had a frighteningly great time at HalloThriller and that all will join it at another event soon.
— Madi Partington
#ACENews