originally posted on 11/24/2025
Photo: Adam Ahmed. View full-sized image.
Unseasonably warm weather was one of several treats in store for the 206 ACE members and guests who attended ACE Eastern Pennsylvania’s 10th event of the year, HalloThriller. On Saturday, October 18, 2025, Dorney Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania, hosted its third Eastern Pennsylvania event in 2025. The first 150 people who registered received a complimentary Haunted Attractions Express Pass (formerly known as Fright Lane Pass). All 150 express passes had been claimed in less than 24 hours after registration opened in August!
The check-in crew also distributed lanyards and regional pins.
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Attendees could purchase raffle tickets for a lift hill walk.
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Iron Menace.
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Photo: Eggie Young. View full-sized image.
MT Buckets.
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The morning started with check-in, where guests got their name badges, lanyards and pins. They also had an opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for the chance to walk the lift hill of White Water Landing, the park’s shoot-the-chutes ride. Morning ERT was on Iron Menace, MT Buckets and Revolution.
A group gathered before the ITOT on the Whip.
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Photo: Sue Yekel. View full-sized image.
Steel Force.
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Attendees got an advance daylight look at the grim scenes in Necropolis.
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Photo: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
After informal takeover times on Steel Force and the Whip, attendees were able to participate in an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of one of the park’s haunts: Necropolis. While walking through the maze in daylight, attendees could take photos and read the tombstones throughout the “cemetery.” Besides the tombstones with names, puns and poems, some paid tribute to several of the park’s former rides such as Water Scooters and Paratrooper.
Regional Rep Mike Matscherz.
Photos: Eggie Young. View full-sized image.
Ryan Eldredge answered questions during lunch and gave attendees a complimentary meal voucher.
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Photo: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
During lunch, ACE Regional Representative Mike Matscherz announced that the lift hill raffle raised $240 for the ACE Preservation Fund. He introduced Ryan Eldredge, one of Dorney Park’s regional managers for public relations, who answered a variety of questions from the crowd. Eldredge spoke about the importance of hosting ACE events and the community these events create. As an added bonus, he surprised all the attendees with a complimentary meal voucher that included an entrée, side and drink. This meal ticket could be redeemed later that day or another day before the end of the 2025 season.
AlFEARdo joined attendees during lunch for scares and photos.
Photos: Eggie Young. View full-sized image.
Also, during the Q&A, AlFEARdo, Dorney Park’s Halloween-inspired version of their fun-loving clown, Alfundo, stopped by for photos and to interact with attendees. When heading back to the rest of the park after lunch, some guests caught glimpses of a rainbow peeking through the clouds.
After dark, Necropolis certainly seemed more sinister than it had been during the behind-the-scenes tour.
Photo: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
The appearance and vibe in the entire park changed after dark.
Photo: Adam Ahmed. View full-sized image.
Once the sun had set, it was time for EHT (exclusive haunt time) when ACEers could walk through Necropolis before the haunts opened to the rest of the park. It was quite different walking around the “cemetery” in the dark with all the scare actors hiding around each turn. The rest of the night was spent enjoying the park’s seven haunts and five scare zones.
Attendees were grateful to Matscherz and the entire ACE Eastern Pennsylvania team and to Eldredge and Dorney Park’s fantastic staff for making the third annual HalloThriller so spooktacular!
— Melissa Buck
#ACENews