Ripley’s Haunted Adventure – Gatlinburg

Doing Sexy Halloween Since 1998

Ripley's Haunted Adventure

I visited Gatlinburg, Tennessee just a week to research the infamous Ripley’s Haunted Adventure. The haunt is located at traffic light #8 right in the middle of the Parkway.

The legend goes that the original Grimsby and Streaper Casket Company was built in 1891 over a cave called “The Sinks.” Shortly afterward, anyone who entered either went mad or were never seen again. The company was closed and boarded up.

As the years went by, many other buildings and stores were built surrounding the old building covering it up leaving it forgotten.

Until in 1991, Ripley’s purchased the property and tore down all the construction built in front of the casket company. Ripley’s is now conduction daily tours of the Grimsby and Streaper Casket Company.
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Ripley's Street Sign

You can’t miss Ripley’s Haunted Adventure, the sign stands proud and very visible from any angle on the street. Add the workers outside and inside the pay window drumming up business, everyone that walks by knows a haunted attraction is inside.
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Ripley's Mascot

Attached in the over hang of the Ripley’s building is this animated mannequin. He yells down to the crowd bating them to enter. Some of his sayings are entertaining and funny. Again, it’s a crowd pleaser that gets the folks gathering around.
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Ripleys' Haunted Adventure

This is the building. It doesn’t look like much, doesn’t look too big, but it serves it’s purpose and the designers really utilized the space available to its maximum potential. It looks dilapidated and haunted, perfect for a haunted house.
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Zombie Barker

Attached to the building is a small wooden box with swinging doors. On busy evenings, one of the employees enters the box and interacts with the audience on the street. They are very entertaining, with lively banter between potential customers.
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These actors dressed as monsters were part of the zombie crawl that begins every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 6:13pm in October. All of the actors were excellent entertainment as they scared the women folk walking the street and even some of the men folk. They were relentless and funny as well.
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At 6:13pm Saturday night the monster parade (Zombie crawl) began as these bizarre characters appeared from around the corner and marched up the street toward Ripley’s. Yes, they noticed me and happily interacted with These are the characters that are roaming inside and of course outside the haunt.

The Details

The cost of the haunt is $13 dollars. However, check the multiple coupon kiosks stands located all over Gatlinburg for a dollar off to the haunt.

After paying, the cashier tries to sell you a special light they say you will need to navigate inside. I passed on the light. (BTW, Ripley’s has a strict rule that absolutely no photography may be taken inside and no cell phones can be turned on to provide light and / or pictures.

A small group of people are loaded into a dilapidated steel cage and you slowly ascend to the second floor. You are given the rules and lowdown of the haunt. We were all told to keep together, within hands touch. In fact, we were advised to keep one hand on the shoulder in front of you.

As we began, it was very dark, and those that bought the ghost light illuminated it enough for all of us. The tour took approximately 20-25 minutes from start to finish and had plenty of scenes to keep us occupied. A very good blend of “Live” action as well as classic automatons props.

Ripley’s Haunted Adventure is open right now. If you are in the Gatlinburg area, I suggest you pay them a visit.

Happy Halloween – Samhain

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Ghost Lake 2010 Adventure – Part 4-4

Doing Sexy Halloween Since 1998

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Fear Level Six: The Fog
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Ghost Lake - The Fog

We only had three haunts left as we headed toward The Fog, a haunt Ghost Lake had the previous year. The sign on the tree was plain and clear. The Fog was thatta way.
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The Fog

If you have read the 2009 or 2008 Ghost lake edition, the Fog is mostly dark, with spooky music piped in and of course plenty of thick cold fog. It was set up as a maze and you had to concentrate to navigate through. Of course there were actors inside to scare and grab you.
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Outside The Fog

The haunt took approximately 15 minutes to navigate through. At the exit, we spied this monster hanging out.
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Halloween Chainsaw

As we were walking across the Midway to the next haunt, The Black Vortex, a masked lunatic carrying a chain saw appeared and ran after several screaming teenage girls. (God, I love Halloween)
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Fear Level Seven: The Black Vortex
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Ghost Lake Vortex 2010

Basically fear level 7 was one Halloween prop, the spinning vortex. (A large slowly spinning barrel with pin lights in the ceiling.) This haunt was a very quick one. A matter of minutes we were done and walking towards the eight and final haunt level of Ghost Lake, The Blue Streak Ghost Coaster.
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Fear Level Eight: Blue Streak Ghost Coaster
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Ghost Coaster

We knew where the last haunt was. The Blue Streak coaster is one of the Grassy Knoll Institute’s rocket scientists favorite rides. You can see Ghost Lake jazzed up the name and sign renaming the coaster The Ghost Coaster for the month of October.
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Ghost Lake Coaster

It is pretty hard to “ghost” out a roller coaster with Halloween props but a few well placed skeletons and lights were well received.
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Private Ride

After we rode the Coaster three times in the front seat, I have had enough for the evening. However, the lead scientist, my son Patrick wanted to ride again. This time he chose the last seat in the train. (Note that we were given a private ride)
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Blue Streak

A minute later the train started to leave the station. Patrick seated in the back car. I will say, I have been on perhaps 200 roller coasters in my time, and have ridden the Blue Streak more than 100 times, but never in pitch darkness. Let me explain, it wasn’t like riding coasters at night where there were lights on the midway, the tracks, and around the ride. This was pitch black from start to finish.

It was so dark, we could not see the first hill, or the second, or any of them for that matter. Imagine riding a coaster with your eyes closed. That was the feel of the Ghost Coaster. This haunt was by far the best part of Ghost Lake.
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Watch this video one more time. Notice that when Patrick left the platform he was in the back car but when it pulls back into the station, he is sitting in the front car.
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Fear Level Food Court: Hot Dogs And French Fries
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No haunted attraction is complete without sampling the Midway fried food and confections offered to the public. We stopped at two places, once early in the haunt, and once after we had finished.

Mr. Fries

At the center of the Ghost Lake Midway, was the mecca of French fries. Being hungry, we opted for the large size, not the super size, which was the bucket of fries, but the large size. The cost was $6.00 dollars.
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Large Fries

As the fries were cooking, a conversation was struck talking about Erieview Park, the old Geneva On The Lake park, as the fry operator was a veteran of the park and knew plenty of stories. It was a very pleasant conversation.

As you can see, the fries were put in a large holder and wrapped in foil and laid on the counter. Being no tables or chairs, i moved them away from the front window to the side so other patrons could order. We continued our conversation until the fries were gone. I must say, they were damn good. Almost Idora Park level, and that my friends, is a big deal.
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Beach Club

At the end of the evening, we stopped at the Beach Club for a late night snack. I ordered a hot dog and a large fry. Here is the hot dog. A $2.00 hot dog. The cook wasn’t anywhere as talkative as the guy at Mr. Fries. In fact, he barely grunted. The dog was standard, edible, and hot.
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Greasy Fries

And here is the large order of fries. Yes, the fries were the same cost, $6.00 for the large. But upon inspection, considerably less than Mr. Fries large order. (Just saying) They were well cooked, crunchy enough and for a Halloween haunt, very adequate.
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We were finished with Ghost Lake for 2010. I filmed a minute of the Midway as we walked out so you could get a small idea of the atmosphere of Ghost Lake.

The Grassy Knoll Institute enjoyed our time at Ghost Lake Conneaut haunted adventure this October. We recommend you pay a visit to Ghost Lake this weekend and next to get the full fright effect of Halloween.

Happy Halloween – Samhain

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Ghost Lake Conneaut 2010 – Part 3-4

Doing Sexy Halloween Since 1998

We exited the House Of The Undead and made our way down the dark street towards the legendary haunted Hotel Conneaut and hopefully encounter the ghost Elizabeth in the honeymoon suite. In 2008, we literally had the hotel to ourselves freely roaming the hallways. In 2009, the haunt changed with plenty of fog, special effects, and actual spirits roaming the halls. We anticipated another upgrade for 2010. Here we go…
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Fear Level Three: Haunted Hotel Conneaut
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Hotel Conneaut Lobby

We walked into the lobby of Hotel Conneaut before our tour to snap a photo or two. The actual haunt entrance was on the side of the hotel and we would get there in good time.
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Hotel Lobby

A quick glimpse into the hotel lobby before we start the haunt. Spy any ghosts?
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Haunted Stair Case

This is the famous haunted hotel Conneaut stair case. It’s been reported that the ghost Elizabeth appears at the top of the stair case to people staying in the hotel.
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Ghost Elizabeth

Look! You’re in luck. The infamous bride ghost Elizabeth captured on film. She pleaded with us to help her find her lost husband.
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Hiding Spirits

Keep in mind that we were in almost total darkness. The monster crouching against the wall could not be seen. He would lurch up and scare you as you walked by unknowing he was there. A classic scare and very effective.
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Wedding Bed

This is believed to be the wedding bed and suite of Elizabeth and her soldier boy husband. It appears that they have consummated their marriage by the disheveled look of the bed.
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Below are more photos from inside the haunted hotel. This haunt was by far the best offered by the Ghost Lake group. There were many actors inside, fantastic fog, special effects, and the feeling of being in an actual haunted residence.

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Hotel Exit

After wondering around in the hotel for a while, we encountered this fine gentleman who guided us to the exit. He thanked us for coming and we went on our way to the next haunt level, The Terror Down Under.
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Fear level Four: Terror Down Under
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As we walked along the lake shore in the cool night air, we spied the next haunt level in the basement of the Beach Club restaurant.

The Beach Club Restaurant

The Terror Down Under was a haunt level in 2009, and by the looks of things, it was looking like exactly the same.
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Steps To Nowhere

Patrick pointed out these steps, they led to nowhere, and really had no purpose to the haunt or the restaurant. This haunt was in complete darkness. The floor was sandy, and quite uneven. There was plenty of people grabbing your ankles and loud screaming. And the hallway of glowing Jason Hockey masks was an excellent touch. Stay on alert in this area.
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Fear level Five: The Amityville Horror
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The Amityville Horror was a new haunt this year for Ghost Lake. It was a great movie and I was hoping the haunt would do it justice. Here we go…

Amityville Horror

This is the entrance of the Amityville horror haunt. The attendant collecting tickets asked not to be in the photo so we obliged her.
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Tombstone Markers

Off the porch were a few colorful tombstones decorating the yard. A subtle touch.
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Below are 5 more pictures from the haunt. Some places were very dark and sparse with actors but it was adequate. Enjoy the pics.

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We exited the Amityville Horror and began the short trek up the road to The Fog, the sixth level of fear. Check back tomorror for installment four.

Happy Halloween – Samhain

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Ghost Lake Conneaut 2010 – Part Two

Doing Sexy Halloween Since 1998

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Fear level One: Dr. Rot’s Funeral Home
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Ghost Lake 2010 Dr. Rot Sign

Walking down the midway we spied the sign pointing the way to the first haunt level, Doctor Rot’s Funeral Home. It was in the same location as last years Tinglers Funeral home. We turned right and followed the sign.
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Ghost Lake 2010

This part of the midway was dark, and for good reason. Out of the darkness, a demented clown wielding a chainsaw came out of the shadows daring anyone to cross his pass.
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Dr. Rots Entrance

Yes, Dr. Rots looked exactly lile last years haunt. The Casket propped up outside and the black hurst angled in the yard. Hopefully change will be inside.
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Dr. Rots Monster

Hanging around outside to scare the patrons before entering the haunt was a post chemical warfare survivor.
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Sexy Ghoul W/ Cleavage

Shortly after entering the Funeral Home, we stumbled into this lovely lady. She has quite a set of lungs on her as her screams were ear piercing.
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Funeral Parlor Coffin

As was last year there was a woman mourning her husband in the funeral parlor. I won’t tell you what happens next.
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Foreboding Steps

As we turned the corner, we encountered these foreboding steps. Very nice.
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A Ford Fan

Keep in mind, this haunt was in almost total darkness. The camera I used works very well in low light conditions. Look, she’s a Ford fan.
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Dual Coffins

The funeral parlor had multiple coffins, and some of them with some very live monsters inside.
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Skeleton

Another actor inside the funeral parlor, a skeleton jumped out from behind a door. Very good effect in darkness.
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Caged Monster

I was expecting the fence to be electrified, having sparks moving from side to side, but alas, it did not. It merely kept the monsters caged and away from the customers.
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Outside Dr. Rots

Upon exiting Dr. Rots we looked to our left and up the road to spy the blinking lights signaling the next haunt, The House Of The Undead.
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Fear Level Two: House Of The Undead
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As we approached the next haunt, the house was lit up with strobe lights. As we approached the front porch, I filmed this brief video of that effect. Check it out below.

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Ghost Lake 2010

Last year as we were waiting to enter the House Of The Undead and we noticed that the front door would stick every time when allowing victims to enter. This year, it did not stick.
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The gallery below is from the House Of The undead. As you will see, there were plenty of monsters lurking in the shadows. Keep in mind that the house was pretty dark and I had my camera in night vision to snap these photo’s. Loved the bloody bride, Raggedy Andy, and the Batter up guy in the orange suit.

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As we exited the House Of The undead, we looked to our right for the next haunt, the legendary Hotel Conneaut. We set out down the dark street towards the hotel in hopes of meeting up with the mad butcher who lurks in the basement and the Bride Elizabeth herself, who reported roams the halls in search of her soldier boy husband.

Happy Halloween – Samhain

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Ghost Lake Conneaut 2010 Haunted Adventure

Doing Sexy Halloween Since 1998

Ghost Lake 2010

Ghost Lake Conneaut is on it’s third year of it’s Haunted Eight Levels Of Fear hosted inside Conneaut Lake Park located at 12382 Center Street, Conneaut Lake, PA, 16316.

Two years ago, (2008) the Grassy Knoll Institute investigated a new haunted atrraction venue called Ghost Lake. The setting had almost ideal conditions. A certified haunted hotel, (Hotel Conneaut) a burned out midway, (Due to a tragic fire in the winter) and a closed secluded Amusement park surrounded by a cool water lake. Throw in a small resident community with some run down houses on narrow streets and you have a recipe for a successful haunt.

In 2008, the haunt was disorganized, poorly planned, and to me, a complete bust. It was a shame for it was ripe to be successful. Last year, (2009) the ghost lake crew got it together, added new haunts, deleted the lame ones, and added more monster and actors to scare the paying customers. We returned to Ghost lake again October 2nd of this year to re-evaluate the haunt.

As in the previous two years, I will use the same format splitting up the 8 haunted levels of fear into four updates to avoid lengthy and large bandwidth page sizes. You are reading the first update, (Part One) the introduction, consisting of the history of Ghost Lake, parking area, the entry cost and ticket booth, the new layout, and the midway.

The second update will explore haunts: Doctor Rots Funeral Home and The House Of The Undead.

The Third update will inspect the haunted Hotel Conneaut where I guarantee you will see the ghost Elizabeth roaming the halls, The Terror Down Under, and The Amityville Horror.

The fourth update will explore The Fog, The Black Vortex, The Blue Streak Ghoster Coaster, and of course the food stands with the available selections.
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Ghost Lake 2010 Sign

This year the Grassy Knoll Institute decided to visit early in the season for the weather was almost perfect. We jumped in the Jeep at 6pm October 2nd, and began our trek to Ghost Lake. The trek for lasts is approximately 75 minutes from Youngstownm, Ohio to the Ghost lake parking lot. Rounding the bend on Route 618 we spied the Ghost Lake billboard pointing the way. Five minutes later we arrived.

Being early in the season, the parking lot was not packed, but there were enough cars to have a good crowd. We walked to the entrance gate and there were approximately 50-60 people in front of us to buy tickets.
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Ghost Lake 2010 Entrance

As said, there were about 50-60 people in front of us standing in line to buy their Ghost Lake tickets. The line went quickly as the ticket booths had several cashiers to keep the line moving.
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Ghost Lake 2010 Ticket Booth

This is a close up of the Ghost Lake entrance gate. Everyone was having a good time and excited about the night’s ghost adventure. In about ten minutes we were up to the cashier ready to enter.
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Ghost Lake 2010 Evil Jester

Just before it was our turn to get up to the cashier, an evil Jester ventured into the crowd to scare the Hell out of all the teenage girls waiting in line. The jester played his role quite well as the girls were running and screaming whenever he appeared.
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Ghost Lake 2010 Prop

The cost this year for Ghost Lake was $15.50 plus two dollars for the 8th level of fear, the Blue Streak Ghoster Coaster. So technically, the cost was $17.50 for all eight haunts. We used our coupons for Two dollars off entrance and yes we bought the Ghost Coaster upgrade.

Going through the gate we encountered this prop with the sign requesting we touch the prop. I dare you to touch the prop when you go through.

We made the small walk in the dimly lit pathway to the Ghost Lake Parkway and past the Blue Streak and and assorted games and food stands as we made our way to the first haunt, Doctor Rots Funeral Home.

Part Two Of Four of the Ghost Lake experience will be posted tomorrow as we walk through Doctor Rots Funeral Home and visit the House Of The Undead.
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Happy Halloween – Samhain

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