How a House Becomes Haunted

See these videos to see how clever use of tech can make a house a scary experience.

Spencer Chin, Senior Editor

October 29, 2024

3 Min Read
An exterior view of Haunted Mansion at Disneyland before the Christmas holiday.
Disneyland's Haunted Mansion is one of the better-known haunted houses employing special effects and other tech to frighten visitors. Barry King /Contributor/WireImage/Via Getty Images

You’ve seen the ads and videos to enter, at your risk, a home decorated with all types of ghoulish decorations and visual and sound effects designed to replicate a haunted house. Actors and actresses jump out of nowhere to scare you and others out of your wits as you navigate pitch-black passageways, not knowing what is next.

Throughout the US, haunted houses are rolling in the dough striking fear into the hearts of thousands of visitors this Halloween. Thanks to the judicious use of technology, other just old or ramshackle homes are transformed into places you might not want to enter. Design News has found several videos showing the clever application of technology to make visiting these homes a memorable─albeit sometimes terrifying─experience.

Read further, if you dare.

Just an illusion?

There was a top 40 pop song over 40 years ago titled “Just An Illusion,” with a video showing the singers in a haunted house. Well, illusions are a main feature in many haunted mansions. One well-known one is the Haunted Mansion attraction at Disneyland in California, portrayed in this video on the YouTube channel Offhand Disney. The ride takes visitors through a number of “rooms” where well-placed lights and sounds create a creepy, though gore-free atmosphere. In the video below, the narrators describe the clever timing and sequencing of various video and sound effects.

Related:Software-Defined Vehicle Technology Lets Rivian Dress Its EVs in Halloween Costumes

Due to its prime Disneyland location, Haunted Mansion is a popular subject in videos on haunted attractions. On the YouTube channel Amusement Labs, a shorter video focuses on details how some of the Haunted Mansion’s effects are created, showing features like the Endless Hallway and the Ballroom Scene.

You can watch this video below.

3D animation

While Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion may be considered relatively tame, that’s not the case with The Darkness Haunted House in St. Louis. In this video on the channel AmericaHaunts, the narrator goes behind the scenes to look at the haunting 3D animations and other technology─some advanced and some primitive─used to scare visitors.

Another haunted house is Hellscream Entertainment in Colorado Springs, CO. In this video, the narrators on the channel Big Show Entertainment show the mansion’s terrifying escape rooms and as well as the eerie haunted house. The technology includes the extensive use of wireless controlled devices, including one room showing a girl that’s supposed to depict Linda Blair from the horror film “The Exorcist.” Some of the props are expertly built by hand.

Related:2023’s Scary Halloween Tech

Theatrics too

Technology alone is not enough to create a successful haunted house. It also takes creativity to make the tech alive. In this video of Hell’s Gate Haunted House outside of Chicago, the narrator discusses the theatrical aspect of creating the haunted house experience,  showing the creepy nooks and crannies and various props.

Headless horseman

Finally, on America Haunts we check out the video from The Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted House in Ulster, NY, to learn the secrets behind their scare tactics and props.

About the Author

Spencer Chin

Senior Editor, Design News

Spencer Chin is a Senior Editor for Design News, covering the electronics beat, which includes semiconductors, components, power, embedded systems, artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, and other related subjects. He is always open to ideas for coverage. Spencer has spent many years covering electronics for brands including Electronic Products, Electronic Buyers News, EE Times, Power Electronics, and electronics360. You can reach him at [email protected] or follow him at @spencerchin.

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