Things to do in Vancouver: New terrifying haunted house open

A new interactive nightmare attraction opens in Metro Vancouver this week.

Spooky season is almost underway in the Lower Mainland, with spooktacular haunts popping up on the final weekend before October - and Halloween month - begins.

The creators of a new "immersive and cinematic" scare experience called DreadWorks describe their attraction as "a factory where nightmares are made" in haunted houses at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds.

Guests are challenged to "survive the 40-minute journey inside The DreadWorks Factory, where they become the heroes in their own horror story, battling nightmarish creations in a fight to escape."

The event targets young adults between 19 and 30 but most ages are welcome. The minimum age for children is 10 and all guests under age 18 must have a parent sign for them (at the parent's discretion).

DreadWorks makes guests key players "in a battle against the corrupted Dream Lord, X’aroketh" and plans to evolve the narrative as the event returns annually.

The first scare-fest for Friday, Sept. 27, features three storylines.

Steamboat Willi: Described as a "terror on the Mississippi," thrill-seekers will embark on a psychological horror aboard a haunted steamboat
Tartarus: Participants take a harrowing journey through a mythical labyrinth
Spore zombies: A nightmarish survival scenario set in an infected swamp.

The event features advanced visual effects, AR technology, and projection light mapping to create a multi-sensory experience. It also has numerous scare actors who roam around interacting with guests. The actors have elaborate costumes and makeup designed by Leo Award-winning artists who worked on projects such as Creepshow.

Worried about how intense these "scare-actors" might be?

Scare bands allow guests to tailor their experience to ensure they don't experience anything outside of their comfort zones (or miss out on the full experience if they are a terror aficionado).

The bands are colour-coded:

Green: Full interaction, including physical contact and being led by actors.
Yellow: Visual and auditory scares only, no physical contact.
Red: Minimal interaction, with actors maintaining a respectful distance.

The attraction also has live music and a variety of Halloween-themed entertainment. Some dates are considered "value" nights while others are considered "deluxe" or "premium." These other nights cost a bit more but feature some perks:

Value Night ($60): Enjoy the DreadWorks experience at an affordable price on special Value Nights.
Regular Nights ($65): Experience all the thrills and chills of DreadWorks with standard performances on nights of moderate demand.
Deluxe Nights ($70): Enjoy enhanced live performances and a more vibrant atmosphere on our high-demand Deluxe Nights.
Premium Night ($75): Indulge in the ultimate haunted experience with exclusive special performances and limited capacity for a truly immersive adventure.

Guests can also add perks to enhance their experience:

Fast Pass: Skip the regular line and enjoy quicker entry into the attraction. Perfect for those who want to dive into the scares without the wait.
Immediate Access: Get priority entry with minimal to no wait time. Ideal for thrill-seekers eager to experience the horror as soon as they arrive.
VIP Add-On: Enjoy VIP perks, including exclusive access to additional scares, private entry points, food and drink waivers, and other premium benefits that elevate your visit to an unforgettable level.