This blog series continues exploring haunted attractions and how even spook houses must have story elements. The first two entries examined perspective and setting. The third in the series looks at “the hook.”
In 2022, I was fortunate enough to visit several haunted attractions in Universal Studios – Orlando’s theme park. I will briefly describe and review the house and then dive into how it uses storytelling techniques (plot, setting, hook, characters) to enhance the mood.
Today’s blog reviews a house called “Bugs: Eaten Alive.” It’s the 1950s and you’re taking a tour of the house of the “future.” This house has been treated with bug repellent to keep the creepy-crawlies away. As you enter, something goes terribly wrong.
The maze guides the visitor through a retro-setting as people affected by the repellent or the bugs act out the gruesome effects. You’ll also run into the insects themselves in a variety of sizes. I loved the twist on the theme as you’ll find no chainsaw-bearing maniacs here. My only critique was the house was a little too dark, so I felt I didn’t get the entire effect. Those who are afraid of bugs, beware. This one seriously plays with your mind.
The attraction has a threadbare plot and some nameless characters. The housewife/demonstration woman shows up multiple times providing a fun, fear-filled continuity to this house. But what really makes this stand out is its unique concept. All I have to say is “haunted attraction, but instead of people jumping out to scare, it’s centered on bugs,” and it sparks the imagination. Will there be real bugs? How will the house simulate insects? What will happen to the people inside?
A great hook is essential to a story people will want to read. The hook is the promise to your reader of what will happen if they spend time with your art. This summary should be complimented by a payoff that fulfills that promise. But it all starts with the hook. If you can describe your story, song, movie, painting, or haunted attraction in a sentence (or maybe two, but that’s stretching it) while firing up your audience’s imagination, then you have them.
“Bugs” is by far one of the unique ideas to come out of Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando, and I’m glad I didn’t miss it.