Why A Petrified Forest Is One of Central Florida’s Best Haunted Attractions

Image courtesy of A Petrified Forest

By Jaimz Dillman

The Landlord awaits to take the souls daring to enter the area known as A Petrified Forest in Altamonte Springs, Florida.

This haunt has been built and torn down each year since 2017, right off a busy road in town, so you would not realize the depth of offerings until you are fully immersed deep within the property. This year, even more has been added, earning it the official designation as a Scream Park. In addition to three trails, a new theater experience, laser tag, and an escape ride are available to extend your nightmare.

The mazes include creatures in Rancid Rentals, bringing popular movie tropes to life, and they are not happy you have entered their realm.

Templar’s Toy King shows what happens after The Landlord has staked claim on a strip mall, revealing the cursed results.

Our favorite was Cousins Cafe, bringing a bit of New Orleans voodoo to the Sunshine State. The family running this restaurant definitely wants you to stay, but not as a patron.

As rain turned the grounds into a swamp, the Dark Road Riders escape ride was not running. Media were instead given a walking tour through Shanty Town and an explanation of what is to come. Once fully operational, guests will venture deeper into the property than ever before, interact with props, and make decisions along the way to try and win their escape. We were assured that, win or lose, it is a killer experience. Tickets for Dark Road Riders are sold on site only each night as an add on.

Another new interactive experience is Amy’s Attic. Small groups are let in to explore several scenes involving shapeshifters, demons, and of course, The Landlord. This is your chance to level up by wearing a glow necklace, allowing characters to touch and guide you through the six to ten minute performance. Do not worry, it is all in good fun, and you might even leave with something from the attic. If a soul comes attached, you cannot give it back.

A lineup of food trucks and merchants offers plenty to round out your night. Roaming chainsaw maniacs and The Landlord himself make for great photo opportunities. And did you say goat? Yes, there is a free roaming goat. Because of course there is.

Unfortunately, we were not able to participate in laser tag, but we were told it is a competition between guests rather than a battle against zombies or monsters. That did not take away from our fun, as we still had a full evening of chills and thrills.

What impressed us most was the staff. The casts were well directed, and the costumes showed real creativity and craftsmanship. Even my fabricator S.O. was impressed, happily complimenting the crew as we exited. The color wheel system for line entry is something larger haunts down I4 should take note of. Each trail has a color coded wheel, and when it turns to your color, it is your turn to scream. Everyone we spoke with was friendly and informative, and even amid a packed Saturday night, they ensured we saw everything for our review.

Here is a fun fact. The staff has built an indoor sanctuary for the land’s feral cats and now raccoons so they are not displaced during the season.

Each year, A Petrified Forest becomes more and more of a favorite for our little group. With so many massive, loud, and crowded events happening in October, it is refreshing to have an option that is immersive, creative, and perfect for a night out with friends or a date.

Proper attire is suggested, after all, forest is in the name.

Parking is free at off site lots, and the Terror Tram will take you to the front gates. You may even find a few forest residents hitching a ride with you.

Special event nights take place throughout the month, including Blood Moon, Special Needs, and Total Eclipse nights. Information on those and all ticket levels is available at APetrifiedForest.com