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By SUSAN VERHAULT / Staff Writer

There's something special about Chaos Haunted House. Sure, there are ghosts and goblins, and blood and guts, but there's also heart (and not just the kind you see in the Mad Butcher's Room) among the volunteers who put it all together. Proceeds go to the nonprofit Advocates for Special People and other special-needs groups of Tarrant County.

Plus, this 42,000-square-foot monstrosity – in this case, that's a compliment – takes more than an hour to go through. Compare that with some other haunts, where you might wait in line an hour for a tour that lasts just five or 10 minutes. Chaos also blends old-fashioned scare tactics with the high-tech terror techniques of today, using the latest in sound, lighting and scents. Yes, scents. Some of the rooms have smells to add to the experience of the particular set. The house has more than 60 scenes, and about 120 actors who pop out when you're least expecting it.

We were surprised and delighted by some of the creative ways the ghouls were camouflaged. As in most haunts, you've got dark labyrinths, creepy-crawlies, evil-looking clowns and zombies. And no haunted house would be complete without visitors being chased with a chainsaw or two ... or three.

Chaos Haunted House has a smart ticketing system, too, so you don't have those long waits in line. You get a ticket with a number on it; then you're free to visit the festival area, which consists of video and arcade games, music and food vendors. For a small fee, you can get your palm read or get a nifty airbrush tattoo. When your number is up (on the board, that is), it's your turn to enter the house – if you dare.

On Friday and Saturday nights, there's also a DJ to spin the tunes.

This place is not for the faint of heart, and Shawna Blakney, one of the organizers, says it might not be appropriate for all children. "It depends," she says. "You've got to know your kids."

If you're feeling brave or adventurous or just want a good excuse to hold your date's hand really tight, go ahead and check it out.

What could happen?

THAT GHOULISH LOOK

Turning more than 100 people into monsters in less than an hour takes know-how. And Karen Crow and her crew of five have it.

First, each person is covered with a base makeup, on which the more defining makeup will be applied. The type and color of makeup has a lot to do with what type of monster or character the subject will play. "You use these ice crystals and more blues and purples for the ice lady," Ms. Crow says. "In a darker room, you use darker makeup." The process works like an assembly line.

There are also some masked characters, but the areas around their eyes still need to be blacked out for full effect. Then there's the simulated blood that Ms. Crow makes herself. It's a mixture of Karo syrup and food coloring. The makeup is oil-based and must be removed with baby shampoo. (Helpful hint: Using baby shampoo is also a good way to take off waterproof mascara, and it doesn't sting the eyes.)

Need a look for a costume party or trick-or-treating? For a $10 donation, the pros at Chaos will do your makeup. No reservation is needed; just ask for Shawna at the door.

Published in The Dallas Morning News: 10.20.06

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THE BONEYARD
This haunted house's new location contains more than 50 bone-chilling scenes like the original, plus new mazes, extra hallways and even more animatronics. The attraction also includes food, music, games and more in a Halloween festival setting. Benefits local Special Olympics teams.
Dates: Oct. 6-8, 13-15, 20-31.
Hours: Fridays and Saturdays and Oct. 31 7 p.m. to midnight. All other nights 7 to 10 p.m.
Location: Dillard's space of old Festival Mall, 3000 E. Pioneer Parkway at State Highway 360, Arlington.
Prices: $18.
Info: 817-451-2663. www.theboneyard.com

CHAOS HAUNTED HOUSE
The haunt includes about 120 actors in more than 60 scenes taking place in 42,000 square feet of space. It takes nearly an hour and 20 minutes to go through it. Advocates for Special People and other local charities benefit from the attraction.
Dates: Oct. 20-31.
Hours: Fridays and Saturdays and Oct. 31 from 7 p.m. to midnight. All other nights 7 to 10 p.m.
Location: Montgomery Ward space of old Festival Mall, Pioneer Parkway at State Highway 360, Arlington.
Prices: $18.
Info: 817-860-2663. www.chaoshauntedhouse.com

CUTTING EDGE HAUNTED HOUSE
Housed in a former meatpacking plant, this attraction features crazed clowns, giant alligators, flying corpses and an animatronic T-Rex, plus the "endless maze" and areas of complete darkness.
Dates: Oct. 6-8, 13-15, 19-22, 25-31.
Hours: Sundays through Thursdays from 7 to 10 p.m. and Fridays, Saturdays and Oct. 31 from 7 p.m. to midnight.
Location: 1701 E. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth.
Prices: $23, $18.50 for children 10 and under. Prices do not include tax.
Info: 817-348-8444. www.cuttingedgehauntedhouse.com

DALLAS SCAREGROUNDS
Complex features three haunted houses: the Terrortorium, the Necrotorium and the Hallucinatorium in 3-D, plus a monster maze and a festival with live entertainment, food and more.
Dates: Oct. 6, 8, 13-15, 20-22, 26-31.
Hours: Fridays and Saturdays and Oct. 31 from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. All other nights 7:30 to 11 p.m.
Location: 2001 Irving Blvd., Dallas.
Prices: $16. Festival has separate cover charge.
Info: 214-346-2111.www.dallasscaregrounds.com

DUNGEON OF DOOM
This haunt fills the basement of the Arlington Museum of Art with ghoulish surprises. Live bands will perform every weekend, and there will be street dances on Oct. 21 and 28. Benefits the museum's children's programs.
Dates: Oct. 6-7, 13-15, 19-22, 26-31.
Hours: Fridays and Saturdays from 7:30 p.m. until the last visitor leaves. All other nights 7 to 10 p.m.
Location: 201 W. Main Street, Arlington.
Prices: $12. $25 for VIP tickets.
Info: 817-273-5306. www.dungeonofdoomtexas.com

FRIGHT FEST
Six Flags Over Texas celebrates with rides, special stage shows and haunted houses, including Skullduggery, the Haunting of Skull Island; the Boomtown House of Wax; and Looney Tunes Spooky Town.
Dates: Oct. 6-9, 13-15, 20-22, 27-29.
Hours: Fridays from 6 to 11 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Also open Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: Six Flags Over Texas, 2201 Road to Six Flags, Arlington.
Prices: $45, $35 for children under 48 inches and seniors, free for children 2 and under. $15 parking. Some attractions, such as haunted houses, cost extra. Fright Passes are available for $15.
Info: 817-607-6150. www.sixflags.com/parks/overtexas

HANGMAN'S HOUSE OF HORRORS
More than 120 actors haunt the four attractions (Hangman's House of Horrors, Cirque de Fantmes, 3-D Funhouse and Hillbillies Revenge). There are also rides, live bands, karaoke, food concessions and more on-site. Proceeds from Hangman's, which is in its 18th season, benefit five local charities.
Dates: Oct. 6-7, 13-14, 20-22, 25-31.
Hours: Fridays and Saturdays and Oct. 31 from 7 p.m. to midnight. All other nights from 7 to 10 p.m.
Location: 2300 West Freeway, near Interstate 30 and Forest Park Boulevard, Fort Worth.
Prices: Individual attractions $4-$16, $20 for a combo ticket.
Info: 817-336-4264. www.hangmans.com

HAUNTED FOREST
Northwood University invites visitors to follow the trail's twists, turns and terrors.
Dates: Oct. 20-21, 27-28, 30-31.
Hours: Fridays and Saturdays from 8 p.m. to midnight, Oct. 30 and Oct. 31 from 7 p.m. to midnight.
Location: Northwood University, 1114 W. FM 1382, between Highway 67 and Interstate 20, Cedar Hill.
Prices: $5.
Info: 972-293-5445.

HAUNTED HOTEL
Check in at Carroll Senior High School's Haunted Hotel and visit with its more than 100 ghouls.
Dates: Oct. 13-15, 20-22, 26-31.
Hours: Through Oct. 22: Fridays through Sundays from 7:30 to 11 p.m. Oct. 26-31: Daily 7:30 to 11:30 p.m.
Location: Carroll Senior High School, 1501 W. Southlake Blvd., Southlake.
Prices: $8 ($10 on Oct. 30 and Oct. 31).
Info: 817-949-5913.

NIGHTMARE AT THE WAX MUSEUM
Louis Tussaud's Palace of Wax becomes a haunted museum full of movie monsters such as Freddy Krueger, Dracula and the werewolf – some as wax figures and some alive.
Dates: Oct. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 27-31.
Hours: Fridays and Saturdays and Oct. 31 from 7 p.m. to midnight, Oct. 29 and Oct. 30 7 to 10 p.m.
Location: Louis Tussaud's Palace of Wax and Ripley's Believe It or Not!, 601 Palace Parkway, Grand Prairie.
Prices: $18.
Info: 972-263-2391. www.palaceofwax.com

PHANTASMS HALLOWEEN PARK
The Nightmare in the House of Wax moves to Rendon near Mansfield to join Haunted Mead Manor and the new Haunted Egyptian Temple of Anubis.
Dates: Oct. 6-8, 13-15, 20-22, 27-29, 31.
Hours: Fridays and Saturdays from 7 p.m. to midnight, Sundays 7 to 10 p.m., Oct. 31 from 7 p.m. till the last visitor leaves.
Location: Highway 1187 and Bennet Lawson Road, Rendon.
Prices: $10 per attraction, $24 for all three.
Info: 817-451-8880. http://members.tripod.com/~nightmarestudios/PHANTAMSHALLOWEENPARK.html

PHANTOM'S GREAT SCARE AT THE STATE FAIR
This attraction is part of the State Fair of Texas and is housed inside Fair Park's Coliseum.
Dates: Through Oct. 22.
Hours: Opens at 1 p.m. Fridays through Mondays and 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays. Closes when the midway closes.
Location: Fair Park Coliseum, 1438 Coliseum Dr., Dallas.
Prices: $12 plus State Fair admission ($13, $9 for kids 48 inches and under and seniors, free for kids 2 and under)
Info: 214-770-8007. www.phantomshaunt.com

REINDEER MANOR
This attraction, which has run for more than 30 years, includes the Haunted House, the 13th Street Morgue, Uncle Stinky's Playhouse, a hayride, a monster maze, midway games, performers, food, drinks and more.
Dates: Oct. 6-7, 13-14, 20-22, 27-29, 31.
Hours: Fridays and Saturdays 7 p.m. until the last visitor leaves; other nights 7 to 10 p.m.
Location: 410 Houston School Road, Red Oak.
Prices: $3 to $14 for individual attractions, $25 for a combo ticket.
Info: 972-218-7287. www.reindeermanor.com

SCREAMS
The Halloween theme park features four haunted houses (The Castle of Darkness, Terror Visions in 3-D, The Arcane Asylum and The Black Hole), a children's area, a maze, a ghoulish graveyard, the Mythical Monster Museum, Trail of Terror, games, rides, karaoke, face painting, fortune tellers, food and drinks.
Dates: Oct. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 27-29.
Hours: Fridays and Saturdays 7 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., Oct. 29 from 7 to 11 p.m.
Location: 2511 FM66, 1.6 miles west of Interstate 35 East, near Waxahachie.
Prices: $19.99 for ages 6 and up, free for kids 5 and under.
Info: 972-938-3247. www.screamspark.com

SLAUGHTER HOUSE
It's billed as "the most graphic haunted house in Texas," and it's not recommended for children under 10.
Dates: Oct. 6-8, 13-15, 20-22, 25-31.
Hours: Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 22 from 7:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., Sundays and Oct. 25-26 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., Oct. 27-28 from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m., Oct. 29-30 from 7 to 11 p.m. and Oct. 31 from 7 p.m. until final guest leaves.
Location: 2020 N. Lamar, near the West End.
Prices: $15. Coupon for $1 off at Web site.
Info: 214-999-0708. www.weslaughter.com

TAYMAN GRAVEYARD
Boy Scout Troop 202 runs and benefits from the Tayman Funeral Home, the Haunted Mineshaft and the Tayman Haunted Hayride.
Dates: Oct. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 27-31.
Hours: Fridays and Saturdays from 8 p.m. to midnight, Oct. 29-31 from 8 p.m. to midnight.
Location: Take Highway 67, exit Shiloh Road, go west on Shiloh to Tayman Drive, Cedar Hill.
Prices: $4 to $10 per attraction.
Info: 469-955-1416. www.taymangraveyard.com

TERROR ON THE BAYOU
The Runaway Fright Train, a haunted steam train ride through the Piney Woods, is the main attraction. Organizers have also added a Haunted Forest Walk and a Creepy Screamin' Maze.
Dates: Oct. 12-15, 19-22, 26-29.
Hours: Family-friendly train is Thursdays and Fridays 7:30 p.m., Saturdays 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and Sundays 7:30 p.m. PG-13 train is Thursdays 8:30 p.m., Fridays 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Saturdays 9:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. and Sundays 8:30 p.m. Other attractions open nightly at 6:30.
Location: Historic Jefferson Railway, 1602 State Highway 49 East, Jefferson.
Prices: Thursdays and Sundays: $6.50 to $8.50 per event, $17.50 to $19.50 for combo tickets. Fridays and Saturdays: $6.50 to $12.50 per event, $19.50 to $22.50 for combo tickets.
Info: 903-665-6464. www.jeffersonrailway.com/totb/

TERROR TRAILS
Walk the half-mile foot paths of Terror Trails or brave the hallways of the House of Terror. Benefits the Yantis Volunteer Fire Department and East Texas Food Bank.
Dates: Oct. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 27-28, 31.
Hours: Fridays and Saturdays from sunset to midnight, Oct. 31 from sunset to 11 p.m.
Location: Off State Highway 154, one mile south of FM515 on Lake Fork Reservoir, Yantis.
Prices: Foot trail or House of Terror $8, $5 children under 13; Both $14, $8 children under 13.
Info: 903-878-7501. www.terrortrails.com

THRILLVANIA THRILL PARK
The 48-acre attraction includes Verdun Manor, Granny Lupus' Séance Theatre, Cassandra's Labyrinth of Terror and Dr. Lycan's Trail of Torment, plus the new attractions Voodoo Bayou and The Maze of Chaos.
Dates: Oct. 6-8, 13-15, 20-22, 27-31.
Hours: Fridays and Saturdays from 7 p.m. to midnight. All other nights from 7 to 10 p.m.
Location: 2330 County Road 138, Terrell.
Prices: $25 for an all-attractions pass, $12.50 for a kids 12 and under all-attraction pass, $35 for a VIP fast pass.
Info: 972-524-2868. www.thrillvania.com

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