DO: A scream of an attraction

2009/10/23

ANUSHA K

ANUSHA K. braces herself for an interactive walk-through horror attraction at Sunway Lagoon Theme Park.

NEVER been to a “ghost house” or anything of that sort, I was expecting some dangling creatures from the ceiling or some “fake ghosts”.

Well, I was wrong, as the Scream Park made me scream for 20 minutes, practically non-stop, with “ghosts” jumping out at you from every corner.

These were actually actors made up to look like scary beings, and good actors they were too.

Apparently, they all had to undergo a week-long programme called the Scare School to frighten the daylights out of anybody who visits the Scream Park. For a chilling ambience, there were heart-pounding sounds, hidden special effects, smoke, mirrors and scare chambers.

Every now and then, you’ll hear these “ghosts” whispering into your ears, or a scream out of the blue will jolt you as you walk through the dark rooms of this horror park.

The Scream Park experience begins at the Angoscia Theater of Fear. Here, you can see some clips on a large TV on certain events that took place in Warwick Castle. Remember to pay close attention to what’s on the screen — even if you blink, you might be missing out. And the “ghosts” continue to play their tricks on you all the while.

Then you proceed to the next attraction — the Terror Tunnel in 3-D and Rumah Hantu (Ghost House) in 3-DX. With your 3-D glasses on, you will stumble through the harrowing tunnel. Just make sure you keep looking straight ahead, as you can get a little dizzy if you look around. You will then reach the Rumah Hantu. Filled with ghastly animated pictures, it comes close to being in a dungeon.

The latest addition to possibly the most frightening walk of your life is called the Freezer. It’s basically an out-of-control asylum with buzzing chain saws and dismembered “body parts” — certainly not for the faint-hearted. Next up, from the mega-hit Fox TV series, feel the atmosphere of Fox River Penitentiary’s rioting prisoners firsthand at Prison Break Live! You can listen to the prison guard’s instructions as you and your new “associates” gather in the holding cell. Once the doors open, there’s no turning back. You can see inmates in bloodstained T-shirts in the cage as you walk by. Filled with mirrors, it seems like a long walk. But, as you try to break out of the chain-link cage maze, lights flash, fog thickens and prison alarms sound.

The restless inmates start rioting. Once you break free, further scary moments await as you’re about to spend the night (or day) in the museum! Inspired by the blockbuster movie Night At The Museum 2: Battle Of The Smithsonian, you will find yourself in display areas of a “museum”, which includes the dawn of the Stone Age, Hall Of Busts, the Art Gallery, the hallway to the Gate Of Kahmunrah, and finally — Door To The Underworld. Hopefully, you will complete the journey and get out of the terrifying park! Strangely, although I was scared stiff, I actually felt good once the screaming was over! The park is the creation of the Sudden Impact! Entertainment Company chairman and CEO, Lynton V. Harris. The New York-based company has enjoyed huge success around the world with this unique scare format.

The park is a joint venture between Sunway Lagoon and The Sudden Impact! Entertainment Company.

Hold tightly onto the handle when you’re at the 3-D Terror Tunnel.