Today we’d like to introduce you to Lucy Moore.
Lucy, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have always been a big fan of haunted houses and horror movies. Every year at Halloween, I would transform my home into a haunted space for my friends and family to enjoy- complete with areas like a haunted bridal suite- and my friends would say, “Why don’t you open your own haunted house open to the public, people would love this!” So after careful consideration, I did.
Has it been a smooth road?
The first haunt I opened taught me a lot. The location was not the best and it closed after just a couple years. But I knew I wasn’t done with having a haunted attraction, I just needed to find a different location better suited for what I was trying to achieve. We looked for almost 2 years before we found the building we are in now. It had to have the right size and possibilities for growth and expansion. I was pretty picky about where I was going to build this and it has certainly paid off.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Dark Hour Haunted House is known for a highly immersive haunted house experience. It is our goal to bring an amusement park quality haunt experience to North Texas. We have Broadway quality sets, sound and light systems usually found in concert venues, and a dedicated staff that handcrafts all our costuming and masks on-site. All of our actors are trained in general techniques as well in area specifics to be able to provide guests with proper interaction in each scene, allowing the guests to be even more immersed in the experience.
We are also the only haunt in the area that opens at other times besides just Halloween. We are open to celebrate the end of the year with our “Wreck the Halls” show, in February for Valentine’s Day, and March for St Patrick’s Day. We have other shows as well that are fright-filled fun themed experiences celebrating zombies and werewolves at other times of the year. We are fortunate that our story is based on the witches of Coven Manor- witches have magic, and with magic, anything can happen- so we are not just locked into one specific theme.
Going into our 5th Halloween season, we have won many honors, like USA Today’s Top 10 list, and been featured on many news programs; I am quite proud of that. But what I am most proud of is our team. We could not make any of that happen without the well oiled machine we have become. Everyone takes ownership in what they are doing, everyone know who to go to when they need something, and everyone is happy to help where they can- even if it is not their primary department. We have become more like a family than just a workplace- that is probably what I am most proud of.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
When we opened our doors, the North Texas area had not quite boomed the way it has in the last few years. The population has experienced such growth in the last few years, and they all deserve a place to find their Halloween spirit. We are particularly well situated to provide that for North Texas being right off 75 and the George Bush tollway. With the expansion of the tollway system in the last few years, it is easier for our customers to get to us in general, and that is a key to success in any business.
The Haunted House Industry is a bit difficult to get into if you have intentions of being successful long-term. You have to be ready for many contingencies- no matter what city they are in, it is an entertainment industry and that is always subject to the economy in ways other industries- like food, housing, and transportation are not. Right now, North Texas is experiencing a time of growth and there are plenty of people who are looking to be entertained, but that may not last forever. You have to invest in your product to keep it fresh and exciting so guests will want to return again and again and bring their friends. If you are not willing or able to do that, then no matter what area you are in success in this business will be difficult.
My best advice to anyone going into this business- or any business really- is to choose your location wisely, make sure your customers can find you and easily get to you, and to always be aware of your budget. A good location and good budget management are essential to any business success.
Pricing:
- This year to accommodate our growing fan base, we have added some extra nights of fright. Prices vary for these nights with our base ticket price starting at $28. Specific pricing can be found on our website.
- We offer a VIP package which includes 2 trips through the main house, and a visit to the second house we have opened onsite this year, as well as some downtime in the VIP lounge. VIP pricing is only $75 and is time scheduled event.
Contact Info:
- Address: 701 Taylor Dr
Plano, Tx 75074 - Website: DarkHourHauntedHouse.com
- Phone: (469) 298-0556
- Email: info@darkhourgroup.com
- Instagram: @darkhourhauntedhouse
- Facebook: @darkhourhaunt
- Twitter: @darkhourhaunt
Image Credit:
Dark Hour Haunted House
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