2025 Question and Answer With Abandoned Haunted Maze

"Evelyn Corvid" - Abandoned Haunted Maze, 2025

OregonHauntedHouses.com recently sat down with Melanie Heard of Abandoned Haunted Maze, to discuss what's new at Abandoned Haunted Maze for the 2025 Halloween Season!

What's new at Abandoned Haunted Maze for 2025? Do you have any new rides, attractions, or special features that Haunt Seekers should know about?

Our theme changes every year! It's never the same maze twice! This year's storyline takes place in 1926 at the Theatre Macabre, where a young actress named Evelyn Corvid was brutally stabbed. Now, she roams the halls searching for her killer. But she's not alone...

What are you most excited about for the 2025 Halloween Season?

We are honored to have been chosen #1 Haunted Attraction for last year's maze. This year's maze will feature the same psychological terror, attention to detail, and high-quality acting, special effects, make-up, sets, and costuming that helped us win! Looking for cheesy blood and gore? That's not what we do. Instead, we focus on sending you home with existential nightmares and make you afraid to walk to your car at night. Some of our props are going to be incredible this year - but I don't want to give anything away!

What differentiates Abandoned Haunted Maze from other local haunts in Oregon?

Our haunt changes completely every year. Doing the same predictable thing over and over again is *yawn* boring. We are theatre company and we create a true show! Also, our Haunted mazes are a complete experience because we have a lobby boutique, concessions on site, and photo ops. This year's theme will transport you back in time to 1926 to the Theatre Macabre - the scene of a brutal stabbing of a young actress. Now, Evelyn Corvid roams the halls searching for her murderer. And let's just say that Evelyn and her other-worldly friends are NOT happy to see you.

How long has Abandoned Haunted Maze been in business? Can you tell us a bit more about Abandoned Haunted Maze's history?

Our first haunted maze was in 2015. We started in a much smaller space, and moved to the Florence Events Center three years ago. The FEC has allowed us to get bigger and better each year! Our past themes have included: Scare-C.R.O.W., Nightmares, Quarantine, Freak Show, Twisted, Carn-EVIL of Terror, and this year's Abandoned. We have won 3 awards for our mazes. We pride ourselves on high-quality acting, sets, special effects, make-up, and are often complimented for our attention to detail. Many people choose to go through twice because they loved it so much!

What's your favorite experience since opening Abandoned Haunted Maze?

On Halloween, a few years back, one of my former students came to the maze dressed as a terrifying Pennywise the Clown. He was acting very tough and unafraid in line, but the moment he stepped inside he began screaming his head off. You could hear him outside in the lobby! He eventually came out of the maze shaking, cursing, and completely terrified. It was hilarious to see "Pennywise" being scared to death.

How long is a typical haunt experience at Abandoned Haunted Maze from start to finish?

It usually takes people about 8-10 minutes to wind through our maze. Some prefer to go more slowly, and some race through because they are terrified. Often, people will go through twice because they loved it so much.

On a scale from 1 to 10, how scary would you say Abandoned Haunted Maze is? Why?

I'd say it's a 9 or 10, but not the same kind of "scary" that other haunts may provide. Our maze is focused on psychological terror, not just chainsaws and blood and guts. You'll find yourselves alone in a dark hallway with a creature you've never seen before. The creature begins to stalk you. You know you must continue past it, but you really don't want to....and that's when you hear the noise behind you.
Also, for parents of younger children who love Halloween and what we call "big chickens" (adults who are too freaked to go through the maze, we do offer a less-scary hour (Oct. 25th from 5-6 PM). The line is usually out the door! Aaaaand....we do have a safe word. So, if you're really freaked, you can say "pumpkin" and the actors will tone down the scares.

Does Abandoned Haunted Maze's property have any real haunted history? Do you have a spooky encounter you'd like to share?

Our rehearsal space has a theatre ghost named Maggie. She's mostly friendly, but she loves to slam doors and mess with lights. We just shrug and say "Hi, Maggie" when something weird occurs.

What inspired you to open up a haunted attraction? What's your favorite part of the business?

I grew up attending Knott's Halloween Haunt and Universal's Horror event in Southern CA where I'm originally from. So, I learned from the BEST. I have always loved Halloween and I have always loved scaring people. I also run a non-profit theatre organization, so it's a perfect fit for us. My favorite part is probably sneaking through the maze, behind a particularly terrified victim so that I can watch them scream. I also love reading the incredible reviews from people who were truly entertained and raved about their experience. We absolutely love providing a safe but scary community event that makes people happy!

How has new technology (i.e. animatronics, special props, etc) helped you to enhance Abandoned Haunted Maze?

We really don't use animatronics. But many of our props are one-of-a-kind creations by my co-designer Tina Ferkey. She has created some incredible creatures that will give you absolute nightmares. But I won't describe them, because that would ruin the fun. Just be careful or one might follow you home...

Can Abandoned Haunted Maze accommodate large groups? How many people can experience Abandoned Haunted Maze together as a group?

We prefer to send people through the maze in groups of 4 or less. Our monsters like to isolate you before they devour you.

Does Abandoned Haunted Maze offer any special deals, discounts, or coupons?

Our $12 tickets are very reasonable and all proceeds support youth arts education. This maze is a fundraiser! We do offer a $44 group of four price, and this year we will have an $18 fast pass. Lines can be long - but they are indoors. Arrive early if you want to avoid a longer wait. Donations are also accepted and our organization is a 501C3.

Anything else you'd like to let us know about Abandoned Haunted Maze?

Our maze is one of the ONLY ADA accessible mazes in the region. People travel from all over OR, CA, and WA to attend.