Gothic is one of the most impressive houses in Halloween Horror Nights 22. Once you enter, the atmosphere, detailed costumes, chilling special effects, and acrobatics will all weave together to bring guests into the spooky narrative that will have your heart skipping a beat. The massive Cathedral de Caementum Animus is being restored, but visitors to the church at night are not welcomed. The Gargoyles that watch over the cathedral come alive and scare off any invaders. 

The cathedral facade looks amazing with details like a stained glass window, stone textures, and various gargoyles around the entrance. All of the gargoyles look like they could come out at you at any moment. Some do, but others stay still, which makes walking through the area always tense, waiting for the next big scare.  The costumes for Gothic are some of the best this year. There are elaborate stone-faced scareactors with distinct attributes, elongated ears, giant wings, body suits, and threatening stone hands.


You’ll eventually come across a fallen church bell, rubble and all. In this area, it’s fun to grab a hold of a hanging bungee rope and pull, you’ll hear the sounds of the bells. The next room is a narrow hallway with rows of candles on both sides.  Don’t forget to look up, as a swinging gargoyle will spread its wings and glide above you, all the while you feel sudden bursts of air adding to the effect. Gothic has a variable array of scareactors from aerialists and stilt walkers appear from every angle. They’ll come at guests from archways, from above, from trap doors, all to keep Halloween Horror Nights attendee on their toes, but the most fantastic illusion of the night is still to come after a long hallway of air jolting church organs.

Suddenly, you find yourself on the second floor of the cathedral looking down at the church and pews. The effect is so surreal and you can’t help to be in awe as you clearly didn’t climb any stairs. But don’t let your guard down, Gothic is designed to always distract you before a lunging creature calls your name.  Next, the house takes you to a faux starlight night were more gruesome gargoyles are perched and swing in through the darkness. They want you out and after the last big scare you might find yourself quickly obliging.

Gothic Must-See Checklist
•    Gloomy cathedral setting and design
•    Pull on the cathedral bell ropes
•    The illusion of seeing the pews of the church from and overhead vantage point
•    Swinging gargoyles aerialist
•    Tall silt-walking gargoyles
•    Detailed and distinctive costumes and makeup 

If you want to find out more on Halloween Horror Nights, check out BestofOrlando.com’s Ultimate Guide and get a behind-the-scenes look at becoming a scareactor.


Orlando, FL 10/03/12