Halloween Haunt.  No other two words in the Theme Park industry have more completely described an event that has shaped a theme park and built a more loyal fan base.  Every October, Knott's Berry Farm transforms from a family-friendly park into an indescribable Halloween event.  Many parks have tried to jump on the bandwagon, but none can come close to what Knott's is able to accomplish each year.  It has been a while since Bear-ytales.net (then .com) has covered the Haunt.  Many things have changed in the internet world since then.  Massive websites now cover every aspect of the Haunt, from construction to  closing night. I think that's awesome as the Haunt deserves as much coverage as it can get.  Bear-ytales.net needs to take a different approach.  You will see atmosphere pictures in this update as I simply do not have the time to cover the Haunt with the details it deserves..  I will leave the details to sites such as ThemeParkAdventure.com who's famous coverage brings readers back year after year.  Atmosphere is what makes the Haunt so special.  There is nothing like coming to the Haunt knowing that Ghost Town, monsters and mazes are lurking. 
There's only one world to describe it.  The experience is simply known as "Haunt".

Click here for a larger image Signs like this greet visitors as they make their way to the main gate.	Click here for a larger image If the 1am or 2am close times aren't late enough,  die-hards can stay longer for breakfast.
Click here for a larger image The skyline of Knott's is dramatically different than it was a few years ago.  This picture shows the Sky Cabin Observation Tower, Xcelerator, and Silver Bullet.	Click here for a larger image Haunt banners decorate area light posts.
Click here for a larger image The event's first guests wait for the gates to open.	Click here for a larger image A quick look inside prior to opening.  I went to the Haunt on opening night, and the crowds were sparse.  At times, I was the only person in the area, and it looked a lot like this.
Click here for a larger image The monsters are unleashed in the Main Gate holding area.  The rope drop was just a few minutes away!	Click here for a larger image More monsters awaiting their first scares of the year.
Click here for a larger image Decorations in front of Camp Snoopy	Click here for a larger image The ropes are dropped and the 2005 Haunt has begun.  Haunt smoke fills the warm October air and the monsters are unleashed to prey on unsuspecting guests.
Click here for a larger image Looking into the Silver Bullet area.	Click here for a larger image The entrance to Red Beard's Revenge.  Just like last year, this maze was one of my favorites.  Very elaborate theming and strong talent helped give this maze another strong showing.
Click here for a larger image The entrance to Lore of the Vampire.  Although never as strong as it's predecessor, Dominion of the Dead, Lore still gives the vampires a strong presence at the Haunt.  And once again, the famous Dead Can Dance anthem made it's return as one of the maze's theme songs.	Click here for a larger image Haunt smoke and atmosphere lighting in Camp Snoopy.  Long-time Haunt followers will recognize the area music here.  The creative minds at the Haunt brought back music from favorite mazes The Inquisition and Nightmares!  Both mazes had very strong soundtracks, and it was a real treat to hear them again.
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