ORLANDO, Fla. – This Halloween will feel a lot different because of the pandemic. But a brand-new drive-thru haunted experience is happening thanks to some big names in the industry.

Here are five things to know about The Haunted Road drive-thru experience.

  1. The Haunted Road is a completely contactless drive-thru experience. It features theatrical storytelling, an original storyline, and unexpected frights, from the comfort of your car.
  2. One of the creative minds behind this new attraction is Jeremy Crawford. He worked as an art director at Universal Orlando for many years and was responsible for key visuals and graphics for events like Halloween Horror Nights. “We kind of had to pivot [this year] just like everyone and we knew the things we were working on [before COVID] wouldn't come to fruition,” he said. “Safety is our number one priority. So, guests can roll their windows down. We do ask that they wear masks because our characters will come pretty close.”
  3. Jessica Mariko created DRIP, an immersive theatrical dance /rock show on International Drive. She is teaming up with Crawford to create The Haunted Road. “We wanted to combine the drive-thru aspect with the haunted house,” she said. “We developed a storyline based on Rapunzel where she travels through this world of disarray and you get to follow along with her... You'll drive down the road and we will have an FM radio transmission. So you'll hear stereo audio inside your car that's synced with the visuals you're seeing on the outside of your car. And when you get to a scene, you'll stop your car and put your car in park. And that's where you'll see a majority of the storytelling and the horrors and the scares.”
  4. “Even if we didn't have COVID,” Crawford added, “I think this is a really unique experience of driving in and watching theatre play out around your car.”
  5. The Haunted Road starts Friday, September 25, 2020 at 15239 Lake Pickett Rd., Orlando. The event is in the same location as Corn Maze Orlando and Painted Oaks Academy. They're offering an upgraded experience as well as daytime, family-friendly haunts. Tickets start at $15.