THE OVERALL EVENT…

WOO – Variety | WOO – Uniqueness | BOO – Side Shows

The Trail of Terror operates as a unique, continuous maze that is expertly punctuated by safe zones and an end entertainment hub. The trail strategically incorporates zones where you can decompress: The First Safe Zone comes around a third of the way through the maze, offering a chance to catch your breath, use the toilet, and grab a snack or drink, with entertainment provided by stilt walkers and jugglers. The Second Safe Zone is just over the halfway mark, featuring different food options, such as hot dogs, plus more drink options, and toilets, with the entertainment shifting to a magician. The next major section is the train ride, before you complete the rest of the maze and enter the Final Hub, which is where your experience concludes, featuring a DJ, a licensed bar for alcoholic drinks, and multiple food options.

The variety across the entire event is incredibly diverse. Not only is the entertainment different in each safe zone, but the long trail itself features a wide range of horror themes. Some sections throw in comedy elements, and others showcase completely unexpected concepts that work perfectly within the zoo setting. The uniqueness of the Trail of Terror is unmatched. Hosting a scare event across the zoo grounds is genuinely eerie and gives the team plenty of diverse, unusual spaces to use. Crucially, they have successfully integrated both indoor spaces and outdoor pathways while ensuring the route keeps away from the animals so they are not disturbed. Due to the intense schedule (having to build and set up in the 90-minute window between the zoo closing and the scare event opening), the side shows are understandably limited, with no extra activities available. It would be great to see the event add some extra activities in the future as they continue to grow, encouraging guests to stick around a little longer.