We were invited to the Fear Island VIP Night at Fantasy Island Resort in Lincolnshire, with the event completely reimagined for 2023 including new scare mazes and shows.
Now in its seventh year, this fantastic event features an all-new lineup, with four scare mazes and two live shows.
Fantasy Island is an indoor and outdoor theme park located on the coast near Skegness, with impressive roller coasters The Millennium and The Odyssey.
The resort also includes a range of new accommodation, with easy access to the beach, and Skegness is just minutes away by car or bus.
The talented creative duo of Dave Bateman and Gary Starr are the masterminds behind all the attractions at Fear Island in 2023. These are unique theatrical scare experiences with original storylines, detailed sets and a cast of more than 30 actors that bring them to life.
It's rare for a scare attraction to reimagine the entire offering in one go, but that's exactly what Fantasy Island has done this year.
Each of the key scenes convey the story, which are interspersed with dark and narrow maze sections. A variety of effects are used throughout the attractions, including light, sound and smoke. They are designed to provide 'scary fun' so they are not recommended for children under the age of 12.
All four scare mazes and the two shows are included in a Scream Pass (£20 per person).
Psycho Mansion (New for 2023)
Step inside the infamous mansion that mysteriously vanished and reappeared with a vengeance. Navigate through multiple floors of murderous mayhem as animatronic scares and live-action psychopaths unleash their sadistic desires.
Fans of Fear Island may recognise this impressive structure from previous events, and after a few years away, it has returned to the park with a completely new scare maze. This multi-level attraction is unlike anything else we have experienced and combines animatronics, live actors and practical effects. We particularly enjoyed two of the scenes; an appointment with a tarot card reader and a very dramatic finale with a murderous psychopath.
The Outpost (New for 2023)
Enter a post-apocalyptic world overrun by hordes of the undead. Navigate through a decaying medical military facility, battling relentless zombies to escape to the safety of the city.
The first scene sets up the storyline nicely, before heading into the most intense scare maze at this year's event. Be prepared to crawl in the dark on your hands and knees!
The finale of the scare maze has the entire cast of actors converge on each group trapped in one space. We've never seen this done before, and we were completely outnumbered by the zombie horde!
The Ravenous (New for 2023)
Journey into the depths of a secluded cabin and uncover the dark and disturbing secrets of a family consumed by an insatiable hunger. Escape the clutches of the family as they insist on having you for dinner.
Here the scares are more psychological. The highlight of the attraction is being invited to sit down at the dinner table with the family, but what could be on the menu...?
Ghostly Tales in the Crypt (New for 2023)
Embark on an exciting Halloween adventure with the Crypt Keeper as your guide. Explore a maze beneath Fear Island Church filled with spooky goings-on, encounter friendly ghosts, and experience mild scares.
Occupying the space of a former scare maze but with a completely new story, you'll venture into the passages below the park and enter the crypt.
This family scare maze is intended for younger adventurers so the experience uses a milder combination of themed sets, live actors, immersive storytelling and projected ghosts.
Toucan Tours - The Temple of Gloom (New for 2023)
Take a leisurely monorail ride through a mystical temple filled with comedy spooks and ghouls from ancient civilizations. Enjoy a family-friendly scare attraction combining humour, adventure, and mild scares.
One of the park's charming indoor dark rides has been given a spooky Halloween makeover for the event. It's a brilliant addition to the lineup, offering something extra for young guests.
Circus of Screams (New Show for 2023)
Welcome back Circus of Screams, a place full of nightmares and very bad dreams. It’s fun for the family but comes at a cost, you’ll have lots of laughter but your sanity’s lost. Care to join us?
This new 30-minute show is a mixture of family-friendly acts accompanied by spooky music including escapology, acrobatics, trapeze, contortion and plate spinning.
We did think the show lacked some of the more dramatic elements from previous iterations, for example knife throwing, sword swallowing and fire breathing.
Captain Jack's Live Show - Dead Men Tell No Tales (New for 2023)
Enjoy a thrilling pirate show filled with spooky goings-on aboard the legendary ship, the Flying Dutchman. This family-friendly panto-style show combines comedy, adventure, and mild scares.
It's fantastic to see what Fantasy Island has done with the event this year, with every element except the Circus of Screams upgraded and taken to the next level.
Fear Island takes places on 14th-15th, 18th-22nd and 25th-19th October 2023. Don't miss out on this fantastic event!
Find out more and buy your wristbands at fantasyislandresort.co.uk
