Spooky World coming to Cranston this Fall

The granddaddy of haunted houses, Spooky World, is coming to Rhode Island for the first time starting next month here in Cranston.

The Litchfield, N.H.-based company, which has long been considered one of the best haunted houses and Halloween-themed scare-your-pants-off events in New England, has worked out a deal with the owners of Mulligan's Island to set up a Spooky World there, starting Sept. 27 and running until Nov. 2.

"It will be a great time," said Michael Accomando of Spooky World. "If you like to cry."

Accomando said Mulligan's Island, located off New London Avenue (Route 2) right off the Route 37 exit is a "great spot" for Spooky World to make its Rhode Island debut. It's right near highway access, has great visibility and is centered in the heart of Rhode Island's dense urban core.

Employees of Spooky World go through rigorous training to learn the nuances of fright, which go far beyond just yelling and chasing after people. In fact, if anyone hired by the company resorts to just screaming "boo!" they won't last long, Accomando said.

"This really is a large-scale production," he said. "We call our employees actors and they are conducting elaborate performances."

Spooky World has three "haunts," or haunted houses (not always a house) and is popular among teens, adults and children alike. It's a great date night, Accomando said, and the company has tried to make the experience new and fresh every year to keep people coming back again and again.

It's not quite suited for very young children and the company likes to say it's a PG-13 oriented kind of place. But that doesn't always stop youngsters from coming.

"I've seen 11-year-olds come and laugh," Accomando said. "But I've seen 40-year-olds come and crumble."

Inside a haunt, you're not just surprised by actors in elaborate makeup. The experience is auditory, the senses are manipulated, lights flash or go out, you will smell and hear things. The designers and artists who build the detailed haunts include animatronics, movie-style special effects and skits performed by actors serious about their craft, Accomando said.

"Usually you enter and you think it's a safe walk," Accomando said. "But then things start to happen. Once we have you, you're done."

Spooky World runs a FAQ on its Web site that includes information about strobe lights, prices and whether there are chainsaws or clowns at Spooky World. And yes, there are strobe lights, chainsaws and clowns.

Spooky World was born in 1991 and was the brainchild of David Bertolino of Sudbury. He sold the business in 2004. Spooky World is now headquartered at Mel's Funway Park in Litchfield which becomes Nightmare New England during the fall.

This isn't the first time Spooky World has branched out in recent years as its current owners hope to expand the brand. Last year, they set up shop in Fenway Park in Boston for The Fear at Fenway.

More information about Spooky World in Cranston will be posted on the Internet soon, Accomando said. The company likes to keep things under wraps until right before opening day to keep the competition's prying eyes away.

If you want to go, consider going during opening weekend. Spooky World offers a 2 for 1 special, which will help save money you'll end up spending on festival food and trinkets for sale.