2023 Question and Answer With Gateway's Haunted Playhouse

LIHauntedHouses.com recently sat down with Paul Allan of Gateway's Haunted Playhouse, to discuss what's new at Gateway's Haunted Playhouse for the 2023 Halloween Season!

What's new at Gateway's Haunted Playhouse for 2023? Do you have any new rides, attractions, or special features that Haunt Seekers should know about?

All New Story and theme for 2023. Based on the Historic Gateway Hotel that closed in the 50's and now recent sightings of a former resident - A Maniacal Judge Michael Hawthorne disrupting the Haunt on most nights.

What are you most excited about for the 2023 Halloween Season?

Bigger and better than ever - COVID restrictions are behind us now. We can put our full emphasis on The Haunt, the flow and overall great patron experience.

What differentiates Gateway's Haunted Playhouse from other local haunts in Long Island?

Top quality artists that work year round at Gateway Playhouse. We have a huge professional team of prop makers, carpenters, scenic designers, lighting designers, and a special effects shop.

How long has Gateway's Haunted Playhouse been in business? Can you tell us a bit more about Gateway's Haunted Playhouse's history?

We began as a theater in 1950. We opened the Haunt as our October attraction in 2009. We are unique in that we are a year round business that can put our whole team focus on the haunt - when it is time for that production each year. We employ processional actors all year long and use top quality theater trained actors in the haunt - Each actor is deeply immersed in the theme and they dont break character.

How long is a typical haunt experience at Gateway's Haunted Playhouse from start to finish?

Security and scanning goes quickly as patrons walk thru a metal detector. Then the midway - food - spirit bar, coffin ride, shooting gallery - photo ops, midway characters, etc. We have a virtual que meaning even if you do not get a fast pass, you do not wait on line very long. You can enjoy the midway waiting for your numbed group to be called. Average wait time on busy nights is usually an hour or so but rarely is more than 90 minutes.

On a scale from 1 to 10, how scary would you say Gateway's Haunted Playhouse is? Why?

9. Its a haunted house - it is supposed to be scary. Many will rate it 10 already, but I suppose we could push it a little harder! We have up to 90 actors in the haunt on busy nights and standby actors to give breaks on busy nights to keep the energy consistent.

Does Gateway's Haunted Playhouse's property have any real haunted history? Do you have a spooky encounter you'd like to share?

Gateway Playhouse property is definitively Haunted. Its over 100 years old and lots of history. Strange phenomenon and ghost sightings are the norm around here.

What inspired you to open up a haunted attraction? What's your favorite part of the business?

We love to entertain so the Haunt was a natural extension of our theater roots

How has new technology (i.e. animatronics, special props, etc) helped you to enhance Gateway's Haunted Playhouse?

We have a new screw drive air compressor that powers our many effects and automations. Its enormous and enough capacity to double our existing automations (but where would we put them?) There path is full of things to looks at and thing's that move. We visit Haunt shows each year and bring home new ideas - and then build them in house. We do occasionally buy a cool new automation, but more fun to create our own version. We have a central and networked system that controls everything. We can remotely activate or disable any automation in the Haunt form the controls room. A team of technicians and stage mangers monitor all systems and actors during the night

Can Gateway's Haunted Playhouse accommodate large groups? How many people can experience Gateway's Haunted Playhouse together as a group?

we try to keep groups to 8 or less. Its better to split up very large groups.

Does Gateway's Haunted Playhouse offer any special deals, discounts, or coupons?

fearli.com/save for up to date coupon codes