During this spooky season, something wicked has come. The Forest of Shadows has transformed the normally cheery Seattle Chinese Garden and the Trinity Forest Adventure Park in Dallas into something dark and sinister. And it’s expected to stay that way until after the Halloween season is over. But this is not a haunted house experience. No one chases you, there are no chain saws and not a drop of blood will you find.
Promoted by Fever and created by Moment Factory, the same people who put on the Astra Lumina garden light shows, Forest of Shadows is brand new and offers a different take on the Halloween holiday. It’s very atmospheric. It’s sort of an art exhibit set up in the woods using immersive lights and sounds. It’s actually quite beautiful. Ultimately more unsettling than scary, those looking for a good scare might leave disappointed. Others will find it refreshingly different and is perfect for young one’s first “haunted” experience (although the recommended age is 10 and up).
That isn’t to say that there aren’t any thrills to be had in this forest. As you walk down the path, you’ll swear that someone else – or something else – is following along beside you. Spooky sounds play throughout (the stereo system is excellent here and really captures the mood. Giant spiders can be found in the trees. An abandoned baby carriage is in a field surrounded by creepy ghost-like dolls and teddy bears. And there are a few jump scares too.
The storyline is a bit vague. Before entering the forest, a sign has been posted stating that no unauthorized entry is allowed. “Toxic biochemical growth & cognitive hazard exposure may result in unexpected mutation” it says. What could go wrong? As you make your way down the path, you’ll encounter a few people who also didn’t take the warning seriously.
Scaring voices announce that you are now one with the forest and that there is no escape. You’ll soon be one with the forest and not in a good way. What is causing this is unclear and the reason for the baby carriage is a mystery as well. This feels like a missed opportunity. Personally, I would have enjoyed a more straight-forward storytelling adventure, but I still found the experience fun.
If you have attended one of the Astra Lumina experiences in the past, you’ll notice that the layout is very similar. In fact, it is the exact same layout with similar, different effects. The trail will be converted into this years’ Astra Lumina after November 2nd, so it’s easy to compare the two.
One of the best things about attending such an experience such as this is the surprise element of not knowing what is coming just around the corner. But if you have attended Astra Lumina, as I have, that mystery element is gone. It’s still very enjoyable, but you might want to attend one event or the other rather than both. If you want dark and creepy, Forest of Shadows is for you. If you prefer a more mystical or magical experience, wait until next month.
Unlike your traditional haunted house, the waiting time before entering the Forest of Shadows is much shorter. This is because you choose your arrival time when purchasing tickets. You can chance it and buy your tickets at the gate, but it’s highly recommended to purchase tickets in advance.
Snacks and beverages are available to enjoy in the courtyard after your walk. There is a photo station set up nearby too. The average time to experience it all is about one hour, but no one will be pushing you to “hurry up”. Take your time and immerse yourself.
As the name implies, this is an outdoor event. You’ll want to dress warmly and maybe take along an umbrella if it looks like it’s going to rain.
Event Details:
Forest of Shadows is open now and continues through November 2nd at both locations. It is closed Monday-Wednesday (except for October 29). Entrance times are set every 15 minutes from 7:15-9:45 p.m.
Seattle, Washington:
Seattle Chinese Garden
6000 16th Avenue Southwest, Seattle, 98106
Tickets range from $30.90 – $35.90 for adults and $24.90-$28.90 for kids (depending on the day and time chosen) Discounts are available for students, military families and seniors too.
Dallas, Texas:
Trinity Forest Adventure Park
1800 Dowdy Ferry Rd, Dallas, Texas, 75217
Tickets range from $28.90 – $33.90 for adults and $22.90-$26.90 for kids (depending on the day and time chosen). Discounts are available for students, military families and seniors too.
All photos taken by Jeffrey Totey
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