If you’ve been in nearly any Halloween store in town, you would have already seen many of the decorations and props mentioned above, including this season’s hugely popular ZomBabies, Rocking Granny and Psycho Sam. As a Halloween store owner in a local mall, I’ve witnessed hundreds of children coming into my shop daily – half of whom are dragging their parents inside, and the other who won’t get past the first 10 feet if they are frightened. Most parents already know whether their child can handle a spooky environment. In my shop, if they get scared upon entering, (and many do) the parents immediately recognize it and act accordingly by simply escorting them outside. Sadly, I’ve witnessed a lot of insensitive parents forcing their distraught child to stay in order to toughen them up, or promising them they will like it. Worse still, one young mother even delighted in deliberately scaring her toddler by carrying her and thrusting her face into several of the animated toy props until the baby was crying and sobbing. (at which time, I told her what I thought about it). In short, I’ve observed a lot of poor judgment by parents regarding assessment of their children’s fear.

While it is very unfortunate her child was so terrified on the train, it is hard to understand why it took her so long to recognize it was a spooky event. The entry courtyard and ticket line has plenty of animations and displays surrounding it, accompanied by spooky lighting and sounds, and the grounds are filled with fog. All of this sensory assault and spooky atmosphere is just in the line to board the trains. Surely this frightened child must have exhibited fear before they even boarded a train.

It is ultimately up to parents to determine what venue is best for their child, and to choose appropriately. The decision whether to take them to ride the haunted Ghost Train at night in the dark, versus visiting the local Pumpkin Patch rests squarely on the shoulders of the parents. If this lady misjudged her child’s fear level, it doesn’t seem very fair to blame the event for being what it is…a spooky Halloween Ghost Train ride.

To set the record straight, LALS has very strict rules involving the trains and their operation, and during the Halloween run they hold safety meetings nightly and are prepared at all times to stop any train immediately, particularly for any crying or terrified child. The conductor can stop on a dime if he sees someone in distress, or a passenger raises a hand as instructed before boarding. With two way radios, or a simple whistle, the conductor can alert the engineer to stop the train immediately. Upon entering the park as passengers wait to board the trains, Mortimer’s Mortuary does a sketch with an animated skeleton explaining the rules of riding the trains, including instructions on how to stop the train in an emergency. Additionally, instructions are broadcast during the wait in line every five minutes with clear instructions for passengers to follow, including how to stop the train. Safety personnel walk the rails throughout the night with two-way radios to alert anyone to any unusual situation which could arise such as this. The implication that anyone at LALS would knowingly or deliberately force them to endure the entire 20 minute ride with a wailing, terrified five year old child is not only wrong, it is absurd.

These volunteer club members take great pains to ensure a safe and fun ride for their passengers, and are especially sensitive to children – their biggest fans – with a successful track record of eleven years for this popular Halloween event.

Jeanni Schipper
Spooky Chic Halloween

Deranged insane ‘inmates’ screaming to be let out of the cages they’re smashing their heads against, electrocutions, hangings, babies eating human body parts, two headed psychotic babies, really scary giant clowns… Not fun for a five year old.

It was a nightmare for us and I hope he doesn’t have nightmares for years after this. I expected something a little tamer from Griffith Park – land of Travel Town, Pony Rides, the Carousel, etc.

They should warn parents the ride may be too frightening for children and give them a signal to stop the train if it is. Twenty minutes is an eternity for a terrified child.

We’ll never take children here again – and we love horror films. Just not for little kids. Unacceptable.