A haunted house in suburban Detroit, known as Erebus Haunted Attraction, has been drawing significant attention for its unique approach to measuring the fear it induces in visitors. The attraction, which operates throughout the Halloween season, maintains a digital “Wimp Out Score Board” in its lobby that tracks the number of guests who are unable to complete the four-storey experience due to overwhelming fear, resulting in them fleeing early, fainting, vomiting, or losing control.
The key to Erebus Haunted Attraction’s intensity lies in its “Scare School” training program, where actors learn to provoke fear safely and effectively. Prior to the opening night, new recruits join experienced performers to study the psychology of fear, practice movement, and perfect their makeup and costuming. The training sessions also emphasize the importance of staying in character while maintaining guest safety. This comprehensive approach ensures that the haunted house delivers consistent scares across all four levels, contributing to the climbing numbers on the Wimp Out Score Board, which serves as an informal measure of the attraction’s success each Halloween season.
Erebus Haunted Attraction’s management attributes the success of the haunted house to the rigorous training program, which enables actors to create a genuinely terrifying experience for visitors. The digital scoreboard has become a notable feature, providing a unique insight into the fear factor of the attraction. As the Halloween season progresses, the scoreboard is expected to continue tracking the number of visitors who are unable to withstand the intense scares, offering a fascinating perspective on the psychology of fear and the effectiveness of the attraction’s design.
The concept of a haunted house tracking and publicly displaying the number of visitors who flee in fear is somewhat unusual, yet it adds to the allure and notoriety of Erebus Haunted Attraction. This approach has contributed to the attraction’s reputation as one of the most frightening haunted houses in the region, drawing in visitors who are eager to test their courage and resilience in the face of fear. As the season reaches its peak, it will be interesting to observe how the Wimp Out Score Board reflects the attraction’s ability to induce fear and provide an unforgettable experience for those who dare to enter.