Fright Nights WV — 2025 Review

Fright Nights WV – 2025 Review

Date: 9/27/2025

Location: Daniels, West Virginia

Website: https://www.frightnightswv.com/

Overall Rating: 9.25/10

Located at The Resort at Glade Springs, Fright Nights WV absolutely blew us away! From start to finish, this haunt showcased incredible creativity, detailed sets, and a passionate cast. We had the privilege of meeting Ashley, the Creative Director for both the resort and Fright Nights, who gave us a behind-the-scenes tour earlier in the day. Hearing the backstory of the attractions only deepened our appreciation for the artistry that went into every corner of this haunt — “impressive” doesn’t even begin to cover it.

The experience is a continuous 20–23 minute walkthrough divided into six themed sections. Each flowed seamlessly into the next, keeping the pace brisk, the themes fresh, and the scares steady. While there’s always room for tweaks and new ideas, this attraction is brimming with creativity and heart. “The Mothman’s glowing red eyes in the sky are looking over Fright Nights, beaming with excitement and approval!”

Entertainment Value: 9.5/10

Fright Nights delivers far more than just a haunt. Their expansive midway offers something for everyone: a “virtual queue line” system that frees you to explore until it’s your turn, roaming spooks, photo ops, food trucks, a merch stand, and the Creepy Cantina (serving both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks—The Mothman drink was amazingly good). On top of that, there’s Escape the Grave mini escape room, Spooky Golf mini-golf, laser tag, cornhole, fire pits for s’mores, and music to keep the atmosphere lively. This midway is vibrant, engaging, and the perfect way to spend time before and after your walkthrough.

Costume & Makeup: 9/10

Detailed and scene-appropriate looks helped draw us further into each themed section. A good balance of masks and airbrushed makeup kept things fresh while maintaining believability. Standouts included the pirate crew with their sailor accents & life-like costuming, the unsettling voodoo lady muttering in gibberish, and the eerie zombie girl in The Cabin—unsettlingly realistic. While not quite Hollywood blockbuster-level, everything worked cohesively within the haunt’s immersive environments.

Cast & Crew: 9.5/10

This cast is lively, witty, and fully committed. Inside the haunt, we encountered a camp counselor pitching “Moth Off,” a moonshine-slinging hillbilly, a sassy Kill-A-Me mart attendant, and plenty more memorable characters who leaned into dialogue and improv. Outside, roaming actors and midway performers kept energy high. Even quieter characters, like the veiled stalker (who for the record, was SOOO much fun to watch) and the Sad Mime, made lasting impressions. For opening night, timing was already sharp, and the mix of creepy, comical, and sinister performances gave the show great balance.

Set Design & Special Effects: 9.5/10

Fright Nights is a feast for the eyes of any haunt enthusiast. Their “built not bought” approach is evident in every corner — from the hand-painted set pieces to quirky details like “Don’t Molest the Bears” flyers, spinning microwave heads, and VHS cases adorned with the haunt’s name. Highlights included the intricately built pirate ship, the immersive Cabin section that felt ripped from a horror movie, and the 80s-style video store complete with Easter eggs—heck even the one video game delivered a startle when you “press start”. The attention to detail is unmatched — even their actor-driven large prop was customized rather than kept in its out-of-the-box format. Add in clever lighting, immersive audio, animatronics, pneumatics, and live-feed monitors in a security scene showing other groups inside the haunt, and you’ve got a set design that’s well thought out and truly second to none.

Fright/Thrill Factor: 8.5/10

While not the scariest haunt for a seasoned goer, Fright Nights still packed plenty of effective startles. Cleverly hidden actors, disorienting transitions, and strong use of sound/light combinations had many in our group jumping. The hall of chainsaws, densely detailed Cabin, and creepy cornfield all added tension. Guests around us were screaming, laughing, and thoroughly entertained — a balance of fear and fun that works for a wide audience.

Sharpening the Scare:

• Leatherface hallway: Swapping the Jason mannequin for a Leatherface-style character would make this little hallway feel more thematically fitting and create an opportunity for a well-timed scare.

• Freakshow dialogue: The Freakshow section looks great, and layering in more witty banter or skit-based interactions would add variety and keep guests engaged beyond quick startle scares.

• Pirate ship immersion: The ship build is already a standout; adding shifting or more tilting floors could give guests the sensation of being on the open sea, heightening immersion even more.

• Layering in scents: Using smells across different attractions would round out the sensory experience and make each section more memorable—and a near sensory overload.

• Cornfield atmosphere: This stretch has room for expansion. Adding eerie ambient audio, flickering lights, or more character-driven interactions (beyond running and growling) would sustain tension and enrich this section. 

• Water effects: The “moth spray” effect was clever, but adjusting how it’s delivered could preserve the surprise while avoiding discomfort from being hit directly in the face/eyes.

• Flow refinements: Many areas already use pacing elements effectively, but the transition from the Pirate theme into the Kill-A-Me Mart section caused some group stacking. Small distractions or staggered timing here could help keep the flow seamless.

Fright Night MVP:

The Sad Clown/Mime stole the show. Roaming the midway and even slipping into the Freakshow section, his subtle, quiet mannerisms were unforgettable. He proved that sometimes the creepiest characters don’t need words at all — just a presence that lingers long after you’ve walked away.

Recap the Screams:

Fright Nights WV is the complete package — a massive midway, six themed attractions woven into one continuous walkthrough, a passionate creative team, and a “built not bought” philosophy that makes everything feel unique. The ship build was gorgeous, the Cabin felt cinematic, and the little Easter eggs (like “Moth Off” insect spray and cheeky flyers) gave the haunt its own sense of humor.

While seasoned haunt-goers may not find it the scariest of the season, it’s undeniably one of the most creative, fun, and engaging. For a full night of entertainment in a beautiful resort setting, Fright Nights WV is a can’t-miss stop — proving that West Virginia horror is alive, thriving, and ready to haunt your dreams.