Bennett's Curse is OPEN tonight- October 29, 2011

Bennett's Curse will be OPEN tonight October 29, 2011.

Please dress accordingly and wear old shoes or boots.

See you tonight!

Bennett's Curse: A Haunted House Review

Published October 21, 2011
by Kristin Hughes

Driving down Max Blob’s Park Road on the way to Bennett’s Curse, “Maryland and D.C.‘s best haunted house,” horror movie scenes raced through my head. I imagined a crazed chainsaw-wielding lunatic jumping onto our car from the branches above. I imagined getting hacked to bits, meeting the same end as those poor fools in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. There we were, two innocent kids snaking down an unpaved road, surrounded by ominous foliage. The ride seemed it might never end. We drove slowly, not knowing an army of undead lay in wait to ambush us at the moment of least expectance! Okay, maybe that’s not exactly what happened upon arrival to Bennett’s Curse, but what awaited us is something I’ll never forget.

We followed the gravel road to a parking lot at Blob’s Park, where a nameless man touted the exquisite quality of the attraction, claiming, “If you don’t like this, you don’t like haunted houses.”

Having been to many haunted houses (so many I’ve lost count), I started the night a tad skeptical. I was hoping for terror, but naturally part of me expected to see the same old props from every amateur haunted attraction -- rubbery masks on unenthusiastic actors, ghosts made of sheets with eyes artistically cut out.

After the ticket booth stood the concession stand that offered frightfully delicious treats and hot cider. Luckily we got there about half an hour before the house opened at 7:00 pm, so there was almost no line. But it quickly filled up. I recommend getting a Speed Pass (only $10 more than general admission).

As we stood in dreary fog outside the castle doors and listened to the sounds of tortured souls behind the wall, I found myself right back in the Halloween spirit. The legend of Bennett’s Curse, which you can read about here, is brought to life in three areas inside: The House of Vampires, Zombie Kingdom in 3D, and The Sanctuary of Insanity.

Finally the curtain opened and we were herded through the castle in small groups. Ready, set, go: All hell broke loose. The tour kicked off with a giant demon pulling a man in half. But what really spooked me was when Mr. Demon jumped off the table and lunged himself at us. The makeup and props are so awesome it was sometimes impossible to tell who was real and who was rubber.

Next, we walked a hallway constructed of skulls, leading us to rooms of vampires, cannibals, and the generally deranged. Ghouls lurched from the walls as we walked by. Some hid in black corners and chased us. Lucky for me (she said sarcastically), I ended up as the caboose, which made me an easy target for Curse crazies creeping up and whimpering into my ear. My weird complex of getting scared by the sound of people running up behind me made that aspect even more disturbing.

Life is all about change, of course. And soon we found ourselves walking through a hallway of hanging heads. They hung low enough that I squeamishly had to nudge them out of my way. What was spectacularly nauseating was the corridor of dead bodies slung like cows in a butcher shop. Let me remind you, here, how realistic the props are -- fleshy-looking bodies strung up and upside down, like cows waiting to be hacked into burgers!

Soon, we encountered more vampires dining (on you know what) and zombies chasing. A giant appeared to be trying to grab me from outside of the castle with a huge animatronic hand reaching and a giant eyeball peering through a window at me. Demon dragon creatures, bloody undead, statues, and skeletons were brought to life with electronics. An evil gargoyle jumped up and approached us, shocking me because I thought he was a prop!

In Zombie Kingdom, we put on 3D glasses and embarked on a psychedelic journey through blood, guts, and brains. Here’s where I identified the max-creepy element of Bennett’s Curse that sets it apart from other haunted attractions (other than the amazing effects): the pitch black hallway built of what I call “bubble walls.” I don’t know how else to describe them. There are few things creepier than wandering through a hallway of pure black. There was literally nothing visible. I’m a bit claustrophobic, and felt like a blind person.

Okay, so, why I call them bubble walls. Imagine walking through a hallway, only the walls are inflated so much that they are touching. They’re inflated like balloons. I had to squeeze myself through the crevice, blindly. It was very unsettling and, crap, I couldn’t wait for it to be over! But that was my own psyche (powered by my own extra-dark imagination) getting to me. Most people will conquer the “bubble walls,” avoiding a panic attack--they will be scared for a little while and meantime scary impressed.


Finally, we weaved in and out of a maze of cages in the Sanctuary of Insanity, as mad patients crowded us, screaming gibberish at the top of their lungs.

As I'd daydreamed earlier, we did in fact get pursued by a chainsaw-wielding lunatic as we exited the haunted house. He chased us in the direction of our cars, but not before getting all up in our grills. (Had we stayed too long?) Truly Chainsaw Guy intimidated me, with his gruesome mask and real, not-a-prop chainsaw. I drove away peeking over my shoulder for any escaped zombies looking for a ride. My own neuroses aside, Bennett’s Curse is hands down the best haunted house I’ve been to. I highly recommend it if you’re looking for something fun and terrifying to do this Halloween season.

Bennett's Curse to be featured on the Travel Channel Show Making Monsters- "Ultimate Haunted Houses"

Making Monsters "Ultimate Haunted Houses"
Travel Channel
Sunday October 23 at 8 pm

Distortions dives into the Halloween season with orders for two of the nation's most popular haunted house attractions during the same week. Additionally, they must fill a fifty-three foot truck with props for Morris Costumes.

Bennett's Curse will be featured on this episode as one of the two most popular haunted attractions so be sure to set you DVR and Watch it !

Additional air times: Oct. 24th -3am, Oct. 29th- 11pm, Oct. 30th- 2 am, Oct. 31st- 7pm

Bennett's Curse makes NEW list "America's Top 13 Haunted Houses & Attractions"

America’s Top 13 Haunted Houses and Attractions
October 14, 2011 by Jules Miller

If the 6-6-6 on Haunted Locations has taught you anything, it’s that wherever you are in the United States, you don’t have to look far to find something that’s haunted. Since the mid-1990s, haunted houses (or haunted attractions, as they have become known) have been popping up all over the country. These places don’t go for the cheap thrills implemented in classic horror films (I’m looking at you, Ghost Face)–we’re talking serious, professional haunts designed to scare the pants off you with the latest special effects, animatronics and live animals (think giant snakes).

All prices quoted are for the 2011 season and for adults. Many haunts are cash only, so check their website for ticket information.


13. Bennett’s Curse – Jessup, MD – $25 to $30

Just between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, Bennett’s Curse is a Medieval-themed Halloween attraction where guests are greeted by an over-sized, mystical gatekeeper who warns everyone to be wary of the torture chamber. This haunt is ideally located at Blob’s Park, a Bavarian beer garden where you can get some tasty bites and hear live music Thursday through Sunday.


See full article here:
America's Top 13 Haunted Houses & Attractions

Popular haunted houses in and around Washington, D.C.

Bennett's Curse Makes the top of the list!

Are you looking for some spooky fun? The Washington, D.C., area offers a plethora of horrific Halloween-focused events, including several haunted houses for your indulgence. Get ready for some thrills and shrills as you visit the popular haunted destinations in the D.C. area.

Bennett's Curse

8024 Max Blobs Park Road, Jessup, Maryland

Thursday through Sunday, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

$25 Thursdays and Sundays, $30 Fridays and Saturdays, $30 October 30-31.

Acclaimed as "America's best haunt 2011," Bennett's Curse is one of the most coveted haunted attractions and is located in Jessup, Maryland. Celebrate the season of Halloween and join other thrill-seekers in a paranormal experience of mazes and illusions. Guests this year can feast on a new 3D attraction called the Zombie Kingdom, along with the popular House of the Vampyres and the Sanctuary of Insanity. Bennett's Curse caters to audiences of all ages and is open rain or shine.

All tickets include admission to the three haunted attractions - The House of the Vampyres, Zombie Kingdom in 3D, and The Sanctuary of Insanity.

Sunday October 23, 2011- 1st Annual Bennett's Curse Haunted House Pet Costume Contest & Haunted House Tour!

Calling all pet owners, join Reagan from Mix 106.5 on Sunday, October 23rd at Bennett's Curse Haunted House at Blob's Park for the 1st Annual Pet Costume Contest! Register your pet between 7 and 8pm, judging will take place between 8 and 9pm!


If your pet is chosen to have the best costume then you'll win a BARK! Prize pack which includes a $25 gift certificate and $20 worth of food and toys, plus you'll also receive tickets to see Cesar Milan at the Modell Performing Arts Center at the Lyric and your choice of tickets to see Jay-Z or 3 Doors Down.


It's all courtesy of BARK!, the Lyric Opera House and BARCS. Bennett's Curse Haunted House tours will be available between 7 and 10pm that evening. Purchase tickets online or at the gate the day of the event.

Friday October 21, 2011- 1st Annual Bennett's Curse Halloween Costume Contest in the Beer Garden & Haunted House Tour!

Join Amelia from 98 Rock who will be your hostest with the mostest for our 1st Annual Bennett's Curse Halloween Costume Contest in the Beer Garden & Haunted House Tour.


Order your tickets online or pick them up during registration at Blobs Park Bavarian Beer Garden between 7 and 8pm. Local band "Loving the Lie" will be playing an acoustic set during registration. Judging will take place between 8 and 9 pm, then the Haunted House tour between 9 and 11pm.


All sorts of great prizes up from grabs including a Cruise from Halloweenthrillercruise.com , passes to Ski Liberty Roundtop & Whitetail, Medieval Times Passes & more! It's Halloween so wear your SCARIEST Costume!

Thursday October 20, 2011 -The Washington Redskins Cheerleaders will be appearing at Bennett's Curse Haunted House!

Thursday October 20th, 2011
The Washington RedSkins Cheerleaders will be appearing at Bennett's Curse. Here's your chance to take a photo taken with Talmesha, Sabrina & Kelly between 7 and 9pm!