The Beast History

Founded in 1991, The Beast is America’s largest haunted house. The Beast pioneered the “open format” design, where you’re not in a line, you’re wandering through the scenes, never knowing when a spook or an activated scene will rock into action. At the Beast, you are not just looking at the scene, you are part of the action!

It takes about 40 minutes to go through the Beast — IF you don’t get lost in the fog in the Werewolf Forest, stuck in the maze, or pulled toward the light in the three-story light tower. The exit is a four story slide, it’s straight down and faster than you might find comfortable!

The Werewolf Forest, a 1/4 acre in size, requires you to find an exit in complete darkness. It drives up every abandonment issue one could ever have. Every 30 minutes, the werewolves scour the forest to escort out any hysterical guests who haven’t found the exit yet. The storm scene’s thunder and lightning will make your hair stand on end, the cobblestone streets of Jack the Ripper’s London will seduce you, beware the raging wolf. And don’t forget about the swamp with it’s blood thirsty alligators, the deranged pirate or the man-hunting lion.

The Beast gets better every year. The local press conducted surveys of avid haunted house devotees, who termed it “the best”, but cautioned visitors it may be unsuitable for some children. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. If children under 10 have frequent nightmares — they’re not ready. And if you’re unwilling to be videotaped or have serious phobias, then please stay home.

Two blocks away is the granddaddy of ‘em all, The Edge of Hell. The only way to decide which is better is to go through both. It’s a matter of great debate and personal preference. These two houses are talked about the world over. Important!! Entrance implies you’ve read and accepted the terms on the WARNING posted at the front doors.
Thrill seekers gather for a weekend of Terror

-Announcing Regional Haunt Tour Nov. 12/13 –

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Oct. 13, 2010 – Each Fall, hundreds of residents creep out of their dwellings under the cover of darkness and head, like zombies, to West Bottoms near Kansas City’s downtown, to experience the nationally-acclaimed destination haunted houses, Edge of Hell and The Beast as well as experience the new West Bottoms haunts and ghost tour.

Haunt enthusiasts have an extraordinary opportunity to participate in the first Legendary Haunt Tour for the region. Reservations are not for the faint of heart, November 12 and 13, as the best of the best in scare tactics and haunt horror will be on display and discussed.  The road trip for enthusiasts will converge at Kansas City’s Westin Crown Center Hotel and offer packages that include the destination-worthy haunted houses and ghost tour.
Transworld Exhibit produced the event with Netherworld Haunted House and Full Moon Productions. The event features seminars, panel discussions, learning tracks, celebrities and parties designed for the haunt enthusiast and industry. Details about the Legendary Haunt Tour and registration information can be unearthed at www.legendaryhaunttour.com

Kansas City’s Edge of Hell and its bad relative, The Beast, are often featured in travel publications and television.  The Edge of Hell and The Beast are located in Kansas City’s West Bottoms District off the 12th Street Bridge in dark brick buildings from the 1800s.

Entering its 36th “scare season,” Full Moon Productions continues to rework the two famous haunts, outfitting them with high-tech special effects, animatronics, and Hollywood-caliber sets and costumes. It has also ramped up the fear factor at two additional haunts, the Chambers of Poe and Macabre Cinema.

Brand new in 2010 is the Kansas City Ghosts and Gangsters Tour. Imaginations are taken for a ride on The Ghoul Bus, where guides point out places of past mystery and mayhem around Kansas City. The ghost tour is sold-out through November but seats will be available for those reserved for the Legendary Haunt Tour.  Due to the overwhelming demand of the ghost tour, reservations are required. Times and ticket information are available at 816.842.0320.

Registration includes packages with haunt passes, ghost tour, seminars and party options. Seminar options offer choice of focus on the paranormal, horror and special effects as well as the world of haunted houses with celebrity speakers renowned in their respective horror genre fields.  Speakers include: Friday the 13th, Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Dawn of the Dead Director FX, Tom Savini; John Zaffis expert and author referenced by national media as an authority on topics related to the paranormal, exorcism and demonology; and Patrick Burns, star of TV’s Haunting Evidence, is a renowned paranormal investigator and respected ‘skeptical believer among others.

“Haunt enthusiasts love to experience haunts with other people that share their passion and crave learning about the industry out of curiosity, a hobby or to fine tune their own haunts,” said Amber Arnett-Bequeath, vice president at Full Moon Productions, producers of the haunted attractions in the West Bottoms. “We know people from all over the region see our haunted houses as a destination and will be thrilled to include The Legendary Haunt Tour in their visit.”

Full Moon Productions has owned and operated world-class haunted house attractions since 1975 and makes a priority of helping children’s charities in the community. Find out more about Full Moon’s attractions, history and their latest offerings at www.fullmoonprod.com