Haunted Lagoon: Dreams and Nightmares In Laie

It’s time once again to face your fears. October is upon us, and now is the perfect time for a ‘Haunted House‘ pick me up.

This past week I had the chance to visit a very ‘fun twist’ on a Haunted House; the Haunted Lagoon in Laie, Oahu. It was amazing! What could be better than a haunted lagoon, a canoe ride, dozens and dozens of swamp creatures and ghostly apparitions?  What a Halloween treat!

Laie is a small town on the North Shore of Oahu. Even though it’s a small town it gets plenty of traffic because of the BYU Hawaii campus, the LDS Temple and The Polynesian Cultural Center, or PCC.

For the last four years, in the month of October, the PCC puts on a Haunted Lagoon. People come from all over the Island, as well as other local Islands to ‘get their scare on‘ at the Haunted Lagoon in Laie. During the month of October the Haunted Lagoon at the PCC brings in over 40,000 visitors who are anxious to be scared senseless. Increasingly popular, this haunted lagoon ride offers fun entertainment the whole family can enjoy.

Last year my hubby and I just happened to be on Oahu during the month of October with a bunch of family members. We gathered a group of  14 cousins, and went to check out the Haunted Lagoon. It was incredible! We had so much fun last year that we decided that this year we would gather up our kiddos and drag them with us to Laie, so they could experience the Haunted Lagoon for themselves.

I will be honest and say the line was long, but we had a great time anyway. While making our way through the line we watched a large screen movie of the story of the ‘Laie Lady‘. This movie sets the stage for the canoe ride and helps to pass the time as well.

The first year (four years ago) the story unfolds about the beautiful Nalani. Her husband is murdered and her son is missing. She spends all of her time searching the Lagoon for her son. Each year they change the canoe ride so that it is new and exciting for those who have been on the ride before.

This year at the Haunted Lagoon, we once again find Nalani as she continues her search for her lost son. The Laie Lady is not only troubled and in need of a hair dresser, but descending deeper into insanity and madness. This makes a great scary and creepy theme for a Haunted Lagoon. For some light reading you can check out her diary.

As you wind your way through the line towards the canoe docking area, there are two small haunted areas to pass through. These haunted areas were very cool and make the wait more fun. The local kids under the age of 11 get dressed up and take part in these first two haunted areas. The first one is done in 3-D, (yes you wear 3-D glasses) which makes it very unique and adds a little fright. The second one is also fun. These small haunted areas also help you feel like you’re getting a great value for your money.

When we finally reached the canoe ride the excitement in the air was palpable. Everyone is excited and a little bit nervous. After loading up and heading off we knew we were in for a fun night.

The canoe goes under a bridge as it leaves the docking area, and from then on it is ‘non-stop excitement, thrills, and chills’. The ride is a nice long one, too. (Very worth the price of the ticket.)

A little friendly advice here: This ride can be scary for those who scare easily, or little ones. There are keiki (children) canoe rides offered for kids and for anyone wishing to have a ‘not-so-scary ride‘, earlier in the evening. Otherwise, sit back and relax, and let them bring on the monsters, zombies, and creepy lagoon creatures. If you enjoy haunted houses, creepiness, and halloween, you will love this haunted ride!

My kids all agreed that the canoe ride at the Haunted Lagoon was one of the best hauntings we have ever experienced. I highly recommend this visit to anyone (young or old) who happens to be on Oahu in October. For the ‘chills of a life time‘, make sure you visit the Haunted Lagoon!

You can take a Haunted Lagoon canoe ride from the 5th through the 31st of October  Tickets for visitors are $25 per adult and $20 for children. If you are a local the tickets are a little less at $19.95 per adult and $14.50 per child.

If you visit the Haunted Lagoon website you can find tickets for local residents for $10 but you have to purchase them 24 hours in advance. Just keep in mind that the tickets usually sell out, so if you really want to take this Haunted Lagoon canoe ride, get your tickets early.

Have a fun, safe Halloween and Happy Hauntings!