Rotten Apple 907 presents The Portal: 2017 Review
Rotten Apple 907, Burbank, CA
Our Halloween season train is only going to be chugging harder and harder as we visit more and more haunts and bring you photos and reviews of all these wonderful, spooky attractions available in Southern California. Big and small, professional or amateur, SoCal is blessed with an abundance of haunted entertainment all across the sprawling area, and for us haunted enthusiasts, that is a most wonderful thing!
Today, we return to a home haunt we visited last year, Rotten Apple 907, a Burbank haunted house that's been creating detailed and unique worlds for over 20 years. Each year, the folks at Rotten Apple create a completely new haunted attraction with a new theme, new props and decoration, and new facade--all on their front yard! Last year featured a trip to dark and twisted fairy tales, and this year features a trip as well, as Rotten Apple presents "The Portal" for our macabre pleasure!
Welcome to the witch's hovel, where creepy and spooky ornaments abound.
Beware the cursed Hypno-Toad! ...Or just toad.
The seems to revolve around a witch's abode in the woods leading to a pathway into the underworld. Guests first enter the witch's hovel before escaping out into the forest and encountering a mysterious cave. From there, a very tense blackout section leads them to what is essentially hell, with unforgiving creatures and monsters lurking behind each corner. Ultimately, guests typically find a way back to the world of the living, but not before experiencing some startling frights!
Out in the woods, two figures perform some dark ceremony.
This must be that Portal everyone was talking about...
As a home haunt, the layout of the maze is relatively short compared to most theme park or professional haunts, but Rotten Apple sets itself apart by incorporating rich and detailed theming that is all made from scratch each year. There is plenty of eye candy in this maze and not a single inch of unused surface. From the potions in the witch's hovel to the immersive dark forest vegetation to the rocky surfaces of the underworld, every space looks fantastic.
The maze also uses a great mix of live actors and animatronic figures to provide a diverse range of scares. Some moments even feature one of the two providing a distraction for the other! The scare actors for Rotten Apple are veterans who have a great sense of timing. Waiting in line, guests can gain an anticipatory sense of excitement just listening to the screams emanating from the inside.
The theming is fantastic. The physical layout seems to be just about the only thing that's the same from last year, as many props and theming elements are completely done anew each year!
Despite their complexity and impressive detail, home haunts even at the quality of Rotten Apple 907 are pretty much always free. However, many of them partner with a local charitable cause or organization to fundraise for donations and increase exposure in the community. Rotten Apple has long been a member to this club, and this year, their proceeds are once again benefiting Volunteers of Burbank Animal Shelter, which helps furry friends of all types find homes in loving families. Thus, donations are greatly encouraged and appreciated. This type of scaring for a good cause represents the heart of the haunt community, and it's always wonderful to see haunts participate in this community giving--especially popular ones like Rotten Apple.
Peek-a-boo!
The skeletal horse is one familiar figure from last year. The entire maze, however, is completely fresh and original.
Rotten Apple once again produces a hit for the local neighborhood and greater community. The theming and ambiance are immersive and abundant, with meticulous details that rival the big commercial haunts that are more widely known and advertised. But as haunt enthusiasts know, having an amateur status is no indication of the quality of a haunt. Home haunts like Rotten Apple demonstrate how great a product can be when supported by the right people with committed heart and energy.
Visitors are greatly encouraged to donate before entering. Any amount helps. Rotten Apple raises thousands of dollars each year for their charity of choice--typically an animal-focused organization.
Rotten Apple is located on 907 N. California St., Burbank, CA 91505 and will run again this upcoming weekend through Halloween night. The haunt is very popular, so arrive early and/or anticipate a lengthy line. Parking may be a bit tricky on the street, so be prepared to park on an adjacent street. Bring patience and consideration--be nice and respectful to the properties of neighbors. And bring an excited enthusiasm and a bit of generosity too! After all, at Rotten Apple, they scare because they care.
"The Portal" might be a gateway to a dark and morbid place, but Rotten Apple 907 provides a shining experience and a glowing Halloween spirit!
Architect. Photographer. Disney nerd. Haunt enthusiast. Travel bugged. Concert fiend. Asian.
