Boot Hill: 2019 Review
Boot Hill, Irvine, CA
Welcome to the first home haunt update of 2019! The first of many, because we’ll be hitting a lot of the neighborhood spooks these last two weekends of October. But for today, we’ll kick off the residential portion with a tried and true classic that’s celebrating it’s 20th anniversary this year. That’s right, Reign of Terror isn’t the only one hitting the two decade mark in 2019. Over at an opposite end of Southern California, Irvine’s Boot Hill is hitting the big twenty as well!
Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to Boot HIll!
Boot Hill is one of those home haunt institutions that begs to be revisited year after year, like a spooky tradition. Featured in the documentary Epic Home Haunts, this attraction is actually a bit of a hybrid haunt, mixing elements of a yard display and a walk-through maze. The haunt weaves a lurid legend of evil and murder and vengeance, all set in Old West Orange County. All of this is played out in both story form via a video monitor telling of the legend beside a photo op outside the haunt, and also via a silhouette window featuring various scenes of the vengeance on behalf of the old town of Bridgewood upon its cruel and viscious master, Jedediah Smith.
The tall tales say that every Halloween season, Boot Hill, the cemetery at the edge of the town of Bridgewood (Irvine's Woodbridge community--where Boot Hill is located--with reversed syllables... get it?), comes back from the veil of history. And the ghouls and spirits that haunt the old site rise in the autumn night once more.
New for this year at Boot HIll is actually an old scene.
Boot Hill is a transportive haunt. Once guest enter through the archway onto the property, it's easy to forget that this is the middle of suburban Irvine. The ambiance and theming, mixed with expert and dramatic haunt lighting, fog, and a ephemeral soundscape all combine to create a classic home haunt that has deservedly built up a reputation as being one of the most sophisticated and enchanting in all of Southern California.
The resulting home haunt brings guests into its front driveway and front yard area, where a series of scenes unfold before them. This year, Boot Hill has brought back an old swamp featured in past iterations of the yard display. Ghostly jack-o-lanterns seem to float above an eerie, green bog, while little fireflies flitter in the air like a scene from the bayou of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland.
The lighting and ambiance at Boot Hill are top notch.
On the opposite side, another series of jack-o-lanterns shares space with a plot of graves, leading guests deeper into the cemetery space. An open coffin stands to the side, and the graves really appear as guests round the corner. Take a look at the gravestones. In addition to their fine craftsmanship, they also contain easter eggs--both to the story and to this haunt's history. There's the marker for the vile Jedediah Smith, of course--the fanciest gravestone that seems to carry a bit of life of its own (thanks to some projection effects). But nods to family and friends of Boot Hill creators, Shea Foley and Glenn Schmidt about throughout--including story writer, Theme Park Adventure founder, and friend of Westcoaster, Rick West.
The gravestones in Boot HIll feature plenty of references to family and friends.
But lest one feels too comfortable exploring boot hill with glee, know that guests who go in (one group at a time through the out-and-back layout) are not alone. Hiding in the shadows are ghostly fiends and screaming corpses out to exact vengeance. Whether they are aligned with Jedediah Smith or cursed souls, they certainly are not here to make the environment pleasant. Quick startle scares out of hidden components add a fun depth to this otherwise short maze layout, and the frights are a welcome partnership with the magnificent visuals.
Boot Hill has built up enough of a reputation in its 20 years of fears that thousands of guests line up throughout the season to experience this fantastic little home haunt. It's even more impressive considering that Boot Hill is not open on Halloween night--traditionally the busiest night for home haunters. When visiting, do be considerate of the neighborhood, and allocate some time to park possibly a little whiles away from the house. The neighborhood car situation can sometimes get a bit crowded. But don't let that deter you. Boot Hill is definitely one of those home haunts that needs to be seen to be fully appreciated!
Who knows what spirits you’ll uncover at Boot HIll?
Boot Hill is located at 16 Goldenrod, Irvine, CA 92614 and runs this and next Friday through Sunday, October 18-20 and 25-27. Admission is free, but donations are happily accepted to benefit Children's Hospital of Orange County. There is also merch on sale, if you want to show your support for the haunt otherwise. There is free street parking in the neighbord, but as we've already mentioned, it can get a little busy.
In addition, at 8:00 and 9:00, there’s a fun little special moment when the monsters in the maze all congregate on the street… and do the Thriller Dance synchronized to the iconic Michael Jackson song. It’s a really cute and entertaining bonus show for guests waiting in line or just milling around!
Architect. Photographer. Disney nerd. Haunt enthusiast. Travel bugged. Concert fiend. Asian.
