Answers to some of your frequently asked questions about Castle Blood
Where can I buy tickets?
You can buy tickets on site at the ticket booth or online at our TICKET PAGE via HAUNTPAY.
We HIGHLY RECOMMEND purchasing reserved time tickets for your group. Purchasing a reserve time tickets online means you will enter Castle Blood within a 15 minute window and avoid the line.
Reserve for a group of four to eight (4-8) people and you may enter exclusively with your group. Please be on time or a few minutes early so we can check you in.
What happens if I buy reserved time tickets and my whole group doesn’t come?
When you buy reserved time tickets we give you physical tickets upon arrival. You can use them for shows on another date, another holiday show, or even another year. They never expire!
What happens if the event is cancelled?
In the event the venue cancels an event,and you have purchased your tickets via HAUNTPAY, you will be refunded within 4 business days of the event date for your purchase.
Why do you call it a theatrical haunt?
We have an interactive storyline and a game and challenge to send our patrons on each year.
The story changes from year to year, however it always remains true to our basic legend and the characters of the castle. You will take your time going through with your guide. So you’ll see everything. And everything will see you.
Depending on the creatures you encounter and what ‘denizens’ are in the Castle, your tour may even be different from night to night This is why we have customers who come more than once a season.
Is it scary?
It depends on what scares you. What scares some people will not scare others, that is just the nature of fear. If you are looking for an extreme haunt, wher
e people grab you, throw gross things on you, and chase you with a chainsaw Castle Blood is not the place for you. We do pack every startle scare we can into all the nooks and crannies of the Castle to give you some fun frights. We are creepy and in a supposedly haunted 100-year-old funeral home, but because of our theme, you will not see graphic violence or nudity portrayed.
Vampires? Werewolves? Zombies? Yes, yes, YES. Axe murderers and psychos you could meet on the street? Not so much. Neither are there clowns or chainsaws. They don’t make sense in our castle, so we don’t have them.
Is it a ride?
No, it is a walk through attraction.
Are there stairs?
Yes. We are now in an historic 100-year-old building. There are four steps to get up on the porch, and indoors there are two staircases. One up, one down, 15 steps each.
Is it a maze? Can I get lost?
It is not a maze. You can’t get lost. We have winding halls and mysterious passages, but you are never really alone.
I heard its family friendly, does that means it’s lame for adults?
No not at all. The show is designed for adults and especially for clever adults. People say we are family friendly because we do two “no-scare” Sunday matinee shows the last two Sundays of October, which are during the day, have no scares at all and more lighting than normal. We started the Matinees specifically because people were bringing very little children to the night show, and it often goes badly for the them. We want to give young monster fans and their families cherished Halloween memories.
What age is good for kids for the night time show?
This is the trickiest question we get. All kids are different. You know your child I do not. Do they really understand the difference in real from fake? Are they scared of clowns or Santa, mascots? These are questions you must ask yourself as a parent.
The night show is darker, and people will be jumping from unexpected locations. It’s a whole lot different than loving to watch Scooby-Doo on TV. That said, we have 5-year-old children that love it all, and 10 to 12-year-old children leaving in tears having a horrible night, and maybe ruining haunts for them forever. Please use your best discretion on this.
Generally, older children do fine. We do have a lights-on, no-scare trick-or-treat tour for very young children and shy adults.
Will I be touched?
Not in a violent way, or in an attempt to scare you and no one will grab you or bounce you around. However, from time to time, to meet the challenges, you may come in contact with a cast member while performing your tasks. You may always decline that.
What if can’t make it through?
Well, we are a spooky, creepy, scary place; If you are too scared to make it through, we have done our job. In cases of extreme fright or emergencies there are many safety doors we can use to get you out.
Can I wear a costume to Castle Blood?
Yes. Our cast members all have their name badges on, so there is no confusion about who is who. If in costume please remember, we are doing the show, you are our audience. No weapons of any kind, even props, are permitted. If you really like wearing costumes, why not consider joining us as a regular member of the Castle Blood cast?
Can I get the hot vampire chick’s phone number?
No.
Are you open all year round?
In our new location, we will be open select weekends all year. Watch our news page on website and our Facebook page for our Christmas, Valentines, St. Batrick’s Day shows, ghost hunting tours and other seasonal shows and events.
Is it indoors or outdoors? What if it rains?
The Castle is 85% indoors. Our cemetery and witch woods are outdoors. We remain open on rainy days. The queue line is outside, on a clean paved surface directly between the parking lot and front door. Our entire outdoor path is paved, we are not a muddy haunt.
Where do we park?
In addition to the parking lot directly next to the attraction, there is street city parking. All parking is free.
Do you have souvenirs?
We have a gift shop at the end of the tour. We sell many Castle Blood branded items, as well as a great collection of art and craft items made by Halloween artists and the denizens of Castle Blood that you can’t find anywhere else.
Can we take pictures?
Yes, with the cast members outside. But there is no photography or videography inside the castle except during the matinee tours.
Is there anywhere to eat nearby?
Yes. There a few family owned restaurants in Monessen, (By George, The Steel Plate, Felicia’s, Bailey’s). We are also close to the Belle Vernon shopping area with over a dozen restaurants.
Where do you get your cool stuff?
Many of our cast members actually build haunts all over North America and beyond. We also have cast members who are notable costume designers and make many of the props and costumes that you will see on your tour. In fact, you’ll see our stuff in most of the other haunts in Western PA, if you know where to look. We frequently have new costumes from our line for sale on our online shop.
Can I get married at Castle Blood?
Yes. There is not at present one big room large enough for a wedding reception or large number of guests, but we have hosted small wedding parties. For larger groups you can have tents in the courtyard or rent the social club right down the street. We also have a special wedding tour we can do for your guests through the haunt. Using the castle as a location for wedding, prom, or other photos can be arranged by contacting us.
Do you rent the Castle for other projects?
Yes we do. The castle in all its different locations has been used for video shoots, movies, photo shoots, cosplay shoots, art shows and more. Prices vary greatly depending on what you are doing, and what you need from us.
What can’t we bring inside?
No weapons of any kind, no alcoholic beverages, no cameras (except on the lights-on matinee tours where they are welcome), flashlights, laser pointers. And please finish all food and drink before you enter. Smoking on the entrance ramp and in the building is not allowed by city regulations.
Can we be thrown out?
Yes, you sure can. We employ city police on site. Drunkenness or other “under the influence” problems, vulgar behavior, assaulting a cast member or guest will not be tolerated. You will be asked to leave if you are ruining the tour for other guests. Transgressions of a criminal nature will get you arrested.
I heard you burned down?
No. That is a rumor and misinformation. The former building in Bentleyville that had housed the castle in 1997 burned down in 2009, long after we were gone and did not own it. The State listed it as a warehouse fire, NOT a haunt fire. It had nothing to do with us. Even so, we are thankful to the five fire stations fought the blaze and that no one was injured.
Castle Blood had other locations?
From 1993 to 1995, when we first opened to the public, we were in Beallsville, Pa.
From 1996 to 1997, we were in Bentleyville, Pa. (There wasn’t enough parking for customers)
From 1998 to 2011, we were in Beallsville , Pa.
From 2012 to present we have been in Monessen, Pa., hopefully in our permanent home at 100 Schoonmmaker Ave., Monessen, Pa., 15062, in a 100-year-old funeral parlor.
Are you a charity haunt?
We are not a 501(c)(3), however we are very active with community groups and charitable organizations and donate money and resources to support them. Check the website for who we are working with each year.
I’d like to do a story, or other project about Castle Blood, how do I do that?
If you are a member of the media contact me at gravelymac@yahoo.com, or call 412-215-5635.