Fiendishly Friday Interview - Tom Gore from "The Dungeon Haunted Ride in 3D"
Why did you first become interested in the Haunted Attraction/Horror Business?
Well it started out as a family haunt when I was younger. My mom and dad would decorate the garage and open the garage door for everyone to come in to get their treat. Then once I got older and returned home from the Air Force, I revived the family tradition in the garage of my own house and at the Oklahoma Air National Guard base. Just providing a free haunting event for everyone to enjoy. It's very gratifying to see the smile on the kids faces, and the parents' faces too.
What previous jobs have you had?
Air Force for 6 years, pizza joints and auto shops prior to that.
What job do you do right now?
The Oklahoma Air National Guard for 17 years and still going.
Is the Haunted House/Horror Job your full time gig?
You can count it as a full time gig for me. In the spring of each year, my duties on top of being the owner/creator range from PR person, building props and scenes, to advertisement builder for fliers,T-shirts, news papers and on hand interviews, manager of operations and even an actor. I get in the middle of everything to insure all is safe and in order. I have high standards I like to maintain in the Dungeon. Then comes the holidays when we convert everything over for a Christmas themed ride. In the spring, the cycle starts all over again.
How long have you been in the business?
Since the summer of 2003 which was at a mall then at our current location in Bricktown since September 2004.
How did you start?
In November of 2000 as I was tearing down the haunt at the guard base, I was asking myself. "What can I do to make it better for next year?". Then I thought, "A ride thru haunt!". From there, it's been crazy. I have to add, my wife Carol has been a very active part in assisting me and being in the thick of it. She's a great woman.
What's the scariest Haunted Attraction you ever attended?
I think the scariest haunt I've ever been to was a haunt called "the WKY Haunted House" here in Oklahoma City a very long time ago. Back when haunts could get away with much more aggressive tactics than what can be done today. Now, the coolest haunt I attended was the London Dungeon in England back in the late eighties before it became a ride thru attraction.
What inspires you to create?
Listening to gothic music, drinking a few beers and creating something new and different.
Do you ever get scared anymore?
Yes, but it gets pretty tough now days.
What does scare you?
My ex-wife (ha ha), she truly is a nightmare (I'm serious).
Do you believe in real haunted houses? Ghosts? Etc.
Oh, kinda. I mean it's sorta like UFOs. If I see it in real life, then I'll believe it.
What is fear?
Fear is when you're out of your own control or your own zone of comfort and not knowing what will happen next.
Who is your average customer?
Teens but we get all ages.
What are your five year goals?
Earn enough profit to own my own building to place the Dungeon in. Have more repeat customers than new customers, that means you're doing really good. And be as high tech as they come.
What other information would you like to pass on to our readers?
The Dungeon is an indoor amusement ride equipped with the old traditional 1960s Pretzel cars and track gathered from all over the U.S. to make this one huge ride.
The Dungeon is one of very few haunts that opens in the spring and runs thru Halloween (closed in September for upgrades).
One of the largest dark rides in the U.S. with 11,000 sq ft AND wearing 3D glasses makes everything reach out for you. Riding thru a haunt is totally different from traditional haunt. You can't run from the monsters, all you can do is scream and hope to make it to the end. One thing that I feel is important to mention, the physically challenged can go thru this haunt and most age groups. I really like that too.
Not enough info for you? Well then come back during the holidays as we turn everything over into a family friendly winter wonderland ride, "Adventures in SantaLand in 3D". Yep, it's 3D as well. So this makes us the ONLY amusement ride IN THE WORLD that provides a 3D haunt and 3D Christmas adventure.
Finally, please provide your attraction information: web address and email/phone number if our readers would like to contact you for more information.
The Dungeon Haunted Ride in 3D
The only Haunted 3D amusement ride in the central U.S.
www.bricktownamusement.com
(405) 228-0055
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