You Can't See in the Dark, But the Dark Can See You.
Startled Darkness is the black-out house at Scarizona in Mesa: extreme darkness, dark confined spaces, and startle scares that come at you from every angle. One price, all three haunts.
Extreme darkness · Confined spaces · Closed-toe shoes required
Before You Enter This House
Photosensitivity notice: This page and the attraction both use flashing lights, strobe effects, fog and moving images. If you are sensitive to motion or light, turn on “reduce motion” in your device’s accessibility settings and this site will hold its animations still.
The House
Extreme Darkness. Nowhere to Look.
STARTLED runs on extreme darkness and a variety of startling sounds, jolts, jumps, and scares. Remove the light and every sound turns into a threat, because the dark takes away the one sense you were counting on to see the scare coming.
The encounters come close, and they come from all angles. Something may be beside you. Something may already know exactly where you are. If dark confined spaces or things lunging out of them are more than you want tonight, let this house go and take the other two. That warning is not decoration.
What to Expect
Three Things the Dark Does to You
Extreme Darkness
The lights do not come back. Startled Darkness moves you through extreme darkness where your eyes stop protecting you and every sound becomes a warning. You cannot see in the dark, but the dark can see you.
Startle Scares From Every Angle
A variety of startling sounds, jolts, jumps, and scares wait in the black. Close encounters come at you from all angles, so the thing beside you is never where you expect it and never when you expect it.
Confined Spaces
The walls close in as you move deeper. If you do not like dark confined spaces or things jumping out at you, turn around at the gate. Read that twice before you step inside.
They Went in Blind
It was a fun bit of scares and Halloween during g Christmas time. The dark scare is very, VERY dark. And the medical one has real medical gear and some great costumes. They even send cast out into the parking lot to scare people sitting in their cars, which really set the mood! After a lackluster Halloween haunted house experience, this was a welcome step up. P.s. where you exit has a "Do Not Enter" sign posted that you just ignore.
Real published reviews from Scarizona’s Google Business Profile, Yelp listing and azhauntedhouses.com. Name and star rating exactly as published, plus the city, review title or month wherever that publisher shows one; the client confirms the final selection before launch.
-
To my haunted house-loving friends, this was the coolest, most impressive haunted house experience I've ever enjoyed! They really went above and beyond, the actors were great! The setups impressive, the haunts wandering through the lines were so fun.
EElicia N.Scottsdale, AZ, Yelp, October 2024 -
First time coming here had a blast want to go back enjoyed ourselves! It was so much fun 10/10 would definitely go again.
MMichael E.Phoenix, AZ, Yelp, October 2024 -
Had a great time with my family. The characters were interactive. There are two haunted houses but worth the time.
RRegina J.Los Angeles, CA, Yelp, October 2024 -
Seriously everything there is creepy spooky scary and freaking intense - I saw a grown man crying!!
FFreaking Scary!Verified review, azhauntedhouses.com, October 2024 -
It was worth every penny … The actors need special mention. It was an act of passion they have for scaring people and they do it with finesse. Loved their makeup and costume.
LLoved the OutfitsVerified review, azhauntedhouses.com, November 2018 -
Completely different than other haunts I visited … full of enthusiastic actors, magnificent sets, and never before seen scares. Super fun and scary!!
TTruly frighteningVerified review, azhauntedhouses.com, October 2018 -
This is the absolute BEST set of houses in the Valley! The house design was impeccable, the actors were really awesome and extremely professional. If you like a good, genuine scare, you have to come here. It’s worth every minute and dollar you’d spend. 10/10 would recommend!
DDennis GableLocal Guide, Google -
The halloween haunt is 🔥. The Christmas haunt is 🔥. Don't sleep on scarizona! They are miles ahead of fear farm!!
JJeremy JohnsonGoogle -
Scarizona Scaregrounds did not disappoint! Took a large group of friends and had a great time! Entrance, parking, and ticketing was effective, quick, and painless. Had a great open space with concessions available to mingle with friends while also getting snuck up on my actors! Double face Olaf was the absolute best! The 3 haunted houses were great scares, especially the new ICU - The set up was creepy and actors were really into their roles. Special shoutout to the creepy doll room too! Overall, can’t wait for next year! Thanks Scarizona!
JJon MobleyGoogle -
Mayhem in the madness was by far the best haunted house I’ve ever been to. 10/10. There were scares around every corner. They gave us a story to carry throughout. It was fantastic. Will be back next year. Loved the other haunts as well. Very detailed. Scare actors were on point. Especially for a black out event.
CCarlysleGoogle -
This haunted house is far superior to Fear Farm! They have a great selection of attractions at reasonable prices, and the actors perform exceptionally well. The best part is the pacing of the crowd, which allows the actors to rest between performances. The way we entered the house really enhanced our overall experience. Thank you!
SSamantha ReavesGoogle -
This haunted house is way best then fear farm! They have a good selection and good prices and the actors do a good job. The best thing is the pace the crowd so it gives the actors time to reset. Pacing the entry of us entering really let us get the full experience. Thank you!
DDawn Reaves ReavesGoogle -
This was so much fun and scary! 3 different houses all creepy and scary in a different way. We went with a big group and screamed the whole time. The actors were awesome, the sets were creepy, and we had such a great night. Definitely recommend if you love a good scare.
MMichael JustLocal Guide, Google -
Scarier than Fear Farm! Will attend every year for sure! I have a few people in mind for dark room challenge!!!! So much fun!!!
DDeanna J.Mesa, AZ, Yelp, October 2024
14 reviews rotating
Startled Darkness is one of three walk-through haunts on one price. Timed entry means the busy nights sell out first, so book your timed slot ahead.
Before You Step Into the Dark
Frequently Asked Questions
How dark is Startled Darkness?
Extremely dark. This is the black-out house, and the darkness is the whole attraction: it closes over you at the door and it holds. You cannot see in the dark, but the dark can see you, and the startles come from sounds and movement you never see coming.
Is Startled Darkness claustrophobic? Are the spaces confined?
Yes. Startled Darkness runs through dark confined spaces with close encounters from every angle. If tight, pitch-dark rooms are the one thing you cannot do, sit this one out and let the other two haunts have you. Your price covers all three either way.
Can the actors touch me?
Our actors will not intentionally grab or restrain you, and guests may never touch the actors, props, or scenery. Keep your hands to yourself in the dark, and the creatures will do the same.
What do I need to wear for Startled Darkness?
Closed-toe shoes are required to enter Startled Darkness, with no exceptions. No open-toed shoes, flip-flops, or sandals. You are walking through darkness on uneven outdoor ground, so sturdy soles keep you upright when something you never saw decides to move.
The Dark Is Already Waiting.
One price walks you through Startled Darkness and the other two haunts on your chosen night. Timed entry means the busy nights sell out before the gates ever open. Closed-toe shoes required, no exceptions.
3 Haunts, 1 Price · 2024 Highest Rated Cast Award (Southwest)