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“The outdoor rides were also popular. We theme them for Halloween in October,” he said.
The Halloween fun at Jack-O-Lantern Junction features an indoor, no-scare walk-through trick-or-treat maze featuring kid-friendly ghosts, skeletons, cobwebs and multiple treat stations. Guests go through different rooms and there are treat stations as they go through.
“There’s a witch’s house to go through, and you see the witch’s laundry hanging on the line. … Then, when you get to the last room, there’s a haunted train display. It’s not really haunted, but it has cute ghosts and other figures on the train, and around the train tracks,” Balfour said.
Credit: HANDOUT
Credit: HANDOUT
The weather is always climate-controlled inside EnterTRAINment Junction. Guests will be greeted by an autumn glow and can expect Main Street to be decorated with all the colors of the season. If children would like to come in costume, they are welcome to dress up.
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Jack-O-Lantern Junction has an indoor pumpkin patch (where children will receive a free mini-pumpkin), plus Halloween crafts where children can decorate their pumpkins, or complete coloring pages, a large, talking pumpkin, and a Halloweenville miniature animated display. Outside, there is a kid-size straw maze that’s two-and-a-half to three feet high. So, parents can watch their children go through it. Plus, there are two rides — Halloween themed, hand-cranked train cars and an electric train ride (weather permitting).
“This is a fun thing to do, and families are always looking for things they can do together. As a parent, my kids are teenagers now, but I always remember looking for that thing to do that created a great memory, and I think when parents, or grandparents come with their children and grandchildren, they’re smiling because the kids are smiling,” Balfour said.
>> Get lost in some a-MAZE-ing fall fun
EnterTRAINment Junction’s other celebrated attractions will also be open, including the world’s largest indoor model train display, the interactive Coney Island amusement park replica, the “weird and wacky” A-Maze-N FunHouse with a mirror maze, a tilted room and other illusions, a kids’ play area with a climbing structure in it, and the educational American Railroading Museum.
While visiting, guests can stop by Junction Hobbies & Toys. The shop features a selection of classic and nostalgic toys, including the area’s largest collection of Thomas the Train merchandise, G-Scale and HO trains and accessories, LEGOS and more. Melissa & Doug merchandise is also on sale, from 15 to 50 percent off.
Each year, more than 130,000 guests visit EnterTRAINment Junction. October is one of the biggest months, following July and December. December is the single, biggest month.
WANT TO GO?
What: Jack-O-Lantern Junction at EnterTRAINment Junction
Where: 7379 Squire Court, West ChesterDates: Opens Saturday, Sept. 29, and runs through Wednesday, Oct. 31
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sundays noon-6 p.m.
Cost: Various ticket packages start at $9.95, children ages 2 and under are free. Free parking. Guests can save $2 off the Do-It-All ticket when purchasing tickets online.
More info: Visit www.EnterTRAINmentJunction.com or call (513) 898-8000.
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