(Buena Park, CA) Knott’s Scary Farm is back for another terrifying season, and this year, guests can experience two brand-new mazes that couldn’t be more different from one another.
From the brightly colored, blood-soaked world of “Inked” to the gritty, ancient horrors lurking beneath an excavation site in “Unearthed,” both mazes bring something completely new to the event. We recently had the opportunity to experience both, and while each has its own distinct personality, they’re both worth adding to your Knott’s Scary Farm itinerary.
Inked
From the Knott’s Scary Farm website: Mortimer Morbid, a washed-up 1930s cartoonist and former head of Morbid Studios, discovers that when blood becomes ink, imagination becomes reality. Determined to create one final Halloween special, Mortimer brings his infamous cartoon characters to life—only to unleash a legion of murderous toons hellbent on pulling viewers into their twisted world.
With its whimsical story and cheerful styling, “Inked” is unlike any haunted maze I’ve experienced before.
The maze combines bright colors, classic cartoon imagery, outrageous characters, and plenty of bloody violence to create a world that feels completely surreal. The vibrant aesthetic is at odds with the gruesome things happening around you, which makes the experience even more unsettling.
Fans of classic animation (and Disney fans in particular) will want to keep their eyes open for some fun Easter eggs scattered throughout the maze. I won’t give everything away, but I will conveniently remind you that Steamboat Willy is now public domain – a fact that Knott’s has certainly not overlooked. 😉
But “Inked” isn’t simply a gore-filled maze dressed up like a cartoon. Some of its scares take on a decidedly playful quality, and these actors aren’t afraid to single out visiting guests. For example, a pumpkin character actually came up to me and pantomimed a short joke – a delightful and hilarious departure from the traditional jump scare.
That unexpected combination of comedy, nostalgia, colorful visuals, and playful scares is what makes “Inked” stand out. I absolutely adored this maze, and I think you will too.
Unearthed
If “Inked” takes you into a bizarre animated nightmare, “Unearthed” sends you somewhere much darker.
From the Knott’s Scary Farm website: Embark on a perilous journey through the heart of an excavation site as you and your search-and-rescue team arrive at a ravaged base days after receiving a distress signal. Beware, for the discovery of the ancient tablets has awakened a malevolent force from a forgotten age—an ancient evil has been unearthed.
Completely different from its colorful counterpart, “Unearthed” delivers a gritty, atmospheric experience packed with innovative scares and striking imagery.
One of the things that immediately stood out to me was the variety of environments throughout the maze. There are impressive two-story scenes, docks overlooking fog-filled swamps, and some truly stunning lighting effects that help create the uneasy feeling that something is very, very wrong.
The maze also leans heavily into its darker aesthetic, with plenty of bloody bodies and unsettling visuals along the way. Rather than relying solely on traditional scare tactics, “Unearthed” uses its environments and set pieces to create a sense of discovery (and danger) as you move deeper into the experience.
While “Inked” was undoubtedly my favorite of the two, I really enjoyed “Unearthed” for its daring aesthetic, creative scenes, unique imagery, and gory visuals. It feels distinctly different from anything else you’ll find at the event this year.
Two Mazes, Two Very Different Experiences
What makes these two new mazes particularly fun to experience is just how different they are.
“Inked” is colorful, bizarre, playful, and bloody, blending classic cartoon imagery with horror in a way that feels completely unexpected.
Meanwhile, “Unearthed” is dark, atmospheric, and immersive, transporting guests deep into the ground where an ancient evil has been awakened.
Whether you’re looking for something weird and wonderfully over-the-top or a darker journey filled with sights and scares, Knott’s Scary Farm has you covered. And if you’re visiting the event this season, make sure both “Inked” and “Unearthed” are on the top of your must-see list.
Get Your Tickets to Knott’s Scary Farm
You can experience “Inked,” “Unearthed,” and the other terrifying mazes and attractions at Knott’s Scary Farm throughout the Halloween season.With eight additional mazes, live entertainment, scare zones, and plenty of other spooky experiences to explore, there’s a lot to see and do throughout the event.
Knott’s Scary Farm runs select evenings now through October 31st. Will we see you in the fog?
Visit sixflags.com/knotts/scary-farm-tickets to buy your tickets and plan your visit to Knott’s Scary Farm.
