[Editor note: Poll was down for several minutes, but is back up now.]
Anyway, I object to the notion that in other markets, there is only one choice. It's just a bit further to drive.
I live in Manassas, Virginia. I have 5 haunts I know of to choose from within 4 hours:
Kings Dominion
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Six Flags America
Dorney Park
HersheyPark
I'm thinking there are a few other places in the country that might more than one choice; I know Ohio has two choices, maybe 3 if Kennywood has something (don't know).
Anyway, I'm going to Dorney Park and Busch Gardens, and of course Kings Dominion (where I am also working this year). I'm also going to Hershey Park, but not on a halloween day. I've never been to HerheyPark's halloween, but we did do Six Flags America one year.
This will be my first time at these events and I'm going with the VIP options and also doing the upcharge Alone maze at HOS. On the same trip I'm doing Hollywood HHN and Knotts Scary Farm (which I did for the first time last year) before Orlando.
I love the Halloween events (based on last year's experience) and consider it well worth the trip from Australia.
I remember a few years ago there was a Vampire house at HHN that was set up like one of the scenes from the 1st Blade movie with the all white tile room. It was one of the best houses they have ever had. I think it was the last year that the event was held in both IOA and US. I also remember from that same year there was a show at the entrance to IOA that was set up like a sacrifice. They "picked" a plant from the audience to be in on it. It was fantastic.
Next week, I will be in Orlando for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. I WISH that I had the guts to try Universal's Horror Nights (no pun intended), but I am too big of a wennie. For the last few years I have watched the behind the scenes of their creation for each year's theme and it just blows me away with their attention to every detail. I loved being able to see the last twenty years online and wish I could take it in person. I suffer from so many Halloween related phobias, that it used to ruin the night for me as a child. I even stopped trick or treating at the age of seven. My heart just can't take it.