Arx Mortis haunted attraction returns to thrill, terrify, and entertain thousands of visitors each weekend from September 22nd through October 31st.
KILLEN-Deep in the heart of Dixie and nestled in the northwestern corner of Alabama, there is a small town with an unusual name. Killen is, in many ways, your typical quiet Southern town. Here you will find a couple of traffic signals, a school, and a McDonalds – but there is one major exception. Killen (population 977) also happens to be home to one of the largest haunted attractions in the southeastern United States. Arx Mortis is a 50,000 square foot nationally acclaimed haunt that has entertained thousands of visitors each year since 2007 with thrills, scares, and mindboggling special effects.
Monsters and ghouls lurk throughout the mazes that make up Arx Mortis. Room after room, hallway after hallway, the secrets contained within this haunt seem never ending. Just when you think it’s over, the scares start back up again. The self-guided tour through the mostly indoor attraction can last approximately 30 minutes. Add in a walk through Ghosthill, the dark haunted woods behind the facility, and your tour could last 45 minutes or longer!
But the main haunt isn’t all this attraction has to offer. “Project 9” (a 5 minute horror-themed Escape Room), Ataxia! (Extreme Laser Tag), Killen Town Diner (concessions), and Keeper’s Korner gift shop provide entertainment, food, and shopping options for a full night of haunted entertainment.
When asked how Arx Mortis has managed to be so successful in a state with so many seasonal haunted attractions, owner and master builder of the attraction Vinny Grosso gives credit to the actors and behind-the-scenes artists who bring this haunt to life. “The crew is the heart and soul of Arx Mortis. Together, they call themselves the Mortis Legion and they work hard throughout the months leading up to opening night to make Arx Mortis a production like nothing you’ve ever seen.” Grosso continues by saying, “Detailed sets, trained actors, costuming and makeup, video and sound, as well as top of the industry props help us bring it all together into a multisensory experience. Our goal is to make you feel like you’re right in the middle of a horror movie.”
With that goal in mind, Grosso says with a smile, “There are also 23 early out exits throughout the attraction and plenty of visitors use them.” Visitors that “early out” are returned to the parking lot and their tour is over. Although Grosso also admits not everyone gets scared at Arx Mortis, he says many people come just to experience the atmosphere, get a look at the yearly changes to sets and props, or to see their favorite Arx Mortis characters.
Arx Mortis is open every weekend from September 22 – October 31st, as well as other select nights in between. For the full calendar, event times, and other information, visit www.ArxMortis.com
Arx Mortis is a 50,000 square foot indoor haunted attraction located at 4051 US Hwy 72 in Killen, Alabama (across from Brooks High School in eastern Lauderdale County). Tickets can be purchased onsite or online HERE.
Media Release/Randa Simpson Hovater
Manager, Media Relations
Florence/Lauderdale Tourism
