When Accessibility Meets Fright Night!

In October 2025, members of the Equal Access Collective (EAC) braved the chills (and thrills!) at Playland’s Fright Nights to assess accessibility within their haunted houses. Out of seven attractions, we explored two of the five currently accessible houses, with plans to review the remaining ones in the future.

Rolling through both houses, complete with eerie lights, sounds, and animatronics (thankfully, no live actors this time!) was an unforgettable experience. Aside from discovering that I scare a little too easily, we were thrilled to see some strong accessibility features already in place:

• Wide entrances for mobility devices and companions

• Clear, high-contrast signage at each entrance with large fonts

• Level, firm pathways (mostly 1000mm wide)

• Warning signs indicating elements like loud sounds and flashing lights

Some of our recommendations for improvement:

• Add accessible directional signage with pictograms to guide visitors to each house

• Add low lighting in really dark places for navigation

• Widen or adjust tight pathways to accommodate larger mobility devices

• Maintain 1000mm pathways and 1500–1700mm turning areas wherever possible

• Ensure proper beveling at ramps for smoother transitions

A big thank-you to Playland at the PNE for their openness to feedback and their commitment to accessibility. It’s great to see inclusion being prioritized, especially in spaces designed for scares and fun! With a few adjustments, Fright Nights can become a truly inclusive experience for all visitors.

#Accessibility #Inclusion #UniversalDesign #FrightNights #Playland #EAC #AccessibleBC #EqualAccess