Devoted fans (our guests) will be swallowed into various stories and connect with characters both dire and beloved as they track down the mysterious author behind the Delusion series and learn of a disturbing agenda.
Each and every Halloween, there are events that remain on our “must do” list. Of course you have your typical Halloween events like Knott’s Scary Farm and Fright Fest, but nothing truly matches the unique departure from your traditional Halloween event like Delusion. Guests visiting Delusion are invited to “play their part” in the years evolving stories designed to place visitors in the middle of a horror filled saga. They are also treated to visuals that sometimes can only be compared to living nightmares!
Similar to every other Delusion event, the experience relies upon surprises, so you’ll find no spoilers here! But also trying to describe the experience would be a major disservice to the style, tone, and execution of the show. But if you’ve never experienced a Delusion show, you’re in for a real treat. Delusion is about story first and foremost, but it’s presented in such a cinematic fashion that you immediately getting lost into the experience (if you allow yourself to).
While each year typically brings different characters, storylines, and horrors. This year, Delusion has taken a more “introspective” take where stories from Delusions passed come back to life in a self referential story that turns the typical Delusion experience on it’s head. This year, visitors to Nocturnes and Nightmares are tasked to find the author of the Delusion series and encounter a myriad of characters from previous Delusion events! It’s a rather cool concept to tie in fan favorite characters and moments into a new story.
With Nocturnes and Nightmares, I feel as though if you’ve never attended a Delusion event in the past, you’ll understand the story but you’re missing out on the rich array of characters that are referenced. The story is crafted in such a way that it is easy to follow for “non-Delusionals” but filled to the brim with references that will keep “Delusionals” thinking. I was actually at the event with someone (Josh from Modern Mouse) that had never attended a Delusion event and they found the story rather simple to follow. If anything, it made them sad that they’d never done it before. As someone who’s attended the last 5 iterations of Delusion, there is still a fair amount of stories that we haven’t experienced.
With that being said, this years Delusion has all the elements that you’ve come to expect while still being able to surprise you with an engaging story and plot. There were many times I got lost in the moment and found myself susceptible to the story driven frights. The one aspect of this show that stood out more than any other year was the finality of it all. It felt like as though narratively, Delusion has come to a very satisfying completion. After speaking with Jon Braver (Creator/Writer/Director of Delusion) directly after our experience, it sounds as though they’d like to revisit some previous stories. Which, because we haven’t experienced anything before 2016, we’d love the opportunity.
While Delusion is mainly about the immersive theatrical experience, there are other fun things to do on the grounds of the Phillips Mansion. When you arrive, all ticket holders are welcomed to explore the Mansion. Take your time and really look at some of the finer details because it sometimes can reveal secrets to the Delusion experience.
Manny Manners: One might come across the strange and proper doll Manny Manners who believes he, not Esther Phillips, is in fact the host of the evening. If you happen upon the bow tied Mr. Manners, let him take you on a secret journey through the halls of the mansion. Who knows? If he likes you, you may learn a dark secret or two such as who the hell is in that attic?!
Esther Phillips: The elegant Esther Phillips has a storied past. Rumor has it that she murdered her husband Louis. The fact that he is nowhere to be found doesn’t help her cause, but she doesn’t care as she revels in the cast of characters around her. Guests can learn much if they were to pick their poison, and join her for a drink.
The Parlour Room: A hauntingly beautiful and entertaining hall of music, drinks and secrets. Guests can connect with fellow spirits, dance to the lively music, lounge in a dark embrace of comfort, and listen to the captured souls held within strange artifacts.
The Study (Merch): The eerily lit, yet warm and inviting library displays shelves of fantasy, horror and sci-fi novels, odd trinkets and mysterious artifacts (some with the souls of the recently departed held captive within). Upon entering the study, we can feel the dark energy of the arcane held within. Perhaps somewhere hidden we may find the means to connect with whatever lies within the dark attic above.
The Dining Room: A darkly elegant dining room where guests can meet and connect with fellow Delusionals.
The Garden Bar (Full Bar): A darkly romantic outdoor garden bar off the south porch hosts a show themed full bar and delightful food options.
On the second floor of the Phillips Mansion, there is even more to explore!
TV Room: Why are those puppets staring at me?! Seated within an eerie TV room we find a family of puppets watching guests as they venture in. Perhaps if one were to find the TV remote they can avoid their disturbing gaze.
Marion’s Chamber Bar (Full Bar): Marion, the silent master of puppets, hosts guests within a haunting delight of puppet mastery and delectable drinks. If he catches your eye, follow him toward one of the walls where various ropes dangle. There you can manipulate puppets that hang from the ceiling, making these stringed slaves dance to the haunting music.
The Dark Arts Theater: An intimate candlelit theater hosts a variety of artists from eccentric magicians to nocturnal musicians.
The Spectre: Through a narrow staircase and into the dark above, something haunts the attic of the Phillips Mansion. Only those who have uncovered the incantation hidden somewhere in the mansion may summon the dead, and learn of a darker truth held within the Phillips Mansion.
If you are lucky enough to have purchased a BEHIND THE VEIL: VIP EXPERIENCE ticket, Delusion has something in store for you that they’ve never done before. Guests are invited to a special bar, in the building that houses the actual Delusion experience.
“While guests are traversing the story, you will be able to interact with actors in between performances, watch backstage moments on various monitors and play a role in the show itself! Donning torn and tattered clothing, you will be led into the foyer of the house where a special scene from the narrative play will soon begin. As the other guests in the play arrive for their scene, you will play your part as the rising dead, helping to further the story and terrorize other guests!”
We got to experience this and it was like nothing we’ve done before at Delusion. Of course, if you don’t have a thirst for giving others a fright, this isn’t for you. If you’re one to sit back and enjoy the laughs at other people expense, then you can just sit at the monitors with a drink in hand and watch the hilarity ensue. But if you like to be apart of the action, this is the perfect opportunity.
Aside from this experience, the bar isn’t much different than the bar inside the main house. While we love the “exclusivity” of it and it’s different location. We wish there was another added special bonus to these tickets so they really make the price more palatable.
Time for the part of the article everyone is waiting for…the price. Yes, Delusion will be one of the more expensive experiences in Southern California with base tickets starting at $94.99 and VIP tickets starting at $129.99. While you might get some sticker shock, it’s important to reframe the idea of the event. This isn’t your typical Halloween haunted house, nor is it your typical halloween event. This is a theatrical play, that you get to play a part in. Instead of being told to stay seated and quiet, you’re an active participant. After you’ve experienced it once, you’ll know exactly what I mean when I say that this type of experience is rather addicting.
OVERALL
While this years event isn’t a full night out like previous years, Nocturnes and Nightmares is a blast. The story is paramount in a Delusion experience and you can tell that so much thought and care went into the weaving of this experience for guests this year. The story had me guessing from beginning to end and happily threw me into my own living horror movie…and we loved every second of it. While some might be deterred by the price, they won’t leave disappointed by the unique experience. Delusion feels like a SoCal staple in the haunt community and I hope that it stays around for many years to come. We understand that there are many moving parts and difficulties in creating such rich and engaging experiences like Delusion. But we honestly can’t image a world without our beloved Delusion.
IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN BUY TICKETS AND EXPERIENCING DELUSION, CLICK HERE!
Theme Park Duo 