2024 Question and Answer With The Bernal Scream Haunted House

Mike and Abel Barrera (Co founders of The Bernal Scream)

CaliforniaHauntedHouses.com recently sat down with Mike Barrera of The Bernal Scream Haunted House, to discuss what's new at The Bernal Scream Haunted House for the 2024 Halloween Season!

What's new at The Bernal Scream Haunted House for 2024? Do you have any new rides, attractions, or special features that Haunt Seekers should know about?

This year The Bernal Scream is introducing our brand new attraction "Soul Shredder". This attraction is also the biggest haunted house we have ever built to date.

What are you most excited about for the 2024 Halloween Season?

Im excited to see all our guest experience Soul Shredder. We work all year long for this one season a year. It such a wonderful feeling to watch our guest come to our event and make memories one scream at a time.

What differentiates The Bernal Scream Haunted House from other local haunts in California?

The Bernal Scream is a nice blend of ground breaking technology mixed with traditional scares. Every room is built to feel like a movie quilty set well simultaneously creating a extreme high intensity environment.

How long has The Bernal Scream Haunted House been in business? Can you tell us a bit more about The Bernal Scream Haunted House's history?

Father and son duo Mike and Abel Barrera, started The Bernal Scream as a free show in their backyard in 2013. Over the next couple years The Bernal Scream would see thousands of people, countless terrifying scares, TV news coverage and endless online articles. Riding the momentum of this ongoing build of success it was finally time to take The Bernal Scream out of their backyard and into the commercial spotlight. In 2016 the father and son duo had managed to cement it’s name as one of the Bay Area's premier commercial haunted attractions. Their breakout show “Satan's Revenge” would raise the bar and instill a new kind of fear to the scene. Thousands more would turn out that year to experience this special show for themselves. Following their success in 2016, the duo would take some time off to spend time as a family. During that period however, their lives would change forever when Father/Co-Founder Abel Barrera was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer. The passing of their father ( Co-Founder) Abel Barrera would rock the family down to the core. Prior to Abel Barrera's passing, The duo would spend their remaining time together building for what should have been the next haunted attraction. It was the duo's dream to see the return of The Bernal Scream haunted house. Since the passing of Co-Founder (Abel Barrera) and with his blessing, Son (Mike Barrera) has continued on the dream of finishing what the duo started together all of those years ago. In 2023 The Bernal Scream announced it’s long awaited return after seven long years with an all new show named Lucifer's wrath which took south San Jose by storm. The show was to become the attraction's most successful event to date at that time. The attraction would also see a new addition to the team recruiting Mike Barrera's brother Christian Gaspar. Gaspar joined as operations manager in 2023 to honor their father Abel Barrera's memory and help bring the dream to life. Now here we are once again in 2024 with the return of The Bernal Scream's biggest and newest haunted attraction presenting the darkest, meanest and the most twisted skull breaker of a show yet, "Soul Shredder".

What's your favorite experience since opening The Bernal Scream Haunted House?

All the memories I made with along the way building this show with my father from the ground up. Thats time that I would never trade for anything in the world.

How long is a typical haunt experience at The Bernal Scream Haunted House from start to finish?

The show is about 5,000sf of walk thru space. So it really depends if your running, walking, crying ect. It really is different for everyone. I recommend that folks slow down and really take in the experience. There is so much to see and if your running your going to miss so much of what the show has to offer.

On a scale from 1 to 10, how scary would you say The Bernal Scream Haunted House is? Why?

Our main night show is geared havely for adults. The environment that we create here is over the top and really takes a toll on your mental well being during your experience. We strive every night to be one of the scariest shows around. Last season The Bernal Scream was voted 6th scariest show in the U.S.A. by yelp. We truly strive to be one of the most horrific events around. The actors that work with us are amazing and so talented. They play a key role in aiming to hit a 10 out of 10 every night.

Does The Bernal Scream Haunted House's property have any real haunted history? Do you have a spooky encounter you'd like to share?

There was something that took place in 2016 that ill never forget, but we have never spoken publicly on it as it truly was terrifying for us at the time.

What inspired you to open up a haunted attraction? What's your favorite part of the business?

Iv had a passion for the holidays ever since I can remember. Growing up every year we would go all out. As a family we made so many great memories together decorating year after year. My favorite part of the business these days is watching other friends and families from our local community come out and make memories of their own. A Lot like how I did growing up. Its something i'll never forget and I hope some day people will look back on their own experience at The Bernal Scream with the same fon memories and joy that we have.

How has new technology (i.e. animatronics, special props, etc) helped you to enhance The Bernal Scream Haunted House?

Technology has played a key role in allowing us to bring our vision to life. Well also giving us another way to keep the show innovative and current.

Can The Bernal Scream Haunted House accommodate large groups? How many people can experience The Bernal Scream Haunted House together as a group?

Yes we absolutely can. However we normally break the groups up to allow for a more intensive and personal experience.

Does The Bernal Scream Haunted House offer any special deals, discounts, or coupons?

We do! We offer Military and Senior discounts. We also do ticket giveaways all season long, We have also done special theme nights with discounts like our first responder night ect. Every year we try to offer something new on this front. Lastly, heavily involved with our give back program to our community that helps those in need.

Anything else you'd like to let us know about The Bernal Scream Haunted House?

Were family owned and operated with mission to provide a life altering experience to anyone who enters. Well simotantuly finding new and exciting ways to get give back to those in need in our local community. This year in addition to our normal give back program we have partnered up with some local shelters in our area to host a clothing drive threw out our season. With winter right around the corner there are so many people in need of warm clothing. So if your planning to come down to our event this year we looking forward to seeing you, an don't forget to grab a old jacket if you can as there will be a place to donate it at our event for those in need.