Terror on Church Street closed in 1999 after eight-year run

Terror on Church Street ceased operations on May 2, 1999, after nearly eight years in business. The closure resulted from rising rents at the site, a former Woolworth’s store located at the corner of South Orange Avenue and Church Street in downtown Orlando. The attraction officially opened on November 8, 1991, with an appearance by actor Anthony Perkins, who portrayed Norman Bates in the film Psycho.

Antonio and Ramon Riba, who later developed Pirates Dinner Adventure, owned the venue. They transplanted the concept from Pasaje del Terror, a Spanish chain of walk-through haunts that began in Bilbao in 1988. Terror on Church Street was the first American location for this European brand. The experience lasted approximately 20 minutes and moved groups of up to eight guests through more than 20 rooms on two floors.

David Clevinger directed the production and its acting troupe, known as the Eternal Dwellers. The group focused on theatrical storytelling rather than simple jump scares. Alan Ostrander, the head of makeup and character design, noted that the show relied on implied horror. He stated that the cast avoided using blood or touching guests, relying instead on psychological engagement. Walter Price, who led the improv characters, emphasized that every room contained a narrative, ensuring guests remained part of a story throughout the experience.

Street performers engaged crowds outside the venue to build atmosphere. Actors created original characters such as Bongo, the kid-eating clown, and Prof. Nicodemus Grim. Brook Hanemann described an incident where his character, a man in a straitjacket, interacted with a fire truck driver to save a stuffed cat, drawing a cheering crowd. Jason Baerhold recalled the line often stretched around the block, with guests waiting 20 to 30 minutes on Friday nights.

After the 1999 closure, most props and set pieces were auctioned to Church Street Station for a brief revival at the Church Street Exchange. Many of these elements later moved to Skull Kingdom, an attraction that operated on International Drive from 1997 until 2006. The original building was demolished in 2003 to make way for the Plaza development, which included a cinema and a parking garage.

The site is no longer in use as a haunted house, but former cast and crew members have carried the techniques developed at Terror into the wider haunt industry. The location remains a point of reference for those who experienced its 1990s operations.