Stone Watchers: The Vampire’s Lair
Carved from mythical stone, the Stone Watchers stand guard over The Vampire’s Lair — and they’re not happy to see you trespassing! As you sneak your way through the misty pathways and eerie corridors, these gargoyle-like guardians spring to life to chase you from their domain.
Initially, we were disappointed to hear that the popular Vile Villagers maze had been retired, but this new family-friendly scare zone more than makes up for it. The route has been reversed so guests now exit near the Vampire ride entrance, and the theming cleverly incorporates props from past Halloween attractions. There’s even a small indoor section, which adds variety and a touch of suspense.
Although it’s designed for families, our experience — as a group of adults — was hilarious and genuinely entertaining. The actors did a fantastic job tailoring their performance to us, ramping up the energy and humour while keeping it spooky enough to make us jump. By the end, we were in stitches as the performers playfully singled out one of our group by name! It’s one of the most enjoyable mazes of the event — proof that a family attraction can still deliver big laughs and a few scares.
2026
Stone Watchers: Vampire's Lair returns for another year, inviting guests to venture into an eerie pathway guarded by mysterious stone gargoyles. Created to protect the Vampire's Lair from evil spirits, these creatures remain perfectly still until unsuspecting visitors get too close. Guests must carefully make their way through without disturbing the Stone Watchers, although that's easier said than done!
This year's experience follows largely the same route and features the same characters as 2025, but there's a small extension towards the end, taking guests slightly further down the hill than in previous years. It's a welcome addition that makes the experience feel a little longer without changing what already works.
One interesting change for 2026 is the removal of the crossed-arms system from last year, which previously allowed guests to indicate that they didn't want to be scared. Crossing your arms no longer means the actors will avoid scaring you, so it's worth bearing in mind if you're visiting with younger children or anyone who might be nervous.
Although Stone Watchers remains relatively unchanged, it's still a fun addition to HOWL'O'WEEN and offers something a little spookier for families looking for a few jump scares.
