Welcome to Phobius: New haunt putting a fear into visitors as popularity grows
Posted 11/7/19
By Tim Schmidt Record Managing Editor As you make your way through Phobius, you enter the world created by Dr. Cyrus Fears. The reaction for many who leave the haunted attraction is fairly common. …
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Welcome to Phobius: New haunt putting a fear into visitors as popularity grows
Posted
By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorAs you make your way through Phobius, you enter the world created by Dr. Cyrus Fears.The reaction for many who leave the haunted attraction is fairly common. They are shaken and speechless from their many screams, but they are ready to go back through to experience the adventure again.So when you decide to test your bravery, you might want to convince a friend or two to go with you so you have someone to hold on tight to. You never know what scare may be lurking in the next scene.Welcome to Phobius, a haunted attraction now open for its second year in Wright City.Located at 302 E. 1st St., the haunt is owned by Wright City residents Justin and Nicci Fears. They purchased the attraction a year ago and relocated it from Texas. It now occupies what used to be a vacant warehouse.The reviews have been positive from the thousands who have visited the haunt and the popularity keeps growing. In 2014, its first year open, Phobius’ attendance was around 7,000. This year, attendance is on target to meet the company’s goal, the Fears said.Phobius is a draw throughout the St. Louis region and has generated interest from visitors over two hours away.“Everybody was pleased and excited with what we did last year,” Justin said. “Everybody who went through last year who went through this year said it’s so much better. We want to keep giving them something new, something fresh and better than what it was before.”The passion for haunts started years ago for the Fears. They were involved in a small-scale home haunt in Wentzville and decided they wanted to proceed with a larger-scale operation.They began formulating a business plan and attending trade shows where they networked with other owners and vendors.In the spring of 2014, the couple learned a haunt was for sale. After securing the funding to complete the transaction in June, the Fears traveled to Dallas.Up until that point, all they had seen of the attraction was a video.“We had no idea what it would take to get it back,” Justin said. “We had never seen it. We just knew it was awesome from the walk-through.”They soon learned they had acquired an attraction — under the previous owner’s direction — that was given the title of “one of the best haunts in the country” in 2012 by Hauntworld Magazine and a “must see haunt” in 2013 by Haunted Attraction Magazine.Eight 26-foot U-Hauls, a 53-foot tractor-trailer and a 26-foot enclosed trailer were needed along with two carloads to move the attraction.With the help of family and friends working long hours day and night, the Wright City warehouse was turned into the new home of Phobius.The haunt is designed to flow like a book, transporting patrons into the world of Dr. Cyrus Fears, operator and doctor of Cirque du Phobius.The story was written by Justin Fears several years and coincidentally fit into the design of the haunt.“We weren’t going to do it unless we could do it right,” Justin said. “We wanted to come out of the gates with this massive, awesome production.”Phobius is open every Friday and Saturday night during the season, about a six-week window starting in late September and ending in November. It also is open every Friday the 13th during the year. Phobius’ last date to be open this year is Nov. 13.Moving forward, the Fears have many ideas to expand their operation. Already, they have created the Phobius Escape Chambers, an interactive experience where participants have 60 minutes to solve puzzles and clues in a locked room. It is geared toward groups of up to 12 people and is open year-round.So far, the Fears are pleased with the reception and feedback Phobius has received.“I couldn’t imagine it being any better,” Justin said. “It was a number of small miracles right after another. People have really taken to us as a company and us as a team.”
A lot of work is put into the makeup and costumes for the Phobius actors, who are shown above taking a selfie prior to a show opening. The haunted attraction, now in its second year, is located in Wright City. Submitted photo.
