• Home
  • Find Us
  • Contests
  • Resources
  • How’d They Do That (soon)
  • ♠
Behind the Themes
  • Theme Parks
    • 20th Century Parks
      • 20th Century Fox World
    • Alton Towers
      • Alton Towers
    • Busch Gardens Parks
      • Busch Gardens
    • Disney Parks
      • Walt Disney World
      • Disneyland
      • Disney California Adventure
      • Shanghai Disney
      • Hong Kong Disneyland
      • Downtown Disney
      • Disney Springs
      • Disneyland Paris
    • Holiday World
    • Knott’s Berrry Farm
      • Knott’s Berry Farm
    • Movie World
      • Movie World
    • Paramount Studios Parks
      • Paramount Studios
    • Sea World Parks
      • SeaWorld Orlando
      • SeaWorld San Diego
    • Six Flags Parks
      • Six Flags Magic Mountain
      • Six Flags Over America
      • Six Flags Over Georgia
      • Six Flags Over Texas
    • Thorp Park
    • Universal Studios Parks
      • Universal Parks
      • Universal Hollywood
      • Universal Orlando
      • Universal Japan
      • Universal Singapore
    • Warner Bros Parks
      • Warner Bros
    • Wet n Wild Parks
      • Wet’n’Wild Sydney
  • Themed Topics
    • Cosplay & Costuming
    • Gaming and Gamification
    • Haunts and Halloween Installations
    • Historical Installations
    • Museums and Art Installations
    • Reviews
    • Theatres and Performance
    • Themed Hotels and Themed Living Spaces
    • Themed Restaurants, Bars and Cafes
  • Themed Images
    • Disney Galleries
      • Disneyland
        • Adventureland
        • Critter Country
        • Fantasyland
        • Fireworks & Shows
        • Halloween Time
        • Mickey’s Toontown
        • New Orleans Square
        • Tomorrowland
      • California Adventure
        • A Bug’s Land
        • Cars Land
        • Grizzly Peak
        • Hollywood Land
        • Paradise Pier
        • Pixar Play Parade
      • Disneyland Paris
      • Walt Disney World
        • Animal Kingdom
        • Epcot
        • Hollywood Studios
        • Magic Kingdom
          • Adventureland
          • Fantasyland
          • Tomorrowland
        • Hotels
          • Wilderness Lodge
    • The Hobbit Premier
      • The Hobbit Premier – Embassy Theater Theming
      • The Hobbit Premier – Red Carpet Event
    • Johnny Frasier-Allen’s – The Gloaming
    • Universal Studios Orlando
      • HHN 23
    • Islands of Adventure
      • Wizarding World of Harry Potter
  • 10 Questions
    • Dave Cobb – Thinkwell Group
    • Greg Broadmore – Weta Workshop
    • Izabella Venter – Escape Mate
    • Kathryn Woodcock – Ryerson University
    • Lara Hanneman: Knott’s Berry Farm
    • Shawn McCoy of JRA
  • BtT Live
No Result
View All Result
  • Theme Parks
    • 20th Century Parks
      • 20th Century Fox World
    • Alton Towers
      • Alton Towers
    • Busch Gardens Parks
      • Busch Gardens
    • Disney Parks
      • Walt Disney World
      • Disneyland
      • Disney California Adventure
      • Shanghai Disney
      • Hong Kong Disneyland
      • Downtown Disney
      • Disney Springs
      • Disneyland Paris
    • Holiday World
    • Knott’s Berrry Farm
      • Knott’s Berry Farm
    • Movie World
      • Movie World
    • Paramount Studios Parks
      • Paramount Studios
    • Sea World Parks
      • SeaWorld Orlando
      • SeaWorld San Diego
    • Six Flags Parks
      • Six Flags Magic Mountain
      • Six Flags Over America
      • Six Flags Over Georgia
      • Six Flags Over Texas
    • Thorp Park
    • Universal Studios Parks
      • Universal Parks
      • Universal Hollywood
      • Universal Orlando
      • Universal Japan
      • Universal Singapore
    • Warner Bros Parks
      • Warner Bros
    • Wet n Wild Parks
      • Wet’n’Wild Sydney
  • Themed Topics
    • Cosplay & Costuming
    • Gaming and Gamification
    • Haunts and Halloween Installations
    • Historical Installations
    • Museums and Art Installations
    • Reviews
    • Theatres and Performance
    • Themed Hotels and Themed Living Spaces
    • Themed Restaurants, Bars and Cafes
  • Themed Images
    • Disney Galleries
      • Disneyland
        • Adventureland
        • Critter Country
        • Fantasyland
        • Fireworks & Shows
        • Halloween Time
        • Mickey’s Toontown
        • New Orleans Square
        • Tomorrowland
      • California Adventure
        • A Bug’s Land
        • Cars Land
        • Grizzly Peak
        • Hollywood Land
        • Paradise Pier
        • Pixar Play Parade
      • Disneyland Paris
      • Walt Disney World
        • Animal Kingdom
        • Epcot
        • Hollywood Studios
        • Magic Kingdom
          • Adventureland
          • Fantasyland
          • Tomorrowland
        • Hotels
          • Wilderness Lodge
    • The Hobbit Premier
      • The Hobbit Premier – Embassy Theater Theming
      • The Hobbit Premier – Red Carpet Event
    • Johnny Frasier-Allen’s – The Gloaming
    • Universal Studios Orlando
      • HHN 23
    • Islands of Adventure
      • Wizarding World of Harry Potter
  • 10 Questions
    • Dave Cobb – Thinkwell Group
    • Greg Broadmore – Weta Workshop
    • Izabella Venter – Escape Mate
    • Kathryn Woodcock – Ryerson University
    • Lara Hanneman: Knott’s Berry Farm
    • Shawn McCoy of JRA
  • BtT Live
No Result
View All Result
Behind the Themes
No Result
View All Result
Home Haunts and Halloween Installations

To the dungeon with you…

San Francisco Dungeon

Image Courtesy of the San Francisco Dungeon

“Step right in folks and spin the wheel of misfortune, and enter the box of doom…!” Words spoken as victims are guided deeper into the history of San Francisco and its dark side.

 

Only in a location like the San Francisco Dungeon can you be entertained, educated and scared all at once. The Dungeon balances all three of these very well. As you progress through the dungeon you move from court rooms to bars to being shanghaied and put on a boat, then contract the plague. There are plenty of chills and scares and great use of darkness, but make no mistake this is no haunted house or tourist trap. You will be entertained, but also educated.

 

In the hour we were inside, we had our share of jumps and laughs, but we challenge anyone to walk out and NOT have learned something new about the history of San Francisco.

 

Any attempt to describe the Dungeon is truly wasted, as it is so much more than just an attraction. We will start by saying that most of the special effects are first-rate. Some of them even up to the par of larger facilities like Disney and Universal. We at BtT have to admit that despite our history and knowledge there was a simple effect even we were baffled by and sadly General Manager Adrea Gibbs was not willing to give away secrets. The actors at the Dungeon were also first-rate. This was no weekend haunt job, these people were fully in character and never broke.

 

imageDuring our tour we had a moment where another guest actually broke down. During the scene the actor was attentive and asked if she wanted to leave, but did so fully in character. That level of commitment surpasses that of most theme park cast members or actors. For this alone, the Dungeon should be applauded.

 

On top of this, we have to look at the environmental theming as well. Real rats, real metal, real wood (Adrea advised us it was all reclaimed and recycled wood used) all put together to turn a reasonably confined space into a full immersive experience. While we are on the subject, let’s talk about the space as well.

 

imageLess that a year ago, the building was a gutted out shell that has been completely remodelled inside for two separate but connected attractions; The San Francisco Dungeon and Madame Tussand’s. That is an impressive feat when you see the quality of the show for both attractions. Deep within the Dungeon, the lights become low and it is easy to get disoriented when you are trying to remember the outside shape of the building. We were confused by the layout enough that the only way you would know where you were inside would be if you had a layout or map (we did not).

 

Inside, the rock-work, and wood work is very well done. Virtually all of the props and environments are fully immersive and well designed. From fire embers to dirty, bloody costumes, no detail was left out. The designers definitely put a lot of thought into the design of the Dungeon as well as the layout of the path and transitions from one event to the next. The script called for a lot of audience participation and the actors were happy to pull unsuspecting guests into the story. Speaking of story, expect a certain level of adult humour (it IS called a dungeon) and adult situations throughout.

 

 

imageOn exiting the Dungeon, you leave the darkness of old San Francisco and head either back out to the street or over to its attached neighbour Madame Tussaud’s. The level of detail and accuracy on most of the sculptures was quite impressive but the addition of the dioramas, really sets the scene well.

Watching guests take pictures and interact with the sculptures was intriguing and entertaining. There are also stations that allow you to take a wax copy of your hand and take a variety of pictures in scenarios for take home keepsakes (also available at the Dungeon).

 

San Francisco Dungeon
Madame Tussauds San Francisco
Madame Tussauds San Francisco
San Francisco Dungeon
Madame Tussauds San Francisco
San Francisco Dungeon
Madame Tussauds San Francisco
Madame Tussauds San Francisco
Madame Tussauds San Francisco

 

 

Moving from one attraction to the next was a bit of a shock. If you are going to do both, we would advise guests to consider going to Madame Tussaud’sfirst, unless you scare easily, then you may need the candy gloss of the sculptures and dioramas to relax after screaming and (for some apparently) tears.

 

In the end, we actually really liked the Dungeon. It was just a fun and educational experience. We walked out smiling and happy with the knowledge that the visit was a great time… and that we didn’t live San francisco back then.

 

Want more? Stay Tuned for 10 Questions with Adrea Gibbs, General Manager of The San Francisco Dungeon& Madame Tussaud’s.

 

 

Share this:

  • Share
  • Email
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pin It
ShareTweetPinShareShareSendSend
Disney Food Blog
Previous Post

All the better to scare you with

Next Post

Theme Me Up!

Next Post

Theme Me Up!

Recommended

Millenium Falcon installation in Disneyland

In the Near Future in a Galaxy Not So Far Away

2 years ago
To Carry or Not To Carry

To Carry or Not To Carry

2 years ago

AucklandGeddon 2018 Part 2

2 years ago

Popular Stories

  • Wet n Wild Coming to Sydney

    Wet n Wild Coming to Sydney

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • A Changing of the Guard?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Get Well Soon…

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • You Call That a Roller Coaster?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • To the dungeon with you…

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Connect with us

Insta-BtT

Follow BtT

  • Remembering Halloween winchestermysteryhouse halloween historic pumpkin haunted
  • Please help support our friends conartist mag with their Kickstarter campaign Hey guys Thank you everyone who has supported us so far on kickstarter if you havent please head on over and show your support Reminder that kickstarter is the only way to secure your copy of issue 8 Featuring the fabulous yayahan Cover photo by steamkittens kickstarter kickstartercampaign cosplay cosplayer cosplaytheworld cosplayersofig cosplayersofinstagram conartist conartistmagazine cosplaymagazine
  • Are you ready for MARY Poppins waltdisneyworld waltdisneyworld wdw disney imagineering themepark orlando waltdisney dvcmember epcot Photos by behindthethemes See more at www behindthethemes com
  • Disney Parks has released and official announcement dispelling the apparent rumours of the waltdisneyworld Tiki Birds taking flight in the near future In the post Thomas Smith Editorial Content Director of Disney Parks wrote We re sorry that our fans are being fed incorrect information by unscrupulous sources While toucan play at that game we deal in facts here at the Disney Parks Blog Although we won t address every rumor we want to set the record straight there are no plans for our feathered friends to fly the coop any time soon We re constantly evolving our stories but these birds will continue entertaining our guests at the Magic Kingdom Park just as they have done since 1971 So rest at ease Tiki fans the birds are staying put Also as we have stated many times before but again don t believe anything you read until the official releases as they are almost always speculation waltdisneyworld disneyland waltdisneyworld wdw disney imagineering themepark orlando waltdisney dvcmember tikibirds mk rumour enchantedtikiroom Photos by behindthethemes See more at www behindthethemes com
  • Repost from universalorlando Take a look beyond the grounds of Hogwarts on Hagrid s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure opening at WizardingWorldOrlando on June 13 Head to our Instagram Story to learn more about this adventure
  • Have you seen the details about Savi s Workshop where the Gatherers will assist you in building your own lightsaber The Themes you will be able you choose from are There are four themes of lightsabers that guests can build Peace and Justice Salvaged from fallen Jedi temples and crashed starships these lightsaber pieces were created for Force wielders of the Republic era The simple designs reflect the commitment to the devout life of those whom they were created by the Jedi Order the once guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy Power and Control Reclaimed from the ashes of the rumored Sith homeworld and abandoned Sith temples these lightsaber pieces were originally forged by the Sith of their time Characterized by sharp and strong forms these pieces showcase the brutality and relentlessness of the Sith s insatiable desire for power and control Elemental Nature As we have been told The Force is an energy field created by all living things it surrounds us penetrates us and binds the galaxy together These lightsaber pieces are born of that same Force They are as unique as the user and as the elements of nature the wood from a Brylark tree a bone of the Cartusion whale or even a tooth from a Rancor Protection and Defense Cultivated from a time forgotten these earliest lightsaber pieces contain designs and inscriptions that are shrouded in mystery Believed to be created for protection and defense conferring anonymity and symbolizing emotional detachment a lightsaber made from these pieces reconnects the user with the most ancient wellspring of the Force
  • Remembering the life actors at the Rivers of Light show in Animal Kingdom waltdisneyworld waltdisneyworld wdw disney imagineering themepark orlando waltdisney dvcmember ak animalkingdom riversoflight ak Photos by behindthethemes See more at www behindthethemes com
  • Happy May the 4th from your friends at behindthethemes How are you celebrating this weekend starwars maythefourthbewithyou stormtrooper
  • Have you seen the cover of the next Disney Twenty Three Magazine It will showcase Galaxy s Edge-Black Spire Outpost Just look at that detail We cannot wait starwars d23 disney disneyland waltdisneyworld imagineering blackspireoutpost galaxysedge
  • This is the entire parade route through Shanghai Disneyland from end to end I have photos of the floats and costumes from the parade as well but for enjoy a kinda smooth kindy jaggedy timelapse captured on my Osmo Mobile - flokkuthra shanghaidisneyland mickeysstorybookexpress shanghai disney disneyparade disneyparades dji djiosmomobile
Instagram Facebook Twitter Youtube Pinterest

Happening soon...

  • Events are coming soon, stay tuned!

BtT Privacy policy

Click here to read our Privacy policy

Perfect Quotes

  • On Disneyland rides: “We really don’t have a story, with a beginning, an end, or a plot. It’s more a series of experiences building up to a climax. I call them experience rides.” Marc Davis
    Walt Disney Imagineer

Count on BtT

  • 581 Fans
  • 313 Followers
  • 365 Followers
  • 2.3k Subscribers

© 2018 Behind the Themes

No Result
View All Result
  • #11860 (no title)
  • Behind the Themes – Privacy Policy
  • blog
  • BtT on Tour
  • BtT Videos
  • Contact
  • Contests
  • Dave Cobb – Thinkwell Group
  • Find Us
  • Greg Broadmore – Weta Workshop
  • Home 1
  • Home 2
  • Home 3
  • Home 4
  • Home 5
  • Home3
  • HomeDemo
  • How to?
  • Izabella Venter – Escape Mate
  • Kathryn Woodcock – Ryerson University
  • Lara Hanneman: Knott’s Berry Farm
  • Log Out
  • Login
  • Lost Password
  • Register
  • Reset Password
  • Shawn McCoy of JRA
  • test to delete
  • Theming Resources

© 2018 Behind the Themes

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
loadingCancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.