New Sounds of Screams Park Opens at Miami-Dade Expo Center
Operators have invested months in training staff and installing 400 cameras to ensure safety in the facility's five haunted houses.
By Lina Lewis ·
The facility features 400 security cameras monitoring the interior of its haunted attractions. This infrastructure supports the new Sounds of Screams Halloween park, which has opened at the Miami-Dade County Fair Expo Center. The venue marks the first time a large-scale, dedicated Halloween amusement park has operated in that specific location.
Osmel Nieves, a co-owner of the operation, stated that the team began building haunted houses when they were 12 years old. He described the project as a long-held dream that has finally materialized at the county fairgrounds. Nieves characterized the atmosphere as family-friendly, comparing the experience to major theme parks in the area that have not previously offered this specific type of seasonal event.
The park divides its offerings into two distinct zones. The Midway serves as the carnival area, featuring live shows on a stage and various food vendors. Separated from this is the horror section, which contains five different haunted houses. Nieves explained that this layout allows visitors to choose between casual entertainment and intense scares without mixing the two experiences.
Adults visiting the park have access to bars located throughout the Midway. Nieves noted that guests can stop at these locations to purchase drinks. The separation of the Midway and the horror zones ensures that the carnival area remains a space for general fun, while the haunted houses provide the primary source of fright.
Staff members undergo a three-month training period before they begin working on the floor of the attractions. Nieves emphasized that the attention to detail in the design and operation is a key feature of the park. The training prepares employees for their roles in creating the immersive environment for visitors.
The operators have implemented specific rules to manage the fear factor. Nieves stated that no staff members will physically touch guests during the haunted house experiences. The 400 cameras allow the team to monitor every area and ensure safety. Nieves said that once visitors realize they are safe from being touched, their initial fear often transforms into laughter after they complete the first house.
