Thread: Haunted Hotel Theme?

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This year, I decided to switch to a haunted hotel theme for my yard haunt. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas for decor or props that would tie in with this theme. Right now, I have the following ideas:

Check-in desk w/ skeleton
Luggage w/ air cannon hidden inside
Haunted elevator
Haunted Hotel Sign (see website in sig. for preview)

Of course, I will also have a cemetery, FCG, etc. I'm just looking for some ideas to make it seem more like an abandoned hotel.

For the background story of the haunt, please click the link in my signature.

Thank you,
NP

I tried this back in 2009 but it was a bit corny as I needed more help with building and cast. I made a long hallway with 10 doors but no roof... Lol! It was cool but lacked the effect I was hoping for. Maybe I can get some help this year to build it too my original plans. I had covered the open roof with alot of black plastic but that didnt hold at all..

Last season I started to set it up and alot of my panels were destroyed by the winds here.. Hopefully I can retrofit my panels/walls to withstand more this year. Let me know if you come up with any new ideas because its going to be in the works as well here at the Las Killinas Cemetary!

My favorite decorated haunted hotel is Disney's Tower of Terror (Orlando). If you are looking for inspiration, hunt down some photos of that sweet gig. It's a 1920's style, but has the 'stuff' that can be incorporated into any hotel theme. Examples below.

I'm not saving these photos to post, so I'll just link to them - someone took a couple pics of the Cali ToT (I think). HEre are two good ones:

Central statue in lobby, old chairs, banners on the wall (above an awesome fireplace)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/charley...n/photostream/

Directory
http://www.flickr.com/photos/charleym143/4783528180/

I think of old lamps/light fixtures. Trunks and crates (not just 'luggage'). Old parasol umbrellas, fedoras (just lying around, hung on a chair or coat rack). Wrought iron fencing, newspapers.
This is also the big band era - playbills from some big band groups or famous stars (Clark Gable, Cary Grant, Bette Davis, Fred Astaire, etc). 1932 Calendar, guestbook (with fountain pen!), bell hop, an old mah jong game (also found in the Tower of Terror lobby)
The 'roaring 20's' had a lot of art deco, black and white decor.

Background music is probably one of the easiest and most effective elements you could add.

I wanted to do a 1920's train station theme a few years back and I went as far as getting the music. I ended up finding (no idea where online), actual recordings of big band, swing, and individual singers from the 20's - since it was the originals, it had that old muffled, scratchy, and static-sound. Awesome. I just imagine that softly in the background - I think that's one of creepier ambiances I can think of - swing/jazz 'happy' sort of music playing in a really old, run down, creepy location. Fantastic!

That's all I got right now - sorry for the ideas being so jumbled.

DeadTed, lots of good info, thanks!

The Tower of Terror is actually the reason I switched to this theme for 2011. I downloaded all of the audio from the ride's lobby last year, and the idea has been in the back of my mind ever since. Thanks for all the decor ideas.