Making Your Greatest Nightmares Come True

Haunted House Operators are Scaring up Big Profits as People Line up to Get Frightened

(CBS)  Dusk falls over this creaky old house in Ulster Park, NY. Inside, a nightmare is about to begin for those who dare to pay and enter.

Blood-curdling creatures come to life at Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses. It's touted as one of America's scariest haunts. Co-owner Michael Jubie says he prepares year-round for a Hollywood-style production.

For 21 nights leading up to Halloween, hundreds of employees suit up, get bloodied up, and prepare for performances that will provoke cries of terror.

"Why do people love this so much?" asked CBS News correspondent Terrell Brown.

"I think it’s the high, the adrenaline rush," Jubie said. "They're scared, their either laughing at their friends or scared to death themselves. I think that's part of the whole show."

What was once just a night of trick-or-treating, Halloween is now a commercial season, second only to Christmas. Now, a visit to a local haunted house is becoming part of a new tradition.

Nanette Martin, is on her fourth visit to Headless Horseman. She's one of up to several thousand people a night who shell out $32 for admission. The total price for her family to get their scream on is $224.

Haunted houses have become such a huge industry, that ticket sales alone in the United States have topped more than a half billion dollars. People will wait in line for hours to get that horror film experience - where you are the main character.

Even in a frightening economy, people will pay to be petrified. Good news for Jerry Parrino. He owns and operates the "Thehorrordome.com," an online company that produces masks, costumes and innovative animations.

"Over the last 12 years, we've been steady about 35 percent increase every year," Parrino said.

Parrino, a former lab technician, quit his job five years ago. He said that he's making a lot more money with his company.

Back at the Headless Horseman, fans say it's worth the $32 - and would pay it again.

Perhaps it is a small price to have your greatest nightmares come true.