PHOTO BY SEAN COLLIER

Once upon a time, a Halloween attraction consisted of a long line leading to a quick walkthrough of plywood sets and dime-store gore. Fortunately, we’ve evolved beyond such cheap thrills; now, haunted experiences typically offer many sources of spooky fun and can fill a whole evening or more.

And Kennywood’s Phantom Fall Fest is the largest single-site haunted experience in town. That means a full night out — but it also means you should plan ahead.

Pick the wrong night (or the wrong ticket) and you’ll get fewer shrieks for your buck. Fortunately, Pittsburgh Magazine was invited to preview the event this weekend, so I have five tips to maximize your nocturnal trip to the beloved park.

Related: Feast Like a Beast at Kennywood’s Phantom Fall Fest

Arrive early — and be ready for the haunts to open. Phantom Fall Fest is a family-friendly fall festival during the day; it becomes a haunted attraction at night, switching to the sinister stuff at 6 p.m. (except on Thursdays and Fridays, when the park opens at 6 already in goblin mode). Be in the park before the clock strikes and get ready to hop in line for one of the indoor haunts, like the signature attraction “mALICE in Wonderland Unleashed” or “Shady Grove Memorial Hospital,” right when they open. You’ll face a shorter line and fresher performers. Do the same when night falls, queuing up for one of the outdoor experiences, like the ever-charming “Kennyville Cemetery” or soon-to-reopen “Voodoo Bayou,” as the sun sets; they don’t open until dark.

Don’t plan to hit all six haunted houses, unless you buy a Speedy Pass. The lines for these attractions can be long on busy nights; you probably won’t have time to get through all six, especially if you’re trying to fit in food or rides as well. Pick your favorites and commit to waiting for those, or spring for the Speedy Pass — prices vary by night — to fit everything in. Don’t worry about not being a completionist; while there are solid thrills to be found, the haunts here aren’t so different that you’ll be skipping an essential if you only hit three or four.

Spring for the “Ark in the Dark” add-on. I wrote about this unique remix of an iconic attraction last year. For an extra $12.99, you can explore Noah’s Ark in utter darkness, feeling your way through the familiar yet disorienting corridors of the century-old experience. (Don’t worry; there are lights over the stairs.) It’s one of my favorite parts of Phantom Fall Fest, and while it is a bit of an added expense, I think it’s worth it.

Fill up at the “Open Body Buffet.” There’s plenty of good food at Kennywood, but Phantom Fall Fest adds a rare all-you-can-eat option. At the “Open Body Buffet,” you can stock up on wings, macaroni and cheese, buffalo chicken dip and even charcuterie — providing you’re willing to pick meat and cheese from the bones of a tasty skeleton, of course. It’s a chance to get a big meal for the cost of a few regularly priced snacks, and it’s also a good indoor location to rest and recuperate before your next haunt.

Buy online, and pick a date — preferably Sunday. Kennywood tickets are always cheaper online, and in the case of Phantom Fall Fest, they’re also discounted if you select a specific day for your visit (rather than buying a more expensive pass that can be used any day). The gate price is the most expensive of all, and plan ahead; I’d recommend going on a Sunday, when you can still enjoy the park in the daylight hours but the crowds are a bit thinner (and less crowded with teens, what with it being a school night and all).

Don’t miss the cheesecake on a stick. The famous dipped ice-cream cone is on hiatus for the time being due to an issue with the cone suppliers, but they have an ingenious substitute: The same thing, but with cheesecake on a stick. You’ll get a slice of cheesecake dipped in chocolate and topped with peanuts and rainbow sprinkles — complete with a cherry on top. It’s the sort of glorious, sugary dessert usually found at a county fair. I loved it, even if I couldn’t finish it.