Calif. theme park pulls Halloween VR experience amid outrage

Two California amusement facilities pulled a virtual reality Halloween experience amid criticism that the display was insensitive to those with mental illness.

Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, Calif. and California's Great America in Santa Clara, Calif., discontinued their FearVR experience over concerns the content was “hurtful to those who suffer from mental illnesses,” The Mercury News reported.

The virtual reality attraction required thrill-seekers to strap into a chair and wear virtual reality goggles that transported them to a mental hospital where a patient named “Katie,” posed an imminent threat to their well-being. The VR experience also included a panic button, if the experience became too intense, according to KABC-TV. 

On social media, many slammed the VR attraction as insensitive towards people with mental illness.

Kay Warren, the wife of Saddleback Church pastor Rick Warren, posted on Facebook that she was disgusted by the ride.

“Knots Berry Farm has a psychiatric ward with a demonic patient in their Halloween set. This is NOT entertainment,” Warren said in the Sept. 26 post. "I'm infuriated that they use the pain & suffering of millions of people for laughs or thrills. Take it down!”

On Tuesday, Cedar Fair, the parent company of the parks, apologized for any offense the ride caused, The Mercury News reported.

The ride was meant to be an “edgy” attraction aimed at an “adult-only” audience,” according to the statement.

“Contrary to some traditional and social media accounts, the attraction's story and presentation were never intended to portray mental illness,” park officials said in a statement. “As it is impossible to address both concerns and misconceptions in the Halloween timeframe, at this time we have decided to close the attraction."

Follow @MaryBowerman on Twitter.