Inside Delirium: Dani Adams and the Enigmatic World of 3D Horror at Reaper’s Revenge

Dani Adams, the controller of Delirium at Reaper’s Revenge, has spent the last decade helping to craft an unforgettable haunted experience for guests. With ten years under her belt at Reaper’s Revenge and eight years as part of the management team, Dani’s journey through the haunt has been extraordinary. Her enthusiasm for the craft and dedication to her team has made her a vital part of the Reaper’s family.

From Hayride Hag to the Heart of Delirium

Dani’s journey at Reaper’s began on the hayride, where she first startled guests as the original “hag,” complete with a sinister song about her “not-so itsy bitsy” spiders. In her second year, she transformed into a nurse in Sector 13, offering customers mock “frontal lobotomies.” While her acting career was brief, it was filled with memorable roles that laid the foundation for her future in management.

By her third year at Reaper’s, Dani had stepped into a managerial role in Sector 13, where she remained for three years. “Sector 13 was my home,” she fondly recalls, highlighting her deep connection to the attraction. However, in 2020, everything changed. Reaper’s Revenge had to make tough decisions with the COVID-19 pandemic threatening to shut down the season. While Sector 13 and Pitch Black were closed that year, the team chose to open the rest of the attractions, including the newly built Delirium. Dani was offered the opportunity to manage Delirium, a role she initially thought would be temporary. “I always thought I would run Delirium for a year and return to S13,” she says. “Little did I know I would fall in love with my little fortress in the woods and never turn back!”

Today, Dani oversees Delirium, a fully immersive 3D chroma-depth experience that leaves customers questioning what is real and what is illusion. As guests enter the attraction, they are given chroma-depth glasses that heighten the experience, allowing the vivid artwork, makeup, and set designs to come to life in disorienting ways. “We come at you from all angles,” Dani explains. “The more disoriented our customers are, the more chances our actors have to complete their scares!”

Delirium is designed to maximize every scare, with actors able to achieve multiple scares from a single scene. The attraction continuously evolves, with Dani and her team adding new “eye candy” to keep guests off-balance.

Leading the Charge: Teamwork and Family

What truly drives Dani’s passion is the team she leads. “The most rewarding part of my job is my team and our actors,” she says. Dani quickly credits her right-hand man, Nate Duvall, who has been by her since day one. Together, they work tirelessly to ensure that Delirium runs smoothly and efficiently. From afternoons spent enhancing the attraction with new décor to acting alongside their cast during showtime, Dani and Nate are hands-on leaders who live and breathe the Reaper’s Revenge experience.

This season, Grace McBride joined the management team, and Dani could not be happier with the addition. “Grace has been a wonderful addition to our team,” she says, praising the actors who bring Delirium to life. Many actors are cross-trained, allowing them to seamlessly switch roles and maintain the high-energy atmosphere Delirium is known for. One of Dani’s favorite moments during the show is hearing the synchronized thuds of drop-down panels followed by the inevitable screams—a testament to her team’s skill and coordination.

For Dani, Reaper’s Revenge is more than just a job; it is a family. “I do not do this job for the money,” she says. “I do it for the people, for the family feel.” The bonds formed within the haunt are strong, and Dani takes pride in creating an environment where actors feel supported, whether they are having a good day or a tough one.

Inspiring a Team That Inspires Her

When asked how she inspires her team, Dani quickly turns the question around. “Simply put, they inspire me,” she says. No matter the conditions—cold, slow, or challenging—the Delirium team shows up every night ready to give their all. As a manager, Dani takes on more than just a supervisory role. She is often a listener, friend, and even a peanut butter and jelly sandwich provider to keep her spirits high. “Sometimes all it takes is a good old-fashioned PB&J,” she jokes.

Moreover, when energy flags, there is always a lighthearted approach to revitalize the team—beating the actors with pool noodles. “This tends to get the momentum going!” Dani laughs. Ultimately, she sees herself as part of the more prominent Reaper family, cherishing the short but intense season they spend together each year.

A Fortress in the Woods

Delirium may have been the newest addition to Reaper’s Revenge when Dani took over as manager. However, under her leadership, it has become a staple of the attraction. As she reflects on her journey, it is clear that Delirium is no longer just a side project for Dani—it is home. “I fell in love with my side chick,” she jokes, referring to her unexpected but profound attachment to the attraction.

With a deep love for her craft, her team, and the Reaper’s family, Dani Adams continues to push the boundaries of what a haunted attraction can be. Delirium has become one of Reaper’s Revenge’s most immersive and disorienting experiences. With Dani at the helm, it shows no signs of slowing down.

As the season progresses, one thing is sure: the screams echoing from Delirium are not just the sounds of fear—they are the sounds of a team, a family, and a labor of love.