description: "Hersheypark's sliding horror performers became TikTok favorites. Three reported comments explain why a scare attraction now draws devoted fans."
At Hersheypark in Pennsylvania, the Decayed Brigade rush toward visitors on padded knees to make them scream. Yet TikTok fame has produced the opposite response: some people travel specifically to meet them. The creatures designed to chase people away have become people worth queuing for.
What do the sliders actually do?
They perform at the park's Dark Nights Halloween event, gliding across pavement on protective gear and adding jumps and spins. Fryboy, Archer and Valkyrie are among the familiar characters. Hersheypark's official 2026 guide promotes the Slider Showcase in Midway Of Misery and post-show photographs. An October 18 Business Insider report describes overseas fans and season-pass purchases inspired by the videos. The park cautions that overall Halloween attendance growth cannot be credited solely to the crew.
Three real reactions, as reported
1. “the makeup stays ON.” A comment on a fall 2025 Fryboy-and-Archer video turns a horror convention upside down. Normally removing the monster's mask brings relief. These fans would rather keep it.
“I DIDN'T KNOW THIS WAS AN OPTION.” This appeared under a Valkyrie clip. Encountering a monster seemed to offer two choices: scream or flee. The internet found a third: become a fan.
“Ok maybe my ex was right and i'm actually ill.” Business Insider cited this self-mocking comment on an October 2026 Fryboy-and-Archer video. The writer is joking about their own unexpected enthusiasm, not diagnosing anybody.
These comments were quoted by a journalist. The TikTok comments and full videos were not independently retrieved for this article. Original posts are linked below.
Original riff: the park's instructions break down
Staff: “If the monster approaches, run!”
Guest: “Where's the line for a photo with the monster?”
Staff: “That's the exit.”
Guest: “Right. Where's the fan-meet entrance?”
The performer rehearsed a terrifying slide. The guest rehearsed a camera angle. One wants a scream; the other wants a new profile picture.
The punchline
The Decayed Brigade is funny because a performance designed to repel visitors can attract them. The park now officially advertises photos after the show. Instead of looking for an escape route, you look for the end of the queue. Maybe the wait is the real horror.
References (6)
- Official information, reporting and original posts — Hersheypark, 2026-09-12: https://www.hersheypark.com/plan-your-visit/blog/hersheypark-halloween-and-dark-nights-2026-now-open
- Hersheypark, 2026-10-07: https://www.hersheypark.com/plan-your-visit/blog/top-photo-spots-of-hersheypark-halloween-and-dark-nights-2026
- Katie Notopoulos, Business Insider, 2026-10-18: https://www.businessinsider.com/haunt-sliders-hersheypark-fryboy-archer-interview-2026-10
- TikTok original, fall 2025: https://www.tiktok.com/@xjdmbabygirl/video/7562994255199751438
- TikTok original, October 2026: https://www.tiktok.com/@amandarenee2001/video/7690695416177888526
- TikTok original, Valkyrie: https://www.tiktok.com/@batwing.momma/video/7688353545795407118
