Fear Fair

Curb Appeal – 4/5
Scare Factor – 5/5
Actor Enthusiasm – 5/5
Creativity – 5/5

Overall – 4.8/5

Paul – Wow! I think Fear Fair is one of the most fun trips through a haunt I’ve ever had. The sets were constructed very well, the actors did an outstanding job, the animatronics were extremely well-done, costumes were great; I’m not sure I could compliment this haunt much more.

Fear Fair is in an industrial area of Seymour, IN which is between Louisville and Indianapolis off of I-65. When you approach the site you’ll notice the big spot light shining into the shy and there is an undead DJ playing music on the second floor of the building with a full light show going.

Once inside, this is a full-contact haunt. The actors can grab you, push you, jump on you, and they will! At one point I had one actor who jumped on my back and 2 more grabbing my arms. Intense! The actors has great costumes and make-up as well. I was also really impressed by the sets; they had amazing detail but weren’t cluttered up with trinkety junk like you see in a lot of haunts. Just enough to make everything feel very real.

I really have nothing but good things to say about Fear Fair. We drove over from Cincinnati and it was WELL worth the trip. This is a haunt I can’t wait to go through again!

Teresa – I was a little apprehensive when we arrived. Fear Fair is in a warehouse district and parking isn’t very clear. We got there right at opening time and the lines were already long, particularly the line to get tickets. However, there was a live DJ cranking out tunes and occasionally throwing out T-shirts. The crowd was definitely into it. I saw a couple of wandering scare actors, both of whom were rather intimidating. They were really playing their characters to the hilt. There were also a couple of fire-jugglers. Then, they took our picture for the website and we went in. As for the haunt itself, I think it was outstanding. The sets were creative, well-done, and detailed, but not cluttered. You start out in a post-apocalyptic  bunker-like building with a run-away elevator. From there you go through all kinds of great scenes, including a fantastic New Orleans swamp and cemetery, and a pretty creepy Silent Hill set. The actors were all very professional and some of the best I’ve seen. Their costumes were incredible and the actors were quite scary. I was very happy that this is a full-contact haunt. And boy, do these actors give it to you! We were grabbed, pulled, caressed, separated, bear-hugged, tackled, and piggy-backed on throughout the haunt. And we loved it! If these actors had really been their characters, we would have been doomed for sure. I had so much fun! I can’t wait to come back to this one to see what they do next year. If you like to be scared, this is a must see!

Todd – Well folks, I think we finally found the competition for The Haunted Hotel!

This haunt came out of left field for us. We were asked to come up on short notice for Halloween weekend and fortunately, a few of us were available. The 4 hour round trip didn’t seem so bad and now I can say it was undoubtedly worth the drive!

I’ll start by just stating a few opportunities we encountered upon arrival. First, evidently you can park anywhere nearby. Fear Fair is located among a lot of commercial buildings. People parked pretty much wherever they could – grassy areas, other businesses’ lots, etc. The problem is this wasn’t really indicated anywhere upon our approach so it’s not really clear where you can or can’t park.

Also – the ticket booth (or in this case, truck), is very small and appeared to only have one window. Even before opening the ticket line was pretty long and with only one, maybe 2 windows, for sales a lot of time is spent just waiting in that line. However, there may not be much of a rush because the lines to enter were substantially longer. On the night we went, they got off to a late start (it happens) so the line was backing up. Surprisingly, the VIP line was pretty long too. If I recall, the VIP price is only $5 than the standard price. So, while going VIP doesn’t break your bank, it may not necessarily decrease your wait time substantially.

Don’t fret about the line unless you’re pressed for time. A live DJ is there to entertain you while you wait. Free t-shirts were being thrown out every so often as well to those patiently waiting.

To our surprise, we were honored with first entry of the night upon arrival. This was our first visit so we didn’t know what to expect other than it was full contact. We’ve encountered two different interpretations of full contact in the past. The hardcore shoving, throwing, grabbing kind and the “”here…I’m going to slowly poke you or caress your back”” kind. Fear Fair is very much the former and HOLY SHIT is it intense.

Contact is made throughout and the haunt is a decent length. There aren’t too many spots where you aren’t being toyed with so your nerves wont get much of a break .

The theme changes a few times throughout the haunt. It starts in an underground cavern, then winds up into a New Orleans-eque area with the most amazing outdoor (but indoor) street scene I’ve seen short of being at Disney. This “”room””, while not scary, completely stands out in my mind because I remember being absolutely flabbergasted at how well done it was. If we had an award for most authentic scenery, it would win.

You’ll also go through a pretty lengthy zombie infestation. This area by far has the most contact involved. At any one time there may have been 4 people grabbing me, damn near on my back and it felt like they were really trying to pull me to the ground or back from where I came from. I’m a little surprised my shirt didn’t rip. Yes – they were that aggressive (and fantastic)!

There’s also a smaller Silent Hill area which is very impressive. Both the scenery and characters looked great. I was pinned to a wall by my throat by Pyramid Head and it was amazing!! The hot, faceless nurses weren’t bad either.

Another scene I really loved was an exorcism scene within a church. The steeple had actually crashed through the ceiling and the possessed girl was not conveniently tied down to a bed. The priest and her were in full combat, pushing each other against walls while they fought for her soul. As he aggressively prayed for her, she would respond yelling “”F*CK YOU PRIEST”” and such. She’d also grab us in the midst of the struggle. Very cool.

It’s not without it’s lacking details, however. As we went through, a sizable Tesla coil that would have been great to see was not working. In a bayou area, there’s an alligator prop that slides out and only half of it was constructed. The rest of the missing body could be better masked.

It’s hard to point out little things like this because overall, Fear Fair totally impressed me. It had a LOT of unique takes on subject matter commonly found in haunts. For example, the possession. A lot of places have some sort of exorcism scene, but this is honestly the first one I’ve seen where the priest is physically fighting the demon. It’s definitely the most hands-on haunt I’ve been to, to date. I mention Haunted Hotel in Louisville because they are infamous for pretty intense contact. Therefore, I can only really compare my experience at Fear Fair to that and I must say, Fear Fair was much more intense with their contact. These two haunts are not apples to apples in theme and other aspects so please do not take this as my trying to compare them exclusively.

Final verdict – LOVED IT. It was an absolute blast. Those who don’t like to be touched are best to skip it all together. It’s invasive. The quality of the sets is some of the best I’ve seen. We WILL return!

The Haunted Hotel

Curb Appeal – 4.7/5
Scare Factor – 4.5/5
Actor Enthusiasm – 4.7/5
Creativity – 4.2/5

Overall – 4.5/5

Teresa – I love the Haunted Hotel. This is full-contact, in-your-face, manhandling-scary. It is in a creepy old house, which is decorated like a rickety old, nightmarish hotel. From the first room, you are made to feel very nervous and uncomfortable. Then, you enter the scariest elevator you’ve probably ever been in. The effects and acting in there are not for the cowardly. Then you walk through, dreading whatever might be in the next room. Going in first is scary, but being last is also horrible, as they may not let you go. And don’t think you’re safe in the middle. This place is scary. The acting is extreme, and they will grab you, pick you up, hold knives to your throat, drag you, force your face in a “toilet”, and intimidate you as much as possible. The decor is good, but it totally takes a backseat to your fear of the actors. And don’t get me started on the chainsaws. Very plural. And this section is very long. And very aggressive. If you are scared of chainsaws, this would be a nightmare. I love the Haunted Hotel actors and their costumes. Especially the ones you have time to talk to. I feel like I was manhandled and intimidated a little less this year though. I’d like for them to step it up just a little more, and for them to add a little more creep to the chainsaw maze. I’m not as terrified of chainsaws as most people and would like to see more variety there. But keep in mind, I’m saying that about the scariest place I’ve been. And maybe, just maybe, it is too scary for the average haunt goer. I hope not, because it is so much fun. Just hang around and watch the people being chased out of the exit.

Gayle – What can I say?  This place is hands down my favorite haunt.  Not only is the house itself creepy, but the atmosphere and energy felt just waiting in line is beyond measure.  There are actors who interact with you while waiting to check in, and all were fantastic.  The costumes were terrifying, and the anticipation for that bang on the door letting you know you’re next, is gut-wrenching.  From the crazy elevator ride in the beginning to the horrifying chainsaw chase at the end, this place is a non-stop, in your face, eerie, creepy, and exhilarating raid on your personal space.  The actors are fully engaged, all over you, and every second of it is frightening!!   This is the haunt I look forward to each year.  It is unlike any other in that it’s full-contact.  You will be touched, groped, shoved, tossed against walls, picked up, carried off, and in the best most amazing way possible!  This one is top-notch when it comes to scaring the living crap out of you.  Definitely a must see, definitely worth the 2 hour drive, definitely will continue to come year after glorious year!  Well done!!!

Donna –  The haunted hotel is always  The highlight of our visit to Louisville. This year was no exception. When we arrived around 11:30 PM the area in front of the hotel and on the side of the hotel was filled with people waiting for their turn   To be scared and terrified within its walls. As you enter the hotel the first actor there tells you that you can expect to be touched and manhandled on your trip through the hotel and that there is no hope for you to ever escape it’s walls. As you continue to  walk through the hotel scene after scene creates a sense of terror   And you find yourself walking faster and faster just trying to escape from this nightmare.   The actors are relentless  in chasing you down and getting into your face pushing and shoving you and creating a sense of helplessness as you wonder from room to room. I found the chainsaws at the end were  The loudest and most terrifying part of the haunt. This is a great haunt if you’re in the Louisville area please stop by  and pay it a visit. You may enter the hotel but you may not leave in one piece!

Bill – I really love the Haunted Hotel, all of the employees are into giving you a right good scare, and as always they did just that. With eager anticipation, I entered the haunt and was given fright after fright, traveling through the maze, waiting to be mauled and man-handled.

It is an exceptional haunt and the nightmares will carry me through until I get down there next year.

Gus – Before you make plans to visit the Haunted Hotel, just bear in mind that it is an “extreme” haunt. The actors can and will touch you. If that is not your cup of tea, you may want to look elsewhere. However, you’d be missing out on one of the greatest haunt in Louisville. The actors are professionals, my experience is always that when you get touched, it is not in a sleazy way, it is in the spirit of the scene, and to break that safety barrier and to get a reaction. This season, things seem to be more tame than in previous years, but its still a great time.

Todd – In some ways, The Haunted Hotel is in a league of its own. There’s an energy within that just isn’t easily felt at other haunts. I’ll admit, I am obsessed with this place. It’s become a damn-near annual holiday…Haunted Hotel day! I look forward to it probably more than anything. The only problem now is, has the Haunted Hotel not met up to my expectations…..or are my expectations just too high?

If you’re not familiar with this haunt, there are not many around that offer a similar experience. The actors touch you, grab you, threaten you, chase you, etc. Many of the rooms are cluttered, with little room to maneuver and the hallways can be especially tight…a fantastic setting in the pitch dark. The interior is dark, dingy, filthy and chaotic in the best way. Don’t be fooled by the exterior either – it’s longer than it appears from the outside.

The outside (the final area) has been changed up. From what I experienced, it sure seemed longer. Considering there are chainsaw-wielding crazies throughout, if that sort of thing bothers you, prepare to get some exercise. And Holy Hell…the noise out there is deafening! .

So here’s where my disappointment comes in….don’t get me wrong – I love this place. I’ve come to know some of the great people that make it happen and I appreciate everything they do. For me, this year felt a little tame. I don’t know if that was intentional, they had to step it back a bit or maybe it was just the timing. I’m not saying it was all rainbows and hugs in there – my throat was grabbed twice and I was shoved against a wall. That’s a lot more than I’d get anywhere else…but it just seemed more PG-13, not R. In years past I was held down over a table while rotary tools were used to spit sparks near my face…I was bent over backwards while a knife was held to my throat…it was these extreme actions that I sickly have come to crave at The Haunted Hotel – none of which were present this year.

The contact that did take place felt more lethargic than usual. However, as I previously stated, perhaps my expectations are getting too high. I mean, I don’t want to come out of there bleeding and limping but it just felt much more tame this year and I admittedly was disappointed. To be clear – I was disappointed with the full contact part, but all other aspects of the haunt were fantastic.

For the typically haunt attendee, this place no doubt still enough to make someone absolutely terrified, but for veterans like us, we want the hardcore experience. Hint, hint – for next year.

The Devil’s Attic

Curb Appeal – 4.7/5
Scare Factor – 4/5
Actor Enthusiasm – 4.2/5
Creativity – 4.2/5

Overall – 4.3/5

Donna – Devils attic is a must see if you are in the Louisville area.  The devil speaks to you when you enter the first room and tells you what is in store for you as you go through the labyrinth of terrifying rooms. Each room has its own theme and it’s own creepy characters. This year was a bit different from  last year and the fact that they added a few more anima Tronics and changed up some of the rooms however the theme remains the same and it’s a good one. We look forward to the Devils attic every year and this year was no different. Great haunt wish it was a bit longer but we enjoyed ourselves .

Teresa – If you love horror movies, this is the place for you! First off, it is in a creepy old building. Second, there are some very bizarre and devilish characters wandering around outside. At some point while you wait, this devil appears on the balcony, and asks his minion to bring him fresh meat, at which point, someone is meticulously selected from the crowd and carried, kicking and screaming, inside. The best part of this one is that every scene inside is from a popular horror movie. It is so fun seeing them in person. They are so professional. And the costumes are magnificent. I like how they tease each scene before you enter it. I looked up and saw the quickest flash of an evil face, and recognized it instantly as being from The Exorcist. Subtle and creepy and awesome. I liked the sets even more this year. Especially memorable are: The Exorcist, Hellraiser, and 13 Ghosts. Not that I don’t love them all! I’m also very excited to hear they are doing something called CHAOS this year, which will be full contact, and one night only. This would definitely kick the scare factor into overdrive. I would love to come back for it! I highly recommend this to all horror fans!

Gayle – Well…our group visits The Devil’s Attic every year, and with good reason.  This place is unique in that every room is modeled after a horror movie!  The great thing about it, is they change it up every year, so the annual visitors get to experience something new and different each time they come.  The costumes are impeccable, the attention and level of detail in each set is superb, the actors are on point!  It’s so much fun to walk from room to room and identify rather quickly (at least for a horror movie buff) which movie is being replicated!  Pinhead and the Cenobytes are so perfect (and my favorite), but much props to 13 Ghosts, The Exorcist, Texas Chainsaw, Urban Legend, and the many, many others that make this a MUST SEE in the Louisville area!!  Such a well-run and exciting haunt to visit.  I love it!!

Bill – The Devil’s Attic is an amazing haunt! It is the best “movie” themed haunted attraction I know of, where they take pride in recreating scenes from famous horror movies. The makeup and the props are exceptional, and there’s a great scare around every corner.

Gus – The Devil’s Attic has an interesting theme going. The Devil has collected all your favorite horror movies forces you to re-live them. You name it, its in there. Hell Raiser? Got it. Headless Horseman? Got it. Psycho? Got it. Evil Dead? Got it. Each scene is more detailed than the last. Horror fans rejoice!

Todd – The Devil’s Attic has a challenging task – living up to your preconceived expectations. Why? Because many parts of the haunt are recreations of the most iconic scenes and horror movie characters. Horror fanatics know these characters in and out – what they look like, how they behave. Imagine the disappointment you would experience if a haunt had Freddy Kruger and the actor was wearing an all red sweater. You’d cringe. This is a basic example of the detail that The Devil’s Attic crew maintains when bringing the characters to life.

I’ve said before and I’ll say it again – their Hellraiser scene and characters never fail to simply amaze me. They are simply f*cking spot on. Even the mostly-reconstructed Frank is pretty cool looking…but the Cenobites…Wow.

This haunt has also established its own icon – the devil himself. As you enter this haunt you’re greeted by Satan himself – a very impressive looking character. While one cannot really trademark Satan, this haunt’s version has a memorable look that has maintained consistency over the years.

There have been some changes this year, but the most memorable areas were still there from last year. That can lend to some predictability within the haunt which can be stale over time. However, there’s a dilemma. If you switch up and go with some older, classic scenes, will the younger generation get it? Go to more modern movies and well, you run the risk of it being lame (let’s face it…90% of horror movies in the past decade are awful).

The Devil’s Attic may be better suited to start migrating to more original scenes to stay fresh. If they could build a hell to match their caliber of their devil, I can’t imagine it not being great. We’d of course still want to see some of the classic scenes. After all, we all know those within wouldn’t be in heaven.

(all ratings scored out of 5)

The Experiment

Curb Appeal – 3.7/5
Scare Factor – 4.3/5
Actor Enthusiasm – 4.8/5
Creativity – 4.7/5

Overall – 4.4/5

Donna –  The seventh Street aunt is a fairly new haunt only five years old. It is a converted tobacco warehouse and it is huge on the inside. There are two haunts and the combination of both make it seem like you are inside for at least an hour.  The first haunt is a combination of actors and animatronics.   You won’t see Freddy or Jason in here. All of the rooms are fresh creative and the actors are over-the-top engaged with their character. You will be slightly touched but no manhandling in the haunt.  The scares just keep coming everywhere you turn we were very impressed with the level of terror in this place!  The combination of make up, attention to detail with the room settings and general creativity was very impressive for a haunt  that is only five years old.    This is going to be one of  The premier haunts in Louisville and I highly recommend if you are anywhere near the area to visit the seventh Street haunt.

Teresa – This was my first time at this place. It doesn’t look like much from outside, but when you step inside, it is really cool. We were met outside by some clowns who were lots of fun, albeit a bit disturbing. Do make sure to catch their act. We kept seeing them running around inside too. We went through The Experiment first and I was very impressed. The decor was very good, the characters were super-creepy, the design was creative, and it was very long. There were some really unique surprises. One of which, while I won’t give it away, I have been just waiting for someone to implement in a haunt, and they actually did it! I was way too excited about that. However, the best part of this one hands-down, were all the fabulous animatronics. I’m not always a fan of too many, because you see the same ones over and over, and they often aren’t very scary. This was easily the best use of them I’ve ever seen. And lots of them were unique. I went first, so I kept setting them off. If you like jump scares, definitely go first! There was a hallway of slamming doors that was really cool. The live actors were very impressive too. They had great movements, creepy placements, and really enthusiastic acting. At one point there was a girl, up high at the end of a hallway, backlit, just waiting for me, and it was like something out of a movie. I don’t think I’ll ever get the dolls out of my head, either. I loved this one. I’d like to go through it again before the season is over.

Gayle – This was a new haunt for me, and I’m so glad we were able to go!!  This place is HUGE, but you don’t realize it until you’re inside.  The actors outside are so very engaging and entertaining and had us all laughing before we even went inside!  This haunt has two distinct haunts, both are equally amazing, each with their own style.  The Experiment was full of greatly designed sets and perfectly timed animatronics.  Some of which I’d never before seen in all the haunts I’ve reviewed.  These were triggered so well, the lighting was perfect, and it had a very modern feel.  I was very pleasantly surprised here!  There are so many details to take in as you’re walking through, and the startles just kept coming.  It was a non-stop spooky, scary good time!!!  Very well done!!

Bill – It was my first time at 7th Street Haunt, it won’t be my last … from Chaos the Clown (and I really, really hate clowns), who kept me laughing to the perfect timed animated props throughout. I really loved everything about this haunt. I was nervous going around every corner, and got great scares throughout.

I can’t wait to see what they do next year!

Gus – The experiment is an animatronic heavy haunt that delivers. Typically, I find animatronics to not be as scary as live actors, but this haunt proved me wrong. 7th Street Haunt must have spent a great deal of time getting every sensor in juuust the right spot and timed everything to maximize the scares. Often times the animatronics would popup to within inches of my face – and it was like that room after room. Sprinkle in a few dedicated actors who climb all over the place and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a spooky good time. This was my first season visiting 7th Street Haunt, and I look forward to coming back again! If your in the area, drop in and tell Khaos the clown we said “Hey!”

Todd – This is one of two haunts within an enormous structure that would make any haunted pressed for space extremely jealous. The Experiment is also the more modern of the two attractions with a great mix of current animatronic technology with old-school sets.

The most impressive thing about this haunt was the near-perfect execution and placement of of everything. The animatronics, for example, are less sideline eye candy and more so used as scare tactics. They’re positioned around corners, out of distant sight and right in your face.

Many areas force you to get up close and personal with the props, environments and actors. The spacing between each of them is planned out well so there’s never too much or too little in any one area.

The actors were very energetic and fairly invasive, without actually touching or grabbing you. This haunt is a prime example that even with money well spent on automated props, it’s really the creative use of them that makes everything stand out.

Ft. Harmony’s Revenge

Curb Appeal – 3.3/5
Scare Factor – 3.7/5
Actor Enthusiasm – 4.7/5
Creativity – 4.7/5

Overall – 4.1/5

Donna –  This particular haunt was old school with no animatronics only actors but it still was very scary due to the actors staying in character and being very convincing and their roles. The haunt is very long and at times dark but the scares  keep coming around every corner. The use of lighting was very impressive along with the excellent sound system. Altogether the atmosphere was creepy scary and one of the best haunted houses I have been to all year.

Teresa – Ft. Harmony’s Revenge is more decor and actor-driven, with fewer animatronics. It is more of a classic-style haunt. It had some really unique spaces that I really enjoyed. There were creepy plants, and there was one cavern-like room with what looked like molten rock in the walls. Pretty cool. This one is also very long (and handicap accessible, FYI). Again, I’d say this one is more fun in the front of the group though. I’m very intrigued by the Institutionalized Challenge, which we didn’t get to do. I’ve never heard of anything like it, and would try it in a heartbeat. This is a really well-done haunt. Plus, there were Halloween items for sale, photos to buy, and a casket ride which we didn’t have time to do. I really want to know what that experience is like. I had a lot of fun here and would love to come back and do it again.

Gayle – The haunt had more of an old-school feel to it, which was utterly amazing!!  As you’re walking through, the attention to detail, the amazing sets, the actors enthusiasm was all fantastic.  You can certainly tell how passionate the owners are about these haunts…it came through clearly!  There were so many creepy, eerie things to experience here, and I honestly can’t say enough about how much MORE is added when the actors are really into it.  And these actors were.  Both haunts were incredible and WELL worth the 2 hour drive from Cincinnati.  I can’t wait to go back next year!!!   Great job guys!!!  Loved every second of it!

Bill – It was my first time at 7th Street Haunt, it won’t be my last … from Chaos the Clown (and I really, really hate clowns), who kept me laughing to amazing actors and intricate room designs. I really loved everything about this haunt. I was nervous going around every corner, and got great scares throughout.

I can’t wait to see what they do next year!

Andy – While the Experiment was chock full of robotics, Ft. Harmony’s Revenge has a home grown feel that makes it more unique. My favorite scenes included hell-cracked landscapes, and the Reba rooms. Each scene is richly detailed and compelling, and the actors fit each scene well. I’m looking forward to seeing this one again.

Todd – Ft. Harmony’s Revenge is a more traditional / old school style haunt that features a fictional town and its eccentric inhabitants. Although this haunt is more low tech, for the most part, it does not lack in creativity.

There are MANY different styles of scenes in this haunt. Some are conventional “old creepy house” scenes while others are entirely unique. One that stands out in my mind is a room that looks like the walls are cracking with red-hot lava. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the Reba McEntire room…it’s not scary….it’s just kind of random in a WTF kind of way.

This haunt demonstrates the creativity, time and effort that those with the love of haunts can produce. The other attraction (The Experiment) is scarier, but the abundance of unique creativity is found in Ft. Harmony’s Revenge.

With plenty of room to expand, I’m eager to see what’s next.

(all ratings scored out of 5)

Xterminate – Mutant Attack

Curb Appeal – 2.8/5
Scare Factor – 2.3/5
Actor Enthusiasm – 3.8/5
Creativity – 3/5

Overall – 2.9/5

Teresa – This is an interactive experience. You get to take a laser gun and shoot zombies. The decor is sparse; it is just like being in a bombed out town without the rubble. But there are plenty of zombies throughout and you get to run around and shoot them until you run out of time. The zombies all have their own personalities. Some of them are classic and slow, others are more like “Deadites”. None of them stay dead. I enjoyed this one a lot. You get to run around with your friends and shoot zombies. You can also shoot each other. The guns have sensors on them, so if you get shot, your gun stops working until a few seconds go by and it resets. This leaves you defenseless and makes it more exciting. The zombies do a good job of creeping up on you fast. Definitely a change of pace from other haunts.

Donna –  This was a laser gun indoor zombie killing area that has potential but needs many more actors. We were in a group of 16 which i felt was too many for the smallish area we were in and since there weren’t very many actors  The scare factor was low because you could see the actors falling and getting back up again several times before you even got there.   Suggestions would be more actors, smaller group, less well lit.

Gus – Xterminate Mutant Attack is laser tag on steroids. Two teams battle each other in an indoor arena for bragging rights, all while dodging zombified actors. This was a ton of fun, and the more you get into it, the more the actors do as well. Make sure you pay attention to the introduction so you know how to reload your high-tech laser gun.

Todd – Xterminate is essentially a watered down laser tag arena in which you shoot zombies (?) that are [slowly] coming after you. The concept is good. The play area is fairly big, the guns are very cool and nifty…but…that’s about all.

If memory serves, last year the actors wore some kind of receiver that interacted with the gun. So not only did it signal to them when they were shot, but if they got too close to you, you took health damage. It was pretty neat and gave you a little more purpose in watching where you went.

This year, the actors had no noticeable equipment at all. Since the guns emit light when fired, the actors would fall to the ground when they saw the light (slowly…like an old man easing into a bath). And of course, that’s IF they were playing by the rules. One actress in particular just refused to fall down no matter how many fires to the head I offered. ::shrug:: What’s the point then?

The ratio of survivors to zombies was easily 3:1. I can recall seeing maybe seeing 5-6 distinct actors, but everywhere I turned I just found other people with guns. They divided the large group into 2 teams and explained you could fire upon the other team, but without any kind of score keeping or motivation to do so, most of the time was spent just walking around looking for a zombie while passing other players doing the same thing.

The actors were incredibly slow, never tried to hide and the only satisfaction I received was feeling like John McClain, easily taking them down without any element of surprise. The concept is there but there’s a LOT of fine tuning needed.

Side note: Many of the guns were malfunctioning and required constant swapping out. Upkeep is a must here.

Zombie City

Curb Appeal – 4/5
Scare Factor – 3.8/5
Actor Enthusiasm – 5/5
Creativity – 5/5

Overall – 4.4/5

Teresa – This is a scripted haunt that you participate in. They let you in and tell you what has happened to cause everyone to turn into zombies. Then you meet a sort of guide character who tries to help you find a way out of the zombie-infested city, while protecting you from zombies that keep sneaking up behind you. The theme is great, the decor is great, the characters are great (and good at improvising), and I love that you are part of this story. It is pretty long too, so you really get immersed in it. There were definitely some changes from last year. I wish there were more immersive haunts like this one.

Donna –  Zombie city was my favorite at the asylum haunted scream park. It is created by the amazing Joey Arena who has a flair for theatrics and knows how to scare people. You feel as if you are  trapped in a walking dead like area with zombies running loose everywhere. Your guide is attempting to get the group out but you encounter problems that you have to solve  along the way. This is an interactive Haunt  with sets and actors that are so convincing I had to keep reminding myself it was just pretend. This is one that should not be missed!!!!

Gus – Zombie City is unique in the way that you are truly part of an ongoing story. Each year Zombie City changes, building on the story from last season. This time around the Paragon research facility is in shambles and you meet up with a survivor to make your way to the compound exit on the far side of the complex. You could go it alone, but she’s got a gun. I really enjoy these types of interactive haunts, but it takes true professionals to pull it off in character. As much as I tried, none of the characters broke character, even when they spilled drinks all over the place. As you progress from scene to scene, more of the story is revealed and surprises await you at each stop. This was by far my favorite attraction at Asylum Haunted Scream Park. It’s worth coming just to check this one out!

Todd – Zombie City more of an interactive experience than a haunt. It has its moments of surprise scares, but for the most part you’re immersed in a story, trying to get from one end of the “”city”” to the other. The story and scenes were somewhat different from last year which was nice – we weren’t experiencing a re-run.

There’s a primary actor that is your lead survivor helping you along the way. Conveniently, they are the only one with a gun, of course. You’ll encounter other survivors who add more to the story as you talk to them and even come across the remains of those who didn’t make it.

The actors are great. No only are the full of energy but they can ad lib with the best of them (trust me, we try to throw them off). One actor in the butcher shop for example, accidentally spilled his drink. He quickly and humorously covered it with some quick words and just kept going.

This experience is a LOT of fun. It’s not all that scary but it’s highly entertaining and very original. Enhancements in the story line and backstory presentation did not go unnoticed either.

Darkness Falls

Curb Appeal – 3.7/5
Scare Factor – 4/5
Actor Enthusiasm – 4/5
Creativity – 4/5

Overall – 3.9/5

Teresa – Out of the several attractions at this Asylum Haunted Scream Park, this one is the most like a classic haunt. You walk through a really spooky cemetery, and down a creepy haunted trail, passing through all kinds of evil scenes, all full of horrible maniacs waiting to eat or kill you. The decor is really good. The characters really take time to talk to you. There are maniac rednecks, vampires, satanists, clowns, and some surprises. Some are funny, some are scary. I was very impressed when one flew overhead. I absolutely love some of these scenes. And I always like it when I have to crawl or walk or slide through something unexpected. Good times.

Gus – Darkness Falls is an outdoor haunted trail, with a bunch of different scenes. There is something for everyone. Its dark, creepy and full of unexpected things coming at you from every angle – including overhead. Zombie City was so good, that I wish I had done this one first as it left me wanting.

Todd – Darkness Falls is a long outdoor trail haunt that has a lot to offer. Unlike a lot of trails, there’s something around every bend here. There’s a very cool and spooky graveyard, a large bridge to cross and of course, the dual slides on which I sprained my ankle last year. I’m happy to report I suffered no injury this year (play balls have been added at the bottom to ease your landing).

Along the trail you will find the more conventional attractions – clowns, murderous rednecks…but there are some other highlights such as what I refer to as the heavy metal church, a claustrophobic schoolhouse and a slaughter yard maze.

There’s always something to look at and experience. Given the length of the trail, that’s a feat which makes this haunt worth checking out.

Zombie Hunting

Curb Appeal – 2.2/5
Scare Factor – 1.3/5
Actor Enthusiasm – 1.5/5
Creativity – 2.3/5

Overall – 1.8/5

Teresa – This one could be a lot better. I like the idea of riding along on a bus and shooting zombies with paintballs. That part is fun. You get 100 paintballs with the option to buy more for $5.00. You go through a rural-looking town (shells of buildings, deserted cars, etc.) and shoot zombies. The problem is, there are more  flat targets than real zombies. Those aren’t nearly as fun to shoot at. And then the course is really short. You go through twice, but I still didn’t use all of my paintballs. I mean, it is still fun to shoot things, but this just isn’t scary and doesn’t have enough moving targets to be very exciting. But, this is a new attraction and there’s definitely room for improvement here, so I look forward to seeing it get better. Plus, this is just one out of 3 other haunts, plus the Carnivale of Lost Souls, which is sort of a midway with food, very creepy wandering characters, and live performers (think pointy objects and fire and you’ll be on the right track). It is actually kind of mesmerizing. Plus there are photo ops and special events. You get so much bang for your buck here. And I absolutely love that most of the haunts are very interactive, so you get to participate. So creative and professional.

Donna –  This was a rolling paintball zombie shooting haunt that also needed more actors. Shooting paintballs  from an old bus is always fun, don’t get me wrong. However, it is more fun when you have live actors to shoot at .   However this was a fun additions to asylum haunted scream park and we did enjoy the ride.

Gus – Zombie Hunting consists of a bus ride driving past the same few buildings a couple of times. Actors were few and far between, I think I might have seen 2 the whole time. This needs a longer track across varying scenes, and it needs more live targets to make it worthwhile.

Todd – Zombie Hunting is a paintball attraction where you sit on a customized truck and shoot at mostly stationary targets.

The overall experience is unfortunately bland. There are makeshift building facades set up in a fairly small area, with a few cars and other objects set up in between. There were only 2 live zombie actors (by my count) to shoot at. Everything else was stationary. The shooting area is constructed in an open field so there’s no trail or natural environment to add to the experience.

In fact, it’s such a small area that you pass through the same course twice. This attraction was really disappointing. As much fun as it is to shoot at zombies, there were hardly any to be found here and the unfinished plywood-constructed scenery added very little appeal.

This experience would have been much better had it actually gone into the woods and had much more live interaction.

Culbertson Mansion

Curb Appeal – 3.3/5
Scare Factor – 3.8/5
Actor Enthusiasm – 5/5
Creativity – 5/5

Overall – 4.2/5

Teresa – This place is always one of my favorites because it is such a labor of love for everyone involved. All the people working on the haunt and acting in it are volunteers. They pick a new theme every year and there are always unique surprises. This year the theme was Nightmares and Phobias. It featured everything from closet monsters, to bugs, to being buried alive (and all kinds of others that I won’t spoil). They really make you participate and face your fears. I loved the actors and costumes. There were lots of jump scares, and be warned that some of the actors may touch you, which makes it even scarier. I only wish it could be longer, but they are limited in space, being in the old carriage house behind the mansion. The setting is super-creepy though. And once they raise enough money, they will be able to remodel the 3rd floor of the carriage house to have more room. I highly recommend this one if you are within driving distance. Be sure to check out the mansion during the day too. And go to the haunt every year, because it is always unique!

Gus – Culbertson Mansion is the hidden gem of the Louisville Haunt scene. When we arrived, we almost missed the entrance as there was no sign announcing the attraction. Had we not known about it you could walk right past without even knowing there was a haunt nearby. Once you find it, you are in for a treat. While it was a a short trip, it was full of unique effects you won’t see anywhere else. Culbertson Mansion is a volunteer staffed haunt, which means that all of the actors are there because of a real passion for the art of haunting, not for a paycheck. All of the proceeds directly benefit the Culbertson Mansion. (http://www.indianamuseum.org/culbertson-mansion-state-historic-site)

So not only are you entertained, but you are benefiting a worth cause. I highly recommend including this in your haunted house tours if you are in the area.

Donna –  This is an often overlooked haunt  in new Albany Indiana that everyone who loves haunted houses should visit during the Halloween season!  It is totally volunteer and the money goes towards restoring the historical Culbertson  mansion which is an iconic building in the new Albany area. The actors, even though they are volunteer, do a great job  of terrifying you as you walk through the rooms. It takes place in the old carriage house which has creepy vives going in.  It’s a fairly small area but don’t  let that fool you because they pack  so much into a small area that it feels like a much larger haunt. The sets are amazing very creative the acting and actors are exceptional.  It is one of our very favorite haunts  because it is so well done with a passion by someone who sincerely loves what they do.

Todd – The Culbertson Mansion haunt is a diamond in the rough. When you think of a volunteer-run haunt that instead of taking place in the mansion itself, takes place in the carriage house behind, you may think you’re in for a small-scale, no frills haunt. Wrong.

The group running this haunt is VERY creative, coming up with ideas and execution that aren’t found at the biggest, high-budget haunts around. With rooms with secret exits, monsters trying to pull people through walls and a lot of hand-crafted details, the Culbertson haunt has a lot of personality.

On top of that, they are diligent in making sure your experience is not the same year after year. The theme of the haunt is changed annually, to the point where only a few rooms are recognizable. The veteran volunteers have worked there for decades so they know what works and what to build upon.

Honestly, the only thing unfortunate about this haunt is the length. They pack a lot of punch into the small space the carriage house offers; I just wish it could be 4x longer!

USS Nightmare

Curb Appeal – 4.7/5
Scare Factor – 3.7/5
Actor Enthusiasm – 4/5
Creativity – 4.3/5

Overall – 4.2/5

Donna – The USS Nightmare is a one of a kind haunt that’s located on an iconic boat moored at Newport on the Levy.     Since the theme stays the same every year it is a challenge to change the haunt and keep it scary and yet stay with the haunted boat theme.   Every year the creative geniuses in this place knock it out of the park this year was no exception. When you enter the haunt a creepy looking man tells you about what is in store for you  and a little bit about the history of the haunted bone. You then enter a  huge elevator and listen to the sounds from the Ship’s radio talking about the boat breaking loose and running into the bridges on the Ohio River as the elevator shakes violently and lights flash off and on. This was a new addition to the boat this year and it really set the mood.  The characters in the boat are creepy and in your face and always  appear from the most unexpected places. The haunt is very long and well worth the price of admission. This is a really fun haunt to go to and it just keeps getting better every year.

Gus – U.S.S. Nightmare is a staple of the Cincinnati haunt scene, the anchor if you will. It continues to be a high quality scare experience. This year the story is the spotlight with an extended introduction with a few surprises in store. Don’t let the outside fool you, this haunt is a long one. You will wind through what seems like every inch of the the space. Our trip took nearly 30 minutes. I highly recommend making sure you include this in your schedule for haunt season.

Todd – The USS Nightmare is a haunt that always stands out because if its inherent uniqueness. The boat itself just looks disturbing – it’s dirty, dark and wrecked. If it weren’t an obvious attraction, it’s the kind of vessel no one in their right mind would voluntarily scope out, based on appearances.

This haunt’s theme takes full advantage of its home, sticking to a story about a shipwreck and the aftermath. This year, more than ever, visitors are exposed to the history and in some ways get to re-live the moment of the tragedy.

The most stand-out addition this year is the very first room you’ll enter, which is fairly spacious, lined with wood paneling and historical photos. The captain, your narrator speaks to you via speakers and walks you through the events of the shipwreck. As the story turns chaotic, so does the room. Lights will flash and the room itself violently shakes and jumps. Many haunts have elevator props of a similar nature, however this one is much larger and shakes you around a lot more.

There were a number of other changes in certain areas, but nothing that stood out completely in my mind. All of the same highlighted areas remain – the captains quarters, the clown area, the experimental sciences, etc.

Regardless, the props and the environment are all top-notch, primarily because the haunt takes full use of the boat’s real inner-workings. The actors are energetic and while not always, scary, they’re always entertaining.

This is a good haunt. In recent years I feel it’s become slightly predictable but the fact that it has such a strong atmosphere and identity that you can’t find many other places, it’s always worth going to.

(all ratings scored out of 5)

Stillwell Manor

Curb Appeal – 3.3/5
Scare Factor – 3.8/5
Actor Enthusiasm – 5/5
Creativity – 5/5

Overall – 4.3/5

Teresa – I loved this haunt. It was rather unassuming from the outside, but I learned after we entered that the storm had knocked out the power in the front of the building. Once you step inside, it is absolutely fantastic! It has this great handcrafted feel, with very intricate sets. There are so many authentic old props, it has a great old mansion vibe, but the handcrafted aspect lends it a sense of unease, because you’re never sure what to expect. You even enter a closet at one point. The characters are so much fun. They have lots of personality and are very engaging. It isn’t overly scary, but it definitely made me uneasy. It has the same creep factor you get from being in a somewhat claustrophobic abandoned house or theater set. And combining this with the other ones included within Stillwell, it is a lot of bang for the buck. I really enjoyed this one and highly recommend it if you’re in the area!

Paul – This is one of my favorites. The theming is great, the actors did a fantastic job, and it’s huge. I’m not sure how long we were in the building, but there is a ton of haunt in there. The actual building is an old 8-screen movie theater and a large amount of it is walked through during the experience. You’re in an old manor, full of creepy crazy people, and you need to make your way through and back out. There really wasn’t anything I didn’t like. If I were nitpicking I’d say you could see a little too much up high when you were in some of the rooms, which reminded me I was in an old movie theater. That’s a really minor thing though. Very good job.

Gus – Follow the searchlights to Stillwell Manor! It may look unassuming from the outside, but as soon as you step inside you are transported to a far off castle and your journey begins. Stillwell Manor is a unique haunt that is worth every penny.The actors are very engaging and challenge you and tell you the seedy story of the estate. The mind bending ending is a personal favorite.

Todd – The exterior of Stillwell Manor still generally looks like a movie theater, sans posters for coming attractions. However, the indoor lobby has been beautifully transformed into a spooky, cryptic, graveyard. This was just a small example of the changes to come inside.

Stillwell Manor is one of those haunts that you can just tell it’s build with passion. It’s not perfectly polished like a big-box haunt, but that’s what adds to it’s charm. It’s packed with authentic knick-knacks, trinkets and some weird oddities you probably haven’t seen since The Munsters. The interior has come leaps and bounds since we last saw it two years ago. The rooms feel more full now and very real. You’ll encounter bedrooms, living rooms, a dining room – all which are full of details. Some areas such as halls or faux-outdoor scenes, which may have less detail utilize minimal lighting to keep the scene creepy.

The actors are incredibly energetic and while they’re not always scary, they’re always entertaining (sometimes very funny). Most importantly, they play their roles very well to fit their areas.

It’s clearly evident a lot of hard work has gone into Stillwell Manor over the years and it’s something to be appreciated. We had an absolute blast!

Isabella’s Beyond

Curb Appeal – 2.8/5
Scare Factor – 2.5/5
Actor Enthusiasm – 4.8/5
Creativity – 4/5

Overall – 3.5/5

Teresa – My favorite part of this haunt was the characters. They are so interactive. Like Stillwell Manor, it isn’t overly scary, but it is a lot of fun. They told our fortunes, and I got pulled away by myself, and wound up sitting on a stage for a brief, and somewhat comical séance. Lots of fun!

Paul – This one was a freak show type of haunt. The actors did a great job and there were some really unique features that made it interesting. A lot of interaction with the guests and a really creepy vibe.

Gus – While not particularly scary, Isabella’s Beyond is a twisted carnival full of unexpected twists and turns. It’s never exactly what you expect, which is part of what makes all the Stillwell Manor haunts so appealing. Again, the actors excel here, reading visitors grim fortunes, culminating in a seance.

Todd – Isabella’s Beyond is a new attraction. It’s essentially a re-enactment of the old traveling circus freak shows that haven’t existed for years.

This one has the most opportunities among the three. It’s short, only has a handful of actors and felt like it was lacking material. It’s highly interactive – the actors will stop you and fully engage you within their character’s purpose.

At the end, one lucky person in your group will get their fortune read while the others watch the scene from another room walled off with Plexiglas. This part confused me a bit and it’s hard to describe. From the spectators point of view, you see what looks like a stage where the fortune is being told. You can also see the areas “”off stage””, on which one side an assistant maneuvering props on-stage to aid with the fortune telling experience. From the spectators’ point of view, I was unsure whether we were supposed to be viewing this as if it was a fake setup or not. It surely APPEARED so since we could see the assistant using a pole to dangle props over the wall of the staged set. I’m just not sure what they were going for there.

My suggestion on this one is to really flesh it out or scrap it and expand the manor.

Tantibus

Curb Appeal – 2.5/5
Scare Factor – 3.5/5
Actor Enthusiasm – 5/5
Creativity – 4.5/5

Overall – 3.9/5

Teresa – This one was also really fun. Again the actors were fantastic. The scariest part was going down a giant slide. When you get to the bottom, you land in a giant ball pit, and while you’re trying to wade through, a creepy clown jumps in with you. Awesome! I loved the unexpected passageways too (like going through a gross bathroom stall). All of these haunts aren’t super-scary or gory, but they are tons of fun. The actors are fantastic, as are the sets. I love having a unique and memorable experience, and you get that here.

Paul – I’d say Tantibus is my second favorite of the three haunts here. There were a lot a really good effects, yet again the actors did a great job, and there were more surprises that I didn’t expect. It was dark and pretty suspenseful, and a great haunt overall. I think the combination of the 3 haunts in one building is awesome and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking to visit a haunt. Highly recommended.

Gus – Tantibus is all of your fears rolled into one experience you are not sure to forget. This one will have you telling all your friends about how much fun you had in your nightmares. Zombies, clowns, its all here. You’ll be disoriented and love every moment of it.

Todd – Tantibus is the medium sized haunt at Stillwell Manor which spans 2 floors. There’s an unforgettable element within that gets you from one floor to the other – we love it.

In Tantibus you’ll experience different nightmarish scenarios – clowns, being locked in an asylum, surgical experimentation, etc. As in the primary haunt, the actors are very interactive and animated. Since this haunt is a hodgepodge of scenes, it doesn’t really have a central theme, but has the same home-grown charm that the main haunt has.

Overall, Stillwell Manor is a very fun and entertaining haunt. It’s not the scariest one around, but it’s certainly one of the more entertaining ones. It’s quite evident that Darrell and his crew share a passion for haunting.

(all ratings scored out of 5)

Back Woods

Curb Appeal – 3.3/5
Scare Factor – 2.8/5
Actor Enthusiasm – 2.8/5
Creativity – 3.3/5

Overall – 3/5

Paul – Backwoods is a walk down a very dark wooded path. You encounter quite a few people who don’t think you should be back there and want to make sure you know it. The concept of it is good and the path is so enclosed in the trees that it may even stay fairly dark on a night with a bright moon. Along the way you walk through some buildings and encounter random actors, then here and there you’ll see some kind of mannequins next to the path. I never really figured out why those were there. We happened to go one night after several hours of heavy rain and it was fairly miserable. The entire path was sloppy mud and I found myself staring down at the trail trying to avoid the deepest parts more than paying attention to what was around me. If you happen to go during a wet stretch, wear waterproof shoes/boots and clothes you don’t care much about.

Teresa – The setting for this one is great, with a trail going through the dark woods. There are lots of creepy redneck hillbillies lurking in various shacks, etc. I enjoyed the sets. I’m glad they don’t close the trail when it is rainy, and I guess a real-life backwoods community would have plenty of mud, but it was a bit distracting and I ended up looking at where I was stepping instead of being creeped out by the actors. Even in the rain, this place was packed, so there’s no real sense of isolation. The good part is, some of these people are very fun to watch when they’re scared.

Gus – ***Disclaimer: We attended the Indy Screampark shortly after a rain storm and our experience suffered for it. Despite assurances from the owner that the weather was handled, the slippery mud, and straw-hidden puddles were a constant nuisance. If there is even a slim chance that rain will impact your visit, plan for it by wearing your tallest water tight boots.***

This attraction is a very dark walk along a wooded trail with a few buildings sprinkled along the way. There was no option to have an interactive experience where the actors could grab you here, which is a shame because it was definitely the darkest of the attractions and could have lent itself well to someone reaching out from behind a tree. Never-the-less the actors were quite enthusiastic. The screams of a few of the actors could be heard everywhere along the trail which helped heighten the intensity. Unfortunately, the combination of mud and darkness meant we spent most of our time looking down for solid ground rather than looking out for scares around the next tree.

Todd – Back Woods is an entirely outdoor haunt that winds through the woods. A few highlights of this trail include the (lack of) lighting and length. The entire path is extremely dark. The only light seen are small tea lights posted on trees so you know which direction to walk in order to say on the path. There are extremely small structures sprinkled throughout as well which at times are lit. It’s also fairly long which is usually a good thing.

However…my experience wasn’t something to write home about. In my interview with Brad Alcoe I asked how the grounds fair with poor weather conditions. He stated they do their best to maintain pathways using straw or water absorbing agents. My experience in Back Woods (and the park in general) was one huge sloppy, muddy mess. The entire Back Woods path was slippery mud; the kind where your foot sinks a good inch or two with each step.

Most of the time in this haunt, my focus was on staying upright and not slipping and falling in the mud. Every visitor I saw was walking as if they didn’t make it to the port-o-let in time. Before we even began down the actual trail, just in the line, my shoes were already half covered in mud and my feet were wet.

Terrible terrain aside, this haunt was disappointing. The darkness and it’s length were good, but most of the actors were more part of the ambiance than actual interactive figures. Those that resided in the small structures you pass through were ok (especially one “victim” who was by far the best screamer I’ve ever heard – kudos), but those on the trail didn’t seem to do anything. Despite the lack of light, they could be seen from 50 yards away standing on the path without any intent of hiding. As you’d walk past them, they may snort or speak some run-of-the-mill “what are you doing here?” phrase…but that would be all.

The Indy Scream Park’s website offers story lines for their haunts but the experience itself lends nothing to the lore. The scariest thing here was the threat of falling down and getting even more mud all over myself.

Zombieland Apocalypse

Curb Appeal – 3.8/5
Scare Factor – 3.5/5
Actor Enthusiasm – 3.3/5
Creativity – 3.8/5

Overall – 3.6/5

Paul – This one was pretty good. You walk through a big steel-walled area full of abandoned cars and zombies. You’re trying to make your way out before the zombies get you. It’s full-contact if you opt for the glow necklace, so the zombies can grab you if they catch you. The theming was pretty good, some of the actors did a really good job, and you walk through some interesting vehicle placements. There weren’t many negatives other than a few of the zombies at the beginning were really tame and their idea of full-contact was a single fingered poke to the shoulder. Really weird. This haunt was also built on grass/dirt so it became a huge mud pit after rain as well. Again, waterproof shoes/boots are a must if you go and there has been rain.

Teresa – I enjoy a full-contact haunt. The great part about this one is, you can choose if you want the full experience, or if you want to be menaced with no contact. Our group of course went all in. I liked the junkyard setting a lot. This one started out pretty tame though. Even though they were allowed to touch us, at the beginning, they were touching your arm, or poking you with a finger. Not very scary. I was in the back though, and as we continued on, I was getting grabbed outright and dragged backwards. All of a sudden, tight spaces were a lot scarier, knowing you have to pass right by zombies who may try to drag you away. It also has a great fire feature you can’t miss. There aren’t many full-contact haunts around, and as someone who greatly enjoys them, I’d definitely recommend checking this out, if you’re in the area. I’d love to see more haunts allowing haunt-goers to choose this option.

Gus – Zombieland Apocalypse was the highlight of the trip for me. This attraction featured tons of wrecked cars, buses creatively laid out to give the feel of an urban apocalypse. This was an interactive haunt, which we enthusiastically accepted by donning a glow-stick necklace. This informed the actors that you consented to being touched, grabbed and your scares taken up a notch. This was the first time I’ve seen an optional opt-in for more scares, and I hope it’s something that more haunts take up. The interactions were quite breif, ranging from a distinctly un-zombie-like poke with single finger to a growling, snarling zombie grabbing and holding my arm from behind a chain-link fence for an uncomfortable amount of time. I loved it. Definitely check this one out.

Todd – Zombieland Apocalypse is the other outdoor attraction and Indy Scream Park. Unlike Back Woods, it offers much more eye candy. The entry facade is pretty neat, reminiscent of what you’d see on The Walking Dead as a makeshift quarantine area.

A unique option that this haunt offers (along with the Pandemic attraction) is whether or not you want to be touched. This is the first haunt we’ve been to where this is an option for each individual. The “”more interactive”” experience entails wearing a glow necklace which tells the actors you are willing to be touched, grabbed, separated from your group or even help back for a duration of time. We eagerly opted in.

A lot of this haunt feels like a car junkyard. In fact, it more or less is. I was impressed by the sheer number of cars piled up within the walls. It made for a pretty authentic setting. The actors on the other hand, not as impressive. They’re all zombies (if not victims) and you know this going in. For some reason however, some of them can still talk, which just felt out of place. Others were so dull that evidently Rick Grimes and Co. had already come through and tranquilized them; some barely moved at all.

By far, the most awkward thing was the hands-on experience. OUR experience with hands on his hardcore grabbing, throat squeezing, being picked up and thrown down, pushed against walls, pushed down over tables and severe invasion of personal space. In Zombieland Apocalypse however, the zombies were to timid they could only manage to poke me with a single finger or brush my shoulder as if a piece of lint needed to be removed. I will admit there were 2 actors inside the bus who were a bit more aggressive, but still nothing to the caliber to which I expected.

Overall, this one was fun to look at but most of the actors were incredibly lethargic and came across as anything but scary or threatening. The mud was still an issue as well.

Pandemic

Curb Appeal – 3/5
Scare Factor – 3.3/5
Actor Enthusiasm – 3/5
Creativity – 3/5

Overall – 3.1/5

Paul – This one takes place indoors in an area themed as a hospital or laboratory. You first walk through a destroyed office area, then through the medical facility with lots of hospital beds and devices. The actors did a pretty decent job and this was another one that was full contact if you wore the glow necklace. I was pulled away from my group and put into the cryo-chamber at one point so that was kind of unique.

Teresa – This one is another optional full-contact haunt. I wish all haunts were like this. I like the emergency contagion theme. And it was one of the more interactive ones. They actually pulled one guy in our group aside, and made him get “scanned”. Infected people grabbed my arm we passed way too close to them, and some tried to pull me away. This definitely makes it scarier (and more fun!).

Gus – Even though this was an indoor haunt, the mud continued to be an issue, as the line was still outside. Of all the attractions at the Indy Screampark, this one felt a bit weak. It felt less detailed, more bunched up and less themed than the rest. Maybe save this one for last, so you can get your money’s worth.

Todd – Pandemic is an indoor haunt, however we still had to trudge through the muddy slop to get to the building. The drainage is so bad in front of these structures that there was standing water right where you had to walk through the queue. By time time we hit these areas, my feet were thoroughly soaked.

Each of the indoor haunts have an indoor queue area mildly themed to the respective haunt. Pandemic had the most impressive lobby actors – high quality masked actors who authentically looked like experiments gone wrong.

The haunt itself is decent. It looks like a medical facility / laboratory in the midst of chaos. If anything it feels a little plain – white walls everywhere with random props placed throughout. As mentioned earlier, this is the other optional “more interactive” experience with the glow necklace. The actors were even less invasive than in Zombie Apocalypse; so much so that I was touched more by the teenagers behind us pushing ahead to get away from an actor.

Pandemic did not feel very memorable. It surely has the potential to be with more elements that tell a story and display the ultimate consequence for experimentation. The hands-on approach is entirely broken so it either needs to be removed entirely or completely elevated to actually make a difference in the experience.

Rage 3D

Curb Appeal – 2.5/5
Scare Factor – 2/5
Actor Enthusiasm – 2.8/5
Creativity – 2.8/5

Overall – 2.5/5

Paul – This one was actually one of the ones I liked the most, but it wasn’t scary as much as it was fun. You wore special glasses and there were a lot of effects using them. Wild paint and the actors were dressed in bright colors. It wasn’t exactly an evil clown thing, but I guess kind of similar. The actors did a good job, the effects were good, and I had fun. The only thing I’d probably suggest as an improvement is a little less fog in the brighter areas. It took away some of the effects the glasses gave.

Teresa – This is a decent 3D carnival-themed haunt, filled with creepy clowns. I’m not particularly scared of clowns, so this one really didn’t freak me out. I really liked some of the decorations and lighting though. It had some really cool effects. It was pretty trippy with the 3D glasses on. I especially liked the rotating tunnel with the rotating circle at the end. And there was another room with a really cool floor.

Gus – This trippy attraction gives you 3D glasses and takes you on a glow paint adventure full of clowns and mayhem. All the pieces are there, but the execution leaves much to be desired. There was a lot of fog effects in effect, which muted the 3D effects completely. The actors seemed a bit lost here too. Some of the “creepy clowns” costumes were glow in the dark t-shirts and a mask. The black bodysuit actors were standing in the middle of the room, instead of creeping, camouflaged against along the wall, so they didn’t scare anyone. But if all the clown sightings in headline news has you spooked, you may still want to check this out.

Todd – I don’t have a lot to say about clown haunts typically. This is just another cookie-cutter, blacklight-abused, paint-splatter fun house. As with most others, 3D glasses are provided, which I found were generally ineffective.

Rage 3D seems to want to take on a circus-driven rave theme…I think. There’s a lot of EDM music playing in the queue and the first few clowns we encountered were in somewhat of a clownish, neon gothic garb. Soon enough however, it turned in to every other clown house you’ve been to. It was bright as can be, everything was clearly visible and the “”clowns”” in the heart of the haunt were just actors in neon t-shirts with face paint. That really threw me off. Maybe their costumes were being dry-cleaned? Towards the end, we encountered more traditional clowns like you would typically expect.

This one is simply not good. Aside from suffering from a stale theme, it felt lacking and uninspired, even for a blacklight clown haunt.

Brickmore Asylum

Curb Appeal – 3/5
Scare Factor – 3.8/5
Actor Enthusiasm – 3.8/5
Creativity – 3.3/5

Overall – 3.7/5

Paul – Brickmore Asylum was a good haunt. You walk through an asylum with a bunch of crazy people in it, some of them not confined to their cells. There were lots of good effects, the actors did well, and the very end had something I hadn’t seen in a haunt before. Really cool!

Teresa – My favorite part of this one was the decor. There were some really creepy asylum scenes. The thing that overshadows all of it is this one electrocution set near the end. Seriously, this is one of the coolest props I’ve ever seen. It’s a giant Tesla coil, with electricity arcing across the ceiling. Definitely check it out!

Overall, the Indy Screampark is a really fun night. The Monster Midway is a really fun place to hang out in between haunts. They have food, drinks, games, and souvenirs available. There are spots you can pose for pictures with your friends (and with lurking monsters). I like the multiple bonfires. There’s a haunt here for everyone. I love that they allow full-contact with 2 of them. And I love some of the props (still thinking about that Tesla coil!). It is crowded, so it may be worth the skip-the-line passes, if you can afford it. Otherwise, go with a group of your best friends, and enjoy the people-watching.

Gus – The Brickmore Asylum seen some sh!t. This attraction is a trip through an insane asylum, and its obvious that the troubled patients are running things now. The layout is creative, and the scenes are detailed. There is always something disturbing to look at and the scenes are varied. I loved the electrifying finish.

Todd – I’m glad we visited this haunt last. Brickmore Asylum, if anything, is the redeemer of Indy Scream Park. Not only does it feel like a traditional haunted house, it looks genuinely creepy inside.

In short, the environment looks like one of the more deplorable, in-patient, medical facilities imaginable after pure hell had run through it. It’s beautifully chaotic. Everywhere you go, beds are turned over, things are thrown everywhere and the mad rule.

One brilliant scene was in the kitchen where the cook has obviously chopped some people up. However, instead of threatening passers by, he just casually held a severed head and quietly talked to it. That’s seriously sick.

At the end of the haunt is the most impressive tesla coil I’ve ever seen in person. It’s huge with an enormous reach. You’ve got to see it.

This one was a well-done haunt, I just wish it was 3 times longer.

(all ratings scored out of 5)

Haunted Hollow Ride

Curb Appeal – 3.4/5
Scare Factor – 3.9/5
Actor Enthusiasm – 4.9/5
Creativity – 4.3/5

Overall – 4.1/5

Donna – This was both a fun and thrilling ride through the dark hills and valleys of Wilmington.  The bus was an old school bus with the top cut off so you got the feeling of being vulnerable to everything and everyone hanging overhead and grabbing you from the side.  Actors of all sorts got on the bus as it drove slowly through the buildings and walked around scaring the riders.  The ride was much longer than I had anticipated and had many unexpected scares, some of which were just the sheer ride itself!  The two fire-breathing semis were my favorite part.  I found myself really worried about being run into by a huge, loud fire-shooting semi honking it’s airhorn and driving madly alongside of the bus.  The actors in the buildings and along the way were very good and convincing with just enough “in-your-face” terror to really make you believe you were deep in the backwoods with no way out.  I really enjoyed this ride and wished they would let you go more than once in an evening.

Tammy – This was my favorite of all the haunts here at Wilmington Haunted Hollow.  You load up on a school bus that has been made into a fun-filled convertible.  Off into the dark woods you head and through one of several tunnels.  One of my favorite tunnels was the spider tunnel – the ceiling was very low and cobwebs brushed over your head throughout the tunnel.  The actor interaction was awesome.  Constantly new actors on and off the bus interacting with the bus passengers that was fun, creepy and entertaining.  Good scares with actors constantly popping up on the outside of the bus that you couldn’t see until they gave you a good jump scare.  The highlight of this ride involved semi trucks (without giving away too much detail) this was fun, scary and just craziness – I loved it!  Overall the bus ride left me satisfied and wanting to ride again.  We bought the VIP pass which was well worth avoiding the very ln line for this haunt.  If you get there early the line wasn’t too bad.

Andy – There was a lot of really neat features in the Haunted Hollow ride. I was pretty sure when I watched the skeleton in the ratt rod doing doughnuts in the field as we waited in line that this was going to be a good haunt!  Some very good use of animatronics! The bus ride  had probably one of the best features, in my personal opinion,  that I have ever seen!! I was a huge fan of the fire breathing semi’s. The actors did a very good at staying in character and were very enthusiastic. I do wish we would have been able to talk to the owner.

Teresa – This is the most fun I’ve had on a haunted bus ride. First of all, let me explain that the bus has the top cut off, so you are right there, with branches scraping the sides next to your arm, and actors dragging knives or pounding weapons right next to where you are sitting. These actors pop out of nowhere, rather unexpectedly and leap onto the bus with you. They don’t just walk down the aisle either, they climb over you and the seats, defying gravity. You’re busy watching for ones to sneak up beside the bus and scare the living daylights out of you, when one is suddenly hovering over you, right up in your face.These actors want you to remember them (and put in a good word for them at the concession stand later). And the semi-trailers are absolutely terrifying. These guys actually ram your bus and get close enough to grab you. This is a pretty long ride, with lots of different scenes, loud jump scares, claustrophobic spots where you have to duck your head, and some really cool, giant props, and really fun characters. The most fun you can have on a bus ride!

Gayle – Ok…this was amazing.  I’ve been on other haunted rides (never on a open-air bus, however), but this one is outstanding!  First, the actors are extremely engaging and enthusiastic throughout the entire ride.  They popped up out of absolutely everywhere and when attention is focused on one, there’s another one (or two) right behind you, climbing over seats, hanging off the side of the bus, or jumping inside from an exhibit.  They were super interactive with everyone during the entire length of the ride…which is amazingly long, btw.  This ride takes you through several structures, some pretty low so remember to DUCK, and each exhibit was detailed and well done.  There were also some pretty cool effects, especially with black lighting and laser lights.  The most intense part of this ride, however is being chased by two fiery semi-trucks.  I know what you’re thinking…”I’ve seen that before”…well…I thought I had also, until I experienced Wilmington’s version.  I don’t want to give too much away and ruin anything…but you will be in for a big surprise on this one.  I was, and I loved every second it of.  This was the only bus ride EVER, I’ve never wanted to leave.  Fantastic!!!

Gus – The Haunted Bus Ride was a lot of fun. It was much longer than I assumed it was and highly detailed. Actors were constantly jumping on the bus and spooking the riders and they were very enthusiastic. I especially enjoyed the areas where you had to duck and how claustrophobic it felt.

Todd – There aren’t a lot of outdoor haunt “rides” around, but this one is VERY good. Groups are taken by the bus load (literally) through the woods to various scenes where actors interact (closely) with the riders. The actors are fantastic and full of energy. They will harass you from the sides of the bus and even climb over the seats to get extra close.

Some sections of this outdoor path are enclosed in very low-set structures. The buses have no top to the tallest things in the bus are the seats themselves. Some of the enclosures’ cross supports are only 8-12″ above the seats, causing riders of a good height to crouch down in their seat to avoid injury. It adds a great claustrophobic effect to the ride.

With great sets, hyped up actors and a surprising length, the Haunted Hallow Ride is great attraction. Be sure to arrive early. The line gets long very quickly. If you can spare the extra cash, the VIP pass is well worth it.

Nightmare Penitentiary

Curb Appeal – 3.4/5
Scare Factor – 3.3/5
Actor Enthusiasm – 4/5
Creativity – 3.3/5

Overall – 3.5/5

Donna – This haunt had a DIY feel to it but still very creative.  Some of the parts of the haunt were a little difficult to navigate with unlit steps, ramps and very narrow passages so not recommended for anyone with any physical handicaps.  That being said, it was a fun walkthrough though not extremely scary.  I would have done more to amp up the feeling of the prison and maybe have more escaped convicts holding prisoners because I had to keep reminding myself what the theme of the haunt was.

Tammy – Some features I liked about this haunt included very close pathways, floors were all uneven and rickety making it feel more like an old school haunted house.  The actors were good throughout the haunt like Bone Daddy and the very tall doll.  At one point an animatronic popped out and touched me like it was attacking me.  Some areas were very dark.  It was a fun haunt but missing the overall scare factor.

Andy – Nightmare Penitentiary was a pretty good traditional haunt. The attention to detail over all was good. The actors did a very good job of staying in character and interacting with us. The very tall “doll” at the end was really freaky! I really liked the narrow path through the haunt that going up then back down. I wish it could’ve been a bit longer.

Teresa – This is a fun haunt. I think one of my favorite things about it is that it has this, homemade, not-too-polished look and feel. You wander through, with uneven floors, lots of ramps and steps, and lighting that really just makes you uneasy. Plus, it is sometimes hard to find the doors, which just adds to the unease. Populate that with some jump scares, some creepy actors, and unexpected sights, and you’ve got a pretty good time.

Gayle – This is how I imagine prison being:  straight from the pits of hell.  Dark, tight, winding halls, demented “inmates”, screams heard in the distance, the clattering of people slamming things against the cell bars, and a super tall, creepy doll, who literally appears out of nowhere, wielding a mallet.  The stuff of nightmares, basically.  There’s several cool areas in this haunt, and I can’t say enough about how important it is the actors are engaged.  Great actors can make a haunt all that much more exhilarating…and these actors definitely do.  Great work!

Gus – While dark, spooky and full of twists and turns, this haunt didn’t really feel true to the penitentiary theme. I did enjoy the peek window halfway through and the tight twists and turns did a number on my sense of orientation. This haunt also lacked the attention to details and a-ha moments that the Bus and Hotel haunts had. Overall this was the least memorable of the haunts at the Wilmington Haunted Hollow.

Todd – This haunt has a very nostalgic feel (as does it’s neighboring haunt – see below). The construction is fairly simple. Most walls are either plywood or heavy cotton sheeting. There are ramps throughout going up and down, with sharp turns and tight corners so you’ll find yourself disoriented fairly quickly. There are a number of dead ends (sometimes purposeful, sometimes not) so not only will you be haunted, but you’ll have to figure out how to leave a certain area.

There were times when we were literally stuck. Many of the “doors,” which were large pieces of plywood with a grip hole were not marked and the same color as the walls. For the unfamiliar, finding these doors can be a real pain. A few times an actor would have to show us where to get out and it did not come across as an intentional effect.

The haunt feels more like a haunted fun house you’d find at a fair. It’s not the shiniest, most expensive haunt but the rustic construction actually adds to an ominous feeling you may not get from the big box haunts.

These side haunts wouldn’t stand well on their own but as side attractions, they’re definitely worth going through.

One complaint I have about these indoor side haunts is the potential safety issue. The very first thing I saw upon entering was a flood light of sorts plugged in with a fully exposed cord draping past where we walked in. A little further in In tripped over a cord running across one of the ramps. Lastly, the haunt is DARK and it can be near impossible to see when ramps or steps start; tread lightly.

Slaughter Hotel

Curb Appeal – 3.3/5
Scare Factor – 3.6/5
Actor Enthusiasm – 4.1/5
Creativity – 3.9/5

Overall – 3.7/5

Donna – The hotel was a cool idea and the decorations were fun and very detailed but again, I felt there was a lack of actors inside as many rooms were totally empty of live people.  This would have made the place much better in my opinion.  The actors in the hotel were good and convincing and stayed in character but it needed more of them.  I would give the scare factor an average due to the scary atmosphere but it could have been much better with more actors and a good sound system.

Tammy – Upon entering the hotel we were greeted by the bellhop who was creepy and fun all in one – my favorite character in this haunt.  This haunt had some really detailed and fun rooms – the coffin room was my favorite.  One room had falling pillars and bookshelves, with attention to details.  There were areas and rooms that we couldn’t figure out doors or had no way out and it made for a fun haunt.  Some other details I thought were neat included walking through hanging eyeballs and the biting plants.

Andy – This was probably my favorite haunt of the night! A lot of attention to detail! Great use of animatronics and some of the best props. Loved the hanging eyeballs. The coffin room was amazing. The actors did a great job!!!

Teresa – I really like the facade on this place. It’s got this cool, creepy mansion vibe. Again, this one also has that homemade aspect to it, so you really never know what you’re getting into. There are rickety stairs, ramps, tunnels, and some really cool rooms. I especially liked the coffin room and the library. I really like the original props throughout too. And again, these actors want you to remember them. It makes for a really fun, interactive experience.

Gayle – This one has an amazing Bellhop who greets you right away.  He’s creepy, and entertaining and sets the tone for this haunt perfectly.  Lots of winding halls here, which can lend itself to the possibility of taking an entertaining wrong turn…just sayin.  The rooms were detailed and impressive, and there were lots of jump scares here.  Amazing actors, fun hotel.  Thoroughly enjoyed my stay!!!

Gus – Slaughter Hotel was probably my favorite of the haunted attractions at Wilmington Haunted Hollow. There were many times where I was successfully disoriented and found myself retracing my steps. The hall of mirrors was one of the best I have ever seen, and to this day I still have no idea how big that room actually was. I also really enjoyed the Library, which included some very well placed scares. The actors also excelled here and really added to the experience. As soon as I finished this one, I wanted to go again.

Todd – My opinion of this one is in line with the penitentiary. Same construction approach and rustic feel. There is an amazing 2 story crypt room as well as a fantastic grand office room that I absolutely loved. There wasn’t a lot of interaction in either room but they looked fantastic; I just wanted to stay and visit for a while.

Much like it’s neighboring haunt, watch your step on the ramps and steps.

Terror in the Corn

Curb Appeal – 3/5
Scare Factor – 3.7/5
Actor Enthusiasm – 4.3/5
Creativity – 3.5/5

Overall – 3.6/5

Tammy – I thought this was going to be more of a haunted corn maze, but it was a very dark corn trail.  Just being in the middle of corn with minimal lighting was creepy enough.  At one point in the trail you enter grandmas house and are offered some tasty finger kabobs.  Lots of great detail in the house – especially in the kitchen and dining room.  The actors throughout the cornfield were well placed and well hid for good scare factor.

Andy – The length of the corn maze was really good. I wasn’t expecting to go into the grandmas house and I thought that was a pretty sweet bonus. The actors did a great job, I just wish there would have been  a few more of them. Although walking in a corn field in the dark is spooky enough!

Teresa – I think the sense of being way out in the middle of nowhere helps make this corn maze creepy. You really are just wandering through a corn maze, but then you come upon tunnels and rooms, and even a house. The actors were really good, jumping out, creeping along, making conversation, and being wonderfully interactive. The house was pretty creepy, too. And the actors there had some fun with us. Look out for chainsaws. As you’re heading back to the entrance, the lights blind you, so you really can’t see. One actor surprised us by crawling at us on all fours. Half the people in our group thought he was a dog, until he wasn’t. I really liked the ambiance of this place. There were lots of people hanging out, people doing donuts driving vintage vehicles, others waiting to scare patrons coming out of the portalets, some good music, some huge props, and a fun windsock skeleton that seemed to be grooving to the music. It may be a good distance outside of the city, but it makes for a fun night under the stars.

Gayle – I loved this one. Fantastic walk through the creepy corn field. The lighting was perfect to just catch silhouettes in the distance…are they real…or are they props? You never quite know, until you’re jumping out of your skin! There is a quaint little shanty deep in this trail, with some intricately decorated rooms and cool effects…then you’re back out in the field wondering what will pop out next. Unfortunately for me, what popped out next was a chainsaw wielding actor!!!

The overall atmosphere here was really quite fun. There was music playing, a bonfire roaring, people everywhere, actors roaming around interacting with unsuspecting victims, and some interesting vehicles and decorations out front. I actually loved this place, and look forward to going back! Excellent time!!

Gus – It would be unfair to label this a “corn maze.” It would be more accurate to call this a path through the corn. The pacing is spot on though. There was plenty of time between interactions where you have time to let you guard down, and that’s right when someone would jump out of corn. The actors made this one special.

Todd – Probably the best corn maze I’ve seen. It’s pretty much perfect for a corn maze – it’s dark, actors are well hidden and it’s long. To clarify, it’s not a maze where you have to find your way out. The path is set but it is very dark; there are no exterior lights in the field. This benefits the actors very well because they don’t have to do much to hide. Half way through you’ll visit a small home that features some gore and corpses. After exiting, you have to walk all the way back. It’s a decent hike which in the dark, feels longer than it probably really is.

Note: We visited this attraction on our own volition, as we have been unable to make formal meeting arrangements with the owners. Word is they dislike media, which is a shame because I’d love an interview with whoever is behind this great ride. They tout they are “#2 in Ohio” and such, but if they do not allow media (so we’re lead to believe) I don’t know by whose ranking their position resides.

Perhaps there will be a change of heart in the future.