Land of Illusion 2013 Review

Land of Illusion Haunted Scream Park: Middletown, OH

Killer Klowns

Todd
This haunt was improved for the better this year. The 3D blacklight novelty was abandoned for a darker haunt. From past reviews, you know I’m pretty critical of clown haunts because rarely are they executed in a macabre manner.

The blacklight paint is still present but there are no blacklights making it standout which was a nice welcome. It felt like some length was added as well. The actors still seemed a bit sparse throughout but in the darker environment I did get more of the “is this a dummy or a person” feel this year.

After talking with the owner it sounds like we have something interesting to look forward to next year in this haunt but I was happy to find it was headed in the right direction already.

If you’re terrified of clowns, you’ll still want to stay away.

Tammy
This was a fun haunt; my favorite part was the black and white room where there was an actor that was dressed to blend in with the wall – good scare factor. There was a room with a large “spinning circle” May be neat to actually have an actor on that prop. Adding some more actors would add to the scare factor as well.

Andy
Killer Klowns is a really fun haunt. I liked the guy in the beginning with donkey and I really liked all the art work and paintings on the walls. I also thought the length, the fenced in area , and the tunnels that were spinning were good as well.

Gus
Killer Klowns has been revamped since my last visit to land of illusion. It seems longer and the 3D glasses are gone. They have added a lot more props and scenes that help fill the space better, it seemed too open before. Be sure to check out this carnival gone bad.

Frightmaster
Killer Klowns was greatly improved over last year in both the length and the scare factor. The haunt is much darker and it seems that they have gotten away from the cute, clowns in 3D and more towards the evil, creepy clowns with sharp teeth that come at you in the dark. It could use a few more actors but the ones that are there do a great job. Excellent haunt.

Dr. Psycho’s Haunted Estate

Todd
This haunt is definitely one of the top 2 in the park. It weaves between indoors and outdoors and is plenty long enough. Inside it’s a feng shui nightmare which creates an unnerving vibe where you never know what to expect around the corner.

There are some notable cast members within that are iconic to the park in my opinion. The button-eyed dolly girl is hard to forget nor is the guy I refer to as “moonshine guy”. You can’t miss him with his dirty flannel shirts and bandaged head. He’s always carrying a jug of some sort with him and you’re likely to run into him multiple times throughout the path. He gets around!

There were some extremely talented screamers in this haunt as well. A few female “victims” were really belting it out for us so loudly that I can’t imagine how they have any voice left at the end of the night.

Between the vile props, dark and creepy decor and the memorable actors, Dr. Psycho’s Haunted Estate is a staple of Land of Illusion

Tammy
Lots of great animatronics! My favorite part is the actor waiting for you outside the exit – he is great!! Liked the room where the girl was getting her “face removed”

Andy
Dr.psycho’s haunted estate is probably my favorite haunt at Land of Illusions! I enjoyed the short film at the beginning that uses air as a effect . The one thing that stuck out the most was the guy sawing off the girls face! Loved it. That was something I have never seen and thought it rocked! The animatronics out side were great as well.

Gus
In my opinion, this haunt has the best actors at the Land of Illusion. They go above and beyond. They jump out from all angles and there is one girl that has the very best bone chilling scream you’ve ever heard. This is just very well be my favorite.

Frightmaster
I really liked this haunt because it was more on the line of an old fashioned creepy, well detailed spooky haunted house. The theme stayed the same pretty much throughout the haunt and the creepy characters really added to the scare factor, whispering in your ear and getting all in your space as you walked through.

Temple of Terror

Todd
The biggest deliverer of fear within the Temple of Terror is the dark. There are a lot of dark, narrow corridors in this haunt that are crowded with both actors and props. The walls are mostly lined with coffins that may or may not contain an actor. The lighting is dim enough that you wont know until you’re right next to one.

There are a number of memorable props and environments that make this haunt unique. It’s setting disallows the actors from doing much more than spooking you but if the ambiance alone is enough to unnerve you.

Tammy
This is one of my favorite haunts! One of my favorite spots was the moss man actor!

Andy
Awesome effects! The floor moving in the very beginning is super intense! Really liked the animatronics, water section with the bridge, and the camo moss man! Great haunt tons of good scare factor!

Gus
Every time I go through this haunt, I want to wear a fedora and carry a whip like Indiana Jones. This haunt has everything a tomb raider expects, rickety elevators and rope bridges, giant tomb monsters, lush jungles and plenty of booby traps. Don’t let the humble facade fool you, this is a great haunt.

Frightmaster
This haunt was pretty much the same as last year with the addition of a few new animatronics. The theme is the same all the way through – you feel as if you have been buried in an old pyramid among the rotting bones and very lively mummies stalking the place. The animatronics are amazing but most of the haunt is too well lit to be scary. They could also use a few more live actors to raise the scare factor. It’s still a fun haunt and gets better every year.

Haunted Trail

Todd
If I had the ability to give the length an extra point, I would. This trail is LONG. Despite the half hour or more it may take for you to walk through it, it never feels monotonous. The scenery and theme changes frequently so there’s always something new to keep you interested.

This is one of my 2 favorite haunts in the park. I tend to pick this one for the #1 rank for the length and the chainsaws. One section towards the end can be mega-chainsaw-chaos. I’ve seen times there are 4-5 chainsaws swinging around a group relentlessly. It’s amusing to watch.

Not many haunts have the capacity or land to offer a haunted trail like this, at least in addition to other haunts on the same property. This is a must-see.

Tammy
The length of this trail is great! Lots of great props and lots of them!! I feel like everything is very detailed. I Like walking thru the bus – one actor that totally stands out is when you are headed into the school room there appears to be an article of clothing hanging on a hook, however, there is an actual person in the clothing item and has it timed perfectly for a great scare. I liked that the trail was a bit more lit up this year – last year I remember it being very dark in certain spots – this year much better.

Andy
The length of the haunted trail is awesome! It covers a ton of scare factors! The buses standing up are super cool along with walking through the bus. That was my favorite section.

Gus
Bring your hiking boots! This is one long haunt. Just when you think its over there is a whole other theme kicking off. The trail alone is worth the price of admission, but the fact that you can go through this or any of the other haunts as many times as you want is what sets Land of Illusion apart. There are some subtle changes to the trail this year. I didn’t hit my head in the cave this year, and that was very welcome.

Voodoo Bayou Shanty

Todd
This is honestly the only haunt in which I’ve had a crossbow aimed at my head by a man informing me I cannot date his sister because she is reserved for him. Yep, Middletown’s favorite back-wood folk are found inside the Voodoo Bayou Shanty.

The theme mostly carries the disheveled homestead look throughout. My personal favorite area area are the cramped, narrow, zig-zagging walkways in which chainsaw men take full advantage to pursue victims. The space is so confined there’s nowhere to go. It’s fantastic!

Andy
Had a good time in the voodoo bayou. Really thought it was a good seen could have maybe used a few more actors.

Gus
This hillbilly themed haunt assaults all the senses. Have you ever experienced a scary smell?! Actors walk through the line and when they find a group they like they fire their guns off in the air and take them to the front of the line. It will scare the bejezus out of you every time.

Zombie Sniper Patrol

Todd
Land of Illusion continues to make those obsessed with haunted houses feel at home. It’s the most welcoming environment any such venue could possibly have and I think is why it continues to have something special over any other haunt around.

As I stated last year, Land of Illusion is made for haunt fanatics BY haunt fanatics. It’s not over-produced but more experimental and inventive.

Zombie Sniper Patrol is a prime example of this. Land of Illusion has found a way to make a haunt interactive at a whole new level. As you are taken through a wooded path on a converted military truck, you shoot at both live actors and props with about 100 paintball rounds provided to you with your paid admission. You can purchase more paintballs if you find yourself trigger happy.

If you’re paying the price of admission to LOI, this is definitely worth the extra cost to experience. The “soldiers” riding in the truck with you really help keep a theme while you’re shooting away.

This attraction may just be the beginning of a whole new level of haunting that Land of Illusion will be the frontrunner of. Kudos!

Tammy
This was a super fun adventure! Loved loading up on the truck, putting on my safety goggles and firing my paint balls at the zombies! Great added haunt this year. It’s interactive and fun. My only criticism is I would have liked to have seen more actors out to fire my gun at!

Andy
Super good time, super original! That was the most fun I have had at any haunt!

Gus
Fight back against the zombies! Army trucks loaded up with 24 paintball guns drive through the woods to take the undead out before they get you. Real live actors get the pelted paint balls! I was afraid that I would not be able to see my shots in the dark but with day glow paintballs that was not an issue. I found myself wishing there were more actors to shoot and that it was longer, but thats probably because I was having so much fun.

Frightmaster
Who doesn’t love to ride through the dark woods in an army truck shooting paintballs at Zombies??? This experience was amazing and I highly recommend it when you visit Land of Illusion. It was a blast!

Overall

Todd
LOI has a macabre heart to it. I find myself loving it more each time I visit.

Time to go year-round!

Tammy
Truly one of my favorite haunts to review. The overall atmosphere is so fun – the big huge Bon fire, the big screen, the actors performing on the stage and the newly added bar! I loved the big tall Frankenstein and pumpkin head guys – they were great. The entire place is very well organized and everything seems to run very smooth. Not only are you getting great haunts but it’s just fun to hangout at the fire and grab an adult beverage! And the new bathrooms . . . Top notch!

Andy
Super awesome night! The bar is awesome! The facility it’s self is amazing. Loved the characters walking around. A any time some one asks me where a good haunt is I always say “hands down land of illusion”. There is a little bit of everything there!

Gus
Land of Illusion is not really a haunted house. Its a haunted party, complete with bonfire, bar and beautiful bathrooms! There is a stage with music, magic and all sorts of other live acts going all night long. Definitely check this place out, you’ll have a blast and wont want the party to end!

Frightmaster
If you are looking for an entire evening of fun, scares and excitement, look no farther than Land of Illusions. This haunted theme park continues to improve every year and is undeniably one of the best Halloween theme parks in the country! With the addition of the Zombie Sniper Patrol this year, it is definitely a must do! Haunted House Tour highly recommends!!!!

Overall score: 4.40 Skulls (Frightmaster Award Candidate)

Visit their web site at www.landofillusion.com