Land of Illusion – 2015 Review

(all ratings scored out of 5)

Overall Score – 4/5!

Please see overall comments at the bottom of the post.

Temple of Terror

Curb Appeal – 3.3/5
Scare Factor – 3.8/5
Actor Enthusiasm – 4/5
Creativity – 4.3/5

Overall – 3.8/5

Comments:

Todd – Without doubt, Temple of Terror is the most claustrophobic attraction at Land of Illusion. The walls are narrow, typically forcing your party to proceed single file. Skeletons and other crypt creatures reach out as you pass by. As if this wasn’t enough to make you feel as if the walls are closing in, more has been added to obstruct your already limited path.

If you’re familiar with the Temple of Terror, don’t expect significant changes. The route and its major staples remain the same. Caskets and other items have been added to the walls, just enough to move you out of your comfort zone, closer to the unknown around the corner.

Some black light paint as been added to a section of walls depicting symbols and other randomness. For me, this felt completely out of place. I’m not sure how or why someone deep down in ancient ruins would have broken out the rave paint and decorated. This didn’t fit into an otherwise consistent theme at all. If I could make a change, it would be to get rid of this, pronto.

The actors were hit and miss. Those sticking to the shadows did a good job staying hidden, but when revealed, the “”boo”” was a little lackluster. Those that were more featured did a good job portraying their roles.

Overall this is still a great (and pretty lengthy) haunt to check out. It’s dark (except for the black light section) and has more corpses and skeletons than you could ever count. If they continue to find a way to continue adding  to a claustrophobic setting, it could be a stand-out attraction.

Donna – Temple of Terror was a haunted house and “Indiana Jones” rolled into one.  An adventure through a dark, scary tomb complete with mummies, zombies, hot vampires, dark, claustrophobic hallways, rolling tunnels, a rope bridge and a 25 ft tall monster with glowing eyes.  This haunt seemed longer than last year and was a treat to venture through.  The actors were very good and the “cami monster” gave us the thrill of the night!  Great job!

Gus – The Temple of Terror has been updated for the better this year. There are more decorations on the wall, making it feel more closed in. This has the effect of less space to dodge the actors and really lets them shine. Several of the actors costumes blend so well into the decor, that all they need to do is lunge forward for a quick scare. These changes help make this my favorite haunt at Land of Illusion this year.

Teresa – I really enjoyed the temple theme throughout and the decorations were creative. There were some really cool animatronics in some of the scenes that I haven’t seen before. The actors were fun and interactive. And there were a few surprises (think moving floors or ceiling) that always make for a good time.

———————-

Dr. Psycho’s Haunted Estate

Curb Appeal – 3.8/5
Scare Factor – 3.8/5
Actor Enthusiasm – 4.8/5
Creativity – 4/5

Overall – 4.1/5

Comments:

Todd – Dr. Psycho’s Haunted Estate is the most traditional haunted house in Land of Illusion…primarily because it’s a house…and more!

I’ll start by saying this is my favorite attraction at LOI. A LOT has been added to it in recent years. This year, I didn’t notice any major additions; just a few minor modifications and props but that didn’t make it any less enjoyable. There’s not much to dislike about this haunt.

This haunt features both indoor and outdoor scenes as well as two stories of freaky madness. The amount of detail put into this haunt is not easily matched. Each room is staged almost perfectly, which is great because you’re bound to notice something new the second and third time visiting.

This haunt also wins the “”best actors in the park”” award in my book . Foes and victims alike are relentless in their roles. They were all very energetic and would not give up on making you feel as uncomfortable as possible. If they can have that much gusto in them opening weekend, I can’t wait to see what the bring in mid-October!

If I were to change anything on this one, it would be the front facade. The inside is spectacular while the entrance is unsuspecting…or perhaps that’s exactly what they want.

Donna – This haunt was my favorite of the night because it reminded me of the old school haunted houses.  The characters ranged from a demented doctor and his tortured patient to a girl playing with toys who kept wanting us to stay and play with her.  The rooms are very well decorated with attention to detail.  The actors are very enthusiastic and convincing.  Extremely well trained and good at their jobs.  One of the best all around haunts I’ve seen because of the actors.  This is a haunt you’ll want to go through again and again.

Gus – Dr. Psycho’s Haunted Estate is a long-time favorite of mine. The actors that work this one can often be seen chasing people out the exit. They really go the extra mile. Expect the unexpected.

Teresa – I enjoyed this, but I would have liked to have had more live actors. The ones I did see were very good at hiding and jumping out at just the right time. And they made some creepy sounds! The lighting was well done so that you could see just enough. The animatronics and decor were also very good. Every scene is very detailed. I also thought the sound effects and music added to the creepiness. The concept isn’t very unique, but it was still a fun time.

—————–

Middletown Haunted Trail

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

Overall – 3.8/5

Comments:

Todd – The Haunted Trail is hard to summarize because 1) it’s incredibly long and 2) it has many differently themed areas.

Those who dislike the ol’ “”walking in the dark woods”” will probably get freaked out just getting to the entrance. Just wait until about 1/5th of the way in!

With this haunt as well, I didn’t notice any major additions. Years past have offered HUGE additions like the underground bunker. Expecting that level of additions each year is pretty unrealistic so don’t let this discourage you.

The overall themes throughout are the same. It’s still long, very dark…did I mention long?

Unfortunately the actors were not up to what I’ve experienced in years past. They weren’t bad, but there was a lack of energy. Before I’ve seen the “”hillbillies”” be especially terrorizing. This visit – not so much.

One moment that really grabbed my attention was a staged scene right before the cave. A rope-tied actor was struggling to escape and then quickly was overcome by another actor who proceeded to drag him by said rope out of view. Staged theatrics really peak my interest and I’d love to see more of that. There were a few “”murder scenes”” along the way, but they energy felt more slow and “”pretend”” than brutal and attempting to be convincing.

The trail can set a mood on its own without any actors at all. It’s certainly a feat in its own right and has plenty to site see along the way. There’s a new spider infestation so if you are afraid of 8-legged freaks, take note.

The trail always has incredible potential but the execution of those involved could be sharper.

Gus – Dark and brooding, just the way I like it. This is the longest, of the attractions at the Land of Illusion and probably the most unique. Even when you think you are in a safe part of the trail, you’ll notice someone following you out of the corner of your eye.

Teresa – First, let me say that I love an outdoor haunt. This one was long and had some pretty unique sections that we went through. Again, there were some animatronics I haven’t seen before. Some of which were loud and unnerving with great sound effects. It could have used more actors, but as I said, it is a long one, so you can’t fault them there. The actors that are there are memorable.

———–

Voodoo Bayou Shanty

Curb Appeal – 4.3/5
Scare Factor – 3.8/5
Actor Enthusiasm – 3.5/5
Creativity – 4/5

Overall – 3.9/5

Comments:

Todd – The Shanty is surely the most themed attraction in the park. Stepping up to the entrance, you already know where you are and what you’re likely to see inside. The entrance is just that – a shanty and a damn convincing one at that.

Inside, you’ll see everything you’d expect from the worst of back-wood folk: dirty everything, trash, questionable taxidermy, unsanitary conditions and some people just not quite right in the head.

You could label this haunt more gross than scary. At times you can’t help but laugh. Not because it’s bad or cheesy; there’s just a deep juvenile reaction present when someone’s trying to stick a turd in your face.

Voodoo Bayou Shanty’s star moment for me has always been towards the end. You’ll find yourself in a very narrow, dark walled-in area. Typically you’ll get a visit from their local chainsaw-wielding madman while you’re in there. There isn’t any space to run away, so have fun!

The actors, while not always the most brutal in the park, are always convincing and play their roles very well.

This is one to attend just for the experience of it all. And you thought YOUR house was a mess…

Donna – This haunt was more fun to go through than scary, but still a great haunt!  The lady in front who welcomed you and then yelled “Pa!  We got COMPANEEEE!!!” was hilarious!  The shanty even smelled like an old, nasty rotten shack down in the New Orleans bayou!  The characters were your typical backwoods inbred kin.  The haunt had much character but not a lot of scares.  It scored high on entertainment, though.  Loads of detail in each room and even the outside areas were carefully crafted to remind you that you were lost in the bayou!

Gus – I’m pretty sure these red-necks are cannibals. The shanty is grimey and gross and assaults all your senses, even smell. My favorite part of this is the pallet maze. The only light available to you comes in through the slats and makes things especially creepy. Don’t think that you are safe from the chainsaws just because you finally escape into the night, you will be chased!

Teresa – This one may be my favorite. I really like how they stick with the theme throughout and the decorations are really good. I like the lighting, music/sound effects, and the characters really play their parts well.

—————–

Killer Klowns

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

Overall – 3.3/5

Comments:

Todd – Killer Klowns is the weakest attraction in the park, but to be fair, this theme is always a very hard one to pull off.

If you have an inherent fear of clowns you’re probably going to skip this one just because. If you manage to go in, you’ll probably find it terrifying because there’s clowns all over this thing.

This particular haunt is better than most of its kind now because the overuse of black light was abandoned last year. Now, there’s a much more balanced mix of eye-popping florescent paint and dark dingy corridors. What scarier than a clown? A clown in the dark – and this is where Killer Klowns shows some promise.

A significant addition this year to Klowns (in my opinion) is the enclosing of the chain-link fence maze. Past visitors will remember mid-way through, an outdoor maze that really did nothing more than break up the flow of the haunt about half way through. Now, however, the whole section has been built over and pumped full of fog. Add in a few hostile clowns and you have something completely different that adds to the experience. It’s hard navigating a maze that you can’t see, but it’s fun.

I feel this haunt could work well. I’d like to see more sinister, murderous, and monstrous clowns. The actors were pretty sparse sans the fence maze and some of the thrill here is not immediately knowing which clowns were dummies and which may be real.

Killer Klowns is a step ahead of those like it, but still feels lacking in a few ways.

Donna – The Killer Klowns haunt is usually my least favorite of all the haunts but this year it was different, scoring in the top three haunts.  It was as expected for a clown haunt with a scary twist – I won’t give it away so you have to see it to know what I mean.  The actors were very enthusiastic, the make-up was excellent and the haunt was different and changed from last year.  It seemed longer with more dark areas and scarier clowns.  Who isn’t afraid of a clown with pointed teeth????  WELL DONE!

Gus – This twisted carnival has been updated this year and is better than ever. The chain link maze now has a roof, trapping in the fog and making it darker and spookier than ever. The actors take advantage of this by darting in and out of the fog and darkness.

Teresa – This one is probably the most sparsely decorated of the bunch, but it does have fun rotating tunnels and a foggy maze to make it memorable. The clown actors were good too. I’d say this one was more fun than scary, but I’m not that freaked out by clowns.

—————-

Zombie Sniper Patrol

Curb Appeal – 3/5
Scare Factor – 3.3/5
Actor Enthusiasm – 2.3/5
Creativity – 4/5

Overall – 3.1/5

Comments:

Todd – Rating Zombie Sniper Patrol is difficult because the criteria isn’t apples to apples with a haunt.

For example, there’s nothing in your face, so it’s not scary. The zombies you are targeting are slow, well padded and not the least bit intimidating. This year they did come up on the street and “”run”” after the bus but there was still no hint of a threat.

That said, it’s still a fun ride. There’s always a sick pleasure that comes about me when pelting the hell out of a zombie’s head with a paintball gun.

This year, more scenes have been added, including a more interactive final scene which really kicks it up a notch and pulls you into the action. I don’t want to spoil it, but it’s certainly an indication that zombie sniper patrol could be evolving into more than just a traveling shooting gallery. I walked away eager to find out what next year will bring.

Donna – This ride is not to be missed at Land of Illusions!!!!  It is a bit hard to find, though.  I feel it needed additional lighted signs directing visitors back to the entrance.  Once we arrived at the boarding place we were given protective goggles and directed to board an army truck outfitted with paintball guns.  We then began our journey through the Zombie-infested woods and told to fire at will.  They came out from cars, shacks, even an old abandoned boat!  This was the highlight of our evening and so much fun riding through the dark, foggy woods shooting at Zombies. I could do this every single night!

Gus – This attraction doesn’t rate very high on the scare factor, but what it lacks in scares, it makes up for in sheer glee in peppering zombies with paintballs. If your trigger happy, you can get a refill for 5$. The actors are troopers to repeatedly get pelted with paintballs over and over, especially now that it is even longer. I challenge you to come out of this without an ear to ear smile on your face.

Teresa – This one isn’t very scary because the actors never get very close to you. It is a lot of fun though. How often do you get to shoot “real” undead zombies? You get to drive through several scenes which are lit strategically with black light and shoot anything that moves. The lighting makes it easy to see where you’re hitting so you can adjust your aim accordingly. And if you don’t go too crazy, there are plenty of paint balls for the entire ride. And if you run out, you can buy more.

———–

Final thoughts

Todd – Land of Illusion is THE place to be for haunt fanatics. It has just about everything all in one place, for an incredible price. Those who think ticket prices are steep, consider that on average, you’ll pay half that cost for a single haunt. Here you’ll get 5 for the “price of 2.” Also – you can go through each haunt as many times as you want. Once you’re there, settle in for the night. Grab some food, a beer, sit by the fire, experience the haunts and make an evening out of it. The owner and staff work very hard each year to keep the park in good shape while adding new features. As I’ve said in the past, LOI is built with passion first and foremost and it sure sounds like in years to come we’ll be in for some new scares!

Gus – Land of Illusion is a great bargain for your Halloween dollar. A single admission fee lets you go through the attractions as many times as you want. It also features live music and other attractions at the main stage, a fire pit to keep warm, a full service bar and the nicest bathrooms you have ever seen at a haunt. The Land of Illusion feels like a party that just so happens to have haunted attractions. It is great fun.

Teresa – This is a great place to spend an evening. There is something for everyone. The place is HUGE. And there’s a nice big central area with a bonfire and a bar, a large video screen with music, nice restrooms, and even a bull to ride if you’re really brave. They also host live concerts and events. The haunts are a lot of fun and you can go through more than once. And shoot zombies! A definite recommend. I’d give this a 5 on value. I only rate it a 4 overall because it could be scarier and I can’t give a 4.5. You get a lot of bang for your buck.