Wilmington Haunted Hollow – 2016 Review

Attraction Overall Score – 3.7/5

(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.