Ted (HocusPocus)
Other Years: 2011 | 2010 | 2009
2009 Reviews
Please note: this review is for the 2009 season rather than the current season.
Elements Of Fear
by HocusPocus (Review Crew) after attending on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at about 7 p.m.
Submitted: Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Review
Bravo! A very nicely done haunt especially for younger visitors. While Elements of fear may not rock your world if you're a haunted house fanatic, those closer to the age of 12 (...the recommended minimum age for this event...) will definitely enjoy themselves. ....of course that's if they enjoy being scared.
The tour begins with a creepy video presentation that contains a little gore but nothing over the top...just enough to set the tone and make it nearly impossible to resist looking over your shoulder. The remainder of the tour features a fun interactive summoning of spirits, a very comfortable spook filled ride, one of the best vortex rooms I've seen this year and several rooms that very effectively leverage lighting and fog effects to maximize scare and creep opportunities. I really enjoyed how some of the actors seemed to appear out of nowhere and then suddenly vanish. There were others who I knew were there but still managed to make me jump...nicely done!
What I particularly enjoyed about this haunt was how some very simple household items (mirrors, cloth, curtains...etc.) were used to create some really creepy effects and scares.....it really captured my dreams of someday creating my own haunt. What I also was VERY pleasantly surprised to find was that group sizes were kept to a maximum size of 4-5. While this limitation was mostly likely set due to the logistics of some of the rooms it also helped maximize my immersion into the Elements of Fear found at this haunt.
This haunt was a challenging one for me to rate. My inner youth definitely would place this haunt at a 5 out of 5 for the fun and fear factors. The adult haunted connoisseur placed it at a 4 out of 5 for the following reasons: For the fun factor there were only a few rooms that allowed you to interact with the actors/scenes via a skit. Most of the haunt is more of a walk-thru style. For the scare factor while there are some parts that have the potential to make you jump most of the scares are geared more towards a younger crowd.
The tour begins with a creepy video presentation that contains a little gore but nothing over the top...just enough to set the tone and make it nearly impossible to resist looking over your shoulder. The remainder of the tour features a fun interactive summoning of spirits, a very comfortable spook filled ride, one of the best vortex rooms I've seen this year and several rooms that very effectively leverage lighting and fog effects to maximize scare and creep opportunities. I really enjoyed how some of the actors seemed to appear out of nowhere and then suddenly vanish. There were others who I knew were there but still managed to make me jump...nicely done!
What I particularly enjoyed about this haunt was how some very simple household items (mirrors, cloth, curtains...etc.) were used to create some really creepy effects and scares.....it really captured my dreams of someday creating my own haunt. What I also was VERY pleasantly surprised to find was that group sizes were kept to a maximum size of 4-5. While this limitation was mostly likely set due to the logistics of some of the rooms it also helped maximize my immersion into the Elements of Fear found at this haunt.
This haunt was a challenging one for me to rate. My inner youth definitely would place this haunt at a 5 out of 5 for the fun and fear factors. The adult haunted connoisseur placed it at a 4 out of 5 for the following reasons: For the fun factor there were only a few rooms that allowed you to interact with the actors/scenes via a skit. Most of the haunt is more of a walk-thru style. For the scare factor while there are some parts that have the potential to make you jump most of the scares are geared more towards a younger crowd.
Signage / Visibility / Location
Located along a major street (27th St) with a lighted sign, a 12ft lighted pumpkin monster and rope light in the shape of an arrow. You really can't miss this location as long as you're looking on the west side of the street.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
Arrived early during a non-peak night (Wednesday) so there really wasn't a wait. The volunteers were very social. A few concessions were available for purchase to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Actors' Performance
Most of the actors were young but did a great job making you jump and seemingly vanishing into thin air. The actors summoning the spirits from beyond were quite good as they succeeded in getting a spirit to appear!
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
One of the best vortex rooms I've been in this year. Some of the scenes were elementary in nature but were still very effective in achieving ghoulish results. This haunt probably did the best job of any haunt that I've been too this year with pulling off some great effects without the luxury of elaborate props. This isn't meant to imply that there weren't any elaborate props, just that the creative staff at Elements of Fear were very successful in getting the most out of what they had to work with. Bravo!
Length
It took our group approximately 10 minutes to complete the terrorizing tour.
Crowd Control
Arrived early during a non-peak night (Wednesday) so there really wasn't a crowd.
Most Memorable Moment
Being unable to resist the temptation to look over my shoulder even though I was instructed to "watch my back"! I found it to be a creepy and irresistible temptation!
Summary
As an adult touring this haunt I gave Elements of Fear a 4 on the scale of 1-5...but for those closer to the age of 12 (...the recommended minimum age for this event...) this one is definitely a 5.
Please note: this review is for the 2009 season rather than the current season.
A Theater Of Lost Souls Presents: Nightmare Factory Haunt
by HocusPocus (Review Crew) after attending on Friday, October 16, 2009 at about 9 p.m.
Submitted: Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Review
It was a dark and cold night...REALLY cold. Fortunately for me I had a warm car to step out of and to warm back up in. As this haunt is contained within the unheated barns of the fair grounds it appears as if the actors did not enjoy a similar luxury. Perhaps I caught this haunt at a bad time? I checked out The Theater of Lost Souls and Theater of the Absurd...but due to the temps I declined the invitation to partake in the hayride.
The Theater of the Absurd was very entertaining! I kind of got the impression that it's billed to be a side show to the Lost Souls haunt but I really enjoyed the unique concept of an attraction that was completely in 3D. The clown was very energetic and interactive. As we were the only group touring at the time we received quite a bit of attention. Not sure if this is typical as there appeared to be just a few actors in the Absurd attraction but we definitely enjoyed it! (Fun Factor = 4 / Scare Factor = 1)
The Theater of Lost Souls had its moments but appeared to lack the energy and enthusiasm to provide for a good scare or a fun interactive experience with a ghoul by way of a riveting performance. Perhaps the cold temps and sparse crowds of the Friday evening played a role in this? I really enjoyed the voodoo room and the acting performance in this room was absolutely superb! (Loved the accent!) The "Two Dogs" room has a lot of potential. The actor did a good job of heightening your anticipation prior to entering the room but the absence of a surprise once in the room made for an anti-climatic experience. A little bit of darkness combined with a sudden flash of light/sound could do wonders for the scare factor of this room. (Fun Factor = 2 / Scare Factor = 3)
The Theater of the Absurd was very entertaining! I kind of got the impression that it's billed to be a side show to the Lost Souls haunt but I really enjoyed the unique concept of an attraction that was completely in 3D. The clown was very energetic and interactive. As we were the only group touring at the time we received quite a bit of attention. Not sure if this is typical as there appeared to be just a few actors in the Absurd attraction but we definitely enjoyed it! (Fun Factor = 4 / Scare Factor = 1)
The Theater of Lost Souls had its moments but appeared to lack the energy and enthusiasm to provide for a good scare or a fun interactive experience with a ghoul by way of a riveting performance. Perhaps the cold temps and sparse crowds of the Friday evening played a role in this? I really enjoyed the voodoo room and the acting performance in this room was absolutely superb! (Loved the accent!) The "Two Dogs" room has a lot of potential. The actor did a good job of heightening your anticipation prior to entering the room but the absence of a surprise once in the room made for an anti-climatic experience. A little bit of darkness combined with a sudden flash of light/sound could do wonders for the scare factor of this room. (Fun Factor = 2 / Scare Factor = 3)
Signage / Visibility / Location
Fortunately I looked at the map on this website ahead of time. There were no visible signs along Jackson Street and only a hand painted black and white sign on County Rd Y. Very easy to miss if you're not looking closely.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
Come dressed for the weather. The wait line and haunt are all unheated but at least protected from the elements. A very motivated costumed actor provided entertainment while you walked from your car, purchased your tickets and while you waited in line.
Actors' Performance
There were a few stellar acting performances. The Voodoo room actress and the Clown hosting the Theater of the Absurd were outstanding. Many of the others appeared to be in need of a little red bull....or hot chocolate.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
The sets in the Theater of the Absurd were outstanding. I can only imagine how much time and energy went into creating these scenes. The Theater of Lost Souls had some great props but the sets and supporting FX often times limited the scare opportunities for them.
Length
It took our group 16 minutes to complete the Theater of Lost Souls and 12 minutes to complete the Theater of the Absurd.
Crowd Control
Appeared to be a slow night so there were only a couple of other groups present besides ours.
Most Memorable Moment
The clown hosting the Theater of the Absurd...no shortage of energy! The Theater of the Absurd was a VERY pleasant surprise after checking out the Theater of Lost Souls.
While touring the Theater of Lost Souls someone in our group jokingly asked one of the actors if she was cold. Her reply: "I'm dead...how could be I be cold?" Very funny! :)
Summary
If you're looking for a unique and fun Halloween experience checkout the Theater of the Absurd. Adults will enjoy it and kids will certainly love it!
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Please note: this review is for the 2009 season rather than the current season.
Burial Chamber Haunted Complex
by HocusPocus (Review Crew) after attending on Friday, October 16, 2009 at about 8 p.m.
Submitted: Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Review
On the scare factor scale, Burial Chamber is totally off the charts!! I've been to 8 haunts this year and this is by far the scariest one...or should I say two? Burial chamber is actually a mega complex of haunted / scary attractions. Due to time constraints I only checked out the two indoor haunts, Adrenalin and Insanity. Both of these attractions were similar but offered a unique experience unlike the other haunts I've been to this year. Rather than parade you through a series of rooms that feature a variety of themes and skits, Burial Chamber's haunts are comprised of a complex maze of dimly lit hall ways and rooms, all with a consistent theme. Acting appeared to be at minimum (especially in Insanity) and was usually limited to a quick entrance from out of nowhere in an attempt to scare you and then a quick disappearance into the shadows....a very effective tactic to scare you regardless of where you might be positioned in your group.
As much as I loved the scare factor of Burial chamber I must admit the mandatory group size disappointed me. Groups were sized as close to 10 as possible. Given the extremely long lines I can totally understand why groups are sized so large. While the maze of hallways provided great scares for everyone in our group, and could certainly entertain the large group size, many of the rooms struggled to accommodate the size of our entire group. To make matters worse at the end of Insanity the group behind us caught us which resulted in a group size of nearly 20. Due to confusion in traversing a circular maze at this point and the unfortunate actor who had no way of knowing where one group ended and the next started a third group actually caught us....quite the mess.
IF you don't like standing in long lines while being exposed to the weather elements I would strongly recommend the VIP pass. The VIP admission allows you to skip everyone who hasn't purchased it. It does not, however, limit your group size or guarantee that you'll be able to enter immediately.
As much as I loved the scare factor of Burial chamber I must admit the mandatory group size disappointed me. Groups were sized as close to 10 as possible. Given the extremely long lines I can totally understand why groups are sized so large. While the maze of hallways provided great scares for everyone in our group, and could certainly entertain the large group size, many of the rooms struggled to accommodate the size of our entire group. To make matters worse at the end of Insanity the group behind us caught us which resulted in a group size of nearly 20. Due to confusion in traversing a circular maze at this point and the unfortunate actor who had no way of knowing where one group ended and the next started a third group actually caught us....quite the mess.
IF you don't like standing in long lines while being exposed to the weather elements I would strongly recommend the VIP pass. The VIP admission allows you to skip everyone who hasn't purchased it. It does not, however, limit your group size or guarantee that you'll be able to enter immediately.
Signage / Visibility / Location
Very easy to find as its just minutes from Hwy 41. The sheer size of this complex combined with several parking attendants flagging you into the parking lot make it nearly impossible to miss this place.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
Come dressed for the elements as the wait lines for Adrenalin and Insanity are both outside. Two large screens along the waiting line along with a few costumed actors help to build your anticipation. There's also a snack wagon parked out back to help satisfy your cravings for munchies.
Actors' Performance
The actors were very skilled at providing quick and unexpected scares. Nothing noteworthy in terms of an academy award type performance...but in their defense these haunts weren't designed to provide an opportunity for a theatrical display. Occasionally the actors would flash a performance that may creep you out.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
Brilliant use of shadows and dimly lit rooms to maximize scare and creep factor. Not the most elaborate set designs I've seen this year but very effective in immersing you into the theme of the haunt. Enjoyed some of the unique concepts and special effects...particularly the cleverly laid out lab maze in Adrenalin.
Length
Took our group 18 minutes to complete Adrenalin. Insanity may have been a bit shorter but the merging of groups towards the end led to a complete standstill for a few minutes.
Crowd Control
Waiting lines for both Adrenalin and Insanity were clearly marked off along with the separate VIP lines. With the VIP passes we didn't wait more than 10 minutes to enter the haunt.
Most Memorable Moment
Several great scares....but I won't give any of them away here. Really enjoyed the lab maze in Adrenalin....unique, clever and fun!
Summary
If you're looking for a good scare you'll be hard pressed to find a haunt that does it better than Burial Chamber. Of all the haunts I've been to this year this one is off the scare factor charts!
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Please note: this review is for the 2009 season rather than the current season.
Hubertus House of Horror
by HocusPocus (Review Crew) after attending on Friday, October 9, 2009 at about 9 p.m.
Submitted: Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Review
If there were a granddaddy of Haunted Houses this one would probably be it. The Hubertus House of Horror has been coming back year after year for as long as I can remember. (what is it, 15, 20 years now?) The venue has always remained the same...a creepy lone standing house in what feels like the middle of nowhere. But if you attended this haunt last year and are worried about finding the same experience, don't be. There are some really cool new effects to go along with a few of the best sets from last year.
I particularly enjoyed some of the special effects this year. Yes some of them were carried over from prior years but there were also some outstanding new ones. If you attend several haunts as I do you'll find that many of them will have a room or two in common. In these instances I did feel that the Hubertus House pulled them off a bit better. (...perhaps the result of years of experience?)
As you may have noticed I didn't give this haunt top marks in either the fun factor or scare factor. None of these were deal breakers for me and I still strongly recommended this haunt for everyone. My rational behind the imperfect scores are based on the following:
* Group size of 8. We weren't given a choice in this matter. While I understand why they group so many people together it definitely distracts from your fun when you're stuck in the back as the scare is often times spoiled by the time you enter a room. Also, in a few of the rooms it was challenging to see/feel/hear the action that was taking place. ...this isn't the only haunt that tries to push as many people through as possible with each group. I often wonder, though, if the time spent cramming a large group through each room could be saved with a smaller group that can move through rooms easier.
* Every once in awhile you come across what I call "mystery sets". You walk into a room, wait awhile and then leave when nothing happens or something happens and you're not sure if you're supposed to run to the next set or wait for something more to happen. Our group encountered two such rooms during our tour.
* There are definitely sets that appear geared to provide a few scares...but for some reason our group found them to be more entertaining than scary. Not sure why. Perhaps due to set execution or perhaps due to the actors expecting a younger group?
I particularly enjoyed some of the special effects this year. Yes some of them were carried over from prior years but there were also some outstanding new ones. If you attend several haunts as I do you'll find that many of them will have a room or two in common. In these instances I did feel that the Hubertus House pulled them off a bit better. (...perhaps the result of years of experience?)
As you may have noticed I didn't give this haunt top marks in either the fun factor or scare factor. None of these were deal breakers for me and I still strongly recommended this haunt for everyone. My rational behind the imperfect scores are based on the following:
* Group size of 8. We weren't given a choice in this matter. While I understand why they group so many people together it definitely distracts from your fun when you're stuck in the back as the scare is often times spoiled by the time you enter a room. Also, in a few of the rooms it was challenging to see/feel/hear the action that was taking place. ...this isn't the only haunt that tries to push as many people through as possible with each group. I often wonder, though, if the time spent cramming a large group through each room could be saved with a smaller group that can move through rooms easier.
* Every once in awhile you come across what I call "mystery sets". You walk into a room, wait awhile and then leave when nothing happens or something happens and you're not sure if you're supposed to run to the next set or wait for something more to happen. Our group encountered two such rooms during our tour.
* There are definitely sets that appear geared to provide a few scares...but for some reason our group found them to be more entertaining than scary. Not sure why. Perhaps due to set execution or perhaps due to the actors expecting a younger group?
Signage / Visibility / Location
This may not be the easiest haunt to find but if you're on the right road you really can't miss the lighted. Also, if you come across a mass of parked cars in what feels like the middle of nowhere you've probably found the right place.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
One of the best wait areas around! The Hubertus House leverages a school gymnasium to keep you warm, well fed and entertained while you wait. The concession stand was well stocked with sweets, popcorn, drinks and even burgers. Costumed actors also popped in occasionally to heighten your anticipation of what was to come.
Actors' Performance
A good mix of adult and young actors delivered solid performances. None of them totally freaked me out but they were still very entertaining. A few of them were good at adlibbing and allowed you to interact with them.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
Of all the haunts I've been to so far this year (6) this one featured some of the best special effects. Topping the list of unique special effect sets was a room that brought a cinematic sequence to life, one that provided the illusion of height complete with the echo of your voices, another that allowed you to feel the splatter of blood and even a set that provided a thrill ride with a flight simulator like experience. Also, if you really enjoy Vortex rooms (which are becoming quite common at haunts) I'd place the Vortex Room at this haunt at the top of the list.
Length
Approximately 15-20 minutes. Unfortunately I was so disorientated after the Vortex I completely forgot to stop my watch until I had regained my balance in the parking lot.
Crowd Control
Not sure what happened this year. Usually we have a very favorable experience at the Hubertus House which is especially remarkable considering the high attendance at this Haunt. This year was quite a bit more chaotic. The volunteers mentioned that they were trying something new. I sure hope they go back their original system.
This was our experience this year....As in the past we bought our tickets when the ticket stand opened at 6pm. We then assembled our group and returned at 9pm. Upon returning we were instructed that it was ok to get in line as our numbers had already been called. (There was only one line at this time.) After waiting awhile we noticed that a second line was forming. After inquiring, we were told that the second line was for those whose numbers were called off earlier in the evening. So we then got into this line. After awhile in this line a third group walked in and proceeded to form a third line. We then inquired about this line and were told that it was for those who purchased tickets prior to 7pm. At this point there really didn't seem to be any lines....just one mass of people inching towards the front and a bit confused. Their confusion was certainly understandable as not one announcement was made regarding the formation of the new lines or why the new lines were being allowed in front of the original line.
Most Memorable Moment
Still trying to figure out how they accomplished a few of their special effects...especially the echo room.
Summary
The granddaddy of haunted houses. Perhaps not the scariest haunted house around but a very solid performer year after year. Creative new sets and outstanding special effects make this an excellent haunt to attend.
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Please note: this review is for the 2009 season rather than the current season.
Terror on Rural Street
by HocusPocus (Review Crew) after attending on Friday, October 9, 2009 at about 8 p.m.
Submitted: Monday, October 12, 2009
Review
Two elaborately dressed 15ft tall creatures greeted us as we approached the ticket window for this venue. Scary for some and very entertaining for others. The tone of this venue for me fell pretty much right in line with this encounter. For those who love to be ghoulishly entertained and occasionally surprised you'll be quite satisfied with this year's Terror on Rural Street.
Many of the of the other reviews that have been posted do a great job of hitting the highlights for this venue. I attended this haunt with 11 of my friends and everyone had a great time. The fun and scare ratings indicated on this review reflect the collective feedback I received from everyone.
Favorable Comments from the group included:
** It was great to see that many of the rooms have been changed from last year.
** The clowns really creeped me out!
** I had a blast hamming it up with the actors.
** That trick floor really freaked me out!
** Loved the grave yard & waterfall.
** Just when I thought we reached the end there was another room!
** One word...Vortex!
** the quick witted 15ft tall Frankenstein eloquently singing America the Beautiful stole the show!
Rather than to leave you wondering why Terror on Rural Street didn't receive a perfect score the following comments were made:
** Caught up to the group in front of us and then got caught by the group behind us.
** felt rushed as the group behind us frequently entered the room before the actors in our room were finished.
** Often times heard what was going on in the adjacent rooms.
** I was stuck in the back of my group of 6 the entire time and missed what was going on in a few of the rooms. I was particularly bummed to have missed the scare at the grave yard scene.
** was a little confused about when we should proceed to the next room as the actors continued to perform and did not provide any indication that they were trying to scare us away.
Signage / Visibility / Location
You can't miss this place as it's right off the main drag in downtown Hartford. Flashing signs point the way. Great location. An abundance of well lit parking and a warm place to hang out while you wait. The court yard between the waiting area and the entrance really set the tone nicely!
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
By far the best line entertainment around. A 15ft tall Frankenstein with a quick wit and an opera style singing voice....are you kidding me??? A heated waiting area with concessions is also a bonus.
Actors' Performance
We had a lot of fun interacting with the performers. Some may have been a bit young or inexperienced which may explain the pacing issues indicated in the comments above.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
A nice variety of sets and some pretty descent special effects. For those of you traditionally checkout a few different haunts every year you'll appreciate a few of the rooms which showcase some creative concepts. Compared to other haunts, many of the rooms here were relatively quite spacious....a nice perk for those who don't particularly enjoy being squeezed into a room when your grouped with complete strangers.
Length
Not the longest haunt I've been too but at 16 minutes I felt as if I got my money's worth.
Crowd Control
There wasn't much of a crowd when I attended but there were several law enforcement officers present so I'm sure nothing would get out of control if there was one.
Most Memorable Moment
By far the 15ft singing Frankenstein in the parking lot...not that there weren't any memorable moments in the haunt. I'll leave those for you to discover.
Summary
As always, this haunt did a solid job of entertaining everyone in our group. A great venue along with a nice variety of sets, creative ideas and descent special effects make this the minivan of haunted houses. It may not have all the bells and whistles to knock everyone's socks off but it will definitely satisfy your thirst for a ghoulishly good time.
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Please note: this review is for the 2009 season rather than the current season.
Gilly's Haunted House
by HocusPocus (Review Crew) after attending on Friday, October 2, 2009 at about 8:30 p.m.
Submitted: Friday, October 9, 2009
Review
Looking for a haunt you can enjoy with your family? Gilly's Haunted House may be for you. While waiting in line I spoke with a group of five 6th graders who were anxiously awaiting their second trip through the haunt. When asked how they'd rate the scare factor of Gilly's on a scale of 1-5 they enthusiastically gave it ratings that were off the chart. (One even rated the haunt as a 100 on the scale of 1-5!)
While adults may not agree with this assessment on the scare factor scale I think all will agree on the fun factor. Solid acting performances are mixed with a creepy carnival / freak show circus theme and dashed with a few instances of special effects to excite the visual senses. If you're looking for a haunt that totally immerses you into the theme of each room you may leave a bit disappointed. While the acting is notable and some of the special effects will totally disorientate and confuse you, many of the rooms lack the attention to detail provided in other haunts. This is most likely the result of the room lighting which certainly will encourage kids to interact more in the sets than to send them rushing through in search of the exit.
If your into evaluating haunts with your senses you might find this helpful:
* Sight: Come prepared with your imagination and you won't be disappointed with this haunt. In some rooms the lighting makes it apparent that this venue does not have as much attention to detail as other haunts. The lighting, however, does encourage more interaction with the actors. The acting, though, does a great job of diverting your attention from the room detail. The vortex double dose will visually excite and disorientate you!
* Sound: The sound won't knock your socks off but is effectively used at times to compliment rooms.
* Smell: Nothing special on this front...although there are haunts that venture into this realm.
* Touch: Nothing special on this front...although there are haunts that venture into this realm.
Signage / Visibility / Location
Hard to miss this venue as it occupies nearly the entire street corner. Gilly's doubles as a floral shop / greenhouse during the day...but once the sun sets the floral displays found at the store font will do little to sooth your soul. Look for the scary bus in front and a fence that surrounds the entire establishment to ensure the creatures from within don't escape.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
A canopied area covers the wait area to protect you from elements but will do little to keep you warm. Dress appropriately for the wait. There was no line entertainment while I waited.
Actors' Performance
Ghoulishly solid & fun to interact with. At times spoken lines were delivered with unique accents to set the tone of the room. Very enjoyable!
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
Loved the double whammy of vortex rooms and really enjoyed the comical maze of doors...clever! The boat ride and acting performance at the onset of the tour were a real treat.
Length
Of the three haunted houses in the proximity of Gilly's this one was the longest...which isn't surprising as it appears to enjoy the largest location of the three.
Crowd Control
I attended early on the first night of business so there wasn't much of a crowd to control. The line inside the canopied area is clearly marked and the narrow sidewalk leading to the entrance to the admission area appear to be adequate to control sizable crowds.
Most Memorable Moment
By far the most memorial moment is not one but TWO vortexes. The first one was cool and disorientating...the second one took me by complete surprise and blew my mind. The opening boat ride and presentation also get honorable mention for the most memorable moment.
Summary
Great attraction for kids and families. Adults who are freaked out by clowns or enjoy the absurdity presented by fun houses will also enjoy this attraction. Solid acting and a fun atmosphere. Gilly's Haunted house may not stand your hair on end or blow your mind with dazzling special effects but it will certainly entertain you.
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Please note: this review is for the 2009 season rather than the current season.
Lister F/X Presents Monster Mayhem Haunted Laser Tag
by HocusPocus (Review Crew) after attending on Friday, October 2, 2009 at about 9 p.m.
Submitted: Friday, October 9, 2009
Review
If you enjoy original / custom made special effects, this haunt is for you! Unlike other venues that present a variety of theme based rooms, Monster Mayhem plunges you into a unique story line that I would liken to a mix between Aliens and Resident Evil. What I particularly enjoyed about Monster Mayhem is that you don't just see and hear scary things....you actually get to FEEL them on a few occasions!
The superb acting, special effects and detailed story line at Monster Mayhem make for a very enjoyable experience. While every scene won't motivate you to run for the hills there are a few rooms that may make you jump. As a result, I gave this attraction a 5 out of 5 on the fun scale and a 3.5 out of 5 on the scare factor. This is definitely a haunt for all ages and not just adults.
If your into evaluating haunts with your senses you might find this helpful:
* Sight: Custom designed sets and special effects were top notch! See creatures blow up. Watch as the skin is ripped off a dying actor. Peak over the side railing and get a feel for how far the cavern descends.
* Sound: Solid! The sound in every room won't blow you away like some haunts but you certainly won't be disappointed. The element of sound is certainly leveraged to provide a few good scares!
* Smell: Nothing special on this front...although there are haunts that venture into this realm.
* Touch: Outstanding! If a creature blows up right in front of your face shouldn't you feel it? You do here!!
Signage / Visibility / Location
Located in the basement of Paulo's Pizza / Pub. There are signs for the haunt but they're not nearly as obvious as the signs for Paulo's. Located right on the corner of 51st and Howard you can't miss Paulo's....but you may miss the signs for Monster Mayhem.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
Doesn't get much better than this! While you wait....order a pizza, have dinner, play a few games in the arcade or listen to music in the pub.
Actors' Performance
These guys REALLY got into it! Perhaps it was coincidence, but all the actors when I attended were adults....which consequently really sold me on the roles that were portrayed in each room. (i.e. the mad scientist looked and acted like a mad scientist...the military personnel looked old enough to be in the military.)
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
If you have an keen eye special effects, the props/FX at Monster Mayhem are the bomb! Feel creatures blow up. See the skin ripped off of a live actor. Hear & feel creatures bust loose from captivity.
Length
I must admit, the length of this haunt did feel short but the visual entertainment was definitely worth the price of admission.
Crowd Control
I attended early on the first night of business so there wasn't much of a crowd to control. Given that the venue is at a Pizza Parlor / Pub the logistics of how the Haunt patrons mix with those from the Pizza Parlor Pub may be interesting....but as this is their second year of business I would suspect that they've worked out any potential bottlenecks with the flow of traffic through the establishment.
Most Memorable Moment
Watch out for the exploding corpse...it doesn't just look messy!! :)
Summary
Fun for the whole family. A story line most kids can relate to and stellar special effects with an attention to detail that adults will surely appreciate. Monster Mayhem does a solid job of providing for a very unique experience that you will not just see and hear but feel as well!
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Please note: this review is for the 2009 season rather than the current season.
Mars Haunted House
by HocusPocus (Review Crew) after attending on Friday, October 2, 2009 at about 7 p.m.
Submitted: Sunday, October 4, 2009
Review
Looking to totally immerse yourself into a nightmarishly good time? Look no further than the Mars Haunted House.
It appears the venue has expanded this year and added a few rooms...unfortunately they did such a good job scaring the bajeebus out of me I totally lost count.
Seriously, it didn't matter where I was in my group...front, middle, back...they did a stellar job providing scares for everyone.
If your into evaluating haunts with your senses you might find this helpful:
* Sight: Elaborate sets with great attention to detail. Lighting and special effects were frequently used to surprise me even though I was expecting it.
* Sound: Superb! The sound experience allowed me to become totally immersed in each and every room. Not once was I distracted by sounds coming from other parts of the attraction.
* Smell: Believe it or not I think there were sets that intentionally smelled a little musty (like BO or perfume) to compliment the scene. Interesting thought...if Barn yard Bob is chasing you around with an ax why shouldn't he smell like one?
* Touch: Nothing special on this front...although there are haunts that venture into this realm.
Signage / Visibility / Location
If the hearse parking by the front door and the elaborately dressed ghouls meandering along the sidewalk don't catch your attention you may be dead already...but if you're not you probably wouldn't be the first person to drive past the site.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
Elaborately dressed ghouls interact with you to heighten your anticipation while you wait to enter. The waiting line is all outdoors...so dressing for the weather may be a good idea if you're attending during peak haunting hours.
Actors' Performance
Brilliant! Some hilariously funny, others ghastly scary. (I'd love to name a few of the characters that were portrayed but I find the element of surprise to be priceless...go and check it out for yourself!)
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
Solid! With the total immersion and interaction with the actors and sound in each room it's very easy to miss some of the attention to detail found in each room....but there are plenty of outstanding effects to keep you visually entertained if the acting isn't grabbing 100% of your attention.
Length
I really wished I would have timed this event....but if you were to measure scares per dollar this one will definitely maximizes your value!
Crowd Control
Waiting line is clearly roped off and patrolled frequently by ghouls.
Most Memorable Moment
Ok...I hope I don't spoil anything for anyone... the 'bubbles' room was totally twisted and disturbingly funny. Complimenting a brilliant acting performance were props that were skillfully leveraged to make this an experience you will not soon forget. This room caught me by complete surprise. I don't think I've EVER experienced a room like this at a haunt. A scary concept that made me laugh so hard my eyes watered...GENIUS!
Summary
An outstanding attraction! If you've been to Mars in prior years I'd strongly recommend checking this venue out again. Unlike prior years, I felt more immersed in this year's haunted experience than in prior years.
If you've never checked it out...what are you waiting for? This IS the best haunt in Milwaukee!
View all Mars Haunted House reviews
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