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Please note: this review is for the 2011 season rather than the current season.
by
CC2 (Review Crew)
after attending on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at about 9 p.m.
Submitted: Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Review
I have attended this event in the past and continue to be impressed with the production.
I will detail some specifics of the haunt in the effects section, but I want to be careful not to foreshadow too much of what you will experience at the Fear Grounds.
The Fear Grounds is one of the more highly decorated attractions in the State, and rightfully so.
I attend a lot of Halloween productions around the nation and the Fear Grounds presents on a high level.
Signage / Visibility / Location
The Fear Grounds are located on the grounds of the Waukesha Expo Center.
Follow signage to the Expo Center to your destination.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
The Fear Ground wait area is a covered barn, of sorts. You will wait in corrals before being sent in small groups to enter the attraction.
Actors will visit you along your way as you wait.
There is a snack trailer at the Fear Grounds, as well.
Expect long wait times. This is a popular attraction.
Actors' Performance
Comparatively speaking, the actors at the Fear Grounds give you quite an inspired performance.
They make efforts to attend to the guests and interact in attempts to scare and startle.
Dialogue is witty and we were impressed with the make up and characterizations of the performers.
The presentations were quite polished.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
Morgan Manor in particular is very elaborate and highly detailed. Try to be sure to look about you when you visit to appreciate the efforts of the producers.
Morgana's Torment presents an extensive series of mazes to confuse and disorient the guests. This makes for a distinctive, different and challenging Halloween experience.
Unstable is probably the most interactive with the actors and their dialogue is amusing. The theme of this haunt is redneck, hillbilly country life and you will pass through numerous sets where you will get to experience their chores, first hand.
Length
Completing all three attractions at the Feargrounds took us about an hour.
Be sure to allow ample time for your visit.
Crowd Control
Crowds at this attraction can get quite large.
Crowds are moved through a series of corrals before being led into the attractions in small groups.
Law enforcement is present on site, as well.
Most Memorable Moment
I have a hard time thinking of one particular moment to highlight as I enjoyed all of my time at the Fear Grounds.
If I were forced to pick a highlight, I would say the entire passage through Morgan Manor.
I appreciate detail and the entire route through the Manor provided much to attend to, which just increased the startle values for me since there is so much to notice.
Summary
The Feargrounds is rather expensive compared to its peers, but it provides a high caliber entertainment experience and three separate attractions for the price of your admission.
This is a highly recommended stop for Halloween enthusiasts.
This is certainly one of the premier haunts too experience, if you can.
It may be too intense for young visitors.
View all Wisconsin Fear Grounds reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2011 season rather than the current season.
by
CC2 (Review Crew)
after attending on Friday, October 14, 2011 at about 8:30 p.m.
Submitted: Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Review
Terror on Rural Street has been almost entirely re-done since last year's production. That effort is always appreciated.
The creators of this event put much time into the development of the haunt and much attention is taken to present a safe, secure and fun event.
This year's haunt, per usual, features elaborate and intricate displays and high attention to detail.
The actors interact with the guest and are loaded with amusing dialogue.
Along your way, you will meet various creatures of the dark and have to squeeze your way through a maze.
Signage / Visibility / Location
Terror on Rural Street is located just off of Highway 60 running through Hartford.
There is a flashing sign to direct you to your destination.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
Terror on Rural Street has a spacious, heated and covered waiting area.
We appreciated that they provided a television in the waiting area that had the Brewer game on during our visit.
Actors entertain you while you wait and that lighting affords you the opportunity to appreciate the excellent make up effects that this haunt executes.
Terror also now holds the distinction of being the only haunt with a concession stand that serves...wait for it...BEER. Candy and hot dogs are available, as well.
Actors' Performance
Terror's crew of volunteer actors always provide enthusiastic performances.
They are equipped with clever dialogue and let the guest know they care about their entertainment role.
My group really enjoyed their efforts.
Their make up staff is excellent.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
Terror on Rural is always an elaborate production. Be sure to try to pay attention to the detail along the way.
Length
It took about 25 minutes to complete the attraction.
Crowd Control
Visitors wait in a separate building than the actual attraction. When their ticket numbers are called, they move across a decorated courtyard to the attraction where groups of about 6 or more go in at regular intervals.
Crowd control is a non issue and there are police present, as well.
Most Memorable Moment
My group really enjoyed many aspects of this year's haunt.
There was much commentary on the excellent make up of the actors, the elaborate masks and sets and the overall aura of the attraction.
Personally, I appreciated an area in the attraction that featured spinning lighting effects that are quite unusual.
Summary
Personally, I visit Terror on Rural Street every year and have been coming for many years.
The reason I return is because of what a dependably pleasurable experience the producers of this event provide.
This is not the most intense scare you can get, but you will get a quality production staffed with invested actors and a lot of seasonal fun.
View all Terror on Rural Street reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2011 season rather than the current season.
by
CC2 (Review Crew)
after attending on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at about 8 p.m.
Submitted: Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Review
This was my first ever visit to the Haunted High and I found it quite enjoyable and distinctive, as did my group.
This production makes use of an abandoned school and provides a rather lengthy tour.
The haunt is themed around the progression of a school day and takes one through such stops as a detention hall, the weight room, the sick room, shop class and many others.
You begin your tour following a bloody trail into the attraction and there is a lot of detail to attend to along the way.
The producers of this event took good attention to staying in theme and that has resulted in a very believable presentation of a haunted school with remembrances of students past.
There are some very clever themes and nuances put into this haunt that I will leave you to discover yourself.
I especially appreciated the final acts of the haunt.
Signage / Visibility / Location
The attraction is on a side road off of a main entry road into the city of Oconomowoc.
If you are not familiar with the area, you may have some difficulty finding it, but we found there was fairly significant traffic flow to it that one can follow.
It may be somewhat difficult to locate without a GPS.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
The wait area is a gym and the producers of this attraction supply the customers with projections of movies on the walls to watch while you wait.
The School was quite busy when we visited.
Actors' Performance
Relatively speaking, my group felt the actors were solid, but a bit more reserved than many other haunts we have visited.
They were attending to a large group of people, however.
Overall, we were pleased with the effort of the crew.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
The School is very novel in terms of what it presents to its visitors.
I have yet to see a structure this large to have a production in.
The scenes were detailed and thematically solid and that made for an entertaining trip through the darkened hallways.
Length
It took my group about 40 minutes finish the tour, however, it was a pleasurable trip with ample distractions along the way.
Crowd Control
Crowds are well regulated in the gymnasium and there were police present, as well.
Visitors moved efficiently through the attraction in groups of about 6 or so.
Most Memorable Moment
As has been mentioned in other reviews, the Haunted High has a very entertaining last act in store for you.
Summary
Haunted High is a recommended stop.
As was mentioned, it has its own niche and its theme is clever.
If one is looking for intense scares, this is a more mild stop.
If you want distinctive Halloween theater in the literal sense, this is your place.
See if you can graduate from the Haunted High School at the conclusion of your visit.
View all Haunted High reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2011 season rather than the current season.
by
CC2 (Review Crew)
after attending on Friday, October 14, 2011 at about 7:30 p.m.
Submitted: Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Review
The Hubertus House of Horror makes use of an old house on the grounds of a school to produce its haunts.
Because it is a house versus a warehouse, it has its own, distinctive charm and Halloween mystique.
The home has undergone significant updating since last year, which is always appreciated.
This year's house begins with a bus ride and progresses through sets where you will meet Little Red Riding Hood, rednecks and zombies, a monster factory and several other themed rooms.
You will also get to experience a different twist on what I call a "squeeze maze".
Signage / Visibility / Location
The house is located in the town of Hubertus and once in the area of it, there is ample signage to find your way.
In addition, there are restaurants very near the attraction in the event you should want to have dinner before or after your trip.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
Hubertus supplies its guests with ample parking, restroom facilities and a covered waiting area in the school gym. There is also a concession stand.
Actors' Performance
Hubertus' actors routinely give good performances and this year is no exception. The staff show investment in their roles and in trying to startle their customers.
Staff interact with the guests and there is some dialogue that is clever.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
Much effort was put forth in coming up with new themes and decor this year. Make up was quite good. Be sure to try to appreciate the work of their make up artists, if feasible during your trip.
Length
It takes approximately 30 minutes to complete the house.
Crowd Control
Groups of about 6 are let into the house at regular intervals. Crowd control is a non issue and staff route people through the home efficiently.
Most Memorable Moment
On your journey, you will have an interesting elevator ride as well as an interesting, interactive scene looking out of a window.
Summary
The staff at the Hubertus House always put forth a good production. There is care put into the development of the home and that is apparent. Hubertus continues to be a recommended locale for Halloween scares.
As has been mentioned, Hubertus is not a particularly fearsome attraction, it is still a fun stop.
View all Hubertus House of Horror reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2011 season rather than the current season.
by
CC2
after attending on Friday, September 30, 2011 at about 7:30 p.m.
Submitted: Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Review
Meadowbrook Farm always presents with a very full Halloween experience. It is strong on atmosphere and charm.
There is an extensive area of pumpkins for sale, seasonal lighting around the trees, a large gift shop, a bonfire complete with scary stories being told, a concession stand and, of course, the corn maze.
It seems the corn is even taller this year and the atmosphere that comes with a moonlit walk through the field is beyond compare.
The tour through the field takes about 40 minutes depending on your pace.
Along the way, you will pass by elaborate sets and enter areas staffed with actors intent on bringing you startles.
The producers of this event do a nice job of having audio effects throughout the field so that even if you aren't seeing things, you are probably hearing things.
Summary
I always look forward to the corn maze. It has its own niche in the haunted house scene.
Per usual, this year's was an enjoyable visit.
Be careful to protect your face when walking through the corn as the leaves will be sharp against your face if you aren't paying attention.
The group I came with agreed that, if possible, the maze would be even more intense if more staff could be stationed amongst the corn.
The farm is a family friendly event, however, the maze may be intense for younger visitors.
View all Meadowbrook Pumpkin Farm and Creepy Cornfield reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2011 season rather than the current season.
by
CC2
after attending on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at about 7:30 p.m.
Submitted: Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Review
Dominion of Terror routinely puts out a good product, but this year's version is particularly good.
The attraction has been entirely redone since last year and this year's version is geared toward more mature audiences in terms of its intensity and imagery.
There is high attention to detail in Dominion, including creating scents appropriate to certain scenes and environments.
The actors at Dominion routinely give excellent performances and this year's staff are no exception. Character dialogue is witty and quick.
The producers of Dominion make good use of their building and they put a tremendous amount of work into rebuilding their sets and coming up with entirely new concepts.
I don't appreciate recycled bits from year to year and Dominion gives you an entirely new experience for 2011.
Summary
The producers of Dominion of Terror have taken their haunt to new heights and it is a very high quality attraction.
The sets are very elaborate and well done. Costuming and actor investment are strong, as well.
All in my party agreed this was an excellent stop and we all would return.
View all Dominion of Terror reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2011 season rather than the current season.
by
CC2 (Review Crew)
after attending on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at about 9 p.m.
Submitted: Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Review
Fear Factory will present you with two floors of attractions. One of the floors is exclusively 3D effects and is themed on various nursery rhyme characters.
The principle floor is more traditional in its presentation, but features some elaborate sets.
There were numerous live actors throughout the factory who gave good performances, especially considering it was an opening weekend. The dialogue was fairly witty.
Signage / Visibility / Location
Fear Factory has a lot of space to work with and they put a lot of effort into their project. There is a spotlight in front of the entrance.
We had no problem finding the Factory using a GPS.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
There seemed to be some effort on the part of the operators to allow for gaps between groups being sent in.
Despite there not being many people in line when we arrived, we had to wait about 20 minutes or so to enter.
There was an actor at the entrance who played the roll of a bumpkin and made attempts to interact with people in line.
Actors' Performance
Among the characters you will meet at the factory are Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, the Mad Hatter and numerous clowns.
The producers of the factory did a very creative presentation with their darker takes on nursery rhymes.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
The attraction will take you through catacombs with walls of skulls, a graveyard, a walk through a swamp and extensive hospital scenes beginning with a mattress walk among the other environments in the haunt.
As was mentioned, one floor is devoted entirely to 3D effects.
The Factory made use of some interesting lighting effects and even featured a live guitarist at one point.
Length
It took a little more than half an hour to complete the two floors, walking at a leisurely pace.
There are some organizational problems with the layout of the house, however, as our group got off track several times and in one instance accidentally exited the main area and ended up outside the walls.
Crowd Control
The crowd was regulated by one staff person who allowed patrons to enter at fairly regular intervals.
It appears that if the line is long, it will exit the covered area inside the building and extend to an exposed area in front of the attraction, so be mindful of that in the event of rain.
There was one portable toilet inside the entrance area and a concession stand, as well.
Most Memorable Moment
My group agreed that two performances were the most remarkable experiences of our visit.
We found the person who affected the Cinderella character to have been particularly amusing. The clown who introduces you to the 3D area was humorous, as well.
Summary
Fear Factory is a large attraction and certainly worthy of a visit, if in the area.
I haven't seen an entire floor of an attraction devoted to 3D effects before.
The producers of the event put together a nice attraction and the actors gave invested performances. Good creativity was shown in the development of the sets and the overall concepts.
View all A Theater Of Lost Souls Presents: Nightmare Factory Haunt reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2010 season rather than the current season.
by
CC2
after attending on Friday, October 15, 2010 at about 9:30 p.m.
Submitted: Sunday, October 17, 2010
Review
I routinely attend Splatterhaus as I find it to be one of the most intense haunts in the state, and this year is no different.
I appreciate Spatterhaus' strategy of having the guest enter a room, consider the scene and then the room goes dark and your scare approaches.
From which direction? One never knows.
Costuming is high end and the house always has good sensory effects.
This year's version of the house has some recycled material from previous years, but it is still startling.
As I consider Splatterhaus, I always think of the word, "intense".
The visitor is hit with loud music, pitch black corridors to negotiate and explosive scares.
Summary
As was mentioned, Splatterhaus is one of the more intense houses in the state and is not for the faint of heart.
Waits can be very long here. Expect to wait at least an hour during prime time. We waited almost an hour and a half for our visit.
It takes about 25 minutes to complete your tour.
Groups are called to the entrance area 50 at a time. Groups of not greater than 8 enter approximately every 5-10 minutes.
The Splatterhaus waiting area provides a game called the "Defecator" where the guest can pay $1 to trigger two scares within the house and watch the result. Cameras inside show views of a hallway that hide the scares the guest can trigger.
The waiting area is equipped with plentiful portable toilets and provides a concession truck.
A small gift shop is on site, as well.
While we were in line, we overheard guests from the Madison area who came to Splatterhaus specifically because they enjoy the experience so much.
Once again this year, Splatterhaus is a highly recommended stop for those craving intense startles and worth the trip for those coming from out of town.
View all Splatterhaus reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2010 season rather than the current season.
by
CC2 (Review Crew)
after attending on Friday, October 15, 2010 at about 7:30 p.m.
Submitted: Sunday, October 17, 2010
Review
I have routinely attended the Dominion of Terror year after year for approximately the last 5-6 years.
My thoughts upon my first few moments into the house this year were, "my how you've grown up".
The Dominion has been at its current location for several years and has been entirely redone from last year's version.
I did not recognize one familiar scene from last season and that was very much appreciated after visiting some houses familiar to me and seeing recycled material and scenes.
For this year's version of Dominion, visitors will pass through a restaurant and kitchen with items you won't find on the Food Network.
There is also a carnival midway with a carousel, a margin of woods with a waterfall, an elaborate medical and dental clinic you will visit among numerous other scenes and can expected to be aggressively welcomed into all of those areas.
The sets in the Dominion are elaborate and detailed down to minute elements like a gruesome dental set that actually smelled of clove oil. Those little factors enhance the experience, nicely.
Signage / Visibility / Location
The Dominion can be a bit tricky to find if you are not familiar with the area. GPS's will find it and the directions on the website are clear to follow.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
The wait area for Dominion is outdoors, so if there is rain or cold temperatures forecasted dress accordingly.
As we waited for our visit, we were seiged by aggressive clowns who startled inattentive guests and sniffed and growled at those who noticed them.
Dominion features a small concession stand and several portable toilets.
Actors' Performance
This was easily the best performance haunt I have attended this season. I was very impressed with the preparation of the actors and their investment in scaring the guests. Further, it was clear that the staff at Dominion take pride in their performances and enjoy their roles. We caught the attraction early in the evening and I'd marvel if the actors can keep up that effort all night, but what I saw was impressive and heavily invested.
Make up and costuming are solid.
Special acknowledgment goes out to the athletic performer in the padded cell who apparently had some digestive problems before we visited and the two rednecks in the leather shop who affected their characters nicely.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
As was mentioned, the Dominion's producers have taken great effort to make an elaborate and detailed haunt. This year's themes were well developed and covered a variety of contexts.
The Dominion's location provides a lot of natural ambiance for a good scare and its sets are well lit so that visitors can appreciate details of the props, make up and costuming.
Length
It took approximately 25 minutes to walk through the Dominion of Terror.
Crowd Control
Crowds entering the house are formed in lines outside and are admitted in small groups at about 5-10 minute intervals.
My pacing was fairly good, but it is difficult in a haunt of this size not to catch groups in front of you that may lag.
Most Memorable Moment
Among many memorable moments were seeing some very impressive make up effects in the kitchen and our reception by vampires as we left the haunt.
Summary
This year's Dominion of Terror comes highly recommended. Its scares can be intense, so it is probably not appropriate for small children.
Kudos to the producers of the Dominion for their efforts to renew the experience for visitors. That work and attention to detail is much appreciated.
View all Dominion of Terror reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2010 season rather than the current season.
by
CC2 (Review Crew)
after attending on Friday, October 15, 2010 at about 8:30 p.m.
Submitted: Sunday, October 17, 2010
Review
Creative, innovative, intimate, imaginative and startling.
This year's House of Bathory is darkly themed around the recent Alice in Wonderland movie, and its characters and sets represent that story nicely.
This is the first and only haunt I've visited this season that holds one theme throughout, and that made the trip through it very different and enjoyable.
The journey through the house takes you through multiple rooms on different floors that will bring you into direct interactions with the principle characters of Alice in Wonderland, except with startling twists and turns. They aren't quite what you saw on screen anymore.
Your trip through the House of Bathory is at a leisurely pace and staff do a good job of creating distance between tour groups so that you may not run into one another.
Visitors should be aware that some crawling and climbing throughout your tour is required.
Signage / Visibility / Location
The House of Bathory is very easy to find on 8th Street in downtown Manitowoc. Keep an eye out for the lines, and there is your entrance.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
Lines form outside of the entrance. Some of the wait area is covered by an awning. Other areas are uncovered, depending on how long the line is. If there is rain or cool weather forecasted, dress accordingly.
Concessions and restroom facilities are provided at an adjacent shop.
On my visit, we did not experience any in line entertainment, but I have read that it occurs.
Actors' Performance
All of the performers at the House of Bathory gave very invested presentations. Their scripting was clever and enhanced the haunt.
In particular, I have to make mention of the Alice character that cheerily greeted us when we entered the house who giggled and skipped as she led us through the haunt.
Also remarkable were the Tweedle Dee and Tweedly Dum performers who affected nice British accents and shared amusing rhymes as we walked through their area.
I don't ordinarily like a lot of dialogue from performers at houses as I don't feel they add a lot to the experience, but with this particular theme the remarks of the performers complimented the experience nicely.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
The House of Bathory is richly and elaborately decorated and you should be sure to look around to appreciate them if you visit.
The creators of the house did a remarkable job of making a coherent portrayal of the Alice in Wonderland theme and did a nice job of developing the story as you pass through the haunt.
Make up and costuming were well done. Keep an eye out for the very impressive caterpillar.
Length
It took approximately 30 minutes to negotiate the haunt and we took a leisurely pace to appreciate all of the props and set decorations.
Crowd Control
The crowd assembles at the front of the building and staff route groups inside at approximately 5-10 minute intervals.
Most Memorable Moment
It's difficult to isolate one particular moment as being THE experience of the house as I really enjoyed the overall experience, in sum.
I appreciated the costuming and dialogue of the characters in various points of the trip and there are some surprise scares that follow those words.
There is a glowing sensory effect in the middle of the tour that is probably what I would consider most remarkable if limited to one pick.
Summary
As was mentioned, the House of Bathory is a very distinctive stop compared to its peers. It is part haunt and part theater.
I really appreciated the thought that went into the theme, the effort to make a sensible path through the story and the clever dialogue of the performers.
This will be a very novel theatrical experience for visitors and is highly recommended.
View all House of Bathory by Dead by Dawn Productions reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2010 season rather than the current season.
by
CC2 (Review Crew)
after attending on Saturday, October 16, 2010 at about 9:30 p.m.
Submitted: Sunday, October 17, 2010
Review
As was mentioned in a previous review, the Haunted Barn is a novel experience as a rural take on a haunting.
What makes this place distinctive is the farm nature of the haunt beginning with your walk through a well appointed barn and then continuing on to a stroll through the woods before returning to the barn for some alternative sensory experiences.
There is heavy usage of props and decoration throughout the barn that make it visually appealing.
After initially exiting the barn on your tour, you will walk a lighted path that takes you through a graveyard and past a hearse. Stop along the way to appreciate the atmosphere.
Next, you will pass through a small cabin before concluding your trip back at the barn.
Along your way through the Haunted Barn and its surrounds, you will be confronted by various creatures of the night who do a nice job of creating startles for you, if you aren't paying attention.
Signage / Visibility / Location
The Barn is easy to locate just South of Stoughton on Hwy 51.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
Lines going into the house are well organized. The facility features ample rest facilities, a small gift shop and concessions. The wait area is outdoors, so if there is rain or cool weather forecasted, dress accordingly.
Actors' Performance
During our visit, the actors gave nice performances and seemed invested in trying to scare the guests. They also seemed to enjoy their roles and performed them well.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
The Haunted Barn has ample props and a high visual appeal. It's natural setting amongst the rolling hills of Southern Wisconsin give it a charm all its own.
I caught the Haunted Barn on a clear, moonlit night and it made for a very nice evening's entertainment.
Length
It took approximately 35 minutes to negotiate the haunt, but that included a brief delay after exiting the forest as guests were only allowed into the vortex area 2 at a time. There was a slight crowd back up at that point in the tour.
Crowd Control
Guests are routed through the house in an efficient manner. There were occasional delays to allow gaps between the groups.
Most Memorable Moment
The Barn features some very intriguing lighting effects that were distinctive compared to other haunts.
The walk through the woods behind the barn was the most extensive outdoor path I've experienced this season.
Summary
The Haunted Barn makes for good family entertainment. It is an appropriate stop for families with younger children. It is not one of the more intense scares of the season, but it is a fun Halloween atmosphere, nonetheless.
View all The Haunted Barn reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2010 season rather than the current season.
by
CC2
after attending on Saturday, October 9, 2010 at about 9 p.m.
Submitted: Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Review
I routinely attend this attraction as the producers of the house and trail do a nice production year after year.
There is ample space in their waiting area that is an old barn. One area allows visitors to watch movies while they wait. Last year the movies were projected on a wall. This year the movie while we visited was shown on a fairly small television.
The Haunted House and Trail has one of the better equipped snack bars I've visited with a huge selection of Halloween candy.
Waits at this attraction tend to be long. My party waited appx an hour between arrival and entrance and the attraction was not as busy as I've seen in previous years.
The trip through the attraction begins with a stroll through a torch lit woods. More props and scenes have been added to the woods this year. There are always well placed crew waiting for you in the dark.
One then enters the house after passing through a silo/tunnel that features some effects inside.
The trip through the attraction features three separate episodes where the visitor will need to crawl and that is excessive. In particular, there is a need to crawl through part of the tunnel outside the main entrance to the house and that can become muddy during wet weather.
This year's house is prop heavy and the sets are elaborate, which is always appreciated.
Scenes tend to feature a lot of dialogue from the actors, which can be difficult to hear and don't add much to the effect of the scares.
Also, some sets were dark and it was difficult to appreciate the make up and costumes of the actors.
My party agreed that the best actor's performance was in an area where the "procurer" with a shovel speaks to you in his Southern accent about his purpose before the scares begin. His role was very well portrayed.
It takes about 25-30 minutes to negotiate the attraction.
It can be a bit tricky to find as it is located off of Hwy 60 in the fireman's park in Slinger and the signage is rather subtle at night unless you know where to look for it.
Summary
As has been mentioned in a previous review, I felt this haunt relied too heavily on pop up/pop out props vs live actors and that diminishes the intensity of the scares. With overuse of that kind of a scare, the house takes on the features of a carnival midway trailer.
This year's house features a very nice animatronic effect of a girl with a morphing face that is worth the price of admission and probably the best feature of the visit. If feasible, pay attention to it for a while as it has many evolutions. Routing of visitors may necessitate you having to rush through this area, however.
All of the performers in the house gave good efforts, however, there was one scene featuring a hard rock music scenario that went excessively long and featured a loud horn that was overused.
The walk through the woods is always a highlight of this stop as very few other attractions have such a resource available and the producers of this house do a good job of utilizing it.
The creators of this house always do a solid job of decorating and it pays to look around to appreciate their efforts as there is lots to see.
Desite some of the criticisms of this attraction, it is certainly worth a look due to its elaborate sets, the previously mentioned animatronic effct and the presence of the torch lit woods.
View all Hartford Jaycees Haunted House reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2010 season rather than the current season.
by
CC2 (Review Crew)
after attending on Friday, October 8, 2010 at about 8 p.m.
Submitted: Monday, October 11, 2010
Review
I attended with two other people to get different perspectives on Terror on Rural this year.
Both of them raved about the actor's make up and the large and elaborate sets.
On the trip through Terror, you will pass through a prison lock up, witness an electrocution and observe an operation on a patient with very active arteries.
There is a crematorium to pass through as well as an area featuring hanging, wet meats.
There are some nice sensory effects this year with a tunnel filled with changing patterns of light and another hall with walls that will close in on you backed by strobe lighting.
Depending on how easy you scare, you may not find Terror particularly chilling, but at the very least there are some nice scenes to explore and staff that want to startle you.
Signage / Visibility / Location
Terror on Rural is just outside of the downtown area of Hartford with lit signage to locate the house.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
The house has a covered waiting area with benches and a snack bar. There are ample portable toilet facilities.
Actors' Performance
Everyone working at Terror when we visited gave good performances and seemed to care about creating a startle. Special remark goes out to the nurse who showed us her Facebook page and shared a few other jokes before encouraging us all to get flu shots.
Also, the "prisoners" in the jail cells gave particularly enthusiastic performances.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
As was mentioned, the people in my group were very impressed with the make up on the actors at Terror on Rural, and I have to agree. The make up artists are to be complimented.
The sets were lit well enough to appreciate the detail.
On our visit, we found ourselves stopped in an area with a dropping floor effect for several minutes. Apparently, staff were trying to regulate traffic through the house, but the dropping effect got old after about 10 occurrences.
As per usual, the sets were impressive and detailed.
Length
It took approximately 20-25 minutes to walk through the house.
Crowd Control
Visitors are routed through the house in an efficient manner. Ticket numbers are called in groupings and once inside the waiting area of the house, staff will assemble you in lines and share a few jokes with you.
Most Memorable Moment
All in my party agreed the most memorable moment of our visit was the walk through a tunnel featuring changing patterns of green lighting on the wall with a few actors waiting along the display.
Summary
Terror on Rural is always worth a stop. The staff routinely give invested performances.
None of us found the attraction particularly scary this year. There are a few startles, but we tended to notice where people were hiding and some of the scenes are kind of predictable.
Despite those issues, Terror is still a recommended visit and the effort that staff put forward to produce the house is apparent.
View all Terror on Rural Street reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2010 season rather than the current season.
by
CC2 (Review Crew)
after attending on Friday, October 8, 2010 at about 7 p.m.
Submitted: Sunday, October 10, 2010
Review
The Hubertus House of Horror has been around a while and I attend it routinely.
Creation/re-creation of the house requires a good deal of effort throughout the year to change things up, and staff there are always attentive to trying to keep things as fresh as they can, which is appreciated.
The house features a nice swamp scene and a restaurant with a butcher that wants some acknowledgment, as well.
You will also have an early session with Santa that was an interesting twist.
There is an excellent animatronic effect that awaits you.
There is also a surprise after your instructions before entering the house.
I went with a group of three to get different reactions to the haunt and my guests felt there was too much glow make up at one point in the house and they felt the 3D aspect was not much of a novel experience.
Some of the scenes had rather poorly hidden actors lying in wait, so those scares were unremarkable.
I'm not sure if in week two of the season the actors aren't quite at peak performance, but some of the scenes were slow to develop and the timing was off. There were some awkward waits for the scare during my visit.
The house begins with a bus ride that has essentially zero scare factor and doesn't really provide much of an enhancement to the experience.
Signage / Visibility / Location
If you can find your way to Hubertus, you should be able to find your way to the House of Horror. Look carefully for a small sign on the left side of the road near a church off of Holy Hill Rd, if you are approaching from the highway. The exit will be on your left in front of the church.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
For our visit, a local radio station was doing a promotion with giveaways in the gym. Wii system games were available as were other arcade games for a fee.
Hubertus has a nice snack area available and ample toilet facilities.
Actors' Performance
The house's actors gave nice performances and seemed invested in trying to startle the guests.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
The Hubertus house routinely adorns its rooms with lots of props. It featured one of the best scenes that I've seen thus far this season with a zombie that notices you watching him.
Length
The trip through the house takes about 25 minutes, depending on your pace and how quickly you are permitted to enter various rooms.
Staff at the house gatekeep entry into the different scenes and sometimes you will catch the group before you and hear what you are about to experience.
Crowd Control
The House has a system of lining up guests in 3 lines preparing them to enter the house. this works effectively for routing people into the attraction. Ticket numbers are announced and written on a chalkboard inside the gym so that you know what ticket numbers are able to enter the house.
Most Memorable Moment
The house features an animatronic that is outstanding and also includes a sensory effect. It's been the best scene I've experienced so far this season and in itself validated the price of admission.
Summary
I hate to be critical of an old classic in Hubertus, but I felt the scare and startle factors were a bit lower this year than usual. Perhaps scenes will tighten as the season progresses.
For those in the Milwaukee area, I still recommend the attraction as its creators routinely put forth a good effort to diversify the haunt.
Despite not being particularly scary per se, I feel this attraction is worth a look.
The very fact that you are wandering the corridors of an old house will be chilling enough for some, but for those with higher expectations than just an old, creaking house this may not be a maximum experience.
View all Hubertus House of Horror reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2010 season rather than the current season.
by
CC2 (Review Crew)
after attending on Saturday, October 9, 2010 at about 7 p.m.
Submitted: Sunday, October 10, 2010
Review
One never knows what they will come across in a cornfield in Washington County, as it turns out.
On your visit to the Haunted Cornfield, you will traverse a glowing spider web and eventually meet its spitting creator.
There is a pirate ship with its captain and a surprise guest.
Throughout the field, you will encounter glowing red and white eyes staring at you from the dark amidst the sounds of the night.
There are witches brewing concoctions in cauldrons and aliens that have found earth to be a fertile area for colonization.
You will meet the Wolfman and will contemplate a solitary walk through a graveyard.
On your trip, you will pass through a house of confusion with tapestry the same pattern as the walls.
Prior to entering the maze, there are plenty of options for how to spend your time.
The Cornfield is a pumpkin farm and has an impressive array of pumpkins, squash and gourds to buy.
There is also a gift shop on site selling Halloween themed gifts and a snack area selling cider and caramel apples among other fall treats.
The staff maintain a raised fire pit and snacks are sold in that area.
I am told they tell scary stories around the fire. When I visited, people sat and enjoyed the warmth in silence awaiting their call into the field.
Signage / Visibility / Location
The Cornfield is in a fairly rural location. The directions on the website are helpful and my GPS found it with no difficulty.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
Once actually in line, there isn't much to do but wait once your ticket number grouping is called.
Prior to being called, there is plenty of browsing to do through the rows of pumpkins, in the gift shop and around the grounds.
As was mentioned, there is a very pleasant bonfire to sit by to pass the time while you are waiting for your group to be called.
There is a digital message board near the fire that lets you know what groups are currently able to wait in line.
Plenty of snacks, etc. are available.
This is really one of the more rich Halloween environments to pass time in.
Actors' Performance
I particularly appreciated the actor's portraying animals in an area where you eventually end up in a shrinking cage.
Overall, all of the live performers in the field had invested involvements with us and seemed to enjoy their roles. Costuming and make up were above average.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
The creators of the cornfield did a remarkable job of setting up scenes in the field and having lots of audio and smaller scenes in-between the major stops.
There is plenty to pay attention to in your walk through the corn. Quiet moments are few and beware when it becomes too quiet.
Warning: there is a very heavy reliance on strobe lights in the field if you are sensitive to that.
Length
Depending on the pace of your walk, your journey through the field should take you about a half hour.
Crowd Control
For my visit, groups were being called 50 at a time. Groups were sent into the maze in about 5 minute intervals and they were allowing individual couples and small groups to enter on their own vs in pre-set groupings like 8 at a time, etc. This added to the wait, but improved the overall individual experience.
Most Memorable Moment
For my group, we particularly appreciated the scene with a pirate ship and also the area that eventually evolves into a caging. The actors in that area in particular gave very lively performances.
Summary
I really enjoyed this event. The walk through the field really makes you have to keep your wits about you and there is some kind of stimulation either audio or visual throughout the field.
This was a very satisfying visit and is highly recommended.
View all Haunted Cornfield at Meadowbrook Pumpkin Farm reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2009 season rather than the current season.
by
CC2
after attending on Friday, October 23, 2009 at about 9 p.m.
Submitted: Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Review
I attend this event regularly and this year's version was a successful production.
It's appreciated that the producers take care to try to diversify the rooms within the house year to year. I did not sense a lot of repeat from previous years.
This event features one of the better wait areas as they have one seperate theater area where they run scary movies while visitors wait for their ticket number to be called. When I visited, an unedited version of "Saw II" was on screen.
The Jaycee's home also has one of the better appointed concession stands featuring a diverse array of Halloween themed candy options along with packaged cotton candy, hot dogs and popcorn.
There is a significant security presence at the event as well as several police officers.
There are four portable toilets outside of the main waiting area and a tent with benches where the groups are formed for entry into the attraction. If it is windy, it can get quite cool in the tent.
Your journey begins with a walk through a torch lit forest path. When I attended the forest itself was lightly staffed, but that was acceptable considering cold temperatures and rain.
Ordinarily, several staff lurk amongst the shadows waiting to spring on the visitors.
This year's version of the woods now features a small, covered bridge guarded by an actor who will impede your passage.
Next, you negotiate your way through the inside of a large tank, however, at one point you have to crawl, which isn't pleasant when people tromping through a wet woods have preceded you. That would best be elimiated in the future.
You then procede up the stairs to the house where you knock and are let inside the attraction.
The actors inside the Jaycee's House frequently have scripted narratives prior to the initiation of the scares. Actor's performances were strong and costuming and make up were effective, as well.
In addition to the actor's performances, the experience in the house is enhanced with the usage of various pop up, mechanized startles.
One of the annoyances of this year's haunt is a small area with a clown in a box featuring booming horn noises that are too loud for the small area this scare is conducted in.
Otherwise, the event gives a solid performance.
Summary
The Jaycees Haunted House is a recommended haunt. Great care is put into this production and it features one of the more elaborately detailed, prop heavy attractions I've seen. It pays to look around in the rooms throughout the house as a lot of attention to detail has been employed here.
Fear factors are moderate to high with a heavy reliance on pop out scares, but this is certainly a worthwhile event to attend and an enjoyable experience.
View all Hartford Jaycees Haunted House reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2009 season rather than the current season.
by
CC2
after attending on Saturday, October 24, 2009 at about 8:30 p.m.
Submitted: Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Review
I have attended this event for numerous years and the producers of Splatter Haus always deliver a quality scare.
The house is located in a wearhouse in Two Rivers approximately 1.3 miles East of Lake Michigan.
Be sure to follow the directions from the website as there is currently a detour that will interfere with the most direct route to the facility.
There is ample parking on site and numerous portable toilets outside of the waiting area.
Splatter Haus' waiting area is the inside of the wearhouse housing the attraction complete with a consession stand and a booth selling event shirts and momentos, etc.
One of the more interesting aspects of the waiting area is a video game called "The Defecator". For $1, the visitor gets to trigger two real time scares within the house, which you can watch through closed circuit television.
Splatter Haus makes very effective use of explosive sound in its production as from start to finish, including your wait, you will be bathed in loud, death metal music. This aspect helps to enhance the suspense of the journey through the house, as well. Intense.
In addition, when the various scares are triggered, amplified sounds and roars will attack the visitor, as well.
This event also makes solid use of lighting to accentuate its scares. When entering a scare zone, the lights will typically go dark immediately prior to when the action will begin.
The home is negotiated via a continuous walk through numerous, large rooms.
Ticket numbers are called in groups of 25 and then smaller groups of approximately 8 are formed for entry into the house.
The house uses relatively few actors compared to other haunts in the state, but the actors they do employ give very invested performances.
Splatter Haus is prop heavy with elaborate sets and lighting effects.
In this year's production, you will meet Pin Head from the Hell Raiser series and he has grown significantly since those movies.
You will also walk through a nursery and meet the upset mother of numerous deformed babies.
You will walk through a graveyard with an angry keeper and encounter a pig headed butcher with a power tool.
There is also an armed skeleton lying in wait for you.
Splatter Haus features several lazor effects and a long hallway with a very ominous dead end wall.
It takes about 20 minutes to complete this house and the startles don't necessarily end when you exit.
This is a high quality production.
Summary
Splatter Haus has a well earned reputation as one of the top scares in the state and they deliver again this year.
The organizers of this project create a quality event with a concentration on generating fear using various sensory methods to achieve this.
In terms of startle factors, Splatter Haus sets a high bar.
It is one of the premiere haunts in the state and is not to be missed if you are willing to make the drive.
View all Splatterhaus reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2009 season rather than the current season.
by
CC2 (Review Crew)
after attending on Friday, October 23, 2009 at about 7:30 p.m.
Submitted: Monday, October 26, 2009
Review
I have been attending this event for many years and the 2009 version was a strong one, comparatively.
Hubertus makes use of an old house on site, which leads to a natural ambiance of a haunt, including its earthy smells and its dark, stone basement.
The house is negotiated via a series of stops in various rooms where scenes are depicted behind closed doors before you move on.
The props and detail of the sets are at a high level.
You begin your journey through the haunt with a brief motion simulation ride on a school bus and then you enter the house itself.
This year's house features among its numerous scenes a mob shooting, a visit from the earthbound spirit of a fallen bride, an encounter with Pinhead including a person trapped inside a matress from the Hell Raiser series and a face to face episode with the Predator.
A memorable feature of this year's house is a simulated mine train ride.
Hubertus was an enjoyable experience again this year.
Signage / Visibility / Location
As has been mentioned in other reviews, once you get to Hubertus just follow traffic to the house.
If coming from the highway, take Holy Hill Rd West (Hwy 167) and then turn left (North) at the St Jacobi church into Hubertus. It's ironic that a glowing, white cross on the horizon is your landmark to mark the turn to a haunted house.
There is ample parking and rest facilities at the school.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
The wait area for the attraction is the heated gym of the neighboring school. It is equipped with a concession stand and numerous video games. Characters occasionally stoll through the gym, however, for the most part one either sits or stands awaiting their ticket number to be called for entrance into the haunt.
Staff at the attraction are polite and engaging.
Actors' Performance
The actors' performances at this haunt typically feature a lot of scripted dialogue. This year's version featured several such narrative scenes.
The actors were creatively attired with good quality make up and they gave energetic performances.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
The creators of this year's house paid attention to detail and the scenes/sets were elaborate and well appointed.
There were some interesting effects using compressed air, as well.
Length
Hubertus is negotiated via a series of stops in various rooms where scenes are depicted. It took about 20 minutes to complete the tour.
Crowd Control
Ticket numbers are called and 3 lines of visitors that are continuously formed for entry into the house. There was a visible security presence and two police officers on site during my visit.
Once outside, groups are spaced by a staff person to attempt to control catching up to previous groups.
Most Memorable Moment
This year's house features a motion simulation of a mine train that was an excellent production and very imaginitive.
Summary
This was a strong year for Hubertus. The level of imagination and production quality were well done.
Scare factors are moderate to high, but it was a very enjoyable visit and is a recommended stop.
View all Hubertus House of Horror reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2009 season rather than the current season.
by
CC2 (Review Crew)
after attending on Monday, October 26, 2009 at about 7 p.m.
Submitted: Monday, October 26, 2009
Review
The Dominion of Terror is located in an old multi-story building, so it has the natural aura of a haunt.
There are colored lights behind the boarded up windows on the outside overlooking the outdoor waiting area.
Once inside the building, you progress up a staircase to begin your journey through the attraction which covers several floors.
This year's version of Dominion features a walk through a graveyard, complete with a hearse as well as a stroll through a mortuary leading to a morgue.
There are also rooms devoted to a classroom scenario, abandoned mine, a torture chamber with screaming prisoners and ornery guards and a segment of woods with a waterfall into a pond.
There was also an ode to the Confederacy with several Southern voice affected actors sharing some opinions with us.
At one point, we passed through a room set as a barn of sorts with a very strong odor that was quite unpleasant.
Dominion makes good use of its host facility and is a well thought out and diverse event.
Signage / Visibility / Location
Consult website for directions. If unfamiliar with Sheboygan, it might be a little difficult to find. The sign at the approach has a flashing marquee to look for once in the area.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
One of the drawbacks of this event is that you must wait outside in the open to enter the attraction. In the event of rain/cold, dress accordingly as there is essentially no shelter.
There was one portable toilet facility available at the time of my visit.
While we waited, two actors in straight jackets gave very active performances interacting with those waiting in line.
Actors' Performance
During my visit, the actors gave good performances and were certainly conscious of trying to startle the visitors.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
Dominion has fairly elaborate sets and props and a broad set of scenes in this year's haunt. Make up is better than average.
Length
It takes about 20-25 minutes to complete the trip through the attraction.
Crowd Control
As was mentioned, there is a rather small, outdoor corralled waiting area outside of the main entrance. Groups of about 4-6 are called into the house about every 5 minutes or so.
This event is not well set up to accommodate large crowds.
Most Memorable Moment
The most memorable character of my visit was a man in a top hat with a mouthful of needle teeth who met us at the inside entrance to the house. He led us into the graveyard after a brief speech posing under a blue light and he then triggered some scares during our walk through the graveyard.
Summary
Dominion of Terror has become a fairly polished event with the passage of time from it's early years in its current location. It is now an elaborate series of rooms with a number of different themes to experience.
Care has been given to the construction of the sets and the appearance of the actors and it is a worthwhile haunt to visit.
The scare factor is moderate, but it is an enjoyable haunt to attend, overall.
View all Dominion of Terror reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2009 season rather than the current season.
by
CC2 (Review Crew)
after attending on Friday, October 23, 2009 at about 8:30 p.m.
Submitted: Monday, October 26, 2009
Review
Terror on Rural Street is an attraction that historically makes great efforts to be at the cutting edge of scares and creative sets and this year's version of the house keeps with that tradition.
Terror has one of the more impressive and elaborate approaches to the entrance to their house with lightning effects coupled with a tomb and a large gargoyle that looms at the edge of the entrance lines in a margin of manufactured woods.
At the entrance to the lines to the house, you are also able to peer inside one of the areas of the attraction to see visitors getting startled by creatures hiding in the darkness.
During your visit, you will encounter a speaking spider and meet the Angel of Death among others.
You will walk through an elaborate morgue and be confronted by menacing clowns on a carousel.
Passage through the attraction is efficient and attempts are made to space the groups so that you will not catch the groups that precede you.
Signage / Visibility / Location
Terror on Rural is easy to find with well lit signage and a large parking lot.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
The wait area for Terror on Rural Street is in a seperate portion of the building from the house itself. It is heated and features a concession stand and ample seating. You will be visited by numerous actors while you wait. During my visit, I saw no less than 5 characters wandering the waiting area and there was also a significant security presence and two police officers available to ensure proper crowd conduct.
In-between the waiting area and the house, you will be greeted by more actors in elaborate costumes, some of whom are on stilts.
Great care has been put into trying to have the visitor engaged while waiting to enter the house.
Restrooms are numerous portable toilets located outside of the waiting area.
Actors' Performance
The actors at this attraction are invested in their efforts and the visitor will notice this.
The actors appear to enjoy their responsibilites and give active performances throughout the attraction and its waiting areas.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
Terror on Rural historically pays sharp attention to detail and this year is no different, as has been mentioned.
This year's event has elaborate sets and effects and the actors present in quality costumes with artistically applied facial make up.
Length
It took about 20 minutes to negotiate this house while walking at a leisurely pace.
Crowd Control
This event is polished in terms of its crowd control. Terror on Rural has been in existence for numerous years and the management understands how to route visitors in an efficient manner.
Most Memorable Moment
This house features a lit waterfall in a section of jungle that you should stop to admire for a moment during your visit.
There was also a dead ringer for Grandpa Munster/Al Lewis working at the entrance to the house who was amusing to speak with.
Summary
Terror on Rural Street is very much worth a visit. Its operators are concerned about the visitor's experience and take care to try to keep their operation fresh year to year.
Terror has a good reputation for the efforts of its management and the performance of its actors as well as its elaborate sets and props.
The scare factor of this attraction is moderately high and the attention to detail/props and investment of the actors makes for an enjoyable visit.
View all Terror on Rural Street reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2009 season rather than the current season.
by
CC2 (Review Crew)
after attending on Friday, October 16, 2009 at about 7 p.m.
Submitted: Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Review
This reviewer had never attended this event before, however, had heard good things about it and the producers of this project did not disappoint.
If attending all three attractions, the order of progression of what you will see is Morgan Manor, Morgana's Torment and Unstable.
Morgan Manor is a fairly elaborate house featuring a walk through a library, wine cellar and various other rooms full of actors waiting to meet you. Conditions are dim and hazy, but one can make out the dimentions of the rooms and see most of the actors approaching.
Morgana's Torment is essentially a series of darkened mazes to negotiate that involve passing through several inflated air bag enclosures and a hallway with a lazer light effect. You will hear from actors, but they tend not to appear.
Unstable is a walk through various stables, tool sheds, slaughterhouse/smokehouse where you will come upon actors working at their various crafts who become annoyed at your presence and make that known to you.
Signage / Visibility / Location
Once you get to the Waukesha Co. fairgrounds, it is simple to find your way to the well lit main entrance. The haunts are at the extreme North end of the parking lot. Signage is posted along the fencelines of the fairgrounds and they were not lit. There are no signs to the event from the highway, so you must first know your way to the fairgrounds to locate the event.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
The initial wait places you in several lines seperated by snow fence and you are then moved to horse pens to await your call into the attractions. The waiting areas are covered, but chilly. Dress accordingly.
While you wait, expect to be visited by actors who will enter your pen through the gate or climb over the walls to greet you. Their presence and interaction help to pass the time time as you wait to be called to the houses.
Closed circuit TV shows tape delay footage of people going through the attraction prior to when you are led to the horse pens.
Actors' Performance
The actors throughout this attraction gave a very, very invested presentation, bordering on over the top. Morgan Manor was extremely well staffed with actors who approach you on foot and on all fours. Beware.
If you find yourself disoriented while negotiating the exhibits in Morgan Manor or Unstable, follow the actors who will subtly direct you to the exit of the various rooms, etc.
During my visit, I was well impressed with the investment the actors took in trying to startle and engage the visitors. Comparivitely, this was a strength of this haunt.
Look out for actors approaching you on foot, on all fours and even occasionally from above.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
Morgan Manor is well appointed with props, however, is dimly lit so it is sometimes difficult to appreciate the details. Clearly, great effort was put into the decoration of this haunt, however.
Morgana's Torment is reliant on maze strategies and is lightly staffed. The maze effects of Morgana are a diversification from typical haunts, however.
Unstable is also well stocked with table top and hanging props that the actors are using to enhance their performances.
Length
Morgan Manor took approximately 15 to 20 minutes to complete and my party attempted to walk at a slow pace.
Morgana's Torment was completed in about 10 minutes and would be somewhat disorienting to those unfamiliar with how to address inflatable bag tunnels. It is lightly staffed and reliant upon dark maze negotiations and sensory deprivation.
Unstable took about 15 minutes to complete and is a fairly open air concept attraction in a barn, thus is easier to follow if one looks up for perspective when confused/disoriented.
Crowd Control
The crowd was light during my visit, however, there were more than adequate staff to route visitors and there was a police presence of at least three officers.
There are staff in-between each of the three attractions to route and organize guests and there are also portable toilet facilites available along the way, which is a well thought out convenience.
Most Memorable Moment
Morgan Manor, in general, stood out as the star of the three exhibits during my visit. It was overflowing with engaging actors bent on trying to interact and startle. The home is full of props to attempt to give it the feel of an old manor home and the designers were successful at approximating that. During your visit, you will have cause to walk through a smoldering fireplace, which was an imaginitive twist. You are also greeted with an eerily lit fountain while approaching the entrance to Morgan Manor, which sets the table for what you are about to experience.
Summary
The Wisconsin Fear Grounds is a very well done and polished event.
It offers three options at one location to entice its guests. The amount of actors and their investment in their performances make this a memorable and recommended experience.
View all Wisconsin Fear Grounds reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2006 season rather than the current season.
by
cc2
after attending on Saturday, October 7, 2006 at about 8:30 p.m.
Submitted: Sunday, October 15, 2006
Review
Signage / Visibility / Location
...good, lighted sign placement on the road prior to the entrance
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
indoor waiting w/ refreshments and portapotties
Most Unique
The tour starts w/ a walk through a woods lit with torches and then proceeds into the house. The sets were much improved this year. You could tell there was a lot of investment in this event.
Actors' Performance
Well done, good costuming
Appropriate For
11+
Summary
View all Hartford Jaycees Haunted House reviews
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