Event Reviews by katie_kiesow13 (View Profile)
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Please note: this review is for the 2011 season rather than the current season.
by
katie_kiesow13 (Review Crew)
after attending on Sunday, October 23, 2011 at about 9:30 p.m.
Submitted: Monday, October 24, 2011
Review
Mars Haunted House is a good haunt in the Milwaukee area. The makeup and the actors outside were incredible! It's a little shorter than some haunts, but some of the rooms were really quite interesting and worth the visit.
Signage / Visibility / Location
Very easy to find with some signage out front. Located on the upstairs level of the building.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
It was pouring rain outside when we visited this haunt, so it was really unfortunate that the wait area is all outside on the street/sidewalk. I would have really liked some covered areas to wait under.
There were two actors outside in the rain with us who were by far the best actors in the entire haunt. Their makeup/masks, costumes, demeanor and acting were absolutely flawless and they were definitely my favorite part.
Actors' Performance
Inside the haunt, none of the actors talked to us. They mostly walked around creepily and jumped out at us threatening us with wicked stares and weapons of all sorts. I was a little disappointed in the lack of interaction or script of any sort.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
They rooms were interesting and different, but a lot of space was filled with just dirty broken furniture that didn't really fit the haunt for any reason besides taking up space. Some of the props were interesting and fun, but a lot of them were things I had seen before - nothing really unique and different here.
Length
I would say that we waited to enter the haunt for about 10-15 minutes and we spent about 15 minutes inside. However, the reason we were inside for so long was because we kept taking breaks and stopping in the middle of the hallway to avoid running into the group ahead of us.
Crowd Control
A true disappointment. I understand that we were there just before closing and they probably wanted to rush us through to go home... but there weren't that many people there and we ran into the group ahead of us several times and the group behind us caught up with us, then, too. They really need to work on spacing groups out better.
Most Memorable Moment
Definitely the actors outside the haunt were the best and most memorable. I wish we would have seen more of them inside the haunt as well.
Summary
Not the most terrifying of haunts, but a good one to visit if you're in the area. I would suggest visiting early in the evening to avoid big lines and running into other groups.
View all Mars Haunted House reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2011 season rather than the current season.
by
katie_kiesow13 (Review Crew)
after attending on Friday, October 21, 2011 at about 11 p.m.
Submitted: Monday, October 24, 2011
Review
This was genuinely one of the most unique haunts I have ever visited. It is completely different than last year and the concept is so interesting that we had a blast! The haunt concept: they put you right in the middle of a civilian training facility where they train you to kill the zombies and monsters that lurk on the levels below Paulo's Pizzeria. The most interesting? You actually play laser tag. They strap you into the suits and you get your instructions and off you go into the dark and scary twists and turns where monsters and zombies are around every corner. Although not entirely scary, it was so much fun that we really enjoyed it!!
Signage / Visibility / Location
Quite easy to find. Located in the basement of Paulo's Pizzeria. You have to go to the back of the restaurant to buy your tickets though, a little confusing with not much signage for the haunt.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
We were there just before closing and there weren't any groups waiting before us, so we went right in. Not sure if you wait in the restaurant area if there is a line, but it doesn't seem like there's anywhere else to wait.
Actors' Performance
There were not a ton of actors in this haunt. Due to its setup and theme, they didn't need many. The actors who played the army general guy, the young girl zombie and the alien/dinosaur/monster-type thing... they were all excellent!!
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
Again, due to the theme and setup, they didn't require much, but what they had was pretty good. It took me at least 10 minutes of walking around until I realized I missed about half of the layout so I quickly walked through the rooms to make sure I took it all in - it's pretty massive.
Length
I would say that we waited maybe 5 minutes to go in and we were in the haunt for 20-25 minutes when all was said and done. A great length since so many other haunts are about half that. We really enjoyed how long it lasted.
Crowd Control
We were the last group in, so we didn't have to worry about anyone else. I'm not sure how they handle it when there's more people there, but I would guess that only one group goes in at a time. Fantastic.
Most Memorable Moment
A friend of mine and I were instructed by the army officer to push two buttons at the same time and of course failed to do so and we let the alien-like monster out of it's cage. Creepy! Also, the young girl zombie was excellent. Don't want to give away too much.
Summary
Definitely a must-see since it's such a unique concept. It's a lot of fun and good for all ages since it's not completely terrifying. The actors did a good job, but sometimes I was less concerned about them and much more concerned with laser-tagging the other team. Overall, a great time had by all!
View all Lister F/X Presents Monster Mayhem Haunted Laser Tag reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2011 season rather than the current season.
by
katie_kiesow13 (Review Crew)
after attending on Friday, October 21, 2011 at about 9:30 p.m.
Submitted: Sunday, October 23, 2011
Review
We had a great time at this haunt! It was completely different than last year. There were a few rooms that were incredibly unique and interesting that were really enjoyed. I would suggest going early in the evening to avoid a wait since the later it gets the longer the line is. Definitely a good house to check out, though.
Signage / Visibility / Location
Very easy to find using GPS. It's right on the main street in Hubertus. Plenty of signage and parking available.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
The wait area is in the school cafeteria so it's nice and warm (yay!) and they offer concessions which is convenient. We got there about 9:30 pm and the wait was just over an hour and a half. There were a few actors walking around in costume, but otherwise nothing creepy or "setting the mood" while we waited.
Actors' Performance
Overall I thought most of them did a good job. A few actors had a hard time remembering lines but others had a good time with improvising and interacting with our group, which I liked.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
Most of the rooms were really well done - very creepy! I really liked that they used more interaction with actors and less animatronic scares. They use more masks than they do makeup, but it still worked well. My favorite room was definitely the autopsy room - the set and f/x in that room were incredible.
Length
It took roughly 20 minutes to make it through the entire haunt. It seemed like it took even longer because they stop you in each room to talk to you and interact instead of just shuffling you through quickly.
Crowd Control
We were the first group through after a quick safety check, so there wasn't anyone in front of us. The group behind us caught up to us once, but one of the actors left the room and held them back so it seemed to work pretty well. There was a little difficulty with the group size. They put you through in groups of 8 and it seemed a little big because we were constantly waiting for everyone to fit into the rooms, so that was a little tough.
Most Memorable Moment
Between the autopsy room and the tunnel. Everyone I was with had a really tough time walking through the tunnel without falling over. I always love those. Both rooms were great!
Summary
Definitely a must see. I suggest for everyone 12+ (unless you scare easily... then maybe a little older). It was a lot of fun!
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
katie_kiesow13
after attending on Saturday, October 8, 2011 at about 11 p.m.
Submitted: Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Review
We arrived at this haunt just before closing and there were still a lot of people there - a good sign. We waited about 30 minutes before we entered the haunt which starts with a creepy dark walk through the woods. Once you enter the house, each room presents a new face and a new scare. The make-up, costumes, and FX are all pretty good. The actors all do a good job - a few of them stumbled over their lines. I appreciated that each room had an interactive actor who had a story and a presentation and encouraged us to stick around with him/her for a while, there wasn't much jumping out and yelling "boo," they went for the bigger scare, which I like. The only thing I was disappointed about was the number of animatronic scares throughout the house. They don't do much for me and I was let-down in a number of rooms because they relied on those creatures to scare us. Buzz-kill. Overall, though, a good haunt that lasts pretty long, so definitely worth it.
Summary
Check it out. It's fun and the actors are pretty good. Take your time on the woods walk - it's one of the scariest parts.
View all Hartford Jaycees Haunted House reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2011 season rather than the current season.
by
katie_kiesow13 (Review Crew)
after attending on Saturday, October 8, 2011 at about 10 p.m.
Submitted: Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Review
I enjoyed Terror on Rural Street just as much this year as I have in the past. They always do an exceptional job! We were really early in the season, so the wait was quite short, but don't expect the same to be true if you're visiting closer to Halloween - they tend to get quite busy. As usual, the make-up, costumes and effects were incredible and had my group terrified at every twist and turn.
Signage / Visibility / Location
It's located in the Activities Center in Hartford, so it's quite easy to find. Plenty of parking.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
As I mentioned, we didn't wait in line very long, but they do have a few actors walking around scaring people. The wait area is heated with benches, so that's nice. Also, they serve concessions (including beer!) now, so be sure to check that out.
Actors' Performance
For the most part, I thought they did a good job. I just wish there would have a bit more actor interaction (i.e. conversations and a story line instead of just jumping out at us).
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
This haunt provides some of the most sophisticated sets, scenes, props and FX that I've seen in the state. They really put their heart and souls into making this haunt great!
Length
We waited about 15-20 minutes to get into the haunt and it took us about 20 minutes to walk through the whole thing.
Crowd Control
There wasn't much of a crowd to control, so I'm not sure how they'll handle more groups during the busy nights, but we've never had problems in the past.
Most Memorable Moment
There are a couple of areas in the house where you're in complete darkness, surrounded by inflatable walls where you literally feel like you can't go anywhere. A nightmare for a claustrophobic person like myself!
Summary
Overall, as usual, an excellent haunt that I suggest to anyone in the area. I'd even say it's worth the drive if it's kind of far for you. Keep your eyes open - you won't want to miss anything in this haunted house! Be cautious - there are creatures everywhere...
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
katie_kiesow13 (Review Crew)
after attending on Friday, October 22, 2010 at about 10 p.m.
Submitted: Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Review
By far my favorite haunt I've visited so far this year!!! It was put together incredibly well, I appreciated how long it lasted, and it was absolutely entertaining! When you get there, the wait is outside in lines and they do have a few clowns in the lines with you to keep you scared and entertained. Once inside, it is instantly creepy. The rooms are all redone from last year and a lot of them were really innovative and interesting - different from things I've seen at other haunts. The floors are uneven (especially in the room with the coffin!) and the walls are diagonal in places... it really messes with your senses. The restaurant/kitchen is absolutely revolting... but great! My favorite area was probably the hospital - every room in that area was fascinating. The make-up, the props, the fx, it was all so well done and so well put together... it was awesome. The actors throughout the haunt were phenomenal - they timed their scares perfectly and they were interactive and worked off of the group walking through the haunt. I highly recommend this haunt to everyone!
Signage / Visibility / Location
I used my GPS and I've been here before so it was pretty easy to find. A big sign in the front of the building designates that you're in the right place.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
The wait area is outside, so dress appropriately for the weather. There are a few entertaining actors in clown suits walking around.
Actors' Performance
For the most part, the actors were really quite good in this haunt. They really worked off of the crowd and had a lot of interaction with us, which is always appreciated. And there were a lot of them, too. I think there was maybe only one or two rooms in the house that I didn't see any actors at all, most rooms had more than one. They were great!
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
The attention to detail this year was just incredible. They used the space in this building flawlessly. It felt like the haunt really flowed from one room to the next, which was nice. The scenes/sets were all decorated really well. The actors makeup was incredible - especially in the hospital scenes. I liked how different a lot of the areas were compared to other haunts. I've never seen a "white, padded room" or uneven flooring/walls to mess with your senses. It was incredible.
Length
The wait was about 40 minutes after we got in line and it took us probably 20-25 minutes to walk through the entire haunt. This was by far the longest walk-through I have experienced this year.
Crowd Control
It wasn't really necessary outside the haunt. Inside we never ran into the groups in front of us and no one caught up with us.
Most Memorable Moment
The rooms I remember the most clearly were the restaurant and the hospital scenes. They'll stay with me a long time....
Summary
Highly recommend this haunt to anyone in the area or willing to drive. It was spectacular!
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
katie_kiesow13
after attending on Friday, October 15, 2010 at about 10:30 p.m.
Submitted: Monday, October 18, 2010
Review
I have visited this haunt for the past several years and I was pleasantly surprised this year to see how much had changed from the previous seasons. As always, I LOVED the walk into the haunt which takes place on a darkened forest trail where monsters and ghouls lie around every corner. It really gets you in the mood for the haunt to come. Once I arrived in the haunt, I found a few rooms that I really enjoyed. My favorite was probably the morgue (I think that's what it was...), but not because it was scary, but because it was absolutely hilarious. The actress who is in the "body cabinet" was absolutely wonderful - and she and the actor in that room had such a great chemistry. I loved the interaction and script in that room. Also, the makeup, costumes, decorations... it was all quite well done. On the other hand, many of the rooms rely on animatronics for the true "scare" which greatly disappointed me this year again. I actually got hit by a few of them, which really took away from my experience. The hard-rock room was really overdone and I didn't really see the point besides holding us up before we could move on (perhaps crowd control?) but my group got really bored in there. Regardless, we did have a good time and enjoyed a lot of what the haunt had to offer.
Summary
I suggest this haunt to 12+ or those who will appreciate a well done haunt, even without many actor scares.
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
katie_kiesow13 (Review Crew)
after attending on Friday, October 15, 2010 at about 10 p.m.
Submitted: Monday, October 18, 2010
Review
The Hubertus House of Horror has quite a few unique characteristics that I haven't seen used in any other haunt this year - which I thoroughly enjoyed! When you arrive, you can purchase your tickets and wait in a heated area where they serve concessions and can even play arcade games. Although it's not scary (though there are some actors in costumes walking around), it's really nice to have something to do when the wait can be quite long -about an hour and fifteen minutes when we were there- and to be able to stay warm is well worth it.
Once you're on your way into the house... the bus is fantastic and something I've never seen before. The house (school) featured plenty of different rooms so it keeps you entertained. The other thing that's different in this house which I had never experienced before was 3D glasses! They hand them out and you wear them through I think 3 or 4 different rooms and the paint like... comes off of the walls... it's a crazy feeling! It was kind of difficult to keep the glasses on, and I felt a little dizzy... but I thought it was something different and new and I applaud this haunt for trying something outside the box! Overall, I enjoyed this haunt for it's innovation and new ideas, but I wasn't entirely scared through the majority of it. Definitely a good choice for a younger crowd, though!
Signage / Visibility / Location
Quite easy to find using a GPS or following directions from the website. Plenty of signage to get you there.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
A nice heated area to keep you busy and entertained. Food concessions are offered as well. A few actors walking around in costume, but nothing too creepy.
Actors' Performance
I thought that many of the actors did a good job. The first guy that we encountered (a man in all silver) was excellent. He held me back while all of my friends got on the bus and he was really great. Also I liked the girl in the Freddy room.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
I thought the sets were really well done. These excellent volunteers here obviously put a lot of time and effort into this haunt and it shows!
Length
The wait was a little over an hour when we arrived and the walk through the house took maybe twenty minutes. I thought it was pretty good for the price.
Crowd Control
They use a ticket system like most other haunts, so you don't have to wait in line the whole time. Though little other crowd control was necessary.
Most Memorable Moment
Probably the bus ride.
Summary
I would recommend this haunt to those who are easily spooked and enjoy a new and innovative haunt with activities, rooms, and characters you haven't seen elsewhere.
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
katie_kiesow13 (Review Crew)
after attending on Friday, October 8, 2010 at about 11 p.m.
Submitted: Sunday, October 10, 2010
Review
I really enjoyed this haunt this year! We arrived pretty late on a Friday night (around 11 pm), so it was really busy and we had to wait quite a while to get into the house - we got in around midnight. However, there was plenty to keep us entertained while we waited - there is a concession stand, a DJ playing music, and scary movies playing on a giant screen. I actually feel like the wait made the haunt seem scarier because we kept seeing people coming out crying or screaming, so we were psyching ourselves out a bit.
Once inside the haunt, we were put in an elevator (creepy!!!) and moved on to a ton of really creepy and well designed rooms with some great actors. Some people may not agree, but I acually really love children actors since I think they're incredibly creepy, so I liked that in this haunt. And I got a lot of weary looks from actors, too - they relied more on a psychological thrill than jumping out and saying "boo" as often as possible, and I think that's great!
The haunt plays with the senses a bit too; it's difficult to explain how, but you'll understand when you go through. There's a few mazes in this haunt and WOW did we get turned around and confused, but it was pretty entertaining. I liked this haunt more this year than I did last year, so kudos for making it even better this time around!
Signage / Visibility / Location
Very easy to find - it's located at State Fair Park.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
They use a ticket system, so you don't have to wait in line the whole time. You get into line once your ticket number is called, so that gives you time to walk around and check out all the other things going on. There's a lot of actors walking around scaring people, which is always fun.
Actors' Performance
I really thought they did a good job. Like I said above, it was more psychological and less jumping out and hoping they scare you, and I really like that.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
I like the scenes that messed with your head - the elevators, the mazes, the tunnel!
Length
We waited to get into the house for about an hour and then it took us maybe fifteen minutes to get through the whole thing.
Crowd Control
They did a good job of crowd control. I'm not sure if they served alcohol here or not, but there were certainly a lot of drunk people and I think I saw a few bottles of beer... but I'd rather they didn't allow it since I saw plenty of vomit. I just don't think haunted houses mix well with alcohol. But they did have plenty of police officers on hand for any problems. Otherwise, it was all pretty well done since they used the ticket system and you didn't have to wait in line for quite so long.
Most Memorable Moment
I think the mazes (both red and white and cage mazes) were really disorienting and a great addition to this haunt.
Summary
Nice job Hauntfest!
View all Hauntfest reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2010 season rather than the current season.
by
katie_kiesow13 (Review Crew)
after attending on Friday, October 8, 2010 at about 10:30 p.m.
Submitted: Saturday, October 9, 2010
Review
Monster Mayhem is really a unique haunt in Milwaukee and I enjoyed it! I was a little disappointed that there is very little "scary" atmosphere when you arrive since it is located in the basement of a busy restaurant and you actually have to walk through part of the restaurant to get to it. We had a short wait and once inside, you completely forgot that you're in a restaurant basement.
The hallway (stairwell) we waited in was fun and scary since there were actors in there with us (and by the way, kudos to the actor in the stairwell - so creepy!!). Also, the guys on the intercom, though not at all scary, were incredibly entertaining and we liked them a lot! What I liked the most about this haunt was the unique theme employed throughout - I won't say much about it, but everything was connected and there was a story to follow, and I really liked that! Also, they used quite a few actors in makeup and costumes as opposed to animatronic scares, which was really nice. Lastly, although the trip through the haunt was pretty quick, my friends and I really enjoyed that there were scenes throughout that caused you to stop and listen to the actors rather than just running straight through without any interaction. Overall - well done!
Signage / Visibility / Location
I used my GPS and it was really easy to find. It's located in the basement of a restaurant, so there is plenty of parking. Once inside the building, just follow the signs to get to the entrance.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
You can sit in the restaurant while you're waiting, but we didn't have to wait very long, so we went right in to the hallway/stairwell entrance. While waiting to enter here, there was a little entertainment in the form of creepy actors and entertaining individuals on an intercom who kept talking to us.
Actors' Performance
I thought the actors did a great job - they really interacted with all of us which I always appreciate! It's an interesting concept to involve the audience in the whole storyline, but I really think it worked well for this haunt!
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
It was all pretty standard. Lots of darkness and some interesting and unique scenes that I enjoyed. I really enjoyed the elevators!
Length
It took us maybe about 10 minutes to get into the house and maybe another 10 minutes to make it through the whole thing.
Crowd Control
None was needed while we were there.
Most Memorable Moment
The doctor(?) we saw after decontamination... and the room with the "two buttons."
Summary
Nicely done. Although I wasn't scared very much, it was extrememly entertaining, which is just as good!!
View all Lister F/X Presents Monster Mayhem Haunted Laser Tag reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2009 season rather than the current season.
by
katie_kiesow13 (Review Crew)
after attending on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at about 7:30 p.m.
Submitted: Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Review
EleMents of Fear is a great haunt for a youmger generation. For those of us that enjoy a graduated haunt with lots of psychological thrills, this one probably won't be for you. I would have been THRILLED about this haunt if I was in middle or high school, though. So those with kids - send them here! They did have a few aspects in the haunt that I'd never experienced before that were pretty neat, so I enjoyed that. Overall, though, I spent most of the 15 minute walk-through wondering if the "scare" was over and if I should move on to the next room...
Signage / Visibility / Location
Very easy to find with directions from the site. Labeled clearly - shares the parking lot with the church.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
You wait for the haunt in a church activity center basement - no entertainment or any sort of "mood enhancers" to get you ready for the haunt. It looks like a school room - not scary at all.
Actors' Performance
The majority of the actors in this house are youngsters (middle school, maybe some high school students). I saw maybe 3-4 adults in the house. With young actors come young performances. They rely a great deal on jumping out at you and hoping to scare you rather than interacting with you. One actress in a hallway who was crawling on the ground - great job!
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
Most of the sets and scenes were very simple, but they definitely accomplished what they needed. Not much in this house that I hadn't seen before. The one exception is the room with the couch - that was something I had never experienced before and it was very interesting! I liked that they played with their space in a different sort of way. Nicely done!
Length
It took my group of two approximately 15 minutes to get through the haunt (the wait time was maybe 10 minutes or so). It could take longer, or maybe be shorter, depending on how quickly you try to run.
Crowd Control
We went on a Wednesday night and there were very few people there, so there was really no crowd to control. All was well.
Most Memorable Moment
My favorite parts included the crawling actress, the couch, and also the polka dot room - very interesting. They play a LOT with optical illusions in this haunt and that's always fun.
Summary
If you scare incredibly easily or have youngsters who want a good haunt for their age, this is the one for you!
View all Elements Of Fear reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2009 season rather than the current season.
by
katie_kiesow13 (Review Crew)
after attending on Friday, October 16, 2009 at about 10 p.m.
Submitted: Sunday, October 18, 2009
Review
Gilly's Haunted House is a great find for the Halloween season! It was certainly not the most scary of haunted houses I have experienced this year, but it was definitely one of the most entertaining and fun. We had a blast. The actors really got into their characters and provided an entire experience throughout the house. It was a full themed haunt - not just several scary ideas streamed together for the sake of the scare. I was not scared by much throughout the house, but we enjoyed a couple of jumps here and there. One actor really got me as we were exiting the "freak show" - she told me (in character, of course) that I looked just like the woman her husband left her for and threatened to kill me, too! Creepy. Quite a few of the rooms were unique and interesting. The maze where you need ot find the right exit, the coffin, the room of mirrors, and of course the "boat ride" right at the beginning.
***Warning - just want to give anyone visiting this haunt this year a head's up - they use fog machines to the extreme. I actually couldn't breathe and felt like I needed an inhaler when I left because the fog was so intense throughout the entire haunt, though the first room (boat ride) is the most intense. If these fog machines bother you, I'd be wary to visit this haunt.***
Signage / Visibility / Location
Very easy to find - takes up almost the entire block. It shares space with a flower shop, so look for greenhouses. Using my GPS I found it with no problem whatsoever.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
There were a few actors outside, most of them not in character, however. We didn't have to wait very long, maybe twenty minutes to get into the house. There was a covered waiting area, but no concessions or warmth - so dress appropriately!
Actors' Performance
Overall, each and every one of the actors in this house did an excellent job. They all stayed in character - and each character had a story and a point and a purpose. It was fantastic. A+ all around to the actors at this haunt!!
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
For the most part there wasn't a lot of intricate sets at this haunt, but they fulfilled their purpose. They provided a background for the actors to play - that's where the true talent is.
(As aforementioned - fog machines are used a great deal so beware if these machines bother you)
Length
It took about 20 minutes to get through the whole haunt - could go faster or slower depending on how fast you run away from everything...
Crowd Control
There wasn't any crowd to control while we were there. But we never ran into anyone nor did anyone run into our group, so all was well.
Most Memorable Moment
The actor in the hallway before the last room (clown) as well as the actor in the last room (with the syringe) were fantastic. The doctor asked us for our names and we gave them unwillingly and the actor in the hallway acted a little like a mental patient and said "and I'm Doris..." He was fantastic. And the doctor guy followed us out of the house asking all sorts of silly questions. It was definitely memorable.
Summary
To sum up quickly - a great haunt if you enjoy a good time but don't necessarily need to get scared. It's a lot of fun, but not scary. We laughed through most of the house because it was so entertaining and the actor interaction is phenomenal.
View all Gilly's Haunted House reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2009 season rather than the current season.
by
katie_kiesow13
after attending on Saturday, October 10, 2009 at about 11:30 p.m.
Submitted: Sunday, October 11, 2009
Review
I have gone to this haunt for the last few years and this was the first time I was truly disappointed. The best part of the haunt, honestly, is the walk through the forest on your way INTO the house... it's before anything really even starts.
The location of this haunt is perfect - creepy forest in the middle of nowhere, low lighting, old house. It's great. I just wish that the theme (or lack-there-of in this case) of the haunt and actors could have kept up with the great set-up. I was turned off immediately when one actor was on a smoke break right on the steps into the house. If this was actually planned by the house, to have an actor outside trying to scare people - bad idea.
Most of the scares from this haunt come from animatronic props rather than real actors. And the real actors they do have rely on jumping out and hoping to scare you rather than actually interacting with you. Some of the other actors I encountered had a hard time staying in character - I'll let one slide since the reason he broke character was because I kept inadvertantly grabbing him in the pitch black thinking it was just a wall with fabric and I was trying to find my way out of the room.
Another thing that I seriously disliked was the use of mechanized doors to let you out of the room. I understand the need - it is used to keep you in the room as long as possible for maximum scaring ability... however, there was little scare and I was just getting irritated that I kept having to wait to get let out. Along the same lines, with most of the house in serious darkness, I kept running in to things and couldn't ever find my way out the proper way. Too many heavy doors that opened the wrong way and too few open doorways.
Lastly, I understand completely that haunted houses are all about loud music, loud noises, and all around loudness to disorient. But WOW! This house was loud. The sound effects in most of the house had my boyfriend and I putting our hands over our ears because it hurt so badly! Ouchie!
Summary
I was disappointed this year, unfortunately. For those of you out there who can scare quite easily with animatronic monsters coming at you, then by all means, go enjoy this haunt. For those of us who require a more psychologically advanced thriller, I'd pass this one by this year.
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
katie_kiesow13 (Review Crew)
after attending on Saturday, October 10, 2009 at about 10:30 p.m.
Submitted: Sunday, October 11, 2009
Review
Once again Terror on Rural Street has proven to be one of the best haunts in the area!!! I have loved this haunt for years and they keep outdoing themselves every year.
Right from the beginning they get you good and scared. Elevator much? Most of the actors that we encountered were really playing their parts - and the make-up is pretty incredible!
There were (I think) 17 different rooms to experience within this haunt - that's a LOT! It took quite some time to get through the whole thing and I enjoyed every part of it. It always goes well when you have boys with you who scream more than you do. That's a good sign that they've done a great job.
Signage / Visibility / Location
Very easy to find - right off of the main street in Hartford. Signs point you in the right direction.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
We had a very short wait, not many people out this early in the month... and when it's only 35 degrees outside. They had a few actors out there scaring the patrons - one certain "Joker" got my friend pretty good. Kudos to that actor (and several others I'll mention below).
Actors' Performance
Overall, the vast majority of the actors did an excellent job of staying in character - which is quite the feat since most of my group were screaming like little girls and then laughing at each other for it. My favorite actors that I remember the most were: mausoleum, torture chamber, clowns (damn clowns ALWAYS get me), oh there's so many - I can't name them all. But great job to all of them. They did a great job of keeping you in the room, also. Instead of just running straight through - they go for the maximum scare level by keeping you in their rooms as long as possible. It's great. And also - spiders = creepy.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
The attention to detail in this house is absolutely incredible year after year - this year I was not let down. Although many of you will be running for your lives far before you get the chance, you really should take the time to look around each and every room in this haunt and take in your surroundings. There is so much to see and the details that they put into every room are amazing.
There is a lot different this year from last year. So if you have gone in the past and don't want to go again because you fear it will be the same... fear not. Or rather, fear... but not for that reason. You'll get scared in whole new ways this time!
Air guns, pounding on walls and floors, strobe lights, dizzying paint patterns, and other props keep you on your toes and continue to disorient and terrorize you throughout this whole haunt. And most importantly, actors come at you from all sides and scare you even when you can't imagine anything is coming... be ready!
Length
It lasted quite a long time - maybe 25-30 minutes (I forgot to check my watch). Considering the amount of space they have to work with, keeping you in the haunt for that long seems incredible. It's great.
Crowd Control
There was one time when we ran into the group in front of us... we held ourselves up for a little bit so they could get ahead of us... then the actor down the way started saying in a super creepy voice, "Why are you so scared? Why are you hiding? Come down and see me down here?" It was great. Crowd control AND in character - love it.
Most Memorable Moment
All I'll say is this - keep your eyes peeled at the end. =) Can't ruin it for you, though.
Summary
Overall, one of my favorites and I would very highly recommend to anyone - even those who don't scare easily. You'll really enjoy this!
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
katie_kiesow13 (Review Crew)
after attending on Friday, October 9, 2009 at about 11 p.m.
Submitted: Sunday, October 11, 2009
Review
Overall it was a great haunt provided on the State Fair grounds. I have never been to this one and I enjoyed my experience a great deal. Of course, it always helps when you're with a group of guys who scream at everything. The Neverland theme of the haunt didn't really make much sense. They play thriller on a big screen in the waiting area, but otherwise, not much Michael Jackson stuff. It was a well put-on haunt that has some excellent rooms, just don't expect much Neverland theming.
Signage / Visibility / Location
Very easy to find - it's located at State Fair Park. Signage is clearly posted.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
Unfortunately since this is such an urban area, there is little in the way of atmosphere while you're waiting. We arrived around 11:00 and we were early in October so our wait was no longer than 20 minutes (thank goodness, it was freezing outside!). There were a few actors in costume walking around trying to scare people.
Actors' Performance
I enjoyed a good number of the actors' performances. They did a great job of scaring us. Although, they did rely on the boo factor - jumping out right in front of you to scare you.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
All in all, I think that they did a great job of putting this house together. I think my favorite room was probably the maze... it's so disorienting!
Length
I never really checked my watch to see how long it was - but I was happy with the length of this haunt. I'd say roughly 20 minutes or so. The nice thing is that there's no "down time." Your senses are constantly being teased and tormented in this house. There is constant movement and terrorization. It's great!
Crowd Control
The crowd was quite small while we were there so we never ran into anyone else - great job!
Most Memorable Moment
This doesn't have much to do with the house itself, however, I went in with a group of seven... when we walked out... we were only six. We lost one of our friends in the house somehow and had to wait about 15 minutes for him to come out all by himself. I can't imagine - how terrifying!
Summary
Good job Hauntfest - it was a nice first time visit for me!
View all Hauntfest reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2008 season rather than the current season.
by
katie_kiesow13 (Review Crew)
after attending on Saturday, October 25, 2008 at about 9:30 p.m.
Submitted: Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Review
A number of things lead to the success of this haunted corn field. First, the location is fantastic. It's in the middle of nowhere and the entire thing is set in a cornfield - setting the mood for a haunt doesn't get any better than that! Also, the length of the haunt is beneficial. It does cost more than most haunts, but it also lasts about three times as long, too. In that sense, it's worth the cost. On the other hand, how scary this haunt is depends heavily on your personal scare factor. I was not scared once through the whole haunt, but one of the girls I was with went in our second group and she came out crying because she was terrfied. So, I guess it all depends. This haunt depends heavily on animatronic and static props. Given its size, I guess that should not be unexpected. However, these types of props are not nearly as scary as a live actor in your face - which we saw very little of. A number of the actors we saw broke character, too, which makes them even less scary. In the middle of the haunt we were held up by security for a good ten minutes because everyone got caught up in the same area. So that was a total buzz-kill. Overall, I was unfortunately not all that impressed this year.
Signage / Visibility / Location
If you follow the directions on the website, you'll have no trouble finding the house. Keep an eye out for the sign, though, because it's not lit up and can be easy to miss if you're not sure where you're going.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
There is a LOT to do while you're waiting. They have a gift shop and a bonfire and lots of animals to look at. Great things to do to pass the time... which can be long. I think it was around three hours when we went.
Actors' Performance
Nothing spectacular. In fact, not any memorable actors. A lot of jumping out and growling at everyone.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
The UFO is my favorite, it's just so cool! There are a couple of rooms that you walk through in the middle of the field that play mind tricks with string and black lights... and clowns... that's kinda fun.
Length
From the time we entered to the time we exited, it was 35 minutes. However, we were walking very fast because of some scaredy cats in our group... but on the other hand, we were stopped by security for about 10 minutes. So I'd say one half-hour from start to finish is about average.
Crowd Control
Security walks through the haunt at all times, as I'm sure they have to in such a large area. They did a good job except when we had to stop for such a long time because everyone got stopped up at the same place.
View all Haunted Cornfield at Meadowbrook Pumpkin Farm reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2008 season rather than the current season.
by
katie_kiesow13
after attending on Friday, October 17, 2008 at about 9 p.m.
Submitted: Monday, October 20, 2008
Review
What a great haunt!! We got there about 9 on a Friday night, so we had a wait a really long time - a little over an hour I think. Also, while we were waiting to go in... the power went out, on the whole premises, so that made the wait even longer. However, I'm just glad I wasn't in the house when it happened! It's $12 per person, which I think is a little overpriced, but that's about standard this year.
There were definitely a lot of positives about this haunt... though there are some downfalls as well. I love that you walk through haunted woods to get into the house, it really sets the mood. Walking through the tank at the beginning didn't make a whole lot of sense to me, though. A number of the rooms use animatronic monsters which is never as good as real actors, but the actors that we did see were pretty good. This haunt has probably the most unique vortex I've ever seen and I really enjoyed that. Be ready to crawl! This isn't only a walk-through haunt, you have to crawl, kneel, squirm and fight your way through the house at times. But it makes it all more interesting. They have some different hallway techniques which was cool, but I didn't like all the sheets in the way... if you're claustrophobic, beware!
Summary
Overall, definitely one of the better haunts in the area to visit. Be prepared to wait a pretty long time especially later on the weekends.
View all Hartford Jaycees Haunted House reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2008 season rather than the current season.
by
katie_kiesow13 (Review Crew)
after attending on Friday, October 17, 2008 at about 10:30 p.m.
Submitted: Monday, October 20, 2008
Review
This haunt is definitely one of my favorites in the area! Year after year it produces excellent thrills for its guests. My favorite rooms at this house are the doll room, the room with the guillotine, and definitely the torture chamber. The rat was an excellent addition to the haunt since it scared the crap out of my whole group. The little girl in the dolls room, right in the end... she's fantastic!!! The hallway that's black and white really plays with your mind. The technical/special effects and also the attention to detail in this house are just phenomenal. Rooms are all hand painted and look awesome. The actors are all really into their characters and you can tell they really enjoy it. I don't think I saw one actor break character the whole time! While we were waiting to go into the house, there were a number of actors roaming around scaring patrons... and they were pretty creepy. Overall I had another great experience at Terror on Rural Street.
Signage / Visibility / Location
If you follow directions from the website you'll find the place really easily. It's attached to an activity center so there is ample parking available.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
They have an enclosed area to wait and have some actors roaming about. They also have a concession stand available if you want any snacks while you're waiting.
Actors' Performance
Overall I was very impressed. They're all really into it and have a lot of fun scaring everyone that comes through. Special acknowledgements go to the girls in the doll room and the actors in the torture chamber - you all rocked.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
Fantastic! Attention to detail is just unbelievable. Some of the props are clearly not real and therefore much less scary than others, but overall it was all really great.
Length
I would say from start to finish, it was roughly 20 minutes. They do an excellent job of keeping you in a room for a while so you can get the full effect, which I love.
Most Memorable Moment
The boys I was with were pretty terrified of the doll's room... watching boys get scared is always a highlight of mine.
View all Terror on Rural Street reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2008 season rather than the current season.
by
katie_kiesow13 (Review Crew)
after attending on Saturday, October 11, 2008 at about 9:30 p.m.
Submitted: Sunday, October 12, 2008
Review
Going to Gilly's Haunted Circus was a great experience for me! I've never been there before and, actually, didn't even know it existed until just recently. I'm terrified of clowns, so it seemed like a good idea to go here... don't ask me why! Overall it was a positive experience for my group. It was really easy to find, though parking was somewhat difficult since it is located in a busy area. We were there pretty late and there was no line, so we did not have to wait very long. While we waited in line, there were two clown characters running about scaring people. Once we were inside, the first character you see (the clown with the flower) is pretty entertaining. On the whole, I found that many of the characters in the house were more funny than they were scary, but I still had a great time! There were a couple of rooms that had great ideas behind them, but I felt that they were not fully realized. Such as the room with the "maze" or sorts. It's made in an effort to mess with your mind, but it didn't work out quite as nicely as I think they had expected it would. One of the best parts about this house, though, is that they asked me for my name in one of the rooms, and of course, not thinking, I actually gave it to them... then in a number of rooms later, they continued to use my name. Very clever and really creepy. The room with the mirrors is really cool, and the actor in there was great. My favorite actor I think it the guy right at the end. It was a good experience all around, but I left feeling a little disappointed because I don't think I felt truly scared once throughout the whole house. And for being a haunted circus, there weren't a WHOLE lot of clowns... ??
Signage / Visibility / Location
Very easy to find. Directions from the website are perfect and the actual location has lots of lights. You can't miss it.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
Covered area while you wait in line with some actors.
Actors' Performance
Some of them did an excellent job, some were kind of lacking. As I mentioned, the clown with the flower was pretty good, the magician, the guy in the mirrored room,and the one right at the end. As I said before, they weren't necessarily "scary" or "frightening" in their roles, but they did act very well.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
To be honest, the majority of the house was extremely dark - which, of course, sets the mood - but it made it very difficult to see the sets, props, and make-up of the actors. As far as I could tell, they did to an excellent job with setting up rooms. It's possible that they left it incredibly dark to make the rooms look more finished, but I'm not entirely sure. There is a significant amount of fog throughout the entire haunt. I actually coughed a number of times because it was so overwhelming. Make-up on the actors looked good, too.
Length
From the minute we walked into the haunt until the time we left was roughly about 10 minutes - a pretty average length for this type of haunt. The wait was less than five minutes.
Crowd Control
No need for crowd control since there was no crowd.
Summary
If you're in the area, it's a good haunt to go to - especially if you're afraid of clowns. The rooms are well decorated and they make a great use of the space that they have available. It's easy to get turned around, so keep your hands out in front of you and try your best to follow the path they've set up for you.
View all Gilly's Haunted House reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2006 season rather than the current season.
by
katie_kiesow13
after attending on Friday, October 20, 2006 at about 10:45 p.m.
Submitted: Saturday, October 21, 2006
Review
Signage / Visibility / Location
The directions I got from the website were actually incorrect. We made it there alright, but the house is actually on the SOUTH side of the street... not the North. There are no signs whatsoever, and we would have passed it had there not been a bunch of cars in the parking lot. Getting there was fun, though, since it's in the middle of nowehere, it's pretty creepy!
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
At first we were confused as to where we should go to get the tickets. Once we figured that out, we had to find our way to the house. There were some signs pointing us in the right direction, but it was still a little confusing. You can walk through this tunnel to the house (or take a train ride for an extra cost) and that is pretty neat and creepy since they have lights up and some scary manequins. Then we waited outside this giant barn for about 15-20 minutes to go in. The wait wasn't bad but it was really boring. No one trying to scare us or anything. There was a woman character outside the house, but she wasn't in character. She was supposed to be scary, but she kept smiling very kindly at the guests, so it sort of ruined the effect. No other entertainment.
Most Unique
My favorite room in the whole place was the electrocution room. The actor in that room was just incredible and the effects made it look so real! By far the best actor in the house and the best decorations and everything!
Actors' Performance
To be completely honest, I was only jumped once or twice through the whole haunt. You're led through the whole thing by a "haunt guide" who tells you the story of the people who originally lived at Salem's Plot, but they can sometimes be difficult to hear. Although I must admit, our guide certainly remembered all of her lines perfectly and also stayed in character very well, save for the fact that she was yelling a story at us the entire time.
When you first enter, you have to sign in and they show you a "real skeleton." The person behind the booth begins telling you the story and that room and the effects used are pretty cool. Then you meet your guide.
The majority of the scenes in the house don't actually have any actors. They're all mechanical and there isn't a whole lot in any of them that actually scare anyone. In my group of five people, I'd say the majority of us never jumped.
To be fair, however, the actors that were present did do a great job. They all stayed in character. The only ones who actually scared me were the ones in the electrocution room and the ones with the chainsaws.
Appropriate For
10+
Summary
Overall, I think the theme of the haunt is great. They tell you the story and give you a guide to walk through with. It just was not as put together or executed as well as it could have been in my opinion.
There is one scene where a car drives toward you and the lights go on and the horn blares. It's meant to scare you, but the only thing it did to me was cause temporary deafness. The horns were so loud, it really hurt my ears! =(
Like I said the two best rooms were with the electrocution and the one with the chainsaws. Those were very well put together and executed perfectly.
Unfortunately, there were a number of rooms here that just did not work well. There is one where they have plastic rats eating what is supposed to be the remains of a man's wife. It just looks too fake to be even remotely convincing.
The price was not bad for this haunt considering I think the people that would be most entertained by it would be children. It's only $7.50 for the haunt, and extra for the train or other attractions.
I wouldn't recommend this haunt to anyone who wants a good scare. It would be good for someone ages 10-18.
View all Salem's Plot reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2006 season rather than the current season.
by
katie_kiesow13
after attending on Saturday, October 7, 2006 at about 11 p.m.
Submitted: Sunday, October 8, 2006
Review
Signage / Visibility / Location
It's a relatively easy location to find. If you're from Milwaukee it's a lot easier. Just know that it's on the north side of Mitchell Street and you can only see MARS written on the side of the building if you're coming from the west!
Also, you'll probably be able to see the line waiting outside.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
There wasn't much for wait entertainment, although we didn't have much of a wait, either. We only had to wait outside for about 5 minutes, it was a great weekend to go! Then we went inside to get our tickets and went into the haunt about another five minutes later.
Unfortunately there was no music, no actors or no film clips playing in the wait area.
Most Unique
There were two excellent scenes. The first was the "Dollhouse." The woman/girl who let us into the room said "dolls always like to play" and it just totally set the mood for the creepy room.
My other favorite was the Milwaukee County Asylum. You walk through this hallway where there are psych patients and the whole floor shakes as you're walking over it, that's pretty neat.
Actors' Performance
The actors did a spectacular job of both staying in costume and scaring my group and I.
My favorite actress was the girl pushing the baby cart. She was excellent and so incredibly creepy!
Appropriate For
12+
Summary
This is one of the best houses I've been to this year, but at the same time, it's also one of the shortest. It would be perfect if the walk-through took more than ten minutes. They certainly know how to get to people and hit the right nerves to get you just scared enough.
Very well planned and the costumes and make-up were really neat as well.
I highly recomment this haunt if you don't mind that it's a bit short.
View all Mars Haunted House reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2006 season rather than the current season.
by
katie_kiesow13
after attending on Saturday, October 7, 2006 at about 9:30 p.m.
Submitted: Sunday, October 8, 2006
Review
Signage / Visibility / Location
It's difficult to find if you're not from the area. Make sure you look for 15th street and then it's on the left side of the road. No signs pointing to it, though, you just have to keep your eye out!
The fact that it's in a big abandoned warehouse is kind of fun and scary.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
There was no entertainment while we waited, but we also had no wait at all. As far as I could tell, though, there was nothing there. No actors, no music, just a line to wait in.
Most Unique
The best part of the haunt is when the rules are being explained to you. I don't want to give anything away and ruin it, so you'll have to check it out yourself! =)
The first room of the haunt is supposed to be this outside courtyard type area and there's a couple of actors in there and they made me jump a couple of times.
The majority of the house is dedicated to the surprise and make you jump and scream your brains out type of scares. It's a lot of fun and I certainly obliged to the screaming and jumping at the surprises, but it got a little redundant.
One of the most creative rooms/scenes in the haunt is the one based on the movie "Saw." They have the clown character from the movie in one area and then you walk into a room based on the bathroom in the movie and it's just the coolest and creepiest looking room. The only downside was that there wasn't much of a scare in the room at all. There was one actor who didn't seem to fit the scene whatsoever and he didn't do a thing to scare us, just sort of sat there. That was a bit of a disappointment.
Actors' Performance
The actors did a good job of staying in character. There were a few that really did a good job of scaring my group and I. A lot of the scares were based on surprise - jumping out at you from behind a corner sort of stuff. The clowns in the "fun house" did a good job of confusing us since they kept telling us to go in different directions (very clown/fun house style entertainment). We eventually found our way out of the room.
Appropriate For
12+
Summary
The only downfall to this haunt is that it's relatively short.
Also, they send a "guide" with you through the haunt which is basically a chaperone making sure you go in the right direction and don't hit the actors or steal/vandalize anything. I thought it was a little demeaning, actually. I can understand that they might have troubles with unruly guests, but I didn't enjoy it much.
Overall, however, if you're from the area and not driving too far, it's a fun haunt to visit. Nothing that would scare anyone too badly.
View all Dominion of Terror reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2006 season rather than the current season.
by
katie_kiesow13
after attending on Friday, October 6, 2006 at about 10 p.m.
Submitted: Saturday, October 7, 2006
Review
Signage / Visibility / Location
There was only one sign off of Cty P that was not lit up and we actually passed it and had to turn around. Once we were on Mileview Road it was really easy to find. This isn't a haunted house, it's a corn maze. The fact that it's a corn maze in the middle of no-man's land is just creepy and great!
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
The wait time was quite short for us but the wait area was great. We actually waited longer than we had to to go in so we could enjoy the area. They have a bonfire where you can sit and talk and they also have a gift shop, pumpkins for sale, food (including quizno's subs and domino's pizza!). We had a lot of fun waiting even though there were no actors trying to scare us or anything. There are decorations everywhere.
Most Unique
I LOVE that this is a corn maze. It makes it a completely different experience than any house in the area. Being outside in a corn field is so much creepier than being in a haunted house. One of the most unique parts of the maze itself is that they have a mixture of both fake people and real people. There were so many fake animals, monsters, etc. that when you finally got used to seeing the fake ones, a real one would jump out at you and scare you.
It took about 45 minutes to walk through the whole thing which was a nice change from a house that only takes sometimes 10 minutes.
Actors' Performance
For the most part, the actors did a good job of scaring us. There were a few that actually knocked me to the ground even... It was completely based on jumping out and hoping the group was scared and screamed. But it was a lot of fun. The last actor in the whole maze was the one who scared me the most!
Appropriate For
14+ (10+ with adult)
Summary
There was plenty of parking available in the lot and there were parking attendants to show you where to go.
The actors were really pretty convincing. The only problem I had was that there were long periods of time sometimes where you'd be walking for a while in the maze and there would be no actors, only scenes with several props, that was a little disappointing. But overall the group I was with was very pleased with the maze.
The music they played and the sound effects they used were very appropriate. There were two actors who made the weirdest but greatest noises as we passed by them, one sort of growled in this crazy animal-type voice and another one used this screechy crazy voice. We really enjoyed the two of them a lot.
You should definitely make the trip to West Bend for this corn maze. You won't regret it!
View all Meadowbrook Pumpkin Farm and Creepy Cornfield reviews
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Please note: this review is for the 2006 season rather than the current season.
by
katie_kiesow13
after attending on Friday, October 6, 2006 at about 7:45 p.m.
Submitted: Saturday, October 7, 2006
Review
Signage / Visibility / Location
Signage was decent. There were plenty of signs and the event was very easy to see once you were on Hubertus Road. It was fun that the house was located in an old school house. Very interesting atmosphere.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
We were there early enough that the wait was incredibly short. We arrived and god our tickets. There was a group that needed two more people, we were put in that group and got into the house in about five minutes.
The wait area is in the gymnasium of the school where they have tables, video games, and some food available. There were some decorations but nothing extravagant. There were a few actors in the wait area, most helping to get people into the house and none of them were trying to scare anyone. It would have been nice to have some sort of entertainment such as movie clips playing on a tv or some creepy music playing.
Most Unique
My favorite part of the house was when you go into the "Blood Donation" room, and more importantly the waiting room to give blood. You're all cramped into this room and the actor says that the doctor prefers his applicant's "shaken not stirred." Right after that the whole room starts skaing, it's great.
Also, it was really creative that in the first room they used the movie Saw as the theme with the clown character and the last scene in the house is with this same character. It was nice to make the house come full circle like that.
Actors' Performance
There were a few actors that did an excellent job of scaring my group. Unfortunately, the majority of the actors in the house are children and I have a difficult time being frightened by kids. Right at the beginning you're ushered through this big room/hallway where there's kids telling you to "get out" and "go away," it is not very convincing and does not set the mood very well.
Although the characters did manage to stay in character is was slightly disruptive and ruined the effect when, after they would scare us, they would follow it up by telling us to "watch our step" or "be careful" down the staircases and such.
I was surprised a few times, they definitely tried to use the "boo" factor.
Appropriate For
10+
Summary
I very much liked the themes in the house and that it came full circle in the end. The actor who scared me the most was probably the "Saw" clown character. One of the other good rooms was the one with the gorilla. You get scared twice in that room. It was crazy.
There was plenty of parking available in the parking lots and on the street.
The sound effects and music were pretty good, too.
In my opinion, the best actor in the house was the lady before the Blood Donation room that kept asking us questions and wanted to know if we were ready to donate. She was really good and stayed in character very well.
I only had one problem with this house. About half way through, the group in front of us must have lost one of their members somehow and we were stuck waiting in a hallway until they found their other person for about 20 minutes. After that, we did have to wait for some employees to fix part of the mechanics of the house. Otherwise it was pretty decent.
Lastly, I would not recomment this house for anyone under 10. Although I was not very frightened, there was a boy of about 10 in our group who cried through the whole thing and was scared out of his mind. Therefore, I would not recommend it for anyone around that age or younger.
View all Hubertus House of Horror reviews
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