Newbie Review Crew Member

Pete (dubstyle_2k)

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Previous Reviews: 2021 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009

2011 Reviews

Please note: this review is for the 2011 season rather than the current season.

The Haunted Barn Stoughton (PERMANENTLY CLOSED)

by dubstyle_2k (Newbie Review Crew Member) after attending on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at about 3:30 p.m.

Fun Factor: Very High Fear Factor: Very High

Review

This was my first trip to the infamous Haunted Barn, and it lived up to it's legend!  Just hop, skip, and a jump from Madison, The Haunted Barn is easily the best haunt in the area.  Parking was ample, although I would suggest you take it slow through the lot, as it is all dirt and grass, and is easy to bottom out if you are not careful.  After we got our tickets, we entered.  The haunt is separated into 3 areas, 2 houses and an outdoor trail.  Both houses were frightening, relying on sensory tricks to spook you.  The trail was long and you were guided by lights which led you from house 1 to the second house.  Ghost and ghouls jumped out and got got some good jumps out of us!  We found ourselves taking a lot of time enjoying the detail they put into the haunt, it seemed like they take a lot of pride in their work.  Actors were great, playing it up the whole time!  As we exited, we were quickly greeted by Beetlejuice, who in true beetlejuice fashion, proceeded to goof on me for quite a while, it was great!  This haunt was fairly lengthy, which is pretty nice, just make sure you plan accordingly, as the line to enter was long!  In all I would say The Haunted Barn is one haunt you don't want to miss!

Signage / Visibility / Location


A marquee sign is illuminated, making The Haunted Barn hard to miss!

Wait Area / Line Entertainment


Actors roam around the waiting area, interactions were fun!

Actors' Performance


A+! Great job to all, they really know their craft!

Sets Scenes / Props / FX


Top of the line sets and props made it a visual masterpiece

Length


40 minutes plus line wait

Crowd Control


No problems

Most Memorable Moment


Beetlejuice, I love a good roast!

Summary

Haunt fans, this is one you don't want to miss.  It's central location makes it pretty reachable to a lot of people.  Bring comfy shoes and all your nerves, you are going to need them!  The Haunted Barn is a true haunted masterpiece!

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Please note: this review is for the 2011 season rather than the current season.

Burial Chamber Haunted House Complex

by dubstyle_2k (Newbie Review Crew Member) after attending on Friday, October 21, 2011 at about 4 p.m.

Fun Factor: Very High Fear Factor: Very High

Review

Burial Chamber has been, and remains to be one of my favorite haunts.  This would be the dictionary definition of mega-haunt!  Three haunts in one, along with a coffin ride, it was well worth the ride.  The three haunts, 2 indoor and 1 outdoor, are different, and offer frightening fun around every corner. 




Let's start with Phobia Haunted Woods.  In Phobia you take a leisurely stroll though the darkest wooded trail around!  Uneven terrain and backwoods creeps keep you on high alert the whole time.   Bushmen, zombies, rednecks, oh my!  No doubt you will approached and asked to squeal like a pig!  Creepy!  Definitely bring shoes for a hike, sandals or heals will not be your friend in this haunt!



Next we have "Insanity"  Which is everything I love in a haunt, scary and creepy!  They market it as "a haunted house on crack", I can't agree more!  It's essentially a haunted fun house, killer clowns, visual effects, and disorientation.  Insanity is my favorite of the 3!



The last haunt is "Adrenaline", which is your run of the mill, haunted house, well maybe not run of the mill, as Adrenaline is beyond frightening!  Sensory deprivation and overload all in one!  Dark, loud, bright, quiet, this one combines everything a haunt should have, and does it without flaw. Hmmm, maybe this one was my favorite! 



In addition to the haunts, Burial Chamber offers "The Last Ride", a burial simulator.  You are 'Laid to rest' in a luxurious and spacious (not really!) coffin, where your final resting place is simulated.  The coffin bounces, shakes, and booms as you listen to the program.  Last Ride is fun, I HIGHLY suggest you remove your jacket before entering the coffin, I was boiling in there, which makes the ride less enjoyable.



It's hard for me to give an honest answer when I have to pick my favorite haunt, everything about Burial Chamber is great, it is what a haunt should be.  The staff at Burial Chamber continue to be the best of the best, putting everything they have into making sure you get your moneys worth, and giving you the best scares of the season

Signage / Visibility / Location


Burial Chamber has plenty of signage, it is hard to miss.  Marquee signs and flagmen are a plenty. 

Wait Area / Line Entertainment


The waiting areas at Burial Chamber are great!  Actors interact, Big screens showing movie clips and music videos are all there to entertain you.  Hey, do you want to see a guy on stilts playing the bajo?  Yeah, they have one!

Actors' Performance


Dedicated!

Sets Scenes / Props / FX


No surprise here, Burial Chamber spares no expense.  Everything was excellent!

Length


You will make an evening of it!  Each haunt is roughly 20 minutes long.

Crowd Control


No problems

Summary

Value/Time=AWESOME!  You can go to all the haunts in the area, you wont find a better one.  Bring a coat and comfortable shoes, it's going to be a long fun night!

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Please note: this review is for the 2011 season rather than the current season.

Lister F/X Presents Monster Mayhem Haunted Laser Tag (CLOSED)

by dubstyle_2k (Newbie Review Crew Member) after attending on Friday, October 14, 2011 at about 4 p.m.

Fun Factor: Very High Fear Factor: High

Review

I have traveled all over this region, attending the "biggest" and "best" haunts you can find... Monster Mayhem blows them all away!  I attended Mayhem two years ago, and was pretty impressed with the time and effort they put into it, so I wanted to check it out again, I wasn't let down.  When I attend haunts, I often find myself paying so much attention to detail and crowd reaction that my enjoyment takes a backseat, Monster Mayhem made it impossible for me not to have a great time!  Is Monster Mayhem scary?  Yeah, it has some good moments.  Is Monster Mayhem fun?  YES YES YES!  Laser tag with zombies and ghouls, how can you beat that‽ You can't!  The story line is interesting, a security breach has taken place and the area has been taken over by ghoulish creatures!  We were split into teams and the fun began.  Our goal was to shoot the other team members more than they shoot you, simple right?  Oh yeah, there are spooks hiding around every corner to throw you off your game!  Run, shoot, jump, scream, repeat over and over!  The play area is large, and there are plenty of spots to hide and attack.  The actors are all very believable, and coupled with the thrill of the hunt, our hearts were pumping and adrenalin was at an all-time high!  After about 20 minutes, our game was over, the scores were calculated (I did not win btw!) and we were taken to see the doctor for decontamination!  We had such a great time we went in for a second game!  After all was said and done, we walked out of Monster Mayhem sweaty and smiling!  If you are looking to have a good scare coupled with an exhilarating, fun time, Monster Mayhem is the end all, be all!

Signage / Visibility / Location


Because I attended Monster Mayhem two years ago, I knew were it was located, had I not, I may have had a hard time finding it.  I can't recall seeing a distinguishable sign at the entrance, which I think would help out a lot.

Wait Area / Line Entertainment


The waiting area is a pizza restaurant, not much you can do there.  Actors can't roam and spook you.  You can, however, enjoy a delicious pizza while you wait, so that's pretty awesome!

Actors' Performance


Top notch!  They really sell it.  Dedication seems to be job one with them!

Sets Scenes / Props / FX


Professional and impressive.

Length


Each game lasted roughly 20 minutes, long enough to work up a sweat!

Crowd Control


No issues

Most Memorable Moment


The whole thing!

Summary

My favorite haunt of the season!  I plan on going one more time before they close!

View all Lister F/X Presents Monster Mayhem Haunted Laser Tag (CLOSED) reviews

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Please note: this review is for the 2011 season rather than the current season.

Haunted High presents Dark Carnival

by dubstyle_2k (Newbie Review Crew Member) after attending on Friday, October 7, 2011 at about 3 p.m.

Fun Factor: Very High Fear Factor: Very High

Review

In all my years of attending haunts, this was by far the biggest surprise I've come across!  The idea of a haunt put on by a school or school district always makes me a little leery. Haunted High has caused me to reevaluate that thought!  Frightening, intriguing, and awe inspiring, this haunt has it all.  When I think of what made Haunted High stand out, one word comes to mind, innovative!  Crazy terrain tricks, dedicated actors, and an ending that is nothing short of amazing!  I don't know what the budge for Haunted High was, but it's safe to assume they used every penny wisely!  I would recommend Haunted High to anyone looking to have a spooky fun night!  Bravo Haunted High, Bravo!

Signage / Visibility / Location


Haunted High lacks in the area of signage.  I drove right past it, as it is set back from the street, and the gigantic high school across the street diverts your attention from it.  The haunt is well lit, and once you spot it, it is very noticeable, but an illuminated sign would do it wonders.

Wait Area / Line Entertainment


Awesome waiting area!  A big screen shows horror movie trailers, which is my favorite waiting line time waster, and an extremely weather damaged gym floor makes for a fun walking adventure!  A few actors were also available for spooking.  In all this was a great waiting area!

Actors' Performance


Dedicated and playful, the actors in Haunted High were top notch!

Sets Scenes / Props / FX


The best of the best!  I was surprised numerous times, and the finale was so impressive words can't describe it! I don't want to give anything away, just know that the finale blends two pop culture items I could care less about, and made a show that I sat through in amazement!  Truly remarkable stuff!

Length


Times vary, depending on how long you sit though the final act.  We sat through the entire show, so we were in there for a good 45 minutes.

Crowd Control


The crowd was controlled the entire time.  There were no chances for out of control behavior!

Most Memorable Moment


Definitely the finale.  Like I stated above, this was truly remarkable!  You have to see it to believe it!

Summary

Haunted High is the best haunt I have attended in some time!  Innovation mixed with dedication and technical skill, Haunted High does it as well as the best haunts around.  A+

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April 25th, 2024 9:09 a.m. CDT 24.07