Previous Reviews: 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008
Please note: this review is for the 2009 season rather than the current season.
by pud27 (Newbie Review Crew Member) after attending on Sunday, October 25, 2009 at about 2:30 p.m.
Submitted: Monday, October 26, 2009
Our fourth and final haunt of our three day 385 mile Review Crew tour took us out to Wautoma for Terror Trail. The location is out in the middle of nowhere, back in the trees, the type of area that just makes you feel like your going to die. There are signs off of the highway and then again where you turn to get back to the haunt, so it's not difficult to find even though its in the middle of nowhere. They park a truck with a flashing light on it and direct you to the parking area. There was only one other car there, but there appeared to be an adequate amount parking available if needed. From the parking area it was a short walk to the ticket area. There was no line entertainment while we were there, but the only thing we had to wait for was the actors to resume from their break. There was a tent as well that would have provided cover for a few people if the weather required it.
The cool thing about this haunted trail is they also built buildings that make it an indoor/outdoor event. you go through the door and speak with the nurse who allows you admission to see the doctor. This was a very well done scene with quite a few surprises. And when you think someone grabbed you, they did. This haunt allows their actors to touch, which enhances the experience in my opinion. Once through the doctor's office you find yourself out on the trail. It is lit by candles or lights in plastic pumpkin pails. IT provides enough light to guide yourself, but not so much that you see what's coming up. The trail winds a lot, which allows a small amount of actor's to be in a few different scenes. The scares are well done for what seemed to be a fairly small group of actor's. The set up of the trail requires good spacing for the groups, of which they do not allow more than four to go together. This may make for a longer wait, but a much more enjoyable time once inside. They use fog machines and strobes to really mess with your eyes which keeps them from adjusting to the dark. This makes every little scare just a bit scarier because you can't see them coming. The scenes and effects were great throughout. This haunt had possibly the coolest and simplest effect I have seen with the clown room, and the ending is quite a surprise as well. It is definitely a well run haunt that you should not miss if you find yourself in the area. The only problem I really found with it was it was a bit short. I feel they could use a little character development to make people slow up a little bit. At 12 minutes after an hour and a half ride from Green Bay it's a little hard to justify just this haunt for the distance. If you are in the area though, definitely put this on your list to check out, you won't be disappointed.
Please note: this review is for the 2009 season rather than the current season.
by pud27 (Newbie Review Crew Member) after attending on Saturday, October 24, 2009 at about 5:30 p.m.
Submitted: Monday, October 26, 2009
Our Third haunt of the year took us up to The Oconto Jaycees' Trail of Terror. This was my second time at this event, the first being a couple years ago. I was excited to get out there again as the first time was a lot of fun. Let me tell you, it was well worth the drive! A ten dollar ticket buys you a half hour, guided trail through the woods (depending how long it takes you to navigate the unguided maze....). The waiting area uses a number system instead of a line, and while it is not covered, there is a big bonfire and music playing whil you wait. Watch out for the snake pit on your way to the fire!!! My fiancee and I were put into a goup with four 17-18 year olds and another couple. All fears I had that it would be an obnoxious group trying to act cool were put to rest as the guys backed away from the haybale maze entrance and tried pushing the girls through ahead of them. The actors in this maze were great at scaring and misdirecting, and one actor in particular did the best job of staying in character no matter what happened. I don't want to give anything away, but you'll know who I mean when you see him! We and the other couple made it through and enjoyed a few laughs while we listened to the teenagers in our group scream as they took another 5 minutes to escape. I've never heard 18 year old guys scream and whine or seen people hide behind me like they did in this section. As I mentioned earlier, this is a guided walk through the woods, but don't let that fool you. It is better this way, as the trail isn't clearly marked at some points (such as the clown graveyard). Plus, the group we were with would have taken off running if they hadn't had to stay behind the guide. As this is a low budget haunt, the sets are not elaborate, they instead rely on their actors and the darkness only a woods can provide. The sets they do have are average in design, great in acting. My favorite by far is the scene where swine flu has obviously hit really hard, with symptoms we have not yet seen outside the woods. Also, the graveyard and the hunting camp are great. The actor's come at you from every angle, and I mean every angle. Also, they are allowed to touch you, so if you think something grabbed at your leg, it probably did. THe actor's did great, and the Jaycee's once again put on a great fundraiser. Props to them and their actor's, by far one of the best nonprofit haunts in the area.
View all Trail Of Terror - Final Season reviews
Please note: this review is for the 2009 season rather than the current season.
by pud27 (Newbie Review Crew Member) after attending on Saturday, October 24, 2009 at about 2:30 p.m.
Submitted: Monday, October 26, 2009
My second haunt of the year was a trip to Brussels for The Haunted Mansion at Quietwoods South Camp Resort. A short half hour drive into Door County from Green Bay, you know your going the right way soon as a bill board tells you that The Haunted Mansion is ahead. As you get closer to the haunt itself, signs off of Highway 57 point you the correct way, as do signs at the rest of the turns you need to take. Be careful though, as the last sign, for Lover's Lane, is right where you need to turn, so there is no warning. The car ahead of us missed it, as did we and we had to turn around. The thing you notice most while driving towards the haunt is it's location. It is quite a ways from the higway, out in the middle of nowhere so it really sets the mood as your driving deeper and deeper into nothingness. We arrived about a half hour after opening, and parking was sketchy. We parked out on the road like a few others, but weren't certain if thats where we were supposed to be. They could use a few more signs or even a parking attendant to show the way to maximize the space.
If it's busy, you can tell from the road where you're supposed to go as the line starts stretching down the driveway. This line is for the first attraction, the haunted trail. You can either wait in line and by your tickets when you make it to the window, or you can grab a spot in line and send someone up to purchase your tickets so your ready to go when you get to the front. The line features a few ghouls walking around, one being one of the coolest costumes I have ever seen. There are also movie clips and things playing on a big screen for your entertainment. Lastly, be sure to use the bathroom before you start, they have a nice facility at the start, and even if the waits are short you'll spend a bit of time in the haunts.
The complex is set up in four parts, which have a certain order that needs to be followed. The first attraction, The haunted trail, is a short walk with a few surprises. My fiancee and I had the displeasure of taking this walk with a group of obnoxious teenagers, which of course is no fault of the haunt staff., I think it would have been better with a different group. They walked fast so it only took about 5 minutes to get through the trail. Overall I would say the quality was about a 3 and the scare factor could have been a 3 if it weren't for the rest of the group.
The second attraction is the corn maze. This isn't your typical corn maze, which you'll know what I mean when you get there, but it is a neat effect. Here you will definitely catch up to other groups, but that's the point of their set up. Again, I would say this is about a 3.5 in quality and a 3 in scare. Definitely more confusion than surprise, but it's a really neat effect.
Thirdly, you reach the line for the Haunted Bus. I found this to be a very cool, original idea. The bus ride take approximately 10 minutes or so, which by the time you get to the end your happy to be getting off. The bus is decorated like a gruesome murder inside, and the music playing sets the mood right as well. I liked the ride for the fact that it's right in the middle, gives you a chance to sit down and warm up, and gives you a nice tour of the decorated campsites in the resort. One of the coolest effect I have seen happens on the busride, I don't want to spoil it, but I'll tell you it doesn't happen inside the bus. Inside the bus, in my opinion it gets old when the gouhls come out. In my opinion it was more annoying than scary. A person can only take so much random, unrelenting screaming before you've had enough. Ear plugs are definitely not a bad idea here. Overall I would say 3.5 on quality and and 2.5 on scare. It's a nice way to break it up, but the gouhls are a bit obnoxious.
Lastly, we arrived at the feature event, The Haunted Manison. Wow, is the first thing that comes to mind. When you arrive here, you realize why the set up is as it is. As you progress through the attractions, they are steadily getting better, and they totally save the best for last. The line here features a screen with movie clips, as well as people walking around selling hot chocolate. The group spacing is great, so you do have to wait in line a little longer, but once you enter you don't see anybody else til the other side. The outside of the building looks cool too, like an old rundown mansion should. Before you even enter the haunt, you can tell how the acting is going to be. The person in charge of letting you into the haunted house really plays her part well, as she makes conversation with you. Then, when you enter, the butler plays an awesome role as well. After that you enter through the fireplace and the scares begin. The pathways are kind of tight, so a bigger person like myself had to do a little turning to get thorugh, but it made for more room to scare by having tight spaces. Overall the scenes were great, some of my favorites include the mechanic, the electric chair and the bedroom. All the actors stayed in character the whole time, and no one was scrambling to get back to their spots for the next scare. The only real problem I had in here was some rooms had multiple doorways, some of which led backstage (whoops!) Every room in this haunt led to a new surprise, most of which was original from any other haunt I've been too. I give the haunted mansion portion a 5 for quality and 4 for scare factor.
View all The Haunted Mansion (PERMANENTLY CLOSED) reviews
Please note: this review is for the 2009 season rather than the current season.
by pud27 (Newbie Review Crew Member) after attending on Friday, October 23, 2009 at about 5 p.m.
Submitted: Saturday, October 24, 2009
This was my first time at Neenah's Most Haunted, and it was well worth the drive. It is put on by the Neenah Youth Go, which is a youth drop in center in Neenah. Don't let the above fool you, it's not your typical youth run non-profit haunt. They boast 24 years of experience and it really shows through. While it was not the scariest haunt I have ever been to, the actor's really got into their roles. As soon as you step into the first room, you know how the haunt is going to be. When the king gives you the background on the kingdom, you can see through the dedication he has that he has rehearsed the role to perfection. It sets the remainder of the haunt up very well, and you do not know what to expect around the next corner. The haunt uses their space effectively, with quite a few dark mazes and confusing passages. It took us 24 minutes to get through on an average pace, which was the right amount of scenes in the right amount of time. They also had nice use of common things such as strings, ribbons and mattress pads, all of which you need to see for yourself. Overall, I would say it would be good for anyone ages 10 and up. There are definitely enough scares for those who scare moderately easily, and even a few surprises for those who don't get scared. It is definitely worth your time and money as the quality of the acting and scenes are above average.
View all Youth Go's Haunted House (CLOSED IN 2020) reviews
April 16th, 2024 3:30 a.m. CDT 24.01
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