Please note: this review is for the 2006 season rather than the current season.

The Dark Side Haunted Adventure

by louiscyphre after attending on Saturday, October 14, 2006 at about 3:30 p.m.

Fun Factor: Very High Fear Factor: Medium

Review

Signage / Visibility / Location

Be warned there are unpredictable road closings in the area (the section of O that goes west from 67 around Ashippun (sp?) was closed when we went), and the directions we got off the 'net didn't take this into account; we ended up stopping at a gas station, who said they had had 10 people stop in in the last hour and ask the same thing -- I would suggest you just get to Ixonia or a nearby town and do the same, or you might want to call the number for the Farm and ask them for current directions... Other than that, there is plenty of parking, and the ride up to the Farms is pretty atmospheric with a nice sense of place -- there are spooky trees on either side of the road sometimes and it feels pretty isolated...

Wait Area / Line Entertainment

Waiting Area is adequate, a large open building with numerous long tables and a small table with snacks. There are standing heaters, and there was about a 20 minute wait; you go in in large groups of 50 or more, which are split off into groups of 2 and 3 as you enter the various haunt(s). No entertainment at the waiting area while we were there.

Most Unique

Definitely the mineshaft; they did great job convincing you that you had just gone down a rickety staircase into a mine and were underground. Also, the hayride has a whole soundtrack playing on attached speakers, and there's a great Dot room (albeit in the middle of the forest).

Actors' Performance

Good job. The skull-faced witch who interacts with everyone before you enter the haunted forest was quick-witted, never broke character, and seemingly inexhaustible. Nice touch with her waiting for "just one more scream" before letting the next group go in. Some of the actors did some offbeat stuff, for example, just walking slowly forward down a long corn row toward our group and hissing. We enjoyed the enthusiasm of the initial tour guide and her ghost story, as well.

Appropriate For

Companion who owns a child indicated this would likely be appropriate for ages 8 years and up; there's not a lot of gore in particular, and there's plenty of space between scares so kids won't get overwhelmed.

Summary

$8 for all that? Wotta Country! The whole thing took more than an hour to get through, which was great, and they obviously enjoy putting it on. There are four distinct phases to the haunt, with the mineshaft, hayride, haunted forest, and eventual short haunted corn maze (They also offered what looked like an extended corn maze, "Mythical Midnight Corn Maze" or something like that, which cost an additional $7, but we didn't try it out due to time constraints)....the length of the haunt does result in short waits at each phase, however, so be dressed for waiting around outside in the middle of October. Also they do a great job setting the mood, with a walk up a hill in the middle of the farm under the stars, past creepy farm animals staring at you, and then telling you a ghost story about the previous owners of the farm (who,"according to historical records," went mad with a case of the "gold fever") before sending you into the mine...Overall experience very positive, not as scary as it might be, but relying more on atmosphere, pacing, and creativity.

HOT TIP: our group was split up during the hayride, and the ones in the middle of the haycart (is that a word?), on the ends, got more bang for their buck, as ghouls tended to attack from the sides, and there are a couple of things which swoop down and threaten the middle of the cart more. On the other hand, if you want the full effect of the soundtrack, sit in the front right behind the speakers.

ADDITIONAL HOT TIP: some Companions didn't get to hear the whole ghost story during the walk up the hill to the mine, as they were in the back of the crowd; I would suggest nudging your way up front if you want the full effect. Also, they send people in in groups of 2 or 3, so prepare to have large groups split up.

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March 28th, 2024 4:19 p.m. CDT 24.01