There are many haunted houses that you see and hear about every season. They invest a lot of money in advertising, but do they really live up to the hype? That’s why I personally love finding the smaller, lesser known haunts in the area. They are hungry and have something to prove! The Realm of Darkness, located in Kaukauna, is one of those smaller haunts and has everything a great haunted house should be!
It was a chilly but clear Saturday night, perfect for seeking out those creative fiends that are looking to give us a few good scares. Kaukauna is pretty much right in between Green Bay and Appleton, so it’s a short 15 minute drive from either direction.
This haunt has a perfect mix of dimly lit rooms in addition to pitch black areas that you need to rely on your senses to get though. You start off in an Elevator seemed to have a malfunction. And so begins your descent into the Realm of Darkness! The next room was a surreal room of lasers and fog. It almost looks like we were in a swamp! A few rooms here are more entertaining than scary; like the dentist office or the Christmas themed room. There was a great maze that had us going in circles! The only lighting for the maze was a strobe light that cut in and out. When it was out, you couldn’t see a thing!
We exited the building, thinking we were done, but was another maze with more creatures lurking about! And just so you don’t forget about them after your frightful night, one last surprise waiting for you…
Signage / Visibility / Location
There wasn’t really any signs until you come up to the event. But if there’s an award for BEST SIGN, ROD should get it! It’s location on Wisconsin Ave seems a bit odd at first, in the middle of retail properties on one side and residential on the other. The maps app on my phone found it easily enough.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
The wait line is in what was once a parking lot. Visitors that attended for the 1st time were confused if they should stand in line or head to the ticket window located in the back corner of the lot. There were a few actors that mingled throughout the crowd as they waited. They sold food and drinks while you waited and also had a nice fire going.
Actors' Performance
All actors did a great job! Some were funny, but most hit their marks and delivered the scares that you’re paying to get!
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
Each room in the haunt has its own unique theme and different from the next. Good use of fog, air cannons and sound. The props were well done and the lighting and strobes were PERFECT. Some haunts tend to over-due it, but less is more!
Length
It took us about 12 minutes to get through the entire haunt.
Crowd Control
There was only once where we bumped into another group inside the haunt.
Most Memorable Moment
Easily the end of the haunt. Just as you let out a sigh of relief, they get you one last time!
This haunt has the perfect mix of scares and laughs! Fingers crossed that this haunt continues to get bigger and better. You’ll highly enjoy your trip here, and also enjoy spending less than half of what you’d pay at one of the bigger haunts.
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