Missing In Action

Hi everyone!  We have been MIA since last season and we are sorry.  It has been crazy busy in other areas of our lives, so getting entries posted has been difficult.  We are also helping out with a charity/fundraiser haunt this year and won't be able to get to nearly as many haunts as we have in the past.  Since we are going to be unable to write as many reviews as we normally would we want your reviews more than ever.  Please connect with us on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/haunt.review
If you send us a message through there that includes a review we will get it posted onto the blog as soon as we are able.

Have fun!!

Underworld Haunted House 2012

                Cross the River Styx and join the evil that lies within Underworld Haunted House in Macon, Georgia.  Immerse yourself in scenes where F.E.A.R. takes on a life of its own and attempts to claim you as its next victim.  Though you are told not to run, you may run into some creatures encouraging you to get out.  That's the one thing that really does need to be worked on here, and after we talked with management we got the impression that they might be correcting that problem immediately.  I mean really, who pays to get in somewhere and then doesn't think it ironic that they are constantly screamed at to get out?  With that out of the way you get a great impression of the scenes which have been carefully laid out for you.  Sometimes you need to choose your own path wisely, hoping for the best.  You might end up getting the runs rather than running, in which case there are multiple bathroom stalls from which to choose from.  Just watch out, some of them are already occupied with dwellers who don't like being disturbed while doing their business.  Who does?  We should warn you that when you finally think that you have survived you will find out very shortly how wrong you were.  Diminutive hellions rise from the Underworld to take over and make you into one of them, which is perhaps the most frightening prospect ever to some.  Since it can get a little hot in the Underworld, you might want to keep your eyes open so that you can figure out where all of that heat is coming from.  Check out Underworld Haunted House as we rate them above average with three and a half severed heads out of five.  We see a lot of potential to scare the crap out of some folks, and find additional uses for their multiple bathroom stalls.

Forsyth Fear Factory 2012

                Are you looking for a good haunt to take your children to so that you can find out if they can handle it?  We have just the haunt for you!  Forsyth Fear Factory, in the city of Forsyth, Georgia is located in a Jumping Joey's business that specializes in those inflatable bouncy houses that kids enjoy so much.  On Friday and Saturday nights in October they transform into a haunted house that even includes some pint sized ghouls.  Their ideas are unique in some areas, and we definitely give them credit for reaching outside of the box and trying to put a little twist on some basic haunted house scares.  Even though this was their first year doing a haunt they got creative with it.  We do regret to say that it took them a long time to open and be fully ready for us to enter after their scheduled opening time, but they were polite and apologetic about it.  This isn't the haunt that you go to and expect a scare if you are someone who goes to a lot of haunts and seeks that adrenaline rush, but it is a good place to take your own little ghouls in order to find out if they can handle some startles.  Since this isn't our usual type of haunt we have to be honest and state that it scores about one and a half severed heads out of five on our scale, and that's mainly because of a certain low profile startle that we simply weren't expecting from them.  Take your kids trick-or-treating and maybe even call to see if they would be allowed to go through in their costumes.  As an adult you might enjoy shooting at some zombies once the kids have had their fun (for an additional cost, of course).

 

Guest Review: Trail of Terror in Suwannee, GA 2012

As a member of the Haunt Industry it’s very difficult to scare me. I tend to go through haunts with a jaundiced eye. That being said, overall I was pleased with the experience we had at Trail of Terror in Suwanee Georgia.

This haunt is a two attraction event on the grounds of an historic Schoolhouse. I haven’t been able to find much info on the school but it’s an old (early 1900’s) building that makes a wonderful visual set piece. Unfortunately, due to damage the owners of the Haunt are unable to utilize the space for guests but it’s a great back drop and a spooky “character” to the Haunt proper.

The Haunt is divided into two attractions: Asylum and Zombie Outbreak.

Zombie Outbreak is an interactive attraction. We went through this haunt alone (just the two of us) so I didn’t get a chance to watch other guests reactions, which would have been a nice litmus test. We stepped into the outdoor maze and were outfitted with authentic looking SWAT gear with a “zombie virus” scope…that only affects the zombies. J We were given the standard haunt rules and then set loose to bag some infected creatures.

The Actors at Trail of Terror are primarily volunteers and the energy these young people exhibited was evident and “infectious”. They were fast and on us constantly. We got a lot of good target practice and on several occasions I had to leap over a fallen “walker”. The maze was not ornate…black walls, industrial type oil barrel, simple hiding spots…but the actors made it a fun experience. The simplicity of set was made up for by the exuberant zombies. I only wish I could have kept a head or two for over my fireplace. This is a maze that could take as long as you were willing to shoot, but we moved through it in about 10 minutes.

We then moved on to Asylum. We were lucky because we went through with a group of three, two men and a woman. We let them go ahead so that I could gauge their reactions. This is also an outdoor trail that utilized some of the ambient buildings on the property as well as sets built out of found items. It gave the impression of a broken down compound of battered buildings and nicely done. “Old Sparky” made an appearance as well as some very convincing mental patients. Within the barn setting there was a scene that displayed the victim/attacker scenario quite well and I found out later that the female actor was very new to the Haunt world. Kudos!

Again, these mostly volunteer actors displayed an amazing amount of energy and excitement. Some of them truly seemed on the unstable side…and I loved that. The actors would show up, disappear, and then reappear further down the trail. My hat is off to them as working an outdoor haunt is sometimes very difficult. The other woman in our group was startled quite a few times and laughed and squealed quite a lot. Clearly, the group had a good time. This attraction is a guided tour and took about 15 minutes to traverse.

The drawbacks to Trail of Terror are few:
During the Asylum portion I had one actor do something that I believe was a mistake due to lack of experience. He walked up behind me and screamed directly into my ear. I know that when a fellow haunter comes through actors are inclined to amp it up to try and scare us (which is practically impossible) and it’s frustrating for them not to get a reaction, so I give him the benefit of the doubt on that.
The street presence is very minimal. We actually drove past the entrance the first time and had to make a U-turn. We were unsure exactly where to go once we parked, but finally found that there were torches further up the dirt road that let us know we were headed in the right direction. It would be nice to have an actor or a plain clothes employee there just to let you know you’re headed the right way.
Finally, I would love it if the Asylum portion could be actor driven rather than guided. There is something about walking through the woods towards the mystery of the haunt that can be quite scary. Having the Creatures propel you from behind and to the side rather than the guide leading you would be creepy.

The price was reasonable for a Date Night– $13 for Asylum, $10 for Zombie Outbreak or a Combo Ticket for $20.

I’m basing my score on the average of 5 criteria with a maximum of 5 points each: Actors, Sets, Scares, Value & Ease in Finding the Haunt. Therefore, I’m giving Trail of Terror 4 severed heads out of 5.

 

Guest Review: Haunted Forest at Bufford Corn Maze 2012

     I went thru the Haunted Forest opening weekend and completely agreed with your review. You are so right about the hayride, best part out there. Went thru again with my fiance for date night and what a change from opening weekend.
      Sadly they have now watered the best part, the house, down making the whole thing suitable for middle schoolers. Let's start from the beginning. As you walk thru the entrance you notice you now walk thru black plastic curtains darkening your path..my fiance didn't go last time and I told her what a great touch but that is where it has ended. The first scene had an original character in the scare, it was great. That has now been reduced to a classic movie character. Gone are the creepy cemetary girls that were a great element.
      Next is the house, gone is the green fog at the entrance and the jack o lantern face lit up that you could see thru the fog. The front is now completely covered in store bought web thus losing the appeal of a creepy looking house. Inside- the first room unchanged, the next room the strobes not pulsing fast at all. Losing the look it once had. The next room had crying sounds and a widow in black, she wasn't there. The next room has a mannequin right at eye level of a ten year old perhaps. It is the first thing you see when you walk in, this was the room with blacklight. It is placed right in front of a bookshelf so it can't be missed. There is also a light shining thru the floor so the room isn't as dark to make the blacklight really pop. This light coming up from the floor is in the next room as well. I understand this is a family friendly corn maze and atmosphere but perhaps the phrase, "if it isn't broke, don't fix it" doesn't apply here.
      There is an elementary school across the street so I guess they needed to make adjustments.
I would now lower this haunt to two stars if adults are going, my advice get on the hayride. Sorry haunted forest is was way creepier opening weekend.
-Scott

Guest Review: Terror Train at Six Flags Over Georgia 2012

      My daughter who is 16 and myself went to opening preview night for Six Flags Frightfest for season passholders. Last year was the first year for Terror Train and it was awful, one head out of five would have been generous. This year I had no intention of going until I saw one word on the poster- reimagined. I view haunts in terms of scare, detail, and value. Terror Train is an additional fee of $10, was it worth a second trip out of the station?
     This year when you purchase your ticket they ask you to select a time in which to line up to ride. I thought a little odd but there is a reason. When our time approaches we get to the station. They check your time and have all with the same time come in and up to the gate to enter the train. The conductor comes out and tells a story about the town we are about to travel thru and one we will have to go around. It is a little long of a story but it is a nice set up.
      There are two conductors and our storyteller does most of the narration. Of course the tracks have been messed up and we head to Bloodtown, the town we were supposed to go around. Quickly you learn this is not last years ride. This was unbelievable. The sets were very well done, the actors are right on their marks. Last year the train stopped at the next station, bonus- it is now round trip! The actors come to the train, walk along with the train, perhaps get on the train and chase the train which was unexpected. The story line is very complete from start to finish. There are two surprise to keep the momentum moving.
     This trip was very well thought out, I can say the best Six Flags Over Georgia has offered in recent years. Even when you get off the train officers are waiting with clipboards asking if you would provide a statement of what you saw. It is all in the details folks that sets a haunt apart from others. Absolutely worth ten dollars instead of a funnel cake. Value, yes- entertaining, definitely- details yes, scary- not for my daughter and I, but we have been doing this a long time. However, people on this train were screaming and one scene shocked a bunch of people. This train trip is very memorable where you would recommend to others and talk about. Out of five heads, this train ride I am giving four heads.

- Rock

Guest Review: Paranoia 2012

Review of Paranoia, by Suzan and Joe B.

We found that Paranoia is in Alpharetta/Roswell area concealed in a strip mall. Since we knew nothing of this Haunt, we looked at their website for information on the type of house or story line to have something to go by when visiting. Unfortunately there is no synopsis, no hint as what the back story is. You do see the two House names, "Trauma Center" and "The Darkside".

Upon finding the location there were several Arrows pointing around back to an ally and Box Trailer with video/slide show on the side and Music playing very loud as if there were hundreds of people there to play over the noise. There were only 5 of us outside. Picking up our tickets was quick and the very nice ghoul behind the counter was very helpful with information. We moved on to get in line to enter "Trauma Center", when we climbed to the top of the steps just outside the door we found a few people in line before us and waited for our turn to enter the building. Fifteen minutes later we found out the real line was inside as we got our chance to enter through the doors, which is where there was large group of people in the waiting area and on a big screen was a classic Slasher movie playing to keep you entertained as you wait for your group to enter. The Hostess was doing a good job of keeping the guest interested and setting up anticipation of the scares to come. Fifteen minutes more flown by and our chance to enter has come. Anticipation of the first scare was building as we wound our way through the corridors to find the not so enthusiastic creature there waiting.

This is a very large space in which so much could be done, but if it weren't for the name "Trauma Center" you really wouldn't have known what you were walking through. There were lots of large sets that seem to be underdressed and not enough light to really get an idea of whose scaring you and why they would be. The Volunteer Actors were really sparse and far apart, therefore it was hard for them to really work a proper scare for each guest coming through, lots of missed opportunities and it did seem at times they didn't even want to get off the floor for an attempt. This house has great potential if they had more actors and interaction in the hallways instead of just the constant winding around. The best room is where the girl bends over backwards and flails about, very creepy, and she stayed with you as you walked through never giving up the character. the Finale was missed completely, all the sudden your just at the end.

"The Darkside" is in the ally, you actually pass by it to get to the main ticket counter and "Trauma Center", a Gypsy like Woman was working the door, a little on the docile side and could have been more animated and vocal. Here we entered, starting off in darkness with just a wisp of light to give you the general Idea of direction. You can hear voices but they were far away, opportunities to work with night vision to get close to the guest and whisper in their ears would have seriously increased the fright. As the light vanished we were winding our way around the maze holding on to a rope to show us the way, there were again missed opportunities for shock and scares, everything seemed far away and not focused.

Overall not impressive, but it could be. Plenty of potential. I give this house 3 out of 5 severed heads