The Dent Schoolhouse, Cincinnati, OH
Fear Fair, Seymour, IN The Haunted Hotel, Louisville, KY The Devil's Attic, Louisville, KY USS Nightmare, Cincinnati, OH Culbertson Mansion, New Albany, IN 7th Street Haunt, Louisville, KY Stillwell Manor, Anderson, IN Land of Illusion, Middletown, OH Wilmington Haunted Hollow, Wilmington, OH Asylum Haunted Scream Park, Louisville, KY Indy Scream Park, Anderson, IN King's Island Halloween Haunt, Cincinnati, OH |
4.8
4.8 4.5 4.3 4.2 4.2 4.2 3.9 3.8 3.7 3.3 3.2 2.7 |
The Haunted Hotel
Curb Appeal – 4.7/5 Scare Factor – 4.5/5 Actor Enthusiasm – 4.7/5 Creativity – 4.2/5 Overall – 4.5/5 Teresa - I love the Haunted Hotel. This is full-contact, in-your-face, manhandling-scary. It is in a creepy old house, which is decorated like a rickety old, nightmarish hotel. From the first room, you are made to feel very nervous and uncomfortable. Then, you enter the scariest elevator you’ve probably ever been in. The effects and acting in there are not for the cowardly. Then you walk through, dreading whatever might be in the next room. Going in first is scary, but being last is also horrible, as they may not let you go. And don’t think you’re safe in the middle. This place is scary. The acting is extreme, and they will grab you, pick you up, hold knives to your throat, drag you, force your face in a “toilet”, and intimidate you as much as possible. The decor is good, but it totally takes a backseat to your fear of the actors. And don’t get me started on the chainsaws. Very plural. And this section is very long. And very aggressive. If you are scared of chainsaws, this would be a nightmare. I love the Haunted Hotel actors and their costumes. Especially the ones you have time to talk to. I feel like I was manhandled and intimidated a little less this year though. I’d like for them to step it up just a little more, and for them to add a little more creep to the chainsaw maze. I’m not as terrified of chainsaws as most people and would like to see more variety there. But keep in mind, I’m saying that about the scariest place I’ve been. And maybe, just maybe, it is too scary for the average haunt goer. I hope not, because it is so much fun. Just hang around and watch the people being chased out of the exit. Gayle - What can I say? This place is hands down my favorite haunt. Not only is the house itself creepy, but the atmosphere and energy felt just waiting in line is beyond measure. There are actors who interact with you while waiting to check in, and all were fantastic. The costumes were terrifying, and the anticipation for that bang on the door letting you know you’re next, is gut-wrenching. From the crazy elevator ride in the beginning to the horrifying chainsaw chase at the end, this place is a non-stop, in your face, eerie, creepy, and exhilarating raid on your personal space. The actors are fully engaged, all over you, and every second of it is frightening!! This is the haunt I look forward to each year. It is unlike any other in that it’s full-contact. You will be touched, groped, shoved, tossed against walls, picked up, carried off, and in the best most amazing way possible! This one is top-notch when it comes to scaring the living crap out of you. Definitely a must see, definitely worth the 2 hour drive, definitely will continue to come year after glorious year! Well done!!! Donna - The haunted hotel is always The highlight of our visit to Louisville. This year was no exception. When we arrived around 11:30 PM the area in front of the hotel and on the side of the hotel was filled with people waiting for their turn To be scared and terrified within its walls. As you enter the hotel the first actor there tells you that you can expect to be touched and manhandled on your trip through the hotel and that there is no hope for you to ever escape it’s walls. As you continue to walk through the hotel scene after scene creates a sense of terror And you find yourself walking faster and faster just trying to escape from this nightmare. The actors are relentless in chasing you down and getting into your face pushing and shoving you and creating a sense of helplessness as you wonder from room to room. I found the chainsaws at the end were The loudest and most terrifying part of the haunt. This is a great haunt if you’re in the Louisville area please stop by and pay it a visit. You may enter the hotel but you may not leave in one piece! Bill - I really love the Haunted Hotel, all of the employees are into giving you a right good scare, and as always they did just that. With eager anticipation, I entered the haunt and was given fright after fright, traveling through the maze, waiting to be mauled and man-handled. It is an exceptional haunt and the nightmares will carry me through until I get down there next year. Gus - Before you make plans to visit the Haunted Hotel, just bear in mind that it is an “extreme” haunt. The actors can and will touch you. If that is not your cup of tea, you may want to look elsewhere. However, you’d be missing out on one of the greatest haunt in Louisville. The actors are professionals, my experience is always that when you get touched, it is not in a sleazy way, it is in the spirit of the scene, and to break that safety barrier and to get a reaction. This season, things seem to be more tame than in previous years, but its still a great time. Todd - In some ways, The Haunted Hotel is in a league of its own. There’s an energy within that just isn’t easily felt at other haunts. I’ll admit, I am obsessed with this place. It’s become a damn-near annual holiday…Haunted Hotel day! I look forward to it probably more than anything. The only problem now is, has the Haunted Hotel not met up to my expectations…..or are my expectations just too high? If you’re not familiar with this haunt, there are not many around that offer a similar experience. The actors touch you, grab you, threaten you, chase you, etc. Many of the rooms are cluttered, with little room to maneuver and the hallways can be especially tight…a fantastic setting in the pitch dark. The interior is dark, dingy, filthy and chaotic in the best way. Don’t be fooled by the exterior either – it’s longer than it appears from the outside. The outside (the final area) has been changed up. From what I experienced, it sure seemed longer. Considering there are chainsaw-wielding crazies throughout, if that sort of thing bothers you, prepare to get some exercise. And Holy Hell…the noise out there is deafening! . So here’s where my disappointment comes in….don’t get me wrong – I love this place. I’ve come to know some of the great people that make it happen and I appreciate everything they do. For me, this year felt a little tame. I don’t know if that was intentional, they had to step it back a bit or maybe it was just the timing. I’m not saying it was all rainbows and hugs in there – my throat was grabbed twice and I was shoved against a wall. That’s a lot more than I’d get anywhere else…but it just seemed more PG-13, not R. In years past I was held down over a table while rotary tools were used to spit sparks near my face…I was bent over backwards while a knife was held to my throat…it was these extreme actions that I sickly have come to crave at The Haunted Hotel – none of which were present this year. The contact that did take place felt more lethargic than usual. However, as I previously stated, perhaps my expectations are getting too high. I mean, I don’t want to come out of there bleeding and limping but it just felt much more tame this year and I admittedly was disappointed. To be clear – I was disappointed with the full contact part, but all other aspects of the haunt were fantastic. For the typically haunt attendee, this place no doubt still enough to make someone absolutely terrified, but for veterans like us, we want the hardcore experience. Hint, hint – for next year.
Comments
(all ratings scored out of 5)
The Devil’s Attic Curb Appeal – 4.7/5 Scare Factor – 4/5 Actor Enthusiasm – 4.2/5 Creativity – 4.2/5 Overall – 4.3/5 Donna - Devils attic is a must see if you are in the Louisville area. The devil speaks to you when you enter the first room and tells you what is in store for you as you go through the labyrinth of terrifying rooms. Each room has its own theme and it’s own creepy characters. This year was a bit different from last year and the fact that they added a few more anima Tronics and changed up some of the rooms however the theme remains the same and it’s a good one. We look forward to the Devils attic every year and this year was no different. Great haunt wish it was a bit longer but we enjoyed ourselves . Teresa - If you love horror movies, this is the place for you! First off, it is in a creepy old building. Second, there are some very bizarre and devilish characters wandering around outside. At some point while you wait, this devil appears on the balcony, and asks his minion to bring him fresh meat, at which point, someone is meticulously selected from the crowd and carried, kicking and screaming, inside. The best part of this one is that every scene inside is from a popular horror movie. It is so fun seeing them in person. They are so professional. And the costumes are magnificent. I like how they tease each scene before you enter it. I looked up and saw the quickest flash of an evil face, and recognized it instantly as being from The Exorcist. Subtle and creepy and awesome. I liked the sets even more this year. Especially memorable are: The Exorcist, Hellraiser, and 13 Ghosts. Not that I don’t love them all! I’m also very excited to hear they are doing something called CHAOS this year, which will be full contact, and one night only. This would definitely kick the scare factor into overdrive. I would love to come back for it! I highly recommend this to all horror fans! Gayle - Well…our group visits The Devil’s Attic every year, and with good reason. This place is unique in that every room is modeled after a horror movie! The great thing about it, is they change it up every year, so the annual visitors get to experience something new and different each time they come. The costumes are impeccable, the attention and level of detail in each set is superb, the actors are on point! It’s so much fun to walk from room to room and identify rather quickly (at least for a horror movie buff) which movie is being replicated! Pinhead and the Cenobytes are so perfect (and my favorite), but much props to 13 Ghosts, The Exorcist, Texas Chainsaw, Urban Legend, and the many, many others that make this a MUST SEE in the Louisville area!! Such a well-run and exciting haunt to visit. I love it!! Bill - The Devil’s Attic is an amazing haunt! It is the best “movie” themed haunted attraction I know of, where they take pride in recreating scenes from famous horror movies. The makeup and the props are exceptional, and there’s a great scare around every corner. Gus - The Devil’s Attic has an interesting theme going. The Devil has collected all your favorite horror movies forces you to re-live them. You name it, its in there. Hell Raiser? Got it. Headless Horseman? Got it. Psycho? Got it. Evil Dead? Got it. Each scene is more detailed than the last. Horror fans rejoice! Todd - The Devil’s Attic has a challenging task – living up to your preconceived expectations. Why? Because many parts of the haunt are recreations of the most iconic scenes and horror movie characters. Horror fanatics know these characters in and out – what they look like, how they behave. Imagine the disappointment you would experience if a haunt had Freddy Kruger and the actor was wearing an all red sweater. You’d cringe. This is a basic example of the detail that The Devil’s Attic crew maintains when bringing the characters to life. I’ve said before and I’ll say it again – their Hellraiser scene and characters never fail to simply amaze me. They are simply f*cking spot on. Even the mostly-reconstructed Frank is pretty cool looking…but the Cenobites…Wow. This haunt has also established its own icon – the devil himself. As you enter this haunt you’re greeted by Satan himself – a very impressive looking character. While one cannot really trademark Satan, this haunt’s version has a memorable look that has maintained consistency over the years. There have been some changes this year, but the most memorable areas were still there from last year. That can lend to some predictability within the haunt which can be stale over time. However, there’s a dilemma. If you switch up and go with some older, classic scenes, will the younger generation get it? Go to more modern movies and well, you run the risk of it being lame (let’s face it…90% of horror movies in the past decade are awful). The Devil’s Attic may be better suited to start migrating to more original scenes to stay fresh. If they could build a hell to match their caliber of their devil, I can’t imagine it not being great. We’d of course still want to see some of the classic scenes. After all, we all know those within wouldn’t be in heaven. (all ratings scored out of 5)
USS Nightmare Curb Appeal – 4.7/5 Scare Factor – 3.7/5 Actor Enthusiasm – 4/5 Creativity – 4.3/5 Overall – 4.2/5 Donna - The USS Nightmare is a one of a kind haunt that’s located on an iconic boat moored at Newport on the Levy. Since the theme stays the same every year it is a challenge to change the haunt and keep it scary and yet stay with the haunted boat theme. Every year the creative geniuses in this place knock it out of the park this year was no exception. When you enter the haunt a creepy looking man tells you about what is in store for you and a little bit about the history of the haunted bone. You then enter a huge elevator and listen to the sounds from the Ship’s radio talking about the boat breaking loose and running into the bridges on the Ohio River as the elevator shakes violently and lights flash off and on. This was a new addition to the boat this year and it really set the mood. The characters in the boat are creepy and in your face and always appear from the most unexpected places. The haunt is very long and well worth the price of admission. This is a really fun haunt to go to and it just keeps getting better every year. Gus - U.S.S. Nightmare is a staple of the Cincinnati haunt scene, the anchor if you will. It continues to be a high quality scare experience. This year the story is the spotlight with an extended introduction with a few surprises in store. Don’t let the outside fool you, this haunt is a long one. You will wind through what seems like every inch of the the space. Our trip took nearly 30 minutes. I highly recommend making sure you include this in your schedule for haunt season. Todd - The USS Nightmare is a haunt that always stands out because if its inherent uniqueness. The boat itself just looks disturbing – it’s dirty, dark and wrecked. If it weren’t an obvious attraction, it’s the kind of vessel no one in their right mind would voluntarily scope out, based on appearances. This haunt’s theme takes full advantage of its home, sticking to a story about a shipwreck and the aftermath. This year, more than ever, visitors are exposed to the history and in some ways get to re-live the moment of the tragedy. The most stand-out addition this year is the very first room you’ll enter, which is fairly spacious, lined with wood paneling and historical photos. The captain, your narrator speaks to you via speakers and walks you through the events of the shipwreck. As the story turns chaotic, so does the room. Lights will flash and the room itself violently shakes and jumps. Many haunts have elevator props of a similar nature, however this one is much larger and shakes you around a lot more. There were a number of other changes in certain areas, but nothing that stood out completely in my mind. All of the same highlighted areas remain – the captains quarters, the clown area, the experimental sciences, etc. Regardless, the props and the environment are all top-notch, primarily because the haunt takes full use of the boat’s real inner-workings. The actors are energetic and while not always, scary, they’re always entertaining. This is a good haunt. In recent years I feel it’s become slightly predictable but the fact that it has such a strong atmosphere and identity that you can’t find many other places, it’s always worth going to. |