Our visit to Blood Prison this year fell on their opening night. Opening nights always have the potential to be rocky with the inevitable malfunctions, actors getting into their stride and the general chaos that always seems to surface at the worst possible time. We always try to keep these opening night factors in mind, as understandable as they are. Well – I’m happy to report that Blood Prison came out, full force like a well-oiled machine with no sign of opening night gremlins wreaking havoc.
I would always say Blood Prison is a good haunt. Around 2020 – 2021, it felt as if it took a slight decline mostly due to actor staffing. Covid, of course, didn’t help anything but in these years, numerous haunts were challenged with staffing issues. With a haunt as big as Blood Prison, the minimal actor count is easily apparent because the space, especially the cell blocks, is SO BIG. In conventional haunts, the walls can purposefully be built to create narrow walkways forcing a close proximity to the actors and the surroundings. Blood Prison doesn’t have that luxury so their working space must be filled in to achieve the same effect. There are only two things to use – actors and props. For many years now, more and more has been added to transform the cell blocks into a series of scenes, but until now, it still felt like, “I’m in a cell block that has a chapel within it”…..or “I’m in a cell block that has this crashed plane in it”. Admittedly, these towering cell blocks are not easy to disguise – nor should they entirely be, as eerily impressive as they are. The biggest challenge always felt like the excess void and how to deal with it.
Well, simply put, the past is the past. Blood prison has evolved their builds this year and it felt like THIS is what I’ve always thought was needed to bring out that full effect in those challenging spaces. First off, the actor count was not lacking. Despite what their ideal numbers may be, it felt very well balanced. I’ve seen years where the dark walk through solitary hardly had anyone in it. This year not only were a number of actors stationed there but new and highly effective tricks have been implemented. Within the near pitch-black hall, invisible actors are instantly illuminated with strobing lights and sound very similar to what you would find in a Universal haunt or the more local Fear Columbus. It’s not at all overplayed, making it even more effective towards the unsuspecting passersby.
The opening act within the masterfully built home interior was as much eye candy as it ever has been. This year it was quite evident that fog has been added which worked very well. As if there wasn’t enough to distract you from the jump scares already, the fog adds a whole new level of visual uncertainty. I found this to be a great addition. If this isn’t a new element, then it surely must have been increased because it was noticeable – so much so that they had someone stationed to show people where the stairs began due to limited visibility! Don’t fall down the stairs, kids.
The cell blocks are really where the improvements shined. Without revealing too much, I’ll just step through some highlights. First, the straightaway I always refer to as the prisoner escape, where convicts roam about fenced off areas while a guard watches from the catwalk, felt much more confining. Many more fenced pathways have been created, both narrowing the walking space while giving visitors a few different options in how to pass through. Of course, the convicts play by their own rules so they’re going to get to you either way.
The stretch with the crashed plane has completely been filled up with all sorts of mangled wreckage including numerous cars, tanks…hell, I think the only thing missing now is a train. (IDEA!) With the addition of this and other random debris, it’s a very chaotic area. The actors executed this area perfectly. The flight attendant who normally is begging for help was now aggressively demanding we do something to assist, hands-on.
By far the most impressive additions were (finally) full structures build in the last stretch of cell blocks. First, the hospital scene now has walls and a ceiling, complete with pale, sterile overhead lighting. With a more deceivingly sinister feel, the chapel is now actually a chapel. It’s got walls, a little altar and everything! As you approach the altar a priest will determine your end-times fate…heaven or hell. I made it to heaven, basking in a bright white light surrounded by white walls. The joke was on me. In Blood Prison everyone goes to hell. Heaven was quickly shattered as I found myself amidst a dark ritual with a goat-faced priest in my face. Oh well…it looks a lot cooler.
The final act consisting of crude human experiments and hideous torture remained mostly unchanged from last year. This is the area we almost always would hit the conga line. Even though on this opening night it was not busy at all by peak-season comparison, we still found ourselves catching up to the people in front of us, so I think there’s still some opportunity to better pace the line at the final queue.
This is the first year for me that the haunt really stood out on its own, without the backdrop of this old prison acting as its visual foundation. You could literally take everything in here and move it to some other location and the experience would still feel largely the same. Of course, I’d never recommend that. Let’s face it, the building is amazing. Each visit is a two-for-one – a haunt and some great site seeing. The whole experience was excellent, and I applaud the whole team. If they can keep it up, they’ll have one hell of a season.
Finally, let’s not forget the undeniable iconic character, The Warden’s Widow. I can’t think of any other haunt that has such a prominent central character. It’s a little like meeting Cinderella at Disney World only for haunt people. Go for the fun and get a picture with Widow in all her towering, decaying beauty - with a scream that will eviscerate your soul.
I would always say Blood Prison is a good haunt. Around 2020 – 2021, it felt as if it took a slight decline mostly due to actor staffing. Covid, of course, didn’t help anything but in these years, numerous haunts were challenged with staffing issues. With a haunt as big as Blood Prison, the minimal actor count is easily apparent because the space, especially the cell blocks, is SO BIG. In conventional haunts, the walls can purposefully be built to create narrow walkways forcing a close proximity to the actors and the surroundings. Blood Prison doesn’t have that luxury so their working space must be filled in to achieve the same effect. There are only two things to use – actors and props. For many years now, more and more has been added to transform the cell blocks into a series of scenes, but until now, it still felt like, “I’m in a cell block that has a chapel within it”…..or “I’m in a cell block that has this crashed plane in it”. Admittedly, these towering cell blocks are not easy to disguise – nor should they entirely be, as eerily impressive as they are. The biggest challenge always felt like the excess void and how to deal with it.
Well, simply put, the past is the past. Blood prison has evolved their builds this year and it felt like THIS is what I’ve always thought was needed to bring out that full effect in those challenging spaces. First off, the actor count was not lacking. Despite what their ideal numbers may be, it felt very well balanced. I’ve seen years where the dark walk through solitary hardly had anyone in it. This year not only were a number of actors stationed there but new and highly effective tricks have been implemented. Within the near pitch-black hall, invisible actors are instantly illuminated with strobing lights and sound very similar to what you would find in a Universal haunt or the more local Fear Columbus. It’s not at all overplayed, making it even more effective towards the unsuspecting passersby.
The opening act within the masterfully built home interior was as much eye candy as it ever has been. This year it was quite evident that fog has been added which worked very well. As if there wasn’t enough to distract you from the jump scares already, the fog adds a whole new level of visual uncertainty. I found this to be a great addition. If this isn’t a new element, then it surely must have been increased because it was noticeable – so much so that they had someone stationed to show people where the stairs began due to limited visibility! Don’t fall down the stairs, kids.
The cell blocks are really where the improvements shined. Without revealing too much, I’ll just step through some highlights. First, the straightaway I always refer to as the prisoner escape, where convicts roam about fenced off areas while a guard watches from the catwalk, felt much more confining. Many more fenced pathways have been created, both narrowing the walking space while giving visitors a few different options in how to pass through. Of course, the convicts play by their own rules so they’re going to get to you either way.
The stretch with the crashed plane has completely been filled up with all sorts of mangled wreckage including numerous cars, tanks…hell, I think the only thing missing now is a train. (IDEA!) With the addition of this and other random debris, it’s a very chaotic area. The actors executed this area perfectly. The flight attendant who normally is begging for help was now aggressively demanding we do something to assist, hands-on.
By far the most impressive additions were (finally) full structures build in the last stretch of cell blocks. First, the hospital scene now has walls and a ceiling, complete with pale, sterile overhead lighting. With a more deceivingly sinister feel, the chapel is now actually a chapel. It’s got walls, a little altar and everything! As you approach the altar a priest will determine your end-times fate…heaven or hell. I made it to heaven, basking in a bright white light surrounded by white walls. The joke was on me. In Blood Prison everyone goes to hell. Heaven was quickly shattered as I found myself amidst a dark ritual with a goat-faced priest in my face. Oh well…it looks a lot cooler.
The final act consisting of crude human experiments and hideous torture remained mostly unchanged from last year. This is the area we almost always would hit the conga line. Even though on this opening night it was not busy at all by peak-season comparison, we still found ourselves catching up to the people in front of us, so I think there’s still some opportunity to better pace the line at the final queue.
This is the first year for me that the haunt really stood out on its own, without the backdrop of this old prison acting as its visual foundation. You could literally take everything in here and move it to some other location and the experience would still feel largely the same. Of course, I’d never recommend that. Let’s face it, the building is amazing. Each visit is a two-for-one – a haunt and some great site seeing. The whole experience was excellent, and I applaud the whole team. If they can keep it up, they’ll have one hell of a season.
Finally, let’s not forget the undeniable iconic character, The Warden’s Widow. I can’t think of any other haunt that has such a prominent central character. It’s a little like meeting Cinderella at Disney World only for haunt people. Go for the fun and get a picture with Widow in all her towering, decaying beauty - with a scream that will eviscerate your soul.
This year's visit to Blood Prison took place on opening night. That can be risky since haunts still tend to be working through issues with new builds and fresh actors, but if they were dealing with any of that when we went through, I sure didn't notice it. This was one of the best visits to Blood Prison I've had!
Blood Prison is an enormous haunt that takes place in one of the coolest buildings I've ever entered into- The Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield. There are several massive scenes set up throughout the building, with the most visually striking ones being the East and West cellblocks. The cellblocks have always been a discussion point with our group- While they're amazing to see and they add a super creepy baseline for the haunt, they're so big that often times you'd be able to see all the way to the other end of the cellblock. Wide-open spaces tend to make people feel safer, give the actors less places to hide, and spoil any elements of surprise. That's why I was thrilled to see some changes for this year that really improved that aspect...
The first area you pass through was quite a bit darker than I remember, and had extra fog in place to keep you from knowing what was coming. It felt like the scare level was cranked up a bit from last year and really kept you on your toes. It really set the mood for what was coming next.
The cellblocks are where I really noticed the biggest changes. The first one has been re-configured to make sightlines significantly shorter. It's really hard to see what's waiting around the next corner, and the actors definitely took advantage of that. You can still look up and see that you're in one of the most intimidating prisons to ever exist, but you can't see more than 20 feet in front of you. Twists and turns galore, and something waiting around every corner.
The second cellblock has a completely re-done area that really closes things in and immerses you into the experience. It's still a similar morgue/chapel/graveyard theme to what was there before, but it feels 100% new. Twisty, cramped, and with jump scares throughout. There was some significant time put into this part over the offseason and it shows. I admit that I was a little bit torn because you can't see the actual cellblock as well as you used to be able to, but the overall experience is so improved, it's worth it. Besides- you get to see plenty of prison backdrop through the rest of it.
The rest of the haunt was similar to prior visits, but cranked up a couple of notches with more actors than I ever remember seeing. The Widow was there to make sure we had an appropriate start to the experience, and the chainsaw was there to wrap things up (and may or may not have had some 2-stroke-wielding friends elsewhere in the building.)
Blood Prison 2023 is a hell of a haunt, and I absolutely recommend checking it out. Make your way over to Mansfield, Ohio and experience this madhouse of horror for yourself!
Blood Prison is an enormous haunt that takes place in one of the coolest buildings I've ever entered into- The Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield. There are several massive scenes set up throughout the building, with the most visually striking ones being the East and West cellblocks. The cellblocks have always been a discussion point with our group- While they're amazing to see and they add a super creepy baseline for the haunt, they're so big that often times you'd be able to see all the way to the other end of the cellblock. Wide-open spaces tend to make people feel safer, give the actors less places to hide, and spoil any elements of surprise. That's why I was thrilled to see some changes for this year that really improved that aspect...
The first area you pass through was quite a bit darker than I remember, and had extra fog in place to keep you from knowing what was coming. It felt like the scare level was cranked up a bit from last year and really kept you on your toes. It really set the mood for what was coming next.
The cellblocks are where I really noticed the biggest changes. The first one has been re-configured to make sightlines significantly shorter. It's really hard to see what's waiting around the next corner, and the actors definitely took advantage of that. You can still look up and see that you're in one of the most intimidating prisons to ever exist, but you can't see more than 20 feet in front of you. Twists and turns galore, and something waiting around every corner.
The second cellblock has a completely re-done area that really closes things in and immerses you into the experience. It's still a similar morgue/chapel/graveyard theme to what was there before, but it feels 100% new. Twisty, cramped, and with jump scares throughout. There was some significant time put into this part over the offseason and it shows. I admit that I was a little bit torn because you can't see the actual cellblock as well as you used to be able to, but the overall experience is so improved, it's worth it. Besides- you get to see plenty of prison backdrop through the rest of it.
The rest of the haunt was similar to prior visits, but cranked up a couple of notches with more actors than I ever remember seeing. The Widow was there to make sure we had an appropriate start to the experience, and the chainsaw was there to wrap things up (and may or may not have had some 2-stroke-wielding friends elsewhere in the building.)
Blood Prison 2023 is a hell of a haunt, and I absolutely recommend checking it out. Make your way over to Mansfield, Ohio and experience this madhouse of horror for yourself!
Blood Prison is always one of my favorite haunts we visit. I love the way they utilize the beautifully terrifying space to make you feel like there is no way out. There are new sets this year including a redesigned hospital and a whole new church. Devils, clowns, and human experiments gone wrong are just a potion of the many sights at Blood Prison. Not to mention the scream of the Warden’s Widow that you can hear from the next town over.
I thought the new entry way was a little cheesy when compared to the scale of the room it is in, but after taking everything in, I decided it worked. It is a nice transition from prison to haunt. This year was so much more exciting than I remember in prior years and I think it’s because the haunt actually has enough actors. I can finally experience the sets the way they are supposed to work. So happy they finally have enough actors to set the actual cell blocks up. Walking through those in the dark is the creepiest part of this haunt for me.
I appreciate that even though they are a high volume haunt, they still try to make the experience more personal and isolating. Blood Prison, in all it’s natural horror, offers something for all its visitors. The actors and designers show great dedication to putting this together year after year.
I thought the new entry way was a little cheesy when compared to the scale of the room it is in, but after taking everything in, I decided it worked. It is a nice transition from prison to haunt. This year was so much more exciting than I remember in prior years and I think it’s because the haunt actually has enough actors. I can finally experience the sets the way they are supposed to work. So happy they finally have enough actors to set the actual cell blocks up. Walking through those in the dark is the creepiest part of this haunt for me.
I appreciate that even though they are a high volume haunt, they still try to make the experience more personal and isolating. Blood Prison, in all it’s natural horror, offers something for all its visitors. The actors and designers show great dedication to putting this together year after year.
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Blood Prison, set within the eerie confines of the Ohio State Reformatory, has consistently stood out as a favorite haunt destination. In 2023, it continued to excel, leveraging its unique and terrifying setting to create a sense of inescapable dread. On opening night, it operated like a well-oiled machine, defying the usual opening night challenges, and it felt like the haunt had evolved to fully maximize its challenging spaces.
This massive haunt boasted significant improvements that elevated its impact. The cellblocks, long a point of discussion, underwent transformations that intensified the sense of unpredictability. Sightlines were shortened, and visitors were enveloped in darkness and fog, enhancing the scare factor and keeping them on edge. The increased actor count, particularly in the previously challenging cell blocks, contributed to a more immersive experience. Other scenes, such as the crashed plane and redesigned areas like the hospital and chapel, added to the overall sense of chaos and terror. Blood Prison in 2023 showcased its commitment to providing a terrifying and well-balanced haunt experience, earning a strong recommendation for horror enthusiasts. |
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