The Dent Schoolhouse is two for two on amazing improvements this year and last. Last year welcomed the fantastic new midway offering games, escape rooms, a small local haunt museum, an expanded merch stand and many photo ops. This year, the haunt was given a shocking amount of changes which may just be the most we’ve seen in a single season.
The introductory scenes on the first floor were unchanged. You still have the trophy room, classrooms and library before heading to the basement. For the first time ever (I believe), fog has been introduced inside the schoolhouse. Thanks Fire Marshal! It’s a welcome addition various areas of the haunt, while not making anything hard to see. If there’s one place you surely want to take in all of the set details, it’s Dent. While the fog certainly adds a slight bit of aging dankness to an already sinister basement, it truly shined in one stand-out moment. Remember those hanging heads that Charlie made, hanging in his workshop? You know, the ones of kids’ lacerated faces, hollowed out and glowing from within? Those have been moved to the dark electrical hallway and thanks to the fog, they now cast light from their eyes and mouths in beams that carry the length of the hallway. It’s beautiful sight and I want it my house. Moving on…
The necromancer’s crypt lined with countless skulls has been reconfigured to now have more twists and turns, rather than one large open space. Every archway and corridor are still lined with said skulls, keeping the same cryptic atmosphere. The large necromancer animatronic was on hiatus this season, however, in its place was a new arial monster we didn’t see coming. I wont spoil it any further but it was a very cool, unsuspecting effect.
The long-standing prom scene has been retired as well. In its place is a new mental health area consisting of a large display case of various experiments and equipment, a padded room and a procedure room that most certainly isn’t up to code. The padded room features yet another new arial stunt – a crazed patient literally climbing the walls (more like sprinting around them).
Earlier in the year, the school buses were removed. In their place is now a twisting walkway with lattice walls, decorated with vining plants and pumpkins. Oh and a manic with a chainsaw. It’s great placement for a chainsaw actor because there’s nowhere to really run to. It’s a little reminiscent of the Queen City Slaughter Yard. One day, I hope to see the actual schoolhouse structure extended into this area because it seems like prime space to extend the indoor haunt into. Also, since this area is almost the very end of the haunt, it feels a little anticlimactic.
The actors inside were pretty good. Their makeup and costuming was excellent and despite there not being and “featured” roles inside with any sort of long dialogue or storytelling, they were quick whited, interactive and very amusing. I found the banter to be more on the comical side than lending to scares, however it was entertaining all the same. The Dent Schoolhouse’s standout achievements are without question the quality builds inside. Every set looks complete, authentic and anything but haphazardly thrown together. This group is at the top of their class in making brand new additions look aged, seamless and permanent.
Overall, it’s hard to beat a night at The Dent Schoolhouse. From interactions with their staple characters while waiting in line, to one of the (well deserved) best executed haunts in the country and ending with the fantastic midway area, I couldn’t ever imagine myself willingly skip a visit. Nor should you!
The introductory scenes on the first floor were unchanged. You still have the trophy room, classrooms and library before heading to the basement. For the first time ever (I believe), fog has been introduced inside the schoolhouse. Thanks Fire Marshal! It’s a welcome addition various areas of the haunt, while not making anything hard to see. If there’s one place you surely want to take in all of the set details, it’s Dent. While the fog certainly adds a slight bit of aging dankness to an already sinister basement, it truly shined in one stand-out moment. Remember those hanging heads that Charlie made, hanging in his workshop? You know, the ones of kids’ lacerated faces, hollowed out and glowing from within? Those have been moved to the dark electrical hallway and thanks to the fog, they now cast light from their eyes and mouths in beams that carry the length of the hallway. It’s beautiful sight and I want it my house. Moving on…
The necromancer’s crypt lined with countless skulls has been reconfigured to now have more twists and turns, rather than one large open space. Every archway and corridor are still lined with said skulls, keeping the same cryptic atmosphere. The large necromancer animatronic was on hiatus this season, however, in its place was a new arial monster we didn’t see coming. I wont spoil it any further but it was a very cool, unsuspecting effect.
The long-standing prom scene has been retired as well. In its place is a new mental health area consisting of a large display case of various experiments and equipment, a padded room and a procedure room that most certainly isn’t up to code. The padded room features yet another new arial stunt – a crazed patient literally climbing the walls (more like sprinting around them).
Earlier in the year, the school buses were removed. In their place is now a twisting walkway with lattice walls, decorated with vining plants and pumpkins. Oh and a manic with a chainsaw. It’s great placement for a chainsaw actor because there’s nowhere to really run to. It’s a little reminiscent of the Queen City Slaughter Yard. One day, I hope to see the actual schoolhouse structure extended into this area because it seems like prime space to extend the indoor haunt into. Also, since this area is almost the very end of the haunt, it feels a little anticlimactic.
The actors inside were pretty good. Their makeup and costuming was excellent and despite there not being and “featured” roles inside with any sort of long dialogue or storytelling, they were quick whited, interactive and very amusing. I found the banter to be more on the comical side than lending to scares, however it was entertaining all the same. The Dent Schoolhouse’s standout achievements are without question the quality builds inside. Every set looks complete, authentic and anything but haphazardly thrown together. This group is at the top of their class in making brand new additions look aged, seamless and permanent.
Overall, it’s hard to beat a night at The Dent Schoolhouse. From interactions with their staple characters while waiting in line, to one of the (well deserved) best executed haunts in the country and ending with the fantastic midway area, I couldn’t ever imagine myself willingly skip a visit. Nor should you!
Having the Dent Schoolhouse as my "home" haunt (the closest big haunt to me) sometimes makes me forget that most people don't have anything like this anywhere near where they live. While there are good haunts all over the place, Dent is just something else completely.
The Dent Schoolhouse is consistently rated among the top haunts in the nation, and if you're reading this, you likely already know or have heard of it. This place is an absolute work of haunt art, and is an experience that every haunt fan should have in their life. The combination of realism and fantasy are perfect, the set designs and props are amazing, and the costuming and acting are top-tier.
One of the biggest difference between Dent and most other haunts is the volume of people they're able to move through the place, yet they're still able to manage the dreaded conga lines. You'll still see other guests inside, and may occasionally get bunched up, but the design of the haunt allows for that to happen while still keeping the element of surprise. While one group gets hit with a scare, there can be a group right behind them that doesn't see anything of it until they're in the correct position. This keeps the line moving at a pretty steady pace, and the only thing I miss with this method is some of the actor interaction you get in other haunts. Luckily, there are some excellent roaming actors outside that give plenty of interaction while you wait to go inside.
While every year brings some changes and refinement to the scenes inside, this year saw some enormous changes implemented. Several new or expanded scenes that made the haunt a decent amount longer, and perhaps even more impressive- vertical expansion! While a lot of haunts would rather you not look up, Dent has been building things for years that will draw your eyes upward. And this year takes that to another level. There are several scenes that involve actors or props that will come at you from above, and a couple of them are unlike anything I've ever seen in a haunt! There's also scene in a dark hallway that's one of the simplest yet best visuals I've ever seen in an attraction- haunted or not. (Sorry, I don't like spoiling things. You have to go see for yourself.)
Dent is the perfect combination of scary, fun, quality, sketchiness, and entertainment. From the in-line entertainment, to the haunt itself, to the monster midway at the end, this is always one of my favorite visits of the year. There's just nothing else like the Dent Schoolhouse, and I'm spoiled by having it as my "home" haunt.
The Dent Schoolhouse is consistently rated among the top haunts in the nation, and if you're reading this, you likely already know or have heard of it. This place is an absolute work of haunt art, and is an experience that every haunt fan should have in their life. The combination of realism and fantasy are perfect, the set designs and props are amazing, and the costuming and acting are top-tier.
One of the biggest difference between Dent and most other haunts is the volume of people they're able to move through the place, yet they're still able to manage the dreaded conga lines. You'll still see other guests inside, and may occasionally get bunched up, but the design of the haunt allows for that to happen while still keeping the element of surprise. While one group gets hit with a scare, there can be a group right behind them that doesn't see anything of it until they're in the correct position. This keeps the line moving at a pretty steady pace, and the only thing I miss with this method is some of the actor interaction you get in other haunts. Luckily, there are some excellent roaming actors outside that give plenty of interaction while you wait to go inside.
While every year brings some changes and refinement to the scenes inside, this year saw some enormous changes implemented. Several new or expanded scenes that made the haunt a decent amount longer, and perhaps even more impressive- vertical expansion! While a lot of haunts would rather you not look up, Dent has been building things for years that will draw your eyes upward. And this year takes that to another level. There are several scenes that involve actors or props that will come at you from above, and a couple of them are unlike anything I've ever seen in a haunt! There's also scene in a dark hallway that's one of the simplest yet best visuals I've ever seen in an attraction- haunted or not. (Sorry, I don't like spoiling things. You have to go see for yourself.)
Dent is the perfect combination of scary, fun, quality, sketchiness, and entertainment. From the in-line entertainment, to the haunt itself, to the monster midway at the end, this is always one of my favorite visits of the year. There's just nothing else like the Dent Schoolhouse, and I'm spoiled by having it as my "home" haunt.
Dent Schoolhouse is always top of my list in the haunt season and this way as even more amazing than expected. There were awesome new sets and a lot of effort was put in to improve the haunt over the past couple years. This is the first year I got to see the Monster Midway and it is an awesome addition to the haunt grounds. They offer a few escape rooms, which I always love. I didn’t do them this time, but will next year.
The themes in this haunt are great. For example, the bodies of children hanging from the ceiling and the actors pointing out where “he kills the children.” It’s so creepy and unique because it is a story not many others use. The new set with the light heads was incredible. I love the way Dent uses all the different levels to create an immersive haunt that makes you feel totally surrounded with horrors. The new bat set and the mental patient were the highlight of the night. It doesn’t get much better than that creative design and use of space.
The actors were on point, as usual, being their personable and menacing selves. I couldn’t have asked for a better haunt experience. The energy and time the Dent team put into making the haunt awesome is appreciated. So great!
The themes in this haunt are great. For example, the bodies of children hanging from the ceiling and the actors pointing out where “he kills the children.” It’s so creepy and unique because it is a story not many others use. The new set with the light heads was incredible. I love the way Dent uses all the different levels to create an immersive haunt that makes you feel totally surrounded with horrors. The new bat set and the mental patient were the highlight of the night. It doesn’t get much better than that creative design and use of space.
The actors were on point, as usual, being their personable and menacing selves. I couldn’t have asked for a better haunt experience. The energy and time the Dent team put into making the haunt awesome is appreciated. So great!
The Dent Schoolhouse is an absolute must see for the Halloween season! Why? Because you simply will not find this level of perfection anywhere else. It's not a place where actors touch you, but it doesn't need that to pack in the scares. Even the most jaded haunt-goer will jump and be on edge here. It's total overload for your senses. The scares come from every direction and you never know if it's a stationary prop, an animatronic, or an actor, as they are all masterfully blended. The scenes inside and out are a Halloween-lover's dream. Outside, between the very real creepy schoolhouse building, the queue going through the Halloween carnival, the roaming actors (like Pumpkin Smasher who really does smash pumpkins with an oversized mallet), and the Monster Midway, this is THE BEST place to take photos for the season. And inside...I was blown away this year. It's always fantastic, I'm amazed it can keep getting better. But they killed it. The new soundtrack made it feel like you were starring in your own horror movie, and the scares went vertical more than ever. Plus...FOG! The scenes are really what you have to see. It's simply awe-inspiring horror. The level of perfection from the visuals to the effects cannot be described. It's impressive and jaw-dropping for anyone who loves scary stuff and the fall season. A lone body hanged and swinging in silence over a stairwell, check. A hallway of students' head carved like jack-o-lanterns, disappearing into the dark mist, check. Add to that librarians with falling bookshelves, giant stuffed toys in the lost and found, a school carnival with 2 story clowns, a crypt where they bury the bodies, lunatics in the bowels of the school basement, and so much more. You never get a breather here, so make sure you're ready when that door opens. Also, if you feel adventurous, end with the tunnel of bubbles. It's fun to fight your way through and then take pics when you come out. You WILL get a bit damp, so don't freeze! There are hot beverages and snacks in the Monster Midway to warm you up for the walk back to the car. This place really has everything you could want for a scary night out. Don't take my word for it. Check out the website. I promise you won't be disappointed.
The Dent Schoolhouse in Cincinnati has consistently raised the bar for haunted attractions, impressing visitors with remarkable improvements year after year. Notable changes include the addition of fog inside the schoolhouse, enhancing certain areas without compromising visibility. Standout moments, such as the ingenious use of fog to illuminate hanging heads in the dark electrical hallway, demonstrate the haunt's commitment to creating visually stunning and memorable experiences. While the actors inside showcase excellent makeup and costuming, the banter leans more towards the comical side, providing entertainment but lacking a strong scare factor. The haunt's standout feature is undoubtedly the quality of its builds, with each set appearing meticulously designed and seamlessly integrated. However, despite its exceptional quality, some areas, like the final twisting walkway, feel a bit anticlimactic, highlighting an opportunity for improvement. The Dent Schoolhouse, with its captivating storytelling, top-notch scares, and lively midway area, remains a must-visit haunt, but it could further refine actor interactions and optimize certain scenes for a more cohesive and impactful experience.
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