The Thirteenth Hour is amazing. Go now.
Oh you’re still here. Ok fine, I’ll elaborate. Not often is “the fourth wall” present when we go though haunts. The magic of being transported somewhere else, scared out of my mind and whatnot has been long gone for years. I suppose it’s the price paid, going through tens of haunts year after year. Now, rather than stepping forward with anxiety, trying to keep my composure over what might be about to jump out, I’m looking for and mentally logging the small details that otherwise go unnoticed to the everyday patron. It comes with the territory of reviewing. I guess my point is, I often can appreciate a creative, well-built environment. However, The Thirteenth Hour has built that fourth wall and I walked right into it.
It’s no secret that I have an affinity for this haunt’s dark, gothic style. Does that make me a little biased? Maybe. Get over it. However, I would debate anyone at any time that the Thirteen Hour is one of the best constructed haunts anywhere. The theme of this haunt could be The Smurfs and I would still bet money that it would be totally immersive. Lucky for haunt fans, it’s not The Smurfs. It’s a journey back in time (over a century) landing smack dab in the macabre, occult activities of one Heinrich Chapel.
Last year introduced the concept of the Cartographer, a manipulator of time responsible for sending the patrons back to the early 1900s where the horrors are witnessed. This built a very cool framework that the haunt can indefinitely use to send visitors into virtually any era. I don’t think we’ll be walking with dinosaurs anytime soon, but it does help build a connection to how you got from your car to the corridors of a decrepit cathedral set in a different period.
Today, Cartocker Expeditions, a full-fledged time-traveling service, welcomes you as a guest in a clever reception area. It kind of reminds me of Total Recall. It’s a place you can come to at your leisure and treat yourself to a trip that you would otherwise be unable to go on. After being greeted by a staffer and prepped for travel, we were assigned a waiting bay in the pre-travel queue. Shortly after, the Cartographer appeared, explained what to expect…and then all hell broke loose. This is where the unfortunate journey to the past begins.
The story of the Thirteenth Hour is presented through several areas and character encounters. Things start in the cemetery; a twisting and winding walk through ghoul-infested crypts and then move on to the Cathedral of Souls and conclude in the Mine.
The central, indoor area houses what to me, is the jewel of the haunt – the cathedral. Longer than ever before, is crumbling structure feels completely immersive. Not only are many areas of it completely enclosed (which is not to be taken for granted – this haunt was originally all outdoors with no roof), but the build is hauntingly beautiful and uncanny. A new, unique set is the cathedral’s fallen bell tower which demands visitors walk up and down a steep incline of rubble. The largest addition this year is Heinrich’s chamber where the sacrifices take place. This is where my jaw absolutely dropped. Don’t get me wrong, there are no shoddy builds at The Thirteenth Hour, but this new room is the exemplary centerpiece of the haunt, representing the theme, gorgeous design and talent behind the entire attraction. The quality could take on Universal or Disney any day.
It doesn’t just stop at construction either. From our very first visit years ago I immediately noticed the perfected execution of coordinated lights and sound which produce a well-tuned accompaniment to the environments. It also would be unfair to not mention the actors. The primary actors with speaking roles and visitor interaction are top notch. The presentations are both theatrical and entertaining. They should feel proud to produce the heartbeat to this great haunt. I will not forget the other stand-in actors either. Whether it’s the restless dead in the cemetery, the disturbed miners, the nuns giving me parochial school PTSD flashbacks or monstrous acolytes of the dark cathedral, they play their role well – often making me question, “Is that a real person or a prop?”
It’s hard to be critical of this haunt. If I were to be picky, I’d love to see the cemetery be more isolated from the indoor structure. It’s near the entrance and queue so the fourth wall I speak of isn’t as strong with other nearby activity going on. It would be cool for it to move into the open land that extends out, away from the pole barn but I guess that’s easy for ME to say!
Year after year The Thirteenth Hour raises the bar and continues to exceed my arguably high expectations. Generally, I do not go into a haunt with such expectations but the talent at this haunt is so great that I honestly find myself wanting more to experience each year. Again, full disclosure – I may resonate with The Thirteenth Hour’s presentation more than others, but no one can question the level of detail and execution, else they answer to the master!
Oh you’re still here. Ok fine, I’ll elaborate. Not often is “the fourth wall” present when we go though haunts. The magic of being transported somewhere else, scared out of my mind and whatnot has been long gone for years. I suppose it’s the price paid, going through tens of haunts year after year. Now, rather than stepping forward with anxiety, trying to keep my composure over what might be about to jump out, I’m looking for and mentally logging the small details that otherwise go unnoticed to the everyday patron. It comes with the territory of reviewing. I guess my point is, I often can appreciate a creative, well-built environment. However, The Thirteenth Hour has built that fourth wall and I walked right into it.
It’s no secret that I have an affinity for this haunt’s dark, gothic style. Does that make me a little biased? Maybe. Get over it. However, I would debate anyone at any time that the Thirteen Hour is one of the best constructed haunts anywhere. The theme of this haunt could be The Smurfs and I would still bet money that it would be totally immersive. Lucky for haunt fans, it’s not The Smurfs. It’s a journey back in time (over a century) landing smack dab in the macabre, occult activities of one Heinrich Chapel.
Last year introduced the concept of the Cartographer, a manipulator of time responsible for sending the patrons back to the early 1900s where the horrors are witnessed. This built a very cool framework that the haunt can indefinitely use to send visitors into virtually any era. I don’t think we’ll be walking with dinosaurs anytime soon, but it does help build a connection to how you got from your car to the corridors of a decrepit cathedral set in a different period.
Today, Cartocker Expeditions, a full-fledged time-traveling service, welcomes you as a guest in a clever reception area. It kind of reminds me of Total Recall. It’s a place you can come to at your leisure and treat yourself to a trip that you would otherwise be unable to go on. After being greeted by a staffer and prepped for travel, we were assigned a waiting bay in the pre-travel queue. Shortly after, the Cartographer appeared, explained what to expect…and then all hell broke loose. This is where the unfortunate journey to the past begins.
The story of the Thirteenth Hour is presented through several areas and character encounters. Things start in the cemetery; a twisting and winding walk through ghoul-infested crypts and then move on to the Cathedral of Souls and conclude in the Mine.
The central, indoor area houses what to me, is the jewel of the haunt – the cathedral. Longer than ever before, is crumbling structure feels completely immersive. Not only are many areas of it completely enclosed (which is not to be taken for granted – this haunt was originally all outdoors with no roof), but the build is hauntingly beautiful and uncanny. A new, unique set is the cathedral’s fallen bell tower which demands visitors walk up and down a steep incline of rubble. The largest addition this year is Heinrich’s chamber where the sacrifices take place. This is where my jaw absolutely dropped. Don’t get me wrong, there are no shoddy builds at The Thirteenth Hour, but this new room is the exemplary centerpiece of the haunt, representing the theme, gorgeous design and talent behind the entire attraction. The quality could take on Universal or Disney any day.
It doesn’t just stop at construction either. From our very first visit years ago I immediately noticed the perfected execution of coordinated lights and sound which produce a well-tuned accompaniment to the environments. It also would be unfair to not mention the actors. The primary actors with speaking roles and visitor interaction are top notch. The presentations are both theatrical and entertaining. They should feel proud to produce the heartbeat to this great haunt. I will not forget the other stand-in actors either. Whether it’s the restless dead in the cemetery, the disturbed miners, the nuns giving me parochial school PTSD flashbacks or monstrous acolytes of the dark cathedral, they play their role well – often making me question, “Is that a real person or a prop?”
It’s hard to be critical of this haunt. If I were to be picky, I’d love to see the cemetery be more isolated from the indoor structure. It’s near the entrance and queue so the fourth wall I speak of isn’t as strong with other nearby activity going on. It would be cool for it to move into the open land that extends out, away from the pole barn but I guess that’s easy for ME to say!
Year after year The Thirteenth Hour raises the bar and continues to exceed my arguably high expectations. Generally, I do not go into a haunt with such expectations but the talent at this haunt is so great that I honestly find myself wanting more to experience each year. Again, full disclosure – I may resonate with The Thirteenth Hour’s presentation more than others, but no one can question the level of detail and execution, else they answer to the master!
I'm not quite sure how many years ago we started going to Thirteenth Hour in Indianapolis, but I'd guess 6 or 7- back when they were setting up in a parking lot every year, then tearing the entire thing down when the season was over, only to set it up again the next year. We couldn't believe that they were able to set up such a well-designed haunt in a way that it was essentially portable, and always wondered what it would be like if they had the freedom to go all out with their builds without worrying about building them so they could be taken right back down again.
Two seasons in at their new permanent, indoor location just East of downtown Indy, and our suspicions have been confirmed... Thirteenth Hour has been unleashed.
As you park your car and approach the ticket window, you'll have no idea what's lying ahead of you. It's very dark, quiet, and unassuming. It almost feels like you're pulling into a park to meet your friends for an illegal after-hours bonfire. You'll walk down a horror-story-like trail into the woods before coming around the bend and seeing the Cartocker Expeditions facility up on top of the hill. This is your gateway to chaos.
Once inside, you'll take a voyage like you've never experienced. The cinematics are absolutely unbelievable, and it's almost hard to believe that this combination of set, lighting, sounds, and special effects exists outside of a place like Universal Studios or Disney. The build alone is enough will amaze, terrify, and disorient you, but once you add in the excellent actors stationed throughout, it becomes one of the best haunt experiences in the region. There are four attractions altogether, though the storyline combines them together into one hugely dynamic voyage.
Cartocker Expeditions will launch you into the Cemetery. You'll have to make your way through it in order to enter the Cathedral, then you'll have to escape everything through the mine. There's no way to give details to the voyage without spoiling it, but it's absolutely amazing.
THIS is the Thirteenth Hour we've been waiting for, and it's a haunt masterpiece. You will be scared, you will be amazed, you will be entertained, and you will remember this one for a long time.
Go to Thirteenth Hour. Period.
Two seasons in at their new permanent, indoor location just East of downtown Indy, and our suspicions have been confirmed... Thirteenth Hour has been unleashed.
As you park your car and approach the ticket window, you'll have no idea what's lying ahead of you. It's very dark, quiet, and unassuming. It almost feels like you're pulling into a park to meet your friends for an illegal after-hours bonfire. You'll walk down a horror-story-like trail into the woods before coming around the bend and seeing the Cartocker Expeditions facility up on top of the hill. This is your gateway to chaos.
Once inside, you'll take a voyage like you've never experienced. The cinematics are absolutely unbelievable, and it's almost hard to believe that this combination of set, lighting, sounds, and special effects exists outside of a place like Universal Studios or Disney. The build alone is enough will amaze, terrify, and disorient you, but once you add in the excellent actors stationed throughout, it becomes one of the best haunt experiences in the region. There are four attractions altogether, though the storyline combines them together into one hugely dynamic voyage.
Cartocker Expeditions will launch you into the Cemetery. You'll have to make your way through it in order to enter the Cathedral, then you'll have to escape everything through the mine. There's no way to give details to the voyage without spoiling it, but it's absolutely amazing.
THIS is the Thirteenth Hour we've been waiting for, and it's a haunt masterpiece. You will be scared, you will be amazed, you will be entertained, and you will remember this one for a long time.
Go to Thirteenth Hour. Period.
A written review cannot begin to explain how amazing “The Thirteenth Hour” really is. The creator is a master at their art. This haunt transported me to a new place, from the solemn walk through haunted woods, through the thirteenth hour and back (unless your friends sacrifice you), I felt like I was in another world.
The visual tricks that carry throughout the haunt are apparent from the start. There is a dark trail through the woods, dimly lit by a few tiki torches guiding visitors deeper onto the property, with creatures lurking just beyond the tiki glow. Once the building is in sight, the clock visuals outside are the perfect entry and introduction to the storyline.
The most memorable part of this haunt for me is the lighting. The laser work is masterful. As we were being transported back in time, I stood front and center, below the actress, where the lasers were landing perfectly around her face. I am not sure the experience was the same for the people alongside me, but I will never forget that scene. The skeleton hall, which I don’t even think had an actor, was also a favorite for me. So simple, but so well executed. The spider queen is another unforgettable scene. The suspension was genius. Which leads me to my next point, I felt so small in this haunt.
The design of nearly every scene lends to the fact that you are somewhere else, another time, or dimension. The towering sets, spider queen, and death herself made me feel minuscule in their universe. We left the haunt in awe of the meticulous work and skill “The Thirteenth Hour” showcased this year. It was refreshing and an honor to witness.
The visual tricks that carry throughout the haunt are apparent from the start. There is a dark trail through the woods, dimly lit by a few tiki torches guiding visitors deeper onto the property, with creatures lurking just beyond the tiki glow. Once the building is in sight, the clock visuals outside are the perfect entry and introduction to the storyline.
The most memorable part of this haunt for me is the lighting. The laser work is masterful. As we were being transported back in time, I stood front and center, below the actress, where the lasers were landing perfectly around her face. I am not sure the experience was the same for the people alongside me, but I will never forget that scene. The skeleton hall, which I don’t even think had an actor, was also a favorite for me. So simple, but so well executed. The spider queen is another unforgettable scene. The suspension was genius. Which leads me to my next point, I felt so small in this haunt.
The design of nearly every scene lends to the fact that you are somewhere else, another time, or dimension. The towering sets, spider queen, and death herself made me feel minuscule in their universe. We left the haunt in awe of the meticulous work and skill “The Thirteenth Hour” showcased this year. It was refreshing and an honor to witness.
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"The Thirteenth Hour" defies conventional description, leaving visitors awestruck and transported to an otherworldly realm. It's an experience that transports you to an entirely different dimension, a world where the line between reality and terror blurs. The haunt's mastery of visual tricks is evident from the outset, with a dark, eerie trail through the woods illuminated only by flickering tiki torches, guiding visitors into the heart of darkness. Throughout the journey, visitors are made to feel small and insignificant in the presence of towering sets, the spider queen, and the embodiment of death herself, evoking a profound sense of minuscule existence within this twisted universe. Each scene is meticulously designed to transport guests to another time, place, or dimension, showcasing the haunt's exceptional craftsmanship and skill.
"The Thirteenth Hour" in Indianapolis has evolved significantly over the years, from its humble beginnings as a portable haunt set up in parking lots, torn down at the end of each season, to its current status as a permanent, indoor/outdoor attraction. This transition has allowed the haunt to unleash its full potential, resulting in an experience that defies expectations. As visitors approach the ticket window, they are greeted by an atmosphere of darkness, silence, and intrigue, reminiscent of entering an illicit after-hours gathering in the depths of night. The journey begins as guests traverse a horror-infused woodland trail, winding deeper into the shadows, until they encounter the imposing Cartocker Expeditions facility atop a hill, their gateway to a world of chaos and terror. Once inside, visitors embark on an unprecedented voyage that defies belief. The haunt's cinematics are nothing short of astonishing, with an extraordinary combination of sets, lighting, sounds, and special effects that rival those found in the most renowned theme parks. The attention to detail in the haunt's construction is enough to amaze, terrify, and disorient even the most seasoned haunt-goer. Yet, it's the addition of talented actors stationed throughout that elevates the experience to one of the finest haunt journeys in the region. The storyline interweaves three distinct attractions into a single, dynamic voyage, starting with Cartocker Expeditions' launch into a sinister Cemetery, leading through the haunting Cathedral of Souls, and culminating in a daring escape through the treacherous Mine. While the details of this extraordinary voyage remain closely guarded, one thing is certain: "The Thirteenth Hour" is the haunt masterpiece that enthusiasts have long awaited. It promises to leave a lasting impression, striking a perfect balance between fear, amazement, and entertainment, ensuring that those who dare to enter will carry its memory with them for years to come. "The Thirteenth Hour" beckons, and it's an experience not to be missed. |
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