Immersion
Paul - Immersiveness is where Thirteenth Hour really shines. You're trapped in their world from beginning to end, and you really feel like you're being transported to another place. The sets, lighting, audio, and cast all work together amazingly well and it really feels like you're in a nightmare you weren't destined to be. Teresa - The scenes, sets, props, lighting, and effects are incredible. They give you a sense of actually being in these places that fill you with awe and horror. The church ruins, the cemetery, ashes floating in the air... you feel like you stepped into this haunted place. The story starts with a new very cool time traveling experience (with Cartocker Expeditions) that leads you into 1913, the Widow's Cemetery, the Cathedral of Souls, the Sharpe Orphanage, and finally, you get a break in Purgatory (where you can rest, take photos, get drinks and snacks), and then the final descent into Mine No. 13. These scenes are just so cool and haunting it gives me a sense of euphoria just being in there. Todd - I may be biased because I LOVE the theme, but the builds are absolutely amazing. This year the graveyard outside was expanded and enhanced. It now feels much more closed in and there's even more to look at. Inside, a number of rooms were added including a new orphanage that looks as aged and unsettling as ever. There are many environmental aspects of The Thirteenth Hour that you simply don't see anywhere else. The construction, combined with strategic lighting effects, produces a very unique and surreal experience. Emily - No place transcends time like 13th hour. |
Scare Factor
Paul - The overall intimidation may not be intensely menacing feeling (which isn't necessarily a flaw), but the placement of the scares and the number of effective jump scares is excellent. Teresa - Thirteenth Hour has a fantastic story line that just keeps expanding every year. The characters are unique with fantastic costumes, makeup, and personas. The sets have to be seen to be believed. So much attention to detail, sounds, lighting and dark ambiance really immerses you in the scenes. That is what gives this such a creep factor. The actors don't touch you, but there's a sense of dread throughout that really builds. And you just never know what to expect. There are lots of jump scares and you will have to participate in your doom. Todd - The Thirteenth Hour is a dark, gothic haunt so it's pretty creepy in nature to begin with. There are several jump scares that I honestly didn't see coming which were very strategically positioned. On top of that, there are multiple areas where you can't tell if various figures are real or not - and there's only one way you'll find out. Emily - 13th was an terrifying as always this year. I was spooked by the new graveyard layout. Somehow it feels so twisted and narrow, but I still felt so exposed. Actors Paul - The actors did well in their roles. The ones who were supposed to be interactive did a great job of drawing you further into the story, and the ones who were quick-scare did just that. Teresa - The actors are unique characters with great costumes. They are interactive and advance you through the Heinrich Chapel story. Go to the website to check that out if you haven't been before. They're intimidating and fun, great at improv and make you feel very much like you've walked into a horror show, starring you. Todd - Since this haunt is very thematic with an evolving storyline there are several key actors that interact with you and contribute to the season's story. Those characters do an incredible job with their banter, engaging the visitors. Aside from the key actors, others are present to moan, groan or creep up on you. There was a slight redundancy to these secondary actors' delivery, but everything was in context to their respective scene. Emily - The main characters are on point. They do an amazing job pulling you in and give a great show. I didn't feel the same intensity as last year, but we came pretty early in the season. Entertainment Paul - I love this haunt and am highly entertained by it every time we visit. It's so good, I almost feel like I'm living out a movie or a video game. You really have to experience it for yourself. Teresa - The immersive experience here makes you feel like you're actually walking through this story in real ruins and seriously creepy scenes. The realism is astounding. These are not like any sets you've seen. You are just in awe of your surroundings. And the actors are a great mix of scary and fun. Todd - The entire haunt at The Thirteenth Hour will keep you engaged from start to finish. From the very beginning your seemingly "standard" trip back in time will turn into a sinister adventure as you find your way back to the present. The continuing support of the story throughout keeps visitors engaged while still offering the spooks and scares to be expected from a haunted house. Emily - 13th hour is truly a theatrical piece of art. The actors have fun. They are just the right amount of interactive and creeper scares. I loved it. |
What Makes This Haunt Special
Paul - The combination of theme, set quality, acting, and costuming are unlike anything else around. The changes this year are excellent, and the extended outdoor graveyard works remarkably well.
Teresa - My favorite thing about Thirteenth Hour are the incredible builds and effects that are just amazing to experience. Add to this interactive actors who force you to make tough decisions and add to the horror or humor of your plight and it's a very unique and fun experience. This isn't a place you walk through with the same old actors in a masks jumping out and rawring from behind some black plastic. You walk through a SHOW here. Todd - The uniqueness of the haunt. The theme of time travel mixed with evil origins is a fresh approach to haunting, which leaves a lot of room for change and story expansion in the coming years. The builds are also unlike anything around the area. Emily - The artistic touch when it comes to the sound and the lighting is top notch. They are little things that make a huge difference in your overall feeling throughout the haunt. |
What Can Be Worked On
Paul - This is a tough one. I'm having a hard time putting my finger on anything specific. That's saying something!
Teresa - It's so amazing to see, that I would say adding more to increase the immersive experience. I LOVE the story and how it manifests. And every year it gets better. I want more period detail and more immersion. It needs to be unique and awe-inspiring. Todd - At a few points I felt some of the secondary actors could have had a little more energy but it's hard to really find a lot that needs "fixing." Emily - Not a lot. Maybe some of the actors here and there, but again, we came early. additional practice would do it. |
In Summary
Paul - Thirteenth Hour feels a bit like an interactive thriller movie. The story is great, the sets are almost unbelievable, and the sound and lighting are phenomenal. The suspense level builds and drops repeatedly throughout, and you just can't wait to see what's around the next corner. It's an experience unlike anything else around.
Teresa - I absolutely LOVE this place. It just has to be experienced! I want to come back and walk through alone. On a foggy night. If you're looking for a place that doesn't need touch to be scary, and you're more interested in being immersed in a dark ambiance and meeting the equally dark denizens here, this is your place.
Todd - I love The Thirteenth Hour and as it continues to grow, I find myself chomping at the bit to see what's new. There's a resting point just past the halfway mark where you can get some snacks and drinks, sit down as long as you want while listening to music and take pictures at number of photo op spots. It's definitely worth checking out if you have never been and great for return visitors since there's so many new additions to see.
Teresa - I absolutely LOVE this place. It just has to be experienced! I want to come back and walk through alone. On a foggy night. If you're looking for a place that doesn't need touch to be scary, and you're more interested in being immersed in a dark ambiance and meeting the equally dark denizens here, this is your place.
Todd - I love The Thirteenth Hour and as it continues to grow, I find myself chomping at the bit to see what's new. There's a resting point just past the halfway mark where you can get some snacks and drinks, sit down as long as you want while listening to music and take pictures at number of photo op spots. It's definitely worth checking out if you have never been and great for return visitors since there's so many new additions to see.