|
|
|
Carnage displays some real craftsmanship. |
Todd - Carnage is a haunted house I'll certainly be following up with for years to come. As this was our first year visiting carnage, I had no idea what to expect but was immensely happy with what I saw. While it's not the largest haunt (space limitations), the floor plan is maximized efficiently to put on a good show of various encounters. Carnage has no central theme. Instead, it's just a string of random scenarios, some of which I've never seen before nor executed quite so well.
The attraction as a whole carried a very energetic vibe while we were there - even outside. While patrons waited outside, they were entertained by a DJ and light show complete with giveaways thrown out to the crowd. The outdoor waiting area was complete with a food shack featuring Captain Spaulding's chicken tenders. Nice.
Once inside, we were greeted and reminded of the rules by a fun animatronic skull residing within an impressive stone piece, accompanied by a human host who ironically, we scared unintentionally upon our approach - long story. The first scene found us sitting inside a shanty-like room with a mysterious girl who clearly practices some voodoo or other dark magic. No spoilers, but it was an interactive experience complete with some well-timed effects. Along the way we found ourselves in one of the better-implemented fog swaps we've seen to date, a well designed log cabin, a barbershop where a bit more than a "bit off the top" is taken off and even a maternity ward.
Overall, the actors were ok. Some stood out but few were memorable in the long term. Each adequately played to their scene but some felt as if they were lacking material to enhance the situation. Furthermore, the actors provided more of an entertaining experience, rather than a scary one (which isn't always a bad thing), so the scares were a bit too few and far between.
What I found to be impressive about Carnage was not only the innovative execution of some of the scenes, but the very evident level of detail applied to many of them. For example, the log cabin is made of actual split logs and chinking (mortar) and it looks great. Within the same area, there are some freakish experiments displayed as taxidermy. We later found out these pieces are actual pieces of taxidermy performed by the co-owner. As far as some of the unique gags and surprises - well, no spoilers from me.
Carnage clearly displays years of haunt experience perhaps only limited by the current location. However, we were pleased to learn that the haunt is moving locations, into a MUCH bigger space with less limitations. The move will surely be no easy feat, but I am very eager to see what this creative team does when unrestrained.
The attraction as a whole carried a very energetic vibe while we were there - even outside. While patrons waited outside, they were entertained by a DJ and light show complete with giveaways thrown out to the crowd. The outdoor waiting area was complete with a food shack featuring Captain Spaulding's chicken tenders. Nice.
Once inside, we were greeted and reminded of the rules by a fun animatronic skull residing within an impressive stone piece, accompanied by a human host who ironically, we scared unintentionally upon our approach - long story. The first scene found us sitting inside a shanty-like room with a mysterious girl who clearly practices some voodoo or other dark magic. No spoilers, but it was an interactive experience complete with some well-timed effects. Along the way we found ourselves in one of the better-implemented fog swaps we've seen to date, a well designed log cabin, a barbershop where a bit more than a "bit off the top" is taken off and even a maternity ward.
Overall, the actors were ok. Some stood out but few were memorable in the long term. Each adequately played to their scene but some felt as if they were lacking material to enhance the situation. Furthermore, the actors provided more of an entertaining experience, rather than a scary one (which isn't always a bad thing), so the scares were a bit too few and far between.
What I found to be impressive about Carnage was not only the innovative execution of some of the scenes, but the very evident level of detail applied to many of them. For example, the log cabin is made of actual split logs and chinking (mortar) and it looks great. Within the same area, there are some freakish experiments displayed as taxidermy. We later found out these pieces are actual pieces of taxidermy performed by the co-owner. As far as some of the unique gags and surprises - well, no spoilers from me.
Carnage clearly displays years of haunt experience perhaps only limited by the current location. However, we were pleased to learn that the haunt is moving locations, into a MUCH bigger space with less limitations. The move will surely be no easy feat, but I am very eager to see what this creative team does when unrestrained.
|
Well Carnage is definitely an appropriate name! |
Paul - Welcome to Carnage!
Carnage is kind of a collection of horror. There isn't really a set theme to the haunt because the ghouls behind it don't want to be locked in to whatever theme is picked. They just want to dream up a somewhat insane, highly detailed set, stock it full of some crazy actors, and scare people for hours on end.
The facility is located just southeast of downtown Columbus, right off of the highway. It's really easy to get to and there is plenty of parking even on the busiest nights. After purchasing your ticket at the booth, you'll spend your wait time being entertained by music and whatever classic horror movie they have projected on the side of the building that night.
Once inside you'll be treated to some of the most realistic sets in the area. There's a huge amount of detail, and you can really appreciate the work that was put into building things. Or at least you'll notice it as you're running away from whatever nutty actor is hunting you down!
On average, the actors did a very good job selling their scenes. Some were definitely better than others, but all of them were enthusiastic, had great costumes and makeup, and made the experience much more believable! There were quite a few that were super funny in addition to the ones who were scary, so alternating the laughing and being scared was a lot of fun.
I came away impressed with Carnage, especially in their passion for what they do. Next year they'll move into a building that's several times larger than where they are now, and I really can't wait to see what they do with it! If what they have now is any indication of what's to come, they'll have a masterpiece on their hands!
Carnage is kind of a collection of horror. There isn't really a set theme to the haunt because the ghouls behind it don't want to be locked in to whatever theme is picked. They just want to dream up a somewhat insane, highly detailed set, stock it full of some crazy actors, and scare people for hours on end.
The facility is located just southeast of downtown Columbus, right off of the highway. It's really easy to get to and there is plenty of parking even on the busiest nights. After purchasing your ticket at the booth, you'll spend your wait time being entertained by music and whatever classic horror movie they have projected on the side of the building that night.
Once inside you'll be treated to some of the most realistic sets in the area. There's a huge amount of detail, and you can really appreciate the work that was put into building things. Or at least you'll notice it as you're running away from whatever nutty actor is hunting you down!
On average, the actors did a very good job selling their scenes. Some were definitely better than others, but all of them were enthusiastic, had great costumes and makeup, and made the experience much more believable! There were quite a few that were super funny in addition to the ones who were scary, so alternating the laughing and being scared was a lot of fun.
I came away impressed with Carnage, especially in their passion for what they do. Next year they'll move into a building that's several times larger than where they are now, and I really can't wait to see what they do with it! If what they have now is any indication of what's to come, they'll have a masterpiece on their hands!
|
Carnage's scenes and props are strong, and the un-themed style makes for a number of really fun surprises. You really have no idea what to expect! |
Teresa - This was our first year going to Carnage Haunted House in Columbus, Ohio. As we approached the building, there was live music, a light show, fog and bubbles, and some free-giveaways going on outside. It looked like quite a party! There was an old-school snack bar with a neon sign and a vulture, where I immediately spotted some Captain Spaulding's fried chicken! This was the first horror movie reference I spotted. These guys are obviously horror movie enthusiasts, as there was a sign out front saying they planted horror movie "Easter eggs" throughout the haunt and taking your time and looking for them was encouraged. Already, I was intrigued!
As we entered, we were greeted by a guy who reminded me of a mortician. Then a really cool prop explained the rules, and we walked a little further, past a moody cemetery scene, where we were greeted by a voodoo-man. His costume was fantastic. Then we began our tour of Carnage. Carnage is laid out in a series of scenes, with some really weird passages connecting one to the next. There isn't an overall theme, so they are really free to do anything they want.
The craftmanship and creativity that went into these scenes is really excellent. I enjoyed not knowing what to expect. We met with a voodoo priestess who made us cast a spell, which was super-cool! There were really weird taxidermied "things", lots of unique props, some of which were very humorous! Some scenes were right out of a movie (and quite impressive - seriously, like wow!) and others were unique and fun. My favorite part of this was not knowing what to expect, so I don't want to go into too much detail in this review. However some of my other favorites were gluttony, the neonatal ward, and the barbershop. I also noticed a smoky smell which was a nice detail to one scene. The actors were engaging and some were hilarious. I liked that the scares were punctuated by laughs. Carnage's scenes and props are strong, and the un-themed style makes for a number of really fun surprises. You really have no idea what to expect! I really want to go back through and see if I can spot the rest of the horror movie references!
Here's a tip: VIP Speed passes are only $7 more than the regular tickets if you get them online. So, if you're not the wait-in-line type, you can cut your wait in half. Not a bad deal at all! Although, waiting seemed pretty fun, between the music, the giveaways, and the horror movies projected on the building. Just go! You're definitely going to have fun! I like the way the way these guys think and I'm really excited to see what changes they make going forward into a new, larger space!
As we entered, we were greeted by a guy who reminded me of a mortician. Then a really cool prop explained the rules, and we walked a little further, past a moody cemetery scene, where we were greeted by a voodoo-man. His costume was fantastic. Then we began our tour of Carnage. Carnage is laid out in a series of scenes, with some really weird passages connecting one to the next. There isn't an overall theme, so they are really free to do anything they want.
The craftmanship and creativity that went into these scenes is really excellent. I enjoyed not knowing what to expect. We met with a voodoo priestess who made us cast a spell, which was super-cool! There were really weird taxidermied "things", lots of unique props, some of which were very humorous! Some scenes were right out of a movie (and quite impressive - seriously, like wow!) and others were unique and fun. My favorite part of this was not knowing what to expect, so I don't want to go into too much detail in this review. However some of my other favorites were gluttony, the neonatal ward, and the barbershop. I also noticed a smoky smell which was a nice detail to one scene. The actors were engaging and some were hilarious. I liked that the scares were punctuated by laughs. Carnage's scenes and props are strong, and the un-themed style makes for a number of really fun surprises. You really have no idea what to expect! I really want to go back through and see if I can spot the rest of the horror movie references!
Here's a tip: VIP Speed passes are only $7 more than the regular tickets if you get them online. So, if you're not the wait-in-line type, you can cut your wait in half. Not a bad deal at all! Although, waiting seemed pretty fun, between the music, the giveaways, and the horror movies projected on the building. Just go! You're definitely going to have fun! I like the way the way these guys think and I'm really excited to see what changes they make going forward into a new, larger space!