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Entertainment
Teresa - Carnage is rather unassuming from the outside (located in an old bowling alley), but the parking is free, and you don't have to wait outside. Once you get inside, the fun begins well before you enter the haunt proper. There's tons of space to explore in the waiting area. It's wide open, but dark, full of fun scenes, music, props, and backdrops for photos. There is a giant massive black light fresco that is super-cool, and adds to the nostalgic, but "cooler than any bowling alley you ever gone to" vibe. There are actors roaming around, entertaining guests. There's a small, but cool gift shop that I actually wanted to buy things from. And the haunts are very awe-inspiring to see, fun to experience, the actors are engaging, and you will jump and be scared. And if you're like me, that's always good for some laughs. This is an easy and fun way to spend an evening in the Halloween season. It just has a great vibe. Todd - Never once did Carnage feel slow or flat. I attribute a lot of that to the great actors on staff and the rest to the sheer uniqueness of the haunt. There are so many REAL things packed in this haunt that it feels more lifelike than fabricated. Sure, as with any haunt it has props, but most of the decorative items here had an original purpose or function at one time which brings a different kind of energy with them. |
Scare Factor
Teresa - For not being a touch haunt, Carnage does a great job of bringing the scary. It's not any one thing, but a combination of intimidating actors, very creepy sets, and some terrifying props and animatronics. Todd - Carnage is diverse in its offering of scares. At times you're forced to walk through a fairly narrow pathway with no choice but to face what's waiting around the corner. Other times, you'll find yourself in a more open space - but that doesn't mean you're safe; now there's room for someone to join you unexpectedly. Much of Carnage is an array of unsetting environments that are sure to resonate with the visitors' fears somewhere along the way. Whether it be an old cabin, a graveyard, a hospital, a filthy kitchen, a horrific medical room - Carnage has something that won't sit right with you. More importantly, if you're not unsettled, you'll surely be intrigued and entertained. Actors Teresa - Scaring people when they know you can't touch them is definitely an art form. The actors here did a great job with their roles. They were charismatic, intimidating, had great costumes, and were well-placed. There were portions, like the New Orleans-style cemetery that would have been really cool and creepy without any actors, that were escalated to outright scary, just because the actors were unexpectedly creepy and intimidating. The guy walking the fence did a great job. My favorite is still the voodoo queen at the beginning, though. Todd - There are some very energetic actors on this crew who aren't afraid of banter. Though a few reserved themselves to the traditional pop-out, many of them had something to say and were eager to interact. The introduction by the voodoo priestess at the beginning is still a great way to start the show....and then there's the guy wearing the red lace panties who shat the baby on the floor who will live rent-free in my mind. Can't say I see that one every day! Immersion Teresa - The sets and effects are very well-done. The bayou is my favorite, because it's just so different and well-crafted. It's like walking through a slice of Louisiana, complete with voodoo queens, tons of crumbling above-ground crypts, a swamp, and all kinds of southern gothic flavor. The hospital is also well-done with lots of attention to detail, lots of "ick" factor, and terrifying actors. Todd - Carnage is a highly unique haunt in its construction that has countless elements that you won't see at most haunts, especially under the same roof. The dock standing above real water is my personal favorite followed by the massive, uncanny above-ground cemetery inspired by those in New Orleans. The second hospital-themed haunt has all the staples you would expect including an attention-grabbing psychiatric ward and a clever maternity ward. In fact, Carnage has so much stuff, not only is it nearly impossible to take it all in at once, but there are even movie easter eggs hidden throughout the entire haunt to discover. There are so many signs, knick knacks, pictures, etc., all over that at no point does the experience feel bare. |
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What Makes This Haunt Special
Teresa - It's a traditional haunt, not cookie-cutter, built with attention to detail. The same care is taken with the props and characters within. There is much here to take in. Also, there are tons of Easter Eggs (the kind that pay homage to horror movies, mostly - not the hardboiled ones that come from chickens). It's fun to see how many you notice, but it's also extremely difficult, as you're kind of distracted by the character who might use you in a ritual, or the alligator-filled swamp to pay attention to all the details. There are so many! I'm not sure I can explain it, but there's just a fun ambiance here that you can enjoy whether you notice the many details or not. And those details really give you the chance to go through multiple times and notice something different every time. I love a place with substance.
Todd - The builds are easily the most unique aspect of Carnage. It also has one hell of an indoor queue area with loads of space. |
What Can Be Worked On
Teresa - I think what is here is very well-done. I would love to see more spaces with the same attention to detail and actors who are clearly enthusiastically enjoying their roles. Also, I'd love to see a bowling alley-style snack bar, if it was ever possible with the building regulations. It would just fit the vibe so well.
Todd - Normally I'd be eager for some new scenes or additions but Carnage almost didn't open this year, so I was more than happy with the fact that it was open this season. |
In Summary
Teresa - Carnage is a fantastic traditional haunt. It's unique and you won't see these settings anywhere else. It's a nice, fun, indoor space to hang out in, and it's just well-done and enjoyable on multiple levels.
Todd - Sharing a market area with a certain "big box" haunt is unfortunate because I have no doubt many eyes are distracted from Carnage. Rather than scaring with repetitive and predictive tactics, Carnage has an identity of its own and a unique offering that is much more primal and traditional (and in my opinion, memorable). It's stuffed with creativity and need not rely on seizure-inducing lighting and deafening music to have an impact on visitors.
Todd - Sharing a market area with a certain "big box" haunt is unfortunate because I have no doubt many eyes are distracted from Carnage. Rather than scaring with repetitive and predictive tactics, Carnage has an identity of its own and a unique offering that is much more primal and traditional (and in my opinion, memorable). It's stuffed with creativity and need not rely on seizure-inducing lighting and deafening music to have an impact on visitors.