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Psh...what pandemic? |
Todd - Most of us can easily recall the famous line in Spiderman when Uncle Ben said, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Ok, so saying The Dent Schoolhouse has great “power” in the haunt industry is kind of weird, but they are in the limelight. Consistently ranked in the top 10 haunts in the NATION, all eyes are on this attraction and many haunts strive to reach the level of detail, popularity and overall showmanship that Dent offers. All haunts have their strengths, whether it be their actors, set builds, technological implementations, lighting, audio or a combination. This year, haunts have another aspect to be more mindful of than ever - health and safety.
In the past we’ve reviewed (at nauseum) how and The Dent Schoolhouse is the masterclass of many of these facets. It offers a level of detail immersion that rivals the most professional attractions (haunt or not) with everything so perfectly in-tune: brand new builds perfectly aged and worn, the lighting just right as your attention is directed exactly where it should be while many shadows still surround you; cinema-quality characters lurking about; everything is surreal.
Impressively, nearly the entire first floor of The Dent Schoolhouse was rebuilt for this season. As if it didn’t ring true to being a school before, it does even more so now. The opening science / laboratory room has been removed and replaced with an actual classroom desks and chairs stacked on each other forming a snaking maze through the room. A new hallway has been added with doors displaying integrated video screens giving life to what lies on the other side. The creepy porcelain dolls are now placed in cubby holes but that doesn’t mean they’ll necessarily stay there as you pass. Another revamped classroom features adult sized students all pointing at the teacher with an expression of shock as she paddles a small child. There’s also a library room, where you’ll navigate through bookshelves as they rock towards you. The new build looks as if it’s been there for years which is exactly what The Dent Schoolhouse excels at.
There were noticeable absences and changes as a result of Covid precautions and a small staff. For example, the squeeze tunnel that you normally push through, wading through body parts was not inflated. The last indoor room (greenhouse) did not have an actor being pulled up through the ceiling. Rather than the actor wielding the chainsaw at the end having free rein, he was behind the cage bars as you exit the building. The decreased actor count was evident, but it didn’t hurt the show in my opinion. Those that were stationed were well placed in key areas and The Dent Schoolhouse is not short on animatonics, props or other details to keep you occupied.
With all eyes on Dent and one of the most heavily trafficked haunts among local states, the threat of Covid-19 is all the more concerning. We learned this year of the various regulations that both the local and state health departments required for haunted houses to open. While absolutely necessary for the good of all attending, it’s just more burden that owners and operators have to take on in order to keep these businesses running. The Dent Schoolhouse, despite the surprising (or not surprising) night-after-night sold out shows, is packed with patrons waiting in line. Never fear, for the extended measures they’ve taken for your protection are outstanding.
First, to avoid ticket lines, almost all tickets were set up to be purchased online so visitors already have them, electronically, upon arrival. Numerous staff and security personnel continuously instructed new arrivals to where the end of the line began to keep groups of people from remaining stagnant around those passing by. Other crew members used 6-foot poles to keep groups waiting in line properly spaced apart. Since this elongated an already very long line, Queen City Slaughter Yard (Dent’s secondary outdoor haunt) was closed and utilized as a queue for the line to the primary attraction. Despite the droves of visitors in line, The Dent Schoolhouse operated at half capacity each night, meaning the number of tickets sold was limited.
The restrictions also applied inside. We learned that there was even a limit to the number of actors that could be working at any one time as well. Instead of these actors being placed in already close-quarters, they were repositioned to be behind walls or other props where they could still execute their jump scare or contribution to a scene without being right next to those walking through. For those closer to visitors, masks were worn under the costumes or in Zobo’s case, just right over the nose and mouth like the rest of us (he may want to kill you, but not make you sick!). We also learned that at the end of the night, the actors changed out of their costumes in the rooms they were working in to avoid them all gathering in the makeup room or other common areas.
So why bother going into such operational details? Well, because I think it’s important to communicate how seriously the health and safety of you, the fans, is taken into account by the owners and operators in these crazy times. To be clear, ALL haunts are utilizing these or similar precautions. The Dent Schoolhouse, undoubtedly expecting more visitors than many haunts just like in years past, must be highly responsible - and they are.
There are a small number of patrons who will complain about wearing masks or changes to the show as a result of these guidelines (such as reduced actors counts), which I think is ridiculous. I’d rather experience a safe show modified for the situation, than it become a potential health risk or not have these haunts open at all.
So the verdict? The Dent Schoolhouse rocked it on both their presentation and operating under the current safety guidelines. Hopefully next year they’ll be back in full force.
In the past we’ve reviewed (at nauseum) how and The Dent Schoolhouse is the masterclass of many of these facets. It offers a level of detail immersion that rivals the most professional attractions (haunt or not) with everything so perfectly in-tune: brand new builds perfectly aged and worn, the lighting just right as your attention is directed exactly where it should be while many shadows still surround you; cinema-quality characters lurking about; everything is surreal.
Impressively, nearly the entire first floor of The Dent Schoolhouse was rebuilt for this season. As if it didn’t ring true to being a school before, it does even more so now. The opening science / laboratory room has been removed and replaced with an actual classroom desks and chairs stacked on each other forming a snaking maze through the room. A new hallway has been added with doors displaying integrated video screens giving life to what lies on the other side. The creepy porcelain dolls are now placed in cubby holes but that doesn’t mean they’ll necessarily stay there as you pass. Another revamped classroom features adult sized students all pointing at the teacher with an expression of shock as she paddles a small child. There’s also a library room, where you’ll navigate through bookshelves as they rock towards you. The new build looks as if it’s been there for years which is exactly what The Dent Schoolhouse excels at.
There were noticeable absences and changes as a result of Covid precautions and a small staff. For example, the squeeze tunnel that you normally push through, wading through body parts was not inflated. The last indoor room (greenhouse) did not have an actor being pulled up through the ceiling. Rather than the actor wielding the chainsaw at the end having free rein, he was behind the cage bars as you exit the building. The decreased actor count was evident, but it didn’t hurt the show in my opinion. Those that were stationed were well placed in key areas and The Dent Schoolhouse is not short on animatonics, props or other details to keep you occupied.
With all eyes on Dent and one of the most heavily trafficked haunts among local states, the threat of Covid-19 is all the more concerning. We learned this year of the various regulations that both the local and state health departments required for haunted houses to open. While absolutely necessary for the good of all attending, it’s just more burden that owners and operators have to take on in order to keep these businesses running. The Dent Schoolhouse, despite the surprising (or not surprising) night-after-night sold out shows, is packed with patrons waiting in line. Never fear, for the extended measures they’ve taken for your protection are outstanding.
First, to avoid ticket lines, almost all tickets were set up to be purchased online so visitors already have them, electronically, upon arrival. Numerous staff and security personnel continuously instructed new arrivals to where the end of the line began to keep groups of people from remaining stagnant around those passing by. Other crew members used 6-foot poles to keep groups waiting in line properly spaced apart. Since this elongated an already very long line, Queen City Slaughter Yard (Dent’s secondary outdoor haunt) was closed and utilized as a queue for the line to the primary attraction. Despite the droves of visitors in line, The Dent Schoolhouse operated at half capacity each night, meaning the number of tickets sold was limited.
The restrictions also applied inside. We learned that there was even a limit to the number of actors that could be working at any one time as well. Instead of these actors being placed in already close-quarters, they were repositioned to be behind walls or other props where they could still execute their jump scare or contribution to a scene without being right next to those walking through. For those closer to visitors, masks were worn under the costumes or in Zobo’s case, just right over the nose and mouth like the rest of us (he may want to kill you, but not make you sick!). We also learned that at the end of the night, the actors changed out of their costumes in the rooms they were working in to avoid them all gathering in the makeup room or other common areas.
So why bother going into such operational details? Well, because I think it’s important to communicate how seriously the health and safety of you, the fans, is taken into account by the owners and operators in these crazy times. To be clear, ALL haunts are utilizing these or similar precautions. The Dent Schoolhouse, undoubtedly expecting more visitors than many haunts just like in years past, must be highly responsible - and they are.
There are a small number of patrons who will complain about wearing masks or changes to the show as a result of these guidelines (such as reduced actors counts), which I think is ridiculous. I’d rather experience a safe show modified for the situation, than it become a potential health risk or not have these haunts open at all.
So the verdict? The Dent Schoolhouse rocked it on both their presentation and operating under the current safety guidelines. Hopefully next year they’ll be back in full force.
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Still the masterclass... |
Paul - Our 2020 visit to the Dent Schoolhouse revealed some of the biggest changes we've seen there in years. Some were planned, some un-planned, but all made for a different show than we ordinarily see at Dent.
Easily the most obvious thing... The entire first floor is a new experience. New props, new animatronics, new layouts, new rooms, new scares. The lighting is creepy, the layout is effective, and as always- it's all executed to perfection. Part of what makes Dent unique to me is that the whole time you're inside, there is ALWAYS something happening. Something is moving, something is making noise, and every bit of it is designed to work together. Most haunts have transitions into the different scenes where you'll have a hallway, or a quiet area, or something like that. I think the only "break" area I can think of at Dent is when you head into the basement, where it obviously wouldn't be recommended to scare people walking down a flight of stairs.
Now, there probably aren't a huge number of people in our region who have visited Netherworld in Georgia, but a couple of us were able to do that a few years ago. Two of the standout things that they do there that I haven't seen anywhere else-
1: Speed. They crank people through that haunt like I've never seen, and we still didn't catch up to the people in front of us, and we weren't caught up to. Tight and twisting pathways, perfectly-placed visual blocks, and tons of distractions to take your eyes where they wanted you to look. I didn't measure the exact time between groups, but it may have only been 15-20 seconds.
2: In my opinion, the actors and animatronics were made to compliment each other, and they could put almost any actor in any role and they could do what was needed to make the scene work- and they did it perfectly. No actors really stood out, but I'm not sure if the show would have been better if they did. I personally much prefer the interaction with good actors, but using this style of perfectly-choreographed actor/animatronic pairing is part of what keeps customers rolling through at such a fast pace.
Dent was much closer to Netherworld this year than I've ever seen in both of these regards, but I think it's mostly a side-effect of covid restrictions.
The number of actors inside was greatly reduced this year, though it wasn't an intended reduction. Because the state is restricting the number of people allowed in indoor areas, it forces actors who are ordinarily in your face to keep their distance. Rooms where we know there are normally 3-4 actors may have 1 now, and maybe 1 or 2 stationed behind a wall at a jump-scare spot or drop window. The up-side to it is that it helps the world-class animatronics stand out better than previous years. The decrease in actors may not even noticed by most visitors, but being that Dent is our home haunt and we visit 2-3+ times a year, it's something we noticed. Some of the characters who would normally be prime features were used in jump-scares or in other spots where they couldn't really flex their abilities- kind of like Netherworld. It's a little bit of a bummer that we didn't get that interaction, but Dent management is following every covid guideline and restriction as strictly as possible and if that's what it takes to keep the doors open- I'm all for it.
As for the speed... That's a whole other story. The lines this year have been nuts; like 3+ hours at times. All tickets are being sold in limited numbers online, and they sell out on a regular basis. It seems like they're sending each group in at about the same rapid frequency they were in previous years (I'd guess every minute or so?), but the groups are much smaller. In keeping with the covid restrictions, if you come with a group of 2, you won't get paired with another group of 4 or 5 as you would in prior years; you'll go through as a group of 2. So while they're still sending people in fairly quickly, the total number of people who can go through in an hour is substantially reduced. While that's definitely not good for building back the savings accounts they drained while making their massive changes for this year, I think the small group sizes make the experience scarier and I enjoyed it more. One of the problems we've run into several times at Dent is the conga-line effect where the groups all catch up to each other inside and it becomes one big line of people walking through. It takes all of the surprise away because the actors don't get a chance to reset between groups, and becomes a lot less enjoyable. Well with the smaller groups that has become MUCH less of a problem. They still send people in the door fairly quickly, but I can only recall one place inside where we even saw another group, but we never caught up to them and were never caught up with. It really made the experience much more immersive.
It's a tough year for the haunt industry with all of the restrictions put in place. There are many haunts who couldn't even open their doors, many who have has to completely change the way they operate, and I'm sure there are many who may not open again at all. So with all that's happening I was thrilled to see the epic show put on by the people at the Dent Schoolhouse. Even with the actor limitations and not being able to open the Queen City Slaughteryard, it's still a visit I won't forget, and Dent will remain on my must-visit list for anyone who asks. It's a precision work of terror that any haunt fan should see.
Easily the most obvious thing... The entire first floor is a new experience. New props, new animatronics, new layouts, new rooms, new scares. The lighting is creepy, the layout is effective, and as always- it's all executed to perfection. Part of what makes Dent unique to me is that the whole time you're inside, there is ALWAYS something happening. Something is moving, something is making noise, and every bit of it is designed to work together. Most haunts have transitions into the different scenes where you'll have a hallway, or a quiet area, or something like that. I think the only "break" area I can think of at Dent is when you head into the basement, where it obviously wouldn't be recommended to scare people walking down a flight of stairs.
Now, there probably aren't a huge number of people in our region who have visited Netherworld in Georgia, but a couple of us were able to do that a few years ago. Two of the standout things that they do there that I haven't seen anywhere else-
1: Speed. They crank people through that haunt like I've never seen, and we still didn't catch up to the people in front of us, and we weren't caught up to. Tight and twisting pathways, perfectly-placed visual blocks, and tons of distractions to take your eyes where they wanted you to look. I didn't measure the exact time between groups, but it may have only been 15-20 seconds.
2: In my opinion, the actors and animatronics were made to compliment each other, and they could put almost any actor in any role and they could do what was needed to make the scene work- and they did it perfectly. No actors really stood out, but I'm not sure if the show would have been better if they did. I personally much prefer the interaction with good actors, but using this style of perfectly-choreographed actor/animatronic pairing is part of what keeps customers rolling through at such a fast pace.
Dent was much closer to Netherworld this year than I've ever seen in both of these regards, but I think it's mostly a side-effect of covid restrictions.
The number of actors inside was greatly reduced this year, though it wasn't an intended reduction. Because the state is restricting the number of people allowed in indoor areas, it forces actors who are ordinarily in your face to keep their distance. Rooms where we know there are normally 3-4 actors may have 1 now, and maybe 1 or 2 stationed behind a wall at a jump-scare spot or drop window. The up-side to it is that it helps the world-class animatronics stand out better than previous years. The decrease in actors may not even noticed by most visitors, but being that Dent is our home haunt and we visit 2-3+ times a year, it's something we noticed. Some of the characters who would normally be prime features were used in jump-scares or in other spots where they couldn't really flex their abilities- kind of like Netherworld. It's a little bit of a bummer that we didn't get that interaction, but Dent management is following every covid guideline and restriction as strictly as possible and if that's what it takes to keep the doors open- I'm all for it.
As for the speed... That's a whole other story. The lines this year have been nuts; like 3+ hours at times. All tickets are being sold in limited numbers online, and they sell out on a regular basis. It seems like they're sending each group in at about the same rapid frequency they were in previous years (I'd guess every minute or so?), but the groups are much smaller. In keeping with the covid restrictions, if you come with a group of 2, you won't get paired with another group of 4 or 5 as you would in prior years; you'll go through as a group of 2. So while they're still sending people in fairly quickly, the total number of people who can go through in an hour is substantially reduced. While that's definitely not good for building back the savings accounts they drained while making their massive changes for this year, I think the small group sizes make the experience scarier and I enjoyed it more. One of the problems we've run into several times at Dent is the conga-line effect where the groups all catch up to each other inside and it becomes one big line of people walking through. It takes all of the surprise away because the actors don't get a chance to reset between groups, and becomes a lot less enjoyable. Well with the smaller groups that has become MUCH less of a problem. They still send people in the door fairly quickly, but I can only recall one place inside where we even saw another group, but we never caught up to them and were never caught up with. It really made the experience much more immersive.
It's a tough year for the haunt industry with all of the restrictions put in place. There are many haunts who couldn't even open their doors, many who have has to completely change the way they operate, and I'm sure there are many who may not open again at all. So with all that's happening I was thrilled to see the epic show put on by the people at the Dent Schoolhouse. Even with the actor limitations and not being able to open the Queen City Slaughteryard, it's still a visit I won't forget, and Dent will remain on my must-visit list for anyone who asks. It's a precision work of terror that any haunt fan should see.
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This place is intense and non-stop - chock-full of things to see (or more likely not see until it's too late), and things to make you scream. |
Teresa - The Dent Schoolhouse is always one of my favorite haunts to go to every year. It never disappoints! Tickets are available only online this year. General Admission is between $20 and $25 (depending on which night you choose) and there are Fast Pass and Skip the Line options for those in a hurry or wanting to limit exposure to other people (for additional fees, of course). While we were there, most people seemed more than happy to wait in the line though. It's a fun way to be out of the house with friends while maintaining social distancing and safe COVID practices. The people at Dent have gone all out this year, hiring a great security team to make sure everyone is wearing a mask and behaving in a safe manner. They even have masks available on site for those who need one. And, you get to see Charlie the Janitor going full Mr. Clean. See, you'll totally be safe! Be prepared to spend some time though. The lines can be pretty long (especially since they are so spaced out). The groups are smaller, but they're getting them through pretty fast. Besides, there is plenty of entertainment while you wait. There is a snack bar, photo ops, the beautifully creepy fall festival area, and roaming queue actors sneaking up behind you. Say hello to Pumpkin Smasher! You'll know him when you see him!
When it is your turn, you will only go through with your own party. You're in for a real treat though, as the whole main floor has been redone this year. They've reconfigured and redesigned the schoolhouse rooms to hold all kinds of new surprises! I won't spoil any of them, but I will say, you won't find a more polished haunt in the area. These are professional effects, props, lighting, animatronics, sounds, etc. And the theme is perfect, since it is located in an actual old schoolhouse. It is a non-touch haunt, but don't let that make you think it is less scary. This place is intense and non-stop - chock-full of things to see (or more likely not see until it's too late), and things to make you scream. It's like walking through the most haunted school you can imagine. The scenes are imaginative, unique, and some are quite unforgettable. Seriously, words cannot describe how awesome these visuals are. Check out the photos section on their website if you don't believe me. The actors are great in their roles, but you don't spend too much time with any one of them (trust me, you'll be glad to get away!) They surprised us, menaced and threatened us, made us jump and flinch, and sometimes laugh. One of the things the Dent decorators do really well, is they create these uber-realistic bodies and it is impossible to tell if they are real people or not. And while you're trying to figure it out, straining your eyes, looking for movement, you're completely blindsided by some other actor or scare. Even after all the years I've been going, I'm just now getting to the point where I'm collected enough to realize how many scenes they've packed into this place. I always go through with such an adrenaline rush that the time just flies and then I'm back outside, feeling sad when I realize it's over; I think I'd have to go through at least a half dozen times to really see and absorb everything. And next year, it'll be different again! Anyway, if you can't tell, I think this place is a must see!
P.S. - There is no Queen City Slaughter Yard this year (they needed the extra space for social distancing). However, the Schoolhouse felt longer than ever. And when you get out, be sure to check out your souvenir photos at the booth. Also, if you're like me, you WILL want more. So be sure to check out the website for special events like Lights Out, Friday the 13th, and Christmas Nightmare. We've been to several of them and they are a BLAST!
When it is your turn, you will only go through with your own party. You're in for a real treat though, as the whole main floor has been redone this year. They've reconfigured and redesigned the schoolhouse rooms to hold all kinds of new surprises! I won't spoil any of them, but I will say, you won't find a more polished haunt in the area. These are professional effects, props, lighting, animatronics, sounds, etc. And the theme is perfect, since it is located in an actual old schoolhouse. It is a non-touch haunt, but don't let that make you think it is less scary. This place is intense and non-stop - chock-full of things to see (or more likely not see until it's too late), and things to make you scream. It's like walking through the most haunted school you can imagine. The scenes are imaginative, unique, and some are quite unforgettable. Seriously, words cannot describe how awesome these visuals are. Check out the photos section on their website if you don't believe me. The actors are great in their roles, but you don't spend too much time with any one of them (trust me, you'll be glad to get away!) They surprised us, menaced and threatened us, made us jump and flinch, and sometimes laugh. One of the things the Dent decorators do really well, is they create these uber-realistic bodies and it is impossible to tell if they are real people or not. And while you're trying to figure it out, straining your eyes, looking for movement, you're completely blindsided by some other actor or scare. Even after all the years I've been going, I'm just now getting to the point where I'm collected enough to realize how many scenes they've packed into this place. I always go through with such an adrenaline rush that the time just flies and then I'm back outside, feeling sad when I realize it's over; I think I'd have to go through at least a half dozen times to really see and absorb everything. And next year, it'll be different again! Anyway, if you can't tell, I think this place is a must see!
P.S. - There is no Queen City Slaughter Yard this year (they needed the extra space for social distancing). However, the Schoolhouse felt longer than ever. And when you get out, be sure to check out your souvenir photos at the booth. Also, if you're like me, you WILL want more. So be sure to check out the website for special events like Lights Out, Friday the 13th, and Christmas Nightmare. We've been to several of them and they are a BLAST!
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The Dent Haunted Schoolhouse does it again! |
Donna "The Frightmaster" - This has been a challenging year for haunt owners all across the country. One of the major challenges was to cut the actors by 50% and still maintain a level of scares that haunt goers are a custom to. The Dent haunted school House has succeeded in doing the impossible this year. Using the power of the combination of atmosphere, lighting and your own imagination they have succeeded in building a truly terrifying haunt where less is actually more.
An example of this type of scare would be in a horror movie where the “victim” enters a very dimly lit room with shadows moving in the corners. You are expecting someone or something to jump out at you at any second but all there is is silence. This builds the suspense with every passing moment.
The schoolhouse does this very well by placing actors at just the right spots and dimming the lighting so you don’t know if you’re in the room with an actor or not.
The details of the rooms are intricately designed in harmony with the overall theme of the schoolhouse story of Charlie the Janitor and the missing children Urban Legend.
When you enter the building you are immediately transported back to a grade school set in the 1950s. A deserted grade school with the exception of a few strange teachers and demented school students. The actors, although fewer than last year, are placed in just the right spot to deliver screams and jump scares.
You have to purchase all tickets online, none are sold at the door. Also, The lines can be very long especially on Saturday night so if you don’t want to wait in line for at least a couple of hours get there around 7 o’clock.
The Dent haunted school house continues to be one of the best haunts in the country even with decreased number of actors. The screams and scares are as good or better than last year.
An example of this type of scare would be in a horror movie where the “victim” enters a very dimly lit room with shadows moving in the corners. You are expecting someone or something to jump out at you at any second but all there is is silence. This builds the suspense with every passing moment.
The schoolhouse does this very well by placing actors at just the right spots and dimming the lighting so you don’t know if you’re in the room with an actor or not.
The details of the rooms are intricately designed in harmony with the overall theme of the schoolhouse story of Charlie the Janitor and the missing children Urban Legend.
When you enter the building you are immediately transported back to a grade school set in the 1950s. A deserted grade school with the exception of a few strange teachers and demented school students. The actors, although fewer than last year, are placed in just the right spot to deliver screams and jump scares.
You have to purchase all tickets online, none are sold at the door. Also, The lines can be very long especially on Saturday night so if you don’t want to wait in line for at least a couple of hours get there around 7 o’clock.
The Dent haunted school house continues to be one of the best haunts in the country even with decreased number of actors. The screams and scares are as good or better than last year.
Questions? Have a story to share? Leave it in the comments!