Todd - Fear Fair continued to innovate this year, following one of the largest changes we’ve seen in a single haunt - the addition of the Egyptian area last year. No, there was not a massive rebuild again this year, but a few small additions really made an impact.
Although it may be taken for granted, the first addition worth mentioning is the new merch room. Prior to this season, all merch was sold out of a small shed on the far side of the midway opposite of the haunt. This meant that in order to get your pictures, t-shirts or that Peaches thong you couldn’t stop thinking about, you had to make your way back to the midway after exiting the haunt which was a little but of a cluster because that’s also where the line to get in was feeding into.
Sadly, the Peaches character has been retired so now the prison scene empties directly into the new merch room at the haunt’s exit. Not only is this much more convenient but it has been beautifully built in haunt fashion to mimic a crypt with caskets embedded into rock walls. Various merchandise is on display throughout the room and the aesthetic is easily 500% better than the plain shed previously used. It makes so much more sense to be located at the end of the haunt, so that’s a total win-win.
The most noticeable addition is the new introductory scene which gives Fear Fair a theme park feel. Small groups gather together in a dark room with dozens of small skeletons climbing the walls. The head showman (who also leads the opening ceremony) welcomes you, along with a large dragon puppet, a previous victim suspended from the ceiling – all complete with special effects and a clever surprise. From there, you’ll find yourself in line to enter the elevators as in years past.
Fear Fair had a good share of actors this year with boisterous presentation. While the overall numbers felt a little thin (albeit better than last year), they did a fine job getting around to encounter us more than once where able. The most obvious improvement was the costuming. The costuming was the best I’ve ever seen at Fear Fair, especially in the Ramses’ Wrath area. Much of the clothing was tattered and draped. Many actresses wore headwear and other accessories that contributed to a hauntingly rotted appearance. I specifically recall one actress wearing several necklaces and ornamental sashes, one of which had a number of bulbs that lit up which was very cool looking.
In the prison, the actors provided intimidation in numbers. They were oddly quiet, but it felt like four or five of them remained right on our heels through the entire segment, including an unidentified actor (cough cough) wearing a sinister Pooh bear mask wielding a shank. On the other hand, in the first Ancient Evil area, few robed cultists were to be found and those who did make an appearance, did little to nothing to add to the scene. Most of this stretch was spent casually walking through admiring the scenery.
Fear Fair has consistently been one of those haunts that as soon as something amazing is implemented, something older really shows its need for TLC. TO be fair, Fear Fair has a decent sized footprint with some very large rooms, so keeping everything running 100% is no doubt a challenge. I found in the bayou, there was very little fog flowing beneath the walking path and the small alligator wasn’t moving despite hearing the pneumatics firing.
Of course these are just minor observations in contrast against otherwise impressive builds. I do think Ancient Evil needs to be tweaked so it’s darker and made to feel tighter. It’s a pretty spacious set of catacombs as-is and it’s all that oppressive, though it looks cool. On the other hand Egypt looked even better than I recall last year. It was darker, felt slightly expanded on the inside and maybe it was just me, but it sure felt like there was more sand which was entirely noticeable walking through that area.
Also worth mentioning are the latest improvements to the midway, with a surprisingly popular spinning ride (barf) and a clever, staggered entry system to cut down the time waiting in line. Not that you’d be bored out of your mind. As always, the waiting crowd is entertained with music provided by DJ Fear with his crazy lights and lasers and pyrotechnical effects.
Although it may be taken for granted, the first addition worth mentioning is the new merch room. Prior to this season, all merch was sold out of a small shed on the far side of the midway opposite of the haunt. This meant that in order to get your pictures, t-shirts or that Peaches thong you couldn’t stop thinking about, you had to make your way back to the midway after exiting the haunt which was a little but of a cluster because that’s also where the line to get in was feeding into.
Sadly, the Peaches character has been retired so now the prison scene empties directly into the new merch room at the haunt’s exit. Not only is this much more convenient but it has been beautifully built in haunt fashion to mimic a crypt with caskets embedded into rock walls. Various merchandise is on display throughout the room and the aesthetic is easily 500% better than the plain shed previously used. It makes so much more sense to be located at the end of the haunt, so that’s a total win-win.
The most noticeable addition is the new introductory scene which gives Fear Fair a theme park feel. Small groups gather together in a dark room with dozens of small skeletons climbing the walls. The head showman (who also leads the opening ceremony) welcomes you, along with a large dragon puppet, a previous victim suspended from the ceiling – all complete with special effects and a clever surprise. From there, you’ll find yourself in line to enter the elevators as in years past.
Fear Fair had a good share of actors this year with boisterous presentation. While the overall numbers felt a little thin (albeit better than last year), they did a fine job getting around to encounter us more than once where able. The most obvious improvement was the costuming. The costuming was the best I’ve ever seen at Fear Fair, especially in the Ramses’ Wrath area. Much of the clothing was tattered and draped. Many actresses wore headwear and other accessories that contributed to a hauntingly rotted appearance. I specifically recall one actress wearing several necklaces and ornamental sashes, one of which had a number of bulbs that lit up which was very cool looking.
In the prison, the actors provided intimidation in numbers. They were oddly quiet, but it felt like four or five of them remained right on our heels through the entire segment, including an unidentified actor (cough cough) wearing a sinister Pooh bear mask wielding a shank. On the other hand, in the first Ancient Evil area, few robed cultists were to be found and those who did make an appearance, did little to nothing to add to the scene. Most of this stretch was spent casually walking through admiring the scenery.
Fear Fair has consistently been one of those haunts that as soon as something amazing is implemented, something older really shows its need for TLC. TO be fair, Fear Fair has a decent sized footprint with some very large rooms, so keeping everything running 100% is no doubt a challenge. I found in the bayou, there was very little fog flowing beneath the walking path and the small alligator wasn’t moving despite hearing the pneumatics firing.
Of course these are just minor observations in contrast against otherwise impressive builds. I do think Ancient Evil needs to be tweaked so it’s darker and made to feel tighter. It’s a pretty spacious set of catacombs as-is and it’s all that oppressive, though it looks cool. On the other hand Egypt looked even better than I recall last year. It was darker, felt slightly expanded on the inside and maybe it was just me, but it sure felt like there was more sand which was entirely noticeable walking through that area.
Also worth mentioning are the latest improvements to the midway, with a surprisingly popular spinning ride (barf) and a clever, staggered entry system to cut down the time waiting in line. Not that you’d be bored out of your mind. As always, the waiting crowd is entertained with music provided by DJ Fear with his crazy lights and lasers and pyrotechnical effects.
Paul - I'd guess we've been going to Fear Fair for about 6 or 7 years now, and it's still one of the craziest haunts we visit.
This year we saw a few changes from last year, but the two that stood out to me were: more staffing and the opening/closing parts of the show.
The staffing thing wasn't hard to miss, as 2021 was a rough year for most of the haunts we visited, and Fear Fair was no exception. This is a pretty large attraction and they need quite a few actors to fill all of the areas up as intended. 2022 was much better for them in that regard. Almost every area we experienced had an actor or five in it, and they were doing a good job keeping the energy up. For some reason the costuming and makeup stood out to me this year as well. Maybe those were this good all along, but this year felt different.
There were new opening and closing scenes this year as well. In the beginning of the haunt where you used to get your picture taken, there's an all-new pre-show. Lots of light, sound, fog, and quite a few surprises. It's a really exciting way to get things going and the actor who's running things does a great job. The end of the haunt is switched up a bit too. Now immediately after Rockford Riot is the gift shop. Instead of having to go back into the midway to get your souvenirs, you can get them before you even walk out of the building. The theming is great and it's a much better setup than when it was in the Midway.
The four areas inside the haunt had some updates and small changes done to them, but I think the overall vibe I got compared to my last visit was that the whole place felt darker. Both literally and figuratively. Some areas benefitted from this, but others I'm not so sure. Leveau's Curse does well having less light, but Ramses' Wrath seemed like it needed to be much brighter. The visuals you get through the whole place are still really impressive, there are just some areas where things are feeling like they aren't quite where they're supposed to be. Luckily the actors scaring the crap out of people the whole way through means that most people won't notice or care!
Overall it was a great time. I'd like to have a little more happen in the Ancient Evil area, but the other three sections made up for it, and I'd absolutely go through again. This is one long, detailed, scary haunt, and it's worth the trip to see. I can't wait to go again next year.
This year we saw a few changes from last year, but the two that stood out to me were: more staffing and the opening/closing parts of the show.
The staffing thing wasn't hard to miss, as 2021 was a rough year for most of the haunts we visited, and Fear Fair was no exception. This is a pretty large attraction and they need quite a few actors to fill all of the areas up as intended. 2022 was much better for them in that regard. Almost every area we experienced had an actor or five in it, and they were doing a good job keeping the energy up. For some reason the costuming and makeup stood out to me this year as well. Maybe those were this good all along, but this year felt different.
There were new opening and closing scenes this year as well. In the beginning of the haunt where you used to get your picture taken, there's an all-new pre-show. Lots of light, sound, fog, and quite a few surprises. It's a really exciting way to get things going and the actor who's running things does a great job. The end of the haunt is switched up a bit too. Now immediately after Rockford Riot is the gift shop. Instead of having to go back into the midway to get your souvenirs, you can get them before you even walk out of the building. The theming is great and it's a much better setup than when it was in the Midway.
The four areas inside the haunt had some updates and small changes done to them, but I think the overall vibe I got compared to my last visit was that the whole place felt darker. Both literally and figuratively. Some areas benefitted from this, but others I'm not so sure. Leveau's Curse does well having less light, but Ramses' Wrath seemed like it needed to be much brighter. The visuals you get through the whole place are still really impressive, there are just some areas where things are feeling like they aren't quite where they're supposed to be. Luckily the actors scaring the crap out of people the whole way through means that most people won't notice or care!
Overall it was a great time. I'd like to have a little more happen in the Ancient Evil area, but the other three sections made up for it, and I'd absolutely go through again. This is one long, detailed, scary haunt, and it's worth the trip to see. I can't wait to go again next year.
Emily - There isn’t another haunt quite like Fear Fair. From entry point to the gift shop, everything is well constructed and fitting to the fair atmosphere. There are games, food, and music to pass the time while waiting in line. Unfortunately, there were technical difficulties during the opening show, so we did not get to witness that, but last years show was entertaining to see the actors dancing around before taking their places for scary time.
The Bourbon Street area had several more actors than last year and they did a great job making me feel overwhelmed and uncomfortable. There were few speaking lines, but I don’t mind that. Speaking takes away some of the fear aspect for me. I like that the actors were relying on their placement and costume to get the most scares. The costumes were really well done this year. Very unique and the actors in them made them come to life.
The Egypt set was much better this year. I really felt immersed and it was my favorite set. I do wish there were more actors throughout that section, but the girl working multiple spots did amazing and her costume was beautiful. The prison set seemed more realistic this year. There are more prisoners, they just kind of walk with you, but there are more speaking lines in this set, which I know some of our group appreciated.
Overall, the haunt is entertaining and hard work of the team to put on a great haunt can be seen throughout. The detail in all the sets is top notch and that giftshop is a work of art!
The Bourbon Street area had several more actors than last year and they did a great job making me feel overwhelmed and uncomfortable. There were few speaking lines, but I don’t mind that. Speaking takes away some of the fear aspect for me. I like that the actors were relying on their placement and costume to get the most scares. The costumes were really well done this year. Very unique and the actors in them made them come to life.
The Egypt set was much better this year. I really felt immersed and it was my favorite set. I do wish there were more actors throughout that section, but the girl working multiple spots did amazing and her costume was beautiful. The prison set seemed more realistic this year. There are more prisoners, they just kind of walk with you, but there are more speaking lines in this set, which I know some of our group appreciated.
Overall, the haunt is entertaining and hard work of the team to put on a great haunt can be seen throughout. The detail in all the sets is top notch and that giftshop is a work of art!
Questions? Have a story to share? Leave it in the comments!