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Freddy Krueger flipped me off! |
Todd - Lights. Camera. Action.
Nightmare on Edgewood's big addition this year is the Cinema! They took on the sacred responsibility of bringing the most iconic horror characters to life - and it's a risky move. We've all watched A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, Halloween, Texas Chainsaw Horror, etc. countless times. These characters are ingrained into our minds so experiencing a recreation can easily lead to disappointment. However, I'm happy to report that not only did NOE meet the expectation, they killed it (no pun intended....well ok it was).
First let's just talk about the entrance. Years ago we used to rate Curb Appeal. We stopped because it really wasn't something we could equally judge each haunt on. This year, NOE would score a 10. Last year, the entrance was a rickety old cabin. This year, keeping totally in-line with the theme, is an old movie marquee, complete with ticket booth - something that few theaters this day in age have and is likely unrecognizable and underappreciated by the younger generations. Although it's new, it gives the illusion that it has been abandoned for years. Cobwebs are caked around the light fixtures and even the letter films for the movie titles are mismatched or discolored, kind of like on the sign of that Arby's down the road that you never feel brave enough to eat at. Inside, the lobby is equally as disturbing. Thick dust has settled on the glass counter, stale popcorn has been left spilled and the arcade cabinets in the back were considered old in the 80s and yet somehow they still light up.
Upon entering a ghoulish attendant held us from entering and then a Jigsaw puppet on a tricycle rolled out from behind a door and read us the rules of the house (Horror Geek Moment #1). The first room entered is an actual movie theater, complete with audience, most of which are people in Ghostface costume (a-la Scream 2 - Horror Geek Moment #2). It was kind of like breaking the 4th wall for a haunt. We were in a haunt, depicting a movie, in which the killer kills someone while watching a movie about the first movie....everybody got that?
While NOE did abandon it's clown area this year, they did pay homage to famous movie clowns in a particular room. Some are obvious while others are recognizable to only more die hard fans. There's also an "easter egg" or two in there as well, so try not to run right through - take a look and observe.
You'll also encounter Michael Myers in a 70s era living room and then on to Leatherface. You'll pass through the Sawyer family dining room after meeting Leatherface but sadly Grandpa was nowhere to be found. It's not Sunday dinner without Grandpa drinking the blood of some random girl.
After the recreation of the iconic bathtub scene in A Nightmare On Elm Street, you'll find yourself being asked to keep a teen girl awake so she doesn't fall asleep. Of course she does and you'll move on to the boiler room through by very inventive means (no spoilers). Here you'll of course fine NOE's Freddy who enjoys getting up close and personal. In fact, as he was playing with Teresa's hair, I commented, "Hey now, that's exactly what got you here to begin with," to which Freddy promptly gave me on big blade-tipped middle finger. It felt accurate. He then proceeded to tell me he would catch up with me as I was exiting the room - only to find there was more boiler room around the corner and convenient shortcut for Freddy to cut me off. He then proceeded to pin me again the wall shouting a few choice words. Fortunately I left the area without any puncture wounds.
Sadly we missed Jason. Guests in front of us had an accident (someone tripped while running - DON'T RUN!) which caused the actors to temporarily clear the room. The set is a slightly elevated walk way among trees. Honestly, I thought this accident was part of the scene....I mean, group of kids in the woods...one of them is injured and they're trying to help. It fit, but it quickly became apparent this was not part of the show. As the injured was assisted to the exit we proceeded through sans Voorhees, concluding the Cinema portion of the show.
The second section of Nightmare on Edgewood was the hospital / asylum which felt pretty similar to last year. It starts with the extremely turbulent elevator ride which is easily the roughest or second roughest one I've been in. Hold on tight. The hallways of this institution feel very ominous and void of life. Gurneys line the walls, countless mis-matched medicine bottles are haphazardly stored away and medical equipment that predate sanitization guidelines are scattered throughout. The actors within either seem to enjoy their demented, indefinite stay or are very insistent in trading places with you.
The third and final section of NOE is backwoods country kind of theme in a bayou. We encountered some imbalanced country kin and a very, very large boar puppet that likely WILL touch you, if not actually knocking you back. This was the area we saw the most contact in. One actor wearing overalls and a wolf mask grabbed Paul by the upper body Wrestlemania-style and dragged him back towards then pen he was residing in. In this Covid era this may be a little too close of contact, but we were cool with it. This was my least favorite area of the haunt. It lacked character and felt forgettable aside from two or 3 well placed props or characters. It also felt like the least scary or dreadful area of the haunt.
The experience is still hands on this year, though it is toned down. Overall, Nightmare on Edgewood is more than worth the trip out this year. The Cinema addition is fantastic and rivals The Devil's Attic in Louisville, which is renowned for its recreation of infamous movie icons. I really enjoyed it and and horror fan should too.
Nightmare on Edgewood's big addition this year is the Cinema! They took on the sacred responsibility of bringing the most iconic horror characters to life - and it's a risky move. We've all watched A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, Halloween, Texas Chainsaw Horror, etc. countless times. These characters are ingrained into our minds so experiencing a recreation can easily lead to disappointment. However, I'm happy to report that not only did NOE meet the expectation, they killed it (no pun intended....well ok it was).
First let's just talk about the entrance. Years ago we used to rate Curb Appeal. We stopped because it really wasn't something we could equally judge each haunt on. This year, NOE would score a 10. Last year, the entrance was a rickety old cabin. This year, keeping totally in-line with the theme, is an old movie marquee, complete with ticket booth - something that few theaters this day in age have and is likely unrecognizable and underappreciated by the younger generations. Although it's new, it gives the illusion that it has been abandoned for years. Cobwebs are caked around the light fixtures and even the letter films for the movie titles are mismatched or discolored, kind of like on the sign of that Arby's down the road that you never feel brave enough to eat at. Inside, the lobby is equally as disturbing. Thick dust has settled on the glass counter, stale popcorn has been left spilled and the arcade cabinets in the back were considered old in the 80s and yet somehow they still light up.
Upon entering a ghoulish attendant held us from entering and then a Jigsaw puppet on a tricycle rolled out from behind a door and read us the rules of the house (Horror Geek Moment #1). The first room entered is an actual movie theater, complete with audience, most of which are people in Ghostface costume (a-la Scream 2 - Horror Geek Moment #2). It was kind of like breaking the 4th wall for a haunt. We were in a haunt, depicting a movie, in which the killer kills someone while watching a movie about the first movie....everybody got that?
While NOE did abandon it's clown area this year, they did pay homage to famous movie clowns in a particular room. Some are obvious while others are recognizable to only more die hard fans. There's also an "easter egg" or two in there as well, so try not to run right through - take a look and observe.
You'll also encounter Michael Myers in a 70s era living room and then on to Leatherface. You'll pass through the Sawyer family dining room after meeting Leatherface but sadly Grandpa was nowhere to be found. It's not Sunday dinner without Grandpa drinking the blood of some random girl.
After the recreation of the iconic bathtub scene in A Nightmare On Elm Street, you'll find yourself being asked to keep a teen girl awake so she doesn't fall asleep. Of course she does and you'll move on to the boiler room through by very inventive means (no spoilers). Here you'll of course fine NOE's Freddy who enjoys getting up close and personal. In fact, as he was playing with Teresa's hair, I commented, "Hey now, that's exactly what got you here to begin with," to which Freddy promptly gave me on big blade-tipped middle finger. It felt accurate. He then proceeded to tell me he would catch up with me as I was exiting the room - only to find there was more boiler room around the corner and convenient shortcut for Freddy to cut me off. He then proceeded to pin me again the wall shouting a few choice words. Fortunately I left the area without any puncture wounds.
Sadly we missed Jason. Guests in front of us had an accident (someone tripped while running - DON'T RUN!) which caused the actors to temporarily clear the room. The set is a slightly elevated walk way among trees. Honestly, I thought this accident was part of the scene....I mean, group of kids in the woods...one of them is injured and they're trying to help. It fit, but it quickly became apparent this was not part of the show. As the injured was assisted to the exit we proceeded through sans Voorhees, concluding the Cinema portion of the show.
The second section of Nightmare on Edgewood was the hospital / asylum which felt pretty similar to last year. It starts with the extremely turbulent elevator ride which is easily the roughest or second roughest one I've been in. Hold on tight. The hallways of this institution feel very ominous and void of life. Gurneys line the walls, countless mis-matched medicine bottles are haphazardly stored away and medical equipment that predate sanitization guidelines are scattered throughout. The actors within either seem to enjoy their demented, indefinite stay or are very insistent in trading places with you.
The third and final section of NOE is backwoods country kind of theme in a bayou. We encountered some imbalanced country kin and a very, very large boar puppet that likely WILL touch you, if not actually knocking you back. This was the area we saw the most contact in. One actor wearing overalls and a wolf mask grabbed Paul by the upper body Wrestlemania-style and dragged him back towards then pen he was residing in. In this Covid era this may be a little too close of contact, but we were cool with it. This was my least favorite area of the haunt. It lacked character and felt forgettable aside from two or 3 well placed props or characters. It also felt like the least scary or dreadful area of the haunt.
The experience is still hands on this year, though it is toned down. Overall, Nightmare on Edgewood is more than worth the trip out this year. The Cinema addition is fantastic and rivals The Devil's Attic in Louisville, which is renowned for its recreation of infamous movie icons. I really enjoyed it and and horror fan should too.
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Year after year, Edgewood continues to deliver |
Paul - Nightmare on Edgewood has been terrorizing Indiana residents for over 40 years, and it's easy to see why people come back here year after year. Located about 10 minutes south of downtown Indianapolis, Edgewood shares a building with House of Trepidation. You can buy a single-haunt ticket, or you can buy a discounted combo ticket that will get you into both attractions.
There have been some enormous changes at Edgewood this year, and you'll see the first one as you wait in the indoor waiting area. Last year the line formed outside of a really creepy shack in the swamp, while this year you're waiting outside of a cinema, complete with a giant marquee and a ticket booth. The cinema is the theme of the first of their three haunts this year, and it gave a hell of a first impression.
When you enter into the cinema and head down the hall to your theater, you literally walk into a theater. The other people there watching the movie might give you a bit of a scream, but you enter into the film itself and have encounters with the main characters of some of the scariest movies of all time. I don't want to spoil any of the surprises, but this was one of my favorite portions of a haunt we've seen so far this year. So many clever sets, some amazing special effects, and top-notch acting. I loved it.
After leaving the cinema you'll enter into the Edgewood Sanitarium. You'll encounter psychotic patients as well as equally psychotic doctors as treatments are administered to cure the people inside. The problem is: You aren't sure if this "cure" is meant to fix the patients or the doctors. This type of theme is done at several haunts we visit, and even though this one is a couple of years old, it's been updated and improved continually, and still has some of the better actors and more creative sets of any of them. Scary, dark, and exciting.
That leaves you with one to go... Conley Farm. This is a completely new part of the haunt for this year, and it's done amazingly well. Hugely-detailed sets, great actors, great costumes, and perfect props. Lots of times where you aren't sure if one of the creatures coming after you started out as an animal or a human, but is now a pretty gruesome combination of both. It's a fairly unique theme and it's a great ending to three of the scariest haunt scenes around.
This was easily my favorite visit to Edgewood. I was on edge the whole time, the new scenes were done really well, the old ones were kept fresh, the actors were on point, and the whole experience was entertaining from start to finish. I had a great time there and definitely encourage people to visit!
There have been some enormous changes at Edgewood this year, and you'll see the first one as you wait in the indoor waiting area. Last year the line formed outside of a really creepy shack in the swamp, while this year you're waiting outside of a cinema, complete with a giant marquee and a ticket booth. The cinema is the theme of the first of their three haunts this year, and it gave a hell of a first impression.
When you enter into the cinema and head down the hall to your theater, you literally walk into a theater. The other people there watching the movie might give you a bit of a scream, but you enter into the film itself and have encounters with the main characters of some of the scariest movies of all time. I don't want to spoil any of the surprises, but this was one of my favorite portions of a haunt we've seen so far this year. So many clever sets, some amazing special effects, and top-notch acting. I loved it.
After leaving the cinema you'll enter into the Edgewood Sanitarium. You'll encounter psychotic patients as well as equally psychotic doctors as treatments are administered to cure the people inside. The problem is: You aren't sure if this "cure" is meant to fix the patients or the doctors. This type of theme is done at several haunts we visit, and even though this one is a couple of years old, it's been updated and improved continually, and still has some of the better actors and more creative sets of any of them. Scary, dark, and exciting.
That leaves you with one to go... Conley Farm. This is a completely new part of the haunt for this year, and it's done amazingly well. Hugely-detailed sets, great actors, great costumes, and perfect props. Lots of times where you aren't sure if one of the creatures coming after you started out as an animal or a human, but is now a pretty gruesome combination of both. It's a fairly unique theme and it's a great ending to three of the scariest haunt scenes around.
This was easily my favorite visit to Edgewood. I was on edge the whole time, the new scenes were done really well, the old ones were kept fresh, the actors were on point, and the whole experience was entertaining from start to finish. I had a great time there and definitely encourage people to visit!
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If you're looking for an intense, but fun haunt, with lots of bang for your buck, you can't go wrong with Nightmare on Edgewood. |
Teresa - Nightmare on Edgewood (NoE) is often referred to as Indy's most intense haunt. There is good reason for this. Let me start by saying, this was our third year visiting, and only their second year in their present location. For those who visited in the decades before this one at the old location, don't get too weepy with nostalgia. This new place is working out fantastically! Having a permanent location is really allowing them to grow and build and design some horrific fun for you! Plus, this location is shared with House of Trepidation, so you can hit 2 haunts in one place! Combo tickets are available online at a discount, so check it out! For Nightmare on Edgewood, you have the option of General Admission for $25 or Fast Pass for $35. The fast pass lets you schedule your entry time and avoid waiting in line for greater social distancing. You can find everything you need on the website. Also, you may want to read our reviews for House of Trepidation. They will give you an even better idea of what to expect. NoE has 3 walk-through attractions and a very unique audio-sensory experience. There is a massive queue area, all covered, so don't let a little rain stop you! There are some fun photo opportunities and there was a clown walking around on stilts making balloon animals for younger guests the night we were there. There are colored party lights, music, and it looks like you're waiting in front of an old movie theater, complete with marquee and old-timey lights, ticket booth, and entry doors. This really sets you up for the new first attraction appropriately named: The Cinema.
When the usher allows you to enter, you find yourself in a rather derelict lobby where you meet The Puppetmaster from Saw who explains the rules and sets the scene. There were people ahead of us who didn't even make it through this part. Which, frankly, is a good thing. If this is too scary, they never would have survived the rest. You walk down the aisle and enter a theater, where you actually walk into the movie screen. SO. COOL. From there, you go through many of your favorite horror movies, facing the likes of Freddy, Michael Myers, Jason, Pennywise, and many others. The sets are creative and so scary! And if that isn't enough, the actors are interactive and very menacing. I loved this new theme for this year. They did a great job. It is pretty intense though, so make sure you don't panic and injure yourself. Try repeating, "it isn't real, it isn't real" or closing your eyes. It worked for little Danny in The Shining, right?
The next attraction is Edgewood Sanitarium. They did a fantastic job building this entrance as well. This one is chock full of disturbing scenes. You start with a very rough ride in an elevator. This is not the kind of hospital you want to be admitted to, and yet, here you are. You stagger through various medical rooms, padded cells, labs, a morgue, freezer, and more and face not just insane patients, but maniacal doctors and nurses. They will fiercely manhandle you here, with much enthusiasm. The actors are quite engaging and you will experience their insanity. There are some fantastic props, animatronics, and actor-controlled monsters, as well. Stay on your toes! Some of these are quite aggressive! I was almost knocked down a couple of times!
The last walk-through attraction is Conley Farm. This is quite the statement on what happens when farming practices are not regulated. The various chemicals used here have caused the animals, and indeed, the farmers themselves to mutate into crazy animal-human hybrids. You enter the barn (another creepy facade) and wind your way around old farm equipment and animal stalls, while being attacked and well, I was going to say manhandled, but these aren't men or women (in the strict human sense). If you aren't used to touch haunts, these manimals may scare the living daylights out of you. There are some really cool effects in here and more giant animatronics, so again, don't get knocked down. Your friends will trample you and leave you behind, and you don't want that. There is safety just at the end of this abandoned road.
The fourth attraction is an audio-sensory experience that we did last year, but didn't have time for this year. It was pretty fun, however. Read our reviews from last year. I'd definitely recommend it. It's definitely different and great for people who are afraid of the dark.
If you're looking for an intense, but fun haunt, with lots of bang for your buck, you can't go wrong with Nightmare on Edgewood. I love the new location and they are really growing into it. The timing, lighting, effects...everything is done perfectly. They have earned their reputation and it is such a fun place to be scared!
When the usher allows you to enter, you find yourself in a rather derelict lobby where you meet The Puppetmaster from Saw who explains the rules and sets the scene. There were people ahead of us who didn't even make it through this part. Which, frankly, is a good thing. If this is too scary, they never would have survived the rest. You walk down the aisle and enter a theater, where you actually walk into the movie screen. SO. COOL. From there, you go through many of your favorite horror movies, facing the likes of Freddy, Michael Myers, Jason, Pennywise, and many others. The sets are creative and so scary! And if that isn't enough, the actors are interactive and very menacing. I loved this new theme for this year. They did a great job. It is pretty intense though, so make sure you don't panic and injure yourself. Try repeating, "it isn't real, it isn't real" or closing your eyes. It worked for little Danny in The Shining, right?
The next attraction is Edgewood Sanitarium. They did a fantastic job building this entrance as well. This one is chock full of disturbing scenes. You start with a very rough ride in an elevator. This is not the kind of hospital you want to be admitted to, and yet, here you are. You stagger through various medical rooms, padded cells, labs, a morgue, freezer, and more and face not just insane patients, but maniacal doctors and nurses. They will fiercely manhandle you here, with much enthusiasm. The actors are quite engaging and you will experience their insanity. There are some fantastic props, animatronics, and actor-controlled monsters, as well. Stay on your toes! Some of these are quite aggressive! I was almost knocked down a couple of times!
The last walk-through attraction is Conley Farm. This is quite the statement on what happens when farming practices are not regulated. The various chemicals used here have caused the animals, and indeed, the farmers themselves to mutate into crazy animal-human hybrids. You enter the barn (another creepy facade) and wind your way around old farm equipment and animal stalls, while being attacked and well, I was going to say manhandled, but these aren't men or women (in the strict human sense). If you aren't used to touch haunts, these manimals may scare the living daylights out of you. There are some really cool effects in here and more giant animatronics, so again, don't get knocked down. Your friends will trample you and leave you behind, and you don't want that. There is safety just at the end of this abandoned road.
The fourth attraction is an audio-sensory experience that we did last year, but didn't have time for this year. It was pretty fun, however. Read our reviews from last year. I'd definitely recommend it. It's definitely different and great for people who are afraid of the dark.
If you're looking for an intense, but fun haunt, with lots of bang for your buck, you can't go wrong with Nightmare on Edgewood. I love the new location and they are really growing into it. The timing, lighting, effects...everything is done perfectly. They have earned their reputation and it is such a fun place to be scared!
Questions? Have a story to share? Leave it in the comments!