Ted (Captn_DeathSchlager)

New location...new scares...same great scaretastic experience! Just to set record straight, here are 3 items of interest for those who haven't already checked out splatterhaus.com (1) HELLWORLD, which is presented by Splatterhaus, has moved back to Sheboygan. (2) This year’s haunt is located in semi-trailers so it's considerably more intimate than its predecessors. (3) This haunt is still presented by Splatterhaus. Rest assured that the fright fanatics who have masterminded Splatterhaus' uniquely terrifying experience in that past are still 100% dedicated to scaring the crap out of you!

From the outside this haunt looks very uninspiring. Upon arriving you will find a desolate but well-lit parking lot with temporary fencing, a small convoy of semi-trailers parked side by side, a shuttle bus proudly displaying a Zombie Assault banner and a dimly lit window with an illuminated "Tickets" sign. While there are no signs or wandering ghouls to indicate that you have found HELLWORLD the unmistakable sound of blood curdling screams will assure you that you're in the right place.

As one might expect with this venue, HELLWORLD is comprised solely of a maze of intimate creeped out corridors and hidden passages. What HELLWORLD lacks in size it more than makes up for with smash mouth style in your face scares. (Note: nothing actually physically smashes you in the face but take note of the facial expressions of the terrified haunt goers as they exit.) If you've attended a Splatterhaus haunt in the past you've certainly experienced their immersive sound experience and techno-scares. HELLWORLD certainly does not disappoint on this front...in fact this haunt is so LOUD you'll likely not be able to think! A nice mix of intimately dark corridors, explosive sound, elaborately costumed characters and terror-technology make HELLWORLD uniquely electrifying. A noteworthy point for those concerned about a haunt comprised of semi-trailers...there's no place to run or hide when the ghastly ghouls greet you inside HELLWORLD!

While waiting to tour HELLWORLD and following my adventure I had the opportunity speak with several haunt goers who ranged in age from 10 to 60+. Interestingly they all shared similar comments. (1) They were initially concerned that HELLWORLD would not meet their expectations but afterwards they were pleasantly surprised. (2) All agreed that the $10 admission fee was a bargain! (3) Note: I wound up touring this haunt with the 10yr old and his father. Judging from the 10yr old's experience and the intense nature of the scares in this haunt I, nor the haunt goers I spoke with, would recommend this haunt for pre-teens!

Zombie Assault. While I wouldn't recommend touring HELLWORLD with a group larger than 3 the Zombie Assault attraction seats 8...and there's not a bad seat on this ride! All the windows on this bus simulator bus are pimped out with video monitors that not only look like realistic windows but give you the perception that the action surrounding the bus is live. An immersive sound system, hydraulic suspension system and a few additional techno-scares make this a uniquely terrifying thrill ride that puts you right in the action!

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The Dwelling of Despair Haunted House & accompanying Forest of Fear is a self-guided, interactive ghoulish attraction known for its awesome animatronic special effects, elaborate decor, skilled actors, unique monsters, unusual themes and chilling detail! Now in its 31st season the Dwelling of Despair has prided itself in providing a creative and ghoulishly good time to all haunt goers along with a few (ahem, more like several!) frightful moments. 2016 marked my 24th visit to this haunted venue and similar to prior years I was once again amazed at how many of the sets/themes have changed. While you may notice a few similarities along your terrifying tour outside of this haunt what awaits inside will torment and twist your mind in new ways. Highlighting the changes this year are more in your face chills, thrills and scares than the skits that traditionally tormented you in the Dwelling of Despair. Rest assured though, this haunt still offers opportunities to interact with the demon’s inhabiting the Dwelling of Despair and retains the same Halloween charm that has brought guests back for the past 31 years!

The 2016 edition of this haunt presents two horrifying sections to test your wits and your desire to survive. The Forrest of Fear kicks off your terrifying tour on a dark and twisted path patrolled by evil spirits and several fiendish ghouls. Survivors from prior years will notice the addition of new frightful fiends as they approach the door steps of the Dwelling. If you're lucky enough to slip past these gorish guardians the entrance of the 3 story Dwelling of Despair awaits from the 3rd floor balcony. To escape the nightmares found within the unfriendly confines of the Dwelling of Despair you must successfully navigate a maze of uniquely themed rooms and hidden passages through the bowels of the entire house. Along the way you are sure to encounter each and every inhabitant of the house...some fun, some helpful but most of all they are all quite frightful!

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Abandoned Haunted Complex - Burial Chamber’s sinister sister haunt is sensationally sick!! For years I’ve been proclaiming the Fox Valley’s Burial Chamber as Wisconsin’s scariest haunted attraction. While I’m not quite ready to recant this proclamation (yet!) I will admit that Abandoned has done something that no other haunt in Wisconsin has been able to do…quench my insatiable thirst for more of the unique thrills made famous by Burial Chamber.

2016 marks the 6th season for Abandoned but was the first year that I have toured the Haunted Complex. Here are some devilish details that I acquired from my terrifying tour…

This haunt features 3 haunted attractions: Ambush, Hysteria and Stalker. Both Ambush and Hysteria reside inside while Stalker consists of a mix of disturbing dwellings connected by a creeped out corn maze. The layout of Ambush and Hysteria are similar in that they are both comprised of a seemingly endless maze of cleverly crafted corridors consisting of a variety of themes. The journey through both Ambush and Hysteria progresses continuously without stoppages for elaborate skits. Rooms here are more like themed corridors than rooms and your pace through these haunts are determined more by how quickly you walk than it is by the creatures lurking in the shadows. The ghouls throughout are unrelenting in their quest to scare each and every visitor regardless of their position within a group. Yes, you read that correctly…you will be terrorized regardless of your position in your group as there is no place to hide from the menacing monsters lurking throughout the haunts. Sets were lit effectively…dim enough to encourage you to keep your scare guard up but light enough so that you could appreciate the amazing attention to detail with the sets and costumed actors. Gore and special effects were plentiful with several visual abominations that will torment your mind long after your exit. Laser lighting, black lit rooms, a vortex, strobe lights, and trick floor were just a few of the visual stimuli offered up.

Bonus note for those familiar with Burial Chamber but not Abandoned….the journey through Ambush and Hysteria is continuous unlike Burial Chamber’s Adrenalin and Insanity where you exit one and are required to get in line for the next one.

Unlike Ambush and Hysteria, Stalker incorporates a creepy corn maze with occasional petrifying passages through eerie dwellings found along the way. Rustling corn and sinister sounds heighten your anticipation of what’s to come as you proceed along a moon lit path. Similar to Ambush and Hysteria, the monsters in Stalker were menacing, highly motivated and acrobatic doing an exceptional job of appearing out of nowhere to scare each and every member the tour group regardless of position.

The haunted complex also offers a side attraction, Shoot-a-Feak, that allows you to shoot a ghoul with a paintball gun. A large courtyard with a ginormous movie screen, bumpin’ sound system and a concession stand can be found directly behind the main complex. A nightly parade of ghouls also takes place here every night at 6:45pm.

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