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Newbie Review Crew Member

Tiffany (earthangel129)

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Previous Reviews: 2013 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008

2010 Reviews

Please note: this review is for the 2010 season rather than the current season.

House of Bathory (CLOSED)

by earthangel129 (Newbie Review Crew Member) after attending on Saturday, October 16, 2010 at about 5:30 p.m.

Fun Factor: Very High Fear Factor: High

Review

I first must admit that I was super excited to go to a haunt that combined two of my absolute favorite things, Alice in Wonderland and haunted houses.  I loved the terrain changes and all the crawling, sliding, and squeezing that came along with these changes.  The vortex was wonderful and you were lead into it through a room that was decorated the same with people who blended into  the walls of both.  In my opinion, these actors worked wonderfully to entertain their guests.  There were many scenes that very interesting to visit, including a room where Alice seems to grow taller and shorter right in front of your eyes!  The combination of Wonderland characters and movie serial killers including Jason Voorhees seemed a bit odd but actually worked well.  They definitely got great screams out of our group.  Overall, this is a  haunt like one you have never seen before, part play, part haunt, and all extremely eerie fun.  I highly suggest taking the trip down the rabbit hole into the House of Bathory.

Signage / Visibility / Location


The directions to House of Bathory are easy to follow and the line outside indicates that you are in the right place.  There is one storefront window that is decorated and has the name is large print.

Wait Area / Line Entertainment


The wait, we were told was about an hour and a half  from where we were in line.  The line was not too long but don't let that deceive you.  The line is both to buy tickets and to enter so only a few people are let in every 15 to 20 minutes.  This is because the haunt is extremely interactive and the most people in a group that they want, from what I saw, was a group of eight.  There was not much for line entertainment and when I arrived I was a bit confused about where to go.  So we just went to the end of the line. 

Actors' Performance


This is truly the attraction of this haunt.  The actors each portrayed either a character from  Alice in Wonderland or a famous movie killer like Freddy Krueger.  Some of the interaction is extremely funny and some is seriously spooky.  I really enjoyed the Mad Hatter and March Hare and Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb.  The twins dialog was spot on with the actual lines from the classic novel.  These actors seemed like a professional troupe which I do believe some are. 

Sets Scenes / Props / FX


The scenes were mostly direct out of the book with small changes to enhance the creepiness.  The costumes were excellent.  I want to give a loud shout-out for the March Hare outfit, which seemed to be fashioned in the Ralph Steadman style, i.e. the illustrator for Hunter S. Thompson.  The scenes were colorful and some were extremely detailed like the Tea Party room. I thought the terrain changes were excellent.  Also, the audio that loomed over you was both intriguing and chilling.  Make sure to pay attention to the Alice song they play.

Length


We arrived around 10:30 and were let in at 11:15 but this amount of time is not the norm.  From start to finish the haunt lasts about 25 minutes.However, it seems even longer because of the amount of interaction with the actors and the time spent in each scene.

Crowd Control


There was security there however I believe I only saw one.  He was outside of the haunt towards the beginning and would every once in a while come down the line to check for anything out of the ordinary.  There were no ropes or barricades to show where the line was suppose to be.  However, the line is just straight back from the entry of the haunt along the sidewalk.

Most Memorable Moment


For me, the most memorable moment was when I was leading the group crawling on our knees under a table and I felt something touching my head.  I disregarded it while crawling under assuming it was a table cloth.  Once my head cleared the table and I still felt something near my head.  I quickly turned my head to check out what it was and immediately screamed and jumped because Freddy Krueger was about an inch away from my face.  It was an epic fright!

Summary

Overall, this haunt is amusing, funny, creepy, and interactive.  If you enjoy great acting and love to be part of the haunt, this is the place for you.  The Alice in Wonderland theme is both wonderfully woven in and a contemporary chilling version of the original.   I loved it !  Make sure this haunt is on your list to visit.

View all House of Bathory (CLOSED) reviews

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Please note: this review is for the 2010 season rather than the current season.

Terror on Rural Street

by earthangel129 (Newbie Review Crew Member) after attending on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at about 2 p.m.

Fun Factor: High Fear Factor: High

Review


I enjoyed this haunt a lot and would attend again. Once I got there, I walked right up to the ticket booth with no waiting and went into the heated waiting area, where I enjoyed a really hot and tasty apple cider. Once my number was called I was called to enter and then we were placed on lines and the workers went over the rules of the haunt. The interior of the haunt was very dark, let me tell you one more time, it was very dark, I must have walked into about ten dead ends or walls trying to find my way around. There were props but not tons. This haunt is all about the actors and trying to disorientate you. The haunt took a total of about 20 minutes. When it was over we were greeted by Michael Myers, who followed me out to my car.

Signage / Visibility / Location


The directions that they give are very easy to follow and once in town you will see signs.

Wait Area / Line Entertainment


They have a great system. You go to the ticket booth and get your tickets and then you can go into a nice heated building where you can enjoy several types of refreshments, I recommend the hot apple cider, and I want to emphasize the hot. There are also actors walking around to creep the guests and get them in the mood.

Actors' Performance


The actors at Terror on Rural Street are funny and terrifying. They stick to their parts and work the guests great.

Sets Scenes / Props / FX


There could have been a little bit more props but the stuff they had was good. There were lots of really disorientating lights and a room that spun around to make you real dizzy.

Length


This haunt is about 20 minutes long but it is an exciting 20 minutes.

Crowd Control


Very good, I really saw a lot of security and they were very helpful and offered assistance to anyone nearby.

Most Memorable Moment


I really like terrain changes, having to walk up or down a steep incline or having to duck under and walk down a hallway. At Terror on Rural Street I had plenty of opportunities to experience terrain changes and tactile areas.

Summary

Overall a fun and enjoyable haunt and I would recommend it for ages 13 and up.

View all Terror on Rural Street reviews

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Please note: this review is for the 2010 season rather than the current season.

Haunted Forest and Cornfield at Meadowbrook Pumpkin Farm

by earthangel129 (Newbie Review Crew Member) after attending on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at about 3:30 p.m.

Fun Factor: Very High Fear Factor: Very High

Review


We arrived, the parking was ample. We got our wristbands and headed to the campfire, where a gentleman was telling ghost stories. Our wait was fairly quick about 10 minutes or so, however, I advise you; generally your wait will be longer especially the closer to Halloween it is. Once we got to the line we were let right in as our own two person group which is nice because you have the feeling that you are alone out there, and the only thing that brings you back to the reality of that others are in the haunt as well, are the many screams you hear all around you.



Once in the corn field, you are instantly brought into another world where fear is fun and screams are equivalent to happiness. The actors are good, the effects are better, and the animatronics are out of this world! I can't tell you the exact number of different scenes but they are abundant so you are never walking for two long without serious entertainment. It took my guest and me about an hour to finish the haunt and it was a fully packed hour with creepy feelings, jumps aplenty, and scares that would knock your socks off, if that was actually possible. This is a great haunt and recommend anyone over the age of 16 to go now.

Signage / Visibility / Location


The directions provided on the site are very good, I never have  trouble finding the gas station they refer to in their directions. Also there is one large sign on the road leading to the turn off by the gas station, and once you turn  the large sign in front and the visible bonfire and multitude of pumpkins says this is the place!

Wait Area / Line Entertainment


Once you buy your wristbands, you are instructed to join the rest of the waiting guests at the large bonfire. When at the bonfire you can warm up and listen to some ghost stories. They also have an LED sign that states the numbers they are allowing to go in. Also there are tons of pumpkins, a store, animals that are adorable, and refreshments including pizza.

Actors' Performance


The actors out in the field were excellently creepy. I especially liked the butcher in the butcher shop. Good frights are occurring nearly all the time and that is proved by all the screams you hear ahead of you and behind you.

Sets Scenes / Props / FX


At Meadowbrook, when it comes to sets and props they truly one of the haunts people compare other haunts to because of their massive scale scenes and their one of a kind hand built pirate ship as well as the greatest animatronics I have seen.

Length


This is another one of the reasons Meadowbrook is in an elite class of haunts. Total time in the haunted corn field is about 45 to 60 minutes. Just when you think you are nearing the end, you realize you are only half way through. It is one of the longest, if not the longest, haunt I have ever been to.

Crowd Control


Crowd control is very good. Their wristband system works well and they also have roped off lines once your numbers are called. There a plenty of people to ask questions if needed, and security is present.

Most Memorable Moment


My favorite fright this year was an animatronic octopus that came to life and walked back and forward towards me. This thing was huge and it freaked me out.

Summary

Overall, I treasure my time at Meadowbrook every year and look forward to it every year. It is one of the longest and impressive haunts in Wisconsin. Get up and go now or if it is not open check out their website and then go when they open.

View all Haunted Forest and Cornfield at Meadowbrook Pumpkin Farm reviews

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November 21st, 2024 1:30 p.m. CST 24.11.01