Newbie Review Crew Member
Char (x0char0x)
Previous Reviews: 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008
2010 Reviews
Please note: this review is for the 2010 season rather than the current season.
by
x0char0x
(Newbie
Review Crew Member)
after attending on Friday, October 22, 2010 at about 3:30 p.m.
Submitted: Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Review
This was my first year attending Schuster's Haunted Forest and was really impressed with all the activities they offered for you to do, especially during the day.
At the beginning of the haunt they take you on a tractor trailer ride. To me this is the most creative transportation that I have yet to see at a haunt. You feel like you are being loaded up into a fenced in trailer that will lead you to your death.
The haunt itself I was a little disappointed with. It started off kind of slow with not a lot of actors involved to scare you. They do have different scenes set up throughout the woods but it just seemed like there was something missing. I love the haunts that interact with you and make you part of the scene, and this was missing that aspect so maybe that had something to do with it. It could also be the fact that it was 11pm by the time I actually got in and the actors were getting tired.
At the end, you are then loaded back up on the trailer and taken back to the parking area.
Signage / Visibility / Location
The location of this haunt was kind of hard to find. They do have a sign with lights out front but it is in the middle of no where so you don't really know where it will be on the hwy.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
I had to wait in 3 different lines at this haunt. The first one being the ticket line. While waiting in line I got a chance to peak at the map of their grounds to see what they had to offer and it was really cool all the things they had set up. The second line I waited in was to get onto their tractor right that leads you to the actual woods. They had a movie set up to play but for whatever reason they forgot to push play on the movie. The third and final line was in the woods waiting for your turn to go in. They had a man outside with a shotgun greeting you.
Actors' Performance
To me I felt that it needed a few more actors in place. The actors they did had did a good job at staying in character and were right on cue with their scripts.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
The sets they had were pretty good. I will say I was very impressed with their grave yard scene. Just the atmosphere surrounding it made it perfect. Overall, just the fact of being the woods scares me so they did a good job.
Length
This was definitely a longer haunt. Be prepared for a wait though. I waited for about 2 hours to get in and then about 45 minutes to walk the entire haunt.
Crowd Control
For it being a busy night, I felt they did a good job with crowd control. At one point I did run into the group ahead of me but the actors did a good job at holding us back so it didn't happen again.
Summary
Overall, this was a pretty good haunt. I would recommend it to anyone over the age of 13.
View all Schuster's Haunted Forest reviews
Please note: this review is for the 2010 season rather than the current season.
by
x0char0x
(Newbie
Review Crew Member)
after attending on Saturday, October 23, 2010 at about 3 p.m.
Submitted: Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Review
Elements of Fear is the perfect haunt to take kids ages 8-12 to. It isn't as gory or scary as the haunts that I am used to. However, they did a good job at putting it all together. Every actor kept in character and made the scenes really come to life.
Signage / Visibility / Location
The location of this haunt is very easy to find. It is located right on 27th street in Milwaukee, you can't miss it
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
The wait area was in a small room inside of their school. There was a movie playing but nothing else really going on.
Actors' Performance
The actors were much younger than I am used to in a haunt, but don't think that they didn't know what they were doing. They had the perfect amount of energy to keep you entertained throughout the entire thing.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
The scenes were pretty good. The seance room was extremely neat and different. They had the right amount of effects going on to make it seem real.
Length
The length was a little on the short side. I would say it took me about 10 minutes to walk through the entire thing.
Crowd Control
They had a lettering system for their groups. They spaced them out enough so you wouldn't run into another group.
Summary
Overall, they did a good job with this haunt. I'm used to the more scary in your face haunts but like I said this is perfect for smaller kids.
View all Elements of Fear reviews
Please note: this review is for the 2010 season rather than the current season.
by
x0char0x
(Newbie
Review Crew Member)
after attending on Saturday, October 16, 2010 at about 3:30 p.m.
Submitted: Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Review
In my opinion, the House of Bathory is a definite must see. I first attended this haunt three years ago and have gone back every year to the point where it is now my favorite. They incorporate a lot of the old school haunt. I will warn you they do touch you in there. They are also very interactive. In every scene, they make you feel as though you are apart of it. Just by having you crawl through tight spaces or answering questions that the monsters or demons have for you.
This year they went with the Alice in Wonderland theme. They did a really great job at keeping the theme throughout the entire house. However, I wouldn't exactly call it a Wonderland. You can't even begin to imagine what is waiting for you around the next corner.
Signage / Visibility / Location
The location of this is very easy to find. It is located right on the corner, just look for the line standing outside.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
The wait area of this haunt is located outside so with Wisconsin weather you should dress accordingly.
The line entertainment just blew me away this year. I went on a night where they have all different hearses on display. They also had a hay wagon set up with people dressed up sitting on it playing the match game from the 70s. This was by far the most creative line entertainment I have ever seen at a haunt.
Actors' Performance
The actors in this haunt blew me away. They were always in character and always knew what to say to get your heart racing. Their scripts fit in perfectly with each scene and it really made you feel like you were in a very twisted Wonderland.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
The sets and scenes were amazing. Every scene was set up very creatively and perfect. Everywhere you looked there was something. The House of Bathory definitely uses every inch of their space wisely and efficiently.
Length
I would say it took about 30 minutes to walk through the entire haunt.
Crowd Control
They do a great job at crowd control. They limit the groups to no more than 8 people which is perfect. To me, going in with a large group takes so much away from the haunt. Not once did I run into another group during the haunt. They space them out so everyone enjoys themselves in it and you aren't rushed.
Summary
Overall, this is still by far my favorite haunt. Their choices of scenes and scares are by far the best I have ever seen. I would definitely recommend this to anyone over the age of 13.
View all House of Bathory (CLOSED) reviews
Please note: this review is for the 2010 season rather than the current season.
by
x0char0x
(Newbie
Review Crew Member)
after attending on Saturday, October 16, 2010 at about 4 p.m.
Submitted: Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Review
Burial Chamber has always been a favorite haunt of mine to attend to. They have four different attractions that you can attend, Adrenaline, Phobia, Insanity, and the coffin ride.
Adrenaline was the first haunt that I went through while I was there. From the beginning you could tell you were about to walk into something that would make your heart start racing. There were monsters lurking everywhere and you just didn't know where the next one would be.
I then headed to Phobia. In the past I was never really impressed with the wooded portion of their haunt but they definitely added some very much needed changes. They included scenes along the trail that let you thinking you were walking through woods with cannibals living within it.
Insanity was the last portion that I attended. They start you off by watching a movie explaining what you might see inside the haunt. This part of the haunt I was a little disappointed with. I felt there were too many dark mazes and the scenes they did have set up didn't have actors as a part of it making the scene come to life.
Signage / Visibility / Location
The location of this haunt is very easy to find. It is located right off the highway. You can't miss the spot lights and the crowds of people waiting to get in.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
The wait area of this haunt has different concession stands. They also have music and giant screens set up to entertain you while you wait. They also have monsters creeping around scaring you even before you go into the haunt.
Actors' Performance
I thought the actors needed to be a part of the scene a little bit more. I noticed more of them were about popping out of no where and scaring you. I like more of the interactive haunts.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
The scenes were amazing in this haunt. They had all the gore that was needed.
Length
The haunts were actually pretty long. It takes about 20 minutes to walk through each one.
Crowd Control
They send you in groups of 8-10, which to me I feel is too many. When you are in a big group of people its hard to actually get the mindset of what is really go on around you. However, with the masses of people that attend this haunt I understand why they do this.
They did a pretty good job at spacing the groups apart. However, in Phobia the group behind me did run into me. I don't think this is Burial Chambers fault though because it was a group of kids and they ran through the entire thing.
Summary
I would recommend this haunt to anyone 12 and over. Be sure to arrive early enough so the line won't be as long.
View all Burial Chamber Haunted House Complex reviews
Please note: this review is for the 2010 season rather than the current season.
by
x0char0x
(Newbie
Review Crew Member)
after attending on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at about 3 p.m.
Submitted: Sunday, October 3, 2010
Review
Terror on Rural Street has always been one of my favorite haunts to go to. Right from the beginning they bring out the scares and the fun. As you are creeping around the completely dark hallways you just never know what to expect to be lurking around. From all around you, you hear whispers and someone breathing down your neck. They have different scenes set up bringing out everyones worst fears. Their scenes are also interactive making you a real part of the scene.
Signage / Visibility / Location
The location of this haunt is located right off the main highway. There are signs telling you directly where to turn. Very easy to locate.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
The wait area is inside of a heated building which is always nice. Inside they have concessions set up with food and drinks that you can buy.
Actors' Performance
The actors did a very good job at this haunt. They stayed in character the entire time and were right on target with their scares.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
The scenes in this one were very well put together. There was this one room that I just loved. It left you feeling like you were walking into another world. Loved the lights! The actors costumes were amazing. There was a lot of details involved that I would never think of including.
Length
It took about 25 minutes to walk through.
Crowd Control
Terror on Rural Street did a very good job with line control. They make sure to space everyone out so you don't end up running into another group as you are going through.
Most Memorable Moment
My most memorable moment would have to be walking out of the vortex. There was a small step that I somehow missed and scared me. All I could say to my friend that went with me was something about yellow tape. You kind of had to be there for that one haha.
Summary
Overall, I enjoyed this haunt. I would recommend it to anyone over the age of 13. It is very fun and very creepy.
View all Terror on Rural Street reviews
Please note: this review is for the 2010 season rather than the current season.
by
x0char0x
(Newbie
Review Crew Member)
after attending on Friday, October 1, 2010 at about 3:30 p.m.
Submitted: Sunday, October 3, 2010
Review
The Haunted Barn is a haunt that I feel is a must see. This was my first time attending this haunt and I was left very impressed. The use of their space is simply amazing to me. They have you going in and out of building, through the woods, past graveyards, you just never know what to expect around the next turn. It truly makes you feel like you are inside of an eerie haunted farm.
The house portions of this haunt have very detailed and creative scenes. They had scenes set up that I haven't seen really anywhere else. There were monsters lurking in all the right places.
The wooded portion was one of my favorites. Although it did start off kind of slow it definitely picked up speed as you wondered further into it. As I walked further into it not only did I have the actors scaring me but the atmosphere did as well. There is just something about wondering in the woods not knowing where you will end up that has always creeped me out.
It isn't over yet when you walk out of the woods, you are then led back into the house for more nightmares that came to life.
Signage / Visibility / Location
The location of this haunt was perfect. It was set a very rural area giving the added feeling to the haunt. It was very easy to find, there is a flashing arrow right at the driveway with signs directing you where to park.
Wait Area / Line Entertainment
The wait area is set up with a concession stand and other various tents with food, drinks, and other misc. things. There are a few actors outside working the line for entertainment as well.
Actors' Performance
The actors were amazing. They were always in character and you never knew when to expect one to be hiding. My favorite would have to be who they called "Edna" watch out for her! Although, in the wooded parts they could have used a few more actors.
Sets Scenes / Props / FX
The Haunted Barn has very creative and detailed scenes. They added a lot of variety to it and you never know what to expect around the next corner.
Length
This was actually one of the longest haunts I've ever walked through. It took me about 45 minutes to get through the entire haunt.
Crowd Control
Being that it was so early in the haunt season there wasn't many other people there. But the people that were I never ran into while inside of the haunt.
Most Memorable Moment
I went to this haunt with my boyfriend and there was one part of this haunt that really caught him offguard and scared him. It was hilarious to see a grown man scream like a little girl. Very well done!
Summary
Overall, I really enjoyed this haunt. It was a lot of fun and left you scared at the same time. I would recommend this is anyone over the age of 13.
View all The Haunted Barn Stoughton (PERMANENTLY CLOSED) reviews
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