UPDATE FOR 2022: Our former “Atmosphere” and “Theme” categories have now been combined and renamed “Immersion.” Our intent with this is to give more appropriate credit to attractions that have shown a clear focus on achieving and maintaining better customer experiences (both inside and outside the attractions) and developing creative storylines.
Each of the category scores in this review are calculated using a weighted average of several questions that we rate on a scale of 1 to 10.
The following breakdown explains what these scores typically mean. All of our Teams use this as a reference for providing accurate ratings:
10: “Peak Performance”This score is treated as if it has a chastity belt on it. “10’s” are reserved for the best of the best; those that we feel could not possibly improve on what they’re doing.
9: “Innovative and Groundbreaking”It rocked! Nearly everything seemed to go as planned and it was one of the best we’ve ever seen! These guys are leaders in the industry, and attractions like this are truly hard to come by.
8: “Solid”A high score on our scale. They had a good handle on it and, overall, they knew how to use it well. Most attractions can learn from what these guys are doing.
6 to 7: “Good”We could tell that a good effort was made. However, we’ve seen this done much better at other places, or can detect areas where significant improvements can be made. This is about the top end of what we’d call “Family Friendly.”
5: “Average / Fair”Compared to the competition, they weren’t the best, but definitely not the worst. Scares and Special Effects in this range are usually considered “Family Friendly.”
3 to 4: “Below Average”We could see that a clear attempt was made, but most other professional attractions are doing a much better job at this.
1 to 2: “Poor”It appeared that very little time, thought or effort was contributed to this aspect.
0 (Zero): “Non-Existent”No apparent effort was made to make this a significant contributor to the attraction.
Afterword:This rating system is standardized across all of The Scare Factor’s official haunt review teams. However, keep in mind there will always be minor differences between Teams, as we all have varying levels of experience. Regardless, we do our best to remain true to our core values, which is to promote all haunted attractions!Perhaps the biggest thing to remember is: sometimes the score – in and of itself – doesn’t tell the whole story about an attraction’s merits. This is why we provide detailed explanations for each category… to help you better understand how and why we chose the score/s that we did.We do our best to not let feelings or emotions rule our judgement, while also viewing the attraction through the lens of the typical haunt-goer. But, because all reviews with ratings are inherently subjective, this is nearly impossible to completely prevent. Though, when in doubt, we tend to give slightly lower scores than our original “gut feelings” to account for this, and also give the attraction more room to improve over time.We also do our best to be fair and consistent across all of the haunts that we review. We know that you’ll be looking at these scores and comparing them to other attractions, so we hope this review helps you out in that aspect.Do you have some feedback about our review system? Contact Us Here to let us know what you think!
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Final Score: 8.77
How Did We Get This Score?
Final Scores:
(15% of Final Score) Cast: 8.53
(15% of Final Score) Costuming: 8.8
(10% of Final Score) Customer Service: 9.52
(10% of Final Score) Atmosphere: 8.89
(15% of Final Score) Special Effects: 8.86
(5% of Final Score) Theme: 9.17
(15% of Final Score) Scare Factor: 8.68
(5% of Final Score) Entertainment & Value: 8.26
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Summary:
Akron Haunted Schoolhouse and Laboratory, a staple of Northeastern Ohio haunts since 1974, is open and running with extra COVID-19 precautions to protect its patrons. It is recommended that all customers buy tickets ahead of time online as tickets are slated for time slots and they can sell out early. This year, they are running a reduced show to make sure they have time to fully sanitize and clean and are only opening one house a night on Fridays and Saturdays. Despite these precautions, the Akron Haunted Schoolhouse and Laboratory packs a ton of scares into whichever historical building is open that evening, and every night they are running their lively Midway which now features a beautiful church bar and a number of festival foods.
We attended both haunts over one weekend. This year, Friday nights feature the Haunted Laboratory while the Haunted School House is open on Saturday nights.
Cast: 8.53
How Did We Get This Score?
Cast Scores (15% of Final Score):
(20% of Cast Score) Did it seem like there were enough actors?: 8.5
(30% of Cast Score) How creative, believable and convincing were the actors?: 8.4
(20% of Cast Score) How interactive were the actors (verbally and physically)?: 8.7
(15% of Cast Score) How creatively & appropriately did they use dialogue?: 8.2
(15% of Cast Score) Was there a good variety of characters?: 8.9
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Because of COVID-19 restrictions, there are fewer monsters in certain areas to control risks to both actors and patrons. Despite these restrictions, the ghouls of the Schoolhouse and Lab are high energy and ready to scare. Creatures in the Lab fell deeply into the theme of the house, revolving around experimentation and medical horror. Both nights our team was delighted to quickly run into Ron who gave us all the regulations for the Lab and then sent us directly to detention in the Schoolhouse.
In the Lab, we were threatened with the worst of physical exams by a doctor with a fairly reasonable co-pay, a lurking monster that offered borrowed parts to passers-by, and a horrifying sing-along through a dangerous web. In the Schoolhouse, a multitude of monsters came at us with groans, screams, and sacrificial dreams. Big shout out to the cook in the cafeteria who had a fully developed menu with the meat on hand. Banter is limited in both houses, but the dialogue that’s used is fun and edgy.
Lab: 8.38
School: 8.68
Costuming: 8.8
How Did We Get This Score?
Costuming Scores (15% of Final Score):
(15% of Costuming Score) How complete / finished did the costumes appear to be?: 8.95
(25% of Costuming Score) How creative / detailed were the costumes?: 8.75
(20% of Costuming Score) Was their makeup creative? Detailed? Realistic?: 8.55
(15% of Costuming Score) How effectively did they use masks (if used)?: 8.55
(25% of Costuming Score) How appropriate were the costumes for their scene/s & theme/s?: 9.1
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Costumes in both houses are restricted by the themes and very different from each other. In the Lab, monsters fit the theme perfectly. There are few masks to be seen, but a lot of carefully applied and balanced makeup. Prosthetics are also on display, adding an otherworldliness to the creatures stalking the floors of the Lab. In the Schoolhouse, there is a larger collection of costumes, masks, and other monster varieties. Some masks are a bit ill-fitting, but all of them work in the settings they are placed in. A murderous clown, a dangerous demon, and a crazed cook were all standouts in the Schoolhouse. Miss Alma, the Schoolhouse’s old-schoolmarm, did make an appearance Saturday night much to the delight of the crowd. There are also amazing costumes on the monsters walking the Midway, and these monsters rotate with the houses each night so that the theme is universal inside and out.
Lab: 8.83
School: 8.77
Customer Service: 9.52
How Did We Get This Score?
Customer Service Scores (10% of Final Score):
(25% of CS Score) How easy was it to locate the attraction, park, and navigate the premises?: 9.4
(30% of CS Score) How safe was the attraction?: 8.9
(25% of CS Score) How professional, helpful and friendly were the staff members?: 10
(20% of CS Score) How easy was it to find their information before* arrival?: 10
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The Akron Haunted Schoolhouse and Laboratory is impossible to miss as both buildings loom large over Triplett with their impressive and historical facades. Parking is generous and attendants are on top of their game making sure that the traffic moves smoothly and that everyone is respectful of each other. Signage is clear for every step of the way and lines are well-marked.
Inside, the houses’ emergency exits and directions are clearly marked and there are no dangerous scares on the stairs. For 2020, all customers are required to wear masks at all times unless drinking or eating in the midway. COVID staff come through to clean areas, and while some guests were not following the rules there were plentiful sanitizing stations and an attempt to enforce social distancing from the lines outside to the end of the house. Employees handling ticketing, merchandise, and the bar and games in the Midway were all friendly and helpful.
Lab: 9.55
School: 9.49
Atmosphere: 8.89
How Did We Get This Score?
Atmosphere Scores (10% of Final Score):
(60% of Atmosphere Score) How obvious was it that you were at a haunted house before entering?: 8.85
(40% of Atmosphere Score) How well did the atmosphere prepare you for what you experienced inside?: 8.95
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With large buildings looming over all that dare enter these two historical haunted houses, it is hard to not immediately know that you are entering a haunted attraction. The Midway between houses is open both nights and has a high energy atmosphere in line with a haunted fair. The addition of the spooky church fa������ade on the Midway bar really ups the ante on how enchanting and inviting the Midway section can be.
Due to COVID-19 precautions, there were fewer entertainers inside the Schoolhouse working the line, but commercials for the Schoolhouse and Lab as well as their sister haunt the Factory of Terror kept the energy high and set the tone for what was to come. At the entrance of the Lab, monsters with giant needles and other medical paraphernalia roamed the area and terrorized those waiting for entry.
Lab: 9
School: 8.78
Special Effects: 8.86
How Did We Get This Score?
Special Effects Scores (15% of Final Score):
(20% of SFX Score) How effective were the sound effects?: 8.6
(20% of SFX Score) How creative / original were the scenes & props?: 9.6
(20% of SFX Score) How well were the scenes detailed?: 8.9
(25% of SFX Score) How well did they achieve & maintain the suspension of disbelief?: 8.5
(15% of SFX Score) How effective were the SFX at providing scares / entertainment?: 8.75
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Both the Schoolhouse and Laboratory are filled to the brim with a mixture of old-school and modern animatronics, effects, and scares to keep patrons on their toes. Sound bleed is mostly contained with a labyrinth of dark hallways separating rooms and scenes. In both houses special effects speak to the themes and are aided by the realism of their respective settings.
In the Lab, a one-of-a-kind Tesla Coil, a terrifying drop towards propellors, and a large number of animatronics bring to life this horrifying misuse of science. Screams echo in rooms and electric shocks, drills, and groaning permeate the atmosphere. In the Schoolhouse, the variety of scenes carry with them sound effects fitting of all the different stories being told. Swamp creatures growl and chirp, haunting old melodies drift through ancient rooms, and night denizens cry in outdoor scenes. Perhaps one of the most impressive effects is the old-school building that leads you into a torture dungeon unlike any other. Fog is heavy in this house and water effects lend a perfect echoing terror to the environment.
Lab: 8.79
School: 8.93
Theme: 9.17
How Did We Get This Score?
Theme Scores (5% of Final Score):
(30% of Theme Score) Could you tell what the theme was?: 8.9
(50% of Theme Score) How well was the theme carried throughout the attraction/s?: 9
(20% of Theme Score) How well does their location authenticate the theme?: 10
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There are two major themes that are strictly enforced between the two haunts and each is backed up by the authenticity of its setting.
The Laboratory is focused on science experiments gone wrong and features a large number of scenes and creatures that relate to the premise. Here the theme is immediately evident and well-developed as it tells the story of the horrors of bad science, invasions, and undeath.
In the Schoolhouse, the theme is broader as it covers the nightmares collected by Ms. Alma in her library books. Even though the page dividers for these rooms have been lifted out of pandemic safety necessity this theme is thickly layered from floor to floor. Guests are sure to find at least one thing that will scare them into hurrying along towards the exit.
Lab: 9.32
School: 9.02
Scare Factor: 8.68
How Did We Get This Score?
Scare Factor Scores (15% of Final Score):
(30% of Scare Factor Score) How scary was it?: 9
(15% of Scare Factor Score) How well did they provide scares to the entire group?: 8.5
(25% of Scare Factor Score) How predictable were the scares?: 8.75
(15% of Scare Factor Score) How well did they provide a wide variety of scares?: 8.8
(15% of Scare Factor Score) How strong was the ending / finale?: 8
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On Friday and Saturday night our group found that either the group in front of us or the group behind us would crash into each other either from fear of moving on or rushing forward to escape. There was no shortage of people running and screaming both in the houses and in the Midway. Because the majority of the line for the Laboratory is outside, monsters were able to have more fun with the customers in the line than those handling the indoor crowd for the Schoolhouse. Despite limitations and requirements for safety this season there are a large variety of scares that rely on both technology and good old-fashioned acting.
Lab: 8.67
School: 8.7
Entertainment & Value: 8.26
How Did We Get This Score?
Entertainment & Value Factor Scores (15% of Final Score):
(30% of E&V Score) How satisfied were you with the entertainment received during the main attraction/s?: 7.9
(25% of E&V Score) How satisfied were you with the entertainment that’s available with* the ticket price, excluding the main attraction/s?: 8.7
(30% of E&V Score) How appropriate is/are the ticket price/s?: 7.9
(15% of E&V Score) Have they effectively used their available space?: 8.95
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For the reduced season, the management of the Akron Haunted Schoolhouse and Laboratory have also lowered the prices to reflect the shortened walkthrough time. Fridays are dedicated to the Laboratory and admission is $23.95 online. Saturdays belong to the Schoolhouse and admission is $24.95 online. General Admission is $25 per person, and there are options to add fast pass or get a season pass that has unlimited entry for both houses and their sister haunt the Factory of Terror.
Again, it is highly recommended that you buy online this season since tickets are restricted to time slots and can sell out before that time slot. It took us 16 minutes to go through the Lab and 20 minutes to get through the Schoolhouse. The Midway offers a ton of fun, food, and a great place to relax and watch the Halloween fun.
How Did We Get These Scores
Our Rating System
Each of the category scores in this review are calculated using a weighted average of several questions that we rate on a scale of 1 to 10.
The following breakdown explains what these scores typically mean. All of our Teams use this as a reference for providing accurate ratings:
10: “Peak Performance”This score is treated as if it has a chastity belt on it. “10’s” are reserved for the best of the best; those that we feel could not possibly improve on what they’re doing.
9: “Innovative and Groundbreaking”It rocked! Nearly everything seemed to go as planned and it was one of the best we’ve ever seen! These guys are leaders in the industry, and attractions like this are truly hard to come by.
8: “Solid”A high score on our scale. They had a good handle on it and, overall, they knew how to use it well. Most attractions can learn from what these guys are doing.
6 to 7: “Good”We could tell that a good effort was made. However, we’ve seen this done much better at other places, or can detect areas where significant improvements can be made. This is about the top end of what we’d call “Family Friendly.”
5: “Average / Fair”Compared to the competition, they weren’t the best, but definitely not the worst. Scares and Special Effects in this range are usually considered “Family Friendly.”
3 to 4: “Below Average”We could see that a clear attempt was made, but most other professional attractions are doing a much better job at this.
1 to 2: “Poor”It appeared that very little time, thought or effort was contributed to this aspect.
0 (Zero): “Non-Existent”No apparent effort was made to make this a significant contributor to the attraction.
Afterword:This rating system is standardized across all of The Scare Factor’s official haunt review teams. However, keep in mind there will always be minor differences between Teams, as we all have varying levels of experience. Regardless, we do our best to remain true to our core values, which is to promote all haunted attractions!Perhaps the biggest thing to remember is: sometimes the score – in and of itself – doesn’t tell the whole story about an attraction’s merits. This is why we provide detailed explanations for each category… to help you better understand how and why we chose the score/s that we did.We do our best to not let feelings or emotions rule our judgement, while also viewing the attraction through the lens of the typical haunt-goer. But, because all reviews with ratings are inherently subjective, this is nearly impossible to completely prevent. Though, when in doubt, we tend to give slightly lower scores than our original “gut feelings” to account for this, and also give the attraction more room to improve over time.We also do our best to be fair and consistent across all of the haunts that we review. We know that you’ll be looking at these scores and comparing them to other attractions, so we hope this review helps you out in that aspect.Do you have some feedback about our review system? Contact Us Here to let us know what you think!
