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: 8.67
How Did We Get This Score?
Final Scores:
(15% of Final Score) Cast: 8.18
(15% of Final Score) Costuming: 8.74
(10% of Final Score) Customer Service: 9.42
(10% of Final Score) Atmosphere: 8.91
(15% of Final Score) Special Effects: 8.85
(5% of Final Score) Theme: 9.17
(15% of Final Score) Scare Factor: 8.61
(5% of Final Score) Entertainment & Value: 8.11
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Summary:
An Akron institution for forty-eight years, the Haunted Schoolhouse and Laboratory has seen many changes as they evolve with the horror culture around them. It is their mixture of classic horror techniques and modern technology that make the Akron Haunted Schoolhouse and Laboratory something really special and authentic. Looming over Triplett Boulevard, this doubly historical haunt carries with it several generations’ worth of memories and horrors both real and created.
From Beer Before Fear to the midway games and selfies, there are activities and entertainment here aimed at all ages. Visitors can take their time in between haunts to enjoy the midway atmosphere, or simply stick to the monsters and mayhem.
We visited AHSHL on a very busy Saturday night. The crowds were almost as unbelievable as the scares waiting for us behind the doors. We cannot stress enough that guests should likely either get to the haunt early, purchase fast passes, or come on the slightly less-busy Fridays and Sundays.
Cast: 8.18
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?: 7.9
(20% of Cast Score) How interactive were the actors (verbally and physically)?: 8
(15% of Cast Score) How creatively & appropriately did they use dialogue?: 7.75
(15% of Cast Score) Was there a good variety of characters?: 9
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The teams at both the Schoolhouse and the Laboratory are spread throughout the haunts in the interest of delivering maximum terror. Some of the more classic and historical scenes are set to be more prop-focused than actor-driven, but there are a number of cast members that stand front and center in their own spots.
In the Schoolhouse, we had a fine time making our way through the clown section where a jester used timing and laughter to create a perfect attack. There was a reaper like ghoul in Dracula’s Castle that scared one of our members on their way through the exit and sent us on our way with a scream. We also loved the high-energy, bust-a-move charisma of Buffalo Bill in his highly detailed lair.
In the Laboratory, there was a master of spiders that had both flair and timing when it came to picking out the weakest of us. There was a very trustworthy mailman that certainly wasn’t terrifying or a maniac that stole someone’s uniform who followed us until he’d gotten everyone in our team. The standout of the night though was Helen, the rough-voiced, spandex-clad nurse that checked us into the lab and sent us on our way. We watched Helen watch over all their charges outside of the entry with great care, managing to stay in character even while solving problems for guests so that they got their best experience. Helen was also keen-eyed enough to spot us waiting in line. They remembered us from prior years, perhaps from our screams of terror.
Costuming: 8.74
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?: 8.75
(25% of Costuming Score) How creative / detailed were the costumes?: 8.75
(20% of Costuming Score) Was their makeup creative? Detailed? Realistic?: 8.6
(15% of Costuming Score) How effectively did they use masks (if used)?: 8.6
(25% of Costuming Score) How appropriate were the costumes for their scene/s & theme/s?: 8.9
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Both the Schoolhouse and the Laboratory have strongly detailed and varied costumes gracing their monsters.
There is the annual joy of seeing Ms. Alma, the classic schoolmarm, wandering the halls before the entry stairs in the Schoolhouse. At the entrance to the ticket line, Karl the Kustodian looked the part as he prowled the ground making sure that no one was littering or messing up his pristine school. Buffalo Bill was costumed beautifully with tiny details on every part of their body, and there were a number of monsters that managed to make themselves a part of their scenery.
Once again in the Laboratory, there was a lot of detail and love put into the costumes for the Master of Spiders and Helen. Minus a few exceptions monsters’ costumes were fitting in their respective scenes and themes.
Customer Service: 9.42
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
(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 staff at Akron Schoolhouse and Laboratory are friendly and fun to interact with. Safety is prioritized with well-lit main stairs, handrails and safety signage, and well-placed hand sanitizer stations.
Due to the sheer size of the haunt, it’s important if you buy fast pass tickets, have a season pass, or have pre-bought your tickets online that you are keeping an eye on where to go. Parking is abundant, but it’s better to get there early not just for ease but for lines that were very heavy this year. Should you ever have any problems, gather up your courage and approach anyone with an earpiece or a monstrous face to ask for help as they’re all willing and eager to make sure that you’re having the best visit possible. Especially Helen, who fixed a fast-pass issue for a guest in front of us while throwing spooky sass all over the place.
The team at Factory of Terror in Canton and the Haunted Schoolhouse and Laboratory in Akron have even worked out a deal for visitors from far away to stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites, Canton at a reduced rate.
Atmosphere: 8.91
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?: 9
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This is a category that both Akron Haunted Schoolhouse and Laboratory excel at. Both buildings are lucky to have been built by architects obsessed with design and detail. Each edifice is stone, looming over the landscape and casting a long shadow over the guests that arrive from the moment they turn their cars into the lot to the moment they leave.
Music blasts over the grounds and there are actors and prop creatures that offer scares and selfie opportunities and this attention to detail and mood are extensively fleshed out around both buildings. Even the bar in the midway is dressed up to add to the creepy atmosphere of the haunt’s grounds.
Special Effects: 8.85
How Did We Get This Score?
Special Effects Scores (15% of Final Score):
(20% of SFX Score) How effective were the sound effects?: 8.55
(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 the Laboratory have utilized a variety of special effects to create a haunt that is unique unto itself. The Laboratory has two real Tesla Coils, both of which are shockingly large and mind-blowingly bright and loud. Because of the age and rarity of these, there is no other haunt that can offer the experience these give.
This year there have been some major changes to the Laboratory’s historically scientific and medically themed haunt. Penetrating through the darkness of the lab we found a brightly lit lobotomy room, an injection-themed room, and a spider’s lair that were all built to terrify and chase you through the building.
In the Schoolhouse, there is no shortage of sights to see and things to enjoy, but additions made to Dracula’s Castle, and the annual delight we experience rolling through the key cabin, were the biggest standouts this year.
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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The two houses have very different themes, and the scares included in those buildings are just as diverse.
Within the Schoolhouse visitors will be greeted by the horrific story collection put together by Ms. Alma and her malicious minions. From gigantic trolls looming over swamps to cannibal-filled cafeterias and kitchens, there is no shortage of spooky, storybook-styled fears to face inside the Schoolhouse.
In the Laboratory the theme is more in line with the direct history of the building as it covers both medical fears big and small and the fallout of attracting attention from space. Knowing the history of both buildings certainly enhances the terror their themes offer.
Scare Factor: 8.61
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?: 7.9
(25% of Scare Factor Score) How predictable were the scares?: 8.7
(15% of Scare Factor Score) How well did they provide a wide variety of scares?: 8
(15% of Scare Factor Score) How strong was the ending / finale?: 9
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We saw a lot of scared visitors in both haunts this year. Within the Schoolhouse the group behind us couldn’t stop shaking and moved up to stay with us for the rest of the haunt for safety. The key cabin was full of screams, the basement practically oozed tension and a dungeon atmosphere, and the main event clown managed to make visitors jump in fear even if they’d already seen him bouncing from place to place. In the Laboratory the entire spider’s lair and its master were almost too much for two members of our team. The new scenes tore screams out of the group ahead of us, and the monstrous monkeys gave and got shrieks.
The Laboratory has seen several new changes built in between last season and this one; we were pleasantly surprised by several of these that were completely new and even recognized a few old scenes that had been given a “face-lift.”
Entertainment & Value: 8.11
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?: 7.4
(15% of E&V Score) Have they effectively used their available space?: 8.95
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Admission prices are per house, and the upgrade for fast passes is between $8-12 depending on if you’re attending one haunt or both. You can also get the annual season pass that allows you to bring friends in at a discount and also gives you unlimited fast pass access to the haunts here and at the Factory of Terror.
Parking is free, as is hanging out in the Midway if you’re waiting for friends or family still going through the haunts. As always, fast passes are greatly recommended since the lines fill up quickly and you’ll want extra time to enjoy the Midway offerings and atmosphere.
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!
