Features:
✓-Free Parking✓-Restrooms/Porta Potties On-Site✓-“Old-School” (Low Tech)✓-You will NOT be touched✓-Original Characters✓-Uncovered Outdoor Waiting Line✓-Family Friendly
How Do We Get These Scores?
Our Rating System
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: 5.56
How Did We Get This Score?
Final Scores:
(15% of Final Score) Cast: 6.65
(15% of Final Score) Costuming: 5.23
(10% of Final Score) Customer Service: 7.9
(10% of Final Score) Atmosphere: 4.4
(15% of Final Score) Special Effects: 5.4
(5% of Final Score) Theme:
(15% of Final Score) Scare Factor: 5.38
(5% of Final Score) Entertainment & Value: 4.25
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Summary:
Bogies: A place shrouded in mystery. What are they about?
Located just at the Kentucky/Ohio border is a family owned and operated haunt. This establishment has been in business for 14 years, but this year they have moved to a new location (but not far from the original location) in a large building that they plan to make their permanent site. They are well liked in the community and have a local following. The volunteer staff and family are the heart and soul of this haunted attraction. This year is an all new venture with many changes from previous years, as expected when changing locations.
Cast: 6.65
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
(30% of Cast Score) How creative, believable and convincing were the actors?: 5Explanation:
There is a wide range of ages with the cast. There were some stand out actors who did sell their character. We also came across some characters who weren’t as into their roles as others. Some just stood in their cubbie and looked at us as we pulled their curtains back.
(20% of Cast Score) How interactive were the actors (verbally and physically)?: 8
(15% of Cast Score) How creatively & appropriately did they use dialogue?: 5Explanation:
We heard a lot of screaming and not a lot of change up. Something more than “Help me” or “You’re next” would bring more variation to their dialogue as these are very well-used phrases.
(15% of Cast Score) Was there a good variety of characters?: 8
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There appeared to be enough volunteer actors for the space within the attraction, however there were a few places that could have housed a hidden character to jump out. In addition, there were many different kinds of characters. At first we saw medical-type staff and patients with issues and injuries in a hospital setting. Then we met clowns, aliens, a zombie, a fellow on stilts, and a life-sized Teddy Bear (and more). Adding to the variety of characters is the broad age range of actors, from kids to teens and adults. Some cast members were loud and very active, and others weren’t.
The first costumed character we came across was the slightly psychotic nurse in the waiting room. She did a great job setting the stage for what we were about to encounter. She pointed out a scale, and made a funny pun about us becoming dead weight. She had a slightly ‘off’ toothy grin, when coupled with the glint in her eye, we got a clear and distinct feeling that we were soon going to walk in on something traumatic and horrific.
We then entered a triage unit, with characters sitting on gurneys and wearing hospital gowns, or prowling about their room. We even got to see some contortionist moves from a young child actress, giving the feel of an exorcism (or at least the need for one!)
We were also a little taken aback when we met a clown crawling on the floor on hands and feet, but in a leaned back position; who zipped around all over the place. There was something unnatural about the way and speed he was able to move. He was so excited to freak us out that he followed us to the next scene.
There was also a Bane type of character who was thoroughly committed to his role as an intimidator. He couldn’t talk, due to his face appliance, but he did get in our face and delivered powerful blows on surrounding barrels. Just when we thought we were going to sneak past him, he went right back to pounding and stepping up to us again.
Costuming: 5.23
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?: 6.5Explanation:
Costumes were good. It made sense to have patients in gowns while getting treatment, but we saw a lot of gowns. The guy on stilts needed the stilts covered. Most characters looked right. Compared to other haunts, these costumes were about average.
(25% of Costuming Score) How creative / detailed were the costumes?: 5Explanation:
The nurse had nice details with her overall look. Many other costumes were much simpler. The aliens were simple, with basic black clothes. Clowns were basic costumes. Again, about average for a haunted house.
(20% of Costuming Score) Was their makeup creative? Detailed? Realistic?: 5Explanation:
We saw some nice makeup, particularly with the hand and feet walking clown. Most hospital staff were white washed with some blood splatter. But, faces were covered.
(15% of Costuming Score) How effectively did they use masks (if used)?: 5Explanation:
Masks appeared to be basic department store masks. Nothing really stood out here.
(25% of Costuming Score) How appropriate were the costumes for their scene/s & theme/s?: 5Explanation:Looks and costumes all looked like they belonged to their settings. We had some unexpected characters, like the alien here and there, or the guy in the morph suit.
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Many characters in the first section were wearing hospital gowns. Characters with makeup were very simple white faces with some stitching drawn on, or red streaks to look like blood stains. There were many clowns with different costumes (some traditional and some in street clothes and hoodies). The zombie was wearing a facial piece that told us he was a zombie, or an infected character of some kind. Costumes looked aged and dirty.
Masks seemed to fit the actors, but the theme seemed to shift a bit. We went from trauma on humans to evidence of animal sacrifice and torture through satanic rituals. Further into the path of the haunt, masks became the primary covering. It’s here where we found aliens. The stilt walker needed a longer cape or some sort of covering to make him look unearthly. Vocals were not heard from the actors using masks, other than a grunt, growl, or heavy breathing in our faces or down the neck.
When entering the doctor’s office waiting room we were greeted by a nurse in a typical short dress nurses costume. She had a white base coat all over her skin. Red paint was streaked all over her costume and body representing blood. There was a large needle sticking out of her jugular vein and her eyes were glaring through some eerie contact lenses.
Customer Service: 7.9
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?: 5Explanation:
The attraction would benefit from more signage. With only one sign at the parking lot, it can be difficult to find the place. Our car navigation said the address didn’t exist, but thankfully, our phones disagreed.
(30% of CS Score) How safe was the attraction?: 9Explanation:
We appreciated the little things, like putting foam on the pallet maze in places that could be sharp.
(25% of CS Score) How professional, helpful and friendly were the staff members?: 9
(20% of CS Score) How easy was it to find their information before* arrival?: 7Explanation:
We referred to the Facebook page a lot. I’m glad we did-that’s how we found out the haunt had moved this season. You might want to update the website to reflect current changes or take it down until it’s updated as it offers confusing information.
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Our car GPS struggled to find the new address. After some searching, we were able to locate GPS directions with our phones. Those directions lead us to the attraction. Unfortunately, there was limited signage. We did find one small sign at the parking lot. There was plentiful parking that was lit. However, the sign was easy to miss for the lack of lighting on it. At the ticket tent, we found a larger sign attached to a fence. There were no ticket prices listed.
There was a young woman ushering us into the waiting room to begin the tour. Both ticket staff members wore regular street clothes. The staff we spoke with were friendly and accommodating.They seemed to enjoy being at the haunt. Many of the staff are repeat actors from previous seasons.
There were no safety issues noted. The entire haunt remained on one floor, so customers who struggle with stairs or bending and stooping should be able to navigate this one.
There is an outdated website, and a current Facebook page giving the new address, contact information, and dates and times of the haunted attraction.
Atmosphere: 4.4
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?: 4Explanation:
As they settle into their new place, we hope to see some action added to the outside.. Lights, music and scary sounds would help as well as some characters to hang around and mess with people approaching and leaving.
(40% of Atmosphere Score) How well did the atmosphere prepare you for what you experienced inside?: 5Explanation:
The nurse and initial staging area did set a tone for scares to come. We felt that area was good and average compared to other haunts.
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There wasn’t any activity going on outside the haunt. There were no decorations or indication we were at a haunt, aside from the one sign on the fence with a mini spotlight at the outside ticket tent. Before entering, there was no entertainment of any kind. The ticket booth is not facing the entrance but is by the door where you walk in.
Special Effects: 5.4
How Did We Get This Score?
Special Effects Scores (15% of Final Score):
(20% of SFX Score) How effective were the sound effects?: 4Explanation:
Adding music in other places similar to where the Bane character was would add more ambience. We did hear some screaming but other sounds would make a great addition.
(20% of SFX Score) How creative / original were the scenes & props?: 5Explanation:
We liked the pallet maze and strobe. The characters climbing on it did give us a curiosity. The corridor of hospital curtains gave us a sense of apprehension, wondering what we were about to see.
(20% of SFX Score) How well were the scenes detailed?: 4Explanation:
There were several medical rooms with various destroyed bodies and body parts. The overall haunt just needs more detail for it to feel like a more realistic experience.
(25% of SFX Score) How well did they achieve & maintain the suspension of disbelief?: 6Explanation:
The medical part contained real medical equipment. As we got farther into the haunt, details got lost. We did spy a cooler and water bottles that didn’t fit with the scene we were in.
(15% of SFX Score) How effective were the SFX at providing scares / entertainment?: 6Explanation:For a low tech (old-school) haunt, there were some effects that were unexpectedly suspenseful and effective, as compared to other haunts we have visited. Adding some unique things that customers would be talking about long after they leave would really help this score.
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This haunted house had limited special effects. Many props were built in-house. The props were a mixed bag of quality. Some were obvious as to what they were while others missed the mark.
Sounds from the actors were limited, and in one section of the haunt, heavy metal music was playing. There was a store-bought animatronic placed on a gurney that shot up and had glowing eyes. A few strobe lights led us through a maze of pallet-made fencing with plastic strips of ceiling adornments to weave our way through.
Something a little unique was the use of hospital curtains, forcing us to pull back one after another, wondering what might be on the other side. The ‘hospital rooms’ had medical equipment strewn throughout. There were streaks of red on the walls to give the look of traumatic and bloody issues going on in there. We did spy a cooler and some water bottles in one area that didn’t appear to belong.
And of course, the finale included the oh so famous use of a chainsaw, but welded by a femme fatale rather than a guy.
Theme: N/A
How Did We Get This Score?
Theme Scores (5% of Final Score):
(30% of Theme Score) Could you tell what the theme was?:
(50% of Theme Score) How well was the theme carried throughout the attraction/s?:
(20% of Theme Score) How well does their location authenticate the theme?:
This score is left “N/A” when we believe the haunt is trying to target a random variety of themes or phobias, rather than a single overarching “Theme” or “storyline.”
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Bogies Haunted House doesn’t stick to one theme throughout the whole attraction. As mentioned above, the beginning portions of the house are hospital themed while it changes to more random scenes from there.
Scare Factor: 5.38
How Did We Get This Score?
Scare Factor Scores (15% of Final Score):
(30% of Scare Factor Score) How scary was it?: 4Explanation:
We would consider this to be a family haunt. There were some startles and jumps, with nothing too over the top.
(15% of Scare Factor Score) How well did they provide scares to the entire group?: 6Explanation:
Scares were somewhat distributed to most of the group. The hand and foot walking clown did get to the end of our line to make them squirm.
(25% of Scare Factor Score) How predictable were the scares?: 4Explanation:
With curtains, you do expect something to happen when you pull them back. We pulled faster than the characters could react a time or two. Most characters stayed planted but they could move around more to fill the space. Providing some distractions to trick customers to look one way when the scare is coming from else where would help keep customers on their toes.
(15% of Scare Factor Score) How well did they provide a wide variety of scares?: 5.5Explanation:
The varieties of scares were average. We saw creepy movements, nasty props, screaming characters, and aggressive characters.
(15% of Scare Factor Score) How strong was the ending / finale?: 5.5Explanation:
Ending in the parking lot with characters coming at us as a gang made us a little nervous. For those of us who are familiar with haunted houses, we are very familiar with the chainsaw ending. Having a girl use it was a nice touch.
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The ‘Bane’ type character was intimidating and loud. Many people don’t like zombies and clowns, both of which can be found here. There were a few places someone would jump out to startle, or climb above us on the maze wall to get our attention. We saw characters moving toward us in an unnatural way. Most scares seemed to come head on to us, or a couple of times from the back. Scares relied on screaming, characters reaching out to us, characters stepping into our space or moving in a creepy manner, loud banging, and bloody scenes. We liked the added touch of characters coming out from behind vehicles after we emerged from the building, thinking we were done. In the dim light like that, it added a little extra concern wondering what these characters were up to.
Entertainment & Value: 4.25
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?: 5
(25% of E&V Score) How satisfied were you with the entertainment that’s available with* the ticket price, excluding the main attraction/s?: 2Explanation:
Outside entertainment and signage was explained earlier. At this point, there was no entertainment outside of the building housing the haunt.
(30% of E&V Score) How appropriate is/are the ticket price/s?: 5Explanation:
Price is fair for the amount of time spent.
(15% of E&V Score) Have they effectively used their available space?: 5Explanation:There was lots of different ideas going on here. Adding some details and checking over the props for believability will help.
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The cost of a ticket is $10. We completed the entire haunt in 13 minutes. We feel that the price was appropriate for the amount of time we were there. However, adding a little more haunt would feel more satisfying.
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!
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