Deranged Haunt Review (2026)

We cannot stress this enough: visit Deranged’s website before you go. Not only do they have the information for your visit, like the season calendar, times, ticket pricing, and frequently asked questions, but most importantly, they have the complete, detailed story of Covensfield and how each themed area ties into the always-changing storyline.

GPS got us there with no hesitation, and once you arrive, two 12-foot-tall skeletons greet you at the entrance. Parking attendants and flaggers point you in the right direction for safe parking in the well-groomed parking area.

We prefer the queue line to have its own actors to keep us busy, but this Deranged’s line has either a scary movie, Easter eggs about the storyline, or music by Froggy Fresh showing on projectors to pass the time. Overall, the line moved smoothly, especially since the ticket line is separate from the queue line in front of the mall entrance.

First off, this isn’t your regular haunt; it’s also fun! The immersion hits you as soon as you step out of your car and approach Deranged’s jack-o’-lantern arch, greeted by the aromatic delight of pumpkin spice that sets the night’s scene.

From the exterior to the interior of the Starfall Mall, everything around you reminds you of what once was and that this place should be torn down. Past the worn-down Movie Theater and Food Court, you reach the leftovers of GreeNo’s factory. Glowing barrels of toxic sludge really do give off a romantic glow as you stroll through the now-Cornwell Candy Factory.

On your way to the carnival, circus music breaks the silent night, and the smell of fresh cotton candy fills the air. Flashing lights, detailed circus banners, and the laughter of the demented carnies who work there make the scene feel especially real.

Through the Hallow Hills gate, a church and cemetery catch your eye, lit by blue fog that sets the mood. You soon meet the resident undertaker, and the whole scene leaves you wondering whether you could be the next one in his mausoleum or taken away in his horse-drawn carriage. We can go on and on about immersion at Deranged, but we won’t ruin all the surprises; just know the backstory helps capture every detail the deeper you go into Covensfield.

In a haunt industry revolving around animatronics, Deranged is considered, in our books, an old-school haunt, which we really appreciate in this day and age. Deranged’s craftsmen design and build each scene meticulously in-house. The highly detailed, immersive areas are the product of blood, sweat, and tears and are something the crew cares about, and it shows.

The witch’s hut was one of our favorites. Not only is the scene littered with witchy decor like potion bottles, tarot cards, candles, and pentagrams, but the theatrics are something you have to see in person. As the witch begins to chant her spell, the lights begin to flicker and dim, then the cauldron explodes with fog, and lights show through the floor as her spell takes effect.

One thing that sets Deranged apart is all the Horror movie easter eggs, as well as the subtle humor littered throughout the attraction. There are so many to list, but a few that made us laugh were the invisible man that looked like John Cena and the limbless Acrobat in the Dingaling Brothers Carnival. Over at Gourdans Family Farm and Camp Zika, there are signs for Old Gregg’s Cabin and Binx’s Bar, Gas for $4.20, and make sure to ask about Feenys Weenies! Either way, keep your eyes open on your visit through Covensfield because they are everywhere!

Welcoming you to the mall are two very animated Mall characters preparing for it to close down; if you know anyone hiring, an extremely energetic Jani-tor is looking for a new job! Over in the candy factory, a few Herpy Derpys don’t seem to care about much of anything besides a few butt slaps and hysterical banter about candy.

Watch out for Sweet Tooth the Clown! She’ll try to snatch you up and take those tasty fingys, along with the rest of the circus performers waiting around every corner.

Don’t even get us started with the campers at Camp Zika with their eerie masks and trick-or-treat costumes. They’ll try to give you candy… But you won’t like how it makes you feel afterward.

Last but certainly not least, we have the Gourdan brothers. Walking through the jack-o’-lantern trail, we met one who had turned into a scarecrow and warned me that my head was next on his post. Both brothers made sure we knew we weren’t welcome on the family farm and needed to leave. NOW!!! We were very excited to get full interaction from all the characters throughout the haunt, and every character we stumbled across was in full costume head to toe.

Without animatronics, scare actors deliver the scares, and Deranged has a loyal army of them. The haunt is designed so each actor can scare you multiple times from a ton of hidey-holes, drop windows, and dark corners, making the scares fast, unpredictable, and in-your-face. Props like electronic firecrackers and car horns always get the best of us. As Team Cleaverland mentioned in the last review, the classics still work!

Deranged also uses scare tactics beyond your typical jump scares: darkness that blankets Covensfield, the claustrophobic corridors of the carnival tents and Mr. Sinister’s dark ride, and the uncertainty of entering ominous shacks that are cursed and slowly being reclaimed by Mother Earth.

Don’t like Clowns? Well, that will be an issue as you creep through The Dingaling Brothers’ abandoned carnival that has found a forever home on the outskirts of Covensfield. That in itself sounds like a terrifying horror movie plot…

Our Journey through the Deranged town of Covensfield lasted 25 minutes, and with a general admission cost of $28.00, that leaves the MPD (Minutes Per Dollar) at .89 MPD, which is just below where we like to see it. As we all know, lines for haunted attractions tend to grow longer through the season, so Deranged offers a fast pass for just $10.00 more, or you can bring the whole crew and get a special price for groups of ten or more.

Along with other special events during the spooky season, Deranged also offers multiple haunts in the off-season that keep the town of Covensfield alive, like their Frights before Christmas Event or their Halfway to Halloween event on the second weekend in May.

Be sure to hit up the Merch store before you leave and grab some great swag like shirts, hats, blankets, and this year’s new specialty mystery enamel pins that highlight title characters or key sets throughout the haunt. Numbers are limited, and some are rarer than others. If you get doubles, who knows, there may be someone wandering the grounds who may have some to trade! They also offer space for local vendors to set up and sell their merchandise.

With highly detailed sets, an outstanding cast and crew, and the ever-changing story of Covensfield, this true haunted-trail-style attraction creates something no other haunt in the area can. Deranged is a must-see haunt this season; just remember, don’t eat the candy!