Dots Haunted Woods
Full Review

48 Spooky Hollow Road, Manchester, TN 37355
(View Full Attraction Info)

Charity HauntHaunted Trail
Dots Haunted Woods Facebook Page
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Features:

✓-Free Parking
✓-Restrooms/Porta Potties On-Site
✓-Food/Concessions
✓-Gift Shop/Souvenirs
✓-“Old-School” (Low Tech)
✓-You will NOT be touched
✓-Uncovered Outdoor Waiting Line
✓-All-Outdoor Attraction


Review Team/Author Info:

This attraction was reviewed by Team Creepy Clowns on October 12, 2024.
Team Since: September 24, 2023 | Experience: Apprentice Team

Editor: Team Zombillies (Master Team).


Final Score: 5.39

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Summary:

If you’re looking for a cozy, not-too-scary, hometown haunt with good vibes, Dot’s Haunted Woods is your place. Started by Dot Vaughn over 50 years ago in a barn, this haunt has grown into a winding journey through the woods, lasting about an hour.

Run entirely by volunteers, this charity-based haunt supports Alzheimer’s and dementia causes. Before heading into the woods, haunt goers can enjoy snacks, hang by the large bonfire, and watch a classic horror movie which adds a full evening experience. Be sure to bring cash, as this haunt does not accept other forms of payment.


Cast Score: 4.23

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Cast Review:

The cast at Dot’s Haunted Woods was adequate in number to staff each scene, ranging from young kids to adults. However, the interaction felt limited.

Few actors engaged verbally unless they were providing instructions, and most of the audible scares came from female actors delivering blood-curdling screams, which is not a fan favorite. There was not a lot of character variety, which diminished the overall immersion and dynamic energy of the experience.


Costuming Score: 4

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Costuming Review:

The majority of the costumes at Dot’s Haunted Woods lacked detail. One clown was dressed in a basic jester outfit, while another actor wore jeans and a T-shirt, which didn’t quite fit the spooky atmosphere.

Most of the masks were clown-themed, though there were a few exceptions. One actor wore a Jeepers Creepers-style mask paired with a long trench coat, which suited the character well. However, we didn’t notice much makeup beyond a few basic blood-splattered faces. Overall, the haunt relied heavily on masks, which limited the variety and immersive quality of the costumes.


Customer Service Score: 10

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Customer Service Review:

Before heading to Dot’s Haunted Woods, we easily found the address and used GPS, which took us directly to the location. The drive itself set the mood, as we traveled down a dark, eerie back road that led to a field-turned-parking lot.

The staff at the ticket booth were all very helpful, making the entry process smooth. We found all the necessary information on hours and pricing through Dot’s Facebook page, which made planning our visit simple. The overall atmosphere definitely gave us the feeling we were in for a spooky night ahead.


Immersion Score: 5.05

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Immersion Review:

Upon arrival, the spooky vibe at Dot’s Haunted Woods was immediately set. A huge bonfire crackled away, and The Conjuring played on a projector, adding to the eerie atmosphere.

For a fun touch, they even had familiar 12-foot skeletons set up for a photo op. However, once inside the attraction, it was difficult to stay immersed in the experience. As you venture through the woods, you’re required to stay with your group, and after every scene, you’re asked to stop and wait for everyone else.

In some scenes, they split us up—sending us in solo, in pairs, or as a group, but once we completed the scene, we were often stopped again to wait for the rest of our party.

We even encountered a few mazes where we were instructed to go in as pairs and, once finished, wait for everyone else to catch up. These frequent pauses disrupted the flow of the haunt, making it hard to stay fully engaged and immersed in the spooky atmosphere.


Special FX Score: 5.15

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Special FX Review:

As an all-outdoor haunt nestled deep in the woods, Dot’s Haunted Woods didn’t offer a wide array of special effects. We did encounter some eerie music and classic Halloween tunes, along with the occasional sounds of crows, which contributed to the atmosphere.

There were also laser lights that flickered in the tunnels and among the trees, adding a bit of visual flair. A notable feature was the bouncy suspension bridge, which felt springy underfoot as we walked across, providing a playful twist to the experience.

The vortex tunnel was an interesting element as well, adding a sense of disorientation, although it felt out of place in the rustic setting of the woods. Overall, while the special effects were minimal, they managed to create a decent atmosphere for the haunt.


Scare Factor Score: 4.33

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Scare Factor Review:

The scare factor at Dot’s Haunted Woods was not particularly high. Given the layout of the haunt, our group often moved through scenes together, which made it challenging for the actors to effectively deliver scares to everyone at once.

While there were a few jump scares in the various mazes, the overall variety of scares was limited. Most of the encounters consisted of loud screams, startling noises, and abrupt bangs from the actors, which felt somewhat repetitive.

However, one shining moment was the finale, which featured a mother and her kids who brought a fun, interactive dynamic to the scene, complete with engaging jokes. We’ll just say, keep an eye out for the snots!


Entertainment & Value Score: 6.65

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E&V Review:

For just $20, we spent nearly an hour exploring the woods, which offers a solid value in terms of minutes per dollar. We would love to see this haunt bring more story to the scenes, while adding more interaction from the characters.

While it’s wonderful that this haunt supports a great cause, the overall experience fell short of expectations. The scares felt a bit subdued, and the limited interaction left the visit feeling more like a routine than an exciting adventure.

One thing we truly enjoyed was relaxing by a warm fire, watching a classic movie, and indulging in nachos while we waited, which added a bit of comfort to the night.


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