Pizza and a possession, truly a fun way to start a weekend! The drive into Iowa City was interesting; foggy/misty weather added to the spooky vibe even before we got to Eclypse. From the moment we stepped foot into Eclypse Haunted Attraction, we were immersed and hooked into the storyline throughout the entire haunt! Located in a big bustling Iowa city, Iowa, at the end of a strip mall above a Pizza Ranch.
Upon arrival, you are greeted with an eerie presence from the slider to Scary-Poppins; you definitely will be on edge while you’re in the queue line. When you arrive inside Eclypse, you will feel like you walked into an unholy realm. This Haunt made sure to scare your soul and leave you shaking.
The cast at the Eclypse Haunted Attraction truly exceeded all expectations. Each actor was fully immersed in their roles from the moment we stepped inside, embodying their characters with such intensity that they never broke character for even a moment. I never once saw Scary Poppins talk or show any emotion, yet whether they were lurking in the shadows or suddenly jumping out right in front of us, the actors’ unwavering commitment to their roles made the experience feel hauntingly authentic. You could tell they poured their hearts and souls into every scare they delivered – yes, pun intended!
What really impressed us was how consistent the energy was throughout the entire haunt. Each actor played their role exceptionally well, contributing something unique to the atmosphere of the attraction. The way the nuns, or sisters as they called them, moved, spoke, and reacted to us really drew us into the world of Eclypse and kept us on our toes, even the piano-playing one that stared me down as I walked past. Katie might claim otherwise, but trust me, her reactions were of sheer terror! It’s rare to see a cast this polished and passionate in a haunted house that’s only five years old, and they deserve major credit for bringing the attraction to life! The bungee characters at the end have got to be tired at the end of the night!
From the moment you arrive at the haunt, both the cast members and the attendant in the ticket booth are in costume. Upon entering, you are greeted by nuns and a devilish priest. Since the theme revolves around an unholy ceremony, most of the cast are dressed as nuns. Their costumes appear to be traditional garments, as they are of high quality and clearly durable for movement and various activities.
For the actors who aren’t dressed as nuns, the masks are highly realistic. Some wear half masks, but the makeup applied seamlessly matches the look of a full mask. Near the end, there is a moment that feels like defying gravity, and the costumes hold up exceptionally well.
The two ladies at the ticket booth were very kind and helped us connect with the people we needed to reach. We had the opportunity to meet the owner, Kary, and his son, Kaiden. We asked them a few questions about Eclypse and other topics, including their upcoming plans. The entire team is very dedicated; this includes not only the cast but also the staff. From the ticket booth to security and the entrance staff, everyone we encountered contributed to a great experience.
Parking is shared with the downstairs neighbors, but we found a spot quite easily. We arrived in town on a dark, foggy night and relied on our GPS to guide us. Without it, we might have struggled to find the location. While Eclypse could benefit from additional signage, they did have banner signs in the area to help direct people to their venue. We did get a little insight into the upcoming year that everyone needs to keep their eyes out for!
From the moment you walk up the stairs, you are in an unholy ceremony; this theme stays consistent through the rest of the haunt. Each room kept us immersed in the story, ensuring that the areas were well organized and nothing disrupted the scene. We even felt as though we were outside at one point when we stepped into a grassy, dirt-covered courtyard, and it’s on the second story of a Pizza Ranch! We wondered if we had entered an abandoned convent when we saw the exposed plaster and lath walls, a dusty music room, and a realistic sanctuary. The closer you get to the exit, the more you feel like you’re entering something supernatural, which makes you wonder if you actually opened a dark portal at the beginning.
The only thing we did notice was that the “swamp area” with the low-hanging fog was a little off, not giving the full effect it was shooting for. Even though the swamp wasn’t working right, we still got the idea and still loved it!
Where can we start without ruining the surprise that we know you will love? From head to toe, the impact of this experience truly made you feel as if you were in a dark place. The lighting and sound design contributed to an unsettling atmosphere. The smallest details made the biggest difference; for example, the dirt floor on the second story and the exposed lath in the walls enhanced the scene. Instead of using an old book and pretending it was a Bible, they ensured that something evil was clearly depicted in the prints.
The texture and design of the walls certainly did not go unnoticed, and it even inspired us with ideas for our own home. They made sure there were no obvious hiding spots, and what might have seemed like a hiding area turned out to be a false door. In fact, even the false door was a real one. Additionally, the exit that resembled a hellish nightclub was amazing.
21. How scary was it? (35% of score): 9
22. How well did they provide scares to everyone in the group? (15% of score): 8.63
23. How predictable were the scares? (25% of score): 8.38
24. How well did they provide a wide variety (types) of scares? (10% of score): 8.63
25. How strong was the ending / finale? (15% of score): 9
Now, our team isn’t one to get scared easily, aside from the occasional pop-out around the corner, but Eclypse managed to keep part of our crew on edge for nearly half the haunt! The actors knew exactly how to use their spaces, staying hidden until the perfect moment to strike. Their timing and placement really amped up the tension and kept us guessing what was coming next. When we go through a haunt, we normally try to look for the obvious hiding places. The actor and scene designer did a great job leaving us wondering where everyone was, and even where they came from. They ensure we never know what is coming towards us or above us.
When you arrive at the entrance of the haunted house, you have the option to grab some concessions or get a picture at their photo ops before waiting in line. You have options for $25 for general admissions or $40 for a fast pass for 15 minutes of fear. When you’re done, you can stop by the souvenir stand and grab some goodies. They also have a sitting area if you need to sit and take a breather. They also encourage the actors to take breaks to help keep energy up for everyone, and some of the actors utilized that moment to taunt and scare visitors. I feel we got a bang for our bucks.
171 HWY 1 W, Iowa City, Iowa 52246
