Extreme Fear Scaregrounds in Kinston, North Carolina, has made quite the name for itself over the last four years. Set up at the Lenoir County Fairgrounds, this 12,000-square-foot haunt is a must-visit, offering four unique attractions all wrapped into one intense experience. The newest addition for 2024, Dark Shadows, promises to unveil long-hidden secrets, while Mayhem in 3D, Insanity, and Nixon Asylum each bring their own brand of chaos. With its growing popularity and reputation, Extreme Fear delivers a mix of mystery, disorientation, and downright terror that keeps guests coming back. Let’s dive into what makes each attraction a nightmare you won’t forget!
The cast at Extreme Fear Scaregrounds delivered a fun and immersive experience. With 35-40 paid actors each night, they put on quite the show, starting with an exciting Purge-style opening ceremony, where all the characters rushed into the crowd; it really amped up the crowd and set the excitement for the night! Lieutenant Axel kicked things off with instructions and a bit of history. We then met Randy, an asylum patient, who handed us a worm and then ate it, while other patients talked about ripping out organs and spinal cords. One actor played a Ted Bundy-like character, asking if we’d be his “forever friends” and offering us pills, which was super creepy!
Outside, in the Insanity Maze, the actors kept up the energy, yelling things like “He’s gonna get you!” and “Leaving so soon? You just got here!” It was chaotic and fun. In Mayhem in 3D, Skittles the Clown was a standout character! Her energy was off the charts as she threatened to chop us up and stuff us into a box. We loved her enthusiasm, and she really brought the scene to life.
Even with the staffing challenges many haunts face, the cast worked hard to cover as much ground as possible. While more actors would help fill in a few gaps, those on hand were really hustling, and gave it their all. Most of the characters were believable and convincing, and we had fun interacting with them. Some actors had similar behaviors within their areas, but we understand that some are more seasoned than others. Overall, the cast stayed engaged and made sure to keep us entertained, and on edge throughout the experience!
How complete, unique, detailed were the costumes, accessories? – (35% of score)
Were the masks, makeup creative, detailed, realistic? – (30% of score)
How appropriate were the costumes for the respective scenes, themes? – (20% of score)
How believable-, detailed-looking were the queue actors? (See Note if N/A) – (15% of score)
The costuming and makeup team at Extreme Fear Scaregrounds did a solid job with their five makeup artists working hard to transform the cast each night. The costumes were appropriate for the scenes, and while some of the makeup and costumes were on the simpler side, they still worked for the haunt’s vibe. We noticed that the wounds and scars on several actors were applied well, adding a nice touch of realism. The clowns, in particular, stood out with their hand-painted faces, really capturing that creepy carnival feel. Overall, the team put in a solid effort to bring the characters to life.
How easy was it to locate, park at, navigate the premises? – (25% of score)
Safety (Only dock points for TRULY DANGEROUS hazards!) – (30% of score)
How professional, helpful, friendly were the staff members? – (25% of score)
How easy was it to find pertinent information before arrival? – (20% of score)
The customer service at Extreme Fear Scaregrounds truly stands out. They go above and beyond to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. With local county deputies onsite every night, alongside their own security team, you feel secure from the moment you arrive.
The haunt is also ADA accessible, making it more inclusive, which is a big plus. Their website and social media are always up to date, so finding the latest info is a breeze.
Parking is well-lit, free, and easy to navigate, thanks to the friendly attendants who keep things running smoothly. Everyone working here, from the staff to the owners, Maurice and Jon, radiates kindness and passion. It’s clear they pour their hearts into this attraction, making sure guests feel welcomed and excited for what’s to come
How well did the pre-haunt areas ("vibe") prepare you for the attraction/s? – (25% of score)
How obvious, creative, believable was the storyline? (See Note if N/A) – (20% of score)
Were you completely, consistently immersed inside the attraction/s? – (40% of score)
How well did the "vibe" flow after, between the attraction/s? – (15% of score)
The immersion at Extreme Fear Scaregrounds is well-executed once you’re inside the haunt, where you’re fully engaged and surrounded by the experience the entire time. While waiting in line, the activities are a bit limited, with music playing and a couple of queue actors wandering around. Adding more actors could really help build excitement and anticipation before guests enter. Perhaps incorporating a scary movie on a screen, or, since the location is at a fair, a circus freakshow side-attraction could offer more entertainment while waiting.
The Basement Escape Room provides something extra to do, though it can’t be done while waiting in line, and there’s only one photo op area available. Expanding the photo op options would give guests more chances to capture their visit.
Additionally, when the haunt ends, guests are led back into the parking lot. Although this may be due to the fairgrounds setup, it would enhance the overall experience if there were a way to guide people back into the midway, or even set up the merchandise tent outside as soon as you exit the haunt. This would keep the momentum going and give guests a final opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere before leaving.
The haunt itself does a great job of keeping you immersed, and with a few added pre- and post-haunt elements, the experience could be even more engaging.
How effective were the sound effects? – (20% of score)
How realistic were the scene designs, details? – (30% of score)
How effective, realistic were the props, animatronics? – (30% of score)
How well did they use creative, special, sensory effects? – (20% of score)
The special effects at Extreme Fear Scaregrounds are impressive, especially considering the limited time they have to set up. With only seven weeks to build the haunt, and two weeks to tear it down, it’s clear that the team puts in serious effort. A mix of hand-built props and items purchased during their annual trip to Transworld, come together to create an immersive experience. The walls are hand-painted, and there are plenty of standout effects, including drop-down wall scares, vibrating floors, splattered blood walls, and a claustrophobic tunnel.
Sound effects play a big role in heightening the suspense, from whooshing poltergeist sounds to the sudden blasts of air and horns that keep you on edge. The swamp area features hidden actors and a mist from the ceiling, while other areas surprise you with a bouncy floor and even silly string walls. One of the most memorable elements was the giant spider and the detailed paintwork seen throughout the haunt.
They focus more on actor-driven scares rather than relying heavily on animatronics. The special effects really complement the cast, creating a haunting experience that pulls you in from the moment you step inside. For the time and resources they have, the team does an amazing job making sure you leave with the scares that you came for.
How scary was it? – (35% of score)
How well did they provide scares to everyone in the group? – (15% of score)
How predictable were the scares? – (25% of score)
How well did they provide a wide variety (types) of scares? – (10% of score)
How strong was the ending / finale? – (15% of score)
Extreme Fear grabs your attention right from the start. As we receive our instructions and watch an intro video, a patient named Randy walks around the corner with a pet worm. He hands it to Faith, and she quickly realizes that he’s not carrying a prop, it’s a real worm, folks! Apparently, its main value is as a quick snack for Randy, who doesn’t hesitate to eat it right in front of us.
There are several jump scares throughout, and some scenes and interactions can be a bit unnerving. There’s something about these patients and their “friends” that makes them want to kill. Corpses fill several of the rooms, and we’re introduced to each of them. One patient has even cut off his friends’ heads, and stuffed them into gallon-sized jars filled with what looks like formaldehyde to preserve them.
Skittles the clown adds to the unsettling atmosphere when she threatens to stuff you in a box, after she cuts you to pieces. The finale features a clown with a chainsaw approaching from behind, which felt a bit predictable.
Overall, we can’t wait to see what this awesome haunt does in the future!
How satisfied with the entertainment provided by the MAIN attraction/s? – (50% of score)
How satisfied with OTHER entertainment INCLUDED with the ticket price? – (25% of score)
How appropriate is/are the ticket price/s? – (25% of score)
Extreme Fear Scaregrounds offers solid entertainment and great value for the price. The indoor midway is a fun addition, featuring concessions, a photo-op area, a gift shop, and even an escape room for those looking for an extra challenge.
On the night we visited, a local radio station had a booth playing music, and a couple of queue monsters kept guests entertained while waiting. While the atmosphere was lively, there’s room for more interactive experiences, or characters to engage with the crowd. Given how much potential this space has, adding a few more queue actors, or mini attractions, would take the waiting experience to the next level.
As for the haunt itself, it took about 20 minutes to get through, giving an MPD (minutes per dollar) of .80, which is a pretty good value for the $25 general admission price. The fast pass, at $40, is a great option if you’re looking to save time, and the front-of-the-line access at $60 is perfect for those who want to go straight in VIP-style.
If you’re up for a challenge, the Fear Combo at $30 is a fantastic deal, offering entry to both the haunted attractions and the escape room. Just keep in mind that 3D glasses for *Mayhem in 3D* are an additional $2.
401 Fairgrounds Road, Kinston, North Carolina 28504