Face Your Fears Hotel of Terror Review (2025)

The actors within the Hotel of Terror are truly in a league of their own. Their commitment to their craft is undeniable, bringing a level of passion and intensity that elevates every performance to the extreme. From the moment you step inside, you’re confronted with some of the most terrifying beings imaginable, and the experience barely lets up until the very end.

On any given night, the hotel features an impressive cast of 45 to 50 performers – a remarkable number considering the size of the attraction. With such a large ensemble, one might expect individual characters to blur together. Instead, each actor ensures that even the briefest encounter leaves a lasting impression. Their energy is relentless, their creativity boundless, and it often feels as though they’re competing with one another to see who can push the limits of fear the farthest.

Standout performances include Hilga the Spider Witch, who may or may not sacrifice you to her monstrous arachnid companion, and the Carver brothers, masters of the saw who embody menace at every turn. Regardless of who you encounter, the cast’s ultimate goal is clear: to etch themselves into your memory long after you’ve left the hotel’s haunted halls.

Most haunted attractions rely on queue-line actors to showcase their best costumes, since the dimly lit indoor scenes can conceal less-detailed attire. However, at Face Your Fears, every character is fully equipped with multi-layered costumes, intricate makeup, or realistic, form-fitting masks. The attention to detail is consistent from start to finish, creating a cast that looks polished and believable throughout the entire experience.

The only notable exception lies in the barrel room, where a few younger actors wear simpler costumes – some even paired with black street clothes. Their high energy and aggressive performances would benefit greatly from more impactful wardrobe choices to better match their intensity. Enhancing their costumes could elevate these scenes and make their interactions even more immersive.

Standout designs included Hilga the Spider Witch, whose grotesque, blood-soaked mouth created a chilling visual, and the Jackal lurking in the basement, menacing in her cage-like mask. Close behind were the Carver Brothers, whose gruesome, gore-heavy appearances made them some of the most unforgettable characters of the night.

Fred and his team at Face Your Fears: Hotel of Terror are not only highly professional but also exceptionally welcoming, creating an atmosphere that is both safe and enjoyable for all guests. From the moment you arrive, the experience is carefully designed to be smooth and accommodating. A school bus and a large, clearly visible sign mark the haunt’s location and hours of operation, making it easy to find.

A short drive down a dirt path leads to a well-organized parking area, managed by local volunteers. Guests even have the option to contribute parking donations in support of a local sports team. Bright floodlights illuminate both the parking field and the haunt entrance, ensuring visibility and security.

At the sheltered ticket booth, friendly staff members quickly process ticket sales, including optional touch passes for those seeking a more interactive experience. Security measures are thorough but efficient, with law enforcement officers and staff members on hand to guide guests through metal detectors and maintain a safe environment. Additional staff are stationed throughout the grounds, always ready to answer questions or address concerns.

Fred himself, the haunt’s operator, is consistently present—welcoming feedback, engaging in conversation, and ensuring that every guest feels valued. For added convenience, Face Your Fears is easy to locate via Google Maps and maintains an active online presence through its website, Facebook page, and Instagram, where visitors can find up-to-date information with ease.

Once parked and across the bridge, guests are welcomed by a large ticket barn equipped with security checkpoints, ensuring a smooth and organized entry. After securing our tickets and glow sticks, we cautiously approached the towering building ahead, its ominous façade echoing with distant screams that hinted at the terrors within.

Before entering, we encountered several thoughtful touches that enhanced the overall experience. A grotesque fountain stood prominently in front, adding an eerie focal point to the entryway, while a large screen projected a horror film for guests to enjoy as they waited. These features provided a layer of entertainment and helped set the mood even before stepping inside. In addition, a spacious covered seating area and a variety of food vendors gave patrons a comfortable place to relax or grab a bite while awaiting their reservation.

We especially appreciated the haunt’s virtual queue system, which eliminates the frustration of standing in long lines and allows guests the freedom to explore and enjoy the midway offerings. That said, we feel there is still an opportunity to expand on these pre-show activities, particularly during peak October weekends. Adding more interactive elements or themed entertainment would further enhance the waiting experience and help solidify this haunt as one of the most well-rounded in the industry.

Once inside, there was very little to criticize. A few scenes contained sets that seemed unfinished, and there were occasional moments where the audio was either missing or in need of volume adjustments. However, these instances were minimal. Compared to last season, when we noted sections that felt vacant or underutilized, this year’s walkthrough was vastly improved. Those gaps have been effectively filled with actors, detailed props, animatronics, and atmospheric elements, creating a much more seamless flow.

From beginning to end, the attraction delivered a relentless barrage of scares and immersive set design. It was a complete sensory assault – fast-paced, intense, and consistently engaging. With only a handful of minor refinements left to address, this haunt is already operating at an exceptionally high level and continues to inch closer to perfection year after year.

This year, we noticed a notable increase in the number of props and animatronics spread throughout the hotel. Areas that previously felt empty or underutilized are now brimming with intense lighting, striking static props, and characters wielding authentic hand tools – make no mistake, these are not mere prop weapons. We also saw the return of several classic animatronics, now placed in new locations where they feel more purposeful and effective. One standout addition was the dining room table, which suddenly springs to life to reveal zombified hotel staff. This unexpected jolt added depth to a scene that could have felt underwhelming with just an actor alone.

That said, a few scenes still seem to drift from the hotel’s overall theme. The most jarring example is the vortex tunnel, whose vibrant neon colors clash with the otherwise dark, decayed atmosphere. While it’s certainly a crowd-pleaser, we feel it would be stronger if replaced with an effect that better aligns with the hotel’s unsettling narrative.

Audio design also remains inconsistent. In some sections, it’s completely absent, while in others, it’s too subtle to leave an impression. The outdoor cemetery, for instance, features a fantastic thunderstorm effect, but the accompanying soundtrack is so faint that it fails to capture the intended impact. Turning the volume up to create a fully immersive, body-rattling storm would elevate the scene dramatically. Later in the haunt, we would love to hear a touch of eerie backwoods bluegrass to contrast the growl of chainsaws, which currently dominate the soundscape. For the indoor sections, even a simple, haunting ambient track would help fill the silence and heighten the tension.

Face Your Fears: Hotel of Terror is not for the timid or faint of heart. It twists your mind, overwhelms your senses, and pushes your spirit to the brink. Step inside, and the hotel will quickly show you why it’s regarded as one of the most terrifying haunts in the state. To say we were simply “scared” would be a disservice – it was pure, concentrated chaos.

At a certain point, fear almost gives way to instinct, as adrenaline takes over and you’re locked in a relentless fight-or-flight response. The atmosphere is meticulously crafted to keep guests in a constant state of panic. Every moment is packed with heart-pounding, gut-wrenching terror, as scares come from every direction – sometimes twice, if you’re unlucky. Space, props, and weapons are used with unnerving precision, creating the chilling illusion that survival isn’t guaranteed.

The cast delivers energy and ferocity at every turn, none more so than the chainsaw-wielding maniacs who radiate raw, primal rage. The infamous Carver brothers, in particular, elevate the experience with their brilliantly twisted creativity, especially when interacting with guests who opt for the touch pass. Whether they’re threatening to split you in half or forcing your head into a bucket after a “decapitation,” their performances are so disturbingly convincing that they blur the line between performance and reality. Yet it isn’t just them – every cast member contributes an unsettling authenticity that makes the experience unforgettable.

If you manage to survive long enough to reach the basement, don’t get comfortable – your dismemberment feels imminent. Those final steps, drenched in sweat and gasping for breath, feel like a desperate escape rather than an exit.

We’ve had the privilege of watching Face Your Fears evolve from a modest haunt with a small corn maze into a full-scale, adrenaline-charged nightmare. Its growth is a testament to the dedication, creativity, and pride the team pours into their craft. Each year, they push boundaries, and each year, they raise the bar. It’s been thrilling to witness that journey, and we can’t wait to see what horrors the future holds.

Our visit to this haunted hotel lasted approximately 26 minutes. With a general admission price of $22, that brings the MPD (minutes per dollar) to 1.16 – slightly above our target average of 1.0. Parking is available in a spacious grassy field for $5.

Guests will also find a modest selection of concessions, including pizza and some of the best walking tacos we’ve enjoyed at any haunted attraction this season. For an additional fee, axe throwing is offered as a side activity, though we were unable to confirm the exact price.

If you’re seeking an affordable and thrilling night out, look no further than Face Your Fears: Hotel of Terror – proudly named the 2024 winner of Scariest Haunt in the Midwest!