In Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, amidst the echoing clang of metallic machines, a cacophony of chaos ensues as an ambitious research experiment transforms into a factory of fright. The dedicated researchers, donned in lab coats, initially sought to contain and streamline the otherworldly entities, treating them as raw materials in the paranormal production line. A well-planned assembly of the occult was their aim, a perfectly designed mechanism for understanding the mysteries of the cosmos.
But alas, the gears of fate ground to an unexpected halt, and due to a rather unfortunate ‘error in production,’ the spirits broke free from the factory’s meticulous control. This spectral workforce, now unshackled, began to roam the factory floor and the wider world, wreaking havoc and stirring panic through the metallic walls.
Are you mechanically inclined to embark on an expedition into this cryptic industrial maze? As you traverse the shadowy corridors of FearScapes Haunted Attraction, you’ll delve into the secrets of the unknown with a spirit of adventure, exploring a world where the ethereal machinery coexists with the tangible. Your mission is to seek out those unfortunate souls who have become entangled in the intricate machinery of the supernatural production line.
During our venture through FearScapes, we encountered a motley crew of 14 individuals, ranging from anxious factory workers and a possessed police officer to insatiable carnivores, a deranged clown, and a malevolent witch. These actors slipped seamlessly into their roles, crafting an immersive experience for us. Their performances ranged from menacing stares and blood-curdling screams to desperate pleas for salvation, eerie creature growls, and the ominous sound of slamming body parts. But what truly stood out were the moments of original and intriguing dialogue.
The characters displayed a captivating array of personas. Brimming with energy and a touch of madness, one of them guided us off an elevator. He inquired about a mysterious figure behind us, and when we glanced back, no one was in sight. Before we could ponder further, he disappeared into the void, then reappeared once more, catching us off guard. Another character, a former postal worker, grumbled in a demented voice, seemingly searching for a lost package, his wife. A young girl cried out for her mommy, while another was on a quest for her eyes, and another girl serenaded us with a sinister rendition of ‘Ring Around the Rosy.’
The sexy security guard/stripper delivered a lengthy and convincing monologue that showcased his dual personalities. He immersed us in his bizarre narrative with unwavering conviction, leaving a lasting impression.
We couldn’t help but appreciate the sheer diversity and unwavering commitment of the actors, who masterfully brought FearScapes to life.
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)
In our expedition through FearScapes, we couldn’t help but notice the striking resemblance between many costumes and the attire one might expect to find within a factory’s well-oiled machinery. The majority of characters donned jumpsuits, sported safety vests, and balanced hard hats atop their heads, giving them the appearance of diligent factory workers. However, a few exceptions to this mechanized trend caught our attention.
The enigmatic alien-like creature, for instance, was cloaked in a skin-tight, ashen suit. On their face, a mask resembled a set of ghastly, blood-stained, finger-like teeth protruding menacingly. This otherworldly attire certainly didn’t roll off the assembly line. Adhering to a more traditional factory dress code, the witch opted for a classic black dress and a tall, pointy hat. The police officer took a different approach, flaunting a liberally unbuttoned blue shirt and revealing a seductive twist. His attire was almost as steamy as a factory in midsummer.
A collection of masks also graced the haunt, including skull masks and partial-face concealments, reminiscent of a range of machine parts and gears. As for makeup, it was a symphony of ghostly whites and greens accented with traces of dirt and soot, and a splash of blood to tie the entire assembly together. The blind girl’s makeup featured blood smeared around her eyes, lending her an eerie look, as if her eyes had been ‘recalled’ from a defective production line.
All in all, the costumes aligned seamlessly with the haunt’s thematic elements, mirroring the kind of attire one might find within the winding corridors of a research lab or the vast expanse of a factory floor. The entire experience felt like a tour of a well-constructed factory, each character a cog in the grand machine of fear.
In contrast, it appeared that FearScapes had missed an opportunity for queue actors — those industrious souls who could have given patrons a taste of the excitement that awaited them.
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)
Navigating our way to FearScapes was as easy as a well-programmed GPS. The establishment continued its tradition of welcoming visitors with clear signage and illuminating lights, and this year parking attendants, guiding them to the eerie embrace of the haunt.
The staff on site upheld the factory’s friendly and helpful reputation, extending their warm hospitality from the ticket booth to the shop located just after the haunt. Remarkably, they had fine-tuned their operation since our last visit. They’d moved the queue lines indoors, ensuring that waiting patrons would remain dry and sheltered from any unexpected deluges, because even a freight factory doesn’t want damp customers. A much-welcomed change, we must say.
FearScapes had also kept up with the times. All the necessary information for your horrifying adventure was available on their website, and they maintain an active presence on social media. In today’s digital age, they’d ensured that prospective thrill-seekers could stay well-informed and connected.
On the safety front, FearScapes left us with a sense of security. We couldn’t detect anything hazardous within this well-regulated factory.
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 pre-haunt area at FearScapes crackled with mysterious lightning, accompanied by eerie music emanating from the speakers. As we approached the ticket booth, a colossal spider perched menacingly on the wall, ready to greet us. New in the queue line, an animatronic Cthulhu monster perched atop the entrance, its eyes darting around as though it were keeping a watchful eye on all who dared to enter.
The haunt’s storyline could be discovered on their website, but FearScapes didn’t leave you hanging; an animatronic in the first room masterfully briefed you on the terrifying events that had unfolded. As we ventured further, the meticulously crafted scenes, props, and costumes seamlessly wove into the plot, creating an immersive experience that transported us deep into the heart of the old factory.
This immersive ambiance prevailed throughout, with most sets and scenes mirroring the gritty, industrial feel of a bygone era. However there were a few instances where space felt underutilized, momentarily breaking the immersion spell.
The journey from room to room flowed seamlessly, maintaining a steady pace and minimizing any bottlenecks in the haunt. The characters, with their longer dialogues and guidance on when to move, ensured that groups didn’t get caught in nerve-wracking conga lines. The suspenseful narrative unfolded without a hitch, keeping us on the edge of our seats from start to finish.
The finale sent us to a small gift shop before heading back outside.
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)
Sound effects were used quite a bit; as mentioned, we were welcomed by a skeletal creature who audibly told us the story (also a great use of an animatronic), music played throughout the haunt, and the elevator had sounds of the elevator moving up floors (however, this season the actual movement was missing). Sirens, alarms, pipes popping, screams, banging, and more unnerving sounds reverberated through the metal walls.
Scene designs and details were effective and fit the theme quite well. Each of the rooms felt like it was part of a factory, from the electric control panel in the first room to seeing a garage door as part of one of the walls. Some rooms featured blood spots on the walls, skulls, and toxic waste containers.
The props and animatronics certainly stuck out. Many of the props featured giant beasts with glowing eyes, providing a towering spectacle. The swamp area was filled with fog, vines, and smoke, adding to the realism. Large, clear, bouncy bubbles floated from the ceiling in the carnival area, while a Christmas tree and fireplace set the mood for the Krampus area.
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)
FearScapes delivered an abundant harvest of scares that kept us perpetually on edge. Jump scares and intimidation tactics were liberally sprinkled throughout the experience, and malevolent intentions lurked around every corner. They delved into some of our deepest fears, exploiting arachnophobia, claustrophobia, and even indulging in some good old-fashioned gross-out moments as dismembered limbs made chilling appearances. The beauty of it all was that not all scares were telegraphed; a few managed to catch us completely off guard.
However, one noteworthy absence this season was the Stolen Stitches Sideshow, which traditionally served as a unique and unconventional finale. In its place, we encountered a trapped entity, their screams imploring us to ‘TAKE…..ME….WITH….YOU!!!’ The delivery of that line struck a chord, reminiscent of the comedic stylings of Sam Kinison in his stand-up routines. For those who are well acquainted with the comedy of yesteryears, you get the idea.
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)
Tickets for FearScapes are $15, which is below the average cost this year. We clocked the total show time at roughly 10 minutes. The minutes to dollars ratio came to 0.66, which is below the average of 1.2 MPD for this area. We did enjoy the show; however, it left us wanting more.
Solid set design and a great cast combine to make FearScapes a well-oiled scream engine.
1503 Brentwood Avenue, Ellwood City, Pennsylvania 16117