Features:
✓-Free Parking✓-Restrooms/Porta Potties On-Site✓-Food/Concessions✓-Gift Shop/Souvenirs✓-Optional Games/Midway✓-Special Events✓-You may be touched✓-Original Characters✓-Indoor/Outdoor Waiting Line✓-Indoor/Outdoor Attraction
Review Team/Author Info:
This attraction was reviewed by Team Zombillies on November 2, 2024.Team Since: September 1, 2010 | Experience: Master TeamCo-Reviewer/s: Team Lone WolfEditor: Team Zombillies (Master Team).
Final Score: 8.47
Final Scores – By Category
Final Scores – By Attraction
Summary:
Field of Screams in Mountville, Pennsylvania, more than lives up to its name! FoS is a ‘touch’ scream park that features two indoor haunts, a trail, and their legendary hayride, and NONE of them are shy about getting up close and personal. From darting through the Den of Darkness to fleeing chainsaw-wielding maniacs on the Haunted Hayride, then avoiding lobotomies in Frightmare Asylum, to narrowly escaping those in Nocturnal Wasteland, we screamed our way through every attraction. You have been warned!
This year, they’ve upped the ante with their brand-new Chainsaw Bar, where you can fuel up on ‘liquid courage’ before facing the horrors ahead. The Entertainment Area is packed with activities like axe throwing, escape rooms, a DJ, plenty of photo ops, food options, and seating for when you need a breather.
Field of Screams is more than a scream park; it’s a whole night out for thrill-seekers and Halloween fans! Now, it’s time to turn that smile into a frown!
Cast Score: 7.9
Cast Scores – By Question
Cast Scores – By Attraction
Cast Review:
Tormented screams- along with someone in our group immediately getting snatched and whisked away by a demented doctor- were early hints that admitting ourselves to FRIGHTMARE ASYLUM wasn’t the best idea! The cast in this particular house were numerous and adept at working together to create mass confusion and panic. Three patients coming at us in the same scene resulted in a chaotic blend of laughter, disturbing words, and us repeatedly being spritzed with water – it was all we could do to get out of there! Other patients writhed and contorted on worn, dingy chairs and beds. It was easy to see why they were so insane when we encountered a doctor in a surgeon’s cap angrily shouting at us and striking things while we scurried away. Another, after scaring one of our group members, resumed work on a blood transfusion… and we caught a third doctor appearing to gnaw on a patient’s entrails! Nasty!
An extra special shout-out is in order for the chainsaw actors in Frightmare: they were one of the most well-coordinated chainsaw crews we’d ever come across. We had no idea how we got out of there in one piece! We’d also like to highlight Tynk, who suddenly surprised us with tickles and creepily followed us up the stairs!
Following some thorough- yet questionable- treatments in the Asylum, we cautiously entered the DEN OF DARKNESS next. Many of our encounters with the residents of this deadly den were brief and intended to scare, but we had some interactive moments, too. Be forewarned as you’re going through: those bodies you’re staring at might not be as dead as they seem! Making our way through the house and into the courtyard outside, we noticed a young girl smiling eerily and fanning herself on a swing while another in black contorted herself upside-down and screeched at us. A blood-smeared butcher stormed out from the kitchen’s swinging doors and threatened us with a knife. One of our more memorable encounters was with the dapper young man perched above the dining room, who hopped down onto a table (stepping all over the food in the process) filled with some grotesque grub and invited us to eat. When he was asked what we were having: “Human! The eyes are the best part!” Attempting to flee from this house of horrors only resulted in another pack of chainsaw crazies coming for us. The Field’s chainsaw game was on point!
Next up was the HAUNTED HAYRIDE. Ah, a hayride… such a tame, family-friendly Fall tradition with absolutely nothing scaring the crap out of us or trying to kill us, right? Not at Field of Screams! Theirs was a rocky ride through scene after scene filled with monsters, murderers, and other terrible things that wanted nothing more than to rip us apart or keep us from getting home – and it sure didn’t help they kept locking us in there with them! The butcher and his assistants in the slaughterhouse were a great team; heralded by a spray of “blood,” they leaped on board and thoroughly invaded our space. Thankfully, reviewers weren’t on the menu that night, and we were able to roll out of there. The weapon-wielding crazies in the toxic waste scene also hunted as a pack and had us surrounded almost immediately. When it was time to make our escape, one hung on to the back of the wagon and continued to taunt us while we fled. The clowns lurking in the shadows of the Big Top followed suit, swarming us in short order as rock music blared in the background and seemed to fuel their energy.
The NOCTURNAL WASTELAND seemed to be sparsely populated and low on survivors when we passed through, but we still had some notable encounters. Picking our way through a school bus, we barely avoided broken bones from some maniac repeatedly lashing out at us with a hammer. They were accompanied by a masked little boy who was rather vicious and also kept trying to attack us with whatever nasty implement he was carrying – the kids were definitely NOT alright in here! Another character popped out and threatened one of our group members with a cleaver, then cleverly ran ahead and nailed her a second time. (He was wearing what appeared to be someone else’s face. Maybe he was looking for a new one?) Entering the Cemetery, where the bodies of those less fortunate than us were surely buried, we found ourselves greeted by a skull-painted Gravedigger. “No one’s going to hear your cries!” they shouted with wicked glee. Maybe they didn’t hear our cries – but they couldn’t miss our screams!
Costuming Score: 8.4
Costuming Scores – By Question
Costuming Scores – By Attraction
Costuming Review:
Field of Screams brought the fear with a solid variety of masks and makeup; each look added to the creepy, immersive vibe of the haunt. The masks were well-fitted and downright chilling, while airbrushed makeup highlighted each monster’s devious features in all the right ways. Many of the roaming clowns had costume pieces that were creatively modified, but a few sported Field of Screams t-shirts and tanks that, while great for photo ops, didn’t quite capture the same terrifying look as the other costumes throughout the park. Maybe there’s a more “clown-istic” way to rope those logos into their look?
In Frightmare Asylum, the costumes were straight out of your medical nightmares. Picture ratty patient gowns, grimy lab coats, and blood-spattered attire – clearly, the health department wasn’t welcome here! We had surgeons in lab coats and caps, patients with crazed hair, and even a poor soul with a dirty towel on their head. The clowns also featured unique looks; one of the makeup jobs was done so well it perfectly portrayed a sad clown!
Den of Darkness felt like a twisted family reunion. The residents included a ghastly man on stilts, a cook who looked… well, cooked, and a morgue worker with a mask that definitely had seen some better (or worse) days. With darkened features, greasy hair, grime-streaked faces, and unsettlingly realistic contacts, they clearly went all-in on the “lived-in” look.
The Haunted Hayride showcased costumes that went all-out, from crash dummies to clowns dripping in colorful hues. At one point, our wagon was under attack by a mob of weapon-wielding maniacs, but we won’t spoil that surprise! The waste zone inhabitants looked like they’d spent hours rummaging through the neon paint aisle, while the animal-masked fiends and safety-vested stalkers only added to the mayhem.
In Nocturnal Wasteland, the characters looked like they’d rummaged through the end-of-days thrift store. We saw everything from fur and worn-out street clothes to masks made from what appeared to be “repurposed” skin. The swamp bird was a standout with its layered look, while the chainsaw maniac didn’t hold back with a costume to make your blood run cold.
Another thing we’d like to note is the realism of the chainsaws. We see many of these, but the bar and chain look on them really made them stand out – adding to the realistic look of the characters!
Customer Service Score: 9.45
Customer Service Scores – By Question
Customer Service Scores – By Attraction
Customer Service Review:
Field of Screams appeared to be located on a farm, and there were separate parking lots for the haunt and the more family-friendly areas. Signs helped us find our way to the correct lot and a parking team was also on hand for further assistance. Tickets could be purchased on-site (cash only) or online. The combo ticket for access to all four attractions was $50, and a speedier VIP upgrade was available for an additional $25, during our visit.
The parking area was reasonably lit up, and we noticed security at various points in the Field itself. Most of the haunt was easy to navigate, with the queue entrances for GA and VIP clearly marked. Food trucks and concessions were decked out in bright lights and clustered together like a food court, with plenty of tables for groups to sit and take a breather from the scares. Midway games, the gift shop, photo ops, and other fun additions were also simple to find.
The park was essentially safe, but the haunt’s team should double-check for spots where a customer could easily trip, or it’s too dark, and they might miss their footing. Nocturnal Wasteland had a few spots (for example, a set of concrete steps that were partially dark, and we had to be careful going down).
While nearly all the employees were friendly and welcoming (including the security guards), one parking lot attendant seemed to be having a bad day and made it very obvious when we arrived.
The website was easy to navigate and had most of what a customer would need or want to see on it. This score could be perfected by adding more photos and videos. The FAQs also need to be updated with the touch policy; we had no clue anyone at the haunt would touch us when we got there, and it just started… happening. While we love touch haunts, some groups might not enjoy that or will at least appreciate being more aware of it.
Immersion Score: 8.8
Immersion Scores – By Question
Immersion Scores – By Attraction
Immersion Review:
Field of Screams was a sight from the moment we stepped on the property. Towering signs, a looming silo, bursts of flames, and a hearse – plus the countless costumed characters roaming the grounds – set the perfect stage for a night of terror. Each haunt boasted a themed facade, and color-changing lights signaled the next group’s turn, giving us the feeling that we were truly entering another world with every attraction.
With its grand Applegate Asylum facade flanked by iron gates, gargoyles, and flaming torches, Frightmare Asylum displayed a solid commitment to the atmosphere right from the start. The psychos stalking the line, drooling and looming over us from the exit above, gave us a taste of the madness inside, leaving us thinking, “Are we even going to make it out of this one?”
Outside the den, a classic haunted home dripping with decay and cracked paint, complete with a “killer” watchdog outside, set the stage for what awaited within. This place took us under floors and up into attics, each part feeling seamlessly connected. The creepy homestead truly delivered on immersion from start to finish.
For the hayride, it was one of the most enveloping we’ve experienced! The high corn stalks surrounded the wagon, while some scenes fully enclosed us, making us forget we were even on a hayride at all. As soon as those sounds kicked in, it felt like a ride straight to doom! In several scenes, the doors closed on us, leaving us in total darkness without seeing the tractor or the outside world!
With a gritty apocalyptic feel, complete with tires, metal scraps, and wrecked vehicles, Nocturnal Wasteland drew us in. While this trail was mostly filled with ruins, we found it a bit jarring when we were dropped right into a cemetery with glowing Jack-O-Lanterns. While this area was hauntingly beautiful, it didn’t match the fallout vibe as much as the rest of the trail.
Each haunt did an excellent job of drawing us in, with small touches like themed lighting and fully designed facades adding to the overall atmosphere. However, there were a few moments on the hayride where we caught sight of non-haunt areas and some gaps in the trail that nudged us out of the illusion briefly. Despite these small hiccups, Field of Screams is a truly immersive experience that had us running scared all night!
Each haunt also cleverly funnels guests right back into the bustling midway, keeping all the food, games, and photo ops just a quick walk away. No matter where you end up screaming, stumbling, or running out of, you’ll be conveniently close to all the entertainment Field of Screams offers!
Special FX Score: 8.5
Special FX Scores – By Question
Special FX Scores – By Attraction
Special FX Review:
Field of Screams certainly has one of the most detailed, multi-haunt attractions we’ve seen! There were so many intricate and large details that we found ourselves distracted, opening us up to many more scares! Even the layers of dust inside the indoor attractions wowed us!
Frightmare Asylum greeted us with a disturbing dose of grime, dirt, and who-knows-what that left us feeling like we needed a long, hot shower afterward! Not in their showers, though! We feel sorry for anyone who has to use their showers or bathrooms! Every surface was caked with layers of filth, and the entire place oozed an unnerving sense of age and decay. Some walls even appeared to leak mysterious fluids – trust us, you don’t want to know what that was! And don’t even get us started on the fridge, a twisted relic that looked like it had witnessed every botched surgery in history. The checkered room warped our perception, making us feel as if we were tilting sideways, and we appreciated how we were in a genuine, multi-level asylum rather than feeling like it was a staged haunt!
The Asylum’s special effects kept us on edge, starting with jolting patients, animated mannequins, and flickering lights that pushed the atmosphere into total chaos. We found ourselves weaving in and out of narrow passageways, uncomfortably close to low ceilings, and rooms that shrank around us, cranking up the intensity to a new level. A blindingly bright room quite literally shocked us with its stark contrast to the rest of the asylum’s dingy aesthetic – it was disorienting in the best way possible. They bring a whole new meaning to “blinded by the light!”
In addition, many layers of items filled the scenes, bringing the asylum to life! From brain anatomy posters to decaying surgical files, every corner was packed with unsettling details, making it impossible to relax as we navigated its nauseating nooks and crannies.
The Den of Darkness was a decaying nest of nightmares, with enough horrors lurking inside to keep us on high alert with every creaky step. This decrepit mansion wasn’t just haunted; it was a dreadful display of dismemberment and decay that made us feel like we’d stumbled into the private residence of a madman with an artistic streak. Portraits appeared to watch us, and exposed ceiling rafters felt like they could collapse any second, adding to the “caution required” vibe. The flickering lights barely illuminated the details on the walls, like a den of jagged rock, slamming morgue drawers, and stomach-churning “works of art.” And by “works of art,” we mean sewn-together bodies in unnaturally twisted poses!
Gruesome headless bodies, hanging egg sacks, and enormous boils – yes, they looked like boils – lined the walls, along with a menacing giant nest that left us on edge! A large creature lashed out from above, and if that wasn’t enough, a ghostly apparition seemed to materialize from a mirror! One of the best scenes was undoubtedly the grand dining room, complete with a towering second-story balcony and a storm ominously flashing in the windows. Whether navigating the morgue with slamming drawers or ducking through an eerie attic crawl space, we couldn’t shake the feeling that we weren’t the only ones around.
The Haunted Hayride delivered when it comes to special effects! Right from the start, a high-quality sound system was noticed on the wagon that ensured every passenger could hear every note! This drew us deeper into the scenes. The detail in each stop along the route was astounding, with an array of towering creatures, camouflaged monsters that sprang to life just as we neared, and effects that even took to the air, swooping above us! We weren’t only looking side-to-side; large objects dangled overhead as well, including a looming school bus (which you actually walk through in another attraction!) and some massive, menacing claws ready to snatch any unsuspecting soul. One of the most disorienting effects was the massive vortex, leaving the entire wagon spinning while reflective doors added to the unsettling experience.
The greenhouse took the cake, though. This scene was grimy, murky, and packed with monsters who looked all too eager to make us the main course! In addition, bursts of flames and a bouncy encounter with the trailer left us leaping out of our seats! This hayride sets the bar high, and we’re already excited to see what Field of Screams will cook up next!
In Nocturnal Wasteland, this trail took us straight to what felt like a scene out of Zombieland or Mad Max! There was rusted metal, shacks, broken-down vehicles, and tires all over! They even had a whole plane in there that had been crashed! While some animatronics needed repairs or didn’t seemingly work, others helped fill in the space. We also noticed a giant Tesla coil that did not activate for us, which was disappointing.
In Nocturnal Wasteland, the experience was more rugged and raw, offering a distinct sense of unease as we journeyed along paths where the ground itself shifted and vibrated beneath our feet. Suspended above the hayride, this eerie trek felt disconnected from modern comforts, giving the impression that we were stranded in a world devoid of any functional technology.
One of the standout scenes here was the entirely shifting blacksmith shop, where the whole structure seemed to move, adding a real punch of disorientation! While the sound effects were more subdued compared to the other attractions, the quiet worked in its favor, amplifying the natural and unsettling atmosphere of the wasteland. This trail didn’t bank on eye-catching animatronics; instead, it delivered an immersive environment where details like a laser swamp, a winding cemetery, and a giant tree looming ahead, protecting a graveyard. We’ve seen our share of trails, but Nocturnal Wasteland created a unique experience that left us feeling thoroughly off-kilter.
Scare Factor Score: 8.23
Scare Factor Scores – By Question
Scare Factor Scores – By Attraction
Scare Factor Review:
The scare factor at Field of Screams is cranked up, and if you’re looking for a place where boundaries don’t exist, you’re in for a treat! The creatures here are more than willing to reach out and make you a part of their horror story, invading your personal space with no remorse. Yes, they can touch you!
In the Asylum, this twisted medical maze had perfected the art of creeping us out! The actors blended into the scenes flawlessly, keeping us guessing who or what might spring to life. We were hunted, grossed out, and double-tapped by some who weren’t happy with our visit. They stalked, stared, and even scuttled up the stairs after us! We were seriously unnerved by grungy, cockroach-filled walls, sudden sounds, and torturous displays, especially after we stumbled upon a sign warning of Dr. Malachi. Let’s say the chainsaw finale will have you scrambling out the door! We felt this was the most intense house of the night!
Descending into the den revealed a truly creepy collection of mutilated bodies and a few rather large beasts! This haunt ramped up the fright with actors jumping from above, doll rooms, eerie voices whispering “this way” and “in there,” and dark scenes that forced us to crawl over bodies. The path winds uncomfortably close to sparks, a doll-filled area, and ends with a frantic chainsaw chase-out through a freezer where former guests met a rather unfortunate fate!
For a hayride, Field of Screams’ Haunted Hayride goes above and beyond! We got blasted with C02, dodged gigantic creatures, had venomous spiders and slithering “danger noodles” descend on us, and found ourselves trapped in the Chop Shop, nearly crushed! The finale unleashed a barrage of chainsaws, making us feel completely cornered and desperate for an escape. This was one of the scariest hayrides we’ve endured yet!
Nocturnal took us into an eerie, industrial apocalypse with hazards lurking everywhere. Though this attraction was the least intense, it still packed plenty of frights. A hammer dodge, vibrating floors, and a well-timed dropping walkway gave us a few good jolts, and if you’re afraid of heights, brace yourself – this haunt has towering walkways to keep you clinging to the railings.
Each haunt hits hard on the senses with well-timed effects, terrifying creatures, and intense finales that had us running for safety!
Entertainment & Value Score: 8.69
E&V Scores – By Question
E&V Scores – By Attraction
E&V Review:
With a combo ticket priced at $50 and a total haunt time of 47 minutes, the entertainment per dollar (MPD) comes to a solid 0.97. For an attraction as expansive as Field of Screams, complete with a bustling midway and four distinct haunted attractions, this is a great bang for your buck! If the general admission lines aren’t your style, you can upgrade to VIP for an additional $25, letting you skip the wait and jump straight into the action.
The midway itself is packed with activities. Admission includes some fantastic photo ops and entertaining characters ready to scare! For an extra charge, you’ll find a tempting spread of food trucks, a spacious gift shop, fair-style games, escape rooms, a full bar, and more. And if you’re bringing along some faint-hearted friends or family, Corn Cob Acres offers a family-friendly, daytime alternative on-site.
Check their calendar for dates and prices, as entertainment like the DJ spinning spooky tunes during our visit might make your night extra memorable!
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Awards:
2024
Best Chainsaw Scares
Killer Circus
Awards:
2024
Best Chainsaw Scares
Killer Circus