Horror House Haunt Review (2024)

The cast did a solid job of bringing the scares, delivering lines only when necessary to keep the performance sharp and focused. While there were a few minor hiccups in delivery, the overall experience felt more immersive and impactful than our visit just a month ago; a clear step in the right direction!

One of the areas that created a bit of awkwardness, though, was the trading system in place at the haunt. In some cases, the dialogue felt forced as actors tried to steer us toward making a trade, which made a few interactions fall flat.

That said, there were several stand-out performances worth highlighting. The soldier on the bus was fully engaging, making his safety spiel feel both believable and entertaining. The axe-wielding maniac stalked us relentlessly through the woods, attacking with just the right timing. The bushmen, with multiple surprise appearances, delivered some of the night’s best scares. And the lonely girl at the beginning of the trail set the tone for our adventure perfectly with her chilling dialogue.

We also noticed some strategic changes in the cast’s roles, including a young woman who was moved from heckling for money in the trail to hunting us down with a chainsaw. This was a fantastic change, as her energy was much better suited to this intense role. Kudos to her for fully embracing it!

But the top performance of the night goes to “Mormon Bates,” as we dubbed him—the polite yet deranged gentleman wielding an axe, his victim locked up in a cage. His dialogue was the strongest of the night, as he charmingly tried to convince us to stay for dinner, all while exuding a creepy, untrustworthy vibe. His performance was truly impressive, showing the kind of storytelling skill you usually see from seasoned veterans. We were blown away!

The costuming throughout the haunt is fairly straightforward, featuring torn garments, blood-splattered faces, dirty clothes, and plenty of army-style camouflage. While this stripped-down look does complement the apocalyptic theme, there’s a definite need for an upgrade to really elevate the overall impact. In some instances, we found ourselves wondering whether a performer was in costume or just wearing their street clothes, which disrupted the immersion and left us scratching our heads, as a few characters seemed oddly out of place.

Although there were a few masks sprinkled throughout the experience, most notably on the shotgun-wielding maniac, much of the cast relied on simple makeup. While makeup can be effective, adding more dimension and detail to the characters would really help them stand out. A few bolder, more imaginative costume choices could give the haunt a needed boost in believability, and make the story feel more cohesive.

Horror House boasts a unique feature that sets it apart from most other haunted attractions: an enormous spotlight mounted atop the roof of a nearby fireworks store. This powerful searchlight, visible from the highway, attracts unsuspecting travelers and draws in additional visitors each year.

The signage is equally impressive, with “Horror House” prominently displayed across the facade of the fireworks store, making it easily readable, even from a distance. The entrance is well-lit, and another large, clearly visible sign welcomes you as you approach.

Parking is ample, with plenty of free spaces available no matter when you visit. The ticket booth is conveniently located near the parking lot, where friendly staff are ready to assist with ticket purchases and answer any questions.

Bill, the mastermind behind the haunt, is always actively overseeing the operation, frequently communicating with his team to ensure that every visitor has the best possible experience. His daughter, a manager and featured performer, also plays a key role in the immersive bus ride orientation to “The Colony.”

The remote location adds to the overall sense of safety, allowing you to feel secure when leaving your car and belongings behind. The Horror House website is well-organized, with easy-to-navigate tabs providing directions, ticket information, and hours of operation, making it simple for visitors to plan their trip.

A towering searchlight illuminated the night sky, guiding us to the haunt. The large sign on the building confirmed we had arrived, but there’s a bit of a catch: despite being labeled as a “house,” this attraction is actually an outdoor trail, which might confuse first-time visitors.

Off to the side, a large bus stood waiting, signaling our imminent departure to safety. Without delay, we were gathered up for the ride. Once onboard, we were greeted via video by Nora, the headmaster of The Colony. She set the stage, preparing us for the perilous mission ahead. But colonizers beware—this bus ride is no gentle journey! It’s wild, tossing you all over the place from start to finish.

As we hit the trail, caution tape marked the path, with stern warnings that straying from it would lead to certain doom. While effective, we’d love to see this replaced with a more substantial barrier in the future, as the first part of our trek kept the colony and queue line clearly in view just beyond the tree line. Deeper into the trail, the scenes became more immersive but still lacked a few finishing touches to make them feel truly realistic.

Some areas felt sparse, and we could spot extension cords and zip ties holding the sets together, which took away from the overall experience. Adding overhead netting or other creative elements could help conceal this clutter and boost the immersion. We also noticed actor belongings and chairs staged within the haunt, which became distracting—especially in scenes that lacked visual appeal, such as the desolate woods.

At one point, we saw cast members walking along the bridge, adjusting their costumes and returning to their posts. We’d recommend handling these transitions more discreetly, as it disrupts the atmosphere when done in plain view of guests.

Overall, this area could use the most improvement, but the good news is that many of these fixes are small adjustments that could significantly enhance the story. With some fine-tuning, this haunt could truly shine!

From the moment you step onto the grounds, you’re immediately enveloped by a thick, dense fog that blankets the entire lawn. The eerie sound of distant laughter and screams fill the air, punctuated by the occasional blast of a twelve-gauge shotgun, setting a chilling tone. Horror House brings your worst apocalyptic nightmares to life, immersing you in a Hellscape where destruction and chaos reign.

The Apocalypse theme allows the focus to shift toward the actors, with the setting designed as the ruins of a once-thriving civilization. This wrecked landscape serves as a backdrop, highlighting the performances rather than the environment itself. You are taken on a gripping journey to “The Colony,” where the last remnants of humanity have gathered to defend themselves against the horrors beyond. The story is expertly crafted, with unexpected twists that keep you on edge and guessing throughout the experience.

The diverse cast is the heart of the attraction, relying less on animatronics and more on raw, engaging performances. However, when animatronics are used, such as a massive zombie that drops in on unsuspecting guests, they are strategically placed for maximum impact. The foggy swamp and claustrophobic tunnel are effective additions, heightening the sense of destruction and paranoia.

Horror House offers a truly unique experience, creating an atmosphere of chaos and unpredictability. The fleeting moments of relief between the constant waves of terror are your only solace, as you’re surrounded by fear nearly every minute. Set in eerie, dark woods, the actors move seamlessly through the environment, catching you off-guard more than once in a single scene.

The cast delivers outstanding performances, so convincing that you may genuinely believe they are capable of killing you—or worse. Each character has their own distinct, terrifying persona, stalking you from the beginning to the end of a scene, to ensure every guest is equally shaken.

Unexpected distractions keep you on edge as you navigate through immersive environments, such as the fog-covered swamp where a lurking bushman awaits. Some characters may appear less frightening at first, only to reveal a hidden, sinister twist. One moment had us anticipating a character named Gertrude, only for her to turn out to be a chainsaw-wielding madwoman!

While the chainsaw-wielding maniac left a lasting impression, we feel the finale could benefit from an added shock factor to make the experience truly unforgettable.

Our journey through this post-apocalyptic world lasted 18 minutes. With a general admission price of $25, that gives us a MPD (minutes per dollar spent) score of 0.72. While slightly lower than we’d prefer, there are a few extra activities guests can enjoy while waiting for their adventure to begin. Fast Passes are also available for $35 and will significantly reduce your wait times.

One highlight is the large, challenging chain-link maze, which is free of charge. Actors are scattered throughout, and you can go through it as many times as you’d like without waiting in line. While it’s not designed to be scary, the actors have fun heckling participants and shifting the walls to trap you in, making it more of a playful and interactive experience.

If you’re fortunate enough to survive the adventure and manage to trade up for a bullet, you’ll receive a free voucher for the shooting range. If you fail to do so, the shooting range can also be purchased for an upcharge. This gallery features triggerable targets like flame stacks and sirens, plus a live actor who you can aim at—don’t worry; he’s well compensated for the bruises he endures each night!

For refreshments, you can grab a walking taco, indulge in some sweet treats from the elephant ears truck, or enjoy classic fair foods from the colorful food stand, while sitting by the large bonfire. The cheeseburger was tasty, but word around the haunt is that the corndogs are the real standout!