Features:
✓-Free Parking✓-Restrooms/Porta Potties On-Site✓-Food/Concessions✓-Gift Shop/Souvenirs✓-“Old-School” (Low Tech)✓-You will NOT be touched✓-Movie Characters✓-Original Characters✓-Celebrity Appearances✓-Uncovered Outdoor Waiting Line✓-Indoor/Outdoor Attraction
How Do We Get These Scores?
Our Rating System
UPDATE FOR 2022: Our former “Atmosphere” and “Theme” categories have now been combined and renamed “Immersion.” Our intent with this is to give more appropriate credit to attractions that have shown a clear focus on achieving and maintaining better customer experiences (both inside and outside the attractions) and developing creative storylines.
Each of the category scores in this review are calculated using a weighted average of several questions that we rate on a scale of 1 to 10.
The following breakdown explains what these scores typically mean. All of our Teams use this as a reference for providing accurate ratings:
10: “Peak Performance”This score is treated as if it has a chastity belt on it. “10’s” are reserved for the best of the best; those that we feel could not possibly improve on what they’re doing.
9: “Innovative and Groundbreaking”It rocked! Nearly everything seemed to go as planned and it was one of the best we’ve ever seen! These guys are leaders in the industry, and attractions like this are truly hard to come by.
8: “Solid”A high score on our scale. They had a good handle on it and, overall, they knew how to use it well. Most attractions can learn from what these guys are doing.
6 to 7: “Good”We could tell that a good effort was made. However, we’ve seen this done much better at other places, or can detect areas where significant improvements can be made. This is about the top end of what we’d call “Family Friendly.”
5: “Average / Fair”Compared to the competition, they weren’t the best, but definitely not the worst. Scares and Special Effects in this range are usually considered “Family Friendly.”
3 to 4: “Below Average”We could see that a clear attempt was made, but most other professional attractions are doing a much better job at this.
1 to 2: “Poor”It appeared that very little time, thought or effort was contributed to this aspect.
0 (Zero): “Non-Existent”No apparent effort was made to make this a significant contributor to the attraction.
Afterword:This rating system is standardized across all of The Scare Factor’s official haunt review teams. However, keep in mind there will always be minor differences between Teams, as we all have varying levels of experience. Regardless, we do our best to remain true to our core values, which is to promote all haunted attractions!Perhaps the biggest thing to remember is: sometimes the score – in and of itself – doesn’t tell the whole story about an attraction’s merits. This is why we provide detailed explanations for each category… to help you better understand how and why we chose the score/s that we did.We do our best to not let feelings or emotions rule our judgement, while also viewing the attraction through the lens of the typical haunt-goer. But, because all reviews with ratings are inherently subjective, this is nearly impossible to completely prevent. Though, when in doubt, we tend to give slightly lower scores than our original “gut feelings” to account for this, and also give the attraction more room to improve over time.We also do our best to be fair and consistent across all of the haunts that we review. We know that you’ll be looking at these scores and comparing them to other attractions, so we hope this review helps you out in that aspect.Do you have some feedback about our review system? Contact Us Here to let us know what you think!
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Final Score: 7.51
How Did We Get This Score?
Final Scores:
(15% of Final Score) Cast: 7.55
(15% of Final Score) Costuming: 6.85
(10% of Final Score) Customer Service: 7.5
(10% of Final Score) Atmosphere: 7.72
(15% of Final Score) Special Effects: 7.74
(5% of Final Score) Theme:
(15% of Final Score) Scare Factor: 7.48
(5% of Final Score) Entertainment & Value: 7.79
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Summary:
Kreepy Hollow is a local favorite in the area, having been around long enough to more than establish their reputation with the community. Featuring two rides, a graveyard trail, and a two-story house, there is a lot to see and a lot to flee.
Kreepy Hollow has made a name for itself offering special effects and haunted house features that no one else in the area has. With innovation in sets and features, years of experience, and an incredible setting, Kreepy Hollow offers its visitors an amazing night of scares and awe.
This year offers some new features on the hayride, a collection of cool new rooms in the house, and the highest energy bus ride we’ve ever been on.
Cast: 7.55
How Did We Get This Score?
Cast Scores (15% of Final Score):
(20% of Cast Score) Did it seem like there were enough actors?: 7.8
(30% of Cast Score) How creative, believable and convincing were the actors?: 7.6Explanation:
Freddy on bus, Dr. Giggles in house
(20% of Cast Score) How interactive were the actors (verbally and physically)?: 8.4
(15% of Cast Score) How creatively & appropriately did they use dialogue?: 5.4Explanation:
Minimal dialogue other than tropes – “help me,” “Get out,” and “help.”
(15% of Cast Score) Was there a good variety of characters?: 8.1
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The cast at Kreepy Hollow covers a wide variety of monsters and approaches across all genres. From the silent and creeping nun to the high energy mad doctor, the house was fully-staffed with monsters.
Our team didn’t have a lot of vocal interaction with the monsters of the house or the several screamers on site. Though we heard more than a few ‘Get outs’, we were impressed by the dedication and the acrobatic skills of the house creatures.
On the bus ride, an annual favorite for our team, we had some of the highest energy monsters we’ve ever seen. Without giving too much of the experience away, we’d like to give massive shout-outs to Sunday night’s Freddy who leapt and bounded as if gravity didn’t affect him, and to the bus’s newest monster who somehow managed to mix silent stalking with the sort of exercise that the Kreepy Hollow bus ride always entails.
On the trailer, we saw a number of changes in cast, including at this year’s new scene which had some marvelously planned and acted surprises. One of our group got carried away at the appearance of a particularly eager and hungry zombie, much to the rest of the trailer’s horror.
Costuming: 6.85
How Did We Get This Score?
Costuming Scores (15% of Final Score):
(15% of Costuming Score) How complete / finished did the costumes appear to be?: 6.9Explanation:
Clowns, Nun, Dr Giggles.
(25% of Costuming Score) How creative / detailed were the costumes?: 6.5Explanation:
Puritan scene, zombies
(20% of Costuming Score) Was their makeup creative? Detailed? Realistic?: 6.7
(15% of Costuming Score) How effectively did they use masks (if used)?: 6.5
(25% of Costuming Score) How appropriate were the costumes for their scene/s & theme/s?: 7.5
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For such a large variety of monsters, costuming is different from section to section of the haunt. On the bus, the monsters we faced all had tucked-in masks except one, and their outfits fit the characters that they were playing well.
In the house, many of the monsters put a lot of thought and effort into their costumes, including the nun, Dr. Giggles, and an especially gruesome clown.
The characters from the hayride’s new scene were very well-outfitted and their makeup was well-applied. We saw some untucked masks on the hayride as well as the house, but our visit happened to be on an October evening while it was still in the mid 80’s, so this was very understandable.
The zombies on the hayride managed to pull off excellent and detailed costumes and makeup despite their constant activity in the unseasonable heat.
We were also very impressed with the addition of some costuming and makeup choices that gave the house clowns a very logical reason for their presence.
Customer Service: 7.5
How Did We Get This Score?
Customer Service Scores (10% of Final Score):
(25% of CS Score) How easy was it to locate the attraction, park, and navigate the premises?: 8
(30% of CS Score) How safe was the attraction?: 7.9
(25% of CS Score) How professional, helpful and friendly were the staff members?: 7.3
(20% of CS Score) How easy was it to find their information before* arrival?: 6.5
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Kreepy Hollow has a large and well-lit parking lot for all visitors directly outside of its ticket booth. Signs are posted all over the countryside with directions to the haunt in case GPS is unavailable or not working.
The ticket booth staff are friendly, cordial, and super helpful.
Safety was given a lot of attention at Kreepy Hollow, having no scares on the stairs, visible paint on every step inside the house, and hand rails available. Staff out of costume all wear haunt shirts to be clearly visible and make sure that guests follow all safety rules for themselves and the haunt’s monsters.
Concessions are sold by the house and merch at the top by the ticket booths and both are easy to locate, as are the port-a-potties.
Atmosphere: 7.72
How Did We Get This Score?
Atmosphere Scores (10% of Final Score):
(60% of Atmosphere Score) How obvious was it that you were at a haunted house before entering?: 7.8
(40% of Atmosphere Score) How well did the atmosphere prepare you for what you experienced inside?: 7.6
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At the top of the hill for Kreepy Hollow, located right in front of the ticket booths, is a giant tower playing Halloween-themed music as well as classic rock and modern pop. This initial line area is high-energy as people gather to take the bus ride down to the house.
Monsters make the rounds through the waiting line between bus rides, and customers are allowed to pick if they want the Mystery Bus or the Masters of Horror bus. Once you reach the house, the cemetery looms behind you and monsters stalk the lines outside of the house and the hayride. This queue entertainment sets the tone for the lurking creatures inside, while the music keeps everything high-energy and exciting.
Special Effects: 7.74
How Did We Get This Score?
Special Effects Scores (15% of Final Score):
(20% of SFX Score) How effective were the sound effects?: 7.5
(20% of SFX Score) How creative / original were the scenes & props?: 8.2Explanation:
White pipe room, Coffin opening, storm room, puritan scene
(20% of SFX Score) How well were the scenes detailed?: 7.6
(25% of SFX Score) How well did they achieve & maintain the suspension of disbelief?: 7.7
(15% of SFX Score) How effective were the SFX at providing scares / entertainment?: 7.7
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Kreepy Hollow has set itself apart in South Carolina for special effects within a house, and this year their new additions did not disappoint. With an entire room crafted to transport you to a dark and stormy night outside, a new front room that spookily slides you into the rest of the house, and a series of elaborate mazes, their new set builds were wonderful to see. There is also a high level of detail and attention paid to sets throughout the length of the house. There is some sound-bleed within the house, but for the most part sounds are cut off by twisting corridors and narrow steps.
On the trail, a new set and stage had our group tempted to jump out to inspect everything up close. The devil scene and the zombie scene also employed a variety of sound and pyrotechnic effects that made them spectacular to watch.
The staff at Kreepy Hollow has put a lot of work into additions and improvements and it shows.
Theme: N/A
How Did We Get This Score?
Theme Scores (5% of Final Score):
(30% of Theme Score) Could you tell what the theme was?:
(50% of Theme Score) How well was the theme carried throughout the attraction/s?:
(20% of Theme Score) How well does their location authenticate the theme?:
This score is left “N/A” when we believe the haunt is trying to target a random variety of themes or phobias, rather than a single overarching “Theme” or “storyline.”
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Kreepy Hollow does not rely upon a single theme throughout the attraction. Scenes both in the house and along the trail shift from past to present, from realistic to gore-splattered, almost without warning.
There were some nods to building a coherent storyline in some places – a child’s ruined birthday leading into a room filled with clowns, for example – but such attempts were not attraction-wide.
However, there are plenty of monsters and scenes to hit nearly all your frightful desires, no matter what they may be.
Scare Factor: 7.48
How Did We Get This Score?
Scare Factor Scores (15% of Final Score):
(30% of Scare Factor Score) How scary was it?: 8.1
(15% of Scare Factor Score) How well did they provide scares to the entire group?: 7.16
(25% of Scare Factor Score) How predictable were the scares?: 7.3
(15% of Scare Factor Score) How well did they provide a wide variety of scares?: 7.8
(15% of Scare Factor Score) How strong was the ending / finale?: 6.1
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On the bus ride, our group was loud and rambunctious, our gleeful and terrified screams making themselves heard over the rhythmic guitar riffs of Pantera. With monsters attacking from all angles there was no safe place to hide for anyone involved.
In the house, monsters made sure to disperse the scares, especially Dr. Giggles who managed to hit every part of our party in a room and a half’s space.
On the hayride, the zombies worked hard to disquiet guests before their scene began to long after, and they were very successful in that right.
Monsters were also good at spotting who had a particular weakness for their character and then making sure to extract every ounce of terror possible.
Combining costuming, special effects, and actor skills Kreepy Hollow caused a lot of fear while we were there.
Entertainment & Value: 7.79
How Did We Get This Score?
Entertainment & Value Factor Scores (15% of Final Score):
(30% of E&V Score) How satisfied were you with the entertainment received during the main attraction/s?: 8.2
(25% of E&V Score) How satisfied were you with the entertainment that’s available with* the ticket price, excluding the main attraction/s?: 6
(30% of E&V Score) How appropriate is/are the ticket price/s?: 8.7
(15% of E&V Score) Have they effectively used their available space?: 8.1
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With a low entry fee and forty minutes of rides and walk throughs, Kreepy Hollow offers a strong two minutes of scares per dollar. Concessions are reasonably priced, parking is free, and merch is available to rep your survival of the haunt. As with any popular, local, haunted attraction, it’s best to gauge the size of the crowd and consider the fast pass if the lines are very long.
How Did We Get These Scores
Our Rating System
Each of the category scores in this review are calculated using a weighted average of several questions that we rate on a scale of 1 to 10.
The following breakdown explains what these scores typically mean. All of our Teams use this as a reference for providing accurate ratings:
10: “Peak Performance”This score is treated as if it has a chastity belt on it. “10’s” are reserved for the best of the best; those that we feel could not possibly improve on what they’re doing.
9: “Innovative and Groundbreaking”It rocked! Nearly everything seemed to go as planned and it was one of the best we’ve ever seen! These guys are leaders in the industry, and attractions like this are truly hard to come by.
8: “Solid”A high score on our scale. They had a good handle on it and, overall, they knew how to use it well. Most attractions can learn from what these guys are doing.
6 to 7: “Good”We could tell that a good effort was made. However, we’ve seen this done much better at other places, or can detect areas where significant improvements can be made. This is about the top end of what we’d call “Family Friendly.”
5: “Average / Fair”Compared to the competition, they weren’t the best, but definitely not the worst. Scares and Special Effects in this range are usually considered “Family Friendly.”
3 to 4: “Below Average”We could see that a clear attempt was made, but most other professional attractions are doing a much better job at this.
1 to 2: “Poor”It appeared that very little time, thought or effort was contributed to this aspect.
0 (Zero): “Non-Existent”No apparent effort was made to make this a significant contributor to the attraction.
Afterword:This rating system is standardized across all of The Scare Factor’s official haunt review teams. However, keep in mind there will always be minor differences between Teams, as we all have varying levels of experience. Regardless, we do our best to remain true to our core values, which is to promote all haunted attractions!Perhaps the biggest thing to remember is: sometimes the score – in and of itself – doesn’t tell the whole story about an attraction’s merits. This is why we provide detailed explanations for each category… to help you better understand how and why we chose the score/s that we did.We do our best to not let feelings or emotions rule our judgement, while also viewing the attraction through the lens of the typical haunt-goer. But, because all reviews with ratings are inherently subjective, this is nearly impossible to completely prevent. Though, when in doubt, we tend to give slightly lower scores than our original “gut feelings” to account for this, and also give the attraction more room to improve over time.We also do our best to be fair and consistent across all of the haunts that we review. We know that you’ll be looking at these scores and comparing them to other attractions, so we hope this review helps you out in that aspect.Do you have some feedback about our review system? Contact Us Here to let us know what you think!
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Promo Images:
Click to Enlarge
Awards:
2019
2018
2017
Actor Shout Out Award - Rope-Swinging Clown
