This attraction was reviewed by Team Zombillies, Team Lone Wolf, and Team Enchanted Seance on September 5, 2025.Through creeping catacombs, cold and confined
Chainsaws clattered and carved through our minds
Shadowy stalkers slithered into sight
Phobia forced us to face every fright
Cackling klowns with a jester unhinged
Dr. Psycho’s experiments left sanity singed
Land of Illusion isn’t just a haunted house; it’s a full-blown amusement park of fear. With six massive attractions to conquer, including their flagship Middletown Haunted Trail, the dark catacombs of Temple of Terror, the twisted circus of Killer Klowns, the deranged passages of Dr. Psycho’s Haunted Estate, the fear-fueled Phobia, and their brand-new 2025 addition, Lights Out, there’s no shortage of screams! Each haunt brings its own brand of terror to the table, making every walkthrough feel like a fresh maelstrom into madness.
And it doesn’t end there. The Monster Midway is loaded with live entertainment, food, games, and plenty of reasons to stick around long after your last scream! We laughed, shrieked, and in one unforgettable moment, Tyler had to eat something truly disgusting, and Tammy lost her shoe! LOI delivers enough thrills, chills, and questionable snacks (thanks to the doctor) to keep you busy all night long!
Overall score per attraction:
Temple of Terror: 8.33
Middletown Haunted Trail: 8.52
Lights Out: 5.96
Phobia: 8.32
Killer Klowns: 8.68
Dr. Psycho’s Haunted Estate: 8.35
Temple of Terror:
“The darkness is all that awaits you now!” There is no telling what lurks in the shadows of the Temple of Terror. Miners, demons, undead worshippers, and trapped souls wander the depths of this long-forgotten temple, stalking those brave (or foolish) enough to enter its cursed subterranean tomb. A slew of hungry and tortured souls unleashed their terror upon us, dashing in and out of the darkness so fast you’d have thought they vanished. The inhabitants of the temple are a very welcoming bunch; they will let you know how glad they are to have visitors since it’s been such a long time since they’d had anything to eat… I mean, anyone to meet!
Some spoke of embalming our organs in jars, others shouted that we would be fed to their pet demon! The tombs’ corridors were filled with the screams of the trapped souls and hungry demons laughing and taunting, most of them referring to a 13-foot monster they named “Eddie.” One of the trapped souls, a crocodile hunter, had his army of bush people attack us, lunging from every angle! The most feared of them all, Anubis, the undead God himself, nearly sealed our fate in his burial chamber, but we narrowly escaped. Thankfully, we were “unworthy” to share the afterlife with Anubis, so we were banished from the Temple!
The catacombs themselves were well-populated, but a handful of actors leaned on generic dialogue or simply slunk past us instead of vanishing and reemerging to hit more of our group. We did appreciate the banshee shrieks that pierced the darkness, though one well-timed scream is plenty to catch us off guard.
Middletown Haunted Trail:
The Middletown Haunted Trail feels more like the Middle-of-Hell Haunted Trail! If you dare traverse this treacherous path, be warned, there’s no telling what kind of evil will manifest itself before you. These ghouls and goblins don’t fly solo either; they come in numbers, gathering together to ambush you around every corner. Filled to the brim with so many crazy creatures, it’s hard to keep track. It felt like there wasn’t a dull moment to catch our breath. Don’t think for a second that their energy and intensity don’t match the numbers they appear in because they bring the fire… and quite literally!
The trail thrived on large sets and scenes with multiple actors that added a personal touch and unique dialogue with each interaction. Some actors had props to terrorize us with, while others relied on witty and clever threats to throw us off. Everyone lent their talents to be engaging in their own specific ways. Whether it was a howling shriek from a victim in pain or a low, ghoulish growl from a masked phantom, passion was behind the performances. The variety and range of different creatures is bewildering; they have something to scare everybody. From bloody lumberjacks (that shall not be trusted!) and spider queens, to murderous mascots and undead undertakers, the trail holds terrors ripped from every corner of your nightmares.
We’ll dive deeper down in Scare Factor later, but the chainsaw chasers deserve a shoutout here – their timing and coordination had our group scattering like never before! Other standouts included Reverend Mordecai Black, the sparking slider, the soul-snatcher, the woman in the pig pens, and the zealous clowns. This crew absolutely rocked it for opening night.
Lights Out:
Lights Out will leave you wishing you had night vision! The shadows come alive inside the absolute darkness, confusing and disorienting anyone who dares step in. The number of actors lurking was hard to pin down, though one stood out with his evil, maniacal laugh. Others, however, mostly stood and stared (we’re not sure if they realized we could see them) and often went only for the front of the group, letting the rest slip by untouched. One did manage to rattle our leader with repeated jump scares, but following it up with, “Are you okay?” broke the believability. The darkness here gives a unique advantage – the gift of uncertainty – but it wasn’t fully used. More varied tones, better re-targeting of groups, multiple scare tactics, and simply more actors could have turned this abyss into something far more terrifying.
Phobia:
Phobia proved to be a rollercoaster of shock and unnerving discomfort. All the basic fears are exploited to the max by this attraction. The actors did a good job at portraying the specific fears intended to strike terror into our hearts, and they did it with energy.
From stepping into a crime scene to stumbling into an alien laboratory, the actors who inhabited these scenes drove us to the edge, making us feel as uncomfortable as possible. To make the fears more tangible, they brought them right to our faces and engaged us in the horrors (sometimes, even from above)!
Each new scene provided a setting for a slew of different actors that kept us guessing until the very end. All your senses will be assaulted and exhausted, leaving you begging for it to stop! There were a few characters who didn’t use their scenes as well as others, mostly staying in a corner or up against a wall, but then there were others who targeted us as many times as they could.
Killer Klowns:
Big shock as we ventured into the Big Top! Killer Klowns plunged us into a seriously sadistic circus filled with klowns that have a penchant for slaughter, I mean laughter. Even for opening night, they achieved such a dramatic display of cartoonish buffoonery and twisted pranks. Darting in and out of scenes with lightning speed to reappear seconds later somewhere else, they kept the illusion of a packed circus well. Each klown played into their role in the demented freak show with pizazz. Quirky props and sporadic movements give these freaks electric qualities that make them shine. Despite a lack of various possible characters, each klown (and jester) is so unique and individual that they are all so personally different, and that makes this one hell of a clown-themed haunt!
Jingles the Jester was easily one of the scariest, dancing and luring us deeper into the madness. Unbirthday the Klown was a twisted delight, asking about our favorite tea before casually revealing that he prefers insan-i-tea. The deranged duo inside the cage maze absolutely rocked it. And seriously… how many times do we have to tell you we don’t like klown boogies?!
Dr. Psycho’s Haunted Estate:
Prepare to go under the needle at Dr. Psycho’s Haunted Estate, where the deranged and the mentally insane play all day, waiting to rearrange your brain! Within these walls, it’s difficult to determine who’s a patient and who’s a warden when they’ve all gone stark raving mad! Wild displays of insanity are around every turn, and patients are experimented on, turning them into flesh-hungry monsters. Be careful; you might be at his operating table next!
Compared to last year, Dr. Psycho’s cast really amped it up! While we still caught a few generic “get outs” and one-liners to the front of the group without follow-up, this haunt still scored nearly a point and a half higher than last season – and that was on opening night! Talk about showing up strong.
Mud and Awi (sorry again for calling you “ninja”) worked overtime to cover dead space, seeming to appear straight out of the walls. The nun delivered sharp dialogue, the escaped patient at the beginning nailed some great movements, and Dr. Psycho himself was downright “killer.” He called us out and convinced Tyler to eat a worm with the line, “A worm a day keeps the doctor away.” Well… In this case, we’ll take the worm! Ain’t nobody volunteering for his experiments!
Temple of Terror:
Our intrepid group of adventurers weren’t the only ones who found ourselves trapped in this terrible tomb. We encountered several crazies lurking in the shadows of its caverns and corridors, ranging from acolytes in robes to previous explorers who’d become corrupted by the Temple’s curse and transformed into deranged souls. The individual operating the rickety old elevator wore very grungy clothes that hinted they’d been there for a very long time. And the humans certainly weren’t the only threats we had to face – even the bushes in the swamp could come alive and devour us at any moment, and they were perfectly concealed!
Realistic masks on characters like the intimidating Anubis and wickedly cackling Priestess made them seem more believable. Some characters had props, such as the bloody arm an acolyte was toting around. The Underminer brandished a blade and seemed awfully keen to use it on some unlucky members of our party… uh oh. In addition to masks and props, we noticed several different makeup jobs. Dark markings on actors’ faces and collarbones provided a gaunt appearance; again, like they’d been there a while and were looking worse for the wear. Others had become wounded in their search for a way out. Some had become so twisted by the Temple that they had turned into literal monsters, like the character with UV-reactive makeup (neat!) and another with a darkened face and prosthetic horns.
With the full understanding there’d be explorers with more modern clothing, we saw the odd outfit that seemed a little too modern. Costumes should also match props and makeup; if the actor’s prop or face is dirty/bloody, then what they are wearing should be as well.
Middletown Haunted Trail:
We weren’t quite sure what we could expect to encounter as we took our first cautious steps into this foreboding wood. The answer? All sorts of creeps, freaks, and maniacs! The sewer’s inhabitants definitely had some grunge on their clothes from being down there. A distressed captive in the bunker was bound in thick chains. Some characters, like those in the witch scene, had various little trinkets on their costumes. We saw several lumberjack and redneck characters wearing flannels, what looked like a mullet wig (nice!), and one gal was in the process of gettin’ her hair did – as evidenced by the pink rollers in it. One of the more… interesting costumes we came across was a cuddly panda bear (?!). Several actors sported half or full masks consisting of different materials, such as burlap and silicone. The clowns had outfits decorated in blacklight-reactive colors.
There was a good variety of makeup used as well. Some looks were more detailed than others, but most got the point across as to who- or what- the actor was supposed to be. We saw blood splatters, more blacklit colors, mysterious markings, and black veins. SFX lenses enhanced some characters’ creep factor. Several carried props to further enhance their act. A young lady in the sewer was highly insistent on all of us meeting her pet possum. Seymour attempted to get a group member to touch his “sack” (and might’ve snatched his soul for it!). Many wielded weapons like baseball bats, knives, hammers, and chainsaws. Others used tools to scare: shakers, horns.
A few actors had costumes and makeup that didn’t quite seem to match their scenes, and it caused a little confusion. Anyone in a scene where the character is likely to look rough or dirty for being there should look the part; we noticed some good makeups, but the costumes seemed plain in comparison.
Lights Out:
The shadows were alive in Lights Out – and seeking to devour our group! As this was a disorienting blackout maze, many of the actors wore black outfits to blend in and strike from the darkness. Most of their costumes did a decent job of concealing them, but we did spot some opportunities. Any accessories that could be noticed against black fabric should be removed while the actor is on set or tucked underneath their collar if possible. Long sleeves, makeup coverage, or masks could be utilized to better hide the cast and help them terrify customers as they make their way through the haunt.
Phobia:
Phobia’s cast was well-equipped to confront us with our worst fears. What appeared to be some poor electrical worker in a jumpsuit and hard hat screamed in agony against a fence. Ouch! Crime scene workers, clad in fluorescent vests and caps reading “POLICE”, sternly barked at us to leave. The dentist wore their signature white coat – and a CREEPY mask sporting a leering smile. Clowns were dressed in ruffles and clown suits. In the alien scene, the actors wore white hazmat suits/coats and monstrous masks, with one glowing eerily under the light.
For makeup, the aforementioned electrician looked rather… ashy. Our crime scene characters were wearing some gore. The witches in the occult room had faces ranging from pale to skeletal. At least one of the clowns wore SFX lenses (and had Phobia written on their nose!). Props were also used; an officer attempted to shoo us away from the crime scene with a taser, shakers provided a quick startle, and a clown was carrying cute rubber chickens.
The characters were mostly recognizable here, but adding some extra details- like splashes of blood from the dentist’s last unfortunate “patients”- would help to enhance this category. Perhaps one of the most detailed costumes was the figure up against the wall in the swampy area, but we only noticed they were real as we rounded the corner to leave the area (or were they real?).
Killer Klowns:
A varied (and vicious) krew of Klowns were waiting to serve up some terror under the Big Top! The level of detail varied among them, but a good mix of costumes, masks, and makeup were used to bring this fearsome freak show to life. Jingles, the house Jester, wore a detailed jester’s costume with clawed gloves… and his sinister grin was full of sharp teeth. Yikes! The twins, Toodles and Doodles, had matching outfits. Other Klowns were wearing bow ties, tutus, and ruffles. Mr. Unbirthday’s mask looked very close to a normal clown’s, complete with his nose strapped on. (But we must warn you: he’s a Klown… not a clown! You’d be wise to know the difference!) Some of the Klowns had custom paint jobs on their costumes, like the one with a whole clown face painted on the back.
Quite a few props were used, too. The rubbery booger a masked Klown streeetched out of his nostril- then tried to share with a group member (ewww!)- was as funny as it was gross. We nearly got smashed by a Klown swinging a giant mallet. Another Klown carried a “friend” with them. (Hint: it’s LOUD and it will cut you up if you don’t run!) A red-haired Klown appeared to be missing their nose – but that didn’t stop them from (repeatedly) tracking the smell of our fear and coming after us with their axe!
Overall, appearances were solid in this house, and there wasn’t a single character you couldn’t identify as a Klown. (Or a Jester. Yes, Jingles, we remembered.)
Dr. Psycho’s Haunted Estate:
As we made our way from the grounds to the laboratory of Dr. Christopher Psycho’s estate, we faced many different monsters and maniacs. That’s right – it wasn’t just the “good” doctor we had to watch out for… it was literally everyone! Most actors wore costumes suitable for their roles. One of Dr. Psycho’s creations persistently stalked our party, draped in scraps and a mask made of various fabrics. The deranged greenhouse workers had outfits ranging from normal clothing to overalls (with one even wearing a name tag for a more realistic appearance). An escaped patient scurried about the property in a dirty straitjacket. In the asylum, we saw an imposing doctor wearing his uniform and an apron laden with surgical tools. Crazed rednecks ran amok in flannel shirts and dirty clothes. A maid was doing the laundry- and tormenting us- while wearing a bonnet and apron. Dr. Psycho himself wore a heavily stained overcoat and had stringy, filthy hair that only made him creepier.
While he grinned ominously at our lead reviewers, we noticed the greenhouse worker in the overalls was dripping… something. The patient running loose had a large wound on half of their face, and we noticed more wounds on other characters. Black fluid, or dark energy, poured from the eyes and mouth of the priest upstairs. The tall, scary doctor was wearing a full face of gore. “Cletus” in the cremation scene looked about as rough as the bodies he was feeding into the flames.
You could say Dr. Psycho had a taste for slimy, squirmy things that live in the dirt – and he was hoping a couple of our group members did too! He also used a walking stick with a doll’s head perched on top. Cletus brandished a former “patient’s severed limb at us.
Some appearances we saw were highly detailed, while others were a bit less so. We did notice some costumes that appeared just a little too clean in comparison to the actor’s role.
Finding Land of Illusion couldn’t be easier; your GPS will take you straight there, and the giant searchlight circling the sky makes sure you can’t miss it. A large roadside sign confirmed we had arrived, and their spacious lot had plenty of attendants on hand to guide us into a spot. One thing to note: parking isn’t free. This year, it was $8 cash (a bit higher with a card), and it’s not very obvious on their website, so guests may be caught off guard. We did find it on their FAQ page, though, along with a lot of other park information, but we feel it should at least be mentioned on the ticketing page.
Once inside, navigating the park was also a breeze. Every haunt, waiting line, food, restrooms, and even the bar were clearly marked, and they’ve gone the extra mile by placing an illuminated map right inside the front gate. It made planning our night of fright stress-free and straightforward, which is very important at a large scream park like this. This year, they added a Fast Pass upgrade booth in the middle of the midway, which was nice to see, so folks don’t have to go all the way back to the front to upgrade their tickets. They also accept cash, card, and tap payments now!
Staff were plentiful and easy to spot. Security was solid, too, with wand checks before entry. Inside, watch your step, especially in Phobia. We came across some uneven flooring and loose gravel that could use some filling.
LOI’s website covers tickets, details on each haunt, and an FAQ page packed with helpful info to help you plan your visit. While they currently don’t recommend guests with disabilities enter the haunts, the midway and stage events are open and accessible for everyone to enjoy.
The variety of attractions inside Land of Illusion offers a little something for everyone, but even with the vast amount of differences between them, they all have one thing in common: making you feel like you’re truly a part of whatever crazed realm you’ve just stepped foot in.
Temple of Terror:
Sources of light began to dwindle, and eerie quiet surrounded us as we made our way to the entrance of the Temple of Terror, the indoor queue already inviting us into what awaited below. We were not briefed on what our purpose of descending into said temple was, nor what we’d find once we got down there. But after a rickety and rather terrifying elevator ride down (and down, and down, and down some more), it didn’t take long to hear mention of “Eddie” and how we needed to hurry along; he apparently didn’t like to be kept waiting. We eagerly pushed forward, not so much in search of Eddie as we were for an exit.
Scarce flickering flames lit our path as we pushed through the claustrophobic tunnels. Hearing subtle squeaks of bats overhead, rocks settling beside us, and whispers all around of those who had paid a visit long before us and never escaped, only heightened the terror they’d warned us about in the name. While our group had been told early on to move quickly for Eddie’s appetite’s sake, the repetitiveness of actors yelling at us to keep going, especially after a group behind us caught up, did tend to make it more difficult to appreciate the attraction and broke a bit of the immersion for our experience. Once the lot of us finally made it out, however, we all breathed a sigh of relief that we didn’t turn into Eddie’s next meal.
Middletown Haunted Trail:
Although we were still on edge from Temple, the Middletown Haunted Trail surely didn’t take it easy on us. As we awaited our seemingly inevitable doom, the fenced-in queue area didn’t give us much hope for our fates, nor insight as to what to expect. The immediate switch from the line area directly into the midst of a sewer system resembled the feeling of whiplash, and the mayhem started almost immediately.
While there is no specific storyline or theme to the trail in its entirety, each individual section we encountered made their themes pretty darn clear. From the catacombs to literal Hell, through a funhouse, and the inside of a spider’s dwelling… Both the elaborate set designs and super in-character actors made every scene come to life for the time we spent in it. There were some portions of the trail that felt relatively empty, lacking both actors and an overall theme. Those transitions did pull us out of the fear temporarily, leaving us a tad confused, but also curious as to what we’d stumble upon next.
Lights Out:
For a blackout attraction such as Lights Out, one of the more horrifying aspects to consider is that we never know just what we’re getting into. Is the darkness itself scary, or is it the unknown of what may be lurking in it?
For us, unfortunately, not as much was left to our imagination.
While the new brown pole barn exterior didn’t exactly scream “scary attraction,” the experience got a boost from costumed actors roaming outside and the line lights sporadically shutting off, plunging us into moments of pitch-black before we ever stepped inside.
While the first room took our night vision the best way possible by suddenly blinding us, those effects didn’t last as long as the haunt, thus taking away a great portion of the uncertainty and tension. Our group was able to see well enough to not only navigate our way through the rest of the haunt without much difficulty, but to also see the few actors and animatronics attempting to scare us before the scares actually came. This made it difficult to be fully immersed in the attraction because the main attribute was lacking.
Phobia:
Our next stop was Phobia, which also utilized blackout elements in certain portions, but that surely wasn’t all it had to offer. Before it was our turn to “face our fears,” we got to sign a VIP wall that was a new addition this year. While flattering, it also sorta felt like we just might’ve signed our lives away.
We quickly found out that Phobia does indeed put all of your worst fears to the test: spiders, snakes, dentists, the dark, and so much more. Whether or not these areas housed specific fears for us upon entering, they surely do now! The flow of the transitions between sections felt very smooth, never alleviating the tension our group felt. There were some areas that seemed light on actors; perhaps adding more characters into these scenes, acting as though they are victims or scared as well, might heighten the fear in guests coming through.
Killer Klowns:
This next funhouse wasn’t so fun. The chaos (or perhaps khaos?) of the Killer Klowns was almost infectious, but while they were laughing, we were screaming! An exciting entrance to the attraction, such as a small funhouse customers walk through while in the queue line, or klowns harassing visitors before the true fun even begins, would make for a more immersive buildup. Inside, though, the never-ending neon glow of the wall art and notable cotton candy scents had never been so frightening. The only area that felt a little lackluster and out of place compared to the rest was the maze of fencing halfway through. However, the actors working in the large, wide-open area did a good job of interacting and utilizing the space to keep us enthralled. If we hadn’t escaped when we did, we might have succumbed to the madness alongside them. We would also like to note that we noticed some personal drink bottles and other items that also impacted the immersion (there were multiples in one of the larger scenes).
Dr. Psycho’s Haunted Estate:
Dr. Psycho’s Haunted Estate was our final attraction of the night, and it did not disappoint. Waiting in the enclosed queue area with no introduction or actors once again left us unsure of what to expect. But once we were escorted in, we not only witnessed the horrible aftermath of Dr. Psycho’s experiments throughout the greenhouse, asylum, and the mansion, but we practically became experiments ourselves.
All of the countless victims matched their designated scenes quite well, showcasing just what might have happened to them. Some of the outside transitions between the areas, though, felt rushed and were mostly quiet and empty. This made the flow of the attraction feel a bit awkward at times. We also weren’t exactly sure of the storyline the entire way through, and for the blunt changes in scenery, having actors around to potentially explain the theme and transitions for guests might make for a much more immersive experience next time. As for the doctor, considering this attraction is based mainly around him, not many of the actors made direct mention of him. We weren’t graced with the doctor’s presence until the end, and while we would’ve liked to see more of him, he truly left a lasting impression on all of us!
Whether you brave just one attraction or all six in the park, if you’re lucky enough to make it out alive, each one ends with you back out in the midway with entertainment and refreshments galore! Definitely keeps the spooky vibes going even outside of the haunts.
There’s no shortage of visual thrills within this haunted scream park. Each attraction offers its own unique theme, enhanced by an array of immersive special effects that create a distinct identity. Whether you’re fleeing from chainsaw-wielding madmen along the haunted trail or crossing paths with sinister killer klowns, you’ll be captivated by the intricately designed, decaying set pieces that bring each experience to life.
Temple of Terror:
Glowing hieroglyphics cast an eerie light across the stone walls as we made our way through the tight, claustrophobic corridors. Along the way, we stumbled into dark dungeons, a cavern swarming with massive bats, a jungle crawling with snakes and spiders, and even came face-to-face with a towering 14-foot monster. The audio effects were noticeably louder than in previous years, which heightened the intensity, while the sets remained impressively consistent with the theme, never straying from the ancient horror they set out to create. Unfortunately, we missed some scenes due to poor timing, which lessened the overall impact. Stay alert – these sets might come to life right before your eyes!
Middletown Haunted Trail:
A blanket of dense fog, illuminated by the glow of a full moon, along with spiders and twisted haunted trees, is exactly what you’d expect from a haunted trail – but those familiar frights barely scratch the surface of the terrors lurking within these woods.
Your journey will take you through sewers, past sinister witches, across towering bridges, and into an alien-infested swamp. You’ll wind your way through a maze of looming school buses, evade the deranged cooks of a haunted cafeteria, and ultimately come face-to-face with the devil himself deep within the caverns of Hell. The sheer scale of the sets adds an incredible sense of realism, fully immersing you in the nightmare. Strategic audio design – booming in some areas, eerily absent in others – builds tension as you anticipate what awaits around each corner. Perhaps some of the most effective were those inside the nuclear bunker.
The latter half of the trail showcased the most significant changes (which we won’t spoil here), while the opening remained largely the same aside from a few impactful upgrades that elevated the experience. The addition of the seemingly endless neon danglers was a fun touch, and we also spotted a few new sheds and smaller buildings along the way. That said, the junkyard/car section and the smashing wall could use more detail to match the stronger scenes around them. We also came across a few animatronics that weren’t firing, which was noticeable since we could still see them sitting idle as we passed, waiting for a scare that never came.
Killer Klowns:
As we followed a sweet scent to our demise, Killer Klowns wasted no time immersing us into its twisted circus theme. The walls were uncomfortably tight and illuminated by neon colors, giving the illusion of being trapped inside a demented funhouse. The air carried the sweet but unsettling scent of cotton candy, further heightening the sense of unease as we navigated through the neon nightmare. Rooms with uneven floors, low ceilings, and steep ramps added a physical layer of disorientation, keeping us off balance as we tried to anticipate what was coming next.
The haunt remained true to its circus theme throughout, with the exception of the chain-link fence maze, which introduced a slightly different flavor with its confusing pathways and disorienting lighting effects. Audio design leaned heavily on circus music to reinforce the theme, though one unexpected shift into hard rock music created a momentary but memorable break in tone. Altogether, the cohesive design, sensory effects, and creative use of space made for a truly immersive experience. Prepare to get dizzy and used as a human pinball in this one!
Lights Out:
This haunt, unfortunately, ended up being the most forgettable of the night. While the dense fog, disorienting lights, and long stretches of complete darkness provided some fleeting moments of tension, the overall experience struggled to leave a lasting impression. The simulated storm effects were a highlight, with flashes of lightning adding atmosphere and energy, but beyond that, the attraction lacked the creativity and personality seen in other haunts (even of this same type).
In several sections, the lighting was so bright that it broke the sense of immersion, allowing us to see every detail and eliminating the mystery that should drive fear and suspense. Without a clear theme or distinct set pieces, the haunt felt flat, leaving little to distinguish it from a generic walk-through. Despite a few well-executed technical elements, the attraction ultimately failed to capture the same impact or memorability as its counterparts.
Fingers-crossed, we see a return of the shanty in the near future. 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼Bring back the Shanty!!
Phobia:
Phobia delivered exactly what one hopes for in a dark maze – an experience that thrives on disorientation, tension, and sudden scares. Much of the indoor path was consumed by pitch-black darkness, broken only by bursts of loud bangs, blaring car horns, and piercing sirens that kept nerves on edge. The journey wound through a variety of themed rooms, including a séance and voodoo chamber, a spider-filled den, a twisted dentist’s office, a slithery swamp, and even a chaotic scientist’s lab. One of the most shocking moments came when we suddenly found ourselves staring down the grill of an irate semi-truck. They also added a super cool sensory effect that never ends. Also, we recommend that you don’t look at the TV in the dentist’s office…
The haunt’s production value stood out, with dense fog filling the air and animatronics that were not only convincing but also expertly timed to maximize the scares. The audio was loud and pulsating and worked hand in hand with the visuals to create an overwhelming, sensory-driven experience. Phobia embodied what a dark maze should feel like: unpredictable, suffocating, and packed with relentless energy.
Dr. Psycho’s Haunted Estate:
Dr. Psycho’s Haunted Estate delivered a diverse and unsettling journey through a variety of nightmarish settings. We began inside a haunted mansion lined with missing persons posters before descending into a morgue where live cremations took place. We then pushed onward into a demented greenhouse where carnivorous, human-eating plants were on attack. The path continued through an asylum lined with prison cells and maximum-security chambers, each adding to the feeling of being trapped inside Dr. Psycho’s deranged world. The experience then spilled outdoors into a chilling cemetery, complete with a live burial.
The finale brought us face-to-face with Dr. Psycho himself inside his laboratory, where the shock factor peaked as we were actually fed live worms – an unforgettable moment, to say the least! There was some water coming from somewhere in there, too. Animatronics throughout the estate were well-timed and startling, keeping scares unpredictable, while the audio design, though present, occasionally felt subdued in certain areas. Despite these quieter stretches, Dr. Psycho’s Haunted Estate was one of the more memorable and unique haunts of the night!
We’d also like to note that while in the downstairs areas of the house, it felt more like an old estate now.
21. How scary was it? (35% of score): 7.73
22. How well did they provide scares to everyone in the group? (15% of score): 7.45
23. How predictable were the scares? (25% of score): 7.28
24. How well did they provide a wide variety (types) of scares? (10% of score): 7.33
25. How strong was the ending / finale? (15% of score): 5.86
Scream Scores (by attraction):Temple of Terror:
The Temple of Terror may appear to be an ordinary ancient temple, but it’s NOT the kind of place you might see featured on The History Channel. Within its walls lie the cursed and tormented souls of ages long past. The darkness and sounds engulf you. You will feel like you have been transported back in time.
The dark passages inside the Temple ignited our imaginations, especially for those in the front of the group. Was that a shadow in the distance? Where is that eerie sound coming from? We had no idea what awaited us in the darkness. The intense, loud music kept our hearts pounding in anticipation of what would happen next, and also made it harder to hear the crazies creeping up on us.
When we encountered a bloody binder in tattered clothing, he forced us into a decrepit elevator, and we felt as if we plunged 100 floors into an abyss of death. That was when the real fear set in, with the sounds of bats fluttering around our ears, leaving us uncertain if one might fly past us. And then there was the VERY large bat in the cave, definitely not one I wanted to cuddle!
Every turn in the Temple hurled us into another dangerous scenario. Occasionally, when we glanced behind us, it was NOT who we were expecting. The actors were good at hiding and emerging from all angles, but mainly at the front of the group. A scream was just around every dark corner in the cursed catacombs. We also nearly escaped being crushed by a falling ceiling in a tomb!
Bushmen in the jungle appeared particularly agitated by our presence (beware the bushman!), while others seemed intent on crushing our vocal cords! The Afterlife doesn’t seem to be treating the inhabitants of the tomb well. Through the twisting passages, we never knew what to expect next. There were plenty of good jump scares, and several moments that made us want to run! Some timing could use improvement, but we were consistently on edge throughout our experience!
Scream Score: 90.422
Middletown Haunted Trail:
A full moon hung above us as we approached the entrance to the trail. In the distance, we could hear screams and maniacal laughter. The trees loomed overhead, enclosing us, while a thick fog began to settle in. With it came a rush of fear, filling our minds with the dread of the unknown. We had no idea what awaited us, and we couldn’t wait to find out!
We were forced through the sewers and then thrown out into a battleground at one point. The sound of loud sirens led us to Area 49, where there was an infestation of aliens and loud shots all around us. It was very chaotic, and things were coming at us from all angles; we even found ourselves holding on for dear life!
The scares on the trail did not disappoint. Some of us did become highly concerned when they wanted to burn the witch (they quickly pointed at Nora, claiming she was a witch)! Some of us may or may not be witchy. But luckily, we all made it out! The curvier the trail became, the more twisted each scenario we encountered was. Hey Nora! Go through the door first! If you love Spiders, you will love this! And no, we will not change your kids’ dirty diaper! From clowns to the devil. The trail creeps into your nightmares and makes it come to life. One scare after another.
Harmless lumberjack…? Nope! He was leading us to slaughter! Suddenly, we were surrounded by who knows how many crazed lunatics with chainsaws. We seriously couldn’t count them. The intensity that they surrounded us with was downright insane! We had no idea where to go as our group of nine scattered like cockroaches when you turn the lights on. They were everywhere! Tammy literally ran out of her shoe! They could have the shoe, though, just not her head! We will say that with the high intensity and scare factor of this particular scene, we do recommend that it be closer to the end or as the finale. It would truly leave guests scattering out of the haunt, as the finale we experienced left us all just walking out.
Scream Score: 90.072
Lights Out:
The long hallways went on with nothing really in them to feel, as noted on their website, besides some string gliding along our heads. Since we spotted a few actors, it made it harder for them to scare us. That’s not to say that we didn’t get a few jumps from them, but it was only the first few people in our group. The back of the group witnessed the scarers resetting without any attempt to scare them, too.
A few of the sudden loud noises were definitely unsettling. At times, the very disorienting flashes of bright lightning, loud thunder, and dense fog were almost overwhelming. Expecting something to happen in the darkness definitely had us feeling on edge. However, the maze could use some more scare types as it got very monotonous after the first few halls. We recommend clackers on gloves for making noises near us on the walls, actors making noises so that we don’t know where they are, and adding some whispering audio that says things like, “Hey, over here,” and “Follow me” so that customers don’t know whose voices are real or not.
Scream Score: 88.405
Phobia:
We understood that Phobia was primarily a dark maze, but we had no idea what awaited us inside. The darkness disoriented us completely. With our hands stretched out in front of us, we had to hope for the best and pray that whoever or whatever we touched was someone in our own group!
The fear of the unknown was almost crippling. Unexpected scares lurked around every corner. The loud noises, sirens, and fog made it feel like we were lost in an abyss. Occasionally, we were briefly released from the darkness, only to be chased by deranged dentists and police, to name just a few. At one point, a semi-truck nearly turned us into roadkill!
Phobia was filled with intensity, and we never truly knew what would be around each corner. The dense fog and loud sounds left us feeling somewhat helpless in the darkness. Phobia took our fears and forced them into our faces! Even when we thought the scares would come from the most common places, they surprised us by coming at us from above or down at our ankles!
Scream Score: 91.178
Killer Klowns:
Never, ever trust a clown (or even klowns)! The smell of cotton candy and the cheerful circus music gave us a false sense of security. Once inside this funhouse of horrors, we realized these were no ordinary klowns; something had gone horribly wrong!
The tight passages, uneven floors, low ceilings, and walls covered in neon paint made us feel like we were having a very bad trip! Playful klowns wanting to show their artwork suddenly transformed into sinister figures intent on ripping out our intestines! These klowns were everywhere!
Yes, the vibe was changing the further we progressed. Suddenly, the music grew louder and sounded much angrier! The flashing lights and low lighting made the chain-link maze even harder to navigate, especially when we weren’t alone. These klowns didn’t want to play; they wanted to saw us in half, and maybe play with our parts or even make cotton candy out of us. All we have to say is think long, think wrong! We hope you choose the right door!
Jingles, the menacing jester, stalked us throughout our stay, leaving us in constant fear of who would be waiting around the corner. If you hear a jingle, you’d better run! He was close! Killer Klowns did an excellent job of providing scares for the whole group, leaving us unsure of when (or from where) the next one would strike! The added double C that we encountered multiple times (clown with a chainsaw) was a fantastic addition and left us screaming out the exit!
Scream Score: 91.311
Dr. Psycho’s Haunted Estate:
When we entered Dr Psycho’s Estate, it was evident that some of his experiments were loose and eager to keep us trapped in the nightmare they called home. ‘Trespassers welcome. Little did we know, we would barely make it out before we became residents alongside the crazy doctor and his wife. Our nightmare began at the twisted greenhouse, where it was clear the doctor had been trying his hand at gardening. Victims of the doctor would spring from hidden areas where they were crouched, waiting to attack.
From the twisted greenhouse, the path led us to the Asylum. There, the music and lighting made us feel like we were going crazy as well. Bloody patients constantly rushed around us, laughing maniacally. Their tattered clothes and filthy appearance, combined with the sores and gashes from the doctor, made them quite unpleasant to encounter.
Weaving through the blood-splattered walls, the kitchen from hell, the furnace, and other dark corners of the estate as stalkers continued to pursue us, we finally made our way into the laboratory. Here, we met the doctor and his wife. His appearance was enough alone to frighten us. Quickly, the doctor wanted to share hors d’oeuvres with us. I don’t want to give too much of that away. But, he certainly knows how to keep us away!
Scream Score: 90.9
We planned an all-night group trip to visit this park, and because of the fast pass access, we were able to visit all SIX haunts and have time to enjoy the midway activities and services too. On the eve of our visit, they had a GG mud wrestling event, keeping attendees’ attention while the main attractions prepared for the night. Before, during, and after this prehaunt event, DJ Chris Lutz was spinnin’ the tunes off the stage to keep everyone hyped up and in the mood for some adrenaline. We were consistently jamming with him in between attractions.
The Voodoo Lounge and the Creepy Cafe offer a place to take the load off both your nerves and your feet. They have snack and drink options in the cafe, as well as a delicious array of adult beverages served up in the lounge, including drink specials exclusive to the park.
Some free perks that are included with your admission into the park are interacting with scare actors and crew members, numerous selfie-station options, and a massive fire pit to congregate at when you get a chill. There was also a traveler’s wagon near the temple doing free tarot readings for the curious individuals who chose to take a seat; not sure as to whether she is making the attraction her permanent residence or traveling on before our next visit, but she made an impression on some that evening.
Opening weekend GA tickets were $65.00 on the night we visited, which gets entry into all 6 attractions in the general line and includes ALL-night re-entry. If you’re in the mood for quick access, there is always the fast-pass option, which you can purchase along with your GA ticket for $85 or wait til you enter the park. If you are a frequent visitor, the VIP Scream Pass ticket option is your best bang for your buck, as it allows unlimited seasonal park admission and includes a fast-pass option. The VIP Scream Pass for $210 is the ONLY pass that offers FREE parking. Parking for our visit was $8(cash)/$10(card) per vehicle. Expect some of these prices to fluctuate as the haunt season progresses.
Our total scary time was 76 minutes, making our MPD score 1.17, which is priced relatively average when compared to other prices nearby. However, when factoring in that you can visit each haunt as many times as you like, this is a fantastic bang for your buck!
The array of spooks and scares at Land of Illusion is sure to have something to keep your whole group on their toes and hair on end. There is certainly a scare for everyone. Whether it’s the unknown in the new “Lights Out” attraction, you’re simply scared of the dark, being underground, being up high, or running from a psycho klown, you’re sure to get a thrill here!
8762 Thomas Road, Middletown, Ohio 45042
