Final Scores – By Category:

Cast (20% of Final Score): 9.05

Costuming (10% of Final Score): 9.61

Customer Service (10% of Final Score): 9.88

Immersion (10% of Final Score): 9.35

Special Effects (15% of Final Score): 9.62

Scare Factor (20% of Final Score): 9.05

Entertainment & Value (15% of Final Score): 9.5

Hide This

Final Scores – By Attraction:

Attraction 1: 9.37

Welcome to Laurels House of Horror, where an old, abandoned movie theater becomes the ultimate horror experience. Laurels makes every inch count with its detailed and immersive sets. Now in its 10th year, this haunt uses the theater’s original layout to create a uniquely eerie atmosphere, taking you through unsettling scenes like the Carlisle Hotel, a voodoo shop, a creepy town, and a chaotic asylum. The special effects, animatronics, and carefully crafted costumes add layers of realism, making each area feel alive. Afterward, you’ll exit through a gift shop with photo ops and horror-themed merchandise. Laurels also offers separate escape rooms for those wanting more of a challenge. And if you’re curious about the paranormal, they even host ghost tours to explore the real haunted history of the theater.

The cast did a fantastic job bringing the haunted attraction to life. It was evident that each actor is fully committed to being their character and creating an eerie atmosphere. However, the spacing of the actors wasn’t always consistent. Some areas felt packed with performers, while other sections would have benefited from a few more actors. Their enthusiasm and intensity were evident throughout, with each one making us feel like we were truly part of the haunted world they created. Although there wasn’t much formal dialogue, the lines used were impactful and intentional, especially the Satan worshippers’ disturbing mumbling, which added to the unsettling vibe. Interaction was another strong point, with actors using props and engaging directly with the group. The butcher, for instance, ominously wielded his knife, asking if we wanted a taste, while the clowns’ creepy behaviors kept us on our toes. One actor stood out for his impressive ability to remain completely still, leaving us to wonder if he was a person or a prop. The variety of characters, from clowns to voodoo practitioners, ensured that each scene offered something unique and unexpected, with everyone contributing to the attraction’s immersive experience.

Laurel’s House of Horror truly excels in costuming, bringing each character to life with impressive detail and creativity. The costumes were incredibly unique and meticulously crafted, each one complete with accessories and distinct features that made the characters feel believable and immersive. Two standout characters left a lasting impression. The flapper in the dressing room scene looked like she was trapped in time from the 1920s; her vintage costume was beautifully assembled, and the flawless makeup added to her eerie, otherworldly charm. Equally impressive was the nurse in the midway, whose eyeless makeup was nothing short of chilling. It looked so realistic, and the skillful detailing added a grotesque, unsettling effect that made this character unforgettable.

Overall, the makeup across the haunt was exceptional, with intricate applications that elevated each character’s look and made them both visually impressive and terrifying. Each costume was thoughtfully designed to suit its respective scene, enhancing the overall atmosphere. Even the queue actors had impressive, believable costumes that matched the attraction’s high standards.

Finding the haunt was straightforward, even as first time visitors, we had no trouble locating the venue. The attraction, situated in a strip mall, had clear signage directing us where to park and guiding us to the entrance. The ticket booth was prominently placed at the entrance, and signs marked both VIP and general admission lines, making it easy to navigate without needing to ask for directions. We were reassured by the presence of police officers on site providing security, which added an extra layer of safety and peace of mind, allowing us to fully enjoy the experience. Every team member we interacted with was knowledgeable and willing to assist with any questions.

Before visiting, all essential information was readily available online, including address, parking (which was free), hours, ticket prices, and ADA accessibility details. Their website provided a comprehensive overview of the attraction, which is housed in a historic movie theater and promises an evolving experience each season. Policies, such as the no touch rule and wheelchair accessibility, were clearly stated on their website. They left us with no questions to be asked upon our arrival.

Laurel’s House of Horror delivered an outstanding experience from start to finish, setting the stage for both fun and fright well before we even entered. Arriving at the strip mall, we parked behind the building and could already feel the thrill: chainsaws echoed in the air, laser lights stretched the sky from the DJ booth, and actors roamed the crowd. The outdoor queue line had a DJ creating an electric, party-like atmosphere that made us excited to be there, yet also bracing ourselves for the scares ahead. Inside, the queue continued the immersion, retaining the old movie theater vibe with original concession stands, movie posters, and dim lighting that added a sense of suspense. A brief, eerie movie introduced us to the haunt, pulling us even further into its world before we even set foot inside. The haunt itself took us through multiple themed areas, from the Carlisle Hotel to a Freakshow and more. The scenes were creative and varied, transitioning seamlessly and keeping us engaged at every turn. Housed within an abandoned movie theater, Laurel’s House of Horror took full advantage of its surroundings, creating an eerie, believable atmosphere that made it easy to forget where we were. Their creative use of space and attention to detail in each scene were impressive, though the large group sizes slightly disrupted the immersion. Being at the back, we missed a few scares that had triggered for those ahead of us, and smaller groups would likely make the experience even better by allowing everyone to feel fully engaged with each scare. They balanced animatronics and props with actors in a way that maintained the eerie ambiance throughout. While certain scenes might benefit from even more actors, the attraction managed to feel complete and immersive. Once the journey ended, we were led into a large gift shop that extended the Halloween atmosphere a bit longer. Overall, Laurel’s House of Horror excels in creating an immersive, cohesive journey that keeps guests engaged from the outdoor queue to the final exit, and leaves us eager to return.

Laurel’s House of Horror utilized a variety of special effects to create an immersive and chilling experience. The high quality sound effects fit seamlessly into each scene and enhance the overall atmosphere without becoming annoying. The scene designs showcased an impressive attention to detail that clearly reflected the time and effort put into creating realistic, original settings. Notable features included a striking red neon sign for the Carlisle Hotel, which immediately set the tone, and the unsettling addition of roaches on a picnic table. The props and animatronics were equally impressive, strategically placed to enhance the scare factor. The lighting design was another standout aspect, strategically illuminating the rooms in a way that complemented the theme of each scene, especially in the candlelit ambiance of the Satan Worshippers’ area and the vibrant colored lighting in the clown room. Strobing effects further intensified certain moments, keeping us on edge as we moved through the various themes. In terms of sensory effects, the haunt also included light fog that enhanced the experience without overwhelming the scenes, and clever use of scents, such as a distinctly musky smell, made certain areas memorable and immersive. Unique elements like the squeeze room and the split girl installation that required us to walk beneath further demonstrated their creativity and commitment to delivering a fully immersive experience. We found ourselves often mesmerized by their attention to detail in the scenes.

Laurel’s House of Horror delivered an impressively scary experience. There were several instances throughout the attraction where we felt a rush of adrenaline, although we did find ourselves wishing we were in a smaller group to fully capture all the scares that the front of the line experienced. Distractions were cleverly utilized to steer our attention away from impending frights, keeping us engaged and on alert for what might come next. The finale was particularly strong, tying the entire attraction back to its roots and leaving a lasting impression that made many of us want to run out of the haunt. Overall, Laurel’s House of Horror succeeded in delivering a variety of well-timed and effective scares, creating an atmosphere that was both thrilling and memorable.

Laurel’s House of Horror certainly delivered impressive entertainment value for its ticket price, which is around $35, with frequent sales available. The haunt itself lasted about 20 minutes, making it a substantial experience for an indoor attraction. This results in a value of approximately 0.57 minutes per dollar. While this is below the average of 1 that we like to see, we walked away feeling like we got our money’s worth, and we’re already excited about returning for another visit. We appreciated the extra entertainment provided while waiting in line, which included a DJ and engaging actors. These elements added to the overall atmosphere and kept spirits high. Split kept everyone on their toes and grossed out (and slightly amazed) by his nose trick!