Laurel’s House of Horror has reopened its abandoned movie theater for another season of scares. We decided to give it a try since we’d never been before. At first, we weren’t sure what to expect, but hearing guests scream as they ran out the door set the tone for a fun and unforgettable experience. Upon reaching the midway area, we admired how they preserved the building’s original exterior, giving it a unique and classy vibe. We also learned they host paranormal investigations, which we’re excited to come back and experience.
Laurels offers escape rooms that are a lot of fun, though we didn’t get a chance to try them this time, so we’ll definitely come back for that. The attraction is divided into four themed areas: Carlisle Hotel, Studio 13, Porter’s Asylum, and The Cult. Each theme stands out with its unique touches, excellent cast members, and impressive special effects. Be aware that the entire attraction is quite loud; if you’re sensitive to noise, bring earplugs, or you might want to skip this experience.
We were genuinely impressed by how much there is both inside and outside this attraction. If you haven’t visited yet, there’s still time to experience it. They host a variety of off-season events as well, which is a nice bonus. Unlike most haunted attractions that rely on darkness, this one dazzles with vibrant lights and colorful scenes. The detailed setup is impressive, and the use of the old movie theater’s ramps adds a unique twist. Moving up and down these ramps keeps you distracted, allowing them to surprise you at every turn.
Every cast member truly excelled here, each delivering a distinct performance that made the experience memorable. Our arrival at the hotel was met with an angry front desk attendant, setting an intense tone. We were soon approached by another staff member preparing a bath for us, and despite not wanting one, he insisted because it was clean. Later, a performer entertained us on stage with her dancing, adding to the evening’s unique atmosphere. Later, we encountered a bartender mixing drinks for guests. She warned us the drinks were poisonous, so we advised everyone not to take a single sip from the dreadful bartender.
Upon reaching Artie’s butcher shop, we immediately saw them butchering another victim, affirming they were not to be trusted. Afterward, we headed to the carnival and met the clowns. The first clown was very angry about our presence and told us to leave his home, but we chose to stay longer, provoking him further. As we continued exploring, we realized the asylum was filled with clowns, which heightened the creepy atmosphere of the theme.
While inside The Cult, we interrupted a cast member who was feasting at the table. As soon as we walked in, they completely lost it and started screaming their lungs out. We had many more interactions, but I don’t want to give too much away; you need to experience it for yourself.
It’s difficult to know where to begin because these are the best costumes and makeup we’ve seen all season. Each cast member’s costume suited their character perfectly from start to finish. We especially appreciated the distinctive accessories and unique attachments that made every outfit stand out.
In the hotel section, every cast member wore a red top with a hat, making their look both unique and memorable. As we moved through the attraction, we were continually impressed by the range and quality of makeup and masks. The intricate detail of the costumes was truly remarkable, especially considering the challenge of maintaining such high standards.
Costumes in the other themed areas were just as impressive as those in the hotel. We encourage you to come and experience them yourself. We appreciated the authenticity and creativity seen throughout the attraction. Even the queue actors stood out – the clown with a fan and the cast member with a whip in the midway area both looked fantastic and very realistic, enhancing the immersive experience.
Laurels was easy to find. When you arrive, there’s a large parking lot on the premises, and the attraction itself is located in a small strip mall. There were signs everywhere, including for the lines and escape rooms, which made everything feel well-organized.
As we walked through the attraction, we didn’t notice any safety hazards. Because the attraction is a movie theater, there are several hills and slopes along the way. We strongly advise you not to run – even if you get scared, any trips or falls are your responsibility.
The staff at Laurels is exceptionally friendly, making everyone feel like family. Their warm, welcoming attitude reflects their commitment to providing the best experience and pride in their work. Whenever we had questions, they were always helpful and provided thorough, thoughtful answers.
Their website is easy to navigate, clearly listing all open dates, times, and hours. It also notes that, as a fully indoor haunted attraction, they are open rain or shine.
From the moment we arrived, we were immersed in the experience. Watching guests enthusiastically leaving made us sure it would be good. As we waited in the queue, our excitement built, and we were eager to see the show. The indoor queue really set the stage, with a unique pre-show that got everyone energized before the main event.
This attraction might not have a defined storyline, but its different scenes effectively tell a story on their own. We loved how the speakers, fog, lights, and boo pedals were so cleverly concealed, keeping every moment a surprise. The cast members contributed to the atmosphere, ensuring their areas remained free of drinks and snacks, which helped us stay completely immersed in this impressive attraction.
We were thoroughly impressed by the special effects and the incredible soundtrack, both of which greatly enhanced our experience. Each scene throughout the attraction was beautifully crafted, creating a sense of immersion that often made us feel like we were in a real place. There’s one section designed to feel outdoors, and it truly transported us. In another, a staged crash and the realistic sound of a helicopter above us made for a memorable moment.
Throughout the entire attraction, there are numerous props and animatronics, many of which are cleverly hidden and take you by surprise. We especially appreciated the attention to detail and the unexpected props and animatronics scattered across the haunt. The overall experience was a sensory overload, and we loved all of the small details.
Lastly, this attraction features plenty of fog, bright lights, and loud music. Despite being much brighter than expected, the lighting is handled skillfully. In the final section, we noticed projection mapping – it looked fantastic. Our only suggestion is that this area could be darker so the projection stands out more, as it’s a truly unique effect. That’s really our sole constructive criticism of this amazing attraction. With so many special effects, we could write thousands more words, but instead, we encourage you to see them for yourself.
21. How scary was it? (35% of score): 9.5
22. How well did they provide scares to everyone in the group? (15% of score): 9.38
23. How predictable were the scares? (25% of score): 9.5
24. How well did they provide a wide variety (types) of scares? (10% of score): 9.5
25. How strong was the ending / finale? (15% of score): 9.5
On the night we visited Laurel’s House of Horror, the scares came from every direction. Both the cast members and the animatronics were impressively frightening. We especially appreciated how the props, animatronics, and cast members were positioned to create a genuinely terrifying atmosphere.
We encountered all sorts of scares here. Surprises came from every direction: left, right, behind, in front, and even above. The attraction featured countless areas designed to catch you off guard, and the actors never hesitated to give guests a fright. We absolutely loved the cast’s enthusiasm, which made the whole experience feel alive.
The finale of this attraction was executed extremely well, and we loved its conclusion. Given that the building used to be a movie theater, they cleverly recreated a full movie theater scene as the final set, featuring numerous props and cast members. Once you exit this room, you pass through a smaller room, and there’s an enjoyable surprise waiting for you outside.
We spent 24 minutes inside the haunted attraction, though it felt like nearly an hour. Ticket prices depend on the day, with general admission ranging from $30 to $40; on our visit, tickets were $39.95. That puts our Minutes Per Dollar (MPD) at 0.60, which is quite a bit lower than the 1.0 average we prefer for haunted attractions. Still, we found the price reasonable given the incredible show we received; it truly felt worth it.
A Speedy Pass ticket is available for an extra $15, letting you use a faster, shorter line. For even quicker entry, the Immediate Access Pass costs an additional $25 and guarantees you’re next with no wait. We suggest these
upgrade options, as Saturday night lines are often very long.
Entertainment includes a DJ outside playing music and a small runway in front of the DJ, where the queue actors perform dance routines to entertain guests. The queue actors were numerous, interactive, and a lot of fun. Additionally, a projection-mapping display on the building’s rooftop added an impressive visual touch.
If you’re not interested in the haunted attraction, you can try their escape rooms or return for a paranormal tour. It’s said the theater is quite active, with spirits roaming the premises. During the off-season, they offer a range of events, so if you can’t make it for Halloween, be sure to check out their Krampus event.
At the end of the attraction, there’s a massive gift shop filled with all kinds of merchandise to browse and buy. They even offer drinks for the road, perfect after working up a sweat from the intense experience. We absolutely loved the gift shop!
Thank you to Laurels House of Horror for having us out! We really appreciate the hardworking team behind the incredible show. We had a wonderful time and will definitely return to see what’s new. This has become a must-see attraction for us every year.
935 Fairlawn Avenue, Laurel, Maryland 20707
