We started our season off with a visit to MadWorld Haunted Attraction. We’re long-time followers of this upstate South Carolina haunt and have visited many times. Each year, the crew at MadWorld works hard to provide an evening of entertainment for haunt lovers and families. Though there are, of course, some things that remain the same, the crew also works to provide something new each year as the attraction grows. This year at MadWorld is no exception; though there are a couple of scenes that have been replaced, this year, we also found a large increase in the number of costumed actors roaming behind the walls.
We chose to go to MadWorld early this year, not only because we missed seeing what they’ve done but also because of how popular this amazing site has grown. Later in the season, this place will be absolutely packed. MadWorld has grown into something of a regional super show of the haunted attraction scene, drawing visitors from further and further afield. And it is with good reason! This haunt has really cemented its place as a destination and highly anticipated event.
Returning visitors will notice that some scenes have been altered and or completely replaced, but guests who have not yet experienced MadWorld can expect an incredible show in a great atmosphere. There’s a reason that MadWorld’s name has been spreading further among haunt enthusiasts.
The cast at MadWorld did an excellent job during our visit. Here at the start of the season, the crew of MadWorld has over 200 trained actors on site. While there are a number of queue actors roaming the central midway, most of these actors are along the trail that stretches over a quarter of a mile through the upstate woods.
The initial point of costumed contact within the haunt was a severely overworked doctor/scientist who gave us the rules of the haunt. This actor is an exemplary instance of the talent and care of the costumed staff at MadWorld. While remaining in character, the host (who apparently had recognized us) commented on the footwear of some other guests who had been grouped with us for our journey through the haunt. “You aren’t with them, are you,” he asked. “Because they definitely would have told you not to wear those.” We all, every one of us, looked down at the other guest’s choice of footwear. “You’re going to do a lot of walking, and some of the victi…patients beyond these doors may try to take those from you.” She did not lose her sandals during our trip through MadWorld, it should be noted.
There was a definite attempt to lean into the madness aspect of MadWorld this year. From entering through an asylum/hospital entrance (the Mad Lab Corporation) and throughout a variety of scenes, the insane, the diseased, and the infected (or all of the above) were present to stalk, pop, scream, and crawl towards our group. While there was some repetition of lines and roles – particularly various victims calling for help – overall, there was a wide variety of behaviors from the maddened monsters at MadWorld.
How complete, unique, detailed were the costumes, accessories? – (35% of score)
Were the masks, makeup creative, detailed, realistic? – (30% of score)
How appropriate were the costumes for the respective scenes, themes? – (20% of score)
How believable-, detailed-looking were the queue actors? (See Note if N/A) – (15% of score)
The costumes and accessories that we saw during our visit to MadWorld were fairly detailed, fitting into scenes as well as fitting the various actors present. Even with such a large staff, the makeup that we witnessed all seemed to be complete and unique for each actor. The various scenes scattered along the trail of MadWorld house a variety of different styles emphasized by the differing costumes and makeup designs.
As stated, there are a lot of queue actors at MadWorld. These dedicated crew are well dressed and outfitted. Many of the characters appearing the midway are reoccurring ones, reappearing each year. As such, their costumes and masks are well cared for and detailed. Some of the past characters that are now retired are on display in the gift shop for those curious at taking a longer look. The queue actors also include several sliders who are adept at popping up almost out of nowhere in a shower of sparks.
How easy was it to locate, park at, navigate the premises? – (25% of score)
Safety (Only dock points for TRULY DANGEROUS hazards!) – (30% of score)
How professional, helpful, friendly were the staff members? – (25% of score)
How easy was it to find pertinent information before arrival? – (20% of score)
Located on a frontage road adjacent to I-85, MadWorld’s parking area is staffed and patrolled by a group of helpful folks. The ticket booth is well-lit and several hosts walk the area in front of the booth making sure that guests have tickets and have signed the online waiver. Inside, there are a large number of staff, all easily identifiable by their shirts and uniforms, ready to address any concern and provide help to guests.
The trail through the attraction is well-lit where it needs to be and has been worn smooth by countless steps along its path. MadWorld maintains a healthy online presence across several social media sites as well as a dedicated website that contains all the information that guests might need about location, ticket prices, hours, and some degree of what guests might be exposed to on-site.
How well did the pre-haunt areas ("vibe") prepare you for the attraction/s? – (25% of score)
How obvious, creative, believable was the storyline? (See Note if N/A) – (20% of score)
Were you completely, consistently immersed inside the attraction/s? – (40% of score)
How well did the "vibe" flow after, between the attraction/s? – (15% of score)
The midway at MadWorld is a large sloping hill from the entrance arching down to a distant fire pit surrounded by food vendors. Off to one side is an alley bordered by carnival games and terminating in a themed mini-golf course and axe-throwing arena. This area serves as an introduction to the haunt as well as a decompressing and relaxing walk from the end of the attraction. This area is haunted by many queue actors and sliders that elicit screams and laughter from the numerous guests wandering through.
The costumed crew inside the haunt starts off with an entrance into a medical facility (with some captured zombies) with a warning about the insane and infected beyond the door. Though recounting our journey would lead to some questioning as to how we transitioned from a medical facility into a nunnery while passing through an asylum before being pursued by a chainsaw-wielding madman, during the actual walkthrough we were so immersed in the scenery and acting that we were just moving through a story of our own filled with screams and shouts of delight.
How effective were the sound effects? – (20% of score)
How realistic were the scene designs, details? – (30% of score)
How effective, realistic were the props, animatronics? – (30% of score)
How well did they use creative, special, sensory effects? – (20% of score)
MadWorld has done a lot within their haunt to provide something for guests’ various senses – from flashing lights to vibrating floors to scented fog, there are a variety of effects present to help pull visitors into the insanity behind the walls. The scenes and scenery of the various sets have had hours of detail poured into them. Actors are equipped with a variety of scene and character-appropriate props that were occasionally put to use creating additional noise or directing visitors into specific places.
How scary was it? – (35% of score)
How well did they provide scares to everyone in the group? – (15% of score)
How predictable were the scares? – (25% of score)
How well did they provide a wide variety (types) of scares? – (10% of score)
How strong was the ending / finale? – (15% of score)
MadWorld has an ever-growing fan base who thoroughly enjoy this famously growing attraction. Though the haunt is of course geared towards the scare, the staff at MadWorld have a dedication to providing an evening’s worth of entertainment and fun for all of its guests. To facilitate this type of atmosphere, MadWorld also provides the option of ‘no-scare medallions’ (for a small additional charge) that enable guests to mingle among the monsters unseen or even to scare the monsters away from themselves and toward other guests.
During our visit inside MadWorld, we were grouped with a young couple (one of which in not-so-appropriate footwear) who honestly had a difficult time moving through the haunt with us. Whether they were trembling with fright in anticipation of the next scene, marked by huge, decorated facades, or were falling over and crashing into us after being startled and scared by the costumed actors, they helped to punctuate our visit with numerous screams, shrieks, and yelps.
How satisfied with the entertainment provided by the MAIN attraction/s? – (50% of score)
How satisfied with OTHER entertainment INCLUDED with the ticket price? – (25% of score)
How appropriate is/are the ticket price/s? – (25% of score)
As always we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the madness and mystery at MadWorld. It took us about thirty minutes to walk the trail from the entrance door to the exit and we typically move at a fairly quick pace. General Admission tickets at MadWorld start at $40, so that’s an average price for the entertainment provided. For an additional cost, there are a variety of other things at MadWorld to purchase or experience – axe throwing, mini-golf, face-painting, carnival games, concessions, and souvenirs.
There’s a wide fire pit at the bottom of the haunt as well as a covered area filled with picnic tables and seating. Our visit coincided with a comparatively cooler evening complete with an overcast threat of rain which only added to the overall vibe of the night. Given the number of expected guests, one of our team commented that the seating around the fire pit could be more spacious, but this feature has been a center point of the attraction for over a decade.
There are a wide variety of ticketing options available at MadWorld, from single admissions to full-on all-evening experiences that include behind-the-scenes tours or nightlong readmission to the haunt.
147 Country Manor Road, Piedmont, South Carolina 29673