Mile of Terror Review (2020)

High IntensityHigh Intensity
Final Score: 8.33/10

Quick Facts

High IntensityHigh Intensity
Runtime20 Minutes
MPD 0.50
TouchNo Touch
This attraction was reviewed by Team Brewhaha on September 12, 2020.

Summary

Dragons House of Horrors has been operating in New Mexico for many years, even recieving a Guinness World Record for longest haunted house in 2015. Adapting to COVID-19 guidelines this year, Dragons House of Horrors created a unique drive through haunted attraction.

Utilizing a massive parking lot for the layout, Mile of Terror uses a maze like layout that victims must navigate throughout scenes inspired from their indoor haunt. I talked with one of the owners who said that they had a challenge with how to create a haunt that is still terrifying while easing the concerns of patrons due to the pandemic. Patrons must wear a mask if they have the windows down or, if the guest wants to experience the haunt without wearing a mask, they must have the windows rolled up. The owner said that they have a FM radio station with a custom soundtrack and that they only operate on Fridays and Saturdays. Cars are separated so all can enjoy the experience and there are concessions set up to enjoy while you wait.

Cast8.75

Mile of Terror has a good size cast of characters that are ready to pounce on guests. Full of energy, these creatures come right up to the vehicle; but not to worry, they will not lean in the car windows. Each section has unique characters that interact with you. From the demented clowns to an extremely creepy grandma that I think is related to Leatherface, each one has their own persona and character. Perfectly using their environment as well as creeping around your vehicle, I never knew when the next nightmarish creature would appear. I especially loved the purger that… Read More…

Costuming8.6

While navigating through this unique drive through experience, the attention to detail in the costuming is outstanding. Each actor has a unique costume, ranging from creepy clown attire, to bloody lab clothes; each costume has unique details that pop out in the headlights. I loved that the clothing was dirty and torn and, in some cases, quite disgusting. Even the face masks were custom designed for each character! The makeup was also very detailed, with realistic looking blood and wounds and clown makeup that is like something straight out of a nightmare. For characters that were wearing masks, the masks… Read More…

Customer Service10

Mile of Terror is fairly easy to find if you use a navigation app and, when approaching the haunt, there are signs that point the way. When driving up the hill, you will see a large casino and event center; the haunted house is located around the buildings. Once you enter the parking lot that the haunted house is located in, you will be guided to one of 5 lines of cars. Employees walk through the lines of cars offering free ice cold bottled water (which was greatly appreciated) while, in the center of the parking lot, there are some… Read More…

Atmosphere8

Although Mile of Terror resides on a parking lot, immediately you know you are at a haunted attraction. There is a massive skull with eyes lighting up and fog billowing out of its mouth. The path for you to drive through uses led candles, and I did not have any issue of not knowing where to drive. When you are given the rules of the haunted attraction, you are told the FM radio station to tune to that has a custom soundtrack, which changes and matches each area you drive through. Throughout the drive, custom lighting and fog also added… Read More…

Special Effects7.95

Throughout my drive through Mile of Terror, there were some very unique special effects. Given you are driving in a car, there were no curtains to drive through or strobe lights to distort your vision, but the effects used were very effective. One major special effect was the custom soundtrack that played through my car’s sound system: startling noises and even audio from the actors could be heard, making the experience that much more spooky. From debris you drive over to animatronics and effects that are triggered while you drive by, you get the same feeling as when walking through… Read More…

Theme8

Although using multiple themes, each section of Mile of Terror uses sets that prep you for what you are about to experience. Once you enter the section, the theme is consistent, even when you look towards other vehicles that are navigating throughout the haunt. While driving through the experience, you come across a backwoods village, terrifying clown town, purge night and many other themes ripped from one’s nightmares. Both sides and even the sets above the vehicle immerse you in the experience and, at times, drivers have tight quarters to navigate. Make sure your foot is floating above the brake… Read More…

Scare Factor8.6

Being a drive through haunted attraction, Mile of Terror is more intense than expected, and the added factor that you are driving through also seemed to add to the intensity. At several times, I had a good scare that I hit the brakes in reaction! Luckily the cars are spaced apart and you are going such a slow speed that it won’t cause whiplash. From the moment you enter to the second you leave, the scares are plentiful. I have been visiting haunted attractions since I was a teenager, but I let out a few yelps. Actors also do a… Read More…

Entertainment & Value8.6

Admission for Mile of Terror is $40.00 general admission per car, which I feel is a great deal… especially if you have four people in your car. There is no VIP or fast pass admission for the haunt. From the moment I entered to the moment I left, I spent 20 minutes driving through… granted there were areas that I was stopped waiting for the car in front of me to move. While waiting in line before the drive-thru, there were no actors roaming the line of cars, but there were concessions and people with free bottled water. Considering the… Read More…

Experience Levels

MASTER: 100 reviews of 60 unique haunts in 10 years.

EXPERT: 50 reviews of 30 unique haunts in 5 years.

VETERAN: 15 reviews of 10 unique haunts in 3 years.

APPRENTICE: 5 reviews of 5 unique haunts in the past year.

NOVICE: Entry-level team.