Netherworld Haunted House – Full Review
Netherworld Haunted House is a Haunted Attraction located in Stone Mountain, GA.
1313 Netherworld Way, Stone Mountain, GA 30087View All Details
Features:
Food/Concessions, Gift Shop/Souvenirs, “Hi-Tech” Attraction, You will NOT be touched, Original Characters, All-Indoor Attraction
How Do We Get These Scores?
Our Rating System
UPDATE FOR 2022: Our former “Atmosphere” and “Theme” categories have now been combined and renamed “Immersion.” Our intent with this is to give more appropriate credit to attractions that have shown a clear focus on achieving and maintaining better customer experiences (both inside and outside the attractions) and developing creative storylines.
Each of the category scores in this review are calculated using a weighted average of several questions that we rate on a scale of 1 to 10.
The following breakdown explains what these scores typically mean. All of our Teams use this as a reference for providing accurate ratings:
10: “Peak Performance”This score is treated as if it has a chastity belt on it. “10’s” are reserved for the best of the best; those that we feel could not possibly improve on what they’re doing.
9: “Innovative and Groundbreaking”It rocked! Nearly everything seemed to go as planned and it was one of the best we’ve ever seen! These guys are leaders in the industry, and attractions like this are truly hard to come by.
8: “Solid”A high score on our scale. They had a good handle on it and, overall, they knew how to use it well. Most attractions can learn from what these guys are doing.
6 to 7: “Good”We could tell that a good effort was made. However, we’ve seen this done much better at other places, or can detect areas where significant improvements can be made. This is about the top end of what we’d call “Family Friendly.”
5: “Average / Fair”Compared to the competition, they weren’t the best, but definitely not the worst. Scares and Special Effects in this range are usually considered “Family Friendly.”
3 to 4: “Below Average”We could see that a clear attempt was made, but most other professional attractions are doing a much better job at this.
1 to 2: “Poor”It appeared that very little time, thought or effort was contributed to this aspect.
0 (Zero): “Non-Existent”No apparent effort was made to make this a significant contributor to the attraction.
Afterword:This rating system is standardized across all of The Scare Factor’s official haunt review teams. However, keep in mind there will always be minor differences between Teams, as we all have varying levels of experience. Regardless, we do our best to remain true to our core values, which is to promote all haunted attractions!Perhaps the biggest thing to remember is: sometimes the score – in and of itself – doesn’t tell the whole story about an attraction’s merits. This is why we provide detailed explanations for each category… to help you better understand how and why we chose the score/s that we did.We do our best to not let feelings or emotions rule our judgement, while also viewing the attraction through the lens of the typical haunt-goer. But, because all reviews with ratings are inherently subjective, this is nearly impossible to completely prevent. Though, when in doubt, we tend to give slightly lower scores than our original “gut feelings” to account for this, and also give the attraction more room to improve over time.We also do our best to be fair and consistent across all of the haunts that we review. We know that you’ll be looking at these scores and comparing them to other attractions, so we hope this review helps you out in that aspect.Do you have some feedback about our review system? Contact Us Here to let us know what you think!
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Final Score: 9.23
How Did We Get This Score?
Final Scores:
(15% of Final Score) Cast: 9.18
(15% of Final Score) Costuming: 8.93
(10% of Final Score) Customer Service: 9.88
(10% of Final Score) Atmosphere: 9.28
(15% of Final Score) Special Effects: 9.5
(5% of Final Score) Theme: 8.7
(15% of Final Score) Scare Factor: 8.93
(5% of Final Score) Entertainment & Value: 9.3
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Summary:
There’s a magic spell that is cast the minute you cross through the main doors to Netherworld and head into its dark heart. Georgia is left behind and you are teleported to exotic and far away locales where terrible things are happening and you are front and center whether you want to be or not. This is Netherworld’s greatest trick, and every year it is so intense and carefully crafted that, even if you don’t read the very detailed and well-written backstory for the houses, you will see their themes and plots played out in front of you as you wander through all the twists and turns of Netherworld’s packed and detailed halls. If you’ve ever been that person who is never on the right side of the plane/train/or boat to see the good sights, then Netherworld is the answer to your personal curse. No matter which position you take in your group, where you look, or how long you cower and cover your eyes, there will be monsters and horrors to greet you.
Cast: 9.18
How Did We Get This Score?
Cast Scores (15% of Final Score):
(20% of Cast Score) Did it seem like there were enough actors?: 9.6
(30% of Cast Score) How creative, believable and convincing were the actors?: 9.6
(20% of Cast Score) How interactive were the actors (verbally and physically)?: 9
(15% of Cast Score) How creatively & appropriately did they use dialogue?: 7.5
(15% of Cast Score) Was there a good variety of characters?: 9.7
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While Netherworld is a house that focuses more on props and special effects than actors, there is a cast here that works hard to make sure that everyone in the group is scared and running. One of the things that got our team members the hardest this year is the utter stillness and statue-like poise of the cast here until just the right moment to leap out at unsuspecting victims. The chainsaw duo in the second house had perfect timing when it came to separating members of the group to increase the sense of tension and terror. Cast members flying above and beyond the call of duty and into nightmares studded the house and, throughout the midway, there were monsters that shocked and amazed sneaking up silently or roaring into our faces. They were more than willing to take selfies or join your group for a picture if you were brave enough to get that close.
Costuming: 8.93
How Did We Get This Score?
Costuming Scores (15% of Final Score):
(15% of Costuming Score) How complete / finished did the costumes appear to be?: 8.8
(25% of Costuming Score) How creative / detailed were the costumes?: 9
(20% of Costuming Score) Was their makeup creative? Detailed? Realistic?: 8.7
(15% of Costuming Score) How effectively did they use masks (if used)?: 8.8
(25% of Costuming Score) How appropriate were the costumes for their scene/s & theme/s?: 9.2
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Costuming in Netherworld is an act of aggression on sanity and reason, camouflaging terrors under the guise of being walls, statues, and worse. Our team had an enormous number of jump scares that came from creatures we couldn’t identify as alive until they were on us. Midway actors especially have costumes that are unique and detailed, drawing the eye and much of the admiration from our team. Masks are used in both houses and help to create characters that fit perfectly into their scene. From the first creature we saw slinking from line to line in the outside queue to the final monster chasing terrified guests through the parking lot while cackling like the witch they were, there are beautiful sights to see when it comes to character costumes.
Customer Service: 9.88
How Did We Get This Score?
Customer Service Scores (10% of Final Score):
(25% of CS Score) How easy was it to locate the attraction, park, and navigate the premises?: 9.5
(30% of CS Score) How safe was the attraction?: 10
(25% of CS Score) How professional, helpful and friendly were the staff members?: 10
(20% of CS Score) How easy was it to find their information before* arrival?: 10
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Customer service at Netherworld is extraordinary. The huge and well-lit parking lot across from Netherworld is filled with informational signs that cover everything from where you’re parked to how to scan a QR code to buy your tickets online. A dedicated worker leads customers across the street and there are two info booths in different areas of the haunt along with signs and monsters carrying mics to share helpful information. Safety is a high priority and the haunt has a lot of measures to make sure that the only horrors are the intentional ones. It is obvious that the team at Netherworld is devoted to having happy visitors leave their grand haunt.
Atmosphere: 9.28
How Did We Get This Score?
Atmosphere Scores (10% of Final Score):
(60% of Atmosphere Score) How obvious was it that you were at a haunted house before entering?: 9.2
(40% of Atmosphere Score) How well did the atmosphere prepare you for what you experienced inside?: 9.4
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Entering the doors of Netherworld transports guests to a different time and place. We found ourselves in wide-eyed awe as we tried to take in everything around us – and we weren’t even inside the haunt itself yet!
There are details from the floor you are walking on to the ceiling looming above you. All of these thoughtful additions help to create the other worlds that you are transported to while visiting Netherworld. Layers of props create an endless series of bits to look at and study, and a reason to come back time and again to try to see all of them.
This entry into the atmosphere that Netherworld is attempting to create is only a brief taste of what lies beyond the doors of the main haunt. The attention to detail and full-surround of the foyer is merely the briefest glimpse of what we found as we continued.
Between the two haunts on offer at Netherworld, there is also a staffed midway. This outdoor section is still populated by a selection of creepy, costumed monsters that move between the doors to short escape room experiences, a laser-tag arena, as well as concessions, photo-ops, and a merchandise gift shop. This all helped to keep our interest and excitement high while we transitioned between the two haunts.
Guests should be advised that, after leaving the second haunt, exiting Netherworld means traversing this midway once more. No need to carry your bundle of bags from things purchased at the gift shop through the haunt itself – do what we did: stop by on your way out to get something to show off this one-of-a-kind haunted attraction!
Special Effects: 9.5
How Did We Get This Score?
Special Effects Scores (15% of Final Score):
(20% of SFX Score) How effective were the sound effects?: 8.9
(20% of SFX Score) How creative / original were the scenes & props?: 9.9
(20% of SFX Score) How well were the scenes detailed?: 9.6
(25% of SFX Score) How well did they achieve & maintain the suspension of disbelief?: 9.5
(15% of SFX Score) How effective were the SFX at providing scares / entertainment?: 9.6
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The special effects in Netherworld are an incredibly unique and bespoke collection of animatronics, tricks and traps, and applications of materials that are used to create the worlds that you are being transported to. Sound roars through the building, linking scenes together throughout the haunt. There are very few inches of the haunt that don’t have details. Floors, walls, and ceilings in both houses are covered in props and decorations that create textures and sounds. Lights are used not only to highlight or hide scares, but to create endless hallways, floors that seem to fall out below you, and creepy crawly monsters that are inches away from your skin. The application of traps, slings, bungees, and animatronics finish this cycle of fear leaving guests to wonder what’s real and what’s created. The clacking cobblestone floor shifting underneath you, the 3D neon walls that breathe, and the shifting mirror halls and grinning mutated skulls remove any question of whether or not you are still in the regular world.
Theme: 8.7
How Did We Get This Score?
Theme Scores (5% of Final Score):
(30% of Theme Score) Could you tell what the theme was?: 8.5
(50% of Theme Score) How well was the theme carried throughout the attraction/s?: 8.7
(20% of Theme Score) How well does their location authenticate the theme?: 9
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Our team highly recommends going to the Netherworld site and expanding all the levels of the story behind both of their haunts to see the detailed and unique story that they’ve crafted for their haunts. The theme of Netherworld this year is a combination of old-world Cthulhu mythos and 1960’s sci-fi neon glory. Aliens rip apart scientists in the 3D house and Shoggoths and Yuggoths ignore missiles and bombs as they collect human pieces and parts. Even without the story being read, you can see this story being played out visually through both houses.
Scare Factor: 8.93
How Did We Get This Score?
Scare Factor Scores (15% of Final Score):
(30% of Scare Factor Score) How scary was it?: 9
(15% of Scare Factor Score) How well did they provide scares to the entire group?: 8.7
(25% of Scare Factor Score) How predictable were the scares?: 9
(15% of Scare Factor Score) How well did they provide a wide variety of scares?: 8.9
(15% of Scare Factor Score) How strong was the ending / finale?: 8.9
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One of the things that reviewers like us look for is effectively used distractions that allow haunters and special effects to do their work. All of Netherworld is a distraction.
Just as you are taking in the horrifying details of all the little body parts and remains on the shelves, a monster falls from the ceiling. When you are staring into the mouth of a Star Vampire, that’s when the creature appears out of the walls to get into your face.
There is no question that Netherworld knows all the ways to apply pressure to sanity and bravery in any person. Jump scares and atmospheric tension are all a part of their repertoire and even our team was jumping while we watched people run past us screaming. Huge shoutout to the two chainsaw wielders outside of the second house who were able to split us up and then use that advantage to terrify us.
Entertainment & Value: 9.3
How Did We Get This Score?
Entertainment & Value Factor Scores (15% of Final Score):
(30% of E&V Score) How satisfied were you with the entertainment received during the main attraction/s?: 9
(25% of E&V Score) How satisfied were you with the entertainment that’s available with* the ticket price, excluding the main attraction/s?: 9
(30% of E&V Score) How appropriate is/are the ticket price/s?: 9.5
(15% of E&V Score) Have they effectively used their available space?: 10
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Netherworld is hours of interesting fun and unique scares. Prices scale based on the day of the week and point in the season, but for the amount of entertainment that they offer any of the admission prices are worth it. Admission is now done in time slots so this helps with the lines outside, but it’s still a wise choice to buy the speed pass so you can skip the lines. This is not a house to be missed and, if you can afford it, we recommend going more than once because you will see something new each time.
How Did We Get These Scores
Our Rating System
Each of the category scores in this review are calculated using a weighted average of several questions that we rate on a scale of 1 to 10.
The following breakdown explains what these scores typically mean. All of our Teams use this as a reference for providing accurate ratings:
10: “Peak Performance”This score is treated as if it has a chastity belt on it. “10’s” are reserved for the best of the best; those that we feel could not possibly improve on what they’re doing.
9: “Innovative and Groundbreaking”It rocked! Nearly everything seemed to go as planned and it was one of the best we’ve ever seen! These guys are leaders in the industry, and attractions like this are truly hard to come by.
8: “Solid”A high score on our scale. They had a good handle on it and, overall, they knew how to use it well. Most attractions can learn from what these guys are doing.
6 to 7: “Good”We could tell that a good effort was made. However, we’ve seen this done much better at other places, or can detect areas where significant improvements can be made. This is about the top end of what we’d call “Family Friendly.”
5: “Average / Fair”Compared to the competition, they weren’t the best, but definitely not the worst. Scares and Special Effects in this range are usually considered “Family Friendly.”
3 to 4: “Below Average”We could see that a clear attempt was made, but most other professional attractions are doing a much better job at this.
1 to 2: “Poor”It appeared that very little time, thought or effort was contributed to this aspect.
0 (Zero): “Non-Existent”No apparent effort was made to make this a significant contributor to the attraction.
Afterword:This rating system is standardized across all of The Scare Factor’s official haunt review teams. However, keep in mind there will always be minor differences between Teams, as we all have varying levels of experience. Regardless, we do our best to remain true to our core values, which is to promote all haunted attractions!Perhaps the biggest thing to remember is: sometimes the score – in and of itself – doesn’t tell the whole story about an attraction’s merits. This is why we provide detailed explanations for each category… to help you better understand how and why we chose the score/s that we did.We do our best to not let feelings or emotions rule our judgement, while also viewing the attraction through the lens of the typical haunt-goer. But, because all reviews with ratings are inherently subjective, this is nearly impossible to completely prevent. Though, when in doubt, we tend to give slightly lower scores than our original “gut feelings” to account for this, and also give the attraction more room to improve over time.We also do our best to be fair and consistent across all of the haunts that we review. We know that you’ll be looking at these scores and comparing them to other attractions, so we hope this review helps you out in that aspect.Do you have some feedback about our review system? Contact Us Here to let us know what you think!
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Promo Images:
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Guest ReviewsGuest Average: 10 out of 10
Carson – 10/10 – October 21, 2023This attraction is amazing. So many good decorations and the actors are awesome. Definitely …show more recommend netherworld!
Mary – 10/10 – October 7, 2022It was my first time here and let me tell you it was worth the $$$ highly recommended! Very scary !
Mary – 10/10 – October 7, 2022It was my first time here and let me tell you it was worth the $$$ highly recommended! Very scary !
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Past Awards
2022 Awards
Most Immersive Haunt (Given by: Team Jefferson Starship)
2019 Awards
Highest Rated Haunt in Georgia (Given by: Team NecronomaPeach)
Scariest Haunt in Georgia (Given by: Team NecronomaPeach)
2017 Awards
Best 3D Effects (Given by: Team Jefferson Starship)
