While in Atlanta, GA this weekend, we jumped at the chance to once again see the world-famous Netherworld. Every year, this award-winning haunted attraction presents two houses (in addition to some other surprises) and the themes and stories for each of those change from year to year.
This year’s houses were The Undying Horror and Parasitic. This was Netherworld’s 26th year of operation, and they show no signs of slowing down or failing to come up with amazing bits of lore and story to completely surround and entertain their guests. The Undying Horror is a wonderfully horrific romp through an apocalyptic world beset by strange tentacled monstrosities and undead victims looking to spread the corruption to those who pass through their domains. Parasitic offers a similar theme of spreading chaos and infection as guests venture through a futuristic lab where some strange experiment has gone awry. While we obviously escaped, we can’t be too sure about anyone else.
There is a huge cast of haunters spread throughout the Netherworld. These delightfully decorated creatures seem to pop out almost randomly from various nooks, crannies, shadows, and side passages. While most of them are not terribly interactive aside from a quick startle before they vanish once again, there are a few who take the time to interact personally with visitors that are passing by. Even though the overall theme in each house is similar, the characters are very different from one to the next.
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 makeup at Netherworld are some of the best in the business; these monsters are completely realized and decorated head to toe to become the things out of nightmares. Characters seamlessly become part of the various scenes around them, blending in to such a degree that not only can they be hard to spot before they move, but they also are integrated to be a part of the scenes themselves.
Also stalking the grounds of Netherworld are a number of dedicated queue actors. No less detailed, these haunters are much more interactive, willing to stop and talk to guests, showing off for pictures or performing magic tricks.
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)
On the way to visit Netherworld, there are numerous signs and billboards advertising the haunt ahead. On site, a large and well-lit parking lot sits across the street from the haunt itself ready to receive the scores and scores of visitors. Parking attendants and crossing guards are plentiful and help guide guests from the parking lot to the haunt as well as directing traffic. All of the staff we encountered were polite and helpful, from the ticket takers to guides to the various concession workers. Netherworld is such an expansive and sprawling place that there are as many non-costumed actors as there are monstrous haunters stalking the halls.
Information for the haunt (and other attractions) can all be found online with relative ease. Tickets can also be purchased before arrival so that guests can immediately hop into line to see the wonders beyond the walls.
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)
Netherworld is a complete sensory experience. Layers upon layers of decor extended back from the path around us. The decorations extended in every direction, even above us, making our footsteps a part of the journey itself. Even beneath our feet there were actions and sensations going on – from thick rugs to shifting floors, our senses were completely immersed in the Netherworld.
As stated before, there is an ongoing story at Netherworld. Guests who aren’t familiar with the attraction or haven’t read up on the current season’s storyline might not be able to articulate what the overall story is, but it is apparent that there is a tale being told. Netherworld is a haunt that we definitely have to keep our eyes open while we’re inside because there’s always something to see in any direction we turn our heads.
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)
While there are some sounds that echo above and throughout multiple scenes in the haunt, there are also subtle little teasing sounds – water dripping, scurrying of little feet in the walls, and the like – that serve to not only immerse guests in the Netherworld, but also help make the entire haunt seem like a new world around the guests.
Animatronics of every shape and size loomed around us. At one point, these huge monsters even seemed to shake the entire room we were in as if it were a plaything, rumbling and shifting to their footsteps. Too, a giant eye-dotted monstrosity filled one room almost entirely and we had to find our way around its fleshy, swaying bulk.
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)
Though we personally found it hard to be scared in Netherworld, that was mainly because we were in such awe of all of the scenery and props, the hard work and attention to detail that went into its presentation. Other guests we observed were not quite so enamored by their surroundings, falling victim to scares and tearing their eyes away from one horror or another.
Even in the midway between the two haunts where photo-ops, concessions, merchandise, and other entertainments abound, there were instances of guests shrieking in fright or collapsing to the ground after being surprised by yet another gruesome creature. We even saw a large group pass us by during our visit; some of them couldn’t even look up from the floor due to the terror in their pounding hearts and shaking limbs.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor to a haunt or you’ve visited scores of them, Netherworld is an experience that everyone should experience at least once in our opinion. Even if you don’t usually get scared in haunted houses, there will still be a whole world of entertainment waiting beyond the doors to the Netherworld.
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)
Netherworld uses a system of timed-ticket entries to ensure a steady flow through the attractions. Too, ticket prices vary depending on the night of the season. All of the prices (for both General Admission and Fast Pass) can be found online, where guests have the option to purchase tickets ahead of time. This also means that guests can tailor their visit to meet their individual budgets as well.
Not counting time spent gazing in awe at the pre-haunt decor, slurping down Dr. Octane’s Bizarre Beverages, or avoiding floating masses of bubbles, we spent about 40 minutes walking through both of the haunts. With General Admission prices that range from as low as $25 early in the season to $40 at the peak, that’s still a great bargain for the time spent trapped within the otherworldly realm. During the peak of the season, even with the mitigation of timed entry, lines at this haunt can be daunting. We personally recommend the SpeedPass option for those who don’t want to spend a lot of time standing in line. While the views are certainly worth the price, sometimes we prefer jumping straight into the scares. Netherworld never disappoints.
1313 Netherworld Way, Stone Mountain, Georgia 30087