Features:
✓-Paid Parking✓-Restrooms/Porta Potties On-Site✓-Food/Concessions✓-“Old-School” (Low Tech)✓-You may be touched✓-You will NOT be touched✓-Original Characters✓-Uncovered Outdoor Waiting Line
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: 8.15
How Did We Get This Score?
Final Scores:
(15% of Final Score) Cast: 7.35
(15% of Final Score) Costuming: 7.98
(10% of Final Score) Customer Service: 9.15
(10% of Final Score) Atmosphere: 8.65
(15% of Final Score) Special Effects: 8.27
(5% of Final Score) Theme: 8.72
(15% of Final Score) Scare Factor: 7.92
(5% of Final Score) Entertainment & Value: 8.11
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Summary:
Panic Attack (PA) has a long history of bringing scares to its guests. Though the attraction has moved and has gone through a name change (long time fans may remember them as Heartstoppers), the management team behind this one-of-a-kind haunted attraction brought back the original name when they moved the production out to the swamps and fields outside of Nakina, NC.
We journeyed into their ‘Party in the Swamp’ and can certainly attest to the amazing level of detail of their sets and scenes. Panic Attack promises some Hollywood-level backdrops to their show, and they certainly deliver. We cannot wait to return to see what future years bring from this haunt team.
Cast: 7.35
How Did We Get This Score?
Cast Scores (15% of Final Score):
(20% of Cast Score) Did it seem like there were enough actors?: 7.9Explanation:
About 90-100 actors. Seemed to be clustered, rather than more-evenly spaced in appropriate areas.
(30% of Cast Score) How creative, believable and convincing were the actors?: 7.1Explanation:
Lots of screamers and shouters
(20% of Cast Score) How interactive were the actors (verbally and physically)?: 7.4
(15% of Cast Score) How creatively & appropriately did they use dialogue?: 6.3Explanation:
Very little dialogue. The door greeter was very good.
(15% of Cast Score) Was there a good variety of characters?: 8.1
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On the night of our visit, there were approximately 100 actors spread across the swamps of PA. These actors cover a variety of roles. The vast majority of these fit right in with their swamp theme ‘ fish-men, fishermen, fish factory workers ‘ there are also some slight departures like nuns and ranting ministers and locals driven mad by what they’ve witnessed. Even these slight departures fit in if you’re familiar at all with horror literature of the past ‘ think of Lovecraftian horrors and the villagers who worship them.
The greeter outside the front door of the haunt was witty and fun, giving us all a small taste of what lay behind the doors he guarded. Though he may exaggerate slightly, his witty repartee certainly had us on our toes as we entered, eyes constantly scanning in all directions as we were on high alert for the horrors he hinted at. Once we were past him and inside, however, there was far less dialogue from the cast. They did a great job of portraying their parts, but weren’t particularly talkative, relying upon guttural groans and soul-shattering screams to bemoan their cruel fates.
We especially loved seeing the Octopus-woman, talking with the door greeter, seeing a couple of skeleton-girls, the goat-headed demon, and of course all the wild fish-people. There was one pig-headed butcher that not only produced the most on-point pig noises we’ve heard this year, but also managed to grunt, squeak, and force out some words without breaking out of the character noises!
Costuming: 7.98
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?: 7.9
(25% of Costuming Score) How creative / detailed were the costumes?: 7.9
(20% of Costuming Score) Was their makeup creative? Detailed? Realistic?: 7.9Explanation:
Conditions not ideal for makeup, but still held up fairly well
(15% of Costuming Score) How effectively did they use masks (if used)?: 7.8
(25% of Costuming Score) How appropriate were the costumes for their scene/s & theme/s?: 8.4
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The beginning of the haunt season this year has been plagued with unseasonably high temperatures and humidity, and the night we visited Panic Attack was no exception to that condition. The actors at PA dealt with the conditions like champs. There are lots of great masks that really work in their surroundings giving the feel of otherworldly creatures from the deeps, but we’re sure that the actors beneath were swimming in sweat as they lurched out at us from the shadows of their homes.
All of the costumes, masks, and make-up fit for the scenes where each actor was located. In addition to the various aquatic terrors, there were demons, clergy, madmen, and clowns. But, each of these were in their own areas, costumed and adorned to fit their surroundings.
The mingling of animalistic forms was quite amazing. From an octopus woman to a goat-headed demonic figure to grunting pig-headed butcher, Panic Attack does a great job of transforming its actors into a grotesquerie of forms.
Customer Service: 9.15
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
(30% of CS Score) How safe was the attraction?: 8.6Explanation:
Lots of ramps, lots of areas to duck – very physical haunt. Some trail parts have trip hazards – nothing outrageous
(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?: 9
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Hidden down a series of winding roads, we had to place a deal of faith in our GPS to find Panic Attack. However, once we were close, there were friendly staff waving cars in below a towering sign. The field we parked in was well-lit and there were plenty of staff to direct vehicles entering and exiting the lot.
Security checks before the ticket booth ensure the safety of guests (and actors) inside – leave lighters, weapons, etc in your car. Ticket prices can all be found online and are clearly posted at the haunt itself.
Inside the haunt, visitors will be sent on a rambling and winding walk through all manner of scenes. Be sure to wear closed-toed shoes and dress comfortably. In addition to the occasional set of stairs, ramps, or swaying bridges to navigate, there are also a few areas where we had to also crouch, duck down, or almost crawl in order to continue along the path. Appropriate clothing for getting physical is therefore a good idea; you may bring home a little dirt in addition to your exciting stories and memories from PA.
All of the staff we encountered from start to finish were friendly and engaging, ready to give us the shirts off their backs in order to ensure a positive visit. We watched a few interactions with other guests, and it seemed that this kind regard wasn’t just for us but for all of the visitors to Panic Attack. The management at PA only want to bring better and better shows; we trust that, with the hard-working and passionate crew they employ, they’re going to do so.
Atmosphere: 8.65
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?: 8.9
(40% of Atmosphere Score) How well did the atmosphere prepare you for what you experienced inside?: 8.4
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Before entering the haunt itself, we were able to watch a pair of fire dancers lighting up the trail beside the entrance booth while music soared into the air. The growling roar of chainsaws and screams from deep within Panic Attack lent an air of excited anticipation. After securing our tickets, we passed by a giant video projection with videos to accompany the music ‘ provided by a live DJ within the PA waiting line area.
The waiting line to reach the front of the haunt winds through some examples of the amazing sets and custom d������cor that also fill the haunt. After we paused to get a green-screen picture (sent to us digitally before the night was out), we made our way along the line through some towering set pieces that seemed to have all been washed ashore by some primordial storm ‘ wrecked boats, snarling sharks, and partially ruined fishermen’s shacks all gave us a tiny glimpse at what might lay beyond the doors of Panic Attack. It was a definite eye-opener for the quality and high-standards the haunt is reaching for, but it is only the smallest example of what was waiting for us inside.
Special Effects: 8.27
How Did We Get This Score?
Special Effects Scores (15% of Final Score):
(20% of SFX Score) How effective were the sound effects?: 7.1Explanation:
LOUD. Lots of banging. Only a little sound bleed to neighboring scenes.
(20% of SFX Score) How creative / original were the scenes & props?: 9.2
(20% of SFX Score) How well were the scenes detailed?: 9.1
(25% of SFX Score) How well did they achieve & maintain the suspension of disbelief?: 8.3Explanation:
A few minor details took us out of the ‘haunt’ but they were things that could be easily corrected.
(15% of SFX Score) How effective were the SFX at providing scares / entertainment?: 7.4Explanation:A bit of front-loaded scares from props – timing just a tad off.
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While there was a cacophonous amount of banging and screaming and banging and pounding and banging on everything from wood to metal to plastic, none of that took away from the detailed sets that surrounded us every step of the way through PA. Surrounding the numerous props and actors are towering scenes that transported us to a Lovecraftian fishing town haunted by madness and monsters. If any of our readers are fans of amazing d������cor and scenery, then a visit to Panic Attack is simply a must.
Some of the prop scares we encountered were queued to hit the front of the group, but there were plenty of them to go around as we marveled at everything surrounding us.
Theme: 8.72
How Did We Get This Score?
Theme Scores (5% of Final Score):
(30% of Theme Score) Could you tell what the theme was?: 8.9
(50% of Theme Score) How well was the theme carried throughout the attraction/s?: 8.1Explanation:
Areas that held to the theme (fish, swamp, industry) were STUNNING
(20% of Theme Score) How well does their location authenticate the theme?: 10
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As mentioned before, the theme at Panic Attack this year is ‘Party in the Swamp,’ and the attraction definitely delivers. Not only is PA located at the edge of an actual swamp, but their sets and scenes all play into the theme. Coulrophobics will even be pleased (or not so pleased!) to find that the theme is not just ‘swamp’ but also that the ‘party’ part of the theme also extends to a circus carnival portion of the haunt. Though there are a wide variety of different areas along the journey through PA ‘ from a canning factory to fishermen’s huts to a haunted house to a carnival and an asylum ‘ the crew has worked hard to push things towards the ‘Party in the Swamp’ theme.
Scare Factor: 7.92
How Did We Get This Score?
Scare Factor Scores (15% of Final Score):
(30% of Scare Factor Score) How scary was it?: 8.5
(15% of Scare Factor Score) How well did they provide scares to the entire group?: 7.4Explanation:
front heavy at first, all did get scares eventually – usually from actors
(25% of Scare Factor Score) How predictable were the scares?: 7.9
(15% of Scare Factor Score) How well did they provide a wide variety of scares?: 7.7Explanation:
Lots of jump scares, noise, chainsaws.
(15% of Scare Factor Score) How strong was the ending / finale?: 7.5Explanation:
Southern Haunt = chainsaws.
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While we like to pride ourselves on being veterans in the industry ‘ having done everything from working and building haunts to, of course, visiting dozens of haunts each year ‘ each member of our team present on our visit to PA was caught at least once by the various jump scares spread throughout. In addition to the amazing sets, the haunt crew populating the swamps are skilled at using their surroundings, props and fellow actors to set up distractions for perfectly-timed scares.
The sheer volume of the early part of the haunt gives way to lots of distractions just as the front loaded prop scares gave way to more actor driven scares that hit different parts of our group. The finale of Panic Attack is a great build-up to a Southern haunt standard. The final actor working during our visit was a beast filled with stamina and commitment to his role. We were able to witness his pursuit of terrified guests from the final walkway all the way out into the parking lot multiple times. Our screamer even went back to get a second sprint from the exit just for the fun of it.
Entertainment & Value: 8.11
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?: 8.1
(25% of E&V Score) How satisfied were you with the entertainment that’s available with* the ticket price, excluding the main attraction/s?: 8.3
(30% of E&V Score) How appropriate is/are the ticket price/s?: 8
(15% of E&V Score) Have they effectively used their available space?: 8Explanation:Room to grow
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Our trip through Panic Attack took about 20 minutes, a spot-on industry standard for the price of a general admission ticket of $20. As we keep mentioning, the sets and d������cor of PA are worth that price alone. Too, while we often recommend fast passes to avoid crowds, we almost don’t want to mention that here ‘ the waiting area between the ticket booth and the front door is so well decorated and the DJ seems to play such a great variety of songs that we could easily recommend spending a bit of time in line just to take it all in. Of course, if you’re super eager to get inside and see the facades, sets, and scenes (as well as the shockingly detailed masks the actors are wearing), you should consider the fast pass option ($35) depending on the crowds outside.
Panic Attack made good use of their space within the haunt itself. Though we hit a few spots where we were confused about which way to turn ‘ actor passages looked similar to our own path ‘ the haunt was a glorious trip that ended with us wanting to see more. We are certain that we will be returning to Panic Attack again.
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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Awards:
2019
Most Enthusiastic Chainsaw Attacker
