Getting into Reaper’s Revenge meant passing under a gated archway and proceeding to ticketing by way of a gravel and dirt path containing a few props and spooky lighting, accompanied by the classic rock strains of Blue Oyster Cult’s ‘Don’t Fear the Reaper.’
We soon enough made it to the rustic looking ticket shack and the jack-o-lantern and spider-covered merch cabin, across from which stood the opening hayride queue, festooned with fencing and hay bundles. We could also hear the helicopter and other sound effects from our position at the rear of Sector 13, as well as see its tall guard tower and bright, sweeping searchlights. Sensational stuff to get a haunt fan’s juices flowing!
Top-of-the-line effects and super engaged actors made the hayride an immersive dream. All the more so when flashing police lights stopped the wagon and a cheesed-off officer made us get out of the wagon and into a station/trailer. An unusual and surprising development that led to one of the Reaper’s classic bits at an out-in-the-sticks police station.
The cops sent us into the eerie confines of the Lost Carnival. As we mentioned, the actors tasked with keeping good spacing between groups also kept us highly entertained with their banter. Masterfully crafted sets and the capricious nature of its clown residents kept our minds in the game here.
The dayglo-colored clowns handing out 3D glasses and insults kept up a fast patter until releasing us into Delirium. Brilliantly painted rooms with cunningly concealed cast members, along with the comin’-at-ya pictures and props, left us with another highly immersive walkthrough …although somewhat less than the others, given the more abstract nature of Delirium’s environment.
Next, it was back to the hayride for its concluding section before getting dropped off at Pitch Black. But first, we got to walk right past the building that will house next season’s new, sixth attraction, and it looked thoroughly AWESOME. It was a fabulously evocative haunted mansion type of structure that we can’t wait to experience.
Pitch Black displayed a similarly impressive frontage. Its stonework facade, dotted with gaslights and with skulls lining the top, would not look out of place in a Jack the Ripper movie. A great opening scene with chattering, attitude-giving office characters (this is Scranton, home of ‘The Office,’ after all) and a surprise guest led into a terror-filled journey through the unknown. Enveloped in darkness, surrounded by ear-pounding sounds, there was not much else to do than get lost in the immersion and the maze.
Sector 13 ended our visit on another highly immersive note. The amazing facade presented an immense makeshift metallic military base set off in barbed wire, fog, red and green lights, searchlights, a high guard tower, and official-sounding emergency announcements.
Soldiers yelled at us in the queue and took us into a prep room where they barked more orders and shone flashlights on our faces and hands. Other troops patrolled on catwalks above our heads. The frantic action inside and the splendid costuming took us to the big finish.
We exited to a midway soaking in fantastic atmosphere. It held multiple food stands (crazy good cheesesteak and loaded fries), a giant bonfire, multimedia show, first aid tent, props and photo ops, music, tarot readings, and a clear path to the merch shop/lost & found and exit path. It’s a fabulous place to wind down and spend some hangout time after the main event(s).
It should tell you everything you need to know about the immersion that the minor detractions would only be a few nitpicky things like tiny lights overhead in Pitch Black from smoke detectors (needed for safety, obviously) or visible speakers fueling the booming sound system.
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