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: 8.55
How Did We Get This Score?
Final Scores:
(15% of Final Score) Cast: 8.08
(15% of Final Score) Costuming: 8.06
(10% of Final Score) Customer Service: 9.03
(10% of Final Score) Atmosphere: 8.82
(15% of Final Score) Special Effects: 8.64
(5% of Final Score) Theme:
(15% of Final Score) Scare Factor: 8.47
(5% of Final Score) Entertainment & Value: 8.99
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Summary:
Our second stop of 2020 was at the historic Scream Acres (SA) outside of Bishopville, SC. This old school haunt has been in operation for over a dozen years and continues to bring a show full of entertainment and screams.
Even with the looming specter of a pandemic, the crew at Scream Acres have obviously been working hard to create an experience for all of their guests. Old-school effects and a lot of passion combined with a creepy natural setting for a night that will leave visitors out of breath from screams and excitement.
In addition to past attractions – the historic house, the hayride, and the newly constructed swamp walk, the SA crew also built a new attraction, the cabin! All of the various attractions are supported by an awesome cast of characters and crew who are dedicated to making time spent at Scream Acres as enjoyable as it is scary.
Cast: 8.08
How Did We Get This Score?
Cast Scores (15% of Final Score):
(20% of Cast Score) Did it seem like there were enough actors?: 8.1Explanation:
Some trail scenes were better staffed than others
(30% of Cast Score) How creative, believable and convincing were the actors?: 8
(20% of Cast Score) How interactive were the actors (verbally and physically)?: 8.2Explanation:
Live snake, Cabin staff, Shotgun
(15% of Cast Score) How creatively & appropriately did they use dialogue?: 7.7Explanation:
Very little dialogue. Cabin more interactive.
(15% of Cast Score) Was there a good variety of characters?: 8.4
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A wide variety of characters inhabits the different attractions at Scream Acres. Depending on the location, visitors to SA can expect to run into different kinds of alarming actors – from cannibal hillbillies to murderous clowns, from demons to victims, from possessed dolls to wailing monsters. The populated scenes along the trail and within the house don’t use very much dialogue, but we did experience a bit more personal dialogue from the few denizens stalking the cabin.
We particularly enjoyed the horned demon-girl in the cabin who provided a different kind of reaction than others at SA. The shotgun-wielding swamp dweller was also a nice change of pace.
Costuming: 8.06
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
(25% of Costuming Score) How creative / detailed were the costumes?: 8
(20% of Costuming Score) Was their makeup creative? Detailed? Realistic?: 7.7
(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?: 8.6Explanation:Plague mask in one scene was a nice touch.
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The various costumed spooks, frights, and crazy inhabitants of Scream Acres are all outfitted with appropriate costumes. While the darkness of the trail may hide a few inadequacies, the cast on the trail also has to keep in mind the cooling weather and conditions of the woods in which they are working. During our visit, most of the hayride riders were too busy screaming and leaping out of their seats to notice any mistakes or absences.
Several times through the house and cabin, guests get up close and personal with the different inhabitants. More attention has been paid to these costumes overall given the amount of time that visitors spend with them.
We would also like to point out one costume on the hayride for special notice – one of the clowns had an outfit that was decorated with black-light reactive, glow in the dark spots but only on the front of the outfit. The back of his costume was completely devoid of these marks which meant that in the darkness, he was able to turn around and vanish from sight almost completely. A very well done and thoughtful piece of costuming that worked very well with his surroundings.
Customer Service: 9.03
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?: 9.03Explanation:
Lots of signs on roadway, Parking attendants on point, staff in marked shirts and very helpful/attentive
(30% of CS Score) How safe was the attraction?: 9Explanation:
Crew temperature checked each night, everyone on staff in masks (even costumed crew)
(25% of CS Score) How professional, helpful and friendly were the staff members?: 10Explanation:
Helped IN CHARACTER with girl having panic attack
(20% of CS Score) How easy was it to find their information before* arrival?: 8.5Explanation:
Lots online, ticketing cash in person (atm on site)
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Scream Acres is providing some standard changes to service because of the pandemic – requiring guests to mask up when entering, sending smaller groups through the house. Staff loading guests onto the hayride are asking about visitors in regards to how close they feel comfortable sitting to strangers. All standard stuff for the area.
Non-costumed staff at SA are wearing identifiable ‘staff’ shirts, masked, and willing to answer questions and point out features of the haunt. Staff are also on duty in the parking lot to guide incoming cars in and out of the well-lit lot – a great piece of customer service that is sometimes overlooked but really makes a difference in making the visit a pleasant one.
We also witnessed one event during our visit that really highlights the dedication to customer service at Scream Acres. One of the guests on our trailer was so scared by the first half of the hayride that she could not continue through the swamp trail. While the rest of us wandered off into the darkness, she and a companion reboarded the hayride. We caught up to them at the cabin where the SA staff and costumed actors paused our progress so that the anxious guest and her partner could go through the cabin with the actors toning down their show. Scream Acres time and time again show that they really have a great level of concern and care for their guests as much as for their staff and the show that they produce.
Atmosphere: 8.82
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?: 8.9Explanation:
Historic old house
(40% of Atmosphere Score) How well did the atmosphere prepare you for what you experienced inside?: 8.7
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Nestled in the woods off of backcountry roads, Scream Acres is surrounded by a natural setting that only adds to the atmosphere of the haunt. The outside of the main house greets guests purchasing tickets and is decorated in the manner of traditional old deserted farmhouses from stories and movies everywhere.
In the internal waiting area after the house, movies play above the queue line and decor hangs from the rafters above. A variety of photo-op scenes are scattered around the exterior of the haunt and the internal waiting area.
Special Effects: 8.64
How Did We Get This Score?
Special Effects Scores (15% of Final Score):
(20% of SFX Score) How effective were the sound effects?: 8.4Explanation:
Very loud. Chainsaws in nearly every scene on the trail.
(20% of SFX Score) How creative / original were the scenes & props?: 8.9Explanation:
Addition of scents. New cabin.
Too many chainsaws on trail.
(20% of SFX Score) How well were the scenes detailed?: 9Explanation:
Cabin & House had lots of small details.
(25% of SFX Score) How well did they achieve & maintain the suspension of disbelief?: 8.3
(15% of SFX Score) How effective were the SFX at providing scares / entertainment?: 8.7
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We have already mentioned the addition of the cabin to the variety of attractions at Scream Acres. This new location was built in a mere four weeks! Because of that, it’s not quite as polished as the house, but there was a definite bit of care that went into the interior decor and decorative pieces.
Too, SA has pulled out the stops this season and made use of some additional scents. Adding small details like this to various scenes really helps with immersion and making the scenes complete and life-like.
The level of attention and detail is spread throughout the entirety of SA’s attractions, making this a haunt that visitors will be encouraged to experience again and again.
Theme: N/A
How Did We Get This Score?
Theme Scores (5% of Final Score):
(30% of Theme Score) Could you tell what the theme was?:
(50% of Theme Score) How well was the theme carried throughout the attraction/s?:
(20% of Theme Score) How well does their location authenticate the theme?:
This score is left “N/A” when we believe the haunt is trying to target a random variety of themes or phobias, rather than a single overarching “Theme” or “storyline.”
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There is not a single theme that stretches across Scream Acres. Instead, there are disparate pieces that are each self-contained. The House itself is a somewhat traditional, old-school haunted house. There are a variety of staff and unstaffed scenes along the hayride, each decorated and staffed with a different theme. The swamp walk builds suspense and tension while the Cabin has its own set of occult-inspired staff.
Scare Factor: 8.47
How Did We Get This Score?
Scare Factor Scores (15% of Final Score):
(30% of Scare Factor Score) How scary was it?: 8.6
(15% of Scare Factor Score) How well did they provide scares to the entire group?: 8.5
(25% of Scare Factor Score) How predictable were the scares?: 8.5
(15% of Scare Factor Score) How well did they provide a wide variety of scares?: 8.3Explanation:
Lots of jump scares, lots of chainsaws
(15% of Scare Factor Score) How strong was the ending / finale?: 8.3
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Though the different pieces of Scream Acres may seem to be separate, they are all united with their push towards bringing startles and scares to their guests. The House has a slow build with a few jump scares and smaller actors. The trail brings in a loud assault on the senses with roaring chainsaws, screaming clowns, and blasting flames.
Visitors who have experienced SA before may find that the experience brings little that is new from past years (with the exception of the very new Cabin), but those who have never before visited SA (or haven’t visited in the past few years) will discover plenty to set the blood pounding and screams just a gasp away.
The cast is very good about spreading scares around to everyone in the group, no matter which of the wide variety of scenes of SA are traversed. The quiet build-up of the swamp walk and the tension-building of the Cabin are something of a nice respite after the sensory overload of the hayride. As we mentioned earlier, during our visit there was one guest who was so overcome with fear and anxiety that she nearly quit after the hayride. The staff helped her through the rest of the visit, but that level of terror is something to be remarked upon.
Entertainment & Value: 8.99
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?: 9.3Explanation:
45 min for 20$
(25% of E&V Score) How satisfied were you with the entertainment that’s available with* the ticket price, excluding the main attraction/s?: 8Explanation:
music, tv for hayride line
(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?: 9Explanation:Would be nice for some additional manned or animatronics on the walk and hayride
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Scream Acres charges a mere $20 for tickets ($30 for fast pass) for what amounts to 45 minutes of fear throughout each of the different attractions (not counting any time spent waiting in lines). That is an amazing bargain, even for the local area.
On a busy night, we definitely recommend the fast pass which can not only lessen the time spent in lines but also give visitors time to enjoy the various other amenities – a local food truck, photo ops, and resting the lungs after screaming in fear.
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!
