Skullys Terror Haunted HouseFull Review
351 N Jackson Ave, Jefferson, WI 53549(View Full Attraction Info)

Features:
✓-Free Parking✓-Restrooms/Porta Potties On-Site✓-“Old-School” (Low Tech)✓-“Hi-Tech” Attraction✓-You will NOT be touched✓-Movie Characters✓-Original Characters✓-Celebrity Appearances✓-Covered Outdoor Waiting Line✓-All-Indoor Attraction

Review Team/Author Info:
This attraction was reviewed by Team Hell Hounds on October 12, 2024.Team Since: August 11, 2023 | Experience: Apprentice TeamEditor: Team Zombillies (Master Team).
Final Score: 7.28
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Summary:
Skullys Terror Haunted House or Skullys Terror for short, has been active in the haunt industry since 2003. The haunted attraction that “Skully” worked at had closed before 2003, giving him an advantage from learning to build haunted attractions, training actors, props, and even more. This gave “Skully” the owner of Skullys Terror Haunted House the opportunity to fulfill his dreams and open his own haunt, creating nightmares for guests. Skullys is located in Jefferson, WI, at the Jefferson County Fair Park. This haunt doesn’t look like a lot from the outside, being built inside multiple semi-truck trailers, but it will surprise you once you step foot inside.
Cast Score: 6.87
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Cast Review:
The cast of Skully Terror is smaller, but they have a good number of actors for the size of the haunt. When navigating our way through the haunt, we rarely saw any dead space as there was almost always an actor in each room you stepped foot into. As we walked through the haunt, we noticed that each actor played their part well for their respective scenes. Although we didn’t hear much verbal dialogue from most of the actors besides grunts and moans, we did notice that the actors did interact physically, coming at you from all angles. Based on other haunted attractions we have been to, it would have been more developed overall to incorporate a variety of interactions so as not to be dull during the experience and repetitive from the cast.
Costuming Score: 6.75
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Costuming Review:
As we made our way through the haunt, we looked at costuming. We noticed that a lot of the actors were dressed in plain black clothes with masks on. Although actors were dressed in all black, the masks did look detailed, and dressing in all black helped them blend into the darkness of the scenes to provide a good scare. Those who weren’t all black also fit their scenes and blended in as well. Almost all cast here wore a mask to their respective scene, creating a more spooky atmosphere as makeup can only do so much that a mask can. However, the small number of cast with makeup was very detailed and well done.
When we arrived at Skullys, we were immediately greeted and parked by a clown queue actor who was well-detailed from head to toe. Once exiting our vehicle, she helped us get where we needed to go while staying in character from start to finish. While in line, we also came across Skully himself and another clown actor who zoomed through the line. It was not often we saw queue actors around, but when they did come by the line, they came in fast and aggressively and disappeared, creating an eerie ambiance.
Customer Service Score: 9.85
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Customer Service Review:
Skullys Terror was easy to locate if you followed the address given on the website and the helpful tips they gave you to find them. On the website, they have a dedicated page to find the location of this attraction with an exact address to use so you do not get lost. Once you arrive, they have staff to help you park in a gravel lot with moderate lighting. Navigating the premises was also easy as there was only one path, from start to finish, from getting tickets, entering the line, and entering the attraction.
Overall, Skullys Terror had a safe atmosphere to it. We did not notice anything alarming through the haunt and even saw that there was what appeared to be “security” in high viz vests roaming around. The second we got to Skullys Terror, everyone was so welcoming and friendly. The clown queue actor who helped us park showed us the ticket booth, made sure we understood the rules and sent us to the line to even greet us after finishing the main attraction and took photos for us at a photo op area.
If you are looking for info before you arrive, be sure to check out the website. Here, you can find the address, buy tickets, warnings, rules, and some other good information such as a dedicated FAQ page that includes operations with rain and that you can only have two people enter the haunt at a time. They also have a small gallery with a few pictures of the attraction and a few small videos, too. Skullys Terror also has a Facebook page and will post weather updates or important updates as needed, so be sure to take a glance there before your trip out.
Immersion Score: 6.44
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Immersion Review:
The pre-haunt vibes of this haunt were interesting, to say the least. The only thing we noticed in this category was a light-up speaker on a picnic table playing music. This was also accompanied by the few queue actors who would zoom in and out of the line area sporadically. This is definitely something we have seen done much better at other haunted attractions and that Skullys Terror could greatly improve upon. Even from having a typical projection screen, a bonfire if possible, more interactive queue actors with guests, or extra eye candy, especially when the line can get long, to ease the wait.
When we looked into the storyline of this haunt we could not find one. Due to not finding a storyline, we removed this section to not be scored, but even without a storyline, it does not take away from the attraction itself. Once inside the attraction, it was immersive throughout the whole haunt. The amount of detail inside this haunt took us off guard from the appearance outside the attraction. Each room was well decorated, with some areas being top to bottom and not “bland.” A few rooms were unique as well, as we found a full stuffed animal room that we had not come across yet. The overall detail was very impressive, and other professional haunts do not even hit as high. It is true that you can not judge a book by its cover.
Once we exited the haunt, the vibe depleted very fast. The haunt practically shoots you back to the parking lot with two photo opportunities and a very small, easy-to-miss merch area with hats and shirts for sale. This is another area that could be improved here to offer more to guests to make it a better night out experience than going through and immediately leaving unless you have a twice-the-terror ticket to enter a second time.
Special FX Score: 7.48
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Special FX Review:
During this haunt, we noticed sound effects throughout. We noticed different music tracks in each room instead of an overall music track for all rooms. They were clearly played and fit their respective areas and were not overused. Some areas could benefit from more sound effects, but overall, they were decently executed.
As we walked through the haunt, we saw a lot of small rooms with different theming; even though these rooms were small, they were detailed to match the theme of the room. Certain rooms among the haunt were more detailed than others but the details found in these rooms were towards the higher end that we typically don’t see in other attractions. Skullys Terror did a great job of creating a vast amount of rooms for the area they have to work with.
There were many props in this haunt, including dangling limbs, large and small puppet props, cages, “floating” heads, and a blood-squirting animatronic. We felt that these props were detailed and placed well for their scenes and were not cluttered in the haunt. We did not see a large amount of high-tech animatronics that could be beneficial to the haunt, but the actors and other props made up for it.
The use of lights was placed well through the haunt. They used fog paired with lasers to make a laser swamp and laser tunnel effect to fill hallway spaces. They also used strobes to disorient you and distract you from the next scare. Skullys Terror also utilized textured “squishy” floors throughout, along with a small inflatable squeeze tunnel. The overall amount of sensory effects here was above some other haunts we have been to, and it was impressive to incorporate it all with the scale of the attraction.
Scare Factor Score: 8.37
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Scare Factor Review:
We didn’t expect this haunt to be too scary since it is a smaller haunt and we go through so many a season, but this haunt surprised us. Not many haunts truly give us a good scare, but this one did. They really delivered “Jump scares like NO OTHER haunt.”
Since this haunt is a smaller, tight-quarters attraction, they only allow groups of 2 at a time. (You can work out odd-number groups.) This really helps target the whole group as you go through so both guests get a good scare. It may not be ideal if you have a large group coming and needing to split up, but being more secluded makes the experience better.
Some of the scares were predictable, while others were not. We don’t usually anticipate scares coming from all angles. There were scares coming from the ground, along with scares coming from above when you least expect it. We had a good scare from an actor above our right shoulder that we did not see coming whatsoever, which really took us off guard for a good fright.
The variety of scares could use some improvement. This haunt has the jump scare locked down, but we would like to see other scares mixed in throughout the haunt, from more aggressive dialogue to unsettling interactions.
As for the finale, it wasn’t a big scare. The large sock monkey character with a plastic chainsaw wasn’t a bad finale by any means, but the scare was delayed when we went through the last room. This could have been due to the costume being hard to move in or just poor timing, but overall, we see a lot of haunts miss out on a finale altogether, so this was not the best but not the worst with having a twist on a typical chainsaw chaser.
Entertainment & Value Score: 5.38
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E&V Review:
We were pleasantly surprised with the entertainment of the main attraction. Going into this haunt, we did not have high hopes due to its size and the fact that it was our first time. Going in with an open mind, we were surprised by the attraction and would attend again if we were in the area.
While the inside of the haunt was entertaining, we can’t say the same for other entertainment options. This attraction is just the haunt; they do not provide other attractions or concessions. While they do offer a few photo opportunities and a small merchandise area where you can purchase t-shirts and hats, they lack keeping you around. This is an area we can’t help but feel needs to be improved to benefit from more activities and enhance its overall value for visitors, especially for those making a decent drive out.
Our team spent a total of only 30 minutes on the property after we parked. This included the line, checking in at the ticket booth, taking some photos, and 5 minutes inside the main attraction. The admission fee of $20 to enter the haunt gives Skullys Terror a $0.25 minute per dollar rating. This is, unfortunately, very low compared to other haunts in the area and even the state. The ticket price is fair at $20, but the duration of the haunt kills your value based on the duration it takes.
When looking at ticket options, Skullys Terror has three. You can purchase general admission for $20, which lets you go through 1x per person. There is also another ticket option of twice the terror for $28 per person that lets you get through the haunt a second time during your visit. This option must be purchased before going through the first time. Skullys Terror also has a unique ticket option called VIP Pass– Season of Scare for $40. This ticket lets you go through the haunt 1x per day during the operating season which is up to 8x per person. This is a super interesting ticket as we never come across an option like this at other haunts, and it can be super beneficial if you are local to the area. However, Skullys Terror does not offer any version of a fast pass that we see at a majority of haunts. With this option not being offered, be prepared to wait in longer lines toward the end of the season, closer to Halloween. We always recommend a fast pass option to enhance your experience and time, but we can not say that for this haunt.
If you have not been to this haunt before and are in the area, we would highly encourage you to stop by and experience it for yourself. Is it short? Yes. Is there a lot of extra things to do? No. Is it scary and fun? YES. This haunt truly defines that you can not judge a book by its cover and is well put together in areas that you do not always find at other attractions.
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