Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary Review (2007)

The cast at Eastern State Penitentiary is selected through a series of auditions in which each section (or zone) leader for the attraction selects actors for their zone. These selections are based on a predetermined number of slots and a specific list of characters they need filled. Their expectations are high for their actors as are ours. On this night, they did not entirely hit the mark. To be fair, the management did inform us that they had an unusually high number of absentees that night due to sickness and at least one family emergency. Consequently, their crew was operating shorthanded. This was apparent in a couple of locations, but all in all the team did a decent job of covering for one another. Beyond that, whether it was due to the additional pressure or the fact that this was their second weekend of business, it seemed that some of the actors were still trying to find their characters. Others, however, were dead on, such as the “Intake” warden and the prison cook. Great jobs!

Undead inmates and prison guards abound! Throw in the occasional prison doctor and cook and you have the ingredients of a grisly ghoulash. The costuming and make-up are a highlight of ESP. There is not great variety in the costuming, but one has to appreciate the detail as well as the effort to have all their costuming conform to their theme. Nothing is out of place. As for the make-up, their team of artists do an absolutely awesome job. There is great make-up throughout. They utilize a variety of techniques to achieve a myriad of macabre results. Whether its a faceful of gangrenous flesh or an eyeless inmate. The make-up will make you look twice and then, maybe, make you wish you had never looked at all!

The lengths to which ESP goes for their customers and neighbors nears obsession. No haunt we have reviewed works more on this area. We believe this piece is a huge contributor to the success of this attraction. Moreover, any haunt in the country could learn something from studying the customer service policies of ESP. Their handling of their queues is excellent. Besides their well thought out reservation system, they have some of their best actors work the queue while you wait. They are constantly working to improve their parking. They have added remote parking with a constant flow of trolley buses in an effort to alleviate the crowded parking around the attraction. For those that use the remote parking, they get a bonus of ghost stories told by their shuttle host on the trip to the haunt and back. They offer souvenir photos for sale at the conclusion of the haunt. There are concessions and a deejay spinning records. For the neighboring homes and business, they provide free passes. The staff regularly cleans the streets around the attraction. Additionally, they offer quick response to any concerns that come in from the locals. Honestly, we could go on and on. This is how customer service is done.

On this night, due to working with a reduced number of actors because of illness, the scares were at times a little spread out. Add to that the fact that the attraction was running at full capacity and it’s a difficult combo for most haunted attractions- more customers, less actors. Still, so many things lend to the experience of Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary. You have a one of a kind atmosphere, talented actors, great themes, and a commitment to excellence. Given that this was their second weekend and they encountered some unforseen difficulties, they still filled their hallways with the delighted screams of petrified patrons. We have every confidence that when you visit there will be even more of the same.

As ticket prices for other haunts rise and Eastern State continues to improve upon their ticketing options, this category is becoming a real strength for this attraction and another testament to their commitment to the customer. There are a myriad of options. Coming during a weekday or Sunday and pay only $20. At most you will pay $30 on a Saturday. Additionally, there is an online coupon for $3 off. There are group packages, dinner packages, and family nights when the scares are not quite as intense and the price is only $10! We would almost always suggest buying your tickets in advance which there are three ways to do described online. The only downside at the moment is the cost of lot parking which is an additional $10. By inner city standards, not bad, but you have to add that to your overall cost for the evening.