Special Notes: Check for 2024 Opening Information
In the heart of Madison County lies the small, quiet community of Huntsville, Arkansas, home of the beloved haunted attraction, The Expelled Haunted House. If its eerie, seemingly isolated location isn’t enough to send chills down your spine, the fact that the haunt occupies a now 10,000-square-foot abandoned slaughterhouse certainly will!
What also stands out about The Expelled is their community-focused heart, as they donate $1 per ticket sale every night in their first week to various nonprofits, including Paws and Claws Animal Shelter, The Huntsville Fire Department, and Meals on Wheels. Don’t be fooled; they have a soft spot for charities, but NO ONE will be soft on you! You can expect an actor-driven, immersive, frightening, and spookily entertaining experience from the parking lot and ticket sales to the queue area and haunt!
Even though this is The Expelled’s final season, this haunt is a MUST-SEE, as we were completely immersed and in awe of the quality of the set design, the acting, and the overall experience.
Your interaction with the cast starts immediately! Cast members can be seen mingling with patrons in the parking lot, ticket booth, queue, and photo op area. You will be visited by Carnage the Clown and Gorgeous, as well as many other characters! Our favorite in-haunt clowns were Tiki, Bubbles, and Paintchips! The pole-dancing clown was a favorite as well and made us nervous and laugh out loud! There was a horrifying actor who jumped from platform to platform and clicked at us the entire time! The actor in the mannequin room gave us the biggest jump scare of the night!
The total cast is approximately 25 actors who completely embody their original characters and fill the haunt with minimal dead space. The entire cast was interactive and perfectly unrehearsed, which added to the authenticity of each character and each individual experience. The entire cast gave 100% character commitment, and we could tell they loved scaring us to death!
How complete, unique, detailed were the costumes, accessories? – (35% of score)
Were the masks, makeup creative, detailed, realistic? – (30% of score)
How appropriate were the costumes for the respective scenes, themes? – (20% of score)
How believable-, detailed-looking were the queue actors? (See Note if N/A) – (15% of score)
High-quality details are also carried through to the costuming and makeup. Carnage the Clown had elaborate prosthetic makeup details, and his ringmaster costume was thoughtfully detailed and deconstructed. All makeup was purposefully applied and character-appropriate. Masks fit well with no exposed skin, and this was especially noted with Esme. It was very apparent each actor developed their own character’s overall look with thoughtfulness and pride.
How easy was it to locate, park at, navigate the premises? – (25% of score)
Safety (Only dock points for TRULY DANGEROUS hazards!) – (30% of score)
How professional, helpful, friendly were the staff members? – (25% of score)
How easy was it to find pertinent information before arrival? – (20% of score)
The Expelled is easy to find in Huntsville, AR! Google Maps had no problem locating it! The building has outside flashing lights as well as a large, well-lit sign! There is a free gravel parking lot to the west of the haunt. All parking areas are well-lit and are within a short walking distance. The ticket booth is at the east end and is well-lit, with a few steps approaching the booth.
The actual attraction itself was very safe. There was no crawling but several crouching or stooping areas and mild inclines or declines. There are a few areas of total pitch-black darkness, uneven floors, and narrow spaces, but we anticipated this as it was mentioned during the haunt rules by Prudence the dead bride! There was one area of standing water in one of the rooms, but this was near a water feature in the haunt.
The non-cast staff members were extremely helpful and accommodating and interacted with the guests. Everyone was friendly, courteous, professional, and excited for the opportunity to scare us! Their website is easy to find, access, and navigate.
How well did the pre-haunt areas ("vibe") prepare you for the attraction/s? – (25% of score)
How obvious, creative, believable was the storyline? (See Note if N/A) – (20% of score)
Were you completely, consistently immersed inside the attraction/s? – (40% of score)
How well did the "vibe" flow after, between the attraction/s? – (15% of score)
The Expelled gives you the feeling of being in a secluded area and looks like a place you should run FROM and not TO! You are immersed in eeriness once you exit your car! The outside lighting and queue actors add so much to the excitement and overall atmosphere, which can only be described as a twisted slaughterhouse full of crazed clowns and their dangerous counterparts.
The waiting line flow moved well, and music was playing in the background. Groups were let in the haunt every 5-7 minutes, but we did have an issue with groups catching up. There were no breaks in character nor anything distracting, such as exposed speakers, incomplete wall design, or personal items. The transitions between rooms were overall short. We would have loved to see more interaction in the outdoor graveyard/funeral scene.
At the end of the haunt, you can pose for a few photos with characters and then stop at the concession stand and merch booth! We purchased a t-shirt, a tumbler, hair ties, and a pin as souvenirs of this haunted night!
How effective were the sound effects? – (20% of score)
How realistic were the scene designs, details? – (30% of score)
How effective, realistic were the props, animatronics? – (30% of score)
How well did they use creative, special, sensory effects? – (20% of score)
What elevates this haunt to the next level is quality props and set designs. There was pre-recorded background audio for most scenes, though there were some moments of dead silence. There was a unique laser swamp area that hid an actor for a perfect jump scare before swinging over the swamp! There were the right amount of lighting changes, including dim and strobe. In one room, there was even a person who flew across the room attached to a ceiling track! How could we forget that ball pit crawling with clowns?
There were no air blasts, sparks, animatronics, or a vortex tunnel, which could potentially add increased scares. However, what elevates this haunt to the next level is the dedicated actors and detailed set designs. We literally felt as if we were viewing horror movie sets, as their attention to large and small details is impeccable.
How scary was it? – (35% of score)
How well did they provide scares to everyone in the group? – (15% of score)
How predictable were the scares? – (25% of score)
How well did they provide a wide variety (types) of scares? – (10% of score)
How strong was the ending / finale? – (15% of score)
We were completely immersed and in awe of the quality of the set design, the acting, and the entire Expelled experience. This haunt is scary! They keep a tally in the ticket booth of the number of guests that have had to leave, have thrown up, or have wet their pants!
The jump scares, sneak attacks, and unexpected startles, coupled with the location and overall haunt atmosphere, amp up the fear to a new level. One thing that is very apparent about this haunt is how well the cast interacts and works with each other to give each and everyone in the group the biggest scares. You don’t ever want to let your guard down in this haunt; the scares build and build until the finale! The Expelled is a must-see haunt to give you the fright night of your life!
How satisfied with the entertainment provided by the MAIN attraction/s? – (50% of score)
How satisfied with OTHER entertainment INCLUDED with the ticket price? – (25% of score)
How appropriate is/are the ticket price/s? – (25% of score)
We were extremely satisfied with the entertainment this haunt provided. It took us about 20 minutes to complete. We did not run or even walk fast through any portion, but we felt we were in each room for an adequate amount of time to appreciate the art and the fine details. Ticket prices are regularly $20 per person, and Line Slasher/fast passes are $40 per person. We did purchase fast passes in order to avoid the developing long lines! While we do feel the regular tickets are priced fair and competitively for this area, the fast passes are a little pricey.
There are also the following Special Events with dates listed on the website: The Last Boo-Rah/Kid’s Night for $10.00 per ticket, Friday the 13th “My Pet”/Light Touching Night for $20.00 per ticket, The Expelled Unleashed/You will be touched (One night only) for $30 per ticket (18+ to enter and signed waiver), The Expelled Unleashed/You will be touched Line Slasher for $60.00 per ticket (18+ to enter and signed waiver), and a General Admission Season Pass for $75.00 each. Of note, the Season Passes do not include Line Slasher or Unleashed Night.
If you get the chance to get to Expelled before they close, absolutely do not hesitate! You don’t want to miss this one!
29555 AR-23, Huntsville, Arkansas 72740