The best way to describe The Haunted Graveyard was something that was said to me by a makeup artist there when I went on a backstage tour two years ago; that this place embraces a traditional Spirit of Halloween. Quite simply, if there is a Halloween theme you can think of then they bring it to life here.
Witches? Vampires? Werewolves? Zombies? Spiders? Cannibal Hillbillies? Demons? Etc’ Yup they got em all, except for clowns. I don’t remember clowns, but they would have seemed out of place here strangely enough. But literally every dark and creepy thing you would think of around Halloween they have a place for.
I would say it’s the most family friendly of all the Haunted attractions I’ve been too, as it is not gory or adult themed. But don’t let that fool you into thinking you won’t be scared or startled as their cast and designers are masters of knowing how to use timing, distraction and location to pop out where you don’t expect it, and the scare actors have been well trained to use strange vocalizations and sounds to be more creepy and menacing as they come up behind you. As someone who is not often scared or surprised, and can spot a startle scare coming, I have to say they got me multiple times throughout all the areas on the property. The costumes always match their themed area, and they rely mostly on believable makeup instead of masks, except in the first area of the Catacombs, but that is to hide the actors from the dummy skeleton monks in there.
Their ending piece is probably the longest pitch dark tunnel there could possibly be, it felt like it went on forever, and the mansion seemed to be invested with Vampires this year and was kicked up a notch in the total number of actors as well as intensity. The same goes for the opening area called the Catacombs with its majestic church-like fa������������������ade. Their customer service was amazing as one of my team was having trouble making it through the long walk, and just needed to rest a number of times before we continued, and being a larger fellow it probably looked like it might be a more serious issue than it was, but every time we had to stop a member of the crew would seemingly pop outta nowhere to make sure we were ok, and very quickly as well. General admission is only $27.99 per person or you can get a combo ticket to go on the rides at the attached Lake Compounce amusement park, and you will spend at least 45 minutes or more just walking through as this is one long connected series of themed scare areas and houses. I believe there was over 20 different themed sections here, so you will certainly get your money’s worth. The only thing that would be better is if you could trick or treat along the way.
