Features:
✓-Free Parking✓-You will NOT be touched✓-Original Characters✓-Uncovered Outdoor Waiting Line✓-All-Indoor Attraction✓-Family Friendly
How Do We Get These Scores?
Our Rating System
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!
Hide This
Final Score: 7.54
How Did We Get This Score?
Final Scores:
(15% of Final Score) Cast: 7.64
(15% of Final Score) Costuming: 6.83
(10% of Final Score) Customer Service: 7.59
(10% of Final Score) Atmosphere: 8.4
(15% of Final Score) Special Effects: 7.58
(5% of Final Score) Theme: 5.5
(15% of Final Score) Scare Factor: 7.41
(5% of Final Score) Entertainment & Value: 8.25
Hide This
Summary:
The Terror Street Fair, a home haunt that brings the horror to Federal Heights, located right across from the Water World parking lot, and visible from West 90th Avenue, is just the home haunt you’ve been seeking.
There is no mistaking the location or the love that has gone into crafting the haunt to maximize screams and the haunt’s donations to the Food Bank of the Rockies. For four cans of food, guests are treated to two passes through the attraction, while those waiting their turn can enjoy Terror Street’s viewing Chamber and Portal, which allows patrons to see into a part of the haunt while standing in line. Although much of the Terror Street Fair’s decor comes from recognizable sources, Dave, the owner and operator of the haunt, and his crew consisting of a handful of close family and friends, do a superb job making those familiar faces and forms remarkable!
Cast: 7.64
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
(30% of Cast Score) How creative, believable and convincing were the actors?: 7.5
(20% of Cast Score) How interactive were the actors (verbally and physically)?: 8
(15% of Cast Score) How creatively & appropriately did they use dialogue?: 6.88
(15% of Cast Score) Was there a good variety of characters?: 7.75
Hide This
The entire cast of the Terror Street Fair consists of about four people: Dave, Megan, his wife, one of his best friends, and his soon-to-be brother-in-law. Each actor was distinct and appropriately placed within the various scenes. With that small of a cast, the Terror Street Fair does a tremendous job, each person playing his or her part with practiced skill and passion. Between Megan manning the entrance and entertaining guests in line with her ethereal affect, and Dave’s absolute passion for pounding fear into patrons passing through, the cast at the Terror Street Fair is terrific!
Costuming: 6.83
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?: 7.75
(25% of Costuming Score) How creative / detailed were the costumes?: 7
(20% of Costuming Score) Was their makeup creative? Detailed? Realistic?: 5Explanation:
With the possible exception of Megan, there didn’t seem to be any make up.
(15% of Costuming Score) How effectively did they use masks (if used)?: 7.75
(25% of Costuming Score) How appropriate were the costumes for their scene/s & theme/s?: 7
Hide This
Given the low number of actors, there were only a few costumes to adjudge, but those that there were certainly achieved their intended end. Megan wore a fairly simple but effective black hooded cape, obscuring just enough of her face to heighten the mystery behind her hood, in a great analogy to the curtain she stood before. Meanwhile, the Fair’s resident rookie haunter, Arnold, wore a very high quality mask, which was perfect for his leering jeers at visitors. Dave, however, donned a full costume, consisting of a somewhat standard plague doctor mask and dark cloak, but with gloved hands that glued the look together. The final costume we noted was Dave’s longtime friend, who was also wearing a full costume, dressed as a good quality clown. While there was one additional cast member whose costume made him disappear into the background, we can’t comment on it much, as we didn’t see much of it due to his effectiveness. In any case, the costumes were all appropriate for their locations within the haunt, and clearly assembled with care.
Customer Service: 7.59
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?: 7.5
(30% of CS Score) How safe was the attraction?: 8
(25% of CS Score) How professional, helpful and friendly were the staff members?: 9.25
(20% of CS Score) How easy was it to find their information before* arrival?: 5Explanation:
Information was not readily available online, particularly before the haunt opened. Nevertheless, we did note a significant uptick in social medial postings since our visit.
Hide This
The folks that staff the Terror Street Fair do so out of love for the haunt, the holiday and the horror. That love shines through in droves! As the Fair is a home haunt, guests won’t find a ticket booth, security guards, and staff wandering about all over, but they will find folks who are intent on ensuring a good, safe time for everyone. The crew limits groups to three, as there are some tight twists and turns, but the ground is practically flat throughout, making it fairly accessible to people who may have mobility issues. Locating the event was also a breeze given its fog, lights and location across from Water World. Although there was one section of the haunt that proved quite confusing to navigate, Dave’s watchful eye ensured that we made it through alright.
The only disappointment, albeit minimal, was the difficulty finding information about the attractions hours of operation and other similar information online. While the hours and dates are clearly posted outside of the structure, that is not much help to folks looking to the web for quick information. Nevertheless, Dave and the rest of the Terror Street terrors are available for questions and only continue to up their social media game. It’s no wonder they have 8 years of patronage under their belt.
Atmosphere: 8.4
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?: 8.5
(40% of Atmosphere Score) How well did the atmosphere prepare you for what you experienced inside?: 8.25
Hide This
The atmosphere at the Terror Street Fair is a combination of family-friendly fun and a heartfelt desire to terrify while serving the community. The front of the haunt boasts a personalized graveyard, complete with custom-made headstones surrounding the viewing Chamber and Portal. The side, featuring the queue line and entrance, offers plenty of additional creepy eye candy, such as a life-sized mummy and a mock gypsy machine as wisps of fog wrap themselves around guests ankles. Once patrons pass through the curtain, though, the atmosphere immediately changes, as unexpected scares come from some of the most unassuming spaces.
It’s easy to forget that the Terror Street Fair is a home haunt, as the energy is as high as some professional haunts. Utilizing both electronic and manual means, and relying on humans and machines, the haunt comes together beautifully. The design of the interior, which allows a single actor to perform multiple scares by merely turning to the side, truly squeezes every last scream out of every inch of the attraction. Dave’s experience as a haunt actor also comes to bear, as even the simplest of things, such as a well-placed strobe light or face, proved to be among the most memorable of the evening.
Special Effects: 7.58
How Did We Get This Score?
Special Effects Scores (15% of Final Score):
(20% of SFX Score) How effective were the sound effects?: 7.5
(20% of SFX Score) How creative / original were the scenes & props?: 7.75
(20% of SFX Score) How well were the scenes detailed?: 8
(25% of SFX Score) How well did they achieve & maintain the suspension of disbelief?: 6.75
(15% of SFX Score) How effective were the SFX at providing scares / entertainment?: 8.25Explanation:The haunt really excelled in this area, particularly considering that it is a home haunt. It had several things large professional haunts offer, just in a smaller scale.
Hide This
Although several special effects at the Terror Street Fair weren’t the most original, they were certainly creative and fairly effective. The combined effect of good lighting choices and props was spot on in a few rooms, making even well-known home haunter goodies valuable effects. The timing of the effects throughout the haunt was also almost impeccable, which certainly helped as well. Even the music wafting from the entrance was appropriate for the event, while some of the decor literally stood out. Finally, in a stroke of genius, the Fair provides an actual window for guests outside of the haunt to catch a glimpse of their friends passing through the Chamber and getting a scare, which we can personally say was more fun than we expected.
Theme: 5.5
How Did We Get This Score?
Theme Scores (5% of Final Score):
(30% of Theme Score) Could you tell what the theme was?: 4.5
(50% of Theme Score) How well was the theme carried throughout the attraction/s?: 5.5
(20% of Theme Score) How well does their location authenticate the theme?: 7
Hide This
The theme of the Terror Street Fair is a tad ambiguous. Some elements set the scene for the intended carnival theme, the haunt itself being called Fun House, but the theme seems short lived. It actually consists of a various collection of scenes, yet it all manages to work. Terror Street is also a labor of love and charity, with the Fair having donated over 3000 pounds of canned goods to the Food Bank of the Rockies since it began collecting donations.
Scare Factor: 7.41
How Did We Get This Score?
Scare Factor Scores (15% of Final Score):
(30% of Scare Factor Score) How scary was it?: 7.25
(15% of Scare Factor Score) How well did they provide scares to the entire group?: 8.25
(25% of Scare Factor Score) How predictable were the scares?: 7.75
(15% of Scare Factor Score) How well did they provide a wide variety of scares?: 7.75
(15% of Scare Factor Score) How strong was the ending / finale?: 6
Hide This
When we first arrived at the haunt, we were behind a large group with several kiddos, ranging from about 2 years old to 10. As they went through in packs of three, emerging just to our left a few minutes later, with nary a tear to be seen, we figured we were in for child’s play. We were mistaken, as the Terror Street Fair combined nice timing and effective effects to make the both of us jump more than once! Terror Street also offered a variety of frights, ranging from tight twists and turns, to disorientation, saying nothing about the cast’s tremendous effectiveness.
Entertainment & Value: 8.25
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?: 7.5
(25% of E&V Score) How satisfied were you with the entertainment that’s available with* the ticket price, excluding the main attraction/s?: 7
(30% of E&V Score) How appropriate is/are the ticket price/s?: 10Explanation:
Admission is four cans of food for two walkthroughs!
(15% of E&V Score) Have they effectively used their available space?: 8.5
Hide This
For the cost of four cans, all of which goes to benefit the Food Bank of the Rockies, the Terror Street Fair provides guests with a fun environment, and a great time. With the viewing Chamber and Portal, and Witching Hour Apothecary, the fun doesn’t end when you exit the haunt either. While the line gets longer as the season wears on, especially on Halloween night itself, when they anticipate upwards of 300 visitors, the Terror Street Fair is a fun time for folks of all ages. In fact, we will be returning with our own little ghouls before the season is done!
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!
Hide This
Promo Images:
Click to Enlarge
