The Thirteenth Hour Review (2024)

Stepping through the illuminated clock face into Cartocker Expeditions, we were eagerly greeted by one of the more humorous performers of the evening. The crazed-looking Einstein-esque scientist welcomed us with vigor and quickly explained the protocol for preparing us for time travel before cording himself off with a very high-tech chain (do not touch it!).

Once we were not-so-thoroughly scanned and decontaminated, we were ushered forward into Lady Cartocker’s atrium to begin the journey through time. The lady was beautifully animated and threatening as usual, scolding us for requesting a trip to 1969 as ‘boring and overused.’ After a bumpy and terrifying trip into 1913, we were directed down a dark hallway into a breathtaking, albeit haunted, cemetery full of various shades of the undead. Vampires, zombies, and even a living statue stalked the misty, hallowed grounds, looking to make a meal out of us. A mournful apparition, the Weeping Widow, wandered aimlessly, beseeching us to find her husband and wondering why he had left her there. Unfortunately, we met her again further in to find she had become a vengeful wraith in black, cursing her wretched husband and us for seeking him out.

Upon leaving the cemetery, we found ourselves in the sanctum of the Archbishop of the Cathedral, who asked us if Lady Cartocker had sent us here and did she explain to us how to get back? Conveniently, she had forgotten to mention that little tidbit and we were informed that one of us had to become a sacrifice to return to our time. After choosing a victim, he ‘blessed’ us and sent us on our way to the Sharpe Orphanage to look for Esther, the key to our escape.

A raving schoolmarm surprised us as we entered the orphanage, gleefully exclaiming her excitement for having more orphans (or soon-to-be orphans) before we were hounded by some very incensed nuns. One of them, Sister Helga, raged at us with a large ruler, beating it against the desk and chairs before proclaiming we were sentenced to punishment with a maniacal laugh. This evening’s punishment of choice? The rack. Not being keen on such torture, we scurried on and found ourselves in an eerie and foreboding temple of sorts facing a leering figure in crimson. Heinrich Chapel, the missing husband, stood tall and ominous upon a sacrificial altar, inquiring as to who the sacrifice was for The Master, and would said sacrifice swear to uphold their duties? The entire interaction was beautifully done and delightfully terrifying as we quickly made our haste out of the temple and into The Mine to meet our fates.

Once inside the mine, we were terrorized by miners and foremen who made quite the racket as we followed the darkened path underground. Two of the gems of Thirteenth Hour reside deep within the mines: The Spider Queen and The Master. Both were larger than life, exquisitely detailed, and utterly fear-inducing (no spoilers; you’ll have to make the journey yourself.)

Describing the cast of this haunt as ‘exceptional’ is a grand understatement. Each character is brought to life with fervor, the entire experience feeling like a terror-stricken theater performance. Everything has been considered carefully, from prepossessing and accurate costuming to bewitching makeup and ghoulish masks. Brava!

We did encounter a few snarls and growls throughout our journey from some ghoulish beings in both the mine and the cemetery. Adding a bit of dialogue to a few of these monsters would heighten the authenticity.

The quality of costumes throughout the haunt is exceptional, with a clear emphasis on craftsmanship and authenticity. The attention to detail is evident in every corner, from intricate makeup to scene-specific attire that helps bring the haunt’s story to life. While not every actor had makeup of the same caliber, the overall presentation remained cohesive and convincing with thoughtfully designed costumes.

Masks played a small role in the haunt’s costuming, seamlessly integrating into their respective scenes while maintaining a form-fitting and relevant appearance. Some masks were even used across multiple characters, creating a sense of continuity throughout the experience.

The haunt’s use of multi-layered makeup further enhanced the realism, with characters like Lady Cartocker standing out for their distinctive looks. Her steampunk-inspired makeup and costume, in particular, added a unique flair that complemented her role and the overall theme of the attraction.

We also saw quite the variety here, with many appearing to be customized specifically for The Thirteenth Hour. Each character, from the Spider Queen with her countless legs to The Master scaling over his victims and the Widow wandering the graveyard, was brought to life with intricate, personalized details that set the haunt apart from typical attractions. Even the dummies scattered throughout the halls were dressed so convincingly that it was often difficult to distinguish them from live performers.

Professor Cronos stood out during our visit, leaving a lasting impression with his engaging personality and over-the-top acting. Though his attire was simple, his humor made him truly memorable. Again, no touchy!

The Thirteenth Hour’s makeup and costuming go beyond simple adornment; they are central to the haunt’s storytelling and atmosphere. The blend of customized costumes, heavily detailed makeup, and strategic use of masks creates an experience where fantasy comes to life. The result is an attraction where every detail is designed to transport visitors into a world that feels authentic and alive.

From the main road, the parking lot was quite easy to find. The road sign for the attraction was large, reflective, and very hard to miss. Parking lot staff with flashlights and lighted vests directed us to our parking spot smoothly and seamlessly.

Large lights illuminate the parking lot and designate where to go to get to the ticket booth. Lines are clearly marked off, and ticket prices are prominently displayed. Staff were friendly and helpful, answering any questions we had about the haunt and where to go. They graciously led our team to the gate of the trail to get to the haunt itself.

Once you approach the main haunt, you’ll be directed by staff on what line to wait in. Both lines are conveniently covered, so regardless of weather, you’ll remain dry as you wait for your turn in line. About halfway through, The Thirteenth Hour allows you a moment to breathe (if you’ve made it that far) in the appropriately named Purgatory Midway. There are multiple photo opportunities, refreshments, and a comfortable sitting area while Bluegrass remixes of popular songs play overhead. For all of you who have been asking, The Thirteenth Hour has merchandise now! So grab yourself a shirt in Purgatory before making your way to the next waiting area in preparation for Mine 13.

The rest of the staff were helpful and extremely friendly as well. They do a great job at making sure you’re having the best possible experience, and will go out of their way to guarantee that happens. Any and all information pertaining to the Haunt is readily available and easily accessible on their website, so it should be a breeze finding whatever it is you may need to know about the Thirteenth Hour.

The Thirteenth Hour is quick to set the scene the moment you make your way through the corded lines, purchase your ticket, and enter the iron gates. Wandering down a dimly lit wooded path dotted with vignettes describing each section of the haunt, the atmosphere becomes tense quite quickly. Even more so, considering you’re not sure just what might pop out as you trek deeper into the woods.

Coming into view of the main building, you’re immediately greeted with a gorgeously detailed clock-face illuminated in stunning amethyst with a small, corded-off waiting area in front. There’s not a lot to see in the two outside waiting areas (for tickets and to get into the building), but that changes the moment you step through the large timepiece and into the very last waiting area. Dusty clocks and various gears line the walls and form a cacophony of incessant ticking that sets your teeth on edge before being led into the main bay of Cartocker Expeditions.

From the moment you enter the cold, metallic, high-tech pod and are introduced to Lady Cartocker and her vision, you are fully immersed into the world of The Thirteenth Hour. Each section blends seamlessly into the next, and the haunt has masterfully created quite the visceral, as well as physical experience. While not a touch haunt, Lady Cartocker and Co. have employed various tricks and machinations to give a full-bodied encounter. From a terrifying alien beast slobbering in your face to violent blasts of air and collapsing bridges. And visually, Thirteenth Hour is an absolute feast for the eyes. Nothing has been overlooked and every scene is carefully crafted and decorated for atmospheric beauty and believability.

Mine No. 13 is just as intricate and enveloping as its predecessor, perhaps even more so considering its claustrophobic nature. After braving the terrors of the underground, a kind, robotic attendant welcomes you back to the present and directs you outside to the very first queue area in front of the main building. And back down the tree-covered path you go to where it all began.

If you appreciate grand, intricately crafted set pieces, The Thirteenth Hour is an experience not to be missed. Our team makes a habit of inspecting every detail from floor to ceiling upon entering each room, and we strongly encourage visitors to do the same. Otherwise, you might overlook something truly enchanting that lies just out of sight.

The recent updates to Cartocker Expeditions have been a welcoming enhancement, showcasing some of the most impressive special effects of the evening. Without giving too much away, prepare yourself for a series of unexpected surprises before you even set foot inside the time machine.

Year after year, The Cathedral of Souls continues to astonish us, setting a gold standard in set design. It is challenging to think of another haunt that executes it as flawlessly. The atmosphere is heightened by the resonating sounds of foreboding church music echoing through the walls and the deep crashes of a thunderstorm reverberating overhead. The snowfall effect in the Widow’s Cemetery adds an extra layer of detail that enhances the atmosphere.

After braving the horrors of The Cathedral, you’ll have a moment to catch your breath and let your heart rate settle before embarking on the second half of The Thirteenth Hour: Mine 13. While The Mine may not feature the same level of intricate special effects as The Cathedral, it still offers an impressive assortment of lighting, laser displays, and soundscapes. The actors skillfully integrated these elements to heighten the fear, delivering a haunting experience.

The setting itself seemed overrun with a sinister infestation of arachnids and other ominous creatures. As you navigate the mine’s narrow passages, low ceilings, and sharp turns, the level of detail and craftsmanship in the design is astonishing—even for a mine. The environment feels disturbingly authentic, immersing you in the chilling reality of a dark, dangerous place where malevolent creatures lurk, ready to drain the last drop of blood.

At the heart of The Mine, we encountered the most terrifying entity of all: the Spider Queen, whose lair is an extraordinary and meticulously crafted set. For a moment, the intricate details almost made us forget that we were in danger of being her prey—but not for long. We won’t spoil too much, but you’ll understand once you see it for yourself.

One of The Thirteenth Hour’s most effective yet simple, special effects is darkness itself. The strategic use of candlelight complimented with sounds, sudden encounters, and unsettling questions of whether you’re truly alone, is masterfully executed. The timing of each scare, the varied types, and the deliberate use of sound (or silence) demonstrate expert-level craftsmanship.

In conclusion, The Mine does not disappoint when it comes to special effects. While there may not be as many as in The Cathedral, every effect is used to its fullest potential, maximizing the impact and delivering an unforgettable night of terror.

As you navigate the catacombs of The Thirteenth Hour, you’ll encounter a host of fiendish characters and impressive, larger-than-life props. The actors are expertly concealed, emerging at just the right moment to catch you off guard. The performers also excelled at targeting every member of our group throughout the journey, ensuring no one was spared. A particular portrait scare, which never fails to startle us, remains a highlight, but the most unforgettable moment came from the bride in the chapel, who soared above our heads, wailing mournfully.

We narrowly escaped a collapsing ceiling, navigated a crumbling bell tower, faced the threat of being devoured by a giant spider, and avoided being crushed within the depths of the mines—all before eluding certain death at the hands of The Master himself. The finale remains one of the most inventive and impactful endings we’ve encountered in any haunt, leaving a lasting impression.

Certain moments throughout the haunt require precise setup to deliver effective scares, which was particularly noticeable in the graveyard scene where a mourning figure had to manually trigger a lunging prop. The sacrificial chamber serves as another example, where Heinrich Chapel chooses a sacrifice from the group. The execution was fantastic here, but the scare attached to this performance was a bit underwhelming.

The Thirteenth Hour embraces its theatrical origins, with most encounters from the cast being interactive and dialogue-driven performances. While there are a fair number of jump scares sprinkled throughout, the focus remains on extended interactions that allow the monsters to engage multiple times.. Although we thoroughly enjoy these exchanges, incorporating a few additional jump scares would elevate the intensity and enhance this score.

The team excels at monitoring and spacing the groups in an inventive way, ensuring a seamless flow throughout the experience. Each scene is carefully designed to engage guests as they wait for their descent into darkness. This is executed particularly well within Cartocker Expeditions, where patrons are placed in multiple decontamination chambers that not only entertain but also serve as timed intervals for group separation. However, as the haunt’s popularity continues to grow, occasional instances of overcrowding can still occur.

To address this, the team may need to adjust the cast’s interaction style, making encounters quicker and more concise. This approach would help maintain consistency for all guests and minimize the chances of actors being out of position when the next group arrives at their scene. The cast is fantastic here, and every group deserves to see them.

Overall, we always enjoy our journey through this intricately designed haunt. While it may not be the most terrifying attraction we have ever visited, it excels in nearly every other aspect of the industry. With just a few minor adjustments, it could easily become a strong contender on the national stage.

Our journey through The Thirteenth Hour lasted 29 minutes. With a general admission price of $30, this results in a value of 0.97 minutes per dollar, which is about average for haunts of a similar caliber. For those seeking shorter wait times, Fast Lane passes are available for $50, reducing wait times by half, while Instant Access tickets can be purchased for $65. Bundle options include family four-packs, season passes, and Fast Lane access for groups of two or three. Tickets can be bought online or at the door, but please note that all on-site purchases are cash only.

Discounted tickets are offered on select weekdays in October as well as weekends in November, providing a great opportunity to save money and avoid crowds. Additionally, on October 20th, a special Trick-or-Treat event for kids will be hosted, allowing children to collect candy from the cast and crew as they walk through the haunt. Tickets for this event are $5 and can be purchased both online and in person.

Purgatory, the attraction’s midway, features a wide range of photo opportunities for guests to enjoy, along with a concession stand offering refreshments, merchandise, and alcoholic beverages. Please be prepared to carry any merchandise through the remainder of the haunt, as Purgatory is the only location where it is available. An ATM is also on-site for convenience, although on the night of our visit, it was not operational.