This was my first experience of The Haunted Barn in Stoughton. On first impression this haunt looked exciting. The grounds were abuzz with visitors and screams could be heard throughout the grounds. Needless to say, all in all, this haunt did not disappoint.

Easily located off of Hwy. 51 in Stoughton this haunt is easy to find. After turning on to Hwy. 51 all you need to do is look for the flashing arrow sign and you will be guided in by staff from there. Parking is a plenty and you will easily find the ticket booth to begin your adventure.

As I already mentioned this haunt was BUSY. Even so the wait time was roughly 15 minutes. Don't worry though even while you are waiting your actors will be around to keep you entertained. At no time was the wait ever boring, which is certainly a nice change of pace. Even if the actors weren't out and about the screams of your fellow haunters would do the trick.

All in all this haunt was a fun time. There were times were I was disappointed. Spacing was a major issue (although you must remember this was Halloween weekend that I attended). Throughout the haunt I kept running into the group before me and the group behind me kept running into me. At one point I had to stop because several groups got held up in the house. Although we eventually had an actor that kept us entertained while the groups were being spaced out it took awhile.

At one other point the groups bumped into each other but we were able to keep moving. The other issue was the lack of actors in some areas....especially the woods. I know first hand that it is not easy to scare people in an outdoor environment but even in the house there were areas that an actor could have made an excellent scare but there was no one around.

Other than spacing and times of no scaring or interaction this was still a fun haunt. The scenes and props were simple but enough to "set the scene". Of most important note was the actors. Although some scares were not powerful the actors were having fun. This was contagious. It made the whole haunt that much more entertaining.

Oconto Jaycees Trail of Terror is a frightening HANDS ON experience. What I like the most about smaller town haunted attractions, such as Trail of Terror, is that they do not rely on the use of popular animatronics and props. All of the props at Oconto Jaycees Trail of Terror are original and appear custom made. Trail of Terror is a lengthy guide through a very dimly lit forest located about 20 minutes North of Green Bay. They are located right off of 141N on Cty Rd J. You will know you have arrived by the roaring bonfire and numerous vehicles parked on the road. The Trail of Terror is probably one of the longest Trails in the State of WI and YES you can EXPECT the actors to fall from the sky and grab you at ALL times.

Signage / Visibility / Location

Wait Area / Line Entertainment

Actors' Performance

Sets Scenes / Props / FX

Length

Crowd Control

Most Memorable Moment

I’ll admit to this upfront, my experience at Nightmare factory was more of an unfortunate nightmare than a frightfully fun time.  As a result my review of this haunt may be a little unfair to a haunt that many have reviewed favorably.  (Although honestly of the 6 haunts I’ve been to this year I don’t think I would have placed this one in the top 5.)  Here’s what went wrong with my experience…it’s probably unlikely that you may experience the same misfortune as me but for what it’s worth….

Nightmare #1…the waiting line incident.  It’s mostly outside and unfortunately while I was waiting a car driving by decided to hurl an egg into the crowd.  My guess is that they were trying to hit BoBo the Clown who was nearby but they missed…and hit my friend standing next to me.  With no local law enforcement patrolling the area and numerous parked cars along the street obstructing you from getting a clear view of the street (including a large snack wagon) there appears to nothing in place at this haunt to discourage incidents such as this.

Nightmare #2…the dark hallway incident.  This haunt, like a few others, features a few really dark hallways.  Typically you don’t find ghouls dashing through these hallways but at this haunt there was.  Have you ever wondered if the ghouls in these dark hallways can see you when you don’t see them?  I’ll admit, I have always been a bit curious.  Unfortunately for me, I found at the hard way when a little ghoul ran right into me in the middle of a dark hallway.  OUCH!  The incident knocked the wind out of me but at least the little ghoul was nice enough to apologize and turn on a flashlight to show me the way through the rest of the maze.

Nightmare #3…not every ghoul may know you’re in the room.  As a result of Nightmare #2 I arrived in the next room a few seconds after my group.  The ghoul in the room had already jumped out and was waving an object with a long wooden handle…not exactly sure what the object was but as he spun around in a move that I originally thought was meant to scare me the long end of the handle caught me square in the stomach.  In hind sight the ghoul obviously had no idea I was there as he was just as surprised to see me as I was at being struck.  No apologies from this ghoul though…just a surprised look and then he continued to carry on with the show.

Nightmare #4…when these ghouls smell blood, look out!  I’ve never seen this before at a haunt.  There were a few ghouls at this haunt who were perfectly positioned to scare those stuck in the back of the group.  In every instance these ghouls actually intentionally walked right past those in the back just to scare the group members in the front.  Admittedly the girl in the front of our group was really scared and it was fun watching her get freaked out but on the other hand everyone else in the group paid to be scared as well.  As a result of this and being stuck in the back of our group there wasn’t a single instance at this haunt where anything made me jump.

Other than these misfortunate instances The Nightmare Factory is a decent haunt.  The 3D section is pretty cool visually and features a trick or two but it doesn’t have much in terms of scare factor.  The non 3D section does contain a little gore and has a few cool concepts but it lacked the oomph to make me jump.

Signage / Visibility / Location

Wait Area / Line Entertainment

Actors' Performance

Sets Scenes / Props / FX

Length

Crowd Control

Most Memorable Moment

Ever wonder what the Salem Witch Trials were like? How a chat with Charles Manson would go? Check out the House of Bathory and you could experience these and many other nightmare scenarios. Every turn takes you into a different situation throughout various dark times in history. The dialogue and interaction with the actors make you feel like you stepped back in time. There are plenty of scares along the way. I never knew what to expect the whole way and even to the frightening end which had us running out into the street.

Signage / Visibility / Location

Wait Area / Line Entertainment

Actors' Performance

Sets Scenes / Props / FX

Length

Crowd Control

Most Memorable Moment

If you enjoy interactive skit style haunts that make you occasionally jump out of your skin then you’ll love the House of Bathory!  This was my first time visiting a Dead by Dawn Productions haunt.  They’ve been in the Haunted House business for 22 years now and it really shows.  Rooms are very well thought out and 100% original….with the exception of the Vortex room which you’ll experience at just about every haunt these days.  (Although I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of walking through a Vortex.)  To Dawn’s credit she does add to this Vortex a unique twist I haven’t seen at any other haunt.  I really enjoyed the skits found in each room.  The acting was superb and the actors were comfortable enough to involve haunt goers in the action.  What I really, REALLY liked about this haunt was that regardless of where I was in the group (first, last, middle….) the scares definitely me jump and I’m certain they will make you jump too!

I won’t spoil any of the scares waiting for you at the House of Bathory but the premise of this haunt is a journey through time with each room featuring a unique skit pertaining to a period of history.  From the pilgrims to the 70’s and featuring the likes of Charles Manson and Hitler…the skits, costumes and décor for each of these themes were masterfully orchestrated and performed admirably by spirited actors.  While this may not be the scariest or goriest haunt you attend you’ll definitely enjoy yourself and experience a few really good scares along the way.

Signage / Visibility / Location

Wait Area / Line Entertainment

Actors' Performance

Sets Scenes / Props / FX

Length

Most Memorable Moment

I'll admit it, up until now I have boycotted Terror On The Fox.  I'm a lifelong resident of Green Bay, and TOTF is basically a local
landmark in it's own right.  The house itself has been around forever at numerous locations, well before the 15 years it now celebrates at the National Railroad Museum.  Year after year, there's tons of hype for this well promoted house... yet I was a let down the many times I visited.  That, dear readers, was several years ago.  Now things are different.  New management.  Lower prices.  A 'back to basics' approach.  I'm part excited, part leery of how this experience will unfold.



I attended on a Sunday night, which leads me to believe that they were lower staffed than if I would have went the prior few nights.  There was only one actor on the train, and it seemed like he was making small talk more than trying to get some screams out of the
passengers.  The train ride is one of the most unique parts of this haunt.  When they first started offering it 15 years ago, it was much more spooky.  There was no strobe or loud music.  Sitting in a dark train as it travels through the woods at night, with monsters creeping around you.  Now THAT was scary!



Before heading to the main attraction, you're directed to several large tents (IF you purchased the combo or VIP pass).  The first up was the 3rd Dimension of Fear, "Carney Rampage".  There was no rampage there.  It was short and disappointing, with no scares and lots of glow in the dark colors.  The actor tried his best to be funny, I'll give him that.



Next up was The Void.  Now this was very well done, and it proves that your imagination can be more scary than anything you can see.  It's pitch black, you can't see a thing!  Just a dark maze with some actors in it, but we jumped a few times!  I think they had on night vision goggles as their timing was spot on.  We must have looked so goofy to them as we walked around in circles.  After leaving the dark Void, we came to the Vortex.  If you've ever been to the Terror On The Fox, then you'll know of the multi-color tunnel that plays mind tricks on you.  In fact, most haunts have something just like it now, or something similar.  TOTF was one of the first to have it, if not the first...  but maybe it's time to retire it?  Maybe it's time to take back the claim of the area's best haunted house with something new and original.      



Up next is a short walk in the woods before you come up to the house.  Another part that used to be much more scary, as they used to have actors jumping out at you as you walked by.  But again, this was a Sunday night.  I hope that is something they still do on their busy nights.  Now, walking up to the house is impressive.  The location, the look of the house, the lights and actors...  it definitely has the WOW factor going for it.  I'm glad to see they went back to the 'run down' look for the house, and
not the neon day glow paint job it sported a few years ago.  There were two actors moving to the music, looking extremely creepy while still keeping the beat.  Not an easy task!



I want to take a minute from this review to address a particular actor that was in front of the haunted house.  Picture a pale Aaron Rodgers wearing a black cowboy outfit.  I don't think I've ever been as offended by an actor in an entertainment setting before as I was this night.  He was extremely rude and demanding.  I get it, this isn't a kiddy ride.  But this isn't my first rodeo either.  He crossed the line several times by screaming in our faces with his demanding tone, talking down to us.  I also didn't
appreciate his holding a straight blade to my throat multiple times, real or fake.  You were way out of line A.R., this is SUPPOSED to be entertaining.  I ended up ignoring and walking past him into the house after several minutes of him berating us.  I digress...


We enter the house in all it's glory.  It really is something to see if you've never been there.  The amount of detail that's there is incredible.  I wish I could have spent more time in each room, taking it all in.  Some rooms I remember from before, but I didn't mind as they really are very impressive.  There was at least one actor in each room, and most did a good job at entertaining us.  There were only a few that actually scared us.  These were the sneaky ghouls that were actually hiding and jumped out when we approached.  'The Boss' near the end didn't have to hide though, he was terrifying just standing there.  The last room featured another TOTF classic, which maybe should also be considered for the retirement party at the end of the season.

Signage / Visibility / Location

Wait Area / Line Entertainment

Actors' Performance

Sets Scenes / Props / FX

Length

Crowd Control

Most Memorable Moment

Mars Haunted House is a good haunt in the Milwaukee area. The makeup and the actors outside were incredible! It's a little shorter than some haunts, but some of the rooms were really quite interesting and worth the visit.

Signage / Visibility / Location

Wait Area / Line Entertainment

Actors' Performance

Sets Scenes / Props / FX

Length

Crowd Control

Most Memorable Moment

This was my first trip to the infamous Haunted Barn, and it lived up to it's legend!  Just hop, skip, and a jump from Madison, The Haunted Barn is easily the best haunt in the area.  Parking was ample, although I would suggest you take it slow through the lot, as it is all dirt and grass, and is easy to bottom out if you are not careful.  After we got our tickets, we entered.  The haunt is separated into 3 areas, 2 houses and an outdoor trail.  Both houses were frightening, relying on sensory tricks to spook you.  The trail was long and you were guided by lights which led you from house 1 to the second house.  Ghost and ghouls jumped out and got got some good jumps out of us!  We found ourselves taking a lot of time enjoying the detail they put into the haunt, it seemed like they take a lot of pride in their work.  Actors were great, playing it up the whole time!  As we exited, we were quickly greeted by Beetlejuice, who in true beetlejuice fashion, proceeded to goof on me for quite a while, it was great!  This haunt was fairly lengthy, which is pretty nice, just make sure you plan accordingly, as the line to enter was long!  In all I would say The Haunted Barn is one haunt you don't want to miss!

Signage / Visibility / Location

Wait Area / Line Entertainment

Actors' Performance

Sets Scenes / Props / FX

Length

Crowd Control

Most Memorable Moment

It's hard to write a review when you are left speechless! Where do I try to begin...
I remember many years ago, when Splatter Haus was considered one of the best and scariest haunted houses in the area, and at that time, it was very true- however, over the years  they have lost that title and I truly feel that The Wisconsin Feargrounds has taken it! I remember going to this haunt years ago when it was just The Darkness and later when it became Morgan Manner. Even it's first year it was very impressive, with detailed sets, props and great make up/actors. As years went on you could see the passion they had for giving haunted house enthusiasts a whole new fun and yet scary experience. It has been wonderful watching this haunted house grow over the years and become the masterpiece in real horror and fun that it is now!  It deserves being voted #1 two years in a row, as one of the greatest haunted attractions in the Midwest. You can tell they put a ton of effort and thought into there attraction and it will leave you speechless!

Signage / Visibility / Location

Wait Area / Line Entertainment

Actors' Performance

Sets Scenes / Props / FX

Length

Crowd Control

Most Memorable Moment

Burial Chamber has been, and remains to be one of my favorite haunts.  This would be the dictionary definition of mega-haunt!  Three haunts in one, along with a coffin ride, it was well worth the ride.  The three haunts, 2 indoor and 1 outdoor, are different, and offer frightening fun around every corner. 

Let's start with Phobia Haunted Woods.  In Phobia you take a leisurely stroll though the darkest wooded trail around!  Uneven terrain and backwoods creeps keep you on high alert the whole time.   Bushmen, zombies, rednecks, oh my!  No doubt you will approached and asked to squeal like a pig!  Creepy!  Definitely bring shoes for a hike, sandals or heals will not be your friend in this haunt!

Next we have "Insanity"  Which is everything I love in a haunt, scary and creepy!  They market it as "a haunted house on crack", I can't agree more!  It's essentially a haunted fun house, killer clowns, visual effects, and disorientation.  Insanity is my favorite of the 3!

The last haunt is "Adrenaline", which is your run of the mill, haunted house, well maybe not run of the mill, as Adrenaline is beyond frightening!  Sensory deprivation and overload all in one!  Dark, loud, bright, quiet, this one combines everything a haunt should have, and does it without flaw. Hmmm, maybe this one was my favorite! 

In addition to the haunts, Burial Chamber offers "The Last Ride", a burial simulator.  You are 'Laid to rest' in a luxurious and spacious (not really!) coffin, where your final resting place is simulated.  The coffin bounces, shakes, and booms as you listen to the program.  Last Ride is fun, I HIGHLY suggest you remove your jacket before entering the coffin, I was boiling in there, which makes the ride less enjoyable.

It's hard for me to give an honest answer when I have to pick my favorite haunt, everything about Burial Chamber is great, it is what a haunt should be.  The staff at Burial Chamber continue to be the best of the best, putting everything they have into making sure you get your moneys worth, and giving you the best scares of the season

Signage / Visibility / Location

Wait Area / Line Entertainment

Actors' Performance

Sets Scenes / Props / FX

Length

Crowd Control

I have traveled all over this region, attending the "biggest" and "best" haunts you can find... Monster Mayhem blows them all away!  I attended Mayhem two years ago, and was pretty impressed with the time and effort they put into it, so I wanted to check it out again, I wasn't let down.  When I attend haunts, I often find myself paying so much attention to detail and crowd reaction that my enjoyment takes a backseat, Monster Mayhem made it impossible for me not to have a great time!  Is Monster Mayhem scary?  Yeah, it has some good moments.  Is Monster Mayhem fun?  YES YES YES!  Laser tag with zombies and ghouls, how can you beat that‽ You can't!  The story line is interesting, a security breach has taken place and the area has been taken over by ghoulish creatures!  We were split into teams and the fun began.  Our goal was to shoot the other team members more than they shoot you, simple right?  Oh yeah, there are spooks hiding around every corner to throw you off your game!  Run, shoot, jump, scream, repeat over and over!  The play area is large, and there are plenty of spots to hide and attack.  The actors are all very believable, and coupled with the thrill of the hunt, our hearts were pumping and adrenalin was at an all-time high!  After about 20 minutes, our game was over, the scores were calculated (I did not win btw!) and we were taken to see the doctor for decontamination!  We had such a great time we went in for a second game!  After all was said and done, we walked out of Monster Mayhem sweaty and smiling!  If you are looking to have a good scare coupled with an exhilarating, fun time, Monster Mayhem is the end all, be all!

Signage / Visibility / Location

Wait Area / Line Entertainment

Actors' Performance

Sets Scenes / Props / FX

Length

Crowd Control

Most Memorable Moment

This was genuinely one of the most unique haunts I have ever visited. It is completely different than last year and the concept is so interesting that we had a blast! The haunt concept: they put you right in the middle of a civilian training facility where they train you to kill the zombies and monsters that lurk on the levels below Paulo's Pizzeria. The most interesting? You actually play laser tag. They strap you into the suits and you get your instructions and off you go into the dark and scary twists and turns where monsters and zombies are around every corner. Although not entirely scary, it was so much fun that we really enjoyed it!!

Signage / Visibility / Location

Wait Area / Line Entertainment

Actors' Performance

Sets Scenes / Props / FX

Length

Crowd Control

Most Memorable Moment

We had a great time at this haunt! It was completely different than last year. There were a few rooms that were incredibly unique and interesting that were really enjoyed. I would suggest going early in the evening to avoid a wait since the later it gets the longer the line is. Definitely a good house to check out, though.

Signage / Visibility / Location

Wait Area / Line Entertainment

Actors' Performance

Sets Scenes / Props / FX

Length

Crowd Control

Most Memorable Moment

I went to the Wisconsin Fear Grounds with 5 friends on a Saturday night. We were excited for a scary and good time and we were not disappointed! Everyone was really friendly and went out of their way to help us.  Unfortunately, due to time constraints in our group, we were only able to visit 1 haunted house, Morgan's Manor.  I would recommend going to all 3 to get the full experience.  We got the fast passes, which were amazing. I highly recommend getting them. We basically had no wait time once we got our wrist bands. They gave us an awesome coin to enter the haunt, which we all wanted to keep but couldn't.  Once we entered the haunt, time seemed to fly. We were not disappointed with the sets or the actors. 

Signage / Visibility / Location

Wait Area / Line Entertainment

Actors' Performance

Sets Scenes / Props / FX

Length

Crowd Control

Most Memorable Moment

A very wonderful and unique haunt that capitalizes on the fact that they are at a great location.  Terror on the Fox located at the Railway Museum in Green Bay, WI, is a first-rate unique haunt that will entertain a large range of age groups.  Scary, funny, outrageous, these are just a few of the words I would used to describe this haunt. 

This was my first year at Terror on the Fox and I will come back.  It was fun, creepy, and had things that I really hadn't experienced at any other haunt before.  This is a great area that includes free parking, a creepy train ride, 2 smaller houses (3rd Dimension of Fear and The Void,) which you can add on for an extra charge and a creepy walk through the woods and the main event a large traditional looking haunted house with surprise guests outside for line entertainment. This final house is called Ominous  Sanctum.  I had a very good time and believe you should see for yourself.

Signage / Visibility / Location

Wait Area / Line Entertainment

Actors' Performance

Sets Scenes / Props / FX

Length

Crowd Control

Most Memorable Moment

I attend The Burial Chamber Haunted Complex every year.  I have never had a lackluster experience at Burial Chamber.  Every year there is some new ghoul impressing me with their acting skills or a new fun prop or special effect.  Burial Chamber is huge and there is something for all haunt lovers.  The complex includes two traditional-style haunts,  a spooky haunt through dark woods called Phobia,  and a simulated casket ride!  An amazing amount of actors, outside entertainment and of course everyone's favorite (or at least mine) the mini-doughnut truck-YUM!

Trust me when I say, if you have never been to the Burial Chamber you need to go and if you have been there-go again.  I hear if you bring your bracelet from the previous year you get a dollar off of admission.  This is a haunt you have to experience!

Signage / Visibility / Location

Wait Area / Line Entertainment

Actors' Performance

Sets Scenes / Props / FX

Length

Crowd Control

Most Memorable Moment

I have attended this event in the past and continue to be impressed with the production.

I will detail some specifics of the haunt in the effects section, but I want to be careful not to foreshadow too much of what you will experience at the Fear Grounds.

The Fear Grounds is one of the more highly decorated attractions in the State, and rightfully so.

I attend a lot of Halloween productions around the nation and the Fear Grounds presents on a high level.

Signage / Visibility / Location

Wait Area / Line Entertainment

Actors' Performance

Sets Scenes / Props / FX

Length

Crowd Control

Most Memorable Moment

Terror on Rural Street has been almost entirely re-done since last year's production. That effort is always appreciated.

The creators of this event put much time into the development of the haunt and much attention is taken to present a safe, secure and fun event.

This year's haunt, per usual, features elaborate and intricate displays and high attention to detail.

The actors interact with the guest and are loaded with amusing dialogue.

Along your way, you will meet various creatures of the dark and have to squeeze your way through a maze.

Signage / Visibility / Location

Wait Area / Line Entertainment

Actors' Performance

Sets Scenes / Props / FX

Length

Crowd Control

Most Memorable Moment

This was my first ever visit to the Haunted High and I found it quite enjoyable and distinctive, as did my group.

This production makes use of an abandoned school and provides a rather lengthy tour.

The haunt is themed around the progression of a school day and takes one through such stops as a detention hall, the weight room, the sick room, shop class and many others.

You begin your tour following a bloody trail into the attraction and there is a lot of detail to attend to along the way.

The producers of this event took good attention to staying in theme and that has resulted in a very believable presentation of a haunted school with remembrances of students past.

There are some very clever themes and nuances put into this haunt that I will leave you to discover yourself.

I especially appreciated the final acts of the haunt.

Signage / Visibility / Location

Wait Area / Line Entertainment

Actors' Performance

Sets Scenes / Props / FX

Length

Crowd Control

Most Memorable Moment

The Hubertus House of Horror makes use of an old house on the grounds of a school to produce its haunts.

Because it is a house versus a warehouse, it has its own, distinctive charm and Halloween mystique.

The home has undergone significant updating since last year, which is always appreciated.

This year's house begins with a bus ride and progresses through sets where you will meet Little Red Riding Hood, rednecks and zombies, a monster factory and several other themed rooms.

You will also get to experience a different twist on what I call a "squeeze maze".

Signage / Visibility / Location

Wait Area / Line Entertainment

Actors' Performance

Sets Scenes / Props / FX

Length

Crowd Control

Most Memorable Moment

This was my first time to the Nightmare Factory, but it won't be my last! From the moment we walked in the haunt, it was on!

The factory is really broken down into two completely different types of haunts. The first is the old school, scare the pants off of you. They mix old school scares with some modern technology that will have you screaming for more! This lasts for about 25/30 minutes, and we enjoyed every second of it.

The second part is the 3D section. I'm normally am not a fan of any sort of 3D haunts. They, as a rule are more visually appealing but not scary. With that said, we jumped a few times! This section was another 15 minutes in the factory.

We walked out very impressed with almost every aspect of the Nightmare Factory. I can't wait to see what other nightmares this factory produces next year!

Signage / Visibility / Location

Wait Area / Line Entertainment

Actors' Performance

Sets Scenes / Props / FX

Length

Most Memorable Moment

It was a clear night, perfect for a nice drive to Oconto.  But this is no joy ride…  it's literally a Trail of Terror.  (insert sinister music)  Situated on farmland in a heavily wooded area, it's the perfect Halloween setting in the middle of no-where.  As we drove up, we saw a crowd of people with glow necklaces being led to their doom.  Just that sight alone, in this environment, got my adrenaline going.



You walk into the ticket building and are instantly handed a glow necklace.  I'm normally against any sort of glow sticks or LED handouts at haunts, but I'm sure this helps the actors locate their customers in the extremely dark woods.  After purchasing your ticket, you are led out to a large open field.  The wait area had a nice fire and concession/merch booth, but it really could have used some music and a few actors trying to scare people.  There wasn't that big of a crowd the night we went, but the wait was about 45 minutes.  The time seemed to drag without any sort of entertainment.  Once your number is called your group is led into the woods and your adventure begins. 



One thing to note is that there is a guide who leads you through the woods.  Although this is a great idea so you don't get lost, it does take away from the 'we're in the middle of nowhere and all alone' vibe that you would get otherwise.  The guide is not one of the actors, he's strictly there to get you along the trail.



Throughout the walk, there are a series of skits performed by their actors.  Most are humorous in nature.  They make use of the darkness quite well, and the skits are paced far enough apart to keep the walk interesting.  Although I don't rate the scare factor high, they definitely make it fun and interesting!

Signage / Visibility / Location

Wait Area / Line Entertainment

Actors' Performance

Length

If you enjoy participating in your haunted adventures and enjoy being ghoulishly entertained chances are you'll like this year's Hubertus House of Horror.

This haunt features a mix of young (some very young) and adult actors in a variety of skit orientated rooms as well as some descent special effects.  Quite a few of the effects were carry overs from prior years but they were still executed well enough to entertain and in some cases even make you jump.

I was grouped with several haunt goers that were aged between 17-24.  While everyone in my group agreed that they enjoyed their tour of the Hubertus House nobody admitted to being particularly scared or surprised enough to jump at any point.  ...although one couple did admit to clunking heads pretty hard in one of the dark mazes so perhaps they may suffering from a slight case of amnesia.

Personally I really enjoyed their elevator and Vortex rooms...which by the way may be the best executed vortex in the state.  I also enjoyed participating in the skit orientated rooms.  Unfortunately, like my fellow haunt goers I never experienced anything that made me jump during my tour nor did I particularly enjoy the pitch black mazes.

Signage / Visibility / Location

Wait Area / Line Entertainment

Actors' Performance

Sets Scenes / Props / FX

Length

Crowd Control

Most Memorable Moment

Bravo!! Hands down I'd say this is the best Terror on Rural street they've had since it opened 11 years ago. I typically tour between 8-10 haunts a year and I'd say arguably this year's Terror on Rural Street is probably the best haunt in SE Wisconsin and certainly in the top 3 around the state. Seriously, you may find different kinds of scares at other haunts but you'll be hard pressed to beat the quality and attention to detail that you'll experience at Terror on Rural Street.

Elaborate sets, high tech scares and professionally made-up monsters. This haunt features effects so detailed and gruesome you'd swear they were real!

Following my tour through this year's haunt I had the privilege to get a behind the scenes tour. I was totally amazed at how much time and effort is invested into the nightly operations. Professional theatrical make-up artists with over 25 years of experience, a maze of corridors supporting the haunted hallways & rooms, a warehouse full of additional props, rooms cram packed full of costumes and a totally amazing tech room overflowing with electronics and video feeds that totally blew me away!

Speaking of video feeds....those of you who are particularly interested in the quality of your haunted experience or may just be wondering "how did they do that?" may find this interesting. Each room and hallway is under constant surveillance by staff members with a very keen attention to detail. These staff members remain in contact with the ghouls and monsters lurking in the shadows and rooms around the haunt to ensure they are always perfectly positioned and timed to scare the bajeezus out of you and your fellow haunt goers.

Signage / Visibility / Location

Wait Area / Line Entertainment

Actors' Performance

Sets Scenes / Props / FX

Length

Crowd Control

Most Memorable Moment

I can honestly say that though this is not one of the scarier haunts I have attended, it is certainly one of the funnest/most creative haunts I have been to and for that I did really enjoy the experience.  It is a haunted attraction that both children and adults can enjoy. They have a different approach than the usual haunted house that adds a lot of fun and excitement to the experience by including everyone inside, actors and patrons!

Signage / Visibility / Location

Wait Area / Line Entertainment

Actors' Performance

Sets Scenes / Props / FX

Length

Crowd Control

Most Memorable Moment

Green Bay Fear is the haunt that everyone is talking about this year!  The Beja Shriners have done a great job marketing the haunted house from the very creepy commercials ran late at night on TV to the very cool T-shirts I see past victims wearing out and about.  The commercials were so professionally done that the anticipation of attending Fear was almost as great as the scares once you arrive.  When you arrive at the haunted house you have the option to purchase a general admission ticket for $15 or a RIP/VIP ticket for $25.  The house itself is great and well worth the $15, but for $10 more you can't afford NOT to go RIP.  You get to skip the lines, socialize, eat smores, have unlimited hot cocoa, sit around a cozy bonfire and listen to an AWESOME live band on a creepy stage.  There were people of all ages hanging out in the VIP area.  The outside of the haunt with its large structure and broken wooden fence help to create a frightening atmosphere.  As you enter the haunt, a creepy actor helps instruct you to put on the 3d glasses that are not NEEDED, but definitely compliment the haunt perfectly. 
Green Bay Fear is a MASTER in 3d effect.  Most haunts rely on the heavy luminescent colors to create scares, but Green Bay Fear using the 3d effect to enhance the already very scary sets and props.  The detail in each room is very realistic and the actors are very well placed, I'm not even certain if some of the noise coming from the actors was human.  It has been a LONG time since a haunted attraction has made me scream, but Green Bay Fear accomplished this goal not once, but TWICE. 

Signage / Visibility / Location

Wait Area / Line Entertainment

Actors' Performance

Sets Scenes / Props / FX

Length

Crowd Control

I enjoyed Terror on Rural Street just as much this year as I have in the past. They always do an exceptional job! We were really early in the season, so the wait was quite short, but don't expect the same to be true if you're visiting closer to Halloween - they tend to get quite busy. As usual, the make-up, costumes and effects were incredible and had my group terrified at every twist and turn.

Signage / Visibility / Location

Wait Area / Line Entertainment

Actors' Performance

Sets Scenes / Props / FX

Length

Crowd Control

Most Memorable Moment

The House of Bathory has been my favorite haunt for the past couple of years. This year once again it remains at the top of my list. They have always been one of the only haunts left that has an "old school" style haunt. I have always loved the interactions that take part in each and every scene. By doing these interactions, it makes you feel as though you are part of the evil doings that are happening around you. I will warn you they are not afraid to touch you in this haunt. Dead by Dawn Productions chose a history theme for their haunt this year which I have never seen done by any other haunt I've ever been to. From the minute you walk up the steps in the House of Bathory till the minute you exit I felt as though I have traveled back in time to witness and take part in the horrific events that have happened in the past.

Signage / Visibility / Location

Wait Area / Line Entertainment

Actors' Performance

Length

In all my years of attending haunts, this was by far the biggest surprise I've come across!  The idea of a haunt put on by a school or school district always makes me a little leery. Haunted High has caused me to reevaluate that thought!  Frightening, intriguing, and awe inspiring, this haunt has it all.  When I think of what made Haunted High stand out, one word comes to mind, innovative!  Crazy terrain tricks, dedicated actors, and an ending that is nothing short of amazing!  I don't know what the budge for Haunted High was, but it's safe to assume they used every penny wisely!  I would recommend Haunted High to anyone looking to have a spooky fun night!  Bravo Haunted High, Bravo!

Signage / Visibility / Location

Wait Area / Line Entertainment

Actors' Performance

Sets Scenes / Props / FX

Length

Crowd Control

Most Memorable Moment

Nightmare Factory is a haunt that I have added to my must see list. I have always been a fan of them when they were located in Oshkosh and now that they moved into an actual Nightmare Factory it has completely blown me away. Room after room is filled with things that would only be created in a nightmare factory. I was left completely surprised and impressed around every corner.

They start you off at what looks like the loading docks of an old factory. Once inside you are lead up an old stairwell and leads you to the 3rd floor of the factory. Once the door opens you are thrown into a world that only the dead would live in. About half way through, you reach a point where you enter a 3-D effect style haunt. The 3-D effects usually don't do much for me but I was actually impressed by theirs. They kept with it the entire way through and each scene contained scenes I would never think to put into a 3D style haunt.

Signage / Visibility / Location

Wait Area / Line Entertainment

Actors' Performance

Sets Scenes / Props / FX

Length

Looking to hit up a few haunts in one night? Why not go where you can hit three in one stop? The Burial Chamber offers three high-quality and high-scare haunts, as well as a coffin simulator all in one place! Two of the haunts, Adrenaline and Insanity, take place in a huge warehouse and Phobia takes place in the woods. The coffin simulator places you inside a real coffin, which moves and shakes while playing sounds of your own burial. All offer different and unique experiences that will have you terrified and completely entertained. This is THE place to go if you are an avid haunt seeker. Get there early and enjoy the terror that awaits you!

Signage / Visibility / Location

Wait Area / Line Entertainment

Actors' Performance

Sets Scenes / Props / FX

Length

Crowd Control

Most Memorable Moment

If you're looking to totally immerse yourself into a nightmarishly good time, look no further. This year's Mars Haunted House once again offers an immersive experience that will excite your senses. Sets and passage ways are elaborately decorated with a keen attention to detail to provide ample visual stimulation. Encounters with ghouls seeking not only to scare the bajeezus out of you but also to creep you out make for both a bloodcurdling and chilling experience.

Traditionally I have declared this attraction to be Milwaukee's Scariest haunt. This year's edition of the Mars Haunted House once again makes a good case to continue as the area's top attraction. If you've enjoyed Mars in the past or if your just looking for a good scare or two you certainly won't be disappointed this year.

If you're into evaluating haunts with your senses you might find this helpful:

* Sight: Elaborate sets with great attention to detail. Lighting and
special effects were frequently used to surprise me even though I was expecting
it.

*Sound: Superb! The sound experience allowed me to become totally
immersed in many of the rooms….especially immediately upon entering this haunt!


* Smell: Ever wonder what death smells like?  …you’ll know the answer by the time you
depart this haunt.

* Touch:  Feel the splatter of
blood or a reaper breathing down your neck!

Signage / Visibility / Location