Just off FM 1187 and Bennet Lawson in Mansfield, Terrorplex is a collection of buildings on a large plot of land that feels secluded from civilization. The night we visited, the artificial fog leaking from the haunts would not dissipate in the humid air, so the entire area steeped in wisps of fog, and that added even more creepiness to the setting. The rural surroundings, midways music, and roaming characters welcomed us into another world.
There is a $3.00 Parking Fee, and since there is no other place to park, this is a required charge. The entire parking area is grassy and muddy in the rain. But the midway area has a gravel base just under the grass, so the mud issues should be limited to parking area.
As a side note, Terrorplex advertises 4 haunted attractions, but I would only count 3 solid attractions. The 4th 'attraction' is not listed below because it is just a very short walkthrough of stone painted walls, music, no props, and no actors. It directly follows Van Helsing's Haunted House of Wax, so it is difficult to even notice that you have actually started another attraction.
One of my favorite things about Midnight Manor is the back story. As a matter of personal taste, I love haunts with a theme or a story, and I love to see all the scenes and characters fit to the theme. Midnight Manor does this very effectively, and the high quality props and detailed scenes provide the required realism for keeping the story line consistent. The walk through is well organized and very well detailed so that it feels as though you are really inside a home. At one point, you walk through refrigerator doors in the kitchen to get to the dining room. The bathroom is yet another perfect example of great haunt décor. You would be hard pressed to find a single part of this haunt that does not have wall decorations, so this certainly keeps the realistic feel needed for a great haunted experience.
Live Actors (Performance/Enthusiasm/Costumes)
Midnight Manor does not have the best actors in the world, but the ones we saw were at least decent with their characters, and almost everyone had great timing with their startles. The young lady introducing the story of the haunt did not speak very loud, and she seemed a little rushed through her script… and we would have liked a little more character development from her to set the mood. There were a few people who simply yelled "RAWRR!" and we would have enjoyed a little more interaction (again, this is just a personal taste thing…)
Midnight Manor does have some key characters that make the experience more entertaining, and if the key actor placement was not available, the entire show might not have been as good as it was. Therefore, I must give kudos to everyone on staff, because we thoroughly enjoyed the haunt. I would have preferred to see more live bodies throughout (like in the graveyard), and maybe some more character development that flowed back to the story line, but everyone still had a solid performance.
Admission Price vs. Length (Entertainment Value)
Midnight Manor clocks in around 15 minutes, so this is an average for many haunts. Terrorplex is not individually priced, so your combo ticket is reasonably priced for thrills– but get the bigger deal with the online coupon (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/images/coupons/09/coupon_terrorplex09.html), and only pay $20 to see all of what Terrorplex has to offer!
Overall Experience/Summary/Misc. Information
Midnight Manor made several additions this year, including several very fancy props and some high quality details throughout. We were very pleased with the amount of work that went into improvements. You might recognize some scenes from years past, but the additional props and decorations make this haunt worth seeing again – if anything to 'oooh-and-ahhh' at all the new pieces.
Previous Reviews
See the 2008 Review (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=105)
If you visited Terrorplex in previous years and saw the haunt that used to occupy the building where Count Orlock's took residence, then you must see what it looks like now! Count Orlock's Castle of Torture completely redesigned the building into their own work of art. We were highly impressed with all of the changes and repairs the crew made to what used to be falling to pieces. Once inside, it is hard to recognize that it is even the same building! Count Orlock's made great use of existing scenes and props (keeping our favorite Hellraiser pillar, too) and transformed it into a delightful walk through! I am still just amazed with how much work they have completed on this building, it is hard to comment on much of anything else. If you have never seen Terrorplex, you should still be happy with this haunt even without comparison against what used to be there.
Live Actors (Performance/Enthusiasm/Costumes)
Great startles and beautiful coordination with scenes ensure that you should jump AT LEAST a couple of times. Looking around at all the crafty tid-bits, and there will be a person hiding somewhere you least expect. All the live bodies inside Count Orlock's were spot on and full of enthusiasm, and YES, they got us a few times – and WE are not easily startled.
Admission Price vs. Length (Entertainment Value)
Count Orlock's Castle of Torture runs just under 10 minutes, and this is a decent length considering the size of the building. Terrorplex is not individually priced, so your combo ticket is reasonably priced for thrills– but get the bigger deal with the online coupon (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/images/coupons/09/coupon_terrorplex09.html), and only pay $20 to see all of what Terrorplex has to offer!
Overall Experience/Summary/Misc. Information
We are so pleased to welcome this new haunt for the 2009 season. Count Orlock's took some of the old features and repaired, improved, and redecorated so well that we were possibly a little over excited about the changes. Great scenes, enthusiastic actors, quality craftsmanship, and wonderful atmosphere combine effectively for a classic Halloween attraction.
Previously called the "Nightmare in the House of Wax", Van Helsing's brings an updated walk-through packed full of brand new wax figures. But don't worry, all the older favorites are still there, too! There is simply more eye candy available this season. If you have seen the House of Wax before, you will recognize some of the famed authentic props that make this haunt stand apart from others. Still a guided tour, you should expect more of a museum display of custom props and detail rather than a typical 'boo house' experience. However, there always seems to be a lurking aura of chilling (even paranormal) creepiness in the air through the entire haunt.
Live Actors (Performance/Enthusiasm/Costumes)
Although you might see a couple of live bodies during the walk through (other than your tour guide), the most noteworthy and important character is The Mad Wax Sculptor himself. He truly is the most important part of this haunt experience, and he provides the very best impression of the famed Leatherface. If the House of Wax did not have this key character, the haunt would not be able to provide enough actor interaction to induce the thrills, chills, startles, and scares that you can only get from live actors. Without him, you would essentially just have a nice display of wax figures and props with an occasional live movement. Considering the many figures throughout the haunt, Van Helsing's could certainly use a lot more actors blending in for some unexpected startles.
Admission Price vs. Length (Entertainment Value)
Van Helsing's Haunted House of Wax is fairly short – a little more than 5 minutes – but it seems much longer when you really take a moment to appreciate the details of every area. Heavy Metal Maddness adds another minute as you exit, but as stated previously, I do not consider it a 4th attraction. Terrorplex is not individually priced, so your combo ticket is reasonably priced for thrills– but get the bigger deal with the online coupon (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/images/coupons/09/coupon_terrorplex09.html), and only pay $20 to see all of what Terrorplex has to offer!
Overall Experience/Summary/Misc. Information
There is a wonderfully creepy feel surrounding everything within Van Helsing's Haunted House of Wax that I think everyone should experience for themselves to fully understand. This highly unique feature commands attention. Everything is either 100% authentic (caskets, embalming equipment, human remains) or handmade, and you will never see anything like it at a prop store or haunt convention (or any other haunt for that matter). If you are a Chainsaw Massacre fan, and you love unique props and detailed figures, this haunt is for you!
Previous Reviews
See the 2008 Review (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=106)
See the 2007 Review (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=82)
See the 2006 Review (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=63)
See the 2004 Review (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=33)
_____________________________________
Would you like to share your opinion?
Feel free to post your experiences and reviews, (or see what other members have said about Terrorplex) in the DFWHH Member Reviews Forum (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=30)
http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/images/banners/Terrorplex.png
Mansfield, TX
Review Date: Friday, September 25th 2009
Time: 11:00pm
General Overview
Just off FM 1187 and Bennet Lawson in Mansfield, Terrorplex is a collection of buildings on a large plot of land that feels secluded from civilization. The night we visited, the artificial fog leaking from the haunts would not dissipate in the humid air, so the entire area steeped in wisps of fog, and that added even more creepiness to the setting. The rural surroundings, midways music, and roaming characters welcomed us into another world.
There is a $3.00 Parking Fee, and since there is no other place to park, this is a required charge. The entire parking area is grassy and muddy in the rain. But the midway area has a gravel base just under the grass, so the mud issues should be limited to parking area.
As a side note, Terrorplex advertises 4 haunted attractions, but I would only count 3 solid attractions. The 4th 'attraction' is not listed below because it is just a very short walkthrough of stone painted walls, music, no props, and no actors. It directly follows Van Helsing's Haunted House of Wax, so it is difficult to even notice that you have actually started another attraction.
_____________________________________
Midnight Manor
http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/images/banners/Midnight_manor08.png (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=139)
Set Design/Detail/Floor Plan
One of my favorite things about Midnight Manor is the back story. As a matter of personal taste, I love haunts with a theme or a story, and I love to see all the scenes and characters fit to the theme. Midnight Manor does this very effectively, and the high quality props and detailed scenes provide the required realism for keeping the story line consistent. The walk through is well organized and very well detailed so that it feels as though you are really inside a home. At one point, you walk through refrigerator doors in the kitchen to get to the dining room. The bathroom is yet another perfect example of great haunt décor. You would be hard pressed to find a single part of this haunt that does not have wall decorations, so this certainly keeps the realistic feel needed for a great haunted experience.
Live Actors (Performance/Enthusiasm/Costumes)
Midnight Manor does not have the best actors in the world, but the ones we saw were at least decent with their characters, and almost everyone had great timing with their startles. The young lady introducing the story of the haunt did not speak very loud, and she seemed a little rushed through her script… and we would have liked a little more character development from her to set the mood. There were a few people who simply yelled "RAWRR!" and we would have enjoyed a little more interaction (again, this is just a personal taste thing…)
Midnight Manor does have some key characters that make the experience more entertaining, and if the key actor placement was not available, the entire show might not have been as good as it was. Therefore, I must give kudos to everyone on staff, because we thoroughly enjoyed the haunt. I would have preferred to see more live bodies throughout (like in the graveyard), and maybe some more character development that flowed back to the story line, but everyone still had a solid performance.
Admission Price vs. Length (Entertainment Value)
Midnight Manor clocks in around 15 minutes, so this is an average for many haunts. Terrorplex is not individually priced, so your combo ticket is reasonably priced for thrills– but get the bigger deal with the online coupon (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/images/coupons/09/coupon_terrorplex09.html), and only pay $20 to see all of what Terrorplex has to offer!
Overall Experience/Summary/Misc. Information
Midnight Manor made several additions this year, including several very fancy props and some high quality details throughout. We were very pleased with the amount of work that went into improvements. You might recognize some scenes from years past, but the additional props and decorations make this haunt worth seeing again – if anything to 'oooh-and-ahhh' at all the new pieces.
Previous Reviews
See the 2008 Review (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=105)
_____________________________________
Count Orlock's Castle of Torture
http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/images/banners/09/CountOrlocks09.jpg (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=162)
Set Design/Detail/Floor Plan
If you visited Terrorplex in previous years and saw the haunt that used to occupy the building where Count Orlock's took residence, then you must see what it looks like now! Count Orlock's Castle of Torture completely redesigned the building into their own work of art. We were highly impressed with all of the changes and repairs the crew made to what used to be falling to pieces. Once inside, it is hard to recognize that it is even the same building! Count Orlock's made great use of existing scenes and props (keeping our favorite Hellraiser pillar, too) and transformed it into a delightful walk through! I am still just amazed with how much work they have completed on this building, it is hard to comment on much of anything else. If you have never seen Terrorplex, you should still be happy with this haunt even without comparison against what used to be there.
Live Actors (Performance/Enthusiasm/Costumes)
Great startles and beautiful coordination with scenes ensure that you should jump AT LEAST a couple of times. Looking around at all the crafty tid-bits, and there will be a person hiding somewhere you least expect. All the live bodies inside Count Orlock's were spot on and full of enthusiasm, and YES, they got us a few times – and WE are not easily startled.
Admission Price vs. Length (Entertainment Value)
Count Orlock's Castle of Torture runs just under 10 minutes, and this is a decent length considering the size of the building. Terrorplex is not individually priced, so your combo ticket is reasonably priced for thrills– but get the bigger deal with the online coupon (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/images/coupons/09/coupon_terrorplex09.html), and only pay $20 to see all of what Terrorplex has to offer!
Overall Experience/Summary/Misc. Information
We are so pleased to welcome this new haunt for the 2009 season. Count Orlock's took some of the old features and repaired, improved, and redecorated so well that we were possibly a little over excited about the changes. Great scenes, enthusiastic actors, quality craftsmanship, and wonderful atmosphere combine effectively for a classic Halloween attraction.
_____________________________________
Van Helsing's Haunted House of Wax
http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/images/banners/09/VanHelsing09.jpg (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/viewarticle.php?articleid= 154)
Set Design/Detail/Floor Plan
Previously called the "Nightmare in the House of Wax", Van Helsing's brings an updated walk-through packed full of brand new wax figures. But don't worry, all the older favorites are still there, too! There is simply more eye candy available this season. If you have seen the House of Wax before, you will recognize some of the famed authentic props that make this haunt stand apart from others. Still a guided tour, you should expect more of a museum display of custom props and detail rather than a typical 'boo house' experience. However, there always seems to be a lurking aura of chilling (even paranormal) creepiness in the air through the entire haunt.
Live Actors (Performance/Enthusiasm/Costumes)
Although you might see a couple of live bodies during the walk through (other than your tour guide), the most noteworthy and important character is The Mad Wax Sculptor himself. He truly is the most important part of this haunt experience, and he provides the very best impression of the famed Leatherface. If the House of Wax did not have this key character, the haunt would not be able to provide enough actor interaction to induce the thrills, chills, startles, and scares that you can only get from live actors. Without him, you would essentially just have a nice display of wax figures and props with an occasional live movement. Considering the many figures throughout the haunt, Van Helsing's could certainly use a lot more actors blending in for some unexpected startles.
Admission Price vs. Length (Entertainment Value)
Van Helsing's Haunted House of Wax is fairly short – a little more than 5 minutes – but it seems much longer when you really take a moment to appreciate the details of every area. Heavy Metal Maddness adds another minute as you exit, but as stated previously, I do not consider it a 4th attraction. Terrorplex is not individually priced, so your combo ticket is reasonably priced for thrills– but get the bigger deal with the online coupon (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/images/coupons/09/coupon_terrorplex09.html), and only pay $20 to see all of what Terrorplex has to offer!
Overall Experience/Summary/Misc. Information
There is a wonderfully creepy feel surrounding everything within Van Helsing's Haunted House of Wax that I think everyone should experience for themselves to fully understand. This highly unique feature commands attention. Everything is either 100% authentic (caskets, embalming equipment, human remains) or handmade, and you will never see anything like it at a prop store or haunt convention (or any other haunt for that matter). If you are a Chainsaw Massacre fan, and you love unique props and detailed figures, this haunt is for you!
Previous Reviews
See the 2008 Review (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=106)
See the 2007 Review (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=82)
See the 2006 Review (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=63)
See the 2004 Review (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=33)
_____________________________________
Would you like to share your opinion?
Feel free to post your experiences and reviews, (or see what other members have said about Terrorplex) in the DFWHH Member Reviews Forum (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=30)
_____________________________________