Hangman's House of Horrors provides a carnival type midway with live music, karaoke, concessions, and vendors throughout the "festival" area. The three side attractions have all been completely re-done for the 2009 season, and this was a nice surprise, too. There are a couple of roaming actors around to entertain you, but most of the area outside represents festival fun rather than spooky scares.
Hangman's House of Horrors gives you a group number when you purchase your ticket. That group number displays in front of the haunt line to let you know when it is time to stand in line. This helps with crowd control beautifully, and it allows you to roam around and have fun while you wait for your group number.
The midway area is paved, as well as the parking area. Parking is free, there are security personnel present, and it is located across the street (Forest Park) from the Hangman's grounds.
Set Design/Detail/Floor Plan
Hangman's House of Horrors has a brand new theme this year – "Nightmares". Very creative execution and clever design is what made the experience golden for us. Consistency is important for themed haunts, but the "Nightmares" story leaves the door open for various scene types while still within the theme genre. We particularly loved crouching down inside a gruesome mouth figure, just to come out into another world… from insane asylum to nightmare world. These transitions continued almost flawlessly until we came to the maze…
Sheet maze is gone – for everyone who loves the sheet maze, have no fear, it was replaced by another maze just as cleverly designed. Alternating colors of vinyl strips occupy a separate building – which brings me to only one ill point in the haunt experience… As you go to the new maze, you are thrown back into reality when you see the outside, hear the outside, and even get a peek at the behind the scenes security halls… This could have been better disguised while transitioned from each part, because when you exit the maze, you get the outside world again… then back to the haunt. Design flaw or intentional? Don't know, but I would have preferred a smooth transitional hallway decorated appropriately. This did not ruin the experience, so it is more a side grunt than a hard foul.
As much as I don't want to give away too many scenes and spoil anything – I absolutely must add comments for the shifting catwalks above fluorescent lava, the live tarantulas, lengthy vortex tunnels, and the laser filled mirror 'maze'. All amazing, effective, and absolutely unforgettable!
Live Actors (Performance/Enthusiasm/Costumes)
Actors did pretty well, but the timing for startles was the better part of performances. Those with speaking roles (specifically those in the beginning telling the story behind the theme) could have been a little more convincing in their performances to help provide a better state of realism toward the 'first impression' of the theme. The psychotic patients also could have developed characters more convincingly if they scripted their roles better instead of just screaming and begging for help. It was still good, though… effective scare tactic. We enjoyed every bit of it even if some of the acting was an obvious 'act'. I personally like having a wonder about the live bodies in a haunt – the performance should seem so real that you are not sure if that person is 'right-in-the-head' or not. With a truly gifted act, you should not be able to tell that the person is 'acting'. (For instance, the crazed rednecks can always be counted on.)
Side Attractions
I am not sure why the side attractions have an individually priced item on the ticket, unless you want a 100% kid friendly fun $4 item to see the 3-D mansion… cool effects, highly entertaining, and no scary people jumping out at your young ones…
The U.N.D.E.A.D.
This is where the crazed rednecks used to entertain us (but they have their own place in the main haunt now). Clearly an attempt at a zombie/undead scare within the Resident Evil paradigm, the scenes were well decorated, but the zombies could have some more than stumble around looking 'dead'. Still highly entertaining, this definitely ranks as a side haunt rather than a full featured screamer.
The Labyrinth
LIGHTS OUT! We loved the past year's maze, but this year you only get an orange glow stick (and the orange puts off much less light than the green ones). Pitch black open spaces accompanied with creepy sound effects are sure to appeal to anyone looking for a challenge. Unfortunately, Roadkill has a great sense of direction in the dark, so we did not spend very much time in here before we found the exit. But I know I would have extensive issues finding my way out without his guidance.
The 3-D Mansion
Beautifully crafted 3-D scenes are sure to wow all age groups. Completely redesigned for 2009, we loved every moment. Keep those glasses on, because the paint really pops your senses and provides some pretty darned cool eye candy. No scares and boos, the 3-D house is just pure fun.
Admission Price vs. Length (Entertainment Value)
Main event – 25-30 minutes… plus 3 side attractions. As a single ticket item, Hangman's is already worth the money. We recommend the combo ticket, though. The added attractions are not only fun, but something extra to do while you are already there. As stated before, if you have a young child and want to introduce them to haunts, spend $4 to take them through the 3D side attraction… Otherwise, buy the combo or purchase the $16 Hangman's single item ticket. Both are GREAT deals to get your haunt on.
Overall Experience/Summary/Misc. Information
We greatly enjoyed Hangman's this year. Everything seemed brand new and redesigned for 2009, and this makes Hangman's a place you should see again if you have visited in previous years.
Previous Reviews
See the 2008 Review (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=111)
See the 2007 Review (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=78)
See the 2006 Review (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=60)
See the 2005 Review (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=46)
See the 2004 Review (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=31)
_____________________________________
Would you like to share your opinion?
Feel free to post your experiences and reviews, (or see what other members have said about Hangman's House of Horror) in the DFWHH Member Reviews Forum (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=30)
http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/images/banners/hang2.gif (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=157)
Fort Worth, TX
Review Date: Friday, October 2nd 2009
Time: 8:00pm
Atmosphere
Hangman's House of Horrors provides a carnival type midway with live music, karaoke, concessions, and vendors throughout the "festival" area. The three side attractions have all been completely re-done for the 2009 season, and this was a nice surprise, too. There are a couple of roaming actors around to entertain you, but most of the area outside represents festival fun rather than spooky scares.
Hangman's House of Horrors gives you a group number when you purchase your ticket. That group number displays in front of the haunt line to let you know when it is time to stand in line. This helps with crowd control beautifully, and it allows you to roam around and have fun while you wait for your group number.
The midway area is paved, as well as the parking area. Parking is free, there are security personnel present, and it is located across the street (Forest Park) from the Hangman's grounds.
Set Design/Detail/Floor Plan
Hangman's House of Horrors has a brand new theme this year – "Nightmares". Very creative execution and clever design is what made the experience golden for us. Consistency is important for themed haunts, but the "Nightmares" story leaves the door open for various scene types while still within the theme genre. We particularly loved crouching down inside a gruesome mouth figure, just to come out into another world… from insane asylum to nightmare world. These transitions continued almost flawlessly until we came to the maze…
Sheet maze is gone – for everyone who loves the sheet maze, have no fear, it was replaced by another maze just as cleverly designed. Alternating colors of vinyl strips occupy a separate building – which brings me to only one ill point in the haunt experience… As you go to the new maze, you are thrown back into reality when you see the outside, hear the outside, and even get a peek at the behind the scenes security halls… This could have been better disguised while transitioned from each part, because when you exit the maze, you get the outside world again… then back to the haunt. Design flaw or intentional? Don't know, but I would have preferred a smooth transitional hallway decorated appropriately. This did not ruin the experience, so it is more a side grunt than a hard foul.
As much as I don't want to give away too many scenes and spoil anything – I absolutely must add comments for the shifting catwalks above fluorescent lava, the live tarantulas, lengthy vortex tunnels, and the laser filled mirror 'maze'. All amazing, effective, and absolutely unforgettable!
Live Actors (Performance/Enthusiasm/Costumes)
Actors did pretty well, but the timing for startles was the better part of performances. Those with speaking roles (specifically those in the beginning telling the story behind the theme) could have been a little more convincing in their performances to help provide a better state of realism toward the 'first impression' of the theme. The psychotic patients also could have developed characters more convincingly if they scripted their roles better instead of just screaming and begging for help. It was still good, though… effective scare tactic. We enjoyed every bit of it even if some of the acting was an obvious 'act'. I personally like having a wonder about the live bodies in a haunt – the performance should seem so real that you are not sure if that person is 'right-in-the-head' or not. With a truly gifted act, you should not be able to tell that the person is 'acting'. (For instance, the crazed rednecks can always be counted on.)
Side Attractions
I am not sure why the side attractions have an individually priced item on the ticket, unless you want a 100% kid friendly fun $4 item to see the 3-D mansion… cool effects, highly entertaining, and no scary people jumping out at your young ones…
The U.N.D.E.A.D.
This is where the crazed rednecks used to entertain us (but they have their own place in the main haunt now). Clearly an attempt at a zombie/undead scare within the Resident Evil paradigm, the scenes were well decorated, but the zombies could have some more than stumble around looking 'dead'. Still highly entertaining, this definitely ranks as a side haunt rather than a full featured screamer.
The Labyrinth
LIGHTS OUT! We loved the past year's maze, but this year you only get an orange glow stick (and the orange puts off much less light than the green ones). Pitch black open spaces accompanied with creepy sound effects are sure to appeal to anyone looking for a challenge. Unfortunately, Roadkill has a great sense of direction in the dark, so we did not spend very much time in here before we found the exit. But I know I would have extensive issues finding my way out without his guidance.
The 3-D Mansion
Beautifully crafted 3-D scenes are sure to wow all age groups. Completely redesigned for 2009, we loved every moment. Keep those glasses on, because the paint really pops your senses and provides some pretty darned cool eye candy. No scares and boos, the 3-D house is just pure fun.
Admission Price vs. Length (Entertainment Value)
Main event – 25-30 minutes… plus 3 side attractions. As a single ticket item, Hangman's is already worth the money. We recommend the combo ticket, though. The added attractions are not only fun, but something extra to do while you are already there. As stated before, if you have a young child and want to introduce them to haunts, spend $4 to take them through the 3D side attraction… Otherwise, buy the combo or purchase the $16 Hangman's single item ticket. Both are GREAT deals to get your haunt on.
Overall Experience/Summary/Misc. Information
We greatly enjoyed Hangman's this year. Everything seemed brand new and redesigned for 2009, and this makes Hangman's a place you should see again if you have visited in previous years.
Previous Reviews
See the 2008 Review (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=111)
See the 2007 Review (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=78)
See the 2006 Review (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=60)
See the 2005 Review (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=46)
See the 2004 Review (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=31)
_____________________________________
Would you like to share your opinion?
Feel free to post your experiences and reviews, (or see what other members have said about Hangman's House of Horror) in the DFWHH Member Reviews Forum (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=30)
_____________________________________