http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/images/banners/bybanner.gif
Review Date: Friday, Oct 7 @ 9:30pm
******** is located off of Hwy 360, between I30 &I20 (just south of Six Flags, exit Spur 303/ Pioneer Pkwy), the entrance is facing Hwy 360. Net proceeds benefit Local Special Olympic Teams. ******** is by far the largest haunted house in the metroplex with over 50 scenes packed full with detail and dedication.
Scare Factor: 8 out of 10
I'm speechless. It scares, it jars your bones, then it turns around and gives you no scare at all, then it scares again... and it is all in a good package. I am totally perplexed on the scare factor, so PLEASE post comments to add to this category.
Set design / Props / FX: 8 out of 10
The entry sets the haunt mood before you enter the grounds. You walk through winding hallways of posters and mood-setting trends before entering an Arcade room with vendors and novelties... all available before you purchase tickets. This falls into the set design because ******** has a great set-up for a perfect Halloween attraction.
Great atmosphere in every scene and decent detail to each room and every hallway. With so many scenes, this is an average. I must admit that my anticipation was very high for this haunt considering their potential and time to build. I was impressed with the detail and effort put into expanding, but at the same time I thought of what other haunts do in a shorter amount of time. I was a bit disappointed with the Pyramid... nice set design, but what is scary about that? Overall, ******** still has a great gig, and their behind the scenes organization could make other haunt owners jealous.
Live Actors: 6 out of 10
This is where ******** breaks their good average. With 80-120 actors on staff, I would imagine that it is hard to find ones that are consistantly talented. There is talent here, but you cannot expect 100 actors to ALL be great. ******** struck a nerve with us this year due to some of the 'actors'. We decided that 5-7 seconds is MORE than enough "stand-in-your-face-and-don't-let-you-pass-and-breathe-on-you" acting. If the actor has a speaking role and a developed character, they can extend this bit for 10-15 seconds. I have made a point to NOT touch the actors, and I apologize when I accidently touch one. But at ********, I did eventually have to touch an actor and gently push them aside because they were not letting this annoying act go! I believe we waited about 20-30 seconds of silent heavy breathing (and my reviewer trying to push me forward) before I took it apon myself to gently push them aside. A little tip... If an actor is going to hold patrons in a room, make sure they have a speaking role with a well developed character. And please, don't break character just because you get a compliment. Take it as an oppurtunity for improve and know that we like you.
And... Well, BoneDaddy... you KNOW I love you! You are my master and you are free to take me as a prisoner or victim any day!
Animatronics: N/A
Some, but not enough to rate into total score.
Length: 9 out of 10
There are a few haunts that advertise themselves as the "largest". ******** has large and length in the bag. Take advantage of their printable coupon and walk away feeling completely satisfied. ******** is a great haunt and has a potential to hit the corner of the haunt market. I am very excited to see how far this haunt grows over the years in their new location...
Summary:
Overall, I was slightly disappointed with ******** this year, ONLY because I saw last years and I went in anticipating so much more. If you have never been to ******** before, it will surely NOT disappoint you. But I expected so much more detailed designs and creative twists to be added for this year... Yes, they have more rooms, but they did not "top" last years haunt. I still recommend checking it out, because it is a good haunt. Due to their size, it is well worth the money, too. Other mainstream haunts should look out for the ******** stealing the Texas titles of the biggest AND the best... they just didn't quite seal it in a bag this year... but damned close.
Click here (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/modules.php?name=Reviews&file=viewreview&id=7) to see the ******** 2004 review.
Grand Prarie, TX
http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/images/banners/bybanner.gif
Review Date: Friday, Oct 7 @ 9:30pm
******** is located off of Hwy 360, between I30 &I20 (just south of Six Flags, exit Spur 303/ Pioneer Pkwy), the entrance is facing Hwy 360. Net proceeds benefit Local Special Olympic Teams. ******** is by far the largest haunted house in the metroplex with over 50 scenes packed full with detail and dedication.
Scare Factor: 8 out of 10
I'm speechless. It scares, it jars your bones, then it turns around and gives you no scare at all, then it scares again... and it is all in a good package. I am totally perplexed on the scare factor, so PLEASE post comments to add to this category.
Set design / Props / FX: 8 out of 10
The entry sets the haunt mood before you enter the grounds. You walk through winding hallways of posters and mood-setting trends before entering an Arcade room with vendors and novelties... all available before you purchase tickets. This falls into the set design because ******** has a great set-up for a perfect Halloween attraction.
Great atmosphere in every scene and decent detail to each room and every hallway. With so many scenes, this is an average. I must admit that my anticipation was very high for this haunt considering their potential and time to build. I was impressed with the detail and effort put into expanding, but at the same time I thought of what other haunts do in a shorter amount of time. I was a bit disappointed with the Pyramid... nice set design, but what is scary about that? Overall, ******** still has a great gig, and their behind the scenes organization could make other haunt owners jealous.
Live Actors: 6 out of 10
This is where ******** breaks their good average. With 80-120 actors on staff, I would imagine that it is hard to find ones that are consistantly talented. There is talent here, but you cannot expect 100 actors to ALL be great. ******** struck a nerve with us this year due to some of the 'actors'. We decided that 5-7 seconds is MORE than enough "stand-in-your-face-and-don't-let-you-pass-and-breathe-on-you" acting. If the actor has a speaking role and a developed character, they can extend this bit for 10-15 seconds. I have made a point to NOT touch the actors, and I apologize when I accidently touch one. But at ********, I did eventually have to touch an actor and gently push them aside because they were not letting this annoying act go! I believe we waited about 20-30 seconds of silent heavy breathing (and my reviewer trying to push me forward) before I took it apon myself to gently push them aside. A little tip... If an actor is going to hold patrons in a room, make sure they have a speaking role with a well developed character. And please, don't break character just because you get a compliment. Take it as an oppurtunity for improve and know that we like you.
And... Well, BoneDaddy... you KNOW I love you! You are my master and you are free to take me as a prisoner or victim any day!
Animatronics: N/A
Some, but not enough to rate into total score.
Length: 9 out of 10
There are a few haunts that advertise themselves as the "largest". ******** has large and length in the bag. Take advantage of their printable coupon and walk away feeling completely satisfied. ******** is a great haunt and has a potential to hit the corner of the haunt market. I am very excited to see how far this haunt grows over the years in their new location...
Summary:
Overall, I was slightly disappointed with ******** this year, ONLY because I saw last years and I went in anticipating so much more. If you have never been to ******** before, it will surely NOT disappoint you. But I expected so much more detailed designs and creative twists to be added for this year... Yes, they have more rooms, but they did not "top" last years haunt. I still recommend checking it out, because it is a good haunt. Due to their size, it is well worth the money, too. Other mainstream haunts should look out for the ******** stealing the Texas titles of the biggest AND the best... they just didn't quite seal it in a bag this year... but damned close.
Click here (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/modules.php?name=Reviews&file=viewreview&id=7) to see the ******** 2004 review.
OVERALL SCORE:
http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/images/stars/big/7_half.gif