Visibility/Location:
From the street, it is hard to tell that you are in the right place even though the sign is visible… but once you turn in and pull around, you will see the front of the condemned slaughterhouse.
Parking:
Free well-lit parking directly in front and in plain view of patrons and staff.
Atmosphere/Wait Entertainment: 8
Once you get your toe tag and USDA Choice stamp, you wait in front and listen to the carnage inside. A roaming character may stop by, so pay attention.
Set Design/Detail/Floor Plan: 8.5
We love the fact that Hatch and Kraven's uses the original features of the building to create a theme. You can still smell the death from all the blood that once soaked the floors. So much of these qualities make the entire experience almost nauseating… but in a good way… like in the spirit of Halloween and haunted houses nauseating. The second half of the haunt goes outside of the building, and there is a long span of plain black walls with very little decoration. Since there are black curtains covering actor areas, any wind can disrupt the flow through these halls. But because there are so many people performing in front of, behind, beside, and at your feet, it is very easy to overlook the bare walls in these areas. It is almost as if the plain walls are purposefully bare to make you pay attention to how much the actors are doing just for your entertainment.
Live Actors/Performance/Enthusiasm/Costumes: 10
As noted before, Hatch and Kraven's is definitely an actor driven haunt. Take away that raw and highly spirited talent, and the second half of the haunt would be nothing. Even in the first scene, there must be at least 5 or 6 actors roaming about, and everyone has a well defined character and purpose. The action never stops for even a second as you walk through, because there is always someone lurking around the next corner, or maybe under a table reaching for your feet. Be careful, because these monsters collect shoes. Don’t believe us? Wear some flip flops and see if you make it home with both.
Crowd Control: 10
The young lady in the beginning will explain the rules and keep you entertained in plenty of time for the group ahead of you to pass through and for the actors to reset. She is great at drawing out this process or playing off your reactions long enough to ensure there is no groups running into one another. She looks like she might just smack you if you heckle her too much, so I do not suggest doing this.
Admission Price vs. Length Entertainment Value: 10
We would easily recommend this much quality entertainment for the cost. Plus, print out the Internet Coupon for $2.00 off admission, and that is $13 for about 13 minutes of highly skilled actor interaction.
Overall Experience/Summary:
We loved it so much we just had to go through twice. The actors consistently entertained and even changed up their act a little. Amazingly they held on to their energy even as late in the evening as it was. Not to mention, the slaughter house theme is well crafted into the building’s already pungent atmosphere. We have to say, that Hatch and Kraven's Slaughterhouse is the best new haunt for 2007.
Feel free to post your experiences and reviews in the Main Forum (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=2)
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Sherman, TX
OVERALL SCORE : 9.5
http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/images/stars/big/9_half.gif
Date: Saturday, October 20th
Time: 11:55pm
Visibility/Location:
From the street, it is hard to tell that you are in the right place even though the sign is visible… but once you turn in and pull around, you will see the front of the condemned slaughterhouse.
Parking:
Free well-lit parking directly in front and in plain view of patrons and staff.
Atmosphere/Wait Entertainment: 8
Once you get your toe tag and USDA Choice stamp, you wait in front and listen to the carnage inside. A roaming character may stop by, so pay attention.
Set Design/Detail/Floor Plan: 8.5
We love the fact that Hatch and Kraven's uses the original features of the building to create a theme. You can still smell the death from all the blood that once soaked the floors. So much of these qualities make the entire experience almost nauseating… but in a good way… like in the spirit of Halloween and haunted houses nauseating. The second half of the haunt goes outside of the building, and there is a long span of plain black walls with very little decoration. Since there are black curtains covering actor areas, any wind can disrupt the flow through these halls. But because there are so many people performing in front of, behind, beside, and at your feet, it is very easy to overlook the bare walls in these areas. It is almost as if the plain walls are purposefully bare to make you pay attention to how much the actors are doing just for your entertainment.
Live Actors/Performance/Enthusiasm/Costumes: 10
As noted before, Hatch and Kraven's is definitely an actor driven haunt. Take away that raw and highly spirited talent, and the second half of the haunt would be nothing. Even in the first scene, there must be at least 5 or 6 actors roaming about, and everyone has a well defined character and purpose. The action never stops for even a second as you walk through, because there is always someone lurking around the next corner, or maybe under a table reaching for your feet. Be careful, because these monsters collect shoes. Don’t believe us? Wear some flip flops and see if you make it home with both.
Crowd Control: 10
The young lady in the beginning will explain the rules and keep you entertained in plenty of time for the group ahead of you to pass through and for the actors to reset. She is great at drawing out this process or playing off your reactions long enough to ensure there is no groups running into one another. She looks like she might just smack you if you heckle her too much, so I do not suggest doing this.
Admission Price vs. Length Entertainment Value: 10
We would easily recommend this much quality entertainment for the cost. Plus, print out the Internet Coupon for $2.00 off admission, and that is $13 for about 13 minutes of highly skilled actor interaction.
Overall Experience/Summary:
We loved it so much we just had to go through twice. The actors consistently entertained and even changed up their act a little. Amazingly they held on to their energy even as late in the evening as it was. Not to mention, the slaughter house theme is well crafted into the building’s already pungent atmosphere. We have to say, that Hatch and Kraven's Slaughterhouse is the best new haunt for 2007.
Feel free to post your experiences and reviews in the Main Forum (http://www.dfwhauntedhouses.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=2)