Review Date: Saturday, October 4th 2008

Time: 11:55pm


Atmosphere

The Reindeer Manor property is quite possibly the best location for haunted attractions. The area is completely secluded in the middle of farm land, and the dirt driveway to the parking area is spooky enough to get in the mood. Blasts of fire briefly light the skies between the trees, and you still have to take the hayride to get to the actual haunt grounds.

Set Design/Detail/Floor Plan

Reindeer Manor is an actual house that has been modified to take you on a theatrical adventure. This unique feature sets Reindeer Manor apart from all other haunted attractions in the DFW area. Also, keep in mind that you might even become part of the show. Each scene is closed in, and you watch and listen to each performance before you move to the next scene. PLEASE do not go to Reindeer Manor if you cannot stand still and silent long enough to appreciate each performance, because you will ruin the experience for other people if you are talking during the show. After multiple acts, you then continue into the outdoor trail through the forest. We noticed several additions along the trail, including more scene areas and structures. Inside the house, there is very little need for that many changes because it is uniquely crafted to fit the performances.

Live Actors (Performance/Enthusiasm/Costumes)

Since they take the time to perform scripted acts, we must focus most attention on the actors and their ability to carry out their lines effectively. Although we greatly enjoyed some of the new scripting, we still feel like there needs to be some improvement in the actor's performances and scene delivery. Some of the actors were simply not believable, and it was almost as if they were more concentrated on remembering their lines than they were portraying an actual character. In some scenes, I had difficulty following what the actors were saying, so I may have missed key elements that completed the experience. I liked the additional scene with the harlots and auction, but I think the girls could have spoken louder and the auction portion could have been livelier through witty improvisations. As always, the kitchen and barbeque scenes were highly entertaining, and the actors definitely portrayed the characters effectively.

Admission Price vs. Length (Entertainment Value)

Reindeer Manor clocks in around 30-40 minutes of entertainment. The Reindeer Manor property also contains two additional attractions, and the three attractions together provide a variety of haunting types. We highly recommend seeing all three events. The combo ticket is $30 using the $5 online coupon, and this is quite reasonable for the length and entertainment provided.

Overall Experience/Summary/Misc. Information

Reindeer Manor is so different from any other haunted attraction. We always love visiting Reindeer Manor every year because it is so unique and entertaining. We were so excited to find out that they brought back their "Thriller" graveside show, and this is truly a treat! Although a theatrical adventure may not appeal to everyone, you should at least give it a try. Besides, Reindeer Manor is the only place where you will get to see burning water, and this special effect is one that should not be missed. Since there are two more completely different types of haunted attractions located on the Reindeer Manor property (13th Street Morgue and Dungeon of Doom), you have no excuse to not take a trip out to Red Oak and see for yourself just how interesting this place really is.

Previous Reviews

See the 2007 Review

See the 2006 Review

See the 2005 Review

See the 2004 Review



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