Haunt Review- Hundred Acres Manor

 Haunt Review of Hundred Acres Manor, They Did It Again!

 It's rare that I say I truly love a haunted house, it's even more difficult to get me to admit to this in public. It's only happened maybe five times in the last few years but Hundred Acres Manor has defended their right to be on that list, with some amazingly twisted goodies which make my dark little heart sing with absolute joy. It's rare that a haunt gets everything right, they take that envelope of "Basic Accepted Level" and "Lines Not to Be Crossed" and burn it on a pyre while giggling like lunatics. Hundred Acres Manor is simply deliciously evil in the show they create and present, it's Love at first Scream.

This season Hundred Acres Manor has 6 delightfully twisted houses for your terror and enjoyment, included an all new house called "Torture Tank". Which is something spewed directly from some hellish nightmares of a lunatic, we call him Ethan. Several of the houses have seen new improvements and additions, plus again this season they've changed 'The Maze' completely. Plus this season we've seen the addition of "Zombie Paintball" which is likely the best iteration of this theme I've seen done yet.

...but you can read more about that below, let's get this slaughter moving!

Haunt: Hundred Acres Manor
Location: Bethel Park, Pennsylvania
Date: September 19th, 2014
Review Team: Kitsune Hazard and Carrie 
Cost: Between $18 and $35 (Online)
Overall Rating: Excellent
Opinion: Stop Reading. Go. Now.
Website: http://www.hundredacresmanor.com

!Disclaimer!

We where invited again this season to visit Hundred Acres Manor. This has in no way effected our opinion or the haunts rating, they earned that entirely on their own! 

Travel Notice- Haunt Tour 2014 Kick-off!

 Travel Notice- Haunt Tour 2014 Begins Friday!

 Hey Folks!
Yes, it's been a bit quiet around here the last few days while we've been finalizing plans for the kick off of this seasons Halloween Haunt Tour!

 So we'll be on the road this weekend, which means that Haunted House and Haunted Event Reviews are coming up! We're kicking off the event with the Media Night for Busch Gardens Williamsburgs "Howl-O-Scream". From there we're heading up to Allentown, Pennsylvania and Dorney Park's "Halloween Haunt". To wrap up the busy weekend of travel, we'll be visiting Hundred Acres Manor here in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania!

 So, keep your eyes on the blog! We'll be getting review up by the middle of the week so you can begin planning your own Halloween Visits! Make sure to check out our "Haunt Reviews" for last year to give you an idea of what you might enjoy this spooky season, Plus all the new reviews we'll be adding in each week!

 Remember, We'll be on the road.. A LOT in coming weeks. So you can follow along for tips, tricks and updates via Twitter, Google+ and Facebook by searching #HT2014.

Castle Blood- Kickstarter for New Location!

Castle Blood begins Kickstarter Campaign for New Location!

 Folks, it's rare that I come to you as nothing but a humble haunted house fan. It's even more rare you will ever hear me personally ask you all for help and support.

 That's exactly what I'm doing.

 Castle Blood is one of the most amazing and unique haunted houses I've ever had the joy to visit. Both theatrical and comedic, kooky and fun this haunted attraction has all of it. If you haven't' read the review, you should. (It's right here Haunt Review: Castle Blood). Well Castle Blood has been forced to once again move locations, while the new place will  be amazing it needs some work. Which means the Castle needs our support, in the form of a Kickstarter campaign to updates to electrical and plumbing.

The NEW Castle Blood Location

 Castle Blood isn't just unique, the amount of experience this collective group of people have is simply mind boggling. They've consulted and help build dozens of other haunted attractions across the United States.

 The castle is moving into a more fitting home, a former funeral parlor in Monsessen, Pennsylvania. As I said, this has a lot more room and plenty of potential, it needs some love. Master Gravely needs help to update things like plumbing and electrical, fix some loose flooring and other goodies which makes the castle a safe place for all us silly mortals to visit.

 Over the last several months I've gotten to known many of the Denizens of the Castle, which only makes me respect them and their attraction more. They may be local to me but I've never come across a crazier or more devoted group of people. So dig into your pocket or couch and find a little bit to donate!

 They have several donation levels with all kinds of perks. Ranging from Stickers, T-Shirts, Castle Tickets and Monster Makeovers. If you've got some heavy money to drop, the castle is even willing to come in an re-design (monsterize) your personal man-cave!

Castle Blood Kickstarter 

You can also check the Castle Blood Facebook Page for information and updates! 

Haunt Review- Hauntville

Haunt: Hauntville
Location: Elyria, Ohio
When: October 26th, 2013
Price: $16 (Zombie Hunt is an Extra Charge)
Rating: Good
Recommendation: Check it Out if your in the Area!
Website: Hauntville

!DISCLAIMER!

We were invited by Hauntville to review their haunted attraction. This has in no way swayed or altered our opinion of this or any haunt we visit.

 

 

 Hauntville was recommended to us by a friend who works for them. We hadn't heard of them before but since we planned to be in Ohio, we though it was worth a shot at contacting them.  We ended up with an invitation to check them out.

 However, I didn't know much about this haunt so I walked in blind. Having no idea of what to expect or what was offered in the attraction. I find when I do this I don't have any expectations and can enjoy what's being offered rather then viewing things with too critical an eye.

 Hauntville offers 4 themed haunted attractions in one location. Located in an old 'big box' store in a strip mall, they've got a lot of area to play with and they use it to good ends. Perhaps it's not the most visually amazing haunted attraction I've ever seen but it's the actors inside that really bring this place to life, making an otherwise unassuming building scary indeed.

(Keep Reading for the Full Review)

Haunt Review- The Fear Experience

Haunt: The Fear Experience
Location: Parma, Ohio
When: October 25th, 2013
Times: Closed for 2013
Price: $22-30
Rating: Good
Recommendation: Visit if Nearby
Website: The Fear Experience

!DISCLAIMER!

We were invited by Fear Experience to review their haunted attraction. This has in no way swayed or altered our opinion of this or any haunt we visit.

 

 

  Honestly, I knew nothing of this attraction as it was one Kitsune had picked for a review. Before our visit I hadn't even heard of them before so I had no idea what to expect. 

 Although I admit, I'm rather disappointed they aren't running for the final Halloween weekend. It's a pretty good haunt which could easily attract people for Halloween and the final weekend of Oct/Nov. Sadly though they mad the choice to close early, so you'll have to remember this for the next Halloween season.

Fear Experience offers 4 haunted attractions located in Parma, Ohio. Hidden in once abandoned body of a big-box store, we found a fun and rather long haunted attraction. Each of the three haunts has a unique theme, while it's not amazing it's petty good and worth a visit. 

(Keep Reading for the Full Review)

Haunt Review- Ghoul Mansion

Haunt: Ghoul Mansion
Location: Sharon, PA
When: October 25th, 2013
Times: Sunday and Thursday 7pm-10pm, Friday and Saturday 7pm-12am
Price: $15-30
Rating: Very Good
Recommendation:  Worth the Drive!
Website: Ghoul Mansion 

!DISCLAIMER!

We were invited by Ghoul Mansion to review their haunted attraction. This has in no way swayed or altered our opinion of this or any haunt we visit.

 We had planned to visit Ghoul Mansion much earlier during our Haunt Tour but plans kept falling through. It's really not much fun to try and review a haunted attraction when your sick!  Finally, things looked clear and we booked two hours north of our home to Sharon (or Scarin' PA) to visit this haunt.

 In the past we've heard a few people talk about them but really had no idea what to expect.  We knew they offered six unique themes in two buildings but other then that, I was walking in blind.  From the outside you may not be impressed but once you step inside, it's another world of crazy shit.  You wait in line and get a small pre-show, form here you enter a foyer to get your picture taken and a surprise ending before you enter your first haunt.

Keep Reading for the Full Review!

Haunt Review- Scarehouse

Haunt: The Scarehouse
Where: Etna, PA
When: October 19th, 2013
Times: Thursday and Sunday from 7pm-10pm, Friday and Saturday 7pm-12am.
Price: $19.99-$34.99
Rating: Very Good
Recommendation: Need to See!
Website: Scarehouse

!DISCLAIMER!

We were invited by Scarehouse to review their haunted attraction. This has in no way swayed or altered our opinion of this or any haunt we visit.

  Oh Scarehouse, You never fail to deliver a great haunted attraction and this year is no different.

 There is a reason Scarehouse is one of the top haunted attractions in the US. Not only does this place have awesome owners but they work their tails off to promote and better the place each season. Each year some new twist or theme pops up, which becomes the focus of a crazy media blitz. This season was no exception!

(Keep Reading for the Full Review!)

Haunt Review- Castle Blood

Haunt: Castle Blood
Where: Monessen, Pennsylvania
When: October 19th, 2013
Times: Friday and Saturday- 7pm-11pm, Sunday and Halloween 7pm-9pm
Price: $15-25
Rating: Very Good
Recommendation: Check it out, This is NOT your normal haunted house!
Website: Castle Blood

!DISCLAIMER!

We were invited by Castle Blood to review their haunted attraction at their new location. This has in no way swayed or altered our opinion of this or any haunt we visit.

  Castle Blood was a surprise. We knew they weren't your normal haunted house, but we really had no idea what we were walking into. 

 Let me tell you right now- Castle Blood is NOT your average "scream machine" haunt where people chase you with chainsaws into a gift shop. It's more like an interactive game of 'Clue'- Spooky Halloween Edition. It's a theatrical haunted attraction- in plain terms. To go there and expect the typical it will leave you disappointed. However, if you go looking for a fun time and the idea you will be interacting with people.. plus some scares- you'll have a blast.

(Keep Reading for Full Review!)

Haunt Review- Haunted Hillside

Haunt: Haunted Hillside
Where: Mount Pleasant, PA
When: October 18th, 2013
Price: $17
Dates/Times: Friday-Saturday 7pm-12am Sunday 7pm-10pm
Rating: Good (For a First Year Haunt)
Recommendation: Check it out if your in the area!
Website: Haunted Hillside 2013

 !Disclaimer!

We were invited by Haunted Hillside to review their first year haunted attraction. This has in no way swayed or altered our opinion of this or any haunt we visit.

 One thing you must know about Haunted Hillside is the fact they are new. Brand new. They just opened in 2013 with only six weeks total to put together their haunted walking trail.  For such a short timeline they've gone a great job but it does need some work (again, brand new any haunt needs work their very first season). This haunt is local and freshly home-grown which really lends it a properly spooky air.

 Honestly we didn't know exactly what we were walking into with this attraction simply because we didn't even notice it opened up in our own backyard until Kitsune found a flyer lurking in a local store. We both were surprised and pleased to see a new haunt show up! After speaking to their owners, we learned just how new they are. 

 Overall what they've done in such a short time period is amazing. We were very pleased to find this long, well thought out attraction, even if it was rather cold and wet by the time we arrived. I can't tell you anyone who could pull off something better with only six weeks of notice. For their first season I have to say, this haunt has a LOT of promise! I won't tell you it was amazing but it is good, you won't see some of their scares coming and they couldn't ask for a better setting.

Plus a good portion of their admission cost is being donated to chairty, haunting for a good cause!

Keep Reading for a Full Review!

Haunt Review- Haunted Hills Estate

Haunt: Haunted Hills Estate
Where: Uniontown, Pennsylvania
When: October 18th, 2013
Price: $14-$25
Dates/Times: Through November 2nd. Thursday-Sunday
*Please Check Website for your day of Visit*
Rating: Very Good
Recommendation:  Worth it, Get Going but be aware this is a different style of haunt.
Website Link: Haunted Hills Estate

!DISCLAIMER!

We where invited to visit Haunted Hills Estate as Media. This has in no way swayed or altered our opinion of this or any haunted attraction.

Haunted Hills Estate is a home-grown haunt that's still in touch with it's family roots. It feels down to earth and alive but it's the amazing actors which really bring this haunt to life. It's been several years since we last visited Haunted Hills Estates and they've improved!

 It really was a pleasure to visit this place and while it may be hard to find, it's worth your time to get out there. This is an interactive, story driven haunted attraction which is something often missing these days in the world of commercial haunts.  The actors expect answers when they ask a question, they will be in your face and in full character. It's the actors that make this haunt as great as it is and everyone should experience this kind of attraction, so get yourselves down there!

They offer three separate attractions and you can chose your ticket, visit one or all three, it's your choice. The offerings this season are- Legends, The Dead Chambers and The Challenge Trail. Although for $25 your get all three and they can take some time to get through, so plan to spend some time at this place.

(Keep Reading for the Full Review)

Haunt Review- Rich's Fright Farm

Haunt: Rich's Fright Farm
Where: Smithfield, PA
When: October 18th, 2013
Price: $25 (Student, Military and Senior Discounts on Weds)
Dates/Times: 7pm-12am Fri-Sat, 7pm-10pm Weds-Thurs-Sun. Running through November 2nd.
Rating: Good
Recommendation: Worth the Price, Visit if your in the area.
Website Link: Fright Farm

 !DISCLAIMER! 

We were invited to visit Rich's Fright Farm as Media. This has not swayed our opinion nor does it alter our views on haunted attractions.

 For their 24th year Rich's Fright Farm gives you a good show. Each year their show changes, altering massively and giving you a new show with new scares. It's been several years since we last visited and everything had changed, which was a pleasure to see since always seeing the 'same show' gets boring after a while! Thankfully, this isn't a concern with this haunt but be warned it takes a good bit of time to get through and even more on a busy night!

Overall, we found their haunts a good time and a good value. Since our last visit we found some large improvements to this haunted attraction including a new stage area with live music and an enlarged 'VIP Tent City' area, which you can rent for the night of your visit (it's a little pricy but nice). For the main event they offer three separate haunted houses- The Hayride, The Haunted Mansion and The Maze. Each has it's own unique theme and have clear barriers so you know your entering a new area.


(Keep Reading for the Full Review!)

[Haunt Review] Freddy's Haunts...Biggest Mistake EVER!

  This is probably going to be my only Haunt Review for the season, if not for as long as I can manage it.  I'm stating right up front that I am not a fan of being scared and it usually leads to someone getting injured but trust me when I say that my dislike of houses does not color my review. (The horridness of the haunt did that on it's own)

Disclaimer: I was not invited to this event and the fact that I wasn't invited didn't sway my opinions either.
 
  So this all started because my sister and brother-in-law asked me to join them for dinner and a haunted house and I figured "What the hell, maybe one house can't hurt."

Below is my review of Freddy's Haunts:

• Date Visited: 10/5/2013
• Review Team: Just me
• Support People: My older sister Amy and her husband, John
• Time: 9pm
• The house is located inside an aircraft hanger so it runs rain or shine

 (Click to continue on to the full review!)