HAUNTED HOUSE REVIEWS

Find the latest reviews on your favorite haunts. Get detailed info on themes, scenes, characters, animatronics and everything else that goes into making a haunt the scariest experience going.  From Alaska and Hawaii to the tip of Florida in Key West, some goosebumps may arise, but you won’t be misled.  

Worthy Haunts of Note

Markoff’s Haunted Forest, Dickerson Maryland

Reviewed by Kristina Ward

August 2024

Final Score:  9.5

Summary:

Markoff’s Haunted Forest in Dickerson Maryland, delivered an exceptional and immersive haunted experience that exceeded our expectations.  From the initial tram ride to the final moments we were fully engrossed in the meticulously crafted atmosphere. The attention to detail was unparalleled.  The elaborate set’s combined with the skillful use of props, animatronics, lighting, and fog created a truly believable and terrifying world.  The live actors performances were top-notch, adding an extra layer of realism and intensity to the experience.

Markoff’s Haunted Forest is a testament to the art of haunt design.  It offers everything a thrill seeker could desire, from heart pounding scares to unforgettable moments.  Highly recommended for anyone seeking a truly immersive and unforgettable haunted attraction.

Cast Score:  9.56

Cast Review:

Markoff’s Haunted Forest boasts a remarkably talented and well-trained cast.  The sheer number of actors in each scene ensures a constant stream of immersive encounters.  From subtle characterizations to heart-pounding jump scares, the cast expertly manipulates visitor expectations, delivering a truly unforgettable experience.

The cast’s dedication to their roles is evident in every performance.  Each actor was fully immersed in their character creating a believable environment.  The timing and coordination between cast members were impeccable, resulting in seamless transitions and maximum fright.

Markoff’s Haunted Forest offers a diverse range of terrifying characters.  From shadowy figures to demonic entities, the cast brings to life a menagerie of horrors that will leave visitors trembling.  The variety of scares, including jump scares, verbal interactions, and physical encounters, ensures a thrilling and unpredictable experience.

The cast’s enthusiasm and passion for their work was infectious.  Their commitment to delivering a top-notch haunted attraction is evident in every detail, making Markoff’s Haunted Forest a must-visit for all thrill seekers.

Costume Score:  9.41

Costume Review:

The costuming at Markoff’s Haunted Forest is exceptional.  Each actor’s attire is meticulously crafted to complement their character and enhance the immersive experience.  The attention to detail is remarkable, with costumes that appear authentic and realistic.

The makeup is equally impressive, further distinguishing each character and adding to the overall atmosphere.  The costumes from head to toe , seamlessly blend into the haunt’s environment, creating a sense of believability .

The dedication to costuming extends beyond the main actors to the queue actors demonstrating the haunt;s commitment to a fully immersive experience.  The variety and originality of the costumes are truly impressive, with each actor showcasing a unique and well-thought -out ensemble.

Customer Service Score:  9.16

Customer Service Review:

Markoff’s Haunted Forest offers a seamless and well -organized arrival experience.  Clear directions and ample signage guide visitors to the extensive parking area.  The parking process was efficient, with helpful flaggers directing traffic and ensuring smooth parking.

While the parking lot could benefit from additional lighting for safety purposes, the dimly lit tram ride provides an immediate immersion into the haunted world.  The journey, combined with the mysterious and silent guides, created a sense of anticipation and suspense, setting the stage for the terrifying experience to come.

While the midway and town areas of Markoff’s Haunted Forest offer a relatively safe environment, it’s important to remember that the trails themselves are actual wooded paths.  Visitors should exercise caution and be mindful of potential tripping hazards.

The dedicated staff at Markoff’s Haunted Forest contributes significantly to the positive overall experience.  Their friendly and welcoming demeanor makes visitors feel valued.  Even when interacting with staff in character, their professionalism and helpfulness remain evident.

The staff’s commitment to providing exceptional customer service is commendable. They are readily available to answer questions and address any concerns, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable visit.

Markoff’s Haunted Trail’’s efficient operations are impressive, considering its scale, the planning process is straightforward, with comprehensive information easily accessible online.  Including dates, ticket prices, directions, policies, and attractions.  The free parking and variety of offerings further enhance the visitor experience.

Immersion Score:  9.64

Immersion Review:

Markoff’s Haunted Forest masterfully immerses visitors from the very beginning.  The silent tram ride, shrouded in darkness creates a palpable sense of anticipation and wonder.  The haunt’s creator’s vision is palpable, drawing visitors into a truly unique and unforgettable experience.

The Immersive quality extends beyond the trails themselves.  The midway area, while offering various activities, maintains the overall Halloween-themed  atmosphere enhancing the overall immersion.

While the trails may not follow a strict storyline, the transitions between scenes were smooth,, creating a cohesive narrative experience

The haunt’s ability to transport visitors to a different world is remarkable.  The Immersive feeling lingers long after the experience, leaving a lasting impression.

Special Effects:  9.75

Special Effects Review:

Markoff’s Haunted Forest delivers a multi-sensory experience with sound effects that enhance the overall atmosphere.  The trail’s initial silence is strategically used to amplify the impact of the haunting soundscapes that follow, contributing to the suspense and terror.

The haunt’s finale is particularly impressive, featuring powerful sound effects that resonate physically.  The creators attention to detail is evident throughout the trail, with life-size scenes and meticulously crafted animatronics. Even without live actors, the haunt’s immersive quality would be undeniable.  The animatronics are seamlessly integrated into the environment, triggering at precisely the right moments to maximize impact.

Markoff’s Haunted Trails commitment to excellence is apparent in every aspect of the production, from the sound effects to the stunning scene design.  The haunt’s creators have spared no effort in creating a truly unforgettable experience.

Markoff’s Haunted Forest effectively utilizes lighting to enhance  the immersive atmosphere.  The lighting design is carefully executed creating a cohesive and atmospheric experience; the absence of jarring or random lighting elements further contributes to the overall  immersion.

The haunt’s vortex tunnel is a standout feature, with a unique and innovative design that amplifies the traditional vortex tunnel effect.

The strategic use of fog in areas like the swamp, bridges, and pirate ship compliments the lighting, adding a layer of creepiness and enhancing the overall Halloween ambiance.

The Scare Factor Score:  9.48

The Scare Factor Review:

Markoff’s Haunted Forest delivers an intense and terrifying experience that is not recommended for those under the age of 13.  The combination of skilled actors, well-placed props, and carefully timed scares creates a truly frightening atmosphere. .

The haunt’s variety of scares keeps visitors on edge throughout the entire experience.  Even actors who do not engage in jump scares contribute to the overall terrifying ambiance.  The strategic targeting of different group members ensure s that everyone experiences their fair share of fright.

The haunt’s unforgettable finale is a highlight, featuring a breathtaking display of lights and effects.  While I won’t reveal the specifics, I can say that it is truly an awe-inspiring and terrifying conclusion to the experience.

Value Score:  9.38

Value Review:

Markoff’s Haunted Forest offers exceptional value for the price of admission.  The Immersive experience, both within the haunt and in the surrounding midway is well worth the cost.


While the ticket price may seem high compared to some other haunts, the quality and variety of entertainment provided fully justify the investment.  Visitors should also budget for additional expenses, such as food, games, rides and merchandise, which, while slightly pricier, are still reasonably priced given the overall experience. 

 
 

Factory of Fear – Moline, IL

Final Score: 8.8

Summary:

We got to do something out of the ordinary by hitting a haunt in the spring.  The Factory of Fear in Moline, IL is a year round Haunted House, and we just so happen to be able to catch the Easter show.  While we waited in line we were given a handful of carrots and an easter egg.  Not explaining too much other than we would be able to bribe with the carrots, and take the egg downstairs.  This haunt transformed our familiar holiday into a nightmarish encounterer.  The Factory of Fear is located inside an abandoned factory which provides an ideal backdrop for the horror it unfolds.  So for all of us horror fans, this for sure offers a thrilling alternative to our normal traditional holiday activities.

They have an option as well.  If you buy one of their glow necklaces and wear it through the haunt, this means that they have permission to touch you.  Not only touch you but to grab you, remove you from your group, and who knows what else they would do.  I did not get one myself. That is for the super brave.

The Factory of Fear has hare raising horror, be prepared to be stalked by zombies, encounter a giant bunny that is far from cuddly, and lot’s and lot’s of evil bunnies looking to eat part of you.  The only way to get them to back off is by bribing them with a carrot.

If you would like to blend the innocence of Easter with the excitement and adrenaline of a haunted attraction, come check out the Factory of Fear and bribe the evil bunnies all while trying to get your easter egg safely downstairs where there is one last surprise waiting for you..

 

Cast Score:   8.94

Cast Review:

This is a year round haunt, changing its theme according to the time of the year.  So, it is not surprising that the cast inside are comfortable and know what they are doing, as they are doing this much longer than the cast in another haunted house which is normally the month of October. When we bought our tickets, we were handed a handful of carrots each, we were told we would be able to use them to bribe the bunnies inside so that we could get out.   The attraction seemed to be filled with evil bunnies and other scary characters, we did realize that the same character would run to different places to scare you multiple times, which was totally fine, it worked.  As long as they are back for the next group. Being that the theme is Easter, a lot of the characters were evil bunnies, hungry bunnies that will settle for a carrot.  All kinds of bunnies from huge bunnies and shy bunnies, to bunnies literally walking the walls above you. There were other characters as well like the preacher and demon inside the church, a werewolf, a couple of voodoo women who gave us a treat in exchange for one of our carrots, and the zombies stalking in the cemetery waiting for fresh meat to walk by. There is a lot of interacting with the characters as they keep the story moving. A few of them along the way would give us an easter egg, or want to trade easter eggs with us.  I sometimes thought they were a little chatty,  but overall they did a good job at developing their character.  They were able to improve when they needed to, as well as maintain the overall theme.  All of the characters seemed to be in their place and ready to go, already acting their character well before we arrived at their spot, allowing us to be able to hear all of the madness going on all around us. The one thing I did notice was some of them would laugh after they scared us, or after they said something that was supposed to be scary.  That did take the scary out of the moment a bit. Some of them were just funny, or even cute for that matter.  Not scary at all.

There were plenty of characters here including the one and only Jason, who rudely interrupted me as I sat and ate.  Scaring me out of my pants. To the character that caught up with us waiting in line, he was not a bunny, this one couldn’t stand the bunnies.  He worked so hard growing carrots in his garden only for the bunnies to come and steal them as he slept.  After so much of this happening, he got so angry, that now he wears a bunny face as a mask.  A real bunny face.  That bunny isn’t around to take any more carrots. I surely never want to make him upset.  But he did give us the easter egg, and told us to take it downstairs and give it to the lady. No other info from him.  He surely does not like bunnies though.  I was really hoping we had enough carrots so that we didn’t get eaten by all those hungry evil bunnies.

The priest and demon inside the church were a great centerpiece to the amazing scene, and the zombies in the graveyard, and lot’s of other scary monster looking evil creeps roaming the rooms at the factory of fear.

 I can’t say that all of the actors were scary.  They didn’t jump out and startle you, you could see most of them as you were walking towards them and when you got close they would start up with their madness dialog. Keeping the storyline going, as well as giving us a chance to really see the character and communicate with it, which is something different than most haunts. There were a couple of jump scares. Two, maybe three.  It wasn’t the heart pounding of anticipation  you might have in other haunts, but it was creepy enough to leave a person with nightmares for a long time.

Costuming Score: 8.09

Costuming Review:

The costumes they wore were basically clothes from their closet or cheap walmart looking masks.  Being able to see the straps behind the head and the eye holes, although.. It did not matter at all.  They were creative in fixing them up to fit the scene.  Some of them ripped up, some all dirty, some even full of blood, there were a few that did stand out that did have great costumes, one being the demon in the church.  He had a great, full head mask on that will leave you with nightmares. I would like to give the cemetery zombies a thumbs up as their clothes were regular clothes, but they used their personal touches to make their character very believable and scary. The way that they moved really brought their character to life.   The crew member who would win the grand prize would for sure be the evil bunny that stalked us from above, walking over our heads with her feet on the wall.  She was very scary, as well as impressive.

Their make up was basically all the same, white faces with some black on them.  I am guessing they do their makeup themselves as there was never a gash or sewn up mouth to be found.  But again, it really didn’t matter too much.  They got their point across just fine while saving hundreds of dollars a night on make-up artists.

I’ll give the costume and makeup design and creativity to the zombies. Just how they carried themselves and moved, along with their clothes and make up, just really made them believable, and very real to me.

Other than the bunnies, and zombies, we also came across a scary guy wearing armor.  I’m not exactly sure what he was supposed to be, but I will say that he was scary looking, and was one of the few times we actually screamed.  He had some pretty cool accessories with the armor on the shoulders. We also encountered a werewolf, which again, just normal clothing that was a bit beaten up along with a cheaper style mask, but it did the job.  The voodoo women did an outstanding job with accessorizing their outfits.  There was no mistake as to knowing what they were.  There was one full blown Easter Bunny, in the standard Easter Bunny suit.  I thought that was a good idea and could have been pretty creepy, but that character didn’t live up to the potential as it stood up, took the carrot, and sat back down.  Still a good touch, and a great costume.  Another great mask was an alligator mask, that was really real looking to me, and likely was not cheap.

Over all, I think the costuming and makeup did a fairly good job bringing the human inside into their character.  Although it seems like the money that was spent there was not on the costumes, it was enough to bring them into character and that is what matters in the long run.

Customer Service Score: 9.13

Customer Service Review:

As far as planning our night, everything fell right into place.  We found all of our information online, the night’s open, time, price as well as some other information.  We knew that it would be held at an abandoned warehouse and that we would be bribing evil easter bunnies.  It also explained the whole glow stick necklace and that we would not be touched unless we were wearing one of these.  Parking was great at this haunt as they have a large parking lot attached to their building, they had plenty of handicap spots available, and for the farther away spots of this huge parking lot, they had a shuttle in the form of a horse and buggy, with a skeleton in the passenger seat.  They made this to fit right into the “creepy vibe” by decking it all out with webbing.  It was a really neat ride from the car to the haunt. They don’t charge you for this, but they do accept tips.   We knew exactly where to go as we got closer as we started seeing signs that were pointing the way. When we actually arrived it was very clear where to park and where to go.  They had plenty of signs and nothing was a question.  The back of the parking lot was pretty dark, but that made the carriage ride have an eerie touch. When we were dropped off at the front door, you could see the line very clearly.  It is roped off with yellow rope going back and forth and back and forth, making as much line space and possible in the room. It was like waiting at the airport.  The line seemed to move along pretty fast.

As we waited in line we were entertained by a couple of queue actors, the one being the guy that asked us if we would stomp on the bunnies for stealing his carrots from his garden.  He also is the one that gave us our first Easter Egg, telling us only to take it to the girl downstairs.  This left us a bit confused yet a bit mysterious and anxious to find out what it will do.  He made me feel as if I really had to protect this egg and not let anything happen to it.  They also had some pretty cool decorations, as well as some rock music playing.  The tickets were $30.00 a piece or you could pay a bit more for a glow stick necklace which would alert the cast that they were allowed to touch you and pretty much do as they pleased.  We also received 5 carrots each, with the explanation that they were to be used to bribe the evil, hungry bunnies.  If we gave them a carrot that maybe they would not eat us, and let us pass.

Most of the staff was very friendly, and very helpful, with the exception of a couple of kids that looked as if they thought they had better things to do. They were not mean or anything, they were simply unapproachable.  The people that were approachable were amazing and knowledgeable, answering every silly question that I came up with. I even tried to trick them, asking questions they probably didn’t know the answer to such as the history of the building, as well as the very start of the haunt.  But to my surprise, they answered every question in great detail.  They all know what they are doing there.

The staff seemed to be genuinely happy to have us there.  They welcomed us in and stayed to talk with us and answer all of our questions as long as we wished.  They made sure that we all knew where the restrooms were as well and the food and drinks.  Even offering us some water while we waited in line. What I thought was very special about this is that whenever we were finished, they moved on to the group behind us and offered all of the same things for them. They continued all the way down the line.  Amazing customer service.  They are unforgettable, you could tell that they loved what they were doing there and it made us feel welcomed and like we would come back just because of this.

Immersion score:  9.3

Immersion review:

The pre-haunt atmosphere wasn’t really anything great.  Just a wide open room with a line zig-zagging back and forth filled with people.  Every one waiting in line was anxious and scared awaiting their turn, making the atmosphere in the room lively.  There was some rock music playing that we would all start singing to when a familiar song was on.  The room had a few decorations, but was brightly lit.  The few queue actors made their way through the people in the line, getting them more anxious of what they were going to encounter.  It wasn’t until after our tickets were bought and we awaited our turn which was in two more groups that our hearts started pounding and the feeling became very real.

I thought the story line was very creative and a great way for the customers to be able to be interactive with the characters. After all, making Easter into a scary place is no easy task. The story line carried throughout the entire house.  In some places, it would kind of veer off to something different but quickly after, there would be more bunnies looking to eat. It definitely took a lot of imagination and smarts to create a successful springtime Easter haunt.  Being it is a bit different from your typical halloween ghosts and goblins haunt where the possibilities are endless.

There were very few breathing points inside the haunt, they were designed by a genius to have it where the same actor could move to a different location to scare you multiple times, making it appear that it is a very full cast.  This is brilliant as I know how hard a large cast is to employ.  Just hoping and praying each night that they even show up.  Many times we felt ambushed, at one point one of the evil bunnies was laughing and screaming “ambushed”, while holding a piece of a bush.  Clever. But there were actors around us just about the whole time.

The second part of the haunt I thought was super scary.  Picture this. You’re in a dark maze with no idea where you’re going, not able to see.  There are very loud banging noises, and then creepy tapping noises. Then all the actors together start to howl.  It was such a helpless terrifying feeling that is unmatchable.  No bunnies in there, I don’t know what was there, all I knew is I wanted out.

Having gained another egg (right from the mouth of an evil bunny) to switch my egg with another evil bunny, nonetheless I did make it downstairs with the egg in hand, eager to give it to the lady to see why this was so important. Seeing as I almost dropped it as well as squeezed and broke it. It wasn’t the easiest thing ensuring it arrived safely.  It turns out that some of the egg’s are “winning egg’s” and guess what!! The egg that I traded to that last evil bunny was one of the winning eggs. I traded our prize away.

What was that sitting in that chair?  I won’t give it all away, but they make sure you have one last big surprise before your exit, making us leave with the best adrenaline rush.

Special Effect Score:9.04

Special Effect Review:

The sound effects were for sure not highlighted for this haunt.  There were some creepy sounds and music in the background but overall just the madness of the bunnies, accompanied by the screams of the victims were the main sounds of this haunt.

The scene design was unbelievable!  Every single room was done with lots of detail and I’m sure many hours of time and money.   It made you feel like you were there, first in a church, then a cemetery, followed by the grave keeper’s shed. I was blown away by the realness of the scene.  The Offices , the swamp which appeared to have green flowing water, into the sewer, they even had one of those spinning bridges that makes you dizzy as you cross.

It was very obvious that they put a lot of time into creating very realistic and very believable scenes.  It was worth it to just see that alone.

Their animations were also top notch.  I have seen a lot of cheesy animated props, but it seems that this place skipped the cheesy ones and spent the money for the great ones.  Honestly,. The animated props startled me more than the characters did.  A huge alligator  coming out of the swamp, a spider coming in for a bite, a crazy possessed man on the church ceiling, even one that actually jumps out at you.   Really awesome, props. I would give a 10 for that. They used lighting to create a few different scenes.  One being the green swamp which was made with lasers, mirrors and fog. This illusion can sometimes be hard to create, but they did it very well, giving us the impression we were crossing a bridge over green swampy waters.  The red lighting inside the church really made that scene have an evil feel to it. As well as inside the spinning tunnel and around it with the black light neon effects.   It all was done very well.

The Scare Factor Score: 8.43

The Scare Factor Review:

So the question is, was it scary.  That depends on your definition of scary.  The idea was scary, the rooms were scary, even the cast was scary.  But they didn’t have many jump scares, no startling scares.  We were pretty much able to see what was ahead before we got there and the cast would be in plain sight.   It is a cool idea, a scary thought, but not a pee in your pants type of place.

Being the fact that the jump scares were limited, everyone in the group basically got the same treatment and scare levels. There were a couple of times we would be stalked as we moved, giving the person at the rear something to look over his shoulder for, and the couple jump scares were aimed at the person in the front.  So if you’re looking to be scared, you will want to be the first or the last person in your group.

The second half of the haunt I thought was equal to all in the group. Since you couldn’t see anyways, that didn’t really matter, it was the noise that got in your head.  I really thought that was great.

Entertainment and Value Score:8.81

Entertainment and Value Review:

The Factory of Fear took 30 minutes to walk through. With the tickets costing $30.00 per person, that gave us one minute of scare time per dollar. I think that is very fair.  There wasn’t much else other than the haunt that was included with this price other than a fire pit to warm up by.

I would absolutely recommend attending the Factory of Fear.  The price was good, and you really felt as if you got your money’s worth.  I am thankful to the entire crew over at the Factory, you have given us memories we will never forget.  We will see you at your next themed haunt, whatever that may be.