In the scream of things

From Baylor Lariat

Lariat staff members Taylor Griffin, Taylor Rexrode, Reubin Turner, Matt Hellman, Linda Wilkins and Linda Nguyen reviewed some of the haunted houses around Texas. Here are their thoughts and experiences at these houses.

Thrillvania

Trails of terror, 3-D clowns and multiple dance-offs between Taylor G., the clowns and me made Thrillvania by far one of the most interesting haunted house I’ve ever been to. By using visual effects, which sometimes included complete lack of vision, the haunted house exhilarated, entertained and engaged thrill-seekers looking for a good, hearty scare.

In the end, although the site was not fully able to maximize the fear factor that many, including myself, sought, the laughs and sheer entertainement gathered from the attraction made the two hour trip well worth it.

Before we started our odyssey down the trail of torment and terror, we were immediately greeted by clowns who chose to either chase passersby with chainsaws or invite them to do-si-do on a gravel-covered dance floor.

After a knee-slappin’ good time with the sharp-toothed party killers, which quickly escalated to a twerk session for Taylor G., we made our way deeper into the attraction.

The first attraction, which I suppose was intended to be a magic show, made little impression on even the youngest members of the audience. In one trick, the magician suspended a champagne glass in midair and one child exclaimed “I can see the string!”

This act, needless to say, did not earn the attraction the reputation as one of the scariest haunted houses in the nation.

After a riveting performance from the magicians, we came to the first haunted house: the World Famous Verdun Manner. The house was full of child-like characters, some dead, some alive, who effectively spooked those they could follow around with creepy and spontaneous outburst of laughter and fits.

One attempted, unsuccessfully, to hold Linda W. hostage. After we were able to escape the manor without being chased by a chainsaw, we made our trek up to Thorn Hall, which sat upon the top of a hill overlooking the haunted theme park. This was perhaps the scariest of all the attractions, as roughly two-thirds of journey was made in a pitch-black tour of the hall.
When we thought the attraction had given attendees all the scares it had to offer, something else would grab, scream or reach out. This site was full of surprises.

After we came out of the smoke filled exit, we walked to what was possibly the most disappointing of the entire tour — Sam Hain’s Trail of Torment.

Many of the one-room houses had characters in them we could see before we even got into the house. Furthermore, they more or less just engaged in dialogue with us, rather than trying to frighten us. I was thoroughly disappointed.

Finally, Cassandra’s Labyrinth of Terror proved to be more entertaining than frightening, as 3-D clowns and goblins popped out at as we walked through the attraction.

Many of the clowns, living up their name, jostled and danced with us as we made our way through the attraction. It added to the creepy effect partially. I’d never experienced a 3-D attraction at a haunted house before, so it definitely made this one stand out.

Overall, if you’re seeking a haunted attraction full of thrills and chills, I’d consider other options. Otherwise, this haunted house is sure to offer visitors an unforgettable time bursting with tear-filled laughs.

Read the full article from the Baylor Lariat.