Analysis:
LENGTH - 9, More or less, 20 minutes depending on the various entrapments.
ACTORS - 10, Not a lot of dialogue outside skits, but not much room for it either due to the intensity of the event.  The most highly energetic crew in the business, especially the chainsaw ghouls that actually rub their gas guzzling noisemakers up against your legs!
SCARINESS - 9½, Numerous distractions provided by a boat load of outlandish props, perfectly capitalized upon by their first class crew.  Not a lot of traditionally spooky music, but the soundtrack is designed to compliment the intense nature of the haunt, which it accomplishes dutifully.
DESIGN - 9½, A noticeable increase in course length, and nice variety between indoor and outdoor scenes.  Structures are outstanding, but groups tend to bunch up as a result of the entrapments, which causes some of the more technologically advanced scares to be missed.  Props are perfectly positioned, and actors are well concealed and anxious to pounce!
PROPS - 9½, Just tons of state of the art scares.  Timing might be occasionally improved upon (possibly with a reduction in group size), especially with the headless horseman.
VALUE - 9½, A little on the expensive side, and a parking surcharge, but a lot of bang for the buck.
Final Score:  9½, The most action packed adventure around, featuring the latest animatronics, and volumes of highly motivated characters combining to provide the best possible haunted house experience.  This annual "Haunt of the Year" contender is in a league all to itself.  Don't miss a chance to experience Dead Acres!
reviewed 10/19/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 9, 20 minutes with the lengthening of the maze.
ACTORS - 10, Aggressively intense and covered with blood!
SCARINESS - 9, Numerous surprises and intimidating acting, but some areas are devoid of a mood setting soundtrack.
DESIGN - 9½, Several differences and changes, including the introduction of fog to the outdoor maze that obscures much of the street light that has hindered its effectiveness in the past. 
PROPS - 10, A multitude of perfectly timed animatronics delivering the best possible scares.
VALUE - 9, $14 (unchanged from '05 and $2 coupon valid on Thursdays and Sundays) gets you the most bizarre scares around!
Final Score:  9½, Never a dull moment at The  Hotel!  Lengthening the outdoor maze, and adding fog are noticeable additions to a haunt that's difficult to improve upon.  Group size is limited to no more than 5 or 6 to insure everybody experiences surprises equally.  The Haunted Hotel once again delivers its patented standard of excellence, continuing to serve as the blueprint of the industry, and the measuring stick of the business!  This legitimate  "Haunt of the Year" contender is one you must not miss!
reviewed  9/30/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 8½, Around 15 minutes
ACTORS - 9, Alarmingly intense!  Outstanding make-up, but fewer in number than in years past, especially early on.  Crazy Ernie's shtick selling caskets is out of place in The Morgue.
SCARINESS - 10, They isolate you in darkness to allow your emotions to build, then expose you to genuinely chilling scenes that eventually conquer you.  But much of that conquest is from within, as your own nerves are mostly responsible. Background music, and sounds alone are enough to strike fear into the hearts of the fearless.  At one point, a hand from above reached down out of the darkness and gently touched my shoulder!
DESIGN - 9½, Potentially a perfect 10.
PROPS - 10, Realistic decor, and a nice balance of mechanical props.
VALUE - 9, a bit expensive, but the best always costs more!
Final Score:  9½, Last year's "Haunt of the Year" is absolutely THE most fear instilling experience around!  If you're in search of an overwhelmingly scary Halloween attraction, look no further than The Baxter Avenue Morgue. Whatever you do, don't miss this one!
reviewed  9/30/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 10, Nearly 25 minutes.
ACTORS - 9, Well-hidden, often unnoticeable until it's too late.  Highly intense and offering plenty of dialogue filled confrontations.  Good use of make-up too.  Still think additional actors in the cell block areas would be an asset.
SCARINESS - 10, Masterful assault on the senses throughout.  The legitimacy of the facility itself plays an enormous role in the achievement.  Loudest sounds and creepy music you'll find in a haunted house.
DESIGN - 9½, A vast amount of The Prison is explored on multiple levels.  Could do a bit more with the cellblocks.
PROPS - 8, More than in years past and some animatronics, but the facility itself is still the primary scare factor.
VALUE - 9, A dollar price increase this year, but an experience like no other.
Final Score:  9+,  This place makes your skin crawl!  Three people were unable to make it as far as halfway through on the night of our visit!  Be sure to arrive early, as lines are reflective of the fact that The Haunted Prison is one of the scariest, and most popular attractions around.  You'll not soon forget your visit to the Ohio State Reformatory!  Remember to visit the souvenir stand, where t-shirts bearing the awesome Ghostmania Revolution logo cost only $8!
reviewed 10/12/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 9½, Just over 20 minutes.
ACTORS - 9, Highly energetic characters, outstanding make-up, and love the way they interacted with us, and their various dialogue.  Only negative is encountering some of the same ones more than once.  Captain is understandable, but highly unusual to see 4 or 5 characters a second time.  Dracula, eyeball freak in the rafters, crawling crewman, and Rat Girl are most memorable, aside from Capt. Mitchell himself. 
SCARINESS - 9, Background music and sounds are awesome, and the condemned ship itself sets the stage for an intimidating experience with its cramped passageways and authentic steamboat equipment (valves, pipes, boilers, etc.).
DESIGN - 9, Course is altered with major change being the addition of the cargo hold area.  Two decks and over 30 scenes are visited, but just can't comprehend how playful clowns and a jungle scene fit into the haunted boat theme, thus the final moments leading up to that fantastic finish are  somewhat anticlimactic.  The clowns have been here for years, but "Welcome to the Jungle" is about as displaced as it gets.
PROPS - 9½, Outstanding decor, and numerous animatronics employed aboard The Nightmare.  Timing is good.  Inpaler is most memorable.
VALUE - 8½, One of the higher priced haunts around, but one of the most prolific as well.  Try to visit on coupon days.
Final Score:  9, Now in it's 15th year, The Nightmare is a polished attraction, ranked in the top 13 in the country among haunted events by Hauntworld magazine.  Although we can't shake the feeling that it was slightly better last year, the setting is unique, mysterious, and always professional making it a must see Halloween adventure.  The legitimacy of the rusty old wrecked boat itself plays hugely in their favor.  When you visit, be prepared to have the ship scared out of you!!
reviewed 10/11/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 9, Nearly 20 minutes.
ACTORS - 8½, Some very convincing characters, but some kiddie actors as well including the indoor Michael Myers.
SCARINESS - 9½, The authentic facility itself is unmatched.  Child actors in aggressive roles is the only deduction.
DESIGN - 9½, Mostly improved, except psycho ward was better last year, with hyperactive, screaming girls jumping around wildly on their beds, and grabbing at passerbys through the iron bars that confined them to their rooms.  Elimination of Beyond the Darkness is also disappointing, and might possibly be added on, not as a separate attraction, but incorporated into the current course, perhaps near the end to further lengthen the event.  Flickering lights, and thunderstorm effects are superb.
PROPS - 9, Noticeable improvement in this department as well with the addition of several new scenes.
VALUE - 7½, Awesome attraction, but a $5 price hike from a year ago.
Final Score:  9, The hospital theme is a real winner considering the structure's actual history.  The first part is conducted as a tour, which detracts a little from the nerve wrecking atmosphere that's created here. The Waverly Hills Sanatorium is a highly intense adventure in the perfect setting for a haunt, and a must see experience!
reviewed 9/30/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 8, About 15 minutes.
ACTORS - 8½, Outstanding make-up with original costumes and intense characters, but some of the same ones confronted us more than once.  Could stand a few more.
SCARINESS - 9½, Believably realistic!  Intimidating actors, traditionally spooky (and loud) background music, "haunted" doors and shutters, etc., combined with an abundance of convincing surprises!
DESIGN - 9½, I just didn't want it to end!  Meticulously decorated rooms - exactly what you'd expect to find in a haunted house!  The progression of rooms (dining room, kitchen, bedroom, den, etc.is well done too!
PROPS - 9½, Tons of perfectly placed animatronics featuring plenty of face to face encounters, complimented by just the right static props.  I can't emphasize the detailing of the rooms enough!
VALUE - 9, No price increase from last year.  A discounted combo ticket enabling visitors to experience the new XD 3D for a reduced price with paid Ghostly Manor admission could raise the value.
FINAL SCORE:  9,  One of the best Haunted Houses around, employing state of the art technology.  Only negative is the surroundings to the entrance, which shares a single story enclosure alongside a skating rink.  The personality of an authentic, stand alone structure would only add to its credibility.  Ghostly Manor is a first-rate haunted attraction, boasting many more props and animatronics than most, and one that's certainly not to be missed this Halloween season.  Ohio Vally Haunts highly reccommends visiting Ghostly Manor, which is fully accessible to the handicapped!
reviewed  9/16/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 9, Around 20 minutes.
ACTORS - 9½ - Outstanding make-up and original characters, combined with intense personas.  Favorites are the straightjacket wearing schizos, bloody kitchen worker, and Bloodzo the Clown, who spews plasma from his mouth as he invites you to stay and see the show!  There are some kiddie actors, but they're utilized as students on the bus, or partaking in various school activities, and as such become beneficial to the environment, not a detriment.  Although not necessarily associated with the school theme, contemporary high-profile characters like Freddie Krueger, Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, etc., have become an expected part of modern haunts, and to novices, are conspicuous by their absence.  But it's their evil counterpart who's the star of this show.  He's that coverall wearing, child hating, tool pouch toting, cellar dwelling killer known as THE JANITOR!
SCARINESS - 9½ - Great music, lighting, startles from animatronics, and intimidation from aforementioned actors.
DESIGN - 9, Scenes and rooms show meticulous detailing, for example, the students in detention have been forced to repeatedly write "I will not taunt the Janitor." on the blackboard.  The hallways connecting the progression of rooms are short, and for the most part equally as decorated.  However, the transition from the school theme to various scary scenes is a bit confusing, and the toxic waste ending seems abrupt.
PROPS - 9, traditional elements compliment the decor, and a number of technological animatronics employed as well.
VALUE - 8, A fantastic haunted house, but $12 ($18 to bypass the line) is a bit pricey.  Might as well get your money's worth, and take them up on the $5 re-entry offer.  NOTE:  Discount coupon is only valid on specified days.
FINAL SCORE:  9, A major facelift (more aptly a complete overhaul) offers a refreshing change at the old Dent schoolhouse.  The new owners have a lot to be proud of, a solid foundation to build upon for years to come, and WEBN's promotion machine back on board for 2006. Ohio Valley Haunts urges you to get out and experience a legend in the Cincinnati haunt scene - the icon known as The Haunted House!
reviewed  9/22/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 9, Just under 20 minutes.
ACTORS - 9, Much improved from a year ago, as the rooms are just loaded!  Numerous nerve wrecking confrontations, with interacting characters.  Quality and original make-up too.
SCARINESS - 9½, Tremendously impressed with the '06 effort!  Darkness, music, and loud sound effects set the stage for a multitude of startles delivered by diverse mechanical props, and intensely determined characters.
DESIGN - 9, Great job keeping the scenes close togoether, and providing ample scares.  Balanced mix of static and impressive state of the art props.  The larger cast on hand this year makes a big difference.
PROPS - 9½, Many well-timed animatronics that produce abundant superior startles, and best of all serve as distractions for the onslaught attck provided by the highly energetic cast.
VALUE - 8, A little pricey.  Take advantage of the discount available on their web site if you can.
Final Score:  9, Fright Manor reaffirms itself as the industry leader in the Indianapolis area, similar to the status held by USS Nightmare in Cincinnati.  Lots of impressive animatronics on display, and a talented crew of actors committed to their roles.  You come for scares, and that's what they give you, and lots of them!   Will you survive?  Pay them a visit and find out! 
reviewed 10/25/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 8, Just under 15 minutes.
ACTORS - 9, All well hidden, some good make-up, and pretty intense. Several offered dialogue while interacting with our group.  Could benefit from a few more. 
SCARINESS - 9, The authenticity of the various structures is remarkably believeable.  Ample startles are produced not only from the energetic cast, but from the nice compliment of mechanical devices as well.  A more traditional soundtrack for the cemetery scene would be much more frightening.
DESIGN - 9½, This might be the most realistically designed haunt the industry has to offer.  The theater setting, and various movie scenes are constructed with authentic looking entrances, and intricate detailing.  Actually having to open a real door to enter  places like the cabin at Camp Crystal Lake, and feeling the effect of the flames in Freddie's boiler room are indescribable!  Rooms are near one another, NOT spread out, and even the exposed corridor ceilings are covered with netting, etc. as much as possible. They do a  masterful job of creating tension through meticulous efforts, exemplified by the authentic street sign identifying Elm and Dream Streets, then turning a corner to a warning on a wall, "one, two - Freddie's going to get you!"  Further down the hall, "three, four - better lock your door!"  Around the next bend, "five, six...!"  All building to that ultimate encounter with the metal clawed killer himself!  You know it's coming, and the fear instilled leading up to it makes your skin crawl!  In addition, all of the scenes are designed with a certain degree of closeness to them.  They're right on top of you!  Moreso, than at most other haunted attractions.  On the other hand, scary music would be much more unsettling in the creepy cemetery scene, as opposed to Metallica, and there's one spot early on where you actually pass back by the noise and confusion of the queue line.
PROPS - 9, Nice mix between static and animatronic varieties.  Tesla coil is beyond comparison!
VALUE - 10, Less than $10 with coupon available on their web site gets you one of the best, most realistic haunted attractions around.
Final Score:  9, Extremely impressed with the efforts at Fear Fair!  What a great job!  Can't stress enough how the recreations are constructed in such close proximity to the course that you actually feel like you're a part of them.  Realism is better here than at most, and arguably the best in the business!  2006 marked our first visit to Fear Fair, and we're already looking forward to returning!  They've earned a spot on our annual "can't miss attraction" list.  Hope to see you there! 
reviewed 10/29/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 9, A little longer this year, around 20 minutes.
ACTORS - 9½, Lots of kiddie actors here, but they're so intense you hardly notice them.
SCARINESS - 9½, Having the monsters actually touch you makes this a haunt like no other.
DESIGN - 8½, A new, longer course, but some of our favorite scenes have been removed. 
PROPS - 7, No animatronics, and the elimination of the table saw scene, and caged entrapment finish hurt the score.  The actors make up for the lack of props.
VALUE - 9, No price increase and plenty of scares.
Final Score: 9, It's hard to imagine, but the intensity is greater this year than ever before.  Several scenes are not in use this year (body sawed in half, caged chainsaw entrapment, dropping spiders, spongy floors, etc., the chase-out isn't as strong, and they haven't been replaced by anything nearly as memorable.  That said, the actors are more aggressive, pushing the limits by touching, grabbing, and shoving, while begging, pleading, and screaming their lungs out!  If you plan to visit only one haunted house this season, stop reading now and head to Buford!  You won't find another one like this!
reviewed  10/13/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 10, 30 min. 
ACTORS - 9, A lot of interaction from a variety of  irate, demanding beings.  Devil is by far the best.
SCARINESS - 9, A welcome return to spookiness.  Could benefit from additional mood setting background music to suppliment the attraction, but quite intimidating as it is.
DESIGN - 9, Genuinely scary.  Particularly like the maze that repeatedly brings you back in front of Lucifer himself! 
PROPS - 9, Tons of decor, but timing is off on some of the animatronics, possibly due to group size being too large. 
VALUE - 9, No price increase for this refreshingly revamped attraction.
Final Score:  9, The most improved haunt of 2006.  Make the drive to Lewisburg and experience The Haunted Cave.
reviewed 10/7/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 9, Almost 20 minutes
ACTORS - 8½, best to date at The Coop, but mostly masks. Disappointed with the elimination of the "overhead flyer" in the cemetery from a year ago.
SCARINESS - 9, Lots of screams emanate from the startling props, and intimidating maze and actors.
DESIGN - 9, Nice variety in the set up including several mechanical props, imaginative scenes and challenging mazes.
PROPS - 9, Good blend of animatronics with the other decor.
VALUE - 9, Only $8 with the Scary Ohio coupon, although they do charge $2 for parking, but it benefits the Waynesville Police Explorers.
FINAL SCORE:  9, Make the drive to Waynesville and see if you don't agree that continued improvements are making this "better than average" haunt one of the best around! 
reviewed  9/29/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 8½, Over 15 mins. with the addition of the graveyard entrance.
ACTORS - 8½, Some of the most intimidating acting around - would  benefit from using more make-up and fewer masks.  The butler, butchers and their trademark freezers, and wheelchair bound lunatic are standouts!
SCARINESS - 9, In a word, Intense - this place will expose your fears!
DESIGN - 8½, Continued improvements this year, with the new beginning, and more plausible use of the "Hellevator." 
PROPS - 8½, Not much to see in many of the hallways, but ceiling and wall surprises are unequaled.
VALUE - 8½, $8 gets you get plenty of traditional scares for a reasonable price.
Final Score:  8½,  The Chambers of Horror lacks a lot of the modern technology displayed elsewhere, but sets the standard for scaring people the old fashioned way!  From the wait outside the double doors, to the timing of the scares, they encourage your own emotions to play a role in allowing your fears to surface, then they exploit them.  Ohio Valley Haunts believes it's worth a trip to Middletown, so pay them a visit!
reviewed 9/16/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 8½, Between 15 and 20 minutes depending on your luck with the crawl maze.
ACTORS - 7, Too few in number, and mostly masks.
SCARINESS - 8½, Lightless crawl maze is best, and really exploits any claustrophobic tendancies you might have.
DESIGN - 9½, Utilizes both upstairs and downstairs levels, traversed by slides in addition to steps.  Crawl maze and trick doors are unique, in this lengthy, enjoyable attraction.
PROPS -  9, Could do a little more with the decor, but an impressive number of animatronic and man-made devices delivering plenty of surprises.
VALUE - 9½, Only $8, quite affordable by today's standards, especially for a quality haunted house. 
Final Score: 8½, Honestly, we weren't expecting much when planning our visit, but were we ever impressed and pleasantly surprised! The Lockington Haunted Firehouse is a really good seasonal attraction, and well worth the price of admission.  Ohio Valley Haunts hightly recommends visiting, and lending your support.
reviewed 10/27/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 7½, About 15 minutes if you're lucky enough to escape!
ACTORS - 8, Acting was good, but elimination of those outside the haunt (gravedigger, undead bride, undertaker measuring you for a casket while you wait in line) are sadly missed.  Hooded medium and chainsaw fiend are best.  Great make-up work on some pretty unique characters.
SCARINESS - 8½, Great mood setting music and a spooky environment.   Creepy ceremony is quite intimidating and one of a kind finish most unnerving!
DESIGN - 8½ , Could stand to be a bit longer.  One of a kind ending is classic!
PROPS - 8½, Lots to look at, but could use some animatronics. Surprise finish is a standout !
VALUE - 8½, $10, Reasonable price for a haunt of this length.
Final Score:  8½, A few changes this year sort of cancel each other out. The new surprise finish is remarkable, but the loss of outdoor acting (discussed above) is a negative.  Literally a Haunted House is operated entirely by volunteers, and all proceeds benefit the restoration of the historic Culbertson Mansion.  Pay them a visit for the "ride of your life!"
reviewed  10/14/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 7, Just over 10 minutes.
ACTORS - 10, An enormously energetic bunch, offering multiple encounters, enriched with interacting dialogue.  Great make-up too!
SCARINESS - 9, Intimidating clowns, and remarkably loud sound effects disorient and unnerve you throughout.
DESIGN - 9, Every inch and floor of the house is utilized to its fullest potential,  even incorporating a twisting slide along the way to move between floors.  Just a little short.
PROPS - 7, Slide is best.  Could benefit from additional decor.
VALUE - 8½, Reasonably priced.  Need to lengthen the experience to raise the score.
Final Score:  8½, This is hands down the best haunt the Springfield, OH area has to offer!
reviewed 10/20/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 9, Nearly 20 minutes.
ACTORS - 8½, Quite energetic in their attempts to deliver scares.
SCARINESS - 8, Intensity is way up, but the event's theme possibly limits its effectiveness as a traditional haunt.
DESIGN - 8, Shows a lot of improvement in a few short months, and offers a promising future.
PROPS - 9, Many additions in this catagory as well, including lots of the animated, mechanical variety.
VALUE - 7½, Tough call here, $17 makes it one of the highest around, but you get Dementions as an added bonus, so not that unreasonable.
Final Score:  8½,  New owners have had a major impact.  If you've soured on this one from past experiences, give it another shot.  You won't be disappointed!
reviewed 9/30/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 6, Really short, but expect major improvements!
ACTORS - 6½, Ones here are into their roles, just need lots more.
SCARINESS - 7, Some surprising startles.  Expect much more over time!
DESIGN - 6, Other than some new (and improved) scenes, not much change in the course that previously existed here, as most of the new owner's efforts were concentrated on Industrial Nightmare.
PROPS - 7, Hard to rate since seven feet of water from previous weekend's flood wiped out a good bit of their efforts.
VALUE - 10, Free with Industrial Nightmare!
Final Score:  7,  You won't recognize the place by next year!
reviewed 9/30/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 7, Only about 10 minutes.
ACTORS - 8½, Not a lot of dialogue, but an incredible number of highly energetic, chainsaw wielding crazies!
SCARINESS - 9, Many frightening run-ins with various motorized vehicles induce plenty of fear throughout.
DESIGN - 8½, One of the most unique haunts around.  There are some dead spots between scenes, but most of them are covered nicely by the bus increasing its speed, or one of the chainsaw lunatics persistantly chasing after you.  Could stand to be a bit longer.
PROPS - 8½, Trucks, bulldozer, and flame thrower are standouts.  Ghosts in the trees are good too.  Scenes could stand a litttle more detailing.
VALUE - 8½, $10 for a very thrilling experience.  Just wish it lasted a bit longer.
Final Score:  8½, This is the most unique haunt around.  Lots to like at the Wilmington Haunted Hollow.  Pay them a visit and experience these fire breathing monsters for yourselves!
reviewed 10/13/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 8, Nearly 20 minutes.
ACTORS - 8½, Highly unstable bunch here, offering a lot of interaction and dialogue, but some kiddie actors hurt the overall score.  Huge reliance on masks as well.
SCARINESS - 9, Intimidating chainsaws, and plenty of surprises coming from unexpected places, including the aforementioned scare of the year!  Sound effects are tremendous, including the high-pitched shrieks of bats!
DESIGN - 8½, Intensity is way up in comparison to a year ago, but the bodiless head was a static prop this year as opposed to a live person, and the giant grim reaper was conspicuous by his absence.
PROPS - 8, Not a lot of high-tech props, but some imaginative ideas yield some great scares. 
VALUE - 8½, No price hike for an extreme haunt ($9 with coupon).
Final Score:  8½,  The intensity is back as Nightmare on Valley Street lives up to it's name!  This one is NOT for the weak of heart, and as previously stated, boasts the "scare of the year!"  You won't find it anyplace else, so stop by and get the yell scared out of you!
reviewed 10/7/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 9½, About 25 mins.
ACTORS - 8, Kudos to the scarecrows, and the brute with the blowtorch!
SCARINESS - 8½,  The natural darkness of the outdoors along the foggy trail adds to the spookiness.
DESIGN - 8, Improvements are evident with the elimination of several dead zones from a year ago.
PROPS - 7, The buildings are well done, and the Headless Horseman is classic!
VALUE - 10, Kinda steep on it's own ($14), but $7.50 on the combo ticket? - can't beat it!
Final Score:  8½. The trail shows much improvement from the 2005 installment, and is the feature attraction at LOI.
reviewed  9/16/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 7½, A little under15 mins.
ACTORS - 7,  Acting is overshadowed by the animatronics - would like to see some bloodthursty vampires, etc.
SCARINESS - 9, Tons and tons of well-timed traditional, and technological scares!
DESIGN - 9, AWESOME!  Just wish it was a little longer!  Graveyard beginning is perfect!
PROPS - 9,  Jam packed with excellent props and loads of animatronics!
VALUE -10, For $7.50 on the combo ticket, this haunt is a steal.
Final Score:  8½ . This is a fantastic Haunt!  Go see it for yourselves  reviewed  9/16/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 7½,  Not quite 15 mins.
ACTORS - 6, Crying out for more
SCARINESS - 8, Many startles and unexpected things happening inside the catacombs, but some dead zones as well.  great sound effects, with dripping water being the most unnerving and noticeable.
PROPS - 8½, Plenty of great animatronics inside - keep an out out overhead!
DESIGN - 6½, A few too many unadorned walls, with not much to see other than the darkness.
VALUE - 9, Only $7.50 on a combo ticket - well worth it.
FINAL SCORE:  7½, props overshadow the acting in this one.  reviewed  9/16/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 6, Under 10 mins. unless more time is spent lost in the maze.
ACTORS - 6, Nobody really stood out, and there didn't seem to be as many compared to a year ago.
SCARINESS - 6, If you find clowns intimidating, add a point or 2 to this rating.
PROPS - 7, Favorites are maze, spinning vortex, and the surprise we're not giving away!
DESIGN -7 - Somewhat short, and nothing all that unexpected, other than the surprise.
VALUE - 8,  If you're going to skip one, this is it.  still just $7.50 on the combo ticket, so why not?
FINAL SCORE : 6½. Acting dragged this one down - no one left a lasting impression compared to last year.
reviewed  9/16/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 7, Just under 10 minutes.
ACTORS - 8, A tremendous number of discontented patients and blood-soaked doctors inhabit The Asylum, and it's tough at times to tell them apart!  All make-up again in this one, and the confrontations offer a lot of intensity.  Hunchback Greeter with the wicked laugh is our personal favorite.
SCARINESS - 9, The strobes, siren, mirrors, and characters unnerve you to the point that you're ready for the exit.
PROPS - 6, Fence and mirrors for the most part.  Due to the theme itself, there's just not much room for anything else. 
DESIGN - 8, Can't really fault the length here.  While the maze isn't particularly difficult, it CAN'T be by design, considering the number of people who go through on crowded Friday and Saturday nights, and the long lines they wait in to enter.  The experience evokes your emotions to such a level that you're ready to leave!  We overheard at least two visitors saying, "How do we get out of here?"  Well done!
VALUE - 9½, Outstanding attraction in comparison to cost.  Again, roughly $3 on discount Fridays.
Final Score:  8, When I hear people desperate to locate the exit in order to escape the intensity of an attraction, that's enough for me.  Billy Currington says it best, "Must be doing something right!"
reviewed  9/28/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 6, Extremely short, around 6 minutes which hurts it's overall rating.
ACTORS - 8, Lots of intensity and creative characters.  100% make-up.
SCARINESS - 8, Very intimidating.  Many scares are startling in nature from a realistic atmoshpere.
PROPS - 7½, Stands outs are the secret panels, man being sawed in half, and Emily's "surprise."  Timing is off a little, as the first person in the group gets the majority of the surprises.
DESIGN.-7, Suspense builds throughout, and they save the best for last.  It's just too short.
VALUE - 9, Considering it averages out to around $3 with the Friday discount how can you go wrong?
Final Score:  7½,  From a haunt perspective, this is the best one, and could score higher if it lasted longer.  Lots to like.
reviewed  9/28/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 7, A little under 10 minutes.
ACTORS - 8, A legion of energetic clowns offering up confrontations, and scares throughout.
SCARINESS - 7, The mirror maze does it's job of perturbing one's emotions, allowing the clowns to take command.  Those with "clown phobias" will find it terrifying!
PROPS - 8, The claustrophobic corridor of clowns, drop-down wall panels, life-size building blocks, and vortex are favorites. 
DESIGN - 8, Lots of changes for 2006.  3-D effect is an asset, but like most of the haunts at PKI, it could stand additional props, and a lengthening of the course.
VALUE - 8½, A downright steal considering the bargain price.
Final Score:  7½, Giving this one the benefit of the doubt.  Although we don't personally find clowns scary or intimidating, that seems to leave us in the minority these days, as a multitude of others find them simply horrifying!  This is the most improved haunted attraction at Fearfest.
reviewed  9/28/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 8, About 20 minutes from the time the train departs the station, until you make it through Headless Hollow.
ACTORS - 7½, Not a lot of diversity, as many perform the same task, warning of the horseman, and imploring you to go back.  Aboard the train, the tour guide's weak attempts at humor fell flat.  It would be much better if he took his role more seriously.  The Headless Horsman is conspicuous by his absence.
SCARINESS - 8, The spooky train ride into the dark, foggy woods is AWESOME!  Seeing the old Steam Engine's headlight piercing the fog is a sight unto itself.
PROPS - 5, There's just not enough decor along the trail.
DESIGN - 5, Love the idea of incorporating the train ride into a haunt, but it dumps a large number of people into the same area at one time making for oversized groups, and spoiling some of the scares.  And there's no payoff without an appearance by the Horseman.
VALUE - 8, A bargain price for a unique haunt.
Final Score:  7, Potential to rate higher with additional, and more diverse scenes through the Hollow, as well as the return of the Headless Horseman.
reviewed  9/28/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 7½, One of the longer Fearfest haunts, stopping the clock in a little under 15 minutes.
ACTORS - 7, Intense screaming, and good make-up, but not quite as impressive in comparison to Massacre Manor, or The Asylum.  The hillbillies just aren't that scary, and nobody really stands out.
SCARINESS - 7, The dark woods is the primary scare factor.
PROPS - 5, Plenty of room to increase the number of scenes and scares.
DESIGN - 6, Different from last year, but not necessarily improved.  Several dead spots remain, and elimination of Bravery/Chicken fork in the road is an unfortunate loss.  Zombie/graveyard scene is best.  Much unattained potential.
VALUE - 8, When considered as a single part of a six-pack of haunts, the price is dirt cheap.
Final Score:  6½, The quality of acting is improved, but the trail leaves us wanting more.
reviewed  9/28/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 5, Barely 5 minutes.
ACTORS -  7½, Believable accents and characters.  The cowboys are imposingly large.
SCARINESS - 4, Entertaining, but not that scary, except for the surprise at the end.
PROPS - 7, Realistic recreation of an old saloon on a street of mud.  Marshall Dillon, and Miss Kitty would be envious, as the Longbranch has nothing on this place!
DESIGN - 6½, Good idea, and well themed, but doesn't really work as a "haunt."  A bit on the short side as well.
VALUE - 7, Considering the cheap price, it's a hootin', hollerin', good ole time!
Final Score:  6, As previously stated, it's entertaining, but not frightening, and really seems out of place at Fearfest.
reviewed  9/28/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 7½, A little under 15 minutes. 
ACTORS - 7½, Intensity isn't great, but they offer several surprises.  Favorites are guillotine monster searching for "toys," and stalking, smiling, giggling insane lunatic.  Would benefit from additional personnel.  Some kiddy actors, but most are utilized in appropriate rolls. 
SCARINESS - 8, Not overwhelmingly scary, but plenty of startles along the way.
DESIGN - 8½, Course has been expanded since our last visit, and utilizes the upstairs portion of the structure in addition to the main level.  Room of doors with surprise is most memorable.  No dead spots.
PROPS - 8½, Rooms are attentively detailed and decorated to the max, with an occasional mechanical surprise.
VALUE - 9, With coupon, only $12.95 per person for the entire Halloween Festival.
Final Score:  8, For the haunt alone, but rates higher as an overall entertainment facility.  Fantastic atmosphere for an evening of seasonal fun.  Main haunt is complimented by a second indoor attraction (discussed below), a corn maze, entertainment at both Fright Stage, and open air theater running various horror flicks, good food at the concessions, and a non-scary Halloween Land for little ones. Enjoy an evening at Gates of Terror, the featured haunt at next summer's Midwest Haunters Convention!
reviewed 10/21/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 5, Under 10 minutes.
ACTORS - 8, Noticeably more intense than in the main haunt, and some great make-up too!  A lengthier opportunity to engage visitors, and more of these highly energetic jokesters would result in a higher rating.
SCARINESS - 7½, A different kind of scare, with fear being instilled through confusion, disorientation, and the energetic characters. 
DESIGN - 6, Great while it lasts, just too short to score higher.
PROPS - 7½, Entrapment beginning is best, with standard fun house style decor consisting of polka dot room, mirror maze, vortex, etc.
VALUE - 9, It's included free of charge with paid Gates of Terror admission.
Final Score:  7, Intended as an added attraction to the festive atmosphere, it's not really fair to rate this haunt as a stand alone event since it isn't designed as such.  But it is a second haunt on the site, completely separate from the main event, so it has been treated as such.
reviewed 10/21/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 8, About 15 minutes, but much shorter than the previous House.
ACTORS - 8, The asylum doctor/patients are best, and their intensity level is high, but most others don't do much other than get in your face and growl.  Librarian demanding your library card doesn't work, and possibly the least intimidating Freddie we've ever encountered.
SCARINESS - 8½, The scares are good, but somehow it just isn't the same.
PROPS - 8½, Lots of decor to be seen considering they whipped it together in just a few short months.
DESIGN - 8, Although the scenes are well constructed, the connecting corridors are fabricated mostly from plywood or particle board painted black, and have exposed ceilings which allow light to enter and destroy the concept of a dark maze.  Much different than the authentic rooms and hallways from the previous house, and the ending includes a walk past some empty display cabinets.  To their credit, it's a huge effort in such a short amount of time.
VALUE - 6, $15 and $3 for parking is just too much.  Visit on days that the coupon is valid and save yourself 5 bucks.
FINAL SCORE:  8, Annual "haunt of the year" contender slips a little this year, allbeit from circumstances beyond their control.  The unfortunate, yet necessitated relocation from their genuinely intimidating Mt. Vernon structure is possibly the biggest disappointment of this haunt season.  It's still a good haunt, but worth $15 plus a parking surcharge in such a competitive market?  Your call.
reviewed  9/23/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 8½, About like last year, nearly 20 min.
ACTORS - 8, Some pretty intense characters here that do their best to scare you.  Modest use of make-up, but predominantly masks.  Convict is best, threatening to "light you up!"
SCARINESS - 8, The actors provide plenty of startles.  Could benefit from additional mood-setting background music. 
DESIGN - 8½, Several differences in the trail this year, including attention to the entrance down the hill (thunder and lightning), the doors, and places along the way where you're forced to duck down, or step over various obstacles.  Seem to be slightly fewer scenes this year.
PROPS - 8, Good balance of animated and static props, but they seem fewer in number in comparison to a year ago.
VALUE - 8½, A lengthy trail offering up lots of scares for a reasonable price. 
Final Score:  8, This is one of the best trails around.  They addressed areas in the haunt that called for attention, and the improvements are noticeable.  Less time to prepare this year resulted in fewer scenes, but the length is unchanged with the introduction of a few interactive features, like the doors and guillotine - some novel ideas which are surely to be expanded upon in years to come.  Unlike most trails, the distance between scenes is kept to a minimum, resulting in fewer dead spots.  Get out and see the Night Fright Haunted Trail at Silver Lake Beach.
reviewed 10/7/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 9, About 20 minutes
ACTORS - 6, Headless Horseman is awesome!  Most others were disappointing in that the majority of them simply stared at the wagon as they approached, and said nothing, or climbed  aboard and just growled.  Need to pick up the intensity level, and hopefully that will happen as they become more acquainted with their characters in the weeks to come.
SCARINESS - 8, Better acting will increase the scares.
PROPS - 9, Mostly attributable to the motorized vehicles that terrorize the hay wagon.
DESIGN - 8½, only a few dead spots.
VALUE - 9, only $10.00 for the best hayride around or $15 on the Bog combo ticket
FINAL SCORE: 8,  Simply the best hayride around!
reviewed  9/29/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 7½, About 15 minutes
ACTORS - 6, The Ring Girl and Junkyard worker who threatens to "tear you to shreds" are standouts, but others didn't make much of an effort to frighten us.   The gravedigger just stood there with his shovel.  Banging it loudly on the wooden path, or threatening to bury you alive would improve the graveyard scene.  The hillbillies aren't very scary.
SCARINESS - 7½, You've really got to experience the foggy valley to appreciate just how spooky it looks.  Crying out for more intense acting.
PROPS - 7, The elevator is best.
DESIGN - 7, Absence of Michael Myers in the room playing the Halloween theme only to have a confrontation with him later on is noticeable.
VALUE -7½, $8.00 by itself might be a bit steep.  $15.00 with the hayride is the way to go.
FINAL SCORE:  7,  Elimination of Freddie's room, and the sewer pipe tunnel are steps in the wrong direction.  The Bog's still a mystifying walk with all that fog rolling through the field, and serves as a nice compliment to their fantastic HayRide.
reviewed  9/29/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 7½, A little longer this year with the execution scene.  Difficult to determine a precise length due to the unpredictability of the amount of time spent in that fantastic door maze. 
ACTORS - 7½, Well hidden bunch provide several scares with the suddeness of their appearance.  More interacting actors are needed to raise this score.  Lost girl is the most memorable.  Need to raise the energy level of most others, and offer more dialogue, as opposed to growls.  More make-up and fewer masks wouldn't hurt either.
SCARINESS - 8½, Unnerving background music accompanies much of the experience.  The authenticity of the structure itself is a definite asset.  Crying out for more actors.
DESIGN -8½, Their trademark scenes (lost girl and door maze) are standouts!  The spookiness is there, but would really benefit from lengthening the course with additional scary scenes filled with extended confrontations with intense actors.
PROPS - 8, Traditionally scary in nature, and of course the doors are simply classic!  They'll drive you crazy until you finally figure them out!
VALUE - 8, No price increase from a year ago. 
Final Score: 8 , This haunt delivers some of the most unique scares around.  They play with your emotions, and capitalize on their ability to make you uncomfortable, especially when you're trapped in the gimmicked door maze.  It's worth the price of admission just for that experience alone, and they offer so much more! Conveniently located in Xenia, OH, be sure to include The Dungeon of Doom on your list this Halloween season, and visit their Dominos pizza booth for a reasonably priced snack.
reviewed 10/13/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 7, Only about ten minutes.
ACTORS - 8, Most were really into their roles, making sure we received the best posssible scares.
SCARINESS - 8½, The mood is set for plenty of traditional scares inside the chamber.  The creepy music sends shivers down your spine. 
DESIGN - 8, Great detailing, just wish it were longer
PROPS - 8, Walls closing in are best, could benefit from a few more of that type, and additional animatronics.
VALUE - 7½, $13.00 is a bit high for a ten minute haunt. Taking advantage of the coupon gets you in for $10.00, a much better value.
Final Score:  8, Tremendous potential at this first year haunt.  It's traditionally spooky, and does a good job intimidating all who enter.  An expansion of the course would have a huge impact, as it left us wanting more!  Look for bigger and better things to come in the next few years. Ohio Valley Haunts recommends visiting The Chamber of Horrors for some great Halloween entertainment!

Analysis:
LENGTH - 7, Only 10 minutes.
ACTORS - 8, Some child actors, and mostly masks, but all do a superb job delivering scares.  Good dialogue during interactions, and unnerving bonuses from shouts like, "Don't let them leave!" and "We'll Find you!!" off in the distance.  Could stand to add a few more.
SCARINESS - 8, Authentic structure creates the perfect setting for a haunted house.  Sounds and characters are loud and intimidating.  Rooms are unsettling, inducing, then exploiting various emotions, especially fear!
DESIGN - 8, Fantastic tilted maze, and unique surprises, such as concealed entrance, moving bookcase, etc.  Tension builds throughout, although the ending is a bit anticlimactic, and it's a little on the short side.  A few scenes - door room, and hit and run driver, have been eliminated, and not replaced by anything as memorable.  Some of the "haunted" effects have also been unfortunately lost.  Legitimacy of the building itself is a huge plus.
PROPS - 7½, Rooms could stand a little more detailing, and an animatronic or two wouldn't hurt.
VALUE - 9½, No price increase from last year.  Still only $6 with coupon available from Scary Ohio.
Final Score:  8, One of our annual favorites features a lot of unique ideas.  Their clever ingenuity takes every advantage of the vintage 1899 structure, connecting upstairs and downstairs scenes with an original old, scary-looking staircase.  For a great night of affordable Halloween scares and fun, visit the Haunted Town Hall in Lafayette.
reviewed 10/27/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 6, Only 10 minutes.
ACTORS - 8, A fairly large cast this year features a lot more make-up and interracting dialogue than in years past.  The entire crew is a bit more aggressive, thereby provoking more fear, and scares.  Better utilization of kid actors, find them chanting, "One, two, Freddy's gonna get you!," etc.  Bodybag and garage ghouls and outstanding. 
SCARINESS - 8, Great mood setting music and lighting throughout.  Scenes are traditionally scary and unnerving.  More energetic acting has positively impacted this rating.
DESIGN - 7½, Well done as always, just a little on the short side.
PROPS - 8½, Good detailing, especially in laboratory, cemetery, and repair shop, combined with an occasional mechanical surprise along the way.  Rocking hallway really moves around this year!
VALUE - 9, Only $8 with canned good donation.
Final Score:  8, The Dungeons of Delhi have been an important part of the local haunted house scene in Cincinnati for over ten years, and never fails to deliver quality scares.  An entirely new Dungeon is on the horizon for 2007, so be sure to take a good final look at one of our personal all-time favorites!  They've got plenty of seasonal scares saved up just for you at The Dungeons of Delhi.  Don't miss out!
reviewed 10/22/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 8, Between 15 and 20 minutes.
ACTORS - 9½, Fantastic make-up, original costumes, and amazingly intense, dialogue filled theatrics.  Some of the most impressive acting of the season.
SCARINESS - 8, Characters are responsible for the majority of the scares, with the dark woods serving as their intimidating backdrop.
DESIGN - 8, Beginning is unique and memorable, with Abigail's performance being the best thereafter.  Actors are the stars of the show.  Hillbillies don't belong, and ending is somewhat anticlimactic.
PROPS - 6, Could stand some attention in the decor department throughout the trail.
VALUE - 8, The talent and quality of the acting alone is worth the price of admission.
Final Score:  8, Can't stress enough how good the acting is here, and the nature of the improvements over the last few years.  Evil lurks at Zombie Island, possibly the most diabolical, demented, bloodthirsty haunt in the region.  Pay them a visit and experience their brand of horror, known as The Terror Within for yourselves.
reviewed 10/20/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 6, Less than ten minutes by design.
ACTORS - 7, Not as many, nor as inpressive as their Zombie Island counterparts, but the ones there did try to scare us.
SCARINESS - 6, More fun than scary.  Definitely not nearly as intense as the main attraction.
DESIGN - 7, Well done, with "Hell House" doors being the most memorable.
PROPS - 6, Not a lot of visuals, but not a huge need for them..  The phantom time limit tends to rush you along, so you wouldn't waste much time looking at them anyway.
VALUE - 6, Fairly steep on its own at $8.  Combo ticket is the way to go.
Final Score:  6½,  Enjoyable as a compliment to Zombie Island, but would be wiser to incorporate the scenes and scares into the main attraction, thereby lengthening it, and bettering its score.
reviewed 10/20/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 9, A mile long - over 20 minutes.
ACTORS - 7½, The most realistic Freddie Krueger around!  He has Freddie's mannerisms, and even sounds like the original!  Other standouts include the Tunnel of Doom ghoul, and The Bridge Troll who yells ahead "fresh meat" and "dinner time!" to the monsters yet to be encountered.  In addition, the actors are more aggressive, and they've added many more between scenes, which helps in the transition zones, although there's a huge reliance on masks, as opposed to the creativeness of original make-up.
SCARINESS - 8, The recreations are well done, characters well-hidden, and the environment itself intimidating.
PROPS- 7, Just average.  Best is half-buried coffin on hillside cemetery.  They could benefit from a few more, and additional animatronics wouldn't hurt either.  The field itself is depended upon for much of the background and setting.
DESIGN - 8, Much improvement from just one year ago.  Distance between scenes has been decreased, and are now occupied by scares coming from various creatures.  However, the ending is abrupt, and it would be nice to see the trailer (that sits quietly along the exit path) incorporated into the haunt in some capacity.
VALUE - 8, lots of improvements, but a $2 price increase as well which hurts this rating.  Still, just $8 with coupon.
FINAL SCORE:  8, A memorable beginning leading to a much improved trail.  Combines uniqueness with traditionalism,  and shows noticable improvement from the '05 installment.  Pay to get in, and pray to get out of Kenton, Ohio's Haunted Trail of Horror!
reviewed  9/23/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 7, Around 12 minutes.
ACTORS - 7½, Intense actors guarantee a frightful experience, but they could use more of them.  Outstanding make-up on the corpse in the casket!  Would like to see a more equal ratio of  make-up to masks.
SCARINESS - 8, Your own emotions are your worst enemy, as Fear Factory creates feelings of helplessness and aloneness in a petrifying environment.
PROPS - 7½, Some good props, interesting rooms, and even some animatronics, but a huge reliance on darkness.
DESIGN - 7½, A little on the short side.  Particularly like the closeness of the narrow passageways through the lightless maze, which are almost claustrophobic!  Could benefit from expanding on what they have.  Lots more potential here.
VALUE - 9, Only $6 on Thursdays and Sundays!  Can't beat it!
Final Score:  7½ almost 8, Quite impressed with the intimidating acting at Fear Fctory.  Lots of good scares to be had, and some clever ingenuity as well.  Ohio Valley Haunts highly recommends your support of Fear Factory where proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northwest Ohio.
reviewed  9/23/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 7, Just over 12 minutes.
ACTORS - 8, Nice costumes, and some good scares.  Devil, "Saw" prisoner, and electric chair convict are the most memorable.  Could benefit from additional characters, and increased dialogue and make-up.
SCARINESS - 7, Great mood setting music, and some startles along the way, but not excessively scary.
DESIGN - 8, Good flow between scenes and rooms, and the tension builds as you progress along the course, just a little on the short side.  Detailing, especially in the "Saw" recreation is meticulous - right down to the clock on the wall, pipes, and heart on the toiler, etc.
PROPS - 8, Pretty good detailing, and an occasional animatronic like Spot the dog.
VALUE - 8, Fairly reasonable by today's standards, $9 with the discount coupon.
Final Score: 7½ , Great effort from a first year haunt!  Movie reenactments are fabulous!  Expecting a lot more in the years to come with this solid foundation they've established to build upon.
reviewed 10/21/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 6½, Fairly short, 10 min. at most.
ACTORS - 8, Good interaction with our group, lots of energy, and determined to provide the best scares possible.
SCARINESS - 8, Great background music, plenty of darkness and surprises.
DESIGN - 7, Good and scary while it lasts, but length hurts the score.  Leaves you wanting more.
PROPS - 7½, Like what they have, but once again limited by the short duration of the experience. 
VALUE - 9, Only $6 with coupon for a traditionally scary haunted house. 
Final Score:  7½, Celebrating their 20th anniversary, the proceeds serve as the annual community fundraiser.  Could easily rate higher if the endurance could somehow be extended.  It's affordable, and a fantastic seasonal attraction.  Definitely don't pass on this one.
reviewed 10/7/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 7, A little longer this year with an additional outdoor setting, but still a little on the short side.  Unable to  quote a precise length due to the uncertainty of the amount of time it takes to successfully navigate the maze.
ACTORS - 7½, Devil and Dracula are annual favorites.  Harold and Hank work well together at the elevator, and are new for '06.  More masks than make-up, but lots of dialogue too, not just growling monsters.  Noticeable underage actors, but that's to be expected since it's sponsored by Boy Scout Troops. 
SCARINESS - 7½, Bowing and crawling beneath Satan the Devil is most terrifying.  Appropriate scary music adds to the frights.
DESIGN - 8, Appreciate the way a vortex, fog, and the spinning floor are used to initiate your state of confusion prior to entering the blackened maze.  Scenes inside The Hall are close together, not stretched out with dead spots.  If there was any way to increase the number of indoor scenes thereby extending the experience, that would raise the score here tremendously.
PROPS - 7, Good and scary decor.  Drop down wall panels provide lots of scares. A few more animatronics would be beneficial. 
VALUE - 9, A $2 price hike, but still only $6 with a canned good! 
Final Score:  7½, As always, one of our local favorites!  Never disappointing, and the maze is always fun!  Totally engulfed in darkness, it never fails to capture someone from your group with its well hidden passages, confusing turns, and dead ends.  Those that make it out first can enjoy watching and laughing at the others!  Unique in the sense that it's quite nerve wrecking while stuck inside, but loads of fun at the same time.  You just have to experience it for yourselves to understand the concept.  With all the fancy, high-tech haunted houses around these days, we still look forward to this one more than any other!  It's affordable, so no excuses!  Be sure to visit The Mount Healthy Haunted Hall!
reviewed 10/15/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 7, Between 10 and 15 minutes.
ACTORS - 7½, Noticeable improvement this year, not only in the shear number of characters, but in their intensity as well.  More dialogue too, as well as increased use of make-up.
SCARINESS - 7½, The house itself is as scary as ever with its dimly lit rooms, creaking floors, spooky staircases, and meticulous detailing.  Would benefit tremendously by better utilizing the underage actors.
DESIGN - 7½, A re-worked course in '06, but it bypasses that intimidating main front entrance of the old haunted looking building.  Exiting the house in favor of the outdoor path, then re-entering is both unexpected and refreshing.
PROPS -  8, Traditionally adorned with scary skeletons, coffins, gothic candelabras, flickering chandeliers, eand a few animatronics for good measure.
VALUE - 9, Only $6 per skeleton when taking advantage of the coupon available on their web site. 
Final Score:  7½, The old house has been treating visitors to scares for over 30 years!  Produced by the Greater Springdale Jaycees, St. Rita's also offers lights-on children's matinees on October 28th and 29th for just $2 per admission!  Don't forget to include this Cincinnati haunt icon on your list again this year for some scary Halloween spookiness.  It's nice to live in an area with so many quality haunted houses to visit, and this is one you never grow tired of!  We'll be back on Halloween night, just after Trick or Treat!  Won't you join us?
reviewed 10/15/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 9½, Over 25 minutes.
ACTORS - 8½, Nice costuming and great make-up as always from the Feature Creature crew, but too few in number.  Intensity and dialogue was lacking in many.  Horrificus, Executioner, and fiend with the enormous chainsaw are best.
SCARINESS - 7, Just too many dead zones.  Crawl through the hearse is scariest, and it's at the beginning.  Much else is anticlimactic thereafter, with surprises beyond the apparent exit being equally as memorable as some of the scenes.
DESIGN - 7½, Added length is impressive, but results in scenes being far too spread out, and include repetitive trips through various restrooms, blatantly labeled as such.  Reflective drapes are unique and disorienting, but black plastic is somewhat overused, and it's just too uneventful in too many places, most noticeably the cemetery.
PROPS - 7, Predominately static props - could use quite a few more to compliment the extended length. 
VALUE - 7, No price increase this year, and an extended course, but not enough eye candy to justify the length, and a $3 parking fee.
Final Score: 7½ , Expected a lot more from the advertised course encompassing more of Cooper Stadium than ever before, and left wanting much more.  The Fun House beginning was eliminated this year, as well as visits to the dugout, tunnel, and field level seats.  Also conspicuous by its absence was the Psycho Playland entrapment from a year ago.  They're replaced by an organ donor scene, and others not nearly as memorable by comparison.  Still with covered waiting areas, and clean bathroom facilities, you might want to check out Terror Park's Gateway to Fear.  If you can afford it, the behind the scenes tour, and opportunity to try your hand at delivering scares yourself sounds most intriguing!
reviewed 10/19/06

Overall Analysis:
LENGTH - 9, Each phase takes between 5 and 10 minutes to complete.
ACTORS - 8, Variety of characters from teachers and undead students, to monsters and vampires.
SCARINESS - 7, Great sound effects, music and lighting throughout. Vampire Lore and Class Reunion are most frightening, while Art Depreciation isn't scary at all.
DESIGN - 6, Five slow moving queue lines at one venue is not a great experience.  Would benefit from taking advantage of the authenticity of the structure by combining many of the scenes into one, or possibly two lengthened attractions.
PROPS - 7½, Vampire Lore is meticulously detailed, and would score higher on its own.  Not much to look at in Darkroom.  Pretty good decor overall, with an occasional animatronic complimenting the experience.
VALUE - 7½, $15 is a bit steep, but gets you five different attractions, allbeit with five separate lines.
Final Score:  7½, Great effort from a first year haunt, but tough to rate since it's actually divided into five separate catagories.  Vampire Lore 101 is best, followed a close second by Class Reunion, then Phobias 215, The Darkroom, and  Art Depreciation.  Would really like to see the "5 degrees of fright" combined into a longer, scarier haunt, utilizing more of the legitimately spooky structure, but limited with what they can do, as a result of the one way in, one way out nature of the classrooms.  School will be out for recess soon, so don't be absent!  Or, they'll have to send the truant officer to hunt you down, and place you in detention.  Ohio Valley Haunts recommends paying your tuition, and visiting Scare University!
reviewed 10/21/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 8½, A little over 15 minutes.
ACTORS - 7, Chainsaw lunatics and catapulting Freddy are most intense, but offer little or no dialogue.  Mad, oinking pig rates a 10!  Just too many masks and underage actors to score higher.
SCARINESS - 7½, The semi chase-out is in a league by itself.  Otherwise,  not overwhelmingly scary, but still lots of startles and surprises along the way.  A fun ride for the whole family!
DESIGN - 8,  Not a lot to look at in the transition zones, but scenes are kept fairly close together reducing the number of dead spots, most of which are covered by various monsters attacking and  interacting with the ride.  Tractor comes to a complete stop at several of the scenes, insuring that no one misses any of the choice scares.  The best is saved for last , as it should be, providing a memorable climax to an enjoyable attraction.
PROPS - 7½,  Platform, guillotine, electrocution, outhouse, propelling skeletons, and of course the truck are standouts.   Adding more similar items, albeit tough to do on an outdoor haunt, would raise the rating.
VALUE - 8½, Just $10 per person, and a $1 discount coupon available on their web site.
Final Score: 7½, Only in their third year of operation, this hayride is a lot of fun!  The truck chase is one of the scariest things around, especially if you happen to be seated towards the rear of the haywagon!  Expect even bigger and better things in the years to come, as they continue to grow.  Proceeds benefit the Lowell Little League, and they'd appreciate you lending your support!
reviewed 10/29/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 7, Quite short, a little over 10 minutes.
ACTORS - 8, Great acting and tremendous use of make-up throughout.  Could benefit from additional characters, especially along the trail. 
SCARINESS - 7, Mood setting soundtrack is good, but losing the hanging scene, and not utilizing the arched hallway this year lessens the effectiveness.  The beheading room delivers the best scare, but it's early on, and leaves you wanting more.  Evil clowns are responsible for a good percentage of the remaining scares.  Devil encounter in the cemetery is a great idea, but lacks intensity.
DESIGN - 7, Different this year, but way too short, and some memorable scenes from a year ago have been eliminated.
PROPS - 7, Well done rooms, but not many animatronics at work here.  The quality of acting makes up a good deal of what's missing in the prop department.
VALUE - 7, No price increase from a year ago, but not quite the scares either.  Scores higher in this catagory in combination with Freak Show and Execution Chamber.
Final Score: 7,  Not as impressive as in years past, but serves as the annual fundraiser for the non-profit  Blue Jacket organization, and as such is worthy of support.  When you visit, pay close attention to the theatrical talent displayed at  Psycho Path, stop number 3 on the Miami Valley Tour of Terror.
reviewed  10/13/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 8½, Around 20 min, but the scenes are stretched out.
ACTORS - 6½, Too few in number, all masks, and a pint-sized Michael Myers.  Chainsaw entrapment lunatics are most intense.  Need many more like them, who informed us as we escaped, "Next time you won't be so lucky!," as opposed to simply growling at us which characterized most of the others.
SCARINESS - 7, The wind rustling the corn around is the spookiest part of the dark trail, but that too was mostly uneventful, with only a few quick encounters with the same farmer, who simply raced out of the corn and on down the path on a couple of occasions.  Absence of scary background music is all too common, while the dance tunes from the dj in the queue line area can be heard throughout most of the trail.
DESIGN - 7, The path is long, but so is the distance between scenes resulting in numerous dead spots.  The cornfield is crying out for attention in the form of both actors and props.
PROPS - 7½, The falling panel delivers the greatest surprise, and the yielding ground is not only best, but the trademark feature at Jamestown as well.
VALUE - 7½, No price increase this year.  $10 still gets you a lengthy haunted trail.
Final Score:  7, Unfortunately not as good as in past years.  They're down on the volume of actors, and up on child actors.  Evenso, the trail still has a lot to offer, especially that helpless feeling that accompanies the chainsaw entrapment, and the spongy ground.  Pay them a visit to experience these unique scares for yourselves.
reviewed 10/13/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 9, 20 minutes, or a little more.
ACTORS - 7, Executioner is memorable, and Leatherface, orderly tending to his tasks one by one is a must see, but many others simply approached, or hopped aboard, growled, and departed.  Headless Horseman, is classic.  A few kiddie actors, and all masks except for Grudge Girl.
SCARINESS - 7, Woods are dark, but sometimes uneventful. 
DESIGN - 7, Horror movie skits are stand-outs.  Horseman and tractor cover two of the dead spots,  but several others cry out for the attention of additional props, or interaction with other characters.  Gunshots are left unexplained, and Jason fails to carry out his mother's orders to kill.  Perhaps a "plant" on each wagon for Jason to drag off and "kill" as the ride pulls away might be a nice addition.
PROPS - 6, Incorporating the silos is a plus.  Could use some high tech props to help fill in the voids.
VALUE - 8, $10 for a lengthy hayride. 
Final Score:  7, Lots of potential from a first year haunt.  Love the Horseman, and the tractor chase, but they're mirrored from the Bull Run hayride, and not as intense.  Expecting big things in the coming years as Sandyland forges to the lead as the best hayride in Kentucky!
reviewed 10/6/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 8½, Over 15 minutes.
ACTORS - 7½,  Moseses, and aggressive chainsaw madmen deserve more, but others are just average. 
SCARINESS - 7, Chainsaws provide the greatest scares.
PROPS - 7, Surprises we didn't reveal are our favorites.
DESIGN - 6, Well done with some unique startles, but it was too dark to appreciate many of the props during the second half of the hayride. 
VALUE - 8, only $8.00 for the hayride.  $12.00 gets you a combo ticket that includes admission to the unreviewed  Crazed Corn Maze too!
Final score:  7, Scary scenes and even chainsaws are present at this family oriented "haunt," but no blood and gore BY DESIGN!  Would've scored higher if the props had been illuminated throughout.  The hayride's enjoyable for all ages, and they offer a fun corn maze, and an old country store where you can buy pumpkins as well.  Bonnybrook Farm invites you out for an evening of Fall entertainment!
reviewed  9/23/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 7, A little under 15 minutes.
ACTORS - 7½, Good energy and intensity throughout.  Mostly masks, and a few too many kiddy actors.  Must've encountered the same "game playing" gremlin on at least 3 different occasions.
SCARINESS - 7, Aggressive actors are responsible for majority of the scares.  Could benefit from some frightening, mood setting background music inside the haunt, like theme from Nightmare on Elm Street associated with the Freddy attack scene.
DESIGN - 7, Rooms show good detailing.  Well thought out course, nicely incorporates the outdoor part of the haunt with that surprising "bench-clearing," free for all attack finish!  Lengthening the indoor section, and adding a soundtrack would raise the score.
PROPS - 7, Blood running from bathroom faucet is most memorable.  A few additional animatronics wouldn't hurt.
VALUE - 8, $9 with the coupon on their web site isn't bad these days.
Final Score:  7, The agonizing chase-out involving the entire cast is most memorable!  Multiple encounters with the same monsters prior to the ending is a negative, especially when it involves recurring dialogue, but as previously stated, the actors go out of their way to insure some good startles and scares.  Ohio Valley Haunts recommends visiting The Coffins to for some traditional Halloween fun and frights!
reviewed 10/14/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 7½, Addition of the maze and new scenes have made the haunt a little longer this year.
ACTORS - 5, Chainsaw Clown and "Wolfie" are standouts.  Too many kiddie actors to rate higher.  Would love to see some sort of Swamp creature (actor in a wet suit, etc.) thrashing about in the adjoining creek area. 
SCARINESS - 7 Spooky music and sounds accompany your expedition through the dark, intimidating Swamp.  Concealed ghouls spring forth at just the right time.  More adult actors would help this rating. 
DESIGN - 7, Many additions make for noticeable improvements.
PROPS - 7, Augmentations have filled in many of the dead spots.  Flames and spiders offer the best surprises.  Arcing chainsaw is the best you'll see anywhere!
VALUE - 10, Only $5 with coupon!  Be sure to ask for one if you don't bring one with you!
Final Score:  7, Perhaps a little optimistic, but giving them the benefit of the doubt as one of the most improved attractions of the '06 season.  The trail has been expanded with the development of new scenes, and more props. It's the most uniquely named haunt around, but crying out for a signature creature.  At only $5 a head, pay them a visit if for nothing more than to see their one of a kind, spark throwing chainsaw for yourself!
reviewed 10/7/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 6½, Around10 mins.
ACTORS - 6½, Desk clerk is outstanding, as is the screaming inmate.  Freddie's pretty good too!  Lots of make-up is another plus (as opposed to masks), but a few too many kiddie actors who failed to be hiding or in character until they saw us approaching, then resumed their conversations and "play" before we were out of range hurts the rating.
SCARINESS - 8, great music and spooky environment, combined with reports of actual ghost sightings in the basement!
PROPS - 7, They make the most of what they have here, including a home-made vortex!
DESIGN - 7 - They've done a really good job both inside and out!  Using the upstairs and basement (boiler room) in addition to the main level is also in their favor. Would really benefit from utilizing more rooms to lengthen the experience. VALUE - 8,  Only $8 with the discount voucher.
FINAL SCORE:  7.  An "old school" Haunt located in a building that's just perfect for a haunted house, and only in it's first year!  An outstanding effort considering their limited budget.  Lots of potential here to build on.
reviewed  9/16/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 10, 30 minutes!
ACTORS - 6, Quite a few characters, and much better hidden than last year, but still not much dialogue from them aboard the ride.  Most simply positioned themselves close to someone's face and stared.  Pretty frightening for younger visitors, but not enough to satisfy older patrons.
SCARINESS - 6, Lake, "Head Hunter," and pick-up are the primary scares.  Too many dead spots to rate higher, and the lack of intensity from the characters doesn't cover them.
DESIGN - 7, Length is impressive, and tractor proceeds slowly enough to give you time to appreciate the experience, which isn't always the case at other hayrides, but some of the scenes were unoccupied, and quite a few dead spots exist.  The burning lake is outstanding, and the overhead surprise unexpected, and startling, but the ending is uneventful, lacking even a chainsaw chase-out.
PROPS - 6, Would benefit from a lot more decor.
VALUE - 7½, Reasonably priced, and affordable for families with no price increase from last year.  Filling in the dead zones with additional scenery, and offering better quality from the actors would raise the score.
Final Score:  6½, One of our all-time favorite hay rides has been a little off the past few years.  The length makes it enjoyable, and the burning lake, combine pursuit, pick-up chase, and SURPRISE make it worth the price of admission. but, there's just so much more unrecognized potential. Wrecked ambulance and crucifixion scenes were eliminated this year, as was a most memorable lemonade stand that sold blood, and sprayed you with a mist as you rode by.  Unfortunately, they weren't replaced by anything nearly as memorable.
reviewed 10/20/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 9, Around 20 min to complete the entire haunt.
ACTORS - 8, Good intensity from the crew.  This is the best part of 31 Terrors.  Graveyard is crying out for more, and The Haunted Forest could use additions as well.
SCARINESS - 7, The house is well detailed, but the maze was staffed with flashlight carrying monsters who were all too eager to assist you onward, in addition to the hidden route being readily exposed.  Too few actors in other locations.
DESIGN - 6, Not nearly as good as last year.  House is best, but secret door was left open ruining the maze, and  making it far too easy.  Gone are the warnings about grandpa at the beginning of the trail, the "sneak peek" view of the exit to the maze, the story at the entrance of the house about a girl killing her sister over the family fortune, and the eerie, white dress wearing girl, aimlessly wandering the cemetery prior to being abducted, thrown to the ground, and killed by Jason.  None have been memorably replaced.  The remainder of the haunt is similar to last year, except Terror Crypt went from total darkness one year ago, to being inexplicably illuminated for the '06 installment.
PROPS - 6, House and cemetery are standouts, but others require more attention to score higher. 
VALUE - 4, Significant price increase is unjustifiable!  $20 is simply too much to pay.
Final Score: 6½ ,  Unfortunately, a step in the wrong direction this year.  Really disappointing considering how good it was a year ago.  It's still scary, but there's so much unrecognized potential.  As previously stated, the actors are full of energy, and do a good job providing scares, but it could be so much better.  Your call with that enormous cover charge.
reviewed 10/14/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 6, Around 10 minutes. 
ACTORS - 6, Ichabad was best, nervously leading us through the event in a fumbling, Barney Fife manner.  All did an admirable job trying to scare us, but a lot of school age children.
SCARINESS - 6, Nice effort re-enacting the traditionally scary Legend of Sleepy Hollow story, but just too many small monsters to rate any higher.  Much scarier for little ones.
DESIGN - 7, Like the set up, and the indoor corn maze is unique, just a little on the short side.
PROPS - 7, Good scenery, with bat, fireplace, and head on table being most memorable. 
VALUE - 9, Only $6 for a fun seasonal attraction.
Final Score:  6½,  An inexpensive, enjoyable night of Halloween entertainment.  Bring the family!
reviewed 10/21/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 7½, Barely 15 minites.
ACTORS - 7½, Would benefit from additional characters, and some dialogue containing interactions.
SCARINESS - 7, Scares materialize quickly out of the dark woods, and the mechanical props do their fair share, but a lot of areas are simply uneventful.
DESIGN - 6½, Scenes are too spread out resulting in dead spots.  Some are covered by actors boarding the haywagon, but others are just too noticeable to rate higher.
PROPS - 7½, An ample amount of nice animatronics, and the most intense combine chase around!  The best we've seen at hayrides, but the remainder of the woods is barren, and demands much more attention.
VALUE - 7,  $2 price increase for basically the same hayride.  Best when considered as part of the 5 event combo.
Final Score:  7, Considering it's the main event, Hayride needs to be stronger, with additional scenes along the lines of the combine chase and impaler.  Shortening the distance between scenes would also be beneficial to help eliminate dead spots.
reviewed 10/25/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 4, Only 5 minutes long.
ACTORS - 8, More characters here and in Hell's ½ Acre than the others.  Leatherface and his friends wildly waving their chainsaw about while relentlessly pursuing us, and straight jacket lunatic are best.
SCARINESS - 6, Not enough time to develop necessary tension
DESIGN - 6, Appreciate the effect created by allowing you to unknowingly approach various scares by leaving them unlit until you're right on top of them, but too short, and climax (Devil entrapment) has been relocated to Hell's ½ Acre.  It's replacement is adequate, but losing one of the best scenes at the entire venue is NOT a positive.
PROPS - 8, Some good mechanical surprises.
VALUE - 6, Simply unjust to expect $10 for such a short event. Better as part of the 5 pack. 
Final Score:  6½, Our favorite Hanna haunt a year ago slips a little this season, sacrificing some of its effectiveness in order to spawn an additional attraction.  They've got to get this combined with Hell's ½ Acre in order to produce one good scoring compliment to the hayride, as opposed to two separate mediocre efforts.
reviewed 10/25/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 4, Only 5 minutes.
ACTORS - 7, Mostly just immediate startles from hidden characters that briefly cross your path.  Devil is most impressive, and best.
SCARINESS - 8, Tension mounts throughout, culminating with the devil climax, which is one of the two most intense scares at Hanna Haunted Acres.  Could rate higher in this catagory with increased duration.
DESIGN - 7, Some really unnerving scenes building to a fantastick encounter with old Beelzebub!  Lots of potential, and good while it lasts, but far  too short to score any higher. 
PROPS - 7, Some good detaling.  Bats and crucifixions are memorable and a few animatronics here and there.
VALUE - 7, Too short to recommend on it's own.  Combo ticket is the way to go.
Final Score:  6½, Contains one of the venue's best scenes.  Would score higher with additional rooms and length, or if combined with Phantazmagoria.
reviewed 10/25/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 8, Not as difficult as last year.  15 - 20 min. average, possibly more.
ACTORS - 7½, Lots more than a year ago, and they tried hard to scare us, although we encountered several of the same ones on multiple occasions.
SCARINESS - 6, Increased characters provide more scares, but level of difficulty holds down this rating.
DESIGN - 5, Cornstalks are tall, but no dead ends, and only a few circular loops were encountered.  Diverging forks in the road, most of which eventually reunited with the escape route anyway, are also scarse.  Just too easy this year.
PROPS - 0, Nothing much, other than a lone Michael Myers head.
VALUE - 6½, Too pricey as a stand alone event considering decreased difficulty and $2 price hike.  Best as part of the combo pack.
Final Score:  5, Was expecting more with the increased density of actors, but maze is disappointingly easy this year.
reviewed 10/25/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 4, Only 5 minutes.
ACTORS - 5, Not nearly enough for a stand alone haunt, OR too aggressive for a kiddy attraction.
SCARINESS - 5, Too few actors to rate higher.
DESIGN - 6, Enjoyable while it lasts, but limited by it's length.
PROPS - 7, Anticipated decor, flickering chandelier, ghoul portraits, etc., and an animatronic or two.
VALUE - 5, Unable to recommend on its own, but a nice compliment to the overall Hanna experience as part of the combo ticket, or for smaller children and chickens!
Final Score: 5½, Lots of unutilized potential in this one.  Could score higher with doubled length and additional characters.  A bit confusing considering it's advertised as a low-startle, family oriented alternative, yet equipped with a few actors who manifest scares.  Could be transformed into a quality mainstream haunt with little effort.  All the makings are already in place.
reviewed 10/25/06

Analysis:
LENGTH - 7, Under 15 minutes, perhaps a little longer if you have difficulty with the maze.
ACTORS - 4, No dialogue.  Freddie just stood there, not even bothering to "clang" his metal fingers together.  Another "monster" passed us along the trail and couldn't even muster up a "boo!"  Net ghoul, and monster grabbing at you from beneath the table are standouts.  A fairly unique looking clown character allowed us to quietly pass without interacting with us at all.  Chainsaw villians at least try to scare you.
SCARINESS - 5, The dark woods and lots of chainsaws, but little more.
DESIGN - 3, Maze is interesting, but trail itself is lackluster.
PROPS - 2, Very few throughout.  One in particular, a high voltage warning scene, wasn't illuminated, and could've easily gone unnoticed without making the effort to investigate it on our own.
VALUE - 6, Affordable, but unfortunately very little to look at other than darkness.
Final Score:  4, Endless encounters with chainsaws in the dark, undecorated woods pretty much sums it up.  If that's enough to satisfy your hunger for scares, print the coupon and give it a go. 
reviewed 10/20/06