[Haunts] 2014 Haunt Tour Awards!

Wow, it's hard to believe that it's already time for these. Last year I waited until January 1st to publish them, but this year, we're not goig to waste any time getting these out there. Once again, it was insanely hard to figure out the winners. We loved every haunt we went to and this part of things is always tough, but we feel it's something that must be done.

This year's Haunt Tour had us visiting some attractions that we'd never been to and really had no idea what to expect all. And, while we didn't get to everyone that we had wanted to (illness and other fun things getting in the way), we still got to quite a few of them that just floored us.

That said, every show is different and we look at a variety of factors that play a part in how we go about deciding these. There's no way that you can compare a home grown haunt to a big theme park production or a fairly new attraction to that of one that's been around for over 20 years. That just doesn't work and because of that, we've broken things down into the categories below to help sort through the mayhem of it all.

We've also made a couple of new categories this year, mostly because we hit up a few different kinds of attractions and were exposed to a couple of things that made us rethink them. The way we broke up them seemed to be the fairest way to do such.

All of the haunts that we visited and reviewed this year were all great and definitely worthy of checking out if you're close, some even worth driving hours to get to (yes, a few are just that good). In the end, we still have to pick the best of the lot and that means some folks miss out. However, I can say any of the ones we visited you should definitely check out and see for yourself!

Now...let's get on with it. Here's the best from the Kitsuneverse/InSanity lurks Inside 2014 Haunt Tour and you can check out all the reviews from this year, right here.

- Best Theme Park Haunt - 

Halloween Haunt VII at Dorney Park - Allentown, PA

Dorney Park actually managed to restore our faith in theme park haunts. A lot of big park attractions could learn a lot from what Dorney did right this year. Everything from the scare zones, mazes and the actors was just off the charts. There were a few issues here and there, but nothing too glaring and we did visit on just their second night of operation.

Combine all that with the Skeleton Key rooms and the insane Mansion Meal dining option and you just can't go wrong. We love the other events out there, but this was a perfect storm. So hats off to you guys and can't wait to see what you have planned next year!

- Best New Haunt (Fresh Meat Award) -

Haunted Hillside - Mount Pleasant, PA

Yes, this is their second year, but they added so much and changed the layout in so many ways that's like a totally new experience. Most haunts really don't find their footing for a few years and that's why they're back to take the title.

Once again we were happily surprised by what the folks here were doing, in spite of some of their issues. Like last year, there are still improvements that can be made, but they're still off to a great start and from the sounds of it, 2015 should be even better.

- Best Theatrical Haunt -

Castle Blood - Monessen, PA

Many of you may remember that Castle Blood won for best interactive haunt last year. Since then there's been some changes to the haunted attraction landscape and lumping what haunts like the castle do with the rest just didn't seem fair, so a new category has emerged once again!

It's a no brainer and I almost feel bad for anyone that even tries to attempt to top them. There's just no way to compare to these guys. It's not just because the interactivity is good, it's every other detail present as well. Castle Blood is a true interactive, immersive experience that just has to be seen to be believed. The best part? When we visited, they didn't have everything going full steam yet...they're just that good.

- Best Interactive Haunt -

Terror Behind the Walls - Philadelphia, PA

Wow, so this is what we were talking about with the interactive haunt thing just above. What Terror Behind the Walls does with their haunt is like nothing else I've seen before. Sure, there were some similar things going on at Dorney Park's Halloween Haunt but not on this level, not even close.

The things level of interaction and chaos that you're subjected to throughout your journey within the walls of Eastern State Penitentiary is just special and we loved the way that they put it all together. So, for all you other haunts out there that touch, grab and put people through insane scenarios, here's who to look up to in our eyes.

- Best Scare Actors - 

Terror Behind the Walls - Philadelphia, PA

This one was really tough this year. Many haunts had a lot of great scare actors, but they'd only be in one or two attractions or it was just a few sections that really stood out. So, we had to go with our gut on this one.

Once again Terror Behind the Walls takes it and that's because during our visit, they were completely mental. Everyone from the line control folks, to the crazed inmates and guards were all on it. They all seemed to have a blast with it and you could tell they were all 110% into things without question.

- Best Hayride -

Bates Motel and Hayride - Glenn Mills, PA 

All new category for us, but considering that three of the haunts we visited had a hayride featured and many more events in the future will have them, we couldn't just ignore it. So, here it is, the inaugural hayride award!

That said, Bates Motel was simply the best when it came to this category. Everything just combined to be great and while a couple of issues were spotted, it was hands down the best of what we experienced. The sets are insane and the path you take through the woods is just crazy, never knowing where you're going to end up next. No questions, it's just that good.

- Best Overall Haunt -

Hundred Acres Manor - Bethel Park, PA

Defending their shared title with Bloodview from last year, the gang at Pittsburgh's Hundred Acres Manor really pushed things even further this year. It was tough though and Terror Behind the Walls nearly edged them out. Though, as it's been said, we were "Wooed by the details".

Hundred Acres Manor is the complete package; everything from set design, make-up, the scare actors, new themes (Torture Tank was mental in concept and execution) and one of the most insane takes on Zombie Paintball I've seen yet, all add up to make this year's event truly memorable.

We couldn't find a single thing wrong and loved every painstaking detail and insane moment...the fact that they actually got me jump? Yeah, it's a no brainer. Can they snatch it for a third year? We'll have to see about that...for now it's theirs and theirs alone.

- Nightmare Fuel Award -

Unclaimed

Yep, no one. Not a single haunt was able to truly scare us for a second season in a row. If there ever is one...they'll get this. It's insanely hard to get to us after how many haunts we've been to and worked in over the years. So, until that day comes when a haunt truly gets us, this remains the holy grail.

Will someone finally claim it in 2015? Only time will tell...

+Carrie H.C. and I have already planning Haunt Tour 2015 and with any luck it's going to be one helluva thing. So, stay tuned for news on that and more from haunts throughout the holiday season and the rest of the madness around here!