Even though they did add an entirely new section for this year's show, there's a lot of other things that may not stick out, but they're there. Not every change will be noticed, but trust me when I say this, they're there, just lurking in the darkness and waiting for you to find them, or more likely for them to find you. Will it be enough to take the Best Overall Haunt crown for a third year? Only time will tell.
This is just the first visit that I'll be making this year. We'll be going back several times throughout the season, and in fact, I did do just that over the opening weekend. The second time was just to see a bit more behind the scenes and grab a few more pictures on Saturday night, which is always fun to do. Anyway, since it was just me on this visit, The Enigma Project wasn't tried, but don't worry, it will be once we get more of us there at the same time!
- Date Visited: 9/11/15
- Review Team: +Kitsune Hazard
- Rating: Excellent
- Recommendation: It's a forgone conclusion these days. You need to see this place. GO!
- Likes: The details. It's the smells, the musical score, the cast, creative team, and the new addition, Vodou is completely off the charts amazing in how they incorporated it.
- Dislikes: A little thin on actors in some places, a bit too much "rawr" and growls where something else could've been better. It was the very first night of the year, so it'll improve. Other than that? Maybe a little more turnover scene wise in Damnation.
- Pro-Tip: Book early time slots if you're going to do the Enigma Project, really hard to get times in there. Also, if you don't like huge crowds, they're open 50 nights this season so plenty of non-peak time to visit with less lines!
- Video Review: Quick Cut Review
Right then, let's get on with the review!
Yes, the attraction line up at the start isn't much different, but you'll quickly realize things aren't quite as they were before arriving at Dead Lift, and that's from the intangible and often unpredictable actor's performance.
Before, you'd wait and get a little taunting from the tormented souls that want so desperately to let you into their world, but now, there's a bit more interactivity from the start. How much so? I got to knock on a coffin to pay my respects, which is a little weird, but fun! It was something I wasn't used to from pasts visits. Interaction, sure, but that level? Not so much. I can't help but feel that things were far better because of it too. It sets a great tone to start things and the new actors they have up in these early scenes are killing it already. Can't wait to see how they improve over the course of the season. Oh, and say hello to Penelope for me, she's a sweetheart...in her own way.
From here on out it's like having entered into a bit of a fever dream, and apparently even my camera thought so too as it just wouldn't take a clear picture down the hallway after exiting at all.
Now then, into Damnation and the heart and soul of the manor itself. It's a trip into a hellish, twisted nightmare that is the Acres Estate that's filled with an all out attack of the senses. A single journey through here, and you'll realize just how screwed you are. It's a sick and beautiful journey down the rabbit hole of the weird and you really don't know what to expect around the next corner as you make your way through the winding corridors and rooms that make up the old place.
Still, every time, the doll room remains one of my favorites. I have no idea why, but the absolute absurd level of detail that's layered throughout here is just amazing and playful, in that truly demented way. This and the library are easily my two favorite areas without a doubt, love them both so much.
Now, I could say that there's a lot of change here, but it's not really the whole story. There are some more details, and even a few scenes that I definitely don't remember seeing within the madness before but overall, the experience is pretty much the same as it has been in the past.
Damnation is one of the oldest parts of the attraction and it still holds up well, don't get me wrong. However, I wouldn't be surprised to see some overhaul happen here in the future with a few areas getting some love that haven't seen much change to them in a while. The new additions are awesome though, and you'll definitely notice them. The greenhouse and tool shed are fun new additions to say the least. I also couldn't help but notice that this was also a bit thin on the scares during my trip through, but it's the first night and the house deck definitely wasn't fully loaded. So, I expect that to change quite a bit as the season goes on.
Right from the start, you know it isn't your usual experience. Drainer is outside and beckoning you to enter so you can give into your sickest, most twisted fantasies. Then, if that wasn't enough you're given all the lovely deals and specials going on from the Killer of the Month, Alex!
The one two punch is great and sets the tone extremely well. You don't have to know what's going on to get it, and that's never a bad thing. Traversing into the cramped halls and rooms of this shrine to all things horrifying, you'll be up and close personal with other lovely folks like yourself. Through their twisted fantasies you'll travel, witnessing some truly depraved acts of wtfery that only the most deranged minds can think up.
That's just the start of it too. It's so over the top in here that it's almost as if it's not taking itself seriously, and therein lies the beauty of it. So surreal is the experience that you just can't believe what you're seeing as you make your way along. Survival? Eh, it's possible, but not without a few mental scars along the way for most.
There's just more of everything all over. Everywhere you look even more insanity. No corner was left untouched and the ever increasing levels of screwed upness you wander into, and through, seem to have evolved in some way.
It's a happy little carnival of death that they dredged the bottom of darkest nightmares to get inspiration from and I love them to pieces for doing it. Just, um...don't stick around for the birthday party. Trust me, it only ends in tears.
Escaping Torture Tank, it's time for a walk on the other side as you travel into the heart of the bayou and the nightmarish acid trip, Vodou.
I don't even know where to begin with this one. Born from some weirdness in the off season that involved a tree, bits of the old cave, and former home of The Family, it has been transformed into a wonderland of weird. There is a shit ton going on in this all new section for this year too. From the detail, soundtrack, and homage to actual real life locations, it's just awesome to see in real time.
As you make your way through. You'll find yourself ducking through openings in cave walls and wandering through all manner of scenes filled with the bizarre and supernatural. It's a disorienting experience and you'll never know what's coming next as you're taken off balance by just the path you have to take.
And, if you're lucky, you won't be come the next victim of the Voodoo Queen.
To say that the crew behind Hundred Acres Manor goes above and beyond every year to bring new things to the table is an understatement, and Vodou represents another chapter in that evolution.
Okay, have to pause here real quick to give a major shout out to the Voodoo Queen, herself. She's absolutely killing it and having so much fun with the role that it's almost infectious. If you're going to do something like this, and hang it all on such an iconic figure, you have to nail it. And, that they have.
Moving along, and going through one of the biggest wtf moments I've ever had in a haunt to get there, you'll find yourself entering the fifth part of your nightmare, The Maze.
It's a hopeless labyrinth of dead ends and horrors lurking around every corner. Filled with the sounds of chainsaws, and evil laughter mixed with the screams of their victims along with many other things you'll never see coming. Though, in the end, it still is just a maze. While a fun and bizarre thing to have to get through, and the creatures dwelling with in it do make the experience what it is, I'm finding it more easy to navigate these days. Perhaps this one could be changed up a little more. Granted, it could just be that this is the third year of multiple visits for me, so the novelty may just be wearing thin on a veteran attendee like myself.
Yes, it still maintains it's disorienting and crazy ways, no doubt about that, but with the ridiculous quality of the rest of the attraction? Maybe it's time to make it into part of things more thematically. It's a staple, and many love it, but I think a lot more could be done here to take it to another level. What that is? Who knows, but I'm sure they'll think of something.
Once inside, you'll realize things have definitely gone a little bit sideways for Brine Meats over the years and it turns out there's things worse than mad cow disease and your school's "Mystery Meat Monday". As you make your way through meat processing rooms, crazed employees, and even zombie chickens,the scares will come from everywhere and anywhere.
A ton of detail once again permeates every nook and cranny of Brine. From the signage, to the horrible smells (especially those zombie chickens) and everything in between, there's just so much of it. You'll find yourself looking around and not catching the next scare as they'll come from every direction. It can be a foot on the floor, high octane ending to the whole night as you hopefully make your escape from the madness that lurks within the labyrinth that is Hundred Acres Manor. Sanity remaining, not guaranteed.
In the end, I expect a lot from the crew here and I look at everything they've added to see if there's a glaring hole that's just well hidden. I can happily say, that once again, that's not the case at all. The layers upon layers of detail have only added to things and nothing is missing that takes away from the show. Not only that, but the new additions to the staff and cast have only improved things further, and there's no questioning their passion for pushing themselves year after year.
So, the final verdict? You will not be disappointed with a trip through the mental overload that is Hundred Acres Manor, and if for some reason you do have a bad time, I don't know what to say. The team behind this attraction brings it every year, every night, down to each and every person that goes through. There's no stopping the machine, and there's no signs of it ever slowing down. The other haunts have a bar to reach, and it's been set very high once again. Consider yourself warned.
Hundred Acres Manor is open from now through November 1st and there's plenty of nights to get in on the madness. So, hit up their official website to purchase tickets, get directions and all other kinds of useful such things!
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