My Review of HHN23 (Somewhat Inebriated) w/ spoilers

[Tony]

I attended the event on Saturday the 21st. I will be going back in two weeks and will reevaluate this list after. Overall I had a great time and saw every house at least once, hit most rides, and saw the first showing of Bill and Ted. I will not review any scare zones street experiences at this time as I didn't really see them. We never walked through Central Park or by Mel's Diner which is where most must have been. From what we did see I wasn't that impressed. The zombies walkers blend in well with the crowds so sometimes you don't know they are around and you'll get a nice startle, which I did like. Other than that we saw the tank and the campsite area with a couple walkers. I thought there was supposed to be something in front of Disaster and the chainsaw drill team by MIB but never saw anything in those areas, which we were in a lot. Finally here are my personal reviews of all the houses and Bill and Ted in order from my favorite to least.

#1 The Cabin in the Woods

I loved the movie and this house does an amazing job of recreating many scenes from it. I don't think I've ever been so freaked out at HHN before. Once you make it past the cabin areas, which are very detailed and have a good amount of scares, the intensity of this house goes through the roof. Props to the Hell Lord for doing a fantastic job. I wanted to see all the little details, but every time I looked at something a scare actor would sneak up and get me good. I tried to stay in the purge scene to see it but I ran out as soon as the doors were opening on both sides. I have never really been scared or have had a feeling of urgency to go though any house before, but in this house everything started coming from all sides. It was very hard to predict when and where they were going to be. The cast in this house did a great job. I missed the sugar plum fairy but I will be going through this house many more times in a few weeks. This house may become my number one house of all time and I've attending the event for 12 years.

Scare Factor 10/10

Set Design 10/10

#2 An American Werewolf in London

All I can say is wow. I just watched this movie a week ago to refresh and prep for this house. This was one of the most accurate movie to house representations I've seen. The puppets were awesome, they had the Nazi werewolf, and I even saw a mouse. I went through this house twice and both times were great. I agree with Dr. Jimmy in that some of the puppets show a sort of sadness until they start really going. They do though become a vicious beast and are really quite scary. Loved all the scenes and details. This house really is tied for first, the only reason I put it at 2nd was the scare factor. Which is good but not as intense as CITW. This house did have the best ending of all the houses this year. I caught it just right, as the wolf was shot and I walked out of the maze Blue Moon just started playing almost like credit music. My wife and I just looked at each other and smiled.

Scare Factor 8/10

Set Design 10/10

#3 Evil Dead

Three and four were hard to decide between, like the first two. But I gave it to Evil Dead for the scare factor cause that's what this is all about. This is a great house and in many other years could be the best house of the event. Unfortunately, this year has CITW and AWIL. I like the book ending of this house. Great sets and scares all around. Some very good makeup also from the few that I saw. This is also a fairly intense house, I just missed some scares but that happens. Can't wait to go in this one again when I return.

Scare Factor 9/10

Set Design 9/10

#4 Urban Legends: La LLorona

This house was also an amazing one especially for a tent. What a facade. There are great sets and some neat effects. I liked the blue sheet room, neat effect for going underwater. In this house I also wasn't at the right place at times and missed quite a few scares. Overall probably my second favorite tent houses of all time (I really liked the Thing contrary to popular opinion. When I went through it everything worked and timing was perfect).

Scare Factor 8/10

Set Design 9/10

#5 Havoc 2 : Derailed

Went trough this one twice also. Once with the sun up and once when it was dark. Only do this house in the dark as we all know. Once you're derailed you can see everything too well when it is light out, so no scares. Both times through I really enjoyed this house. I never really liked the first havoc so I did not expect much. This is a huge improvement in sets. You sometimes feel as if you are really moving on a train (Look up for a cool effect). The cast was doing a very good job, they just need amp it up at the end to match the original house's ferocity. It is slightly short.

Scare Factor 7/10

Set Design 8/10

#6 The Walking Dead No Safe Haven

Didn't like last years house at all. Huge improvement this year. No real complaints with it, just a little overkill with TWD after last year and the rest of the park. The cell block, prison fence area, and the governors room were the highlights. Once the actors get the right feel I think this house could move up on the list, it has a lot of potential. I liked the ducking down area last year and am happy it returned. This house is longer which I didn't mind at all.

Scare Factor 6/10

Set Design 9/10

#7 After Life: Death's Vengeance

I was never a huge fan of 3D houses until the In-between. I probably had too high of expectations for this because of what was said. All in all it's not a bad house. Actually for a 3D house it's pretty good (not In-between good though). Some cool effects with lasers and mirrors. I always like the vortex tunnel so that's a plus. No real scares but I might of just been in an off time or cast change maybe. The one scare I did get was from an awesome creature popping out of nowhere (costume recycled from in-between).

Scare Factor 5/10

Set Design 6/10

#8 Resident Evil Escape from Raccoon City

Big fan of the Resident Evil series. I've played most the games, did skip 3 but I played 2. I am pretty sure this is the closest to comedy house of the year. If you look at it that way it does play out better. I get that the house is really going for the video game look on its characters, but it causes a loss in fear factor. No real scares but some amazing sets. This usually wouldn't be the worst house on the list any other year but all the rest kill it.

Scare Factor 4/5

Set Design 9/10

Bill & Ted

I usually enjoy this show but I walked away a little disappointed this year. I will definitely go back and see it again in a few weeks. I just didn't think it was that funny, except for the big D stuff in the latter half. There seemed to be a lot more dancing this year and less skits. Overall it was acceptable and you should not miss it.

6/10

I would give the event as a whole an 8/10 the night I went only brought down by the lack of atmosphere throughout the whole park. I'm sure in the areas I didn't see such as the barn, clear, and central park it was great. Every year the houses seem to be improving as a whole. No more terrible houses in the last few years. The Legendary Truth scanners are a great improvement. They look cool and the eyes light up when you scan. Also said hi to Mike Aiello at the front of the park which was an unexpected surprise.

[Tooke]

I'm glad to hear you had an awesome time in CITW!