Post by kandw on Oct 24, 2008 23:39:25 GMT -5
Haunt: Frightmare Farms
Score: 4 out of 5
Highly Recommended!
Because of my true appreciation for all of the work that went into Frightmare Farms, my review may be a bit long winded. Please bear with!
When we pulled up at around 9:15pm Fri. we were greeted by 3 parking lot attendants directing traffic. My friend pointed out that it might be a good sign that they didn't skimp on hiring "monsters" as well.. I must admit though, that the lot was at less than half capacity, and it looked like they might have a slow night.
When we walked into the giant horse barn (more of an indoor horseback riding "arena") I was immediately impressed. They had a DJ on a riser in the far left corner, a very professional ticket booth in the center, A concessions stand to the right, a fortune teller's "booth" and a whole lot of open space to kick back and chill in before entering the Haunt. The far end of this HUGE barn had an awesome realistic facade of a haunted house. They basically BUILT the front of a house inside this barn. Very cool. There was a great cemetery near the entrance to the haunt, with some of the best and most realistic tombstones and statues you'll see anywhere.
Upon entering the Haunt, A guide opened the front door of the "house" and we entered a greatly detailed room. The guide ran down the typical "rules of the Haunt" and we expected we'd be heading up the stairs in the room.. Since there was no other way out... Nope, lol... Our guide let us through a secret passage that I won't spoil for you, and sent us on our way... No more guide! It was nice to be our own and not have someone walking us through.
The Haunt was GREAT. Lots of scares, and LOTS of unexpected startles! There were 3 in our group, and every one of us got GOT several times and got to laugh at the others screams. The scenes were great! Lots of detail throughout and plenty of different environments. The scares came from all angles and were always placed well enough to be very unpredictable. There's not much else to say without giving away anything...
A huge bonfire was crackling near the haunt's exit for warming up as well..
Overall, I really can't think of anything bad about Frightmare Farms at all. The price was fair for the length of it... And you can clearly see the tremendous investment throughout.
My only concerns would be the following:
1) That the sound level of a couple of the air cannons was a bit too loud and/or too close to ear level. Though they were behind fabric walls, it wasn't too hard to tell where they were coming from... I wouldn't consider this a deterrent from the Haunt at all. I'd go again and again.
2) That they didn't put enough into advertising, and I hope they make enough to make it worth doing it again next year. Being that they're only open this ONE weekend, it leaves no time for word of mouth to spread...
The only advertising I saw for it was here on Scarycuse.com, and on small signs around the Cicero/N. Syracuse area. I think a little radio advertising, some print ads in the Syr. New Times, and some flyers and posters plastering the whole city on some guerrilla marketing kick would go a loong way. Also, being that they're right next to rt.81, I'm surprised they didn't have a giant sign or banner advertising the Haunt. I assume it's a zoning issue and not an oversight. Anyway, it's good enough that the place should be packed to the rafters with people! Just my 2cents.
This is the ONLY weekend Frightmare Farms is open. Go Saturday or you'll miss one of the best, if not THE best Haunted House in the area!!
Score: 4 out of 5
Highly Recommended!
Because of my true appreciation for all of the work that went into Frightmare Farms, my review may be a bit long winded. Please bear with!
When we pulled up at around 9:15pm Fri. we were greeted by 3 parking lot attendants directing traffic. My friend pointed out that it might be a good sign that they didn't skimp on hiring "monsters" as well.. I must admit though, that the lot was at less than half capacity, and it looked like they might have a slow night.
When we walked into the giant horse barn (more of an indoor horseback riding "arena") I was immediately impressed. They had a DJ on a riser in the far left corner, a very professional ticket booth in the center, A concessions stand to the right, a fortune teller's "booth" and a whole lot of open space to kick back and chill in before entering the Haunt. The far end of this HUGE barn had an awesome realistic facade of a haunted house. They basically BUILT the front of a house inside this barn. Very cool. There was a great cemetery near the entrance to the haunt, with some of the best and most realistic tombstones and statues you'll see anywhere.
Upon entering the Haunt, A guide opened the front door of the "house" and we entered a greatly detailed room. The guide ran down the typical "rules of the Haunt" and we expected we'd be heading up the stairs in the room.. Since there was no other way out... Nope, lol... Our guide let us through a secret passage that I won't spoil for you, and sent us on our way... No more guide! It was nice to be our own and not have someone walking us through.
The Haunt was GREAT. Lots of scares, and LOTS of unexpected startles! There were 3 in our group, and every one of us got GOT several times and got to laugh at the others screams. The scenes were great! Lots of detail throughout and plenty of different environments. The scares came from all angles and were always placed well enough to be very unpredictable. There's not much else to say without giving away anything...
A huge bonfire was crackling near the haunt's exit for warming up as well..
Overall, I really can't think of anything bad about Frightmare Farms at all. The price was fair for the length of it... And you can clearly see the tremendous investment throughout.
My only concerns would be the following:
1) That the sound level of a couple of the air cannons was a bit too loud and/or too close to ear level. Though they were behind fabric walls, it wasn't too hard to tell where they were coming from... I wouldn't consider this a deterrent from the Haunt at all. I'd go again and again.
2) That they didn't put enough into advertising, and I hope they make enough to make it worth doing it again next year. Being that they're only open this ONE weekend, it leaves no time for word of mouth to spread...
The only advertising I saw for it was here on Scarycuse.com, and on small signs around the Cicero/N. Syracuse area. I think a little radio advertising, some print ads in the Syr. New Times, and some flyers and posters plastering the whole city on some guerrilla marketing kick would go a loong way. Also, being that they're right next to rt.81, I'm surprised they didn't have a giant sign or banner advertising the Haunt. I assume it's a zoning issue and not an oversight. Anyway, it's good enough that the place should be packed to the rafters with people! Just my 2cents.
This is the ONLY weekend Frightmare Farms is open. Go Saturday or you'll miss one of the best, if not THE best Haunted House in the area!!
