OVERALL RATING :

Scare Factor

Actors

Set Design

Length

RAW SCORE : 6.469

RATING

REVIEW

There’s something to be said for taking the classic approach to a haunted house. I like the feeling of running through endless hallways, always choosing the wrong way, always chased by actors as crazed and desperate as I am. The 13th Door capitalizes on this feeling and sent me through a maze of halls and locked doors in search of the 13th door. Unfortunately, that’s really all I understood of the theme and I’m not sure I ever got to that door. Along the way I met some creepy folk who seemed largely concerned someone was coming to get us too, as it goes with all classic haunts. Nevertheless, I plowed through door after door, encountering more and more blood and the intense screaming of actors. I almost wish the rooms were a little brighter so I could see them a little better and really look at their costumes and props. Yet, I can’t fault the choice of dark, as it totally added to the scary factor, and was helpful in disguising the somewhat outdated props.

Yet, it was the halls I found most scary. There were so many of them they created a sense of déjà vu, and the blend of pictures and speakers kept me jumping, never certain if something would make noise or pop right as I walked by. Sure enough, in the end I got my wish.

PROS

Dark, and dark is scary.

CONS

Outdated animatronics/props

RATING

REVIEW

The 13th Door had several things that I enjoy in a haunt: a good story, a consistent theme, and total immersion in that theme. The story, which was clearly explained to us by the bellhop and in the first parlor room, takes place in an old hotel and that setting was carried throughout every room. Speakers all along the way were playing either old-timey music or piping in eerie voices reminding us to find the 13th door.

From the parlor, to the bathrooms, to the musty old closet, there was a feeling and a smell that had me believing I might actually be in an old hotel. There were couple of rooms where someone actually jumped out at us, but mostly we ran into creepy people or were just creeped out by the rooms themselves. I think this is one setting that not having an actor in every room is not a bad thing. I mean, having to run through cobwebs and musty-smelling clothes is just as frightening to me as someone jumping out and growling.

If the thought of taking someone up on a dare to spend the night in an old abandoned building has ever intrigued you, then The 13th Door might be a nice substitute for that fantasy.

PROS

Consistent theme, good story, bellhop character

CONS

Acting could be stronger in places

RATING

REVIEW

Well, once again the 13th Door capitalized on marginality at best. Out of all the Starland haunts, this was my least favorite (not saying Starland doesn’t have decent haunts – they do this year). It was opening night and they actually were somewhat impressive for the amount of actors they had to start off the season, especially since it’s not even October yet, so I can see this haunt improving within the weeks.

The actors I did see inside of the haunt gave the usual effort in past years. All stayed in character throughout, some were better than others. It’s hard to get scared by an actor when he/she is “screaming” at you to get out when there is no projection of the voice. It’s apparent there aren’t very many theatre majors volunteering here, but that’s ok, it still makes for a fun walkthrough.

The set design is pretty much the same as last year, with a few minor changes. It is located in a different location than last year – unfortunately it is still the same environment – an empty gutted out strip mall. The scares in this one are present, just not as effective nor abundant as one would hope. And of course the on going confusing theme of the haunted hotel (which I like) with 13 doors. The confusing part isn’t the 12 Doors you walk by (it’s fun to try all the doors) but it’s when you reach the 13th floor. Which is it? Regardless, they make the effort and so do their actors outside the haunts who relentlessly torment you in stilts and demon garb (this guy had it out for us! Stayed in character and stalked us through the parking lot – good one!).

PROS

Length

CONS

Set design, acting

RATING

REVIEW

This was my first Haunted House ever….No really! I had never been to one! Being my first experience it was hard to know what to expect or how to rate anything. I challenge the reader to think back to their “first time”. What a giddy rush of anticipation commingled with dread!

My first journey into the madness and addiction of haunting took place in a historic but damned hotel. The storyline was held pretty well throughout the house. It was a great maze of twists and turns. In the darkness I feared losing my group and my way. Blood curdling screams, things jumping, lunging, and going bump in the night! What fun!

There was a tenacious red-faced ghoul that greets/chases guests outside the house. We had a stare down where he attempted to intimidate with his maniac glare and silence, but I did not waver and when he growled suddenly; his face inches from mine… I laughed!!!! ( Think I hurt his feelers …tee hee…) I will give him this, he never wavered from character, and I began to wonder if he was acting at all!

I felt that some of the effects could have been better; being able to see the mechanisms behind the props took away from the illusion and lessened the attraction’s hold on me. And some of the acting was not convincing enough to make it “real” for me. All in all, it was a good “first time” though. I do have one question; Where was the 13th door? We made it to the 13th FLOOR, but I never saw a door numbered “13”.

PROS

Great maze-ness and lots of dark places to wonder what is creeping behind or waiting ahead

CONS

Could use some work on mechanical props and better acting from characters in prominent rooms

RATING

REVIEW

This is a haunted hotel themed haunt and they do a good job keeping the theme intact throughout. The story line was easy to hear and understand, which was a great improvement from last year and the introduction to the haunt was well done. The overall appearance did not change, but the layout was improved due to a larger space. There were some rooms that were well detailed and my favorite room, the closet was back again.

The scares came from many angles and places you might not expect. The actors did a good job, and most did well to stay in character.  The use of animatronics is abundant in this haunt, and some moved so slow that my focus was on the mechanical operation of it, and not the effect it was supposed to create. Better timing, lighting, and sound masks could improve some of those animatronics.

There were musty smells that added a bit of authenticity to the haunted hotel theme, and the era specific music is a nice touch. There was less day-glow paint and for me that is an improvement. Overuse of anything can ruin a haunt and for me neon paint is at the top of the list. Improvements noted, this haunt has decent length, and does well to stay with the theme. If you like old hotels, this one might be up your alley.

PROS

New additions, length, theme

CONS

Lacking energy, lighting in places, animatronics too slow

RATING

REVIEW

I must say that this haunt was interesting, but I wasn’t too fond of the fact that we were followed by a guy with a flash light all the way thru the haunt as he critiqued the actors in the open after every room we went through.

However, the haunt was well put together and had tons of potential in the future or later in the month as the actors get better. I loved how the theme stuck throughout the haunt. Every room brought a new idea in the theme and trick. At some points we wondered weather or not we were going in the right direction.

The actors did a great job although some were caught doing nothing or not in position. The guide at the front that told us the rules did a great job and the length of the haunt was perfect, because it left me wondering when the thing was going to end. There were lots of things lurking in the dark at the end, so watch out. One last tip: Keep your eyes on the pictures, they have ton to offer!

PROS

Great use of space and theme was great

CONS

Stalked in the parking lot by an actor for 20 mins

RATING

REVIEW

I like the story line in this haunt.  There's a bunch of actual doors, and you have to find the 13th one.  I also liked the bell hop at the beginning that told the story of Mr. Barrington. It's good how the same story followed throughout the haunt and you could actually hear the pre-recorded story line and music in the background. This helps to build up the anticipation of finding Mr. Barrington's nephew and actually wanting to see how it all plays out. 

One thing that was not that enjoyable was when someone who worked there joined our group.  He followed in the back of us and was taking notes and giving pointers to the actors.  It's good to help out the actors, but that's not appropriate when a group is going through the haunt.  Also, the chain saw guy was taunting us for more than a couple minutes while we were at our car. It's good to draw the acting out a little bit, but for an actor to continually hang over your shoulder up to 10 minutes after exiting the haunt is a little overkill.

PROS

Good theme

CONS

Acting

RATING

REVIEW

This Haunt started with a cool introduction in a small dimly lit entry room of an old hotel. The bellboy gave us a quick run down of the folklore associated with the Haunt aided by a flashlight and traditional face illuminating creepiness, then released us into a foyer area where there was no apparent exit or entrance to the rest of the attraction.

After a few moments I figured it out and we moved through the dark hallways where I was pleased with some other clever scares on my way to the darkly lit13th door. My big problem with this haunt is the poorly timed scares. There seemed to be more and better actors than I’ve previously experienced, but the animatronics are still not up to par.

I felt that the animatronics were easy to spot and not particularly scary due to poor timing. The sets look like they could be pretty cool, but they were so poorly lit I couldn’t verify what exactly I was looking at. Although the darkness could be seen as a pro because it helped to build much needed tension, but I felt like I was missing out.

Overall, this is a cool concept and storyline for a haunt, particularly because it nods at the old 13th Floor legend, but it seems like it doesn’t try to step it up to the level of other houses in the area.

PROS

Good Setup, story and ambience

CONS

Poor timing on animatronics