OVERALL RATING :

Scare Factor

Actors

Set Design

Length

RAW SCORE : 9.375

RATING

REVIEW

As I waited in line to board the school bus to Lessons in Terror I thought, “Wow, wouldn’t it be cool if they did this in a real school?” By the end of the haunt, I knew the answer was a solid “No”. Murray’s has put together a theme so tightly knit, it couldn’t possibly be replaced by reality. The imagination behind this haunt created a world that echoes every school I’ve ever been in, but amps it up everything that makes school a nightmare. From the yelling, cross-dressing librarian chasing me through a maze of falling books, to the horrifying playground with the creepy little girl quietly whispering, I felt like I’d been dropped into an RL Stein book.

This haunt does a great job of blending beautiful scenery with the necessary moments of blackness and uncertainty. The spaces were great, building moments of claustrophobia only to release me into giant open spaces full of ghosts and monsters. Form dances to locker rooms to cafeterias and janitor’s closets, there wasn’t an element of school missing. Yet, every room was unique and distinct in its creepiness. The giant warehouse the haunt is built in echoes screams from other parts of the haunt, and is eerily reminiscent of the sounds in a gymnasium. But it wasn’t these screams that were the truest sign this was a great haunt. The proof in the pudding was the little boy outside repeating “I’m not scared” just to convince himself. I’m not scared either. Not at all.

PROS

Awesome theme, expertly executed

CONS

Children who visit this haunt may need to be home schooled

RATING

REVIEW

Murray's new "Lessons in Terror" theme really worked for me! They started with the premise of a creepy school (I think it might have been "Deliverance High School") and ran with it all the way. The hillbilly dude on the bus at the beginning was awesome as usual: he made me laugh in that nervous, is he going to kill me sort of way.

We had to make our way through the library, principal's office, boiler rooms, lunchroom, and the locker rooms, among others. At one point, we were in total darkness and feeling our way through body bags. We got stuck in a corner and I started to worry a bit at that point about getting stuck in there forever. There were also a lot of things either flying at our heads or dropping down above them. We were also constantly going up and down on different levels or having to walk over uneven surfaces. There was a lot of noise, gore, and in-your-face startles, which just built on itself and kept my adrenaline pumping.

If you thought school was a horrible experience, you probably didn't have it as bad as the students at this school! Murray's always changes up the theme and that's what keeps people coming back...you're guaranteed to get a new haunt every year!

PROS

Scares from all angles, acting, really long, great sets

CONS

It's only open through Halloween!

RATING

REVIEW

“Lessons in Terror” is the theme this year and Murray's really pulls it off well. The schoolhouse theme is not explored as much in Denver haunts, but it should be, as it can be a real creepy experience. The funny actor with the hillbilly teeth and mullet is back this year and really sets the mood before climbing through the bloody school bus entrance. If you don’t like creepy little children telling you that you’re going to die, well, maybe this isn’t for you. They have re-arranged over half their haunt and added new scenes and props while keeping their best stuff from last year. Library, principal’s office, boiler room, break room, playground, cemetery, and a cafeteria are all present in their twisted gruesome versions of real life. I thought they did a great job in the locker room scene (boys and girls get separated). Their use of stairs and platforms create the illusion that you are walking around inside an actual multi-level building, and my favorite room in this haunt is the end. Really dark, body bags, and look for the quick flashes of light illuminating something on the ground. Good luck getting out, it took us some time to figure it out, all the while being stalked by something in the dark.

PROS

Lots of change this year and great theme

CONS

Some actors not as scary as they could be

RATING

REVIEW

Wheeeeeeee!!!!! Oh, man I had SOOOOO much fun at this haunted house!

We begin with a bus ride, and the bus driver is a little crazy, possibly a cannibal, and I think his mom and dad might have been related. As soon as the bus doors close, the madness begins. The curriculum is torture and the only way to pass is to die, MUAH-HAHAHAHA!!!!

I really don’t want to give away all the great stuff this one has to offer! The sets and performers really make you a part of it and the theme is solid throughout. We’ve seen some places that might have spent a LOT on fancy sets and props; animatronics and such, but I really like the feel of this one, simple and effective; I got more lost in the story than the scenery (unless you count the hanging bags!). A few warnings: watch out for the librarian, don’t disturb the teachers, and don’t mouth off to the cooks unless you want to end up on the menu!

A personal shout out to Principal Skin-tie; save a dance for me, sweetheart!

PROS

Loved it

CONS

None that I can think of

RATING

REVIEW

This has become one of my favorite haunts, and every year has been  different. This year is no exception. The haunt at Murray Maze has a whole new look, and it was quite impressive. The theme is a haunted school, and we started off getting on a school   bus. The driver is one of my favorite actors at this haunt. He never  fails to deliver a great performance, and when he’s in costume he  becomes the character he’s playing. The set design this year was really incredible. There were plenty of  scares, gore and plenty of places that made me want to turn around  and find the nearest exit. They did a good job keeping the theme intact throughout the haunt which added to the overall effect. Some of my favorite rooms were the  locker room, the boiler room, the dark hallway that I wasn’t alone in and my top pick was the dark room where there are some obstacles to get around. It took my group a couple of minutes to get out of that and we had some great scares while we were in there in the dark. By the time I got to the prom, I was ready to graduate! Shaky floors, loud noises, dark places, good actors, great set design made this a very good haunt. If you’re afraid of going to the principal’s office, you’ll really be afraid now! This is a great one to check out and worth the drive!

PROS

Great set design, actor on bus, good length

CONS

Too well lit in a couple of places

RATING

REVIEW

I must say that this haunt turns it up every year. This year the theme was so good that they made me feel like I was back in school again, but this time all the teachers were way, way, and I mean waaaayyyyy out there. So be ready to go back to prom and all your other school year fears!

Kudos to the guy who worked the door he did a great job making you believe his part. I also like how all the props were so realistic and each room added a unique touch. The acting overall was really great and I loved the set design. You always knew what room you were in while walking thru this haunted back woods school.

I really could find nothing wrong with Murray’s. I think they did a great job and the actors executed their parts very well. They focused on the front and the back of the group, which kept everyone involved. I think this haunt would be great for anybody to go to and it’s offered at a fair price so you wont be disappointed… So go back to school with the marries and remember. “THERE IS NO TALKING IN THE LIBRARY”!

PROS

Set design and actors were great!

CONS

Nothing!

RATING

REVIEW

This haunt was amazing!  It encompassed all the characteristics of a perfect haunt and this was my favorite, hands down.  They kept the school theme throughout and it was just really cool to see how they created fear the whole time. 

I screamed more in this haunt than probably in any other haunt ever.  One of my favorite things about this haunt is the noises.  They keep things loud, and I think the fact that it's in a huge metal shed helps with this.  I don't want to give away any secrets away because everyone should go check this haunt out for themselves, but I have to just say that the prom rocked, the boys and girls locker rooms was a great idea, and the pitch dark room with body bags hanging that had the freak with the flashlight made me poop my pants!

PROS

Original theme carried out perfectly

CONS

...nada...

RATING

REVIEW

These lessons in terror will have you screaming from the moment you step onto the school bus until the last bell rings for dismissal. I love the buck toothed, mullet sporting four eyed bus driver who gets this Haunt started. He has a wonderful sense of humor and helps bide the time in line.

The school theme carried throughout this entire haunt and was a true pleasure. The screaming secretary, shushing librarian, demented detention teachers, disturbed children on the playground, crazed gym teachers and even the Carrie cameo were all well acted. I felt that everyone stayed in character the whole time and I enjoyed seeing the guy we decided was the principal popping up everywhere over and over.

The sets are really detailed and varied. There are lots of moving elements, levels, creative use of paths and bridges, places you have to duck or almost crawl and my favorite element, a place where the group gets separated!

The descent into this horrific school yard experience gets creepier and more unnerving until you finally meet the janitor who to me looked a lot like a blood thirsty cannibal. He chased us into what could only be described as the dark depths of the boiler room basement and we found ourselves navigating body bags in complete darkness.

My experience of this haunt was really great. I thought all of the elements pulled together well, the actors had characters and stayed in them, the effects included music and noises and seemed to touch all the senses. The length was good too and I highly recommend going back to school with Murrays!

PROS

Great sets, acting, theme, and scares!

CONS

I always want it to be longer