Rotten Manor: One messed up family

They say first impressions are quite important. Well Rotten Manor sure knows how to make one. Pulling into the parking lot, your eyes are drawn to the extremely impressive facade of the Manor. As you step closer, a hard rock/metal soundtrack blasts across the midway, with the occasional sound of thunder cracking in the air, as lights go off to simulate lighting. Rotten Manor makes it clear this is just not another run-of-the-mill house. Once inside one of the two attractions, Rotten Manor keeps the energy high, creating attractions that rank among the very best of the state.

Rotten Manor itself kicks off with the story of the owners of the estate. Once you learn how...close this family is, the tour begins. What follows is a trek through bedrooms, kitchens, a greenhouse, as well as sewers, and other demented locations. Theming is tied in throughout the house, and is well designed. Passages are designed to make you feel lost. Some areas are pitch black, with winding paths that get tighter and tighter, One room uses strobe lights, and an unbelievable amount of fog, to make finding where next to go almost impossible. This fog may honestly be a bit too much, as it was causing some coughing within our group. Multiple areas are linked by long metal tubes that just have an eerie feeling about them. It does a great job making it feel like you are intruding in someone's house, and it was a terrible idea to do so.

What truly makes this house special are the actors. Scares are well designed, with great use of misdirection and disorientation. The actors don't just scream at you at every corner, some are silent, some use whispers, but no matter what, all are scary and creepy. Be prepared to spend some time in each room, because these actors will carry on great conversations. We spent quite awhile talking with each character, and everyone of them seemed capable of making us laugh or feel creeped out, sometimes both at once. These actors are really above and beyond the norm, making an already good house great.

5/5 stars

The other attraction is The Forest haunted trail. Much like the Manor, the trail is filled with incredible sets. From a trip to the bayou, through the incredible looking Rotten Asylum, through a toy shop that just doesn't feel right, and ending at a mausoleum where the inhabitants are ready for dinner. Each location is very well themed, and moving down the trail is creepy all on its own. The Forest uses changing elevation very well, with climbing, ducking, and crawling all on the agenda.

Once again, the actors really make these set pieces come together. The actors on the trail may even be a step above those in the house. The characters not only bring the scares, but do a great job at advancing the plot. The conversations here are great as well. Of special note is Jack, the delightfully twisted attendant of one screwed up elevator. If anything, our only complaint is maybe another person or two on the paths between the sets would ramp up the tension even further. It is a minor issue though, especially when this is just another great attraction led by great actors and sets.

5/5 stars

Rotten Manor is a can't miss. It has been a long time since we had so much fun at a haunt. Both attractions pack scares, laughs, and incredibly designed sets. Actors of this quality are hard to find in haunts, and they truly make this a special event. We look forward to seeing how this event can continue to grow in the coming years.

Overall: 5/5 stars