The Haunt: Living up to the name
Let’s get straight to the point with this one. The Haunt is easily the best haunted attraction we’ve seen in the state of Michigan. From the moment you walk into the winding cavern-like queue this house just gives off an air of being special. This attraction ties together five different themes into a single narrative that combines high quality special effects, props and actors to create a haunted house that is the class of the state.
One aspect that sets this house apart is how well themed and varied the different parts of the house feel. Many houses that claim to have multiple attractions usually have that end up meaning that the house will be slightly longer than an average house, and just need an excuse to have multiple disconnected themes. That is not the case at The Haunt. Each of the five different areas that make up the house all feel like their own standalone attraction. Each one uses elaborate theming to differentiate from each other and the length of each section is about 10 minutes each. This house takes at least 45 minutes to get through and feels more worth the value than any other house we have done.
The Haunt also features a sense of scale that is rarely seen in houses. In the Vox Sanitorium section, there is a long central hallway that you pass through multiple times as you move on through. It stretches from the start to the end of the area, creating a feeling that the section goes on forever, while making everything feel connected as you can see other people move through in front and behind you, with actors roaming this long hall. Another section like this is the midway of the carnival, filled with clowns trying to get you to play whatever twisted game they are set up at. This is another massive set with actors approaching from all sides, in an open space, making it feel like you are actually at a demented carnival. Contrast these with sets that are claustrophobic like a factory maze-like area that weaves through machinery, or winding hallways in a decrepit manor. This all combines to make an attraction that feels varied, resulting in there never being a dull moment.
The props and animatronics are incredibly used in the house. Simple props like severed heads are used to be effective scares, simply by using them in boo holes that send them flying at you. Animatronics are used effectively as well, either as good standalone scares, or by being used as well-designed misdirection for the actors. Props are used to accentuate scenes, like pipes leaking glowing water in the factory section to create an effect of radiation permeating the location. Details like this led to an attraction that feels believable, making you feel like you are trapped in a horror film.
The true highlight of this house are the energetic actors that number well over one hundred. The actors take pleasure in their work, loving to get the scare as intensely as possible. They are helped by boo holes and hiding areas that manage to make them hard to spot, making the scares feel unexpected at every turn. Scenes end up feeling like there is a flood of actors coming at you all the time, creating a sense of tension that you are never safe. The actors are also witty, making comments and jokes while you float out of their zone that stick with you and are hilarious. This is a group of actors that any house would wish to have.
Seriously, The Haunt is incredible. We have heard for years that it was a house that we needed to do and having finally gotten out there this was proven to be right. The passion is obvious, and the creativity is unmatched. This is a house that deserves more recognition throughout the state and is more than worth the drive from anywhere. This attraction is an absolute pleasure to visit and should be on everyone’s must-do list.
5 / 5
