Wiard’s Night Terrors: Ypsilanti, Michigan

Wiard’s Night Terrors: Ypsilanti, Michigan

            A visit to Night Terrors is like a visit home for the crew. It has been a couple years since we’ve made the voyage and it has been a location some of us have visited for over twenty years. 2021 sees a return of their lineup of events from the last few years, with a major revamp completed for one attraction. This year sees Night Terrors having some of the same issues other haunted attractions are facing but manages to overcome these deficits to put on an exciting event.

Hayride of the Lost- Take a ride into the woods and experience the legend of scarecrows made from the victims of demented craftsman. This hayride travels through a derelict town that has seen its population cursed by the scarecrow maker, weaving around the remains of an old western-style town, reaching the workshop at the end. The sets are impressive on this ride, once again featuring locations like an old train and a two-story house as well as the large barn that represents the scarecrow workhouse. Pyro and other special effects are used efficiently throughout the hayride, providing for some entertaining scares. The biggest issue of this attraction is the lack of actors, with an overall amount making it just barely into the double digits. To combat this problem, Night Terrors seems to have shortened the overall length of the hayride trail, making sure there is less dead space on the ride. While this does make the problem less noticeable and detrimental to the experience, the hayride also has the issue of having some actors that are noticeably lacking in skills. While it is only a couple, in particular one in the workshop who only would attempt to what could conceivably be called screaming, but instead came out as a mild-mannered gasp, it was enough to be a noticeable issue. Overall though, this is a fine experience that could use a lot more performers.

6/10

Alien Caged Clowns- The one attraction that has seen serious changes for the 2021 season, having a 3D element added to the house. This is used to great effect, using 3D to create an additional layer of confusion in a house that was already a fun maze. Another attraction with not too many people, this is balanced out by having a small footprint, allowing the handful of actors to be effective. This house has gained a scare-factor just with a simple overhaul and it makes a nice difference.

7.5/10

The MindShaft, Asylum and Ultimate Haunted Barn are the three haunted houses that round out the rest of the available attractions. These are being grouped together because not much has changed regarding these houses since our last visit in 2019. This is a good thing because in an era that is seeing an actor shortage, it is impressive to see that these houses have managed to keep their quality. All the houses do show signs of less actors than previous years, but use effects to keep tension high throughout, allowing animatronics and actors to get great scares. The Asylum has its delirium inducing white room, which is filled with fog and blinding lights, leading guests to search for an exit while voices whisper to you from all around. The MindShaft has deep cavernous areas that are deathly quiet, broken harshly by actors and special effects that cut through the dark to make you jump. The Barn uses its environment to creep guests out, then demented actors coming from all directions. Potential victims will have to escape chainsaws from above and the damned coming out of all nooks and crannies, include cupboards on the ground. Be sure to look out for the bear that is at the center of the legend of this attraction as well. It is nice to see the houses use effects and atmosphere to combat any issue of dead space and create solid attractions.

8/10 for all three

Wiard’s has been putting on Night Terrors for many years now. It is now consistently ranked as one of the top scream parks in the United States and it is easy to see why. They continue to attempt to improve and to keep their quality up and are effective in their goal. Even this year when it is seems that an actor shortage is an issue for them and many other haunted attractions, they have managed to make positive moves. By eliminating dead space as much as possible, it has resulted in one of our favorite visits to this location.

Overall: 7.5/10