| THE HAUNTED SWAMP:
A cozy bonfire occupies the waiting area keeping visitors warm until their
turn comes to enter The Swamp. A new beginning is on tap this
year, as a warning gate seals off the entrance to the wetlands until the
time comes for each group to enter. The barrier's then raised, and
the adventure officially gets underway. Once inside, barrels of hazardous
waste that have washed ashore lie alongside the path. The poisonous
containers leak bubbling fluid, and conceal monsters and mutants that eagerly
leave their hiding places to unleash terror on those brave enough to enter.
The sound of a beating heart leads to an encounters with The Witch of
Lewisburg , and the murderous Michael Myers. Scenes of
skeletons, coffins, and surgeries gone wrong accompany the journey along
the spooky trail. Spiders have commandeered an entire area of The
Haunted Swamp, and deliver a couple of startling surprises as you make
your way through. Visit a torture area, consisting of shackles, an
electric chair, and even a guillotine that makes things readily apparent
that something is horribly wrong here. The vast wasteland you’re currently
exploring is also home to an agitated, caged gorilla that captivates your
attention as you enter into a short maze that exits into a surprise ending!
Flames burst forth from the cemetery area outside The Church of the
Damned, where a hungry werewolf has taken up residence, and pursues
you into Smiley’s Place, and a confrontation with some clowns, and
a ghoul armed with a spark-emitting chainsaw who chases you all the way
out of The Haunted Swamp!
Analysis:
LENGTH - 7½, Between 10 and 15 minutes.
ACTORS - 6, Numerous creatures jumping out of the surrounding
brush, the most to date, but many are smaller in stature, and thus not
as scary as their adult counterparts. Michael, chainsaw loony
and especially "Wolfie" are standouts. Still wish they’d capitalize
on the adjoining creek area by introducing some sort of Swamp Monster,
possibly in a wet suit, given the name of the attraction.
SCARINESS - 7, Spooky music and other sound effects accompany
your expedition through the dark, intimidating Swamp. Concealed
ghouls spring forth seemingly out of nowhere. More adult actors would
help immensely. Would also be more frightening without a guide.
DESIGN - 7½, Continued additions are having a
noticeable impact, although much of the attraction remains unchanged.
This year’s edition is the best yet!
PROPS - 7, A few extra scenes are filling in dead spots.
Flames and spiders continue to offer some of the haunt’s best surprises.
Spark inducing chainsaw is one of a kind, and something you just won’t
see anyplace else!
VALUE - 10, An unheard of bargain in this day and age,
costing only $5 with a readily available coupon. If you don’t have
one, just ask and ye shall receive!
RATING: 7, For the second consecutive year,
continued expansion and additional scenes and props are making this fun
little trail better than ever before. The Haunted Swamp carries
the most unique name in the industry, but still is in desperate need of
a signature creature. While it may not be the most technologically
advanced haunt around, it sure is fun, and one we always look forward to
visiting. The cost is only $5 a head, so how can you go wrong?
Especially since they operate as a non-profit, area fundraiser. |
