| SANDYLAND ACRES HAUNTED HAYRIDE:
Roaming creatures prowl the ticketing and queue
line areas alongside the entrance to the Hayride. A wicked
old witch climbs aboard the wagon, stirring up some last minute instructions
before
Beetlejuice assumes the tractor driver position, and departs
into the spook filled woods. Many realistic horror movie re-creations
are experienced at
Sandyland Acres. The tolling of a bell
signals the beginning of the journey, and introduces attacks from Those
We Don’t Speak of
- creatures of the forbidden forest, a la M. Night
Shyamalan’s 2004 film The Village. Around the bend, giant
silos cage hungry, irate werewolves that soon break free from their confinement,
and charge toward the wagon! Previously darkened scenes illuminate
as you approach, including a visit to the gallows, where the floor gives
way beneath the feet of a condemned victim, and he falls to a beheading
death courtesy of the murderous noose around his neck! Bat sounds
fill the air, as scarecrows leave their cornfield perches to attack the
ride! A wicked tractor chase soon ensues, as the red head-lighted
vehicle charges up on the hay wagon from behind blasting its horn!
Clowns and cemeteries deliver more unprovoked assaults, leading up to a
relentless pursuit from
The Headless Horseman! Silver Screen
reenactments include,
Jason Voorhees following up on his mother’s
instructions to kill in an authentic skit of Friday the 13th, Michael
Myers challenging riders with his sharp metal blade, complimented by
the Halloween soundtrack; a demented Exorcist revisitation
with a surprise twist, complete with a 360 degree revolving head; Leatherface
scaring the daylights out of everyone with his loudly revving co-star from
The
Texas Chainsaw Massacre; and finally
The Jigsaw Puppet from
the Saw series, instilling his patented, spine-tingling fear, playing
games from aboard his tricycle in an ultimate climax surprise finish to
the Sandyland Acres Haunted Hayride!
Analysis:
LENGTH - 10, 30 minutes long, makes it one of the lengthiest
attractions around!
ACTORS - 8, More dialogue than last year, but still a
lot of growls, and many masks. Cast could stand to be more aggressive,
for example banging various weapons on the wagon. “Horror stars”
are most memorable, although methodical Leatherface present last
season was more memorable. Would still like to see a “plant” aboard
each wagon for Jason to drag off and “kill” as per his mom’s command.
SCARINESS – 8½, Again shows marked improvement
in comparison to ’06. Headless Horseman encounter is much more intense,
and movie scenes as terrifying as ever. Clown segment is a little
weak, and a few uneventful areas exist along the way.
DESIGN – 8, Horror movie tributes are quite well done,
and feature realistic structures resembling those from the actual films,
making them more effective than most. However, attention is repeatedly
drawn to one side of the wagon, and nothing happens from behind which results
in some missed opportunities for scares. Skit soundtracks could be
a bit louder to insure it’s audible above crowd noise. Tractor increases
its speed during calmer areas, but could still benefit from additional
motorized pursuits to cover some of the transition zones. Illuminating
scenes as the ride approaches is a nice touch.
PROPS – 8, Gallows, cemetery, and movies are best, and
making use of the silos a plus. Could use some high impact props to help
fill in the voids, and the clown scene needs attention.
VALUE - 9½, Can’t beat the price given the length,
number of scares, and downright enjoyment factor of the ride!
RATING: 8½, This outstanding attraction
is a lot of fun, and provides several surprises and scares. Word
is spreading, as Sandyland Acres attracted one of the larger crowds
of the night. Better get there early for the best Haunted Hayride,
and perhaps the best outdoor haunt in Kentucky! |
