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2023 Golden Ghost Award Winner

Woods Of Terror 2023

Greensboro, North Carolina

5.0

They’re an OG, they’re massive, and it’s really just not fair to compare them to other haunted attractions. Woods of Terror in Greensboro, NC has been around for 31 years of scares, and it shows! They are located on a massive piece of land called McLaurin Farms that was previously a working farm, but when the McLaurin family decided to focus less on farming and more on fun, Woods of Terror and other seasonal events were born. In addition to Woods of Terror, McLaurin Farms also has a pumpkin patch during the fall season, and they have really created the quintessential festive fall environment. As we drove in, we were enveloped in the warm colors of the season with string lights crisscrossing overhead and bales of hay, cornstalks, and of course pumpkins everywhere! Those autumn warm and fuzzies quickly changed into dark and pricklies as we entered the realm of Woods of Terror. Globe string lights still adorned the grounds but now spooky, scary skeletons were hanging from them throughout the… “midway”…??? Woods of Terror’s Monster Midway is its own little town! Tons of concessions, multiple gift shops, bars, side attractions like a hellevator ride, ax throwing and other games, and so much more! Woods of Terror has so much to keep their massive crowds entertained while they’re waiting, including their own band! The Woods of Terror band’s front man, Bone Daddy, is none other than the owner himself! In all of our years of visiting haunted attractions, we’ve never attended an opening ceremony before, and let’s just say… the Woods of Terror opening ceremony is definitely one to see! It all begins with the Monster Parade where the Woods of Terror characters flood the streets of the midway while Bone Daddy and the Woods of Terror band perform their rendition of the National Anthem. But the monsters get really fired up when the band plays their very own Woods of Terror theme song, then they have a surprise in store for the spectators. We won’t ruin it for you… After the opening ceremony we went directly to the queue line, and believe us… if you have it to spend, the VIP pass is a MUST here. Even though you will find plenty to keep you entertained, the lines are crazy! Despite our VIP passes and getting in the line right after the opening ceremony, there was still a line. With a whopping 15… yes… 15 individually themed haunts, what Woods of Terror offers simply cannot be beat. Phobia House, Jack’s Revenge, Hardwired, 3D Euphoria, Eleven’s Nightmare, The Mortuary, Awakening, Horrorwood Cinema Grande, Pirate’s Cove - The Voodoo Lagoon, Miner’s Massacre, Texas House, The Purge – Inmate processing and reprogramming center, Sensory Overload, Brookhaven Memorial Hospital, and The Scrubber each offer their own different experiences and scares. The sets at Woods of Terror are freaking out of this world INSANE!!! Floor to ceiling detail, fully themed out, entirely immersing, so much eye candy, so much going on! This review would be 20 pages long if we attempted to even briefly explain to you the level of detail, effects, and theming of each of these 15 haunts, so here’s the Cliff notes of our faves. Hardwired had some seriously twisted human/robot mashup, the pop music in 3D Euphoria was oddly disconcerting, Eleven’s Nightmare was everything a Stranger Things fan has ever dreamed of, The Nightmare on Elm Street portion of Horrorwood Cinema was pure perfection, and the sheer number of chainsaws in the Texas House fueled our gas-powered nightmares! These movie-quality sets only created a backdrop for the absolute pro actors at Woods of Terror! The midway monsters are improv and interaction specialists while the haunt actors know their roles and play them well… there was literally an actual violinist playing in the Pirate’s Cove! It’s also pretty easy to believe these characters when their costuming and makeup look so good! The demogorgans in Eleven’s Nightmare were straight out of the Upside Down and every other house and the midway featured equally realistic costumes, masks, and sfx makeup. Did we mention that we ran into the homie Stitches in the midway?! As if Woods of Terror didn’t already have enough entertainment, Stitches’ crew Dead City Circus Sideshow was performing as well! We were going through the haunts during their sideshow, so sadly, we missed it. Woods of Terror runs like the finely tuned machine you’d expect after over 3 decades of shows. Because of the massive crowds, they have to filter people through their attractions much like Universal Studios Hollywood Horror Nights versus spaced out groups but both the actors and all of the animatronics are timed extremely well to ensure everyone gets to experience a piece of the scares. Woods of Terror is a MUST SEE!!! Like schedule a trip to Greensboro, NC to visit Woods of Terror as soon as possible! With its 15 houses, the Monster Midway, live music, games, food, and shops, Woods of Terror has something for everyone! Check them out and then make sure to let us know which part was your favorite!

2023 Golden Ghost Award Winner

Marr Branch Haunted House 2023

Mount Olive, North Carolina

4.0

Marr Branch was the wildest Redneck Revival we’ve ever been to! These guys are loud, crazy, inappropriate, and kunnnnntryyy… and we LOVE IT! They are located on a real working farm in the absolute middle of nowhere… also known as Mt Olive, North Carolina. Similar to our McCloud Manor, Marr Branch Redneck Revival is a family-run attraction where every member of the family plays a vital role, from taking tickets to actively participating in the scares. It started as a single house 14 years ago and has continued to grow every year since. Marr Branch is “not your local pumpkin patch”, folks – it's an extreme, high-energy, and sensory-overloading adventure! When we arrived on the Marr Branch farm grounds, after driving along the long, dark country roads that lead there, we immediately noticed how packed their queue line was despite the remote location. Spend the extra money and get the fast pass, it’s totally worth it! Because they do not have a traditional midway area with games, we headed directly to the line. They do have merchandise for sale and yummy food, but we recommend you wait until the end for both. You’ll lose anything you buy and work up an appetite running from rednecks all night! We didn’t see any characters roaming the grounds except for one, but he was all that was needed! “Jimmy Dean” gave a rousing performance that seriously pumped up the waiting masses! When it was our turn, we entered through the front door of the old country house and were met by grandpa, Reverend Jericho and his pet. He provided an intro and some backstory to a guitar solo. In fact, the whole haunt has a very interesting soundtrack - a little country, a little rock, and some metal mixed in. But from this intro, we were fully immersed and knew we were in for a show at this attraction! Marr Branch is a blended indoor and outdoor experience with three distinct houses and a cornfield. The sets were exactly what you’d expect with a theme like Redneck Revival. There was a real grungy, organic, old-school feel but with a few strategically placed animatronics and other effects clearly designed to keep you on edge. We journeyed through the rooms of that first old country house into the trash-strewn yard and into another house. There was a brief moment of reprieve before we went through the corn maze and then we encountered a blacklight-lit trailer that evoked the atmosphere of a disturbing meth lab, complete with the unsettling sensation of a contact high. The walls of all the houses were filled with graffiti that we couldn’t help but to read as we traversed from room to room adding an extra layer of chaos. All of their actors wore typical redneck attire to blend in perfectly with the sets and theming. We saw lots of jeans, overalls, plaid shirts, plain white tees and tank tops that had been both dirtied and bloodied. Most characters were hiding their true identities behind grotesque masks. There were pig masks, Purge-type masks, and masks reminiscent of Leatherface. Changes in elevation and footing kept us off balance and on guard, and we nearly died almost falling into the fire-blasting pit! If you are a veteran or have any kind of PTSD, Marr Branch is probably not the haunt for you. With simulated gunfire galore, we found ourselves constantly ducking and dodging non-existent bullets and yelling out “THEY SHOOTIN’!!!!!!!!!” And of course, no hillbilly adventure is complete without chainsaws! While they are not a full contact haunt… (pssttt… you guys should totally offer that as an option)… there was a lot of our personal space invaded and some slight touching, like ankle grabbing that made the overall scare experience that much more intimate. Marr Branch Redneck Revival also does a great job of pacing. This was the only haunt we visited where we didn’t end up running into the group in front of us nor did the group behind us ever catch up to us. This really ensures the highest level of actor interaction and scares. The theatrical intro and immersive sets were amazing, but what truly makes Marr Branch an incredible experience are the actors. Many with backgrounds in theater and performing arts, they brought boundless energy to their roles. These guys had us running for our lives as they chased us, pounded on walls, and shouted threats of bodily harm. Their immersive and dynamic approach created super fun, unforgettable encounters. Marr Branch Redneck Revival will have you feeling like the livestock as they push your boundaries and immerse you in their world! Prepare to be scared, thrilled, and thoroughly entertained!

2023 Golden Ghost Award Winner

Lake Hickory Haunts 2023

Hickory, North Carolina

4.5

Lake Hickory Haunts was another haunt we visited on the first night of our 2023 haunt tour which was Friday the 13th, and their busiest night of the season so far! Before we get into reviewing this attraction… we’d like to mention that Lake Hickory Haunts was, by far, the best bathroom experience Megan has ever had at a haunted attraction! This was not your typical port-a-potties, folks. They had super clean, fresh-smelling public restrooms! After the quick bathroom break, we walked down the hill and into the Midway of Mayhem. It’s really not even fair to call what Lake Hickory Haunts has a “midway”, it is far too expansive for that. In fact, Lake Hickory Haunts is so big that when you arrive, they give you a map! Literally, a tri-fold map like you get at Six Flags or Universal… which makes sense, since they do call themselves a haunted theme park! The Midway of Mayhem has everything you’d expect at a theme park and more! Axe throwing, an escape room, and a 4D experience are just a few of the activities you can enjoy while waiting for your turn to enter the haunts. If you go with the VIP experience like we did, you also get access to a pretty swanky outdoor lounge. And yes we said.. er wrote… haunts! How many you ask? 12!!! 12 freaking attractions in one place for your haunting pleasure! And it’s technically 14 since the Big Top Circus is actually three in one! Lake Hickory Haunts is located on a piece of property with some very interesting topography, and they have used every bit of it to their advantage. And it’s not just a cool name, Lake Hickory Haunts is located on an actual lake, and they have brilliantly incorporated the lake into their haunt stories and builds. In fact, there are three attractions centered around the lake: Voodoo Bayou, Shipwrecked 2.0, and Aquaphobia which takes you on docks over the lake. We even saw a family of ducks enjoying the haunt with us. In addition to the lake, Lake Hickory Haunts also has the good fortune of having their very own cave, and their attraction Descent is located in this underground cave, because… of course. The experience kicked off with their first haunt Nightmare Factory. A nurse told us we would meet Dr. Death after being administered their newest truth serum, and that we might not make it to the end. Needless to say she was wrong and we continued our the journey through the remaining 11 haunts Lake Hickory has to offer. Although each haunt is its own separate experience, there is an underlying cohesive story linking them all together. It was really impressive to see a story executed on this scale. The spaces between the haunts were like mini intermissions but could provide a great way to further communicate the connection. Our favorite was the Big Top Circus! It had been totally redesigned for the 2023 season and the story, theming, and set design were all SUPER original! Cotton candy covered walls, sweet smells, a plethora of unique antique clown memorabilia, and a laboratory under the big top all tickled our coulrophobia in ways we’d never imagined. The lake, cave, and original Big Top Circus were all just parts of the AMAZING sets at Lake Hickory Haunts! They had a great combination of fully enclosed, partially enclosed, and outdoor spaces. The fact that many of the spaces were so open affected the scares a little, but we’ve never scene such level of detail in open air sets! We also loved seeing the juxtaposition of materials. Spirit Halloween props, cleverly used household items, and pool noodles coexisted harmoniously with Hollywood-level props and effects… almost a nod to simpler beginnings. What we didn’t like were the visible step pads, but we understand the limitations being in open, outdoor environments creates. Lake Hickory had a ton of actors roaming the grounds of their enormous midway and lurking in every corner of each attraction! Varying degrees of makeup, prosthetics, and masks transformed the Lake Hickory actors into pirates, zombies, cave-dwelling monsters, clowns… lots of clowns… and more! Aquaphobia had some incredibly unique alien sea creatures bent on world domination. No costuming faux pas here. Despite being in natural environments, all costuming including footwear blended very well with each set. Being from Georgia, we compare Lake Hickory Haunts to “Netherworld on water”. What an amazing value for a full night of Halloween fun! Lake Hickory Haunts definitely had the sprawling feel of a theme park with an awesome mix of entertainment… plus fantastic restrooms… haha! This is absolutely a must see attraction and for those of you lucky enough to live in North Carolina, you should incorporate Lake Hickory into your yearly Halloween routine!

2023 Golden Ghost Award Winner

The Haunted Farm 2023

Hendersonville, North Carolina

4.5

A haunted attraction with a name like The Haunted Farm conjures images of a low tech haunt, full of pallets, tarp, and barns… but that could not be further from the truth for The Haunted Farm in Hendersonville, NC. The Haunted Farm was the first stop on our 2023 North Carolina haunt tour that, so appropriately, began on Friday the 13th! Plus, it was their 13th year in business! Celebrate 13 years of scares on Friday the 13th? Yes please! The drive up to The Haunted Farm was exactly what you’d expect in rural North Carolina, a gravel road with long forgotten, dilapidated country homesteads that each could have been a haunted house in their own right. When we arrived at this real, working cattle farm, the vibe was super chill. Their new midway area was situated in front of one of the farm’s large barns which was framed beautifully against the night sky with string lights, cozy fire pit, and photo ops galore… but what really caught our eye was just to the left of that barn… their newly built Texas Chainsaw Massacre house facade! Despite getting there right at opening, the general admission line was already packed, so paying extra for their fast pass option was totally worth it! Although, you do have front row seats to live entertainment from the general admission queue line. A large platform was built elevated in the trees, where a band was playing popular songs to keep everyone entertained while they waited. The queue lines are constructed of towering log walls, which makes sense considering that this haunt’s neighbor is basically a logging farm. The haunt begins as a lantern-lit trail through their forest with trees so tall and dense they almost blocked out the clear night sky. Once we passed through the gaping mouth of a giant, wooden skeleton head, we began entering fully built structures along the trail. The Haunted Farm did an amazing job of strategically placing spooky lighted vignettes and camouflaged actors along the trail to remind us that this wasn’t some leisurely stroll through the woods. Sets became more and more detailed and varied as we progressed. Some of our favorites were the voodoo shack, hillbilly house, mine, asylum, homicidal dentist, and a sewer complete with running water just to name a few. Chances are, if you think it’s scary, more than likely The Haunted Farm has it. Touching everything (the way we do) we were surprised to constantly be feeling real building materials like solid brick walls instead of faux panels, and real rebar protruding from cement. The sets were super interactive, forcing us to climb up steep inclines, crouch through low ceilinged spaces, feel our way through narrow pitch black spaces, and blindly push through doors into the next room. The set lighting was so well done too, both on the trail and in the structures, they knew exactly what to highlight and when. The Haunted Farm has a full cast of original characters filling their spaces, although we did see Mr. Vorhees himself, probably to commemorate Friday the 13th. The actors were a perfect blend of jump scares, interactive, and just plain creepy. The clicking contortionist in the bedroom really stands out at being incredibly unnerving without directly interacting with us. There were tons of spaces for actors to hide in until the perfect moment. Megan was the victim of more than a few well-timed scares! The seamlessly applied masks, super detailed makeup with prosthetics, and costuming that was on point from head-to-toe made these characters become true extensions of their environments and that much more believable. We read the story of the blood feud between the Lively and Tate families on their website, but it didn’t really play out through the haunt. There were definitely a few references to the story like a long hallway of missing posters, and the asylum for the bride-to-be who went crazy when her groom’s body was discovered. But these sets and actors were so incredible that we became fully immersed in every scene we stepped into. With the variety of themes and effects we experienced it truly felt like an adventure! The Haunted Farm squeezes a lot of action-packed haunted fun into their 30+ minute walkthrough! They used every tool you’d find in a haunter’s toolbox without it feeling disjointed, too busy, or overdone. We feel honored to have been able to experience this haunt on their 13th anniversary on Friday the 13th but would highly recommend them any time! This is the type of haunt where you can feel the love in every detail! You definitely do not want to miss The Haunted Farm!

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