BELLEVILLE, MICHIGAN
THE FESTIVAL OF THE DEAD & HAYRIDE
from Detroit: take I-94 west to Belleville Road, turn left and go through town. Belleville road becomes Sumpter Road, continue south (to the right) until Harris Road. Turn right on Harris Road, Pumpkin Factory is straight ahead on left.
(734) 461-1835
ZIOPTIS 2004 rating 4 1/2 STARS for house & hayride
THE PUMPKIN FACTORY COMES THRU AGAIN! The Festival of the Dead haunted house has been revamped again - even the entrance, which now features the unique combination of corn stalks and rope lights to show you the path to take. Excellent black pathways, monster interaction, and we really liked the shrinking room with a different "twist" and the spooky art hallway.
The hayride produced AT LEAST as much volume from the patrons as from the haunt action itself!! It starts out slow, but then action hits from all over!
Tall corn stalks provide excellent cover for questionable characters who dart out and often jump on the cart with high intensity in-your-face taunts! Also features a decidedly unearthly scene we really liked!
And be sure to check out the small house you'll see on your way to the ticket booth. Last year it had a witches theme, this year it's something else! Be sure to stick your head in the window - that's what they WANT you to do! It won't bite, at least I don't think so - go ahead and take a chance! I did, and I'm still here to tell the tale! And after YOU'VE survived to tell the tale, what better nourishment could you possibly have than THE BEST PUMPKIN PIE ON THE PLANET??? That's what they've got here, not just according to us but also to a national magazine article a few years ago!
Also features THOUSANDS of pumpkins you can choose from as well as cider, donuts, caramel apples, costumes and masks. FANTASTIC FALL FEEL HERE!
THE PUMPKIN FACTORY FESTIVAL OF THE DEAD
ZIOPTIS 1999 rating 3 STARS
ZIOPTIS 2000 rating 3 1/2 STARS
There's a hayride too which we weren't able to check out. But we DID check out their pumpkin pie, and it's worth the trip just for that because it's THE BEST PUMPKIN PIE ON THE PLANET!!
WE COULDN'T MAKE IT HERE IN 2001, BUT WE JUST HEARD BACK FROM THEM AND WE'RE HOPING TO MAKE IT IN 2002.
WE ALWAYS LIKED THEIR HOUSE AND HAVE BIG HOPES FOR THE HAYRIDE!
ZIOPTIS 2002 rating 4 1/4 STARS
They started doing hayrides 26 YEARS AGO - we figured they must be doing SOMETHING right! But, until last night, all our efforts to see the hayride were thwarted by rain or our unusually bad sense of direction...that's another story for another day! EXCELLENT HAYRIDE!
The tractor pulls single wagon so nobody misses gags, and monsters are easily capable of bouncing it adding PHYSICAL THRILL FACTOR not usually encountered in hayrides! Small orange lights face out from railing of wagon to help you see the monsters "attacking" - how thoughtful!
Cool UFO / FLYING SAUCER display with aliens and FANTASTIC MONSTER IN-YOUR-FACE INTERACTION...as many as 4 on the wagon! Monster leaps onto wagon, then CRAWLS thru!
FESTIVAL OF THE DEADÂ is their haunted house which was added 8 years ago to the site. One of the top modular haunts with major new plans in the works! We especially liked the florescent art gallery at the start and a new variation on the plasma globe with all white beams inside - excellent! Good blind passageways, multiple doors choice, excellent monster placement and scare factor - one of them GENUINELY STARTLED ME!
Tons of pumpkins and spooky decorations in front of main building. And their famous pumpkin pie was featured in a national magazine recently! And if you go here, be sure to look in the witches house with the strobe inside near the ticket booth. Go ahead, stick your head inside the window to see all the intricate tools of her trade...it won't bite..or will it?
NEXT YEAR look for a WHOLE NEW LOOK to the house which has already been expanded but not yet connected. Also, a WHOLE NEW STRUCTURE is planned! ONE TO WATCH!!!
ZIOPTIS 2005 rating 4 1/2 STARS
2005: The walk thru haunt starts with a unique "art gallery" then takes you thru many different strange places where you will encounter many strange beings, most of them questionable at best! Has a unique shrinking room and a variation on the plasma globe we really liked.
The hayride was a blast! We really liked the scarecrows with their glowing eyes and a new prop this year - a genuine World War 2 relic obtained from the now defunct Yankee Air Force Museum!
Great ambience, monster interaction and attacks - as many as 14 AT ONCE!!! As with many great hayrides, the volume produced ON the cart often surpassed that of the performance itself!
THE FUTURE OF THIS QUALITY HAUNT IS IN DOUBT DUE TO INEVITABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THIS AREA - GO NOW WHILE YOU CAN!!!
HAUNTED HILL ACRES
Abraham Farm, 23740 Carleton West Road
(734) 753-5523 or (734) 652-7601
ZIOPTIS 2002 rating 4 1/4 STARS
2002: A multi-attraction event with 2 haunted houses, hayrides and a magic show suitable for the whole family! "HOUSE OF MONSTERS" features clever use of the building's original infrastructure - it appears to have been an animal hospital or kennel.
Many caged rooms with dog sized exit holes used for various displays of famous horror scenes such as Hitchcock's Psycho shower stall and The Exorcist - love that "floating" bed with "Linda Blair" strapped on tight! Each scene has separate sound track! Friendly man tells weird story at beginning to ease the minds of apprehensive little ones.
WE ABSOLUTLEY LOVED the final room - a Frankenstein send-up featuring lots of vintage, antique electronic equipment placed throughout room and in tall racks. Also features modern electronic eye candy stuff! 2nd house is their "MAZE" featuring lots of monster interaction and even live mice!
Hayrides with tractor pulling 3 separate carts - last car gets most of the gags. Several effective ruses on audience - we especially liked the one with the disgruntled Bobcat driver who GETS HIS REVENGE!
Beautiful decor in ticket booth / concessions building. This is their 2nd year at this site - RECOMMENDED! Their brochure boasts "Over 100 acres of Halloween Fun!"
ZIOPTIS 2003 rating 4 1/2 STARS
2003: There's sure a lot to do here! So much in fact, that we didn't even get to the main haunted house part this year! (but we loved it in 2002) Still has an effective hayride with the truck pulling multiple carts - goes thru Ghost Town and has excellent transition from passive to active. Monsters jumping on wagons and lots of action and we really liked the crazy hi-lo driver!
The maze has been moved from the barn this year - it's now the Pyramid Maze with lots of great gags and good black pathways. We really liked the butcher room and the breathing sound effects! THIS PLACE IS GIANT, YOU'LL LOVE IT!!
ZIOPTIS 2004 rating 4 1/2 STARS
ZIOPTIS 2005 rating 4 3/4 STARS
More improvements at this GIANT facility with BIG PLANS for the future! The hayride runs about 30 minutes and now features a pirate ship that was used recently as a float in the Apple Festival Parade, winning 1st prize! It will also be in the Thanksgiving Day Parade. They built it themselves using wood 100 years old!
The hayride has 4 covered carts pulled by a pickup truck and leads you DIRECTLY into "THE GATES OF HELL" where you're at the mercy of questionable characters. And we really liked the super tall monsters poised to hurl giant logs at you!
After the hayride (or before), there's LOTS more to do here! The PYRAMID MAZE looks really small from the outside, but you'll be amazed at how long you're in it! Blacklight hallways, good scares, sound effects, tight passageways and taunting from monsters.
The other walk thru haunt is their Enchanted House of Monsters which recreates some famous horror scenes in a building that seems to have been a kennel or animal hospital - caged doors to small rooms have animal sized openings at bottoms. The final room featuring Frankenstein himself has again been revamped, but the super old electronic equipment is still intact. You MUST resist the urge you may feel to twiddle some dials on the glorious analog equipment!
Also, there's a magic show that's followed by an ominous creature (new in 2005) rising from the "workshop" building where they show the kiddies how some elements of a haunt are created "for their entertainment" to alleviate their fears.
100 ACRES OF FAMILY FUN - WOW!!!
CANTON TOWNSHIP, MICHIGAN
TERROR IN THE ATTIC at Center Stage, 39940 Ford Road nfxdetroit.com $7 ZIOPTIS 2001 rating 2 1/2 stars (but they were working on a "skeleton crew" missing some key actors when we arrived)
NOT OPERATING 2002 - 2005, PROBABLY A GONER.
DEARBORN, MICHIGAN
HERSHEY HAUNTED HOUSE 25001 Michigan Ave. 1/2 mile west of Telegraph $12/$8 ZIOPTIS 2000 rating 4 1/2 STARS
ZIOPTIS 2001 rating 4 stars ZIOPTIS 2002 rating 4 1/4 STARS
With a new ""WOW!" right at the beginning. ANOTHER SWEET ENTRY FROM A NEWCOMER - 2000 WAS THEIR 1ST YEAR.
EDITOR’S NOTE 2021 - The new beginning “WOW!” was a miniature roller coaster that you rode, powered by gravity.
ZIOPTIS 2002 rating 4 1/4 STARS
Great sound start to finish, even while waiting in line! Recorded AND LIVE sound effects - you can hear all sorts of terrible things going on inside before you enter. New first room is a "funeral home." Taunting you by name - cool! Great cob webs galore, blacklights, different kind of black hole at end.
We especially liked the slow strobe room with actors popping back and forth, the great makeup and the cute little monster who gives you candy as you leave! NOT OPEN IN 2003 - WE HOPE THEY COME BACK!
THIS BUILDING IS ONCE AGAIN AN INSURANCE AGENCY IN 2004 AND 2005.
THANKS FOR THE "SWEET" MEMORIES!
DEARBORN HEIGHTS, MICHIGAN
NIGHTMARE AT PARKLAND PARK Ann Arbor Trail 1 3/4 miles east of Telegraph $8/$5 open dates October 24-27
ZIOPTIS 1999 rating 2 1/2 STARS NO RATING for 2000 ZIOPTIS 2001 rating 3 1/2 STARS
This one included an exquisite pumpkin display - about a hundred in a big ring. OUR LAST BLURB ON THIS SAID "LOTS OF POTENTIAL..." SURE ENOUGH, THIS JAYCEES EFFORT HAS IMPROVED AS PREDICTED - BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY!
NOT OPEN IN 2003 - WE HOPE THEY COME BACK!
STATUS UNKNOWN FOR 2004 - 2008.
THE KNIGHTS DUNGEON Knights of Columbus Hall ZIOPTIS 1999 rating 4 STARS ZIOPTIS 2000 rating 3 1/2 STARS
NOT OPERATING THIS YEAR, FUTURE STATUS UNKNOWN at this writing. This one was always cool, and at only $3 packed a lot of "BANG FOR THE BUCK!"
DETROIT, MICHIGAN
THE HAUNTED THEATRE HOUSE
9380 Livernois near Chicago, 1 block south of I-96. Take I-96 to the Livernois exit. October 24-31 Open until Midnight weekdays, 2 AM on weekends.
NOT IN THE FEAR FINDER, ZIOPTIS 2001 rating 5 STARS $12/$6
2001: THIS IS A BRAND NEW, FIRST TIME EFFORT from "B.C.U. Entertainment and Deep Drama Designs." AND WHAT A SHOW IT IS! Superior monster interaction, some really clever sets and even live mice and a dog actor! This one's a bit on the short side, but what they have is A-PLUS! And more plans are in the works for the last stretch - we plan to go back at least once more before the season is over! A special guest is promised for Halloween. ENTERTAINMENT IS NON-STOP FROM THE MOMENT YOU ARRIVE UNTIL YOU LEAVE!
OPENS IN 2002 ON OCTOBER 10th.
ZIOPTIS 2002 rating 5 STARS
2002: Bigger and better than 2001 (also 5 STARS!), these performers have a special feel not duplicated by ANY other haunt we've seen! Astonishing ambience in a big city setting. Superior sound and lighting throughout, and the monster interaction level is off the scale!! Incredible physical thrill factor WHILE MAINTAINING SAFETY, BRAVO! Fantastic dance routine performed to clever original music by dancers with fluorescent skeleton costumes in makeshift auditorium within building.
ADDITIONAL NOTES FOR HAUNTED THEATRE HOUSE ADDED OCT. 2021
PHYSICAL THRILL FACTOR
In total darkness they lead you to the last gag.
The final “room” is a large circle of wood with railings attached to a golf cart motor to rotate/spin the whole contraption! It holds about 6 people.
Two ghouls are hiding and taunt you as it begins moving. The ghouls supply the only light in the room - ordinary flashlights they simulate strobes with. They tried other more elaborate sources of light, but the simple flashlight gave the best result in pre-show tests.
FANCY DANCE
The dance routine is performed in TOTAL DARKNESS, except for several SHORTWAVE commercial theatrical blacklights. These emit NO VISIBLE LIGHT, so the fluorescent skeleton costumes seem to jump out of the blackness. ENTIRE AUDIENCE WOWED!
ULTRA CREEPY
One especially effective gag featured a velvet covered small table with a highly realistic looking severed human hand. You’re under strict orders not to touch it, and it starts moving toward you! We’ve never seen an animatronic this small.
BOW WOW WOW!
Not all the monsters are human at HAUNTED THEATRE HOUSE! One gag has the surprise drop-down panel revealing a dog who barks on command. FABULOUS!
NOT OPEN IN 2003 - THEY SAID THEY'LL BE BACK IN 2004!
UNFORTUNATELY, THEY DIDN'T MAKE IT IN 2004 AND WON'T OPERATE A PUBLIC HAUNT IN 2005.
NOT OPEN IN 2006, WE HOPE THEY RETURN!
WHAT A BUMMER - WE DROVE PAST THE SITE OF THE HAUNTED THEATRE HOUSE ON OCTOBER 9, 2008 AND THE BUILDING IS NOW PAINTED WHITE
7 MILE HOUSE OF TERROR 7 mile 3 blocks east of Southfield freeway ZIOPTIS 2000 rating 3 1/2 STARS
NO LONGER IN OPERATION
DETROIT
DEMONIC DEMONS
14256 Wyoming between Lyndon & Schoolcraft, south of the Lodge Freeway, north of I-96 (313) 289-4965
NOT OPEN IN 2012 and 2013.
2010 dates September 10th thru November 2nd
THIS HAUNT CAN NOT BE GIVEN A STAR RATING - THE TERROR IS NOT IMAGINARY - YOU WILL BE FORCED TO CLIMB AND CRAWL FOR YOUR LIFE.
ZIOPTIS 1999 rating WOW!!!
We took a peek in 2001 and it looks like they're at it again! This house defies conventional ratings. You've all heard stories, mostly legend, about haunted houses that are truly frightening and/or difficult to get through. Well, this one REALLY DOES fit that description!
If you are looking for the ultimate challenge WE DARE YOU to try this one! When we went in 1999 my companion didn't even make it past the 1st obstacle because of her high- heeled boots, leaving me totally alone to fend for myself. And they taunted her for about 20 minutes before letting her out of a totally dark room.
I still can't believe I made it through - I was battered and bruised with torn pants and shirt by the end! Expect to CRAWL about 1/2 way through in pitch black. Occasionally, a slot in the wall would open up and you would see a tiny red flashing light offering a glimmer of hope and then BANG, it was slammed shut!
If you decide to attempt this one, wear jeans and tennis shoes only. A grueling test for only the exceptionally brave and physically fit few - I'M NOT KIDDING!!!
NOT IN THE FEAR FINDER. WE PERSONALLY DROVE HERE TO MAKE SURE IT'S OPEN IN 2003. WE DARE YOU TO GO!!!
STATUS UNKNOWN FOR 2004
THEY ARE BACK IN 2005 AND ALSO HAVE A PAINTBALL BASED ATTRACTION "DEMON HOUSE" - WE DARE YOU TO GO!!!
NOT OPEN IN 2006 TO OUR KNOWLEDGE. NOT LISTED IN THE FEAR FINDER OR HAUNT GUIDE. WE WILL CALL THEM OR DRIVE BY THEIR SITE SOON.
OPEN IN 2008!!! ONLY FOR THE TRULY BRAVE, WE ARE NOT KIDDING.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN
TRUMBULLPLEX HAUNTED HAUS
4208 Trumbull 2 miles north of Tiger Stadium, south of Warren (Wayne State University area) between Forest & Willis. $8 NOT IN THE FEAR FINDER ZIOPTIS rating 5 STARS One night only, Friday October 26th, 2001. From their press release: "Based our own experiences...a hell raising Detroit haunted house. The Trumbull is a 1896 Victorian with a haunted herstory you never imagined! If you dare you may enter, and experience a freakish nightmare we call home. Jack-o-lantern carving with 6:30 pm judging."
WE WENT TO THIS - HOPE YOU DID TOO! Positively the MOST INTENSE show we saw in 2001. They actually measure you for a body bag before entering and make you carry it. Some really graphic goriness in a REAL haunted house - it once was a funeral home. We strongly urged them to do it again next year - HOPE TO SEE THEM BACK!!!
NOT OPERATING 2002 - 2006
GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
GIYRA ISLAND OF TERROR
On Groh Road west of Meridian
Take either bridge, turn right and follow signs
www.giyrahh.com ONLY $7 in 2003
ZIOPTIS 2003 rating 4 ¾ STARS
We have ALWAYS liked Grosse Isle, just driving there can be spooky! Good blind passageways, monster interaction and we really liked when they lied to us about how to get to the next room - you just CAN'T SEEM TO FIND IT! Also features the MOST INTENSE MOVING FLOOR WE'VE SEEN! Hydraulic system jerks floor abruptly - steep angles force you to HOLD ON TIGHT!
ZIOPTIS 2004 rating 3 1/2 STARS
This haunt almost got our top rating in 2003 - we KNOW they CAN and HAVE put on many great shows! However, we arrived on opening night this year and they just weren't ready so their rating suffered - REMEMBER, the ratings are for the show we actually saw! The logistics of putting on a quality haunt can be staggering - getting things right can take awhile, and we were there right at the start.
This haunt has some tricky navigation, and the building itself is great! But there was absolutely no music or spooky sounds - I imagine that has changed by now. And our FAVORITE gag from past years here is gone: the intense moving floor, the most dramatic we've ever encountered! (see 2003 review)
Still has the choice of an exit at the end, MILD or WILD, and we liked the church scene. DON'T COUNT THIS ONE OUT - THEY'VE PUT ON GREAT SHOWS FOR MANY YEARS, AND WE'RE SURE THERE'S MANY MORE TO COME! This one can be spooky before you even get there! Driving in the dark (no street lights on Grosse Ile!) is even stranger when the fog rolls in - CAREFUL!
CHOP SHOP
26505 Hornet, Grosse Ile take either bridge to Meridian, turn right and follow signs
(734) 327-4907 or www.detroitchopshop.com
ZIOPTIS 2005 rating 4 1/2 STARS
2005: It's the same great building as last time, but revamped by renowned wild guy John L. Burton. The hydraulic moving floor is gone, but many other gags will leave you speechless.
FOUL MOUTHED GOONS RULE THIS STRANGE DOMAIN.
NEW SHOW FOR 2006 IS "THE LAB."
INKSTER, MICHIGAN
FUNERAL HOME
3880 Inkster Road, Inkster, MI 48141
(734) 956-2101
YOUNG HAUNT WITH A FUTURE LIMITED ONLY BY THEIR IMAGINATION!
LINCOLN PARK, MICHIGAN
ANXIETY ALLEY
3525 Dix at the Lincoln Park Community Center. (313) 386-4075 $5 NOT IN THE FEAR FINDER ZIOPTIS 1999 rating 3 stars NO RATING for 2000 ZIOPTIS 2001 rating 3 1/2 stars ZIOPTIS 2003 rating 4 stars THIS IS PROBABLY THE CHEAPEST ONE OUT THERE THIS YEAR - IT PACKS A GREAT "BANG-FOR-THE-BUCK!"
ZIOPTIS 2003 rating 4 STARS
An excellent modular haunt that has improved again and offers an excellent "BANG-FOR-THE-BUCK!" Even more twists and turns this time - it's easy to get lost here. Good monster interaction.
This is one of the oldest haunts in Michigan, originally created by the Jaycees.
STILL ONLY $5 IN 2005! ONCE AGAIN LOCATED AT THE LINCOLN PARK COMMUNITY CENTER.
ZIOPTIS 2005 rating 3 3/4 STARS
2005: AT ONLY $5, THIS ONE PACKS A GREAT BANG-FOR-THE-BUCK! This modular haunt has been around forever, and we hope it always is!
LITTLE LEAGUE HALLOWEEN HAYRIDE OF HORROR on Dix between Outer Drive and Southfield Road - right next to ANXIETY ALLEY ZIOPTIS 2003 rating 4 stars ONLY $5
This is only the 2nd year of this promising new haunt. Good monster interaction and excellent illusions with heads popping out of the ground - the 2nd such display will definitely surprise you! We liked their demented Jack-In-The-Box too! ONE TO WATCH FOR THE FUTURE, AND TO ATTEND THIS SEASON!
NOT OPERATING IN 2005, UNKNOWN STATUS FOR 2006.
LIVONIA, MICHIGAN
SCARY SCOTT'S HAUNTED HOUSE
34918 Fairfax Court, Livonia, MI
(248) 345-2072 or www.myspace.com/scaryscottshauntedhouse
This is a haunt at a person's house, and it's FREE!
But you can't call it just a "yard haunt" because they've got well- detailed rooms, dark hallways and other goodies up their sleeve!
LIVONIA, MICHIGAN
THE GAUNTLET
At Livonia Mall, 7 Mile & Middlebelt (248) 788-6900 $13 / $10
ZIOPTIS 2004 rating 4 STARS
REALLY GOOD MODULAR HAUNT! Artsy entrance facade gives good feel - we liked the towers on either side with bars and strobe lights and the gargoyles outside.
Good monster scares, pop out displays, and a 3-D display at the end. We really liked the one room you can't get out of (although we WON"T tell you what's going to happen to you there!) and the fog, which seemed to have a cinnamon scent to it.
And, speaking of fog, just before we left we saw a curious sight - large clouds of fog pouring out of the top of the structure! WE LOOK FORWARD TO GOING HERE AGAIN IN 2005!
NOT OPERATING IN 2005 OR 2006.
LIVONIA, MICHIGAN
REAPER'S DUNGEON at the Wonderland Mall, Plymouth & Middlebelt (248) 777-3136 ZIOPTIS 2000 rating 3 stars
ZIOPTIS 2001 rating 3 3/4 STARS
ZIOPTIS 2003 rating 4¼ STARS
Excellent modular haunt with great blind passageways and lots of mixed up door choices and rooms to be trapped in. Good monster interaction - we love it when they taunt us and lie to us! We liked the floating ghost and the sideways shrinking room. AN EXCELLENT NEW SHOW FROM A LONG ESTABLISHED HAUNT!
STATUS UNKNOWN FOR 2004
THIS BECAME THE HAUNTED MORGUE IN YPSILANTI AND WAS AWESOME!
LIVONIA, MICHIGAN
FRIGHT NIGHTS
Livonia Mall, 7 Mile & Middelebelt www.frightnightshaunt.com
ZIOPTIS 2002 rating 3 1/2 STARS
2002: THIS ONE IS WILD! Highly disorienting journey into NEVER NEVER LAND! Unique coffin gag at beginning, several alternate pathways later. EXTREME HIGH INTENSITY MONSTER INTERACTION, BANGING ON WALLS. NOT FOR YOUNG CHILDREN OR WIMPS!!!
NOT OPEN 2004 - 2006.
MELVINDALE, MICHIGAN
HAUNTED HAYRIDES
at Saint Mary Magdalen field, Outer Drive & Hanna, across the street from the church. $5/$3 NOT IN THE FEAR FINDER ZIOPTIS 2001 rating 3 3/4 STARS
A brand new effort from 40 volunteers. Excellent monster interaction and we really liked their "HEAD SALAD" gag near the end. AQUINAS HIGH SCHOOL IS GONE NOW - HOPEFULLY THIS WILL BECOME A STRONG REPLACEMENT TO THE DOWNRIVER HAYRIDE SCENE!
THIS IS OPERATING IN 2004 - IT RAINED ON THE NIGHT WE HOPED TO GO IN 2003.
WE DIDN'T MAKE IT IN 2004 AND WILL CHECK TO SEE IF IT'S ON FOR 2005!
UNFORTUNATELY, IT RAINED THE NIGHT WE PLANNED TO GO HERE IN 2005. WE HAVN'T SEEN THE SIGNS FOR THIS YET IN 2006, BUT WILL KEEP LOOKING!
NEW BOSTON, MICHIGAN
HAUNTED BARN OF BLOOD
Apple Charlie's Orchard & Cider Mill, south of I-94 off I-275
Take exit 11B, one mile due west (734) 753-9380
ZIOPTIS 2004 rating 4 STARS
NOT IN THE FEAR FINDER.
OPEN IN 2005!
NORTHVILLE
CORN MAZE AT MAYBURY FARM
8 Mile east of Napier (248) 374-0200 $8 /$4 (2004 prices)
5-9 pm Friday, 1-9 pm Saturday & Sunday thru Oct. 31, 2005
HALLOWEEN SOUP
Marquis Theatre, 135 Main Street, Northville (248) 349-8110 $7.50
Next shows are 2:30 pm October 8 & 9, 2005. THIS IS A MUSICAL THEATRE PRESENTATION SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN - IT IS NOT A HAUNTED HOUSE.
PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP, MICHIGAN
ESTATE OF THE DAMNED
13001 Eckles Road, east of I-275 between Plymouth & Schoolcraft. From Detroit: take I-94 west to I-275 north, exit on Ann Arbor Road - turn right. Road curves left, continue to Newburg - turn left. Pass Hines Drive, then turn left on Plymouth Road (a "Michigan left" - no left turn allowed right there). Continue to Eckles Road - turn right. House is about 1/2 way down block on left. (734) 453-8407 $10 / $8
ZIOPTIS 2001 rating 4 stars You might NEVER find your way out of the last room! As a kid, I remember the Plymouth Canton Jaycees always had a great show - especially the location on Main Street they once had. 2001 WAS NO EXCEPTION - WE HAVE HIGH HOPES FOR 2002!
ZIOPTIS 2003 rating 4¼ STARS
2003: This is in an old warehouse not used for other purposes! Rob Zombie rock music, lots of sirens wailing and good dark passageways with "secret" entrances to the next room. You immediately get lost in the first room, and are also doomed to that fate in the last room, but they happen in totally different ways! Also features shrinking rooms, snakes and spiders, and we liked the dark room with only stars glowing. THE JAYCEES COME THRU AGAIN WITH A QUALITY HAUNT!
WE MISSED THIS ONE IN 2004 DUE TO TIMING CONSTRAINTS AND ARE DISAPPOINTED IT SEEMS TO BE GONE IN 2005 and 2006.
REDFORD TOWNSHIP, MICHIGAN
JAYCEES SLAUGHTER HOUSE
15534 Beech Daly, 2 blocks north of 5 Mile, 1 1/4 mile south of I-96. (313) 414-9104 $8/$6 ZIOPTIS 1999 rating 4 stars ZIOPTIS 2000 rating 2 stars ZIOPTIS 2002 rating 4 stars
2002: Much improved over our last visit. Excellent low frequency noises, good interaction and some tricky navigating thru a multi-level building.
THE JAYCEES COME THRU AGAIN!!
THIS WAS CLOSED WHEN WE TRIED TO VISIT IN 2003. WE HEARD THEY'VE LOST THE LAND TO DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA - SO SAD TO SEE THEM GONE IN 2005.
SLAUGHTER HOUSE
15534 Beech Daly between 5 Mile & 6 Mile. Redford Twp.
www.redfordjaycees.org $10 / 8
ZIOPTIS 2004 rating 4 1/2 STARS
RIVERVIEW, MICHIGAN
THE HOUSE
15001 Sibley Road between Allen Road and Fort Street in the Sportsman's Den parking lot (734) 284-5370 $5
ZIOPTIS 2002 rating 3 1/4 STARS
Decent modular haunt with good interaction and we especially liked the forest-like ambience and the final scare. ONCE AGAIN, KUDOS TO THE JAYCEES!
LEO'S HOUSE OF HORRORS
Corner of Fort & Sibley
(734) 284-5370
ZIOPTIS 2004 rating 3 1/2 STARS
This is a modular haunt from the Riverview Lion's Club, the ONLY Lion's Club haunt in Michigan! We've enjoyed going here before and this visit was no exception!
Good monster interaction, surprises, creaky paths, and we especially liked getting lost in a room that returned us to its' entrance, the room with an outdoor feel and the "guy" who pursues you as you leave! The music was a little on the soft side for our liking, BUT the girl in the last room was the LOUDEST WE'VE EVER HEARD!
OPEN IN 2005 AT SPORTSMAN'S DEN PARKING LOT ON SIBLEY
NEW LOCATION FOR 2010 IS AT RIVERVIEW COMMONS SHOPPING CENTER
RIVER ROUGE, MICHIGAN
MORTUARY MANOR
ZIOPTIS 2000 rating 3 1/2 stars NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC THIS YEAR This attraction is being "loaned out" for a special private fundraiser for the New York disaster while they seek a new building to convert. KUDOS TO YOU, DALE DUDE! HOPE TO SEE THIS ONE NEXT YEAR!
NAUTICAL NIGHTMARE
1 Belanger Park, River Rouge
(216) 402-6116 or 1-800-DETROIT or www.nauticalnightmare.com
ZIOPTIS 2005 rating 5 STARS
STRANGE CARGO AWAITS YOU HERE! IF YOU REMEMBER THE OLD BOB-LO ISLAND BOATS / AMUSEMENT PARK, and even if you DON'T, you definitely should check this one out!
Amazing ambience like you'll experience here CAN NOT be bought, rented or manufactured! It LOOKS old, it SMELLS old, it FEELS old - and that's because, yup, you guessed it - it IS OLD! The "Captain" aboard here told us the vessel (the SAINT CLAIR) was first commissioned in 1910! (was he exaggerating?).
This haunt has changed considerably since our last visit to it 2002 in Ohio, and we liked what we saw! The dining room setup is different - we really liked the ballerina and weird clown beckoning you to enter it. The music was different this time - twisted, demented versions of famous big band tunes from long ago.
A crew member will make a surprising demand from you at one point in your journey - consider carefully your response to him or you'll be sorry! And we would also suggest you be wary of any invitations to play with the crew members, especially those wielding knives as if they sleep with THEM instead of teddy bears or humans! Also features a tall dude that can run the length of the vessel in just a few seconds! AN IMPRESSIVE EFFORT!
ROCHESTER, MICHIGAN
DEMENTIA AT HAMPTON
2600 Club Drive, Rochester Hills, MI 48307
(248) 793-7000 or www.dementiaathampton.com
NEW FOR 2010!
ROMULUS, MICHIGAN
REALM OF HAUNTED MINDS
Huron Turkey Farm, 18910 Merriman - corner of Merriman & Sibley
Entrance is on Sibley (734) 753-9187
ZIOPTIS 2004 rating 4 1/2 STARS
2004: EXCELLENT FIRST TIME HAUNT! Fantastic outdoorsy feel - IT'S A TURKEY FARM! Also has various other farm animals including sheep and goats outside to keep you company while you decide if it's safe to go into the haunted structure ahead!
We LOVED the building where you buy tickets and goodies such as cider (hot if you like), pumpkins, cornstalks, hay, gourds and fresh baked goods, we tried the donuts - YUM! It features MANY REALLY COOL HAUNTED THINGIES AND MASKS - DON'T LET JUST ONE PERSON FROM YOUR GROUP GO IN TO GET TICKETS! We really liked the makeup on the girl at the register - her pupils are TINY little white dots!
The area leading to the haunt has some strange buildings. There are several miniature schoolhouses, but not so small you can't get in! The one I went in had a tiny school desk and a small scale bench I sat on for a moment until a Mike Meyers type guy appeared at the window and then at the entrance wielding a large "knife!"
When you get into the haunt itself, pay attention to the guy who tells you the house rules - it looks like HE didn't obey them because HE'S SERIOUSLY DEAD! (Only the miracle of electricity allows him to speak to you!)
Awesome monster interaction, a black hole with a different "twist" to give an enhanced motion sensation, a unique tribute to a famous rock star, and a maze at the end that will startle you!
We really liked the pink rope light room, the plastic "curtains" between rooms (you will quickly notice the difference we refer to), and the lighted skull tipping his red top hat on top of the ticket building.
The owner / operator told us some of his plans for 2005 and it sounds like THIS IS ONE TO WATCH, and at only $8 will probably get our "BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK AWARD FOR 2004!" IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN HERE YET, GO!
ZIOPTIS 2005 rating 4 3/4 STARS
2005: A STRONG NEWCOMER - IT'S THEIR 2nd YEAR OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Excellent spooky, wailing sounds from sound systems AND from live actors. Features an EXCELLENT "Pin-Head" character that pulls off a stunt that truly surprised us, and we really liked the WAY CREEPY SMALL GIRL with her ultra-strange demeanor and vocalizations! And watch for the staggered rate strobe lighting in the Dracula room - most strobe lights have variable but consistent flash rates. Also features a FAST BLACK HOLE with spiral swirling stripes and a mirrored surface at the end for an added touch.
Outside the haunt are miniature buildings including a jailhouse and school house. And there's an animal farm for the kids that HAS A CAMEL! They do LOTS of business during the daylight hours on Saturday & Sunday with a less scary haunt for young children.
Also features a really cool interior at the ticket building / store with lots of standup monsters. And we loved the eyes on the ticket girl - she has TINY red pupils this time! And check out those Halloween cookies, carmel-nut apples, donuts and fresh Parmenter's Apple Cider!
A STRONG, YOUNG HAUNT ON THE MOVE! MOVE YOUR BODY HERE AND CHECK IT OUT!
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