Cinema SlasherKnott’s Scary FarmHauntHaunted houseThe concept and creative kills set this apart as one of the best of the 2023 batch. When it comes to slashers, the kills must be unique, creative, and fun, and this maze does not disappoint. With homages to tropes found in classic slashers, such as the sorority house or the camp grounds, it was fun to see how the killer dispatched their victims in gory, almost artistic ways. Make sure to hit this maze before the night ends.
Mesmer: Sideshow Of The MindKnott’s Scary FarmHauntHaunted houseGoing on its 3rd year, Mesmer still hits hard as one of the most creative mazes in the park. Delving into the dark corners of the mind in a dilapidated demented carnival, each encounter with the circus' denizens was unique and packed with details. I do miss the theatrical intro it had in its first year. The story can also be difficult to follow, as maze-goers quickly hop from room to room.
The Chilling ChambersKnott’s Scary FarmHauntHaunted houseTruly a stand-out maze with plenty to offer for both new and old fans. Long-time Knott's fans will get the most out of this one, as it is filled to the brim with references, Easter eggs, and nods to all 50 years of Knott's Scary Farm history. I especially applaud the homage to Larry Vincent, aka Sinister Seymour, who was the first ever celebrity host for the very first Knott's Scary Farm. I gleefully shouted when I saw Elvis from Lost Vegas, as that was one of the first mazes I did during my first visit to Knott's Scary Farm back in 2007. And the trip through the Doll Factory, one my favorite mazes of all time, plucked all the strings for the fan boy inside of me. Nothing but love for this one. For all you fans out there, make sure to make time for this one.
Delusion: Nocturnes & Nightmares - [Season 2023]DelusionHauntHaunted houseThis year's Delusion packed strong thrills and was rewarding to both returning and new fans alike. Long-time attendees of the show will find the most fulfillment, as this year featured numerous throwbacks, references, and returning characters from previous shows, spanning over a decade of stories all combined in one ultimate meta plotline. Outside of the main show itself, the grounds contain a handful of activities to partake in. Enjoy entertainment and drinks on the second floor, and make sure to visit the attic before your showtime (wait times can vary, so grab a spot as soon as you arrive). There are also food and beverage offerings in the backyard, but I would stay away from there until after your show, as it is directly in front of the exit, within earshot of potential spoilers. Make sure to plan one final visit to the beautiful Phillips Mansion. This is one not to be missed.
Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America [Season 2023]Halloween Horror NightsHauntHaunted houseA pleasant surprise, Monstruous was one of Universal's original offerings for the 2023 year. The maze benefitted from strong set design and memorable key moments. I will never forget the image of El Silbon ripping out a victim's spine with his bare hands, a la Mortal Kombat. While the story may or may not make sense (I am biased since I watched John Murdy describe the maze in great detail during Midsummer Scream), I felt that the pacing was nice and primed the viewers with enough info to signal that they would meet a different creature from folklore.
The DepthsKnott’s Scary FarmHauntHaunted houseThe Depths still goes strong 5 years after its debut. The Lovecraftian tale mixed with jaw-dropping wow moments fully immerse the viewer into its murky waters. Its climactic scene still leaves a deep impact with its gigantic scale. The plot is easy to follow with consistent pacing.
Dark Ride: Castle of ChaosKnott’s Scary FarmHauntHaunted houseThe set design stood out as one of the most inspired and imaginative. What amazed me was that they built an entire dark ride, fully complete with animatronics and story beats that harken back to dark rides of the past. The path weaved the audience from the main attraction to behind the scenes in the maintenance corridors, building the story and anticipation until it climaxed into a mad scene of murderous hobo clowns roaming a hellish landscape.
Pumpkin EaterKnott’s Scary FarmHauntHaunted house2022 marked the end of Pumpkin Eater, a maze that was always a joy for me to wander through. The smell of the cornfield, dank innards of the pumpkins, and blaze of the furnace attacked all the senses. The sound design was top-tier: skittering insects, squeaking mice, raging fires, and echoing screams of terror reverberated throughout the maze, backed by a steady deep heart beat that piled on the anxiety. Who knew pies could be so scary?
CarnivalThe 13th RoomHauntHaunted houseA delicious dive into a demented funhouse, Carnival is a fun Halloween treat that encourages exploration, both external and within. When my group and I first pulled up to the location, I was very amazed - The 13th Room had found the perfect spot for their latest venture, and it greatly set the mood for the rest of the night. In fact, the location, along with the costumes, characters, lighting, sound, set decoration, and attention to detail all add up to form a memorable experience. The brilliant use of dark and light in the various scenes within the whole adventure elevated the night, and their use of space to give the illusion that we are in a bigger area was really well done. Additionally, the actors know how to play off of the crowd, and I had a great time interacting with them. Eddy, the creator, was a fun and giving host, and as the night progressed, we all felt comfortable enough to play and let loose with other attendees and the actors. It felt like a collaborative event where we all were having fun together. Surprisingly, the content can get very deep and personal, offering many opportunities at introspection. They won't force you to reveal your inner demons, but they offer the chance to voluntarily share some personal feelings with the crowd. While this might not be welcomed by everybody, I appreciated the contrast between light-hearted fun and deep reflection. Other than the main event, the show offers an excellent assortment of themed cocktails, homemade cookies, and other snacks. Plenty of 1-1 opportunities are available. For an additional fee, you can also interact with the fortune tellers. There is comfortable seating throughout, and the place has a dedicated bathroom with plumbing, which is very much welcomed. I had a great time at the Carnival and look forward to more offerings from The 13th Room.
The Exorcist: Believer [Season 2023]Halloween Horror NightsHauntHaunted houseGreat addition to the 2023 lineup with some good scares and pacing. Even though I didn't see the movie, the storyline was easy to follow. Lighting and sound design was great, with the flashing lights and demonic chants piling onto the dread. It also had some good set pieces, such as the walk through the village.
![Delusion: Nocturnes & Nightmares - [Season 2023]](https://res.cloudinary.com/mortyapp/image/upload/c_limit,w_260/f_auto/v1/store/s/00d0529f-219f-4325-b2d9-0f79322d7746.png)
![Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America [Season 2023]](https://res.cloudinary.com/mortyapp/image/upload/c_limit,w_260/f_auto/v1/store/s/f8cac4ba-a299-4197-a8c6-1e4f59a31954.jpg)
![The Exorcist: Believer [Season 2023]](https://res.cloudinary.com/mortyapp/image/upload/c_limit,w_260/f_auto/v1/store/s/bb1f2459-61d4-409f-8d09-d54fcdafff7e.jpg)
