Summary:

This year the Wheaton Jaycees Haunted House consisted of a few simple scenes separated by long lengths of dark hallways.  With the exception of a few areas where light leaked through cracks in the wall from other scenes, the hallways were very dark.  Upon entering the Haunted House, I had to cross a rickety bridge with fog flowing out from underneath it.  Green light shining through the fog gave it an eerie glow.  Continuing through the house I encountered a detailed bedroom scene where it appeared that the bedding had been torn up and there was an evil creature in the corner who stared me down.  There was also a strobe-lit area where you had to pick the correct curtain in order to continue.  My first choice was a dead end.   I liked the dark maze this year.  The slow flash of the strobe light was disorienting and made the maze difficult to get through.  The kitchen featured eerie red lighting and a table with severed human hands on plates.  My personal favorite was the study, where you had to crawl through the fireplace then crawl up & down a ramp to get out.    

There were a good amount of actors; however, had there been a few more, it would have enhanced the experience.  Most of the actors were fairly low-key and a couple of them just stared and didn't even attempt to approach me.  There were a couple of times when actors surprised me from hidden alcoves in dark hallways, though.  Most of the actors did a good job, but there were a couple who didn't seem sure of their roles.  In their defense, I did arrive on opening weekend and I'm sure that not everyone was "in the groove" yet. 

This was a pretty good showing by the Wheaton Jaycees Haunted House, especially considering that it was their opening weekend.  This event is a little more tame than some of the other haunted houses I have been to, so it would be appropriate for families with young children.     

Click here to find out more about this event.