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Summary:
Terror on the Square is
quite different from your standard haunted attraction. First of all, it was a
guided tour. Also, throughout the event they utilized some fantastic illusions.
Sometimes these illusions were stand-alone just for the sake of displaying a
stunning visually effect, while other times they were used quite effectively to
set up a distraction scare.
Many of the scenes were
fairly small, which fostered a claustrophobic feel within the attraction. Those
compact spaces also guaranteed that the entire group would be in one place, so
they all could experience the scares. Another thing that I was impressed
with is the fact that they let people go through in rather small groups. I was
in a group of five and the group before me only had four people. I think it's a
much more intimate and enjoyable experience when you have a small group, as
opposed to some other attractions that put through 15 people at a time.
One scene featured a
phenomenal illusion of a flickering ghost girl, who was standing atop a wooden
staircase. After flickering on and off several times, she disappeared before our
very eyes, then reappeared from a great hiding place, to scare our group.
The open casket funeral
scene had a casket that was surrounded by folding chairs. In the background,
there was a very realistic illusion of a skeleton playing an organ, with three
disembodied skills floating overhead.
At one point in the
tour, my group was led into a freight elevator. The elevator's movement was
simulated quite well. As the elevator went down, I could see a realistic-looking
brick wall moving past the elevator's window. To add to the effect, a
bottomless pit illusion flashed on and off, beneath our feet. Just when I
thought it was over, an actor broke in and hijacked the elevator, taking us down
even further. Before we were able to leave the scene, there was another surprise
scare that I didn't expect.
I also liked the
detailed graveyard. Behind a wrought iron fence, there were numerous tombstones
bathed in green light. To simulate a brewing storm, there was a floodlight that
flashed in sync with a booming thunder soundtrack. To exit the scene, we
all had to walk through the arched entrance of a stone tomb.
In another area, there
was a fog filled maze with flashing green strobe lights. The actors in the scene
had us going around in circles. It was quite disorienting.
The actors throughout
the attraction did a great job. Our tour guide gave a very theatrical
presentation, introducing every scene. She knew her lines and stayed in
character the entire time. Other actors performed pop-out scares. Their timing
was excellent and their scares were effective.
Overall, Terror on the
Square did an amazing job this year. I'm glad I had the opportunity to come back
and check it out. The event is very entertaining and with an admission price of
only nine dollars, it is also a great value. With its amazing the visual
effects, combined with old school distraction scares, this event has something
for everyone. Be sure to add this one to your list of haunted house visits
this year.
To find out more about this
event, visit:
http://terrorontheweb.com/
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