Face Your Fears: Hotel of Terror (Springfield, OH)
“Blood & Zombies & Killers, Oh My”
By Noah Wullkotte: jollypumpkin@aol.com
An old hotel from 1853 is surrounded by a massive tree. 2 menacing gargoyles guard its entrance. Do you have the courage to enter Face Your Fears: Hotel of Terror, one of the best haunts in the United States?
Face Your Fears is full of high tech eye candy that will make you jump out of your skin. One of their newest animatronics features a dining room table that opens up to reveal a zombie bellhop, cook and maid. It’s one of the coolest props we’ve seen in a long time. Other props include books that mysterious move by themselves, a CGI portrait of a zombie girl, zombies that burst out of the wall, a massive rat, a poor man being eaten by a spider and much more. Face Your Fears has one of the best vortex tunnels, but it didn’t have an actor tormenting us like in year’s past. It’s still great none the less.
There’s nowhere to run and nowhere to hide at Face Your Fears. Every year we purchase a touch pass. For an additional $3, you’re given a glow necklace that lets the actors know that they can be physical. We were tormented as we traveled through the haunted halls of the hotel. There’s an uneasy feeling since the horrifying characters can do what they please. You’ll be grabbed, shoved, separated from your group and assaulted. If you think you’re ready then think again.
I had multiple chainsaws pressed up against my skin as I tried to escape. Watch out for the carver family because they’re wanting to tear you up. A cannibal was feasting on one of her victims as it began to spray blood. The glorious crimson was a sight to see. Face Your Fears has a cast of characters that are from your worst and wildest nightmares. One of my personal favorites is the half man, half boar creature that towers above patrons.
This is a very detailed haunt with beautiful lighting. The laser swamp is quite tall which makes it feel like you’re drowning in water with a green glow. The above ground cemetery reminds me of something you would experience in New Orleans, one of the world’s most haunted cities. The church features characters in robes. It’s your job to determine which is real. The cave was small, but very realistic. You never know what to expect at Face Your Fears. The bed room isn’t even safe. You might become possessed.
(This gorgeous fountain is a great addition to Face Your Fears.)
Total tour time was 23 minutes and this is a very action packed haunt from beginning to end. This is 3 minutes longer than last year. This is a very interactive haunt especially if you purchase at Touch Pass. The time you’re inside is dependent on how the actors play with your fears. Before entering the haunt, you’ll give an employee your phone number. When it’s your turn, you’ll receive a text message before entering the queue line. The virtual queue is a great way to explore the grounds while you’re waiting. Tickets are $22, Fast Pass is $32 , VIP (includes touch passes) is $42 and to add the touch pass to general admission is an additional $3. Parking is $5 per vehicle. There were various characters roaming around. One had a severed head that he threw at me.
There were concessions from Last Rites LLC. You could get yourself a slice of pizza, walking taco, pulled pork and more. Pick yourself up a T-Shirt, hoodie, beanie and more at their merchandise booth. Their new fountain is gorgeous. Don’t forget to play some 4D Axe Throwing or get your face painted at Jason’s Face Painting. Movies play nightly on their projector screen. The Conjuring 2 was playing the night we visited. It can get cold on a brisk fall night and thankfully Face Your Fears has a large fire pit. Their photo op station features a zombie with an ax in his head.
Face Your Fears: Hotel of Terror is one of our favorite haunts. It’s scary, entertaining and very intense. We definitely recommend that you visit Springfield, Ohio for one of the best haunts around.
Length-9 Design-9 Props-9 Acting-9 Scare Effect-9
Final Stab: 9.0
www.faceyourfearshaunt.com