RECAP:  King’s Island celebrates its golden anniversary season with its best Halloween Haunt ever, featuring 6 independently-themed maze-style attractions (Hotel St. Michelle, KillMart, C.H.A.O.S., Slaughterhouse, Cornered, and Madame Fatale's Cavern of Terror, 4 walk-through scare zones (Coney Maul, International Street Fear, Pumpkin Eater, and Alien X,) and 3 "Sinister Shows" (Nyte Walkers, Monster Rock, and Terror Rising).

In addition, 23 of the park's top "Thrill Rides" can be enjoyed (Adventure Express, Backlot Stunt Coaster, Banshee, Boo Blasters on Boo Hill, Delirium, Diamondback, Dodgem, Eiffel Tower, Flight of Fear, Grand Carousel, Invertigo, Kings Mills Antique Autos, Monster, Mystic Timbers, Orion, Scrambler, Shake, Rattle & Roll, The Bat, The Beast, The Racer, Windseeker, Xtreme Skyflyer, and Zephyr) and are included with admission. In all, that's 10 haunted attractions plus live shows and rides!  The nightly experience can be upgraded by purchasing Fright Lane passes, which grant front-of-the-line access to all haunt-related activities.

ANALYSIS:  The most impressive acting was seen in the newest attraction, Hotel St. Michelle! Girl warning, “You may check in, but won’t check out!” and girl attacking a hotel guest on a bloody bed are most memorable,  In Killmart, female zombie flipping upside down and crawling backwards is most noteworthy.  C.H.A.O.S. monster with giant teeth is also unforgettable!  Much improved dialogue and lots of it is found throughout and plenty of “freaks” occupy each haunted area.  Scare Zones are heavily populated as well with monsters, clowns, and spark-emitting “sliders!”  Costuming is top notch, and utilizes extensive make-up and elaborate masks. Attractions are short by design in order to accommodate the large crowds, with most of the Mazes lasting between 4 and 5 minutes in duration.  Soundtracks are loud and complimentary. Mirror Maze in C.H.A.O.S. stands out, as do the bloody, gory scenes inside Hotel St. Michelle. Live shows provide an entertaining respite from the various haunts.  Monster Rock returns featuring song and dance from popular hits with a bit of a twist, Nyte Walkers is new and consists of BMX style jumping, trampoline twirling, and  a stage show of actors and dancers.  Terror Rising is also new for 2022 and showcases rhythmic dancing combined with thrash, metal, EDM, and a pair of dueling drummers performing on International Street's Bandstand Stage.

Atmosphere within the park is unmatched, highlighted by a surplus of seasonal décor and awesomely dense fog that compliments the experience.  Roaming characters and trademark "sliders" unleash sudden scares and surprises on unsuspecting patrons!  Lines get longer the closer it gets to Halloween, so plan accordingly.  Tickets start at $44.99 online for the tri-state's top-rated Halloween EVENT!  Gates open at 6 PM Fridays and Saturdays through October 29 and close each night at midnight, when it’s time to “Get out!”

NOTE:  Correspondent Dustin Peters contributed to this review.