RECAP:  Various monsters stalk and terrorize the queue prior to entering Hell’s Dungeon.  Raunchies the clown contributes by painting the faces of patiently waiting customers turning some of them into happy-go-lucky jesters, while others might receive something a little more sinister in nature. 

The haunt gets off to an appropriate beginning in the presence of The Devil himself, who delivers an intimidating, voice amplified introduction to the attraction before turning the reign of terror over to his demons, better known as Rejects.  Exploration of the dark, creepy dungeon visits cemeteries, an old church funeral procession, the "Laid to Rest" Crematorium, a satanic school building, and a candy store that comes across Lollipop asking for quarters for the gumball machine.  Even the portal to Hell itself is present, which is accessed through a spinning vortex!  This mesmerizing gateway dumps into an eerie bayou filled with hissing snakes leading to an enchanting encounter with a mysterious voodoo priestess reciting captivating incantations to raise the dead!  As the pathway continues across a wooden bridge and past the invasion of an enormous, man-eating jack-o-lantern, piles of skulls are noticed burning over a coal fire and bloody body parts litter the floor of the Carnage Grinder Company, where employees of the sick and twisted Syrus Firewood are busy splitting dead bodies in two, with a gigantic table saw.  From there, it’s onto the Firewood Butcher Shop that’s staffed by a violent brute armed with a murderous machete.  As the route progresses directly into the Firewood family home, Mama is discovered in a deplorable kitchen stirring up some human stew!

Other scenes include the Maniacal Asylum run by Dr. Phil Payne, where an insane patient desperately screams, "I need my pills!" at the counter of the ransacked hospital pharmacy, and crazed girls having crosses imprinted on their foreheads come jumping off their beds!  The neo-natal area is filled with cribs thrown about a room turned upside down, and witnesses a distraught mother giving birth to some demonic, two-headed baby, while rooms 1 thru 8 contain a shocking surprise of their own, and deranged, straight-jacketed girls run and scream their way down a hopeless hallway!

A vibrating elevator ride exits into an encounter with a janitor-like fiend slamming a large mallet into the floor outside the atrocious laboratory of a malicious doctor conducting unknown experiments on caged animals. Transformation into a 3-D Circus of Hell finds a carnival barker announcing the upcoming Freakshow comprised by a number of killer clowns, and highlighted by a colossal moving clown head, slide down panels, the Jugular Brothers Circus featuring a bone-thrilling ring toss; a green, laser-lit swamp, colorful skulls, a claustrophobic passageway, and a path-blocking rendezvous with a 8-foot tall, stilted, red-eyed monster with a circular saw for a hand chasing intruders out of Hell's Dungeon.

ANALYSIS:  The attraction has undergone additional detailing and some reorganization significantly improving the flow of events.  Several mechanical and jump scares work in tandem with live actor interaction.  The experience gets off to a strong beginning at the hands of Rufus, a.k.a. The Devil.  Elimination of the guide that accompanies groups through the first few scenes and introducing some action would further strengthen the performance.

The Haunt plays off the Rob Zombie Movie The Devil's Regects, with the film’s sadistic Firefly Family renamed as The Firewoods, however that theme is downplayed somewhat in comparison to 2021with the absence of a few of the more prominent characters, thus rendering it a bit less effective.  3-D section is well done, and stilted-monster serves as a powerful climax.  Lighting is good throughout, and soundtrack was ramped up in spots, but still needs help as some areas remain quiet.  Dialogue could be improved upon as well.  Oversized meat grinder and actor-tronics (jack-o-lantern and biting clown) are among the more impressive props, as is shock skin, which provides a new, unexpected surprise.  A big animatronic monster or two would further compliment this department.  Makeup is a positive contributor to costuming.  Dentist, bearded nurse, and pogo stick Bubblez the clown are missing.  Voodoo Priestess is among the more memorable characters.  Expanding her role and adding some sort of magical effects to her ritual could potentially turn her segment into a most captivating, “Best Scare of the Year” contender!

Now in their third season, Hell’s Dungeon continues to improve their product and we're expecting more of the same in years to come!  This is an all indoor attraction.  General admission costs $24 and parking is provided free of charge.  Check 'em out!