RECAP:  The adventure begins at Joint Research Base Hoorah, a top-secret military facility where newly arriving “recruits” face inspection for some sort of resistant gene that’s been accidentally introduced in humans causing some to be transformed into cannibalistic monstrosities.  Fortunately, the base has installed a new genetic bio-scanner designed to detect those possessing the abnormality, although a number of false positives are detected resulting in some being subjected to additional physical testing like jumping jacks, push-ups, singing songs, reciting poetry, etc.

Once scanning and testing is complete, prospective troops are loaded into the back of a dark military bus and transported to an undisclosed location.  Following an unexpected, gory surprise and arrival at the unknown destination, entrance is gained into a bizarre building in the midst of a power outage. Radioactivity fills the air and exploration begins with only a very small flashlight to illuminate the way.

The “Comply or Die” Super Soldier evaluation continues past a bloody-faced barber looking to take a little too much off the top; a crazed, confused man who thinks he's a dog; through a maggot filled mess hall; up an obstacle course where a rope must be used to pull yourself up a ramp prior to jumping back down to access a camouflaged crawlspace! 

Sharpshooters protect advancement taking dead aim with their red, laser-assist beams as the route continues through a firing range and subjects are separately placed one-by-one into a spinning cylinder that exits through a shock-wall lined corridor into a highly flammable, smoking gas chamber!  Slithering through a burning, coal-fired crematorium-like incinerator and squeezing through a claustrophobic passage leads to an elevator that dives down to an underground surveillance station and onto a jail that finds a crazed prisoner breaking free and giving chase into a padded rubber room.  A hidden escape route soon discovers a scud-like warhead and a video monitor telecasting nuclear missile launches and impacts. 

Exposure to Russian barrels spewing Novichok nerve agents mandates a fog-filled, decontamination shower prior to continuance into a human cutting room full of bloody corpses and body bags.  Other tragic sights include victims having blue light chips inserted into their foreheads and an irate doctor upset that “more rejects" have been delivered to him.  In a fit of rage, he grabs his assistant, throws him against a wall, and forcefully removes his programmed chip causing an eruption of blood to spray out everywhere as he exclaims, "Kill them all!"

Escape from the doctor is hampered by a hallway of spark emitting, short-circuiting electrical boxes; gunshots; and a path-blocking villain armed with an axe!  CGIs and lasers light the way to another elevator, which hoists survivors back to the surface, but dumps into an apocalyptic holocaust of bombed vehicles and total destruction!  Zombies attack and warning sirens blare as safety is sought in a nearby fallout shelter that doubles as the attraction's gift shop!  Lulled into a false sense of security, and just when you think it's over, a werewolf-infested forest connects to a spooky cemetery that's home to a strange ghoul that unleashes one final chase out of The Haunted Hoorah!

ANALYSIS:  There isn’t a dull moment from start to finish at The Hoorah, which combines a military storyline with haunted scare tactics.  Drama and suspense begin to build in the queue line, where armed guards surround the waiting area as "Recruits" pass through the scanner and undergo additional physical "testing" prior to boarding a bus and being driven to the haunt itself, the location of which remains a mystery!  Lighting is excellent and sounds are better than in the past as they aren't so loud that they drown out the cast.  Similar costuming is seen throughout, but consistent with the theme. Interaction is very good and scenes themselves are imaginative and creative in nature!  

Memorable performers include the Doctor and his assistant, bloody Barber, jailed inmate, Novichock crazies, and Nurse Gertrude.  Favorite rooms and effects include the gas chamber; crawl through heat emitting incinerator/cremator; sharpshooters; spraying nerve agent; decontamination chamber; blue, light-emitting implant chips; and the blood-soaking operating room.  Nuclear wasteland is extremely realistic, unexpected, and quite well done, and excellently foreshadowed by first witnessing "mushroom clouds," etc. on the video screen.  False finish is cleverly appreciated and uncommon in the industry these days.  Group separation has been reduced this season with elimination of the hand stamp, but is still briefly utilized at the upright cylinder.  Cost of admission increased by $5 this year.

This participation oriented Halloween event gets customers involved in the story.  Their unique performance is rewarded with a spot on OVH’s list of Top 13 Attractions!   Play along and enjoy this one-of-a-kind, interactive experience by immersing yourself in the realistic action at The Haunted Hoorah!  This is one you don't want to miss!