The Haunted Mill *Official* Reviews 2010

[Slappy]

Submitted by:  Packbacker
Visit Date:  10/1/10


Scare Factor - 2/5
We went through the haunt as a group of eight.  The haunt consists of small rooms/scenes.  Unfortunately, with a group that large if you are in the back you miss everything.  The folks I attended with are pretty easy marks- they gasped once but that was it.  No scares were targeted at middle/back of group so the fright was sorta sucked out of us on this one.  The best scare for us was including an actor on the vortex.  Him jumping up and down on the walkway while screaming was fairly effective.

Actors - 3/5
You could tell the actors here were having a lot of fun.  They did their best to interact with customers instead of the simple stare/grunt.  The Leatherface actor was wayyyy into his role and looked like he had bits of gore flying all over.  Freddy did a decent impression and could improv well with his patrons.

Set Design/Props/FX - 3/5
The haunt looked good.  It featured one of the best clown outfits I've seen at any haunt- it still creeps me out a little bit thinking about it.  Certain scenes were a bit spartan but they gave off an effective vibe.  Leatherface's room was well put together with gore, corpses, and an animatronic.  The elevator scene could use a bit more attention to turn it into a more effective scare. 

Length - 2/5
I didn't time our trip through the haunt but it felt extremely rushed.  Part of that might be basically skipping scenes as the scare was over by the time we got there.  The actors didn't rush us through or hurry us along- perhaps it was whoever was at the front of the group setting a quick pace?  Regardless it felt like it was over way too soon.

Other   -
The haunt is easy to find as it is directly visible from a main road.  Parking is easy at the back of the haunt.  I'm not sure what was going on with the line.  No one entered the haunt for a minimum of twenty minutes when we got there.  Once they started admitting groups it moved very quickly.

Overall Impression - 2/5
I think my impression would be completely different had the group sizes been altered.  You can tell there is a good haunt hiding here but when you miss everything the effect dissipates very quickly.  Send in groups of no more than 4 at a time and I think you'd hear a lot more screaming.  My guess is that because you double back through the haunt that smaller groups aren't very feasible.  I also need to mention that the "lay staff" was very personable.

[Slappy]

Submitted by:  k2quiere
Date atended 10/1/2010

Scare Factor 3.5/5 – There were some very interesting startles going on in the Mill this year, and some places where the scare factor could have really been there.  I have to admit that they really got me in the vortex; definitely some good timing on that actor’s part.  There was one time we were stuck between two guys with chainsaws that could have been a serious nightmare, but they immediately let us go through.  Chainsaws by themselves don’t really do it for me, but the fact that we were stuck in a thin hallway between two would have really bumped it up a notch had they held us for at least another 5-10 seconds.

Actors 4.5/5 – The actors this year seemed to really be enjoying themselves.  There were a couple of times they got a good startle for just being on-point with their timing. 

Set design/Props/FX 4/5 – I have to say that one of my least favorite aspects of the Mill is building up the intensity and then walking back past the entrance to enter another chamber.  It kind of deflates the feeling of being trapped to know that you could walk right back out the curtain and be outside.  Other than that, I found some of the rooms to be very visually effective, and I still love the animatronic that pops out of the bed like it’s going to run into your head.  Most of the ambiance came from the actors, though.  I also have to say that I don’t like the elevator; you can tell that you aren’t going anywhere because of the way the outside light shines into the shaft, so it feels like a waste.

Length 4/5 – The haunt did feel longer than when we were here last year.  I don’t know that I’d agree with their advertisement of 4x longer, but I was much more satisfied when we got to the end this time.

Overall 4/5 – We were happy with the changes and improvements from last year.  The length was better and the actors were more on their game.  Maybe it’s because we got them fresh from a break, but for whatever reason, it was worth the trip.

[Slappy]

Submitted by: krb187
Date attended: 10-9-10
 
Scare Factor 4/5 - I have to say I got jumped A LOT. These guys came out of nowhere and that caused a lot of "OH S@!T" moments for me. This was the very first completely indoor haunt I had ever been to and they used the enclosed space very well. Even when I thought I knew where someone was going to come out at they did it so quick it still got me.
 
Actors 4/5 - Like I said above they just came out of nowhere. They stayed in character and were pretty convincing. One actor, who was a little person, got to a fellow Frightseeker more than anything. Ahem..Karma.. But all in all the actors were solid. The 2 guys at the very end were the best and really got me pumped up.
 
Set Design/Props/FX 3.5/5 - The sets were beautifully set up and nice to look at. However, they were randomly set up and didn't follow any kind of linear path at all. Not saying this is bad just stating how it is. The sets looked real i.e. the asylum looked like an actual asylum, etc. There was also a cool elevator simulator. One of the props did shock me and 3 other people. I didn't mind but some people might.
 
Length 3/5 - I think the whole thing lasted about 15 minutes or so, and we were walking pretty slow to take everything in. If there was someway to make it longer that would be awesome because it really felt like it flew by.
 
Overall 3.5/5 - It was my first time there and I really enjoyed it. I'll definitely be back next year. I would recommend it to any other haunt lover.

[Slappy]

Submitted by: Karmakrazy13
Date Attended: 10/09/10

Scare factor: 4/5 - I jumped and was startled more times than I want to admit, the people in my group had a good time laughing at my expense. I ritually am amazed by how many times I've jumped and was startled, it was a long time since I went to haunt and jumped that much. I also had a great time watching the people in my group get startled and scared as well, especially the two guys in my group - watching them jump and cower in fear. All my startles and scares came from actors.

Actors: 4/5 - All my scares came from actors. They do a really awesome job of catching you off guard and that is what makes them so good at what they do. The actors this season have a passion for what they do and it shows when they scare you. You get a good sense that there is an even number of actors in this haunt, not too many, and clearly there is just enough.

Set Design/Props/FX: 4/5 - The Haunted Mill is in a building that is truly haunted.  That in itself is a perfect backdrop for a haunt. There is a really good flow this season.  Each room is a different scene and each actor belongs in that scene. I really enjoy how each room is different from the next so you really do see a ton of different scenes.

Length: 3/5 - Not as long as some of the other haunts, but that necessarily is not a bad thing.  Each part of the haunt is enjoyable, but most likely when it ends you will be wanting more.  I would say it took about 15 minutes to get through but if you walk slow you might be able to stretch it to 20 to 25 minutes.

Other - Much improved from last season and the season before, I was really excited to have a good experience at this haunt.  I've been going here for a long time and I feel like they have gone back to doing what they do best. I know the building is haunted and I wish that they would tell people the story and who is haunting the building, it would be cool to experience a true haunting.

Overall: 4/5 - I had a blast this season and everyone else in my group really enjoyed it as well. If you were disappointed in seasons past be sure to give The Haunted Mill another look this season, you won't regret it.

[Slappy]

Submitted by: Handfulofrubies82
Date Attended: 10/92010

Scare Factor- 3.5/5 - I started out in the front of a group of 6, and I missed a lot of scares. I was becoming disappointed, but the vortex turned it around for me.

Actors- 4/5 - The actors that scared me were really into their part and scared more than one person at a time. The vortex actor has great timing.

Set Design/Props/FX 3.75/5  - There were definitely parts that were really creepy. Great use of fog and lights. We saw one actor coming through this at the end and it was a very creepy visual effect. I know we're supposed to use our imagination, but I think the elevator could be improved a little.

Length - 3/5 - I wish you didn't have to walk back by the front, but the length was ok.

Overall Impression: 3.75/5 - This haunt did get a genuine scream from me, and for me, that makes a haunt successful. I think if I had been in the middle to begin with, I would have been scared a little more. I enjoyed the Haunted Mill.

[Slappy]

Submitted By: Waya
Date Attended:  10/30/2010

Scare Rated: 3/5 – This was my first time attending the Haunted Mill in Charlotte.  I did find it to be very enjoyable and have to say was quite surprised at some of what was found inside. One part that did get a jump  out of me and those in my party was a scene with a corpse laying on a bed that suddenly pops up off the bed at you. You know to expect something but not sure what and BAM there it is. I found the atmosphere to be very good with one scene leading you to the next. 

Actors:  4/5 – The Actors at The Haunted Mill did a very good job staying in character although the Freddy Kruger could have been more active and the back of his mask was un-tucked showing it to be a mask. All he seemed to do was just walk around and really not interact with the people going through. Beyond that the actors in general were very energetic and did well interacting. Would have like to see more chainsaws in the haunt.

Set Design/FX/ Prop 4/5: I found some of the sets and F/X to be very good, especially one hall that was done to look like a foggy London street at night, Would have been great if they had a Jack the Ripper or something come out there.

Length 3/5 – In regards to length I think I have become spoiled by haunts combining inside as well as outside trails which give an excellent value for your dollar and give you a good workout. This haunt was strictly inside but still of good length.

Overall 3/5 – I have to say I did enjoy this haunt but feel there were soooo many things that could be done to make it better but if you are in the Charlotte area it would make an enjoyable time to take the family or take a date..

[Slappy]

Submitted By: Sabrina913
Date Attended: October 30, 2010

Scare Factor 3/5 – This haunt is owned by the same person who owns NC Fright Factory so we didn’t expect much. However, it was a pleasant surprise. They were much better at scaring and utilizing space to their advantage.
 
Actors 3/5 – The actors at this haunt were much more motivated, especially the chain saw guys at the end who managed to separate me from my group. There was one actor who swung from rafters and seemed to make it to each room right as we did from a different entrance. He was impressive.

Set Design/Props/FX 5/5 – Their set designs were very impressive. There is a mummy room that looked like real mummies. There was also a section that resembled what you would imagine Whitechapel in London would have looked like when Jack the Ripper walked the streets, there was even fog.
 
Length 3/5 – While not as long as we are used to, it wasn’t too short. It was maybe 20-25 minutes in length.
 
Overall 3/5 – This helped to salvage what was turning into a night of let downs. It was surprising that the owner of this haunt and NC Fright Factory were the same person because they were so different from each other. I will probably attend this one again in the future.