2010 REVIEWS

ADRIAN

THE HAUNTING

602 North Dean Street, Adrian, MI at the Lenawee County Fairgrounds

(517) 264-1941 or www.myhaunting.com

ZIOPTIS SEZ 2010 - CLOSE-UP MAGIC AND INSANITY IN YOUR FACE WILL CONFUSE YOUR BRAIN!

NO WAY! NOOOO...YOU DID NOT JUST DO THAT! The master magician whose brain-child this haunt is will make you think that...a whole bunch of times.

Seeing is believing, right? WRONG. What you see will clash horribly with what you logically know to be true in the real world.

The magic show this year is a total departure from previous presentations. They used to have a large outdoor stage set up separately with bleachers that filled up quickly. Large scale, grandiose illusions were performed flawlessly to the delight and amazement of throngs of Happy Haunters.

Never resting on past laurels, they did a complete about-face this year. The big stage is gone, and now you'll be up close and personal with some mind-blowing tricks you won't believe.

Defying the laws of physics is just the beginning, and watch out because this guy can control your mind too. He seems like a nice guy...but anybody can snap without warning these days. And if he does, he could re-wire your brain in a flash no problem!

The walk thru haunt starts with you checking in at the entrance of the all new "INSANITARIUM." But right away, something here is terribly wrong! The telephone the receptionist uses is a relic, an old style rotary dial desk phone. That's ok, but why is there so much blood caked on it? They wouldn't answer...just gave a sinister look and mumbled some disturbing predictions that came true moments later!

Seeing an actor with a mask is rare here. Actually, some of them looked like they might have masks. But when we got closer we saw some innovative makeup magic instead!

Having been to as many haunts as we have, it's usually quite difficult to actually scare/surprise us. Usually it's something like "Polka dot room? Ok, which ones are on the costumed actor? Oh yeah...right there."

But this is one of the few haunts that has consistently delivered MULTIPLE "GOTCHA!" MOMENTS. You'll see...

The 3D display here seriously rocks! At one point, even the ceiling jumps out at you. And this is important: when going thru the 3D display make sure to look backyards after you reach the end of each room. They've tweaked the angles, and you'll suddenly see a whole new dimension. It almost looks like a totally different room.

And speaking of rooms, this place has rooms that simply can't be! Once again, all you can do is scratch your head and wonder WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON HERE ANYWAY?!

ARMADA

HAUNTED HOLLOWS

21855 32 Mile, Armada, MI 48005

(586) 651-1957 or www.haunted-hollows.com

ZIOPTIS SEZ 2010 - 1 DISAPPEARING BARN + 1 INVISIBLE ACTOR = 1 GREAT HAUNT

This haunt has a barn you'll never see. It disappeared along with 4 others last year in only 2 days. Ok, it didn't quite disappear. It burned down, after over 100 years of faithful service.

This haunt also has one of the most effective actors at any haunt. But you'll never see him...or maybe it's her. What? An INVISIBLE ACTOR?

We're not about to spill these beans here. But the above statement is absolutely true. We'll give you this much now though - this amazing actor will make ALL BUT ONE in your group laugh 'yer butt off! FABULOUS FUNNY TOUCH.

BROWN CITY

DARK HOUSE THE HAUNTED MANSION

5977 Van Dyke, Brown City, MI 48416

(810) 346-8600 or www.mihaunted.com

ZIOPTIS SEZ 2010 - TOWERING PRESENCE BEFITTING OF MORTICIA AND GOMEZ!

Remember the TV show The Addams Family? They lived in a spooky looking mansion. When we drove up to this haunt we agreed it looked like THE ADDAMS FAMILY MANSION ON STEROIDS! But there's one very big difference here - the mansion on the show is fake, and this one is real.

Much of the building is roped off for good reason. From what we heard about what happened there, it's for the best. But real ghosts can travel past rope barriers, so there's no telling what might happen here someday...but maybe you'll be the one to find out if you just happen to be at the right place at the right time here!

This could easily be the beginning of a major new haunt attraction in the World's Leading Haunt Market.

BURTON

THE CRYPT

at CHEMCO, 4247 South Dort Highway, Burton, MI

(810) 742-2260

ZIOPTIS SEZ 2010 - POWERHOUSE HAUNT WITH IMPRESSIVE EXPANSION!

Music and/or sound effects, both live and reproduced, can make or break a haunt. The perfect blend of visual and aural stimulation is the quest of this haunt, and judging by the big crowds and word-on-the-street they nailed it!

The sound quality outdoors is excellent too, and pumps the energy levels of eager haunters who come back year after year to this Flint Favorite! Well, ok it's really Burton but it's on the "main drag" of the area which is Dort Highway.

If you're from the DETROIT AREA, you need to get 'yer butt over to FLINT!

With the multitudes of haunts on Dort Highway, you simply can NOT survive here unless your haunt is KILLER. This haunt passes that test in spades, and many die-hard haunt fans have raved about this haunt year after year.

Excellent ambience and monster interaction!

This haunt also doubles as your one-stop shop for all your Halloween needs. Right next to the haunt you'll find the Halloween Connection, with costumes, masks, etc.

CALEDONIA

KENTWOOD JAYCEES FOREST OF FEAR

8758 Patterson Avenue, Caledonia, MI 49316

(616) 803-9750 or www.forestoffear.com

WHERE WOULD WE BE WITHOUT THE JAYCEES?

Some authentic haunts give you a spooky experience before you even get into the haunt itself. Well, that's the feeling we got here. Don't look for painted lines in the parking lot, because there's no concrete for miles around!

And street lights? What are those? You'll have to find those in the big city, where big city kids have neon glowing in their eyes. Street lights would only spoil the amazing view of the stars in the autumn sky here.

The forest walk hosts a small army of weirdos, who pop out from everywhere when you least expect it. Excellent interaction, lighting, and makeup throughout!

How awesome that this haunt is far away from strip malls and big city stuff, for an authentic feel you won't get anywhere else nearby!

FLINT

SAINT LUCIFER'S HAUNTED ASYLUM

at Playland, 5290 South Dort Highway, 1/2 mile north off exit 109 from I-75. (810) 694-4710, (810) 695-8200 or www.fearfest.net

ZIOPTIS SEZ 2010 - OVER-THE-TOP ZANY INSANITY DELUXE!

Actors can make or break a haunt. And if a certain actor can make you tell everybody how weird a haunt is...well that's like the Holy Grail of Haunting!

The actor we're referring to at St. Lucifer's will be obvious. The gender of this actor? Not so obvious, but we'll say one thing for now...there's two wires and a meter connected to a bald head!

This haunt is chock full of wild gags, props and such for sure. But what REALLY makes, or breaks a haunt is their actors. This haunt has always created really clever story lines, expertly delivered by swarms of maniacs on the loose and in-your-face.

And THAT is why you'll always see a giant line at this haunt on Friday and Saturday nights. Plus, it's at PLAYLAND with lots of other cool fun stuff to do.

Wanna play Speed Racer in a rocket ship of a go-kart? Wanna check out the latest video games? How about some ultra tasty, fresh gooey pizza exploding with flavors that permeates the air?

All that and lots more awaits you here...just follow the crowd heading over here for a night of unforgettable experiences.

THIS PLACE ROCKS BIG TIME!

FLINT

13 FEET UNDER

at Playland, 5290 South Dort Highway, Flint, MI 48507

(810) 694-4710 or www.fearfest.net

13 Feet Under is about enough for two graves worth. Hmmm...what ARE they planning on doing to us?

Cool secondary haunt at the site of St. Lucifer's Haunted Asylum with a completely different feel. Vive le difference!

FOWLERVILLE

SLAUGHTER HOUSE HAYRIDE & HAUNTED BARN

5781 Grand River Avenue, Fowlerville, MI

(exit 133 off I-96)

(517) 223-9148 or www.slaughterhouseadventure.com

ZIOPTIS SEZ 2010 - CRAZY FARMERS PULL THE RABBIT OUT OF THE HAT

Ok, they didn't actually use a rabbit. But there's magic aplenty at this family operated farm haunt that started long ago as a Halloween barn party for the local kids. It became so wildly popular that they had no choice but to go public with it!

THE BARN IS BACK FOR 2010! After an abbreviated season in 2009, SLAUGHTER HOUSE is back kicking and screaming full force.

And you'll see plenty of A-Plus illusions with live actors, the likes of which you won't find at any other haunt to our knowledge. One of our favorites involves a guy who "lost his head"...literally!

Mix in some hilarious dialogue, concepts from beyond, great in-house gag engineering and you have a sure fire winner!

The BLOODBATH & BEYOND HAUNTED HAYRIDE has been revamped again, including a new really impressive piece of high flying engineering. It's all precision manufactured on-site to precise military standards too. The results are truly "out of this world"!

Our only regret was that we got there too late to venture into the 26 ACRE SUPER MAZE.

GRAND RAPIDS

THE HAUNT

2070 Waldorf Northwest, Grand Rapids, MI

www.the-haunt.com

1 mile south of I-96 at exit 28 Walker Avenue

ZIOPTIS SEZ 2010 - THE HAUNT CALLED THE HAUNT CONTINUES TO DEFINE THE GENRE!

In the haunt business, the only constant is change. THE HAUNT is ten years in the making, and yet still evolving. When over 35,000 people attended in their first year and a major Detroit area haunt operator told us it was probably the best haunt in Michigan, we just had to check this out.

And we've never been the same since.

As before, the show starts in the waiting area before you enter the haunt. There's an awesome original dance routine which is all new again in 2010. 5 top level dancers emerge from a giant mausoleum as original instrumental music plays, accompanied by precise lighting cues and low lying fog. You can't look away, entranced by their strange infectious energy!

But this whole place is jam-packed full of strange infectious energy, right from the get-go. The initial greeting hostess summarizes what you're about to experience, and warns that "I hope you were nice to your dollies when you grew up."

I told her I didn't have dollies, but my partner was quick to add "He just had the blow-up dollies, and he wasn't very nice to them." Unfazed, the hostess ad-libbed a new script on-the-fly with hilarious results!

We just love throwing out challenges to actors, and how they respond to those challenges defines their ability level. Quick and witty, or slow and creepy, every actor should be able to adapt themselves at a moment's notice when that moment reveals itself. Test #1: NAILED IT.

As you make your way thru the "funeral home," you'll find out firsthand what happens when you don't respect the dead. Horrible wailing noises and screaming from the patrons blend together in a swirling Symphony of Destruction...no apologies to Megadeth!

"Madam Adelle's Wax House" features some of your favorite horror movie villains, and we really liked the black hole-like effect produced by a green laser moonflower projection with fog. You can actually see the air currents flowing where the lasers edge is. It's way intense! This is the basic concept behind what the lighting industry calls the "Liquid Sky." If you've never seen it before, you'll flip! If you have seen these before, you'll go "cooool"!

Then it's off to the crazy corn field...gee, I didn't know the crickets were out this time of year! Perfect sound effects, with flawless sound reproduction and realistic volume levels complete the audio illusion of being out in the woods. Attention to detail isn't just about the visuals!

The twisted and deranged "Sweet Dreams Doll Factory" will not leave you with sweet dreams! Some of our favorites here were a large doll that's broken, and one ultra strange live dolly on the bridge. Her blazing weird white eyes were intensely accented with powerful strobe lights that seemed to be racing as quickly as our heart rates!

Other favorites were the ominous organ music, the voodoo warriors, low frequency rumbling noises, and the collection of old electronic stuff. Hey, any mad scientists' lab worth its weight in rat droppings needs to have old analog electronic goodies with lots of real rotary dials to spin!

Your final challenge is announced by three weirdos with great makeup: "Welcome to the gates of darkness." But instead of helping us thru they quickly abandoned us, throwing us to the wolves. You just can't trust anybody, or anything, in this madhouse of mystery!

Two additional short-feature attractions await those who make it thru all the way. "Claustrophobia" and the "3D Clown Asylum" were both short but sweet. We especially appreciated the durable plastic 3D glasses they used. We're tired of those flimsy cardboard thingies that get damaged too easily and tend to fall off. Once again, attention to detail is rampant here!

THE HAUNT WILL HAUNT YOU BUT GOOD!

GROSSE ILE

PHANTOM FOREST HAYRIDES

Westcroft Gardens, 21803 West River Road, Grosse Ile, MI 48138

(734) 676-2444 or www.westcroftgardens.com

UNIQUE SLICE OF AMERICANA HITS THE MARK WITH OUTER SPACE PRECISION

This family run operation has a unique distinction, designated with an impressive History Plaque that informs you THIS IS THE OLDEST FARM IN MICHIGAN!

You will not see the latest and greatest from the Scare Factory Haunted Supply Company here. But you won't miss them at all, trust us. In fact, that would actually ruin this quaint home style facility.

After the hayride you'll be invited to take a stroll down a path and join everyone for a tasty snack. Even better, you can trade favorite haunt stories with satisfied fans with happy tummies!

This place just makes you remember, and FEEL a simpler time from the past. Like when Barney and Andy leave the jail open with the keys hanging immediately next to the cell door!

You can easily share your feelings, impressions, stories, and whatever with the head honcho here. And she will make you feel as welcome as the smell of turkey and pumpkin pie waiting for you at Grandma's house at Thanksgiving.

A MUCH WELCOME BLAST-FROM-THE-PAST IN TODAY'S OVER HYPED WORLD OF GAUDY FLASH!

IMLAY CITY

HAUNTED BARN & MAZE

622 North Van Dyke, Imlay City 48444

(810) 488-1086 or www.hauntedbarnic.com

ZIOPTIS SEZ 2010 - CRAZY CADAVER MIXUP AND NON-HUMAN ACTOR STRUTS ITS STUFF

Sit right down on this comfy couch while we explain how it's going to be here. Listen up...if you break the rules the retribution is swift and ruthless. But hey, even if you do obey the rules you still endure swift retribution so you can't win! Who said monsters have to be fair? Who said monsters have to tell the truth?

You'll find out here the hard way, but we wouldn't have it any other way! Excellent monster surprises, wicked laughter & taunting, and one special actor from a whole different species! Yes, it's alive. No, it's not human. Not canine either, we already saw that long ago at the short-lived but awesome HAUNTED THEATRE HOUSE in DETROIT which was on LIVERNOIS. Give up? Too bad...we're not telling. You'll just have to go yourself to find out!

Some of our other favorites here were a unique forest you'll get lost in, a little clown creature, and a morgue mixup that will lay you flat! And we've found that anytime you hear "Ring Around The Rosies" being sung by unseen silly girls, trouble is sure to follow shortly...

After the Haunted Barn, you'll have to make your way thru a maze fraught with many perils and much confusion to sweeten the deal...for the monsters that is. Better watch 'yer butt...they are!

INKSTER

FUNERAL HOME

3880 Inkster Road, Inkster, MI 48141

Between Van Born & Michigan Avenue

(734) 956-2101

ZIOPTIS SEZ 2010 - STRONG YOUNG HAUNT ON THE PROWL

This building has been adapted perfectly for a haunt. The front section is fashioned to look like a spooked out front porch, but it's securely placed behind glass. And the wall facing the side street pulsates with strobes behind silhouette scenes in the windows.

Once inside you'll be subjected to high intensity vocalizations and thrashing monsters underneath a Halloween movie music soundtrack. You just can't go wrong with what is still a classic, and instantly recognized by all!

Pitch black passageways, weird creatures, and we really liked the creepy girl with cool makeup and a retro scene featuring an old organ.

When we arrived and saw the frantic state of group after group exiting, we knew we were in for a treat! And I'll never forget one certain dark dude and his dainty girlfriend...this guy towered over me, and I'm 6 foot tall.

He was all wild-eyed and panting, and when I asked him what he thought all he could mutter was "WOW." And this guy was really built, and looked like he probably eats pit bulls for breakfast.

JACKSON

JACKSON'S UNDERWORLD

1318 Wildwood Avenue, Jackson, MI 49202

(517) 788-6335 or www.jxunderworld.com

ZIOPTIS SEZ 2010 - ANCIENT BUILDING TAKES ON NEW LIFE AS WICKED HAUNT

This multi-story building is custom made for being a haunt! It was a furniture store many moons ago, but the ghosts from the past appear to be fully intact.

The building was erected in 1919, so there's been plenty of time for stuff to fester in here! It originally was a tractor seat manufacturing plant, and later a warehouse during the war before eventually becoming an abandoned furniture store. What an opportunity!

The ambience is off the hook OLD FEELING, because yup...it IS old. Left just as it was in some cases, one of our favorites was a massive camera in the basement set up for family portrait shots. It's so big and heavy it could NOT be removed from its mount. The thing is a battle axe.  Say "cheese"...

Wide variety of gags, scares, and wild music throughout.

And all the old electric junction boxes appear to be charged up, and ready to deliver HIGH VOLTAGE to go along with the HIGH INTENSITY that permeates this haunt!

ULTRA CREEPY.

JONESVILLE

DARKSYDE ACRES

11735 Rowe Road, Jonesville, MI

(517) 549-5100 or www.darksydeacres.com

ZIOPTIS SEZ 2010 - DYNAMIC YOUNG HAUNT'S BIG DREAM GETS CLOSER

LAPEER

PAST TENSE AFTER DARK

1965 Farnsworth Road, Lapeer, MI 48446

(810) 664-5559 OR www.pasttenseafterdark.com

Our apologies to PAST TENSE AFTER DARK! We arrived 5 minutes too late to catch their show...will try to re-schedule them.

LENOX TOWNSHIP

SCAREFEST SCREAM PARK

61288 Gratiot at 28 Mile Road, Lenox Township, MI

(586) 749-6666 or www.scarefestscreampark.com

ZIOPTIS SEZ 2010 - TRIPLE FEATURE HAUNT WILL CRACK YOU UP AND SCRAMBLE YOUR SENSES!

Every haunt has a story. But HOW that story is told is a big part of the haunt experience. The hayride narrator here is a brilliant story teller and an improv natural. He switches things up to match each group, grabbing every chance to exploit individual haunters idiosyncrasies with hilarious results!

And his voice/processing are totally unique too, and will resonate throughout your being with sinister precision.

The next part of this haunt we checked out is an old friend that's been revamped yet again. CASTLE OF THE DEAD has a rich history in the Detroit haunt scene with no signs of letting up!

One favorite gag is an intense illusion that finds two sexy girls who resolve their dispute in a most dramatic way! Not for the squeamish.

Your last challenge here will be to survive a sensory blitz from beyond as you make your way thru the FOREST OF DARKNESS & TERROR ZONE MAZE. Good luck, you're going to need it!

And after the haunting, you can turn yourself into a Dancing Fool and dance the night away with live bands, or take in a scary movie on giant screen TV's! There's so much to do here, and one area is almost like a carnival midway complete with the "Elephant Ears" wagon! A million calories but who cares? They make your taste buds happy!

NOW FEATURES BEER, WINE AND MIXED DRINKS FOR 2010!

LENOX TOWNSHIP

HAUNTED FARM OF TERROR

28405 26 Mile Road, Lenox Township, MI

(586) 615-0475 or www.myspace.com/hfterror

ZIOPTIS SEZ 2010 - HIGH INTENSITY HAYRIDE & WALK THRU HAUNT WITH GIANT METAL MONSTROSITIES FROM BEYOND!

Recycling has become all the rage lately, with efforts to "go green" in almost every aspect of modern life. "Paper or plastic?" is the battle-cry of city dwellers committed to making our planet a better place to live.

But what about the farmers out there in the land of dirt roads and nights so clear the stars blaze as brightly as a neon infested city street?

They've got trash too, and even John Deere farm implements eventually wear out and must be disposed of.

But the farm tools and tractors that are ready to be put out to pasture at this farm are not put out to pasture.

With a stroke of creative genius, the HAUNTED FARM OF TERROR takes these dead tractors and implements and dissects them and gives them new life! What?

At this A-List Haunt, you'll see all sorts of STRANGE CREATURES, OBJECTS, ETC. THAT ARE ALL MADE FROM DEAD FARM EQUIPMENT!

You won't see anything like it at any other haunt to our knowledge. These items are totally unique, because each is one-of-a-kind custom crafted by Charlie and his band of merry misfits!

Our faves are a GIANT SPIDER that towers over the hayride cart, and a drum set just before the entrance to the hayride forest.

There are some cool totally unique photo opportunities too as a result. We saw a group of happy haunters posing with a monster on a make-shift bicycle, but the possibilities are endless!

Oh yeah, THE HAUNT IS KILLER TOO! The walk thru part is new again, with fabulous acting and interaction deluxe. Their line of smooth double-talk will mix up your emotions as they ridicule you for deeds you may or may not be guilty of, and praise you for dubious intentions lurking only in your mind's eye. MAKE 'EM LAUGH, MAKE 'EM CRY, LEAVE 'EM WANTING MORE, MORE, MORE!

Bring a hearty appetite too, because the Road Kill Cafe serves up some extra tasty vittles! Our favorite is still the Taco-in-a-Bag, but the pizza is great, and the hot dog is a top contender for our unofficial "Weiner Of The Year" award! Yes...my partner is still seeking the ultimate...well, you know.

MASON

SHAWHAVEN HAUNTED FARM

1826 Rolfe Road, Mason, MI 48854

(517) 676-1649 or info@shawhavenfarm.com

ZIOPTIS SEZ 2010 - HUMBLE BEGINNINGS SPAWN PEACOCK PROUD HAUNT

DOUBLE FEATURE HAUNT WITH WALK THRU BARN AND HAYRIDE

This is yet another haunt that started as a neighborhood Halloween party for the local kids. Some of the top-notch haunts out there have the same history, and usually a farm is involved too we've noticed.

If you can spot her, ask the operator of this haunt why she has a PINK CADILLAC with CALIFORNIA plates on it. The surprising answer tells a lot about her, and is further proof that anybody can do anything...if they have a vision and persist!

GREAT THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES

In the main barn you'll find the concessions stand and assorted weirdness. Our favorite is a glass case full of Halloween miniatures, each hand-made by the multi-multi talented operator here. The smiling pumpkins riding on a cart are soooo cute!

The barn lends itself to being a haunt fabulously because of its size and age, about 100 years old! With a built in advantage like that, the sky is the limit for the crafty crew here!

Speaking of SKIES...this haunt has SEVERAL EXCELLENT LIQUID SKY DISPLAYS. Just the right amount of fog with laser beams turning 3D in mid-air creates an amazing visual effect. You can actually SEE THE AIR CURRENTS clearly on the edge of the laser beams, because they have just the right amount of air flow. AWESOME.

Cool monster interaction and makeup, ominous and electronic music, strange pathways and entrances, and what's with the guy who only makes sheep noises? Actually, I'm not sure I want to know. Never mind.

The hayride seats seem familiar. They're kind of soft and springy...YUP, it's school bus seats from a Bluebird bus. Always thought it's weird, the BLUEbird buses are all YELLOW.

Unless there's a high school football game on, there are NO big city lights here to spoil the amazing view of the stars in the autumn sky. It's REALLY dark, and really BEAUTIFUL.

When you get on the hayride, you'll notice that this place has a serious spider problem at the barn. How big? We can't remember ever seeing one THIS big. Better turn back now. Don't go!

Ignoring common sense as usual, we continue anyway. There's no narrator on the cart, but we never missed it either. They had cool ominous music playing instead to accentuate the show. The show itself includes a wide barrage of audio stimulus to keep you on your feet and freaked out!

Excellent placement and mannerisms from all sorts of creatures and weirdos. One of our favorites looked like he belongs in a swamp, how did he get here? Ahhh....ancient Chinese Secret...

MAUMEE, OHIO (TOLEDO AREA)

TERRORTOWN

at Lucas County Fairgrounds, 1406 Key Street, Maumee, OH

(419) 897-7242 or www.terrortown.net

ZIOPTIS SEZ 2010 - Has the biggest Black Hole (aka Vortex) we've ever seen. It's actually SIX of them placed end-to-end for a total of 120 feet of spinning madness!

Special note: Unfortunately, the bands will not be playing here as planned due to city regulations. Next year it should be taken care of though.

This is a Mega Haunt that never disappoints. It was the first we know of to use a sort of crazy Smell-O-Vision system. Aromas of all sorts complete the illusion of being almost anywhere you can imagine!

They also pioneered a unique lighting system that puts the ONLY source of light RIGHT IN THE HAND of your groups' leader.

And they developed an improved "Buried Alive" gag that cut the number of faintings, involuntary bowel movements, and freak-outs by 50% as compared to the original highly claustrophobic version!

This haunt is always on the cutting edge of innovation and creativity, and the infectious vibe here will envelope the moment you arrive.

A SURE WINNER THAT NEVER FAILS TO DELIVER THE GOODS...BIG TIME!

ORTONVILLE

GRUESOME ENCOUNTERS

1695 South Ortonville Road (M-15), Ortonville, MI 48462

(248) 793-7000 or www.gruesomeencounters.com

STRONG NEW ENTRY DELIVERS THE GOODS!

Lighting can make or break a haunt. The subtle adjustments can be a matter of 1 or 2 percent power, or only a couple degrees of surface angles.

This brand new haunt has done their lighting homework at their home. What? They tweaked an extensive yard haunt that took the neighborhood by storm, and realized they needed to go public.

Their yard haunt was already on steroids, then their city government declared trick-or-treating over after only an hour last year. The kids didn't buy it, and tons of 'em ended up spending hours entranced by this yard haunt instead!

So with a reputation that preceded them, they've opened their doors to the public in 2010. And you'll be hearing more about them!

Excellent interaction, misdirection, and surprises galore. They actually had some genuine "GOTCHA!" moments during our tour...WAY TO GO, GRUESOME ENCOUNTERS! Rock on...

PINCKNEY

THE TERRORFIED FOREST

7 miles south of I-96 exit 137, then 1/4 mile east. Or 11 miles west of US23, exit 54B, 3 miles north on D-19, then 1/4 mile east.

(734) 878-3737 or www.terrorfied.com for map and details

PREMIER WOODS HAUNT DELIVERS THE GOODS AGAIN!

This has been a favorite outdoor haunt for many years running now.

New characters and story lines once again have re-vamped this awesome outdoor experience. Thousands of happy haunters can NOT be wrong!

This has become an annual tradition for us, along with stopping by the nearby Zukey Lake Tavern for some ultra tasty pizza.

PONTIAC

EREBUS

18 South Perry corner of Water Street & South Perry

(248) 332-7884 or www.hauntedpontiac.com

WOW! AGAIN.

This cleverly disguised Time Travel Experiment will transport you to times and places you never imagined could exist!

This four story warehouse can be re-configured to almost anything the wacked out creator can conceive of! As Napoleon Hill said in his famous book, "Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve."

So that makes THE SKY THE LIMIT at this impressive haunt.

WOWSER!

PONTIAC

THE REALM OF DARKNESS

37 Turk Street, Pontiac, MI 48341

(248) 338-0029 or www.therealmofdarkness.com

ZIOPTIS SEZ 2010 - STEP INTO THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF HAUNT EXPERIENCES

THE FORGOTTEN VIRTUE OF PERSEVERANCE

In today's internet driven world of instant-gratification, nobody wants to wait...for anything. People are flustered trying to get the internet to boot up...on their cell phones!

And seeing things thru is passe too. All over, people just give up and abandon things rather than sticking it out thru thick and thin. It's the growing trend sadly, even on airplanes and in professional sports.

Did you know that in baseball's early days they didn't even have "relief pitchers"? When they handed the ball to the pitcher he was expected to start and finish the job. Now if he goes 6 innings, he can be credited with a "quality start."

In the Haunt Industry, we've seen lots of disappearing acts thru the years. Eventually, something will go wrong. But how you respond to adversities defines you as a person.

Ok, now imagine for a moment that you're a haunt operator and things start going wrong. How wrong? Just for starters:

* Your haunt is incorrectly credited with starting a riot that actually started at the high school across the street.

* Your haunt is bulldozed and tossed out by the city.

* Inspectors commend your safety measures, then shut you down instead.

* Your haunt floods horribly and must be gutted - TWICE.

* Your landlord wants to double the rent.

* Your actors complain of strange occurrences and independent researchers determine your haunt really is haunted.

Most would've packed it in after one or two of these intense examples of Murphy's Law in action. Instead, the operator of the REALM OF DARKNESS redoubled her efforts and persevered, ignoring the Naysayer Quitters who the world ends up forgetting about anyway.

One thing we know for sure though...you will not forget the experience that awaits you at the REALM OF DARKNESS!

And it's easier to get to now too. They moved and are now right off of Woodward in Pontiac. The new building is massive and still features amazing decor and attention to detail that's been a hallmark forever with this haunt!

The journey is new, but the quest to Defeat The Wizard remains with a chance to walk away with DOUBLE your admission price!

Lots of mysterious passageways, strange sounds and weird music perfectly accent the awesome interaction from the many talking creatures you'll encounter. But actions speak louder than words...better watch yourself!