Haunted Attraction Reviewed: Pennhurst Asylum
Location of Attraction: Spring City Pennsylvania
Date of Review: 9/23/2016
Website: http://pennhurstasylum.com/
Total Number of Attractions Available: 4
Overall Haunted Attraction Rating (scale of 1-10): 9
Entertainment and Food Rating (scale of 1-10): 8
Makeup and Costume Rating (scale of 1-10): 10
Props Rating (scale of 1-10): 10
Overall Scare Factor Rating (scale of 1-10): 9
Overall Feedback: Pennhurst Asylum Haunted Attraction takes place at the old Pennhurst State School which opened in 1908 which functioned for almost 60 years! This haunted attraction is the true definition of CREEPY!! The LONG, DARK, and CREEPY walk from the car to the ticket booth definitely sets the tone for the attraction. Seeing all of the old abandoned buildings was truly neat to look at while walking about the state school campus. We attended Pennhurst Asylum on their opening night of the 2016 haunt season and to be honest, we couldn’t even tell it was their opening night. This haunt ran like a well oiled machine and not one single kink or bump was ran into. Pennhurst Asylum has a large number of actors roaming throughout the campus which provided entertainment while waiting in line. We felt that each attraction featured very high quality, unique, and detailed costumes & makeup, props, scenes, etc. If you like attractions with a large number of LIVE ACTORS then Pennhurst Asylum is for you. There were actors left and right throughout this haunt and we were truly amazed by how immersed each actor was in their role. Each and every member of our group was startled multiple times throughout the night. Screams could be heard every other second during our time at Pennhurst Asylum. Our group got a chance to speak with one of the owners of the haunt and it sounds like they plan to make a lot of improvements for the 2017 haunt season. After our creepy but wonderful experience at Pennhurst Asylum in 2016, our group definitely plans to make a return next haunt season! Please see below for the individual score and feedback of each attraction Pennhurst Asylum offers. Our group definitely encourages all haunt enthusiasts to attend this attraction! When you visit, please make sure to tell them that YORK FRIGHT REVIEW SQUAD sent you!! As always, if you have any questions on our review of this attraction, please let us know.
Individual Attraction Review:
Attraction Name: Pennhurst Asylum
Overall Attraction Rating (scale of 1-10): 9
Attraction Scare Factor Rating (scale of 1-10): 8
Actor Rating (scale of 1-10): 10
Likes: This attraction definitely sets up the theme of the night at Pennhurst. It is set in one of the main buildings that was used during the time it was open. The actors are AMAZING and are fully immersed in their characters. This attraction is long enough to make you believe you may never be leaving. Our group truly enjoyed each and every scene in this attraction! There was just the right amount of pop scares, props, and live actors. This attraction actually utilizes items and artifacts from the old state school!!
Dislikes: The only thing we would’ve liked to see was more spacing between groups in this attraction. Despite groups catching up to one another the actors did a great job with trying to pace the groups and still performing their acts.
Attraction Name: The Dungeon of Lost Souls
Overall Attraction Rating (scale of 1-10): 9
Attraction Scare Factor Rating (scale of 1-10): 10
Actor Rating (scale of 1-10): 10
Likes: This attraction seems to be the most forgotten about detail wise as it is in the middle of two other incredibly amazing attractions. There are many scares to be had in the Dungeon with their dark hallways and maze like walls leading you to wonder what's around the next corner. The actors in the Dungeon did always have much of an act/skit to perform but they still amazed us with their overall creepiness! This attraction featured amazing props and scenes throughout as well!
Dislikes: None!
Attraction Name: The Tunnel Terror
Overall Attraction Rating (scale of 1-10): 9
Attraction Scare Factor Rating (scale of 1-10): 8
Actor Rating (scale of 1-10): 9
Likes: This attraction takes you into the tunnels that run underneath the grounds of the old state school. During your time you will encounter a wide variety of deranged actors. There is even a section with minimal actors where the setting alone leaves your tummy gurgling with the use of low humming and intense strobe lights that leave you wondering if you are still going in the right direction and the thoughts of what may be lurking at the end! Again the actors were truly amazing and interacted with each and every customer! The amount of detailed work in each scene was truly remarkable.
Dislikes: None!
Attraction Name: Ghost Hunt
Overall Attraction Rating (scale of 1-10): 7
Attraction Scare Factor Rating (scale of 1-10): 0-10 (depending on how in-tune you are)
Actor Rating (scale of 1-10): 0 (no actors were utilized in this attraction)
Likes: This attraction is without purposeful scares or actors. Ghost Hunt is an adventure on its own where you are able to explore the Mayflower building where residents used to live. It is claimed to be actually haunted (has been featured on Ghost Adventures and Ghost Hunters) and you have the ability to tour at your own pace. You are actually encouraged to take photos and attempt to catch anything that may choose to present itself. In the beginning of this attraction they actually have a mini museum which contains some left artifacts, images, and items from the state school. There was actually an individual whom worked at the state school for years available in the museum for customers to ask questions about the history of the state school. The overall creepiness of the attractions is definitely worth a visit at least once.
Dislikes: It would be great to have less lighting in this attraction and maybe just provide customers a flash light for their source of light. This would definitely add to the creepiness factor of the attraction.