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Writer's pictureChandler Clouser

Fright Factory - 2018 Review


  • Haunted Attraction Reviewed: Fright Factory

  • Website: www.frightfactory.tv

  • Location of Attraction: Philadelphia PA

  • Date of Review: Sunday October 7th 2018

  • Total Number of Attractions Available: Three

  • Overall Haunted Attraction Rating: 7/10

  • Entertainment and Food Rating: 5/10

  • Atmosphere Rating: 6/10

  • Overall Costume and Make Up Rating: 7/10

  • Overall Cast and Crew Rating: 7.5/10

  • Overall Props, Animatronics and Set Design Rating: 7.5/10

  • Overall Scare/Thrill Factor Rating: 6.5/10

  • Overall Feedback: Fright Factory located in Philadelphia PA is a haunted attraction that our squad has been wanting to review for the past few seasons. We’ve for some reason never managed to make it out to visit. After hearing good feedback from fellow haunt enthusiasts we made sure to get Fright Factory on our schedule for the 2018 season. On Sunday October 7th we made it happen as we finally paid a visit to Fright Factory! As we approached the midway area at Fright Factory there isn’t much visually going on. The ticket booth, small food stand and porta-potties pretty much round out the midway area. Besides the dark eerie city vibe there wasn’t much of a buzz or overall thrilling vibe in the atmosphere. Set in a 25,000 square foot warehouse in the heart of Philadelphia, Fright Factory has the expansive space and great “bone structure” to be a great haunt. Unfortunately, a few uncontrollable issues with lack of staffing paired with modifiable set design choices brought the overall experience down a bit for this season. Prior to beginning our experience for the evening we were able to speak briefly with Chuck, the casting manager at Fright Factory. We learned that they were short handed on actors for the particular evening we had attended on. Fright Factory typically staffs 45-50 actors on each night of operation but they fell short of that number the evening we visited. On the bright side we learned that Fright Factory was busy during the off-season rethemeing their attractions and constructing them so guests would have a smoother flow through the haunt. At Fright Factory guests will complete all three attractions in the following order: Industrial Nightmare, Silent Screams Asylum and Fright Factory Unearthed. Besides the initial wait time to enter Fright Factory, guests will have little to no wait in between the three attractions. As we descended down the ramp into Fright Factory a damp and eerie vibe came over us. There may not be a thrilling atmosphere outside but there is a downright creepy one inside the haunt. Prior to beginning your experience guests are given the opportunity to enjoy a free photo booth picture. Fright Factory uploads these pictures to their Facebook page where guests can easily download them; we love these types of free photo booths at haunts! After departing the photo booth guests head for the first attraction, Industrial Nightmare. On your journey to Industrial Nightmare guests venture down a dark corridor where several surprises will be lurking and waiting for you. This definitely succeed at getting our hearts pumping prior to the first attraction. Once inside Industrial Nightmare the adrenaline rush we had been experiencing quickly faded away. We quickly learned that the large open 25,000 square foot space became one of the major downfalls of the overall haunt experience. Fright Factory suffered from a significant, notable absence of scare actors. During our experience in Industrial Nightmare we recall encountering a max of 5-10 actors. Large areas of dead space really put a damper on the experience during Industrial Nightmare. The set design was well done but unfortunately there were no actors to bring several of the scenes to life. We will say that the actors we did encounter throughout Industrial Nightmare were passionate and provided interactive and entertaining skits. Another atmosphere killer was over hearing staff communicate via walkie talkies while we were venturing through the attractions. This became a major distraction and immediately withdrew us from the atmosphere they were trying to create with their scenes. Once exiting Industrial Nightmare guests continue forth to Silent Screams Asylum. A great transitory scene was utilized to make guests well aware that they were entering a brand new attraction. Within seconds of entering Silent Screams Asylum we knew we were in for a much better experience then the one we received in Industrial Nightmare. For starters, the first few actors we encountered were phenomenal. We specifically remember one actor portraying an insane patient who was pulling her hair out and literally hitting herself upside the head. Not only were the actors much more energized but there were far more actors to be found in the asylum; this made for a big difference in the overall experience we received! Be prepared for a much more interactive experience during Silent Screams Asylum. The actors incorporate the guests into the show and really provided engaging skits. For example, one of our members was forced to say her goodbyes as she was fried up courtesy of the electric chair. No spoilers but you may get a little wet during your journey through Silent Screams Asylum! Set design continued to show glimpses of perfection and was overall well done. Eventually we encountered another major flaw... the lack of a transitory scene from Silent Screams Asylum to Fright Factory Unearthed. We do not recall ever seeing signage or hearing an actor/staff member mention the attraction change. We didn’t even realize we went through the third and final attraction until after we walked through the gift shop and exited the warehouse. We were disappointed that Fright Factory didn’t highlight the scene change and we hope they can throw in signage or have a scare actor present to make guests aware of the attraction change. But any who, the strong acting found in Silent Screams Asylum stayed consistent all the way through to the end of our experience in Fright Factory Unearthed. Set design continued to be well done but still could’ve used that extra “wow” factor. Scares come from high, low and pretty much every other direction — keeping your eyes moving. A swamp area contained a few fantastic surprises, but the fog density needed to be turned up just a notch to create that full visual barrier that allows for a more intense experience. The two bathroom sequences in Silent Screams Asylum certainly didn’t keep several of our reviewers silent. Fright Factory definitely had glimpses of being a near top notch haunt but ultimately they fell short in our books. Definitely keep an eye on this haunt, because the solid acting from several members of the cast paired with several elaborate set designs and the passion of the management makes this a haunt to be watched, and a guarantee to improve yearly. Costuming and makeup was for the most part well done but we felt that some actors possessed rushed makeup. Overall cohesiveness, a fuller staff, and a few tweaks to the set would level up this haunt noticeably. Were hoping that the extreme shortage on scare actors was just a one night hiccup and isn’t a season long issue. At the end of the day we feel Fright Factory delivers a good experience for local haunt enthusiasts but at this time the experience is not something strong enough to attract guests from more than an hour away. So if you’re in the area or can bundle Fright Factory with a second haunt then definitely pay them a visit. Hopefully when you visit you’ll receive the thrilling experience you’re looking for.

Individual Attraction Review:

  • Attraction Name: Industrial Nightmare

  • Overall Attraction Rating: 6/10

  • Cast and Crew Rating: 6/10

  • Props, Animatronics and Set Design Rating: 7/10

  • Attraction Scare/Thrill Factor Rating: 6/10

  • Attraction Name: Silent Screams Asylum

  • Overall Attraction Rating: 8/10

  • Cast and Crew Rating: 8/10

  • Props, Animatronics and Set Design Rating: 8/10

  • Attraction Scare/Thrill Factor Rating: 7/10

  • Attraction Name: Fright Factory Unearthed

  • Overall Attraction Rating: 7/10

  • Cast and Crew Rating: 7/10

  • Props, Animatronics and Set Design Rating: 7/10

  • Attraction Scare/Thrill Factor Rating: 6/10


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