Haunted Attraction Reviewed: Reaper’s Revenge
Website: www.reapersrevenge.net
Location of Attraction: Scranton PA
Date of Review: 9/26/2020
Total Number of Attractions Available: 3
Overall Haunted Attraction Rating: 10/10
Entertainment & Food Rating: 9/10
Atmosphere Rating: 10/10
Overall Costume & Makeup Rating: 10/10
Overall Cast & Crew Rating: 10/10
Overall Set Design & Special Effects Rating: 10/10
Overall Scare/Thrill Factor Rating: 9/10
Overall Feedback: Reaper’s Revenge provides by far the most innovative, mesmerizing, and downright horrifying haunted attraction experience that we’ve ever encountered! Located in Scranton PA is Reaper’s Revenge, our squads #1 rated haunted attraction from each of the past two seasons! Many haunt fanatics, including ourselves, were elated when Reaper’s Revenge confirmed in mid August that they would be opening for the 2020 season. Unfortunately due to the current Covid-19 pandemic and the safety protocols haunted attractions must follow, Sector 13 and Pitch Black are closed for the 2020 season. But don’t you worry, even with two attractions closed Reaper’s Revenge still boasts three attractions (Haunted Hayride, Lost Carnival, and DELIRIUM) making for a solid 60-70 minute experience!
Our squad arrived at Reaper’s Revenge shortly after 4pm for an opportunity of a lifetime… a behind the scenes tour before getting to experience the attractions later that evening. Before beginning our tour we had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with many of the folks who make Reaper’s Revenge one of the top haunts on the east coast! We had the opportunity to check out the costuming and makeup facility, fabrication shop, and full behind the scenes access to all FIVE attractions (Haunted Hayride, Lost Carnival, Delirium, Pitch Black, and Sector 13). The opportunity to see these attractions in broad daylight allowed us to see all the little details that haunt goers typically cannot see when experiencing the attractions at night! We can’t even put into words how incredibly sophisticated and aesthetically pleasing each of these attractions are! Our behind the scenes experience certainly enhanced our respect for the Reaper’s Revenge crew and the amount of time, energy, and money that goes into their operation. The tour was not only just a chance to see the attractions in broad daylight, but also the opportunity to learn more about how a large scale haunt like Reaper’s Revenge operates smoothly and successfully. It’s certainly clear that Reaper’s Revenge possesses a passionate and talented team; it’s no wonder why they’re voted a must-see haunted attraction by media outlets all across the country! Special thanks to Michael, Todd, Kelley, Jen, Joe, Paul, and everyone else who made this opportunity possible for our Squad!
Covid Protocols: Reaper’s Revenge by far had the most thorough Covid-19 safety protocols that we’ve encountered thus far during the 2020 season. All guests have their temperature taken utilizing a infrared forehead thermometer at the main entrance of the parking lot. Once passing through the temperature checkpoint guests will park and head to the security checkpoint. All Reaper’s Revenge staff and patrons are required to wear face coverings at all times while on the property. Hand sanitizing stations were easily accessible throughout the entire property, including in portions of the attractions! Reaper’s Revenge staff were seen sanitizing high touch points frequently throughout the evening. Signage reminding guests of proper hand sanitization, mask wearing, and social distancing was also plastered throughout the property. It was clear that Reaper’s Revenge was taking things seriously to ensure guests receive a safe experience!
After our behind the scenes tour we had some time to kick back and relax in the midway/entertainment area. We snagged some munchies from the several food vendors, visited the gift shop, and relaxed by the bonfire. Several scare actors were roaming about the midway, engaging with guests. It may have only been the 2nd operational night for Reaper’s Revenge but they were already packing a large crowd. Shortly after 7pm we headed for the VIP line, eager and excited to begin our experience! After a brief wait our squad loaded up onto the hay wagon and we set off into the dark and ominous woods of Reaper’s Revenge.
As the hay wagon rolled into the first scene, a massive grim reaper animatronic towered above the wagon. The intense sound effects echoed throughout the dark woods and fog filled around the hay wagon. Just as your heart begins to race in fear of what lies ahead, a massive blast of fire comes bursting out of the pillars surrounding the hay wagon. As the hay wagon eventually rolls through the first scene the grim reaper appears from the woods and taunts the patrons! It is at that moment guests quickly understand the high quality performance they are going to soon experience! Throughout the hayride at Reaper’s Revenge guests will encounter many horror film favorites in Jason Vorhees, Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger and even Samara from the Ring! Each of these characters is PERFECTLY executed by the scare actors; from Samara sinisterly snapping and contorting her body to Michael Myers sneakily assaulting the patrons from out of nowhere. Along the hayride journey guests will encounter MANY unique scenes that we’ve never encountered before; from the visually stunning Alice in Wonderland light show spectacular scene to the Suicide Forest scene to the thrilling Zombie Graveyard. We also can’t forget to mention the aesthetically pleasing pumpkin hill scene that really accents and features the woods and nature itself! Massive pumpkin creatures tower above the hay wagon with several that include moving parts, it's truly amazing to see. One major feature that we love about the hayride at Reaper’s Revenge is how well rounded and thought out each and every scene is! Many hayride scenes at other haunts end once you pull out of the scene… this is NOT the case at Reaper’s Revenge. As you exit each scene the backside of the scenes are just as visually pleasing as the scene itself. Clearly we could talk all day about the pure elegance that the hayride sets boast! Now let’s rave about the scare actors. These hayride scare actors are true professionals and have really mastered their performances. The overall creepiness they portray along with their interactivity with the guests really provide a thrilling and creepy experience! The Haunted Hayride at Reaper’s Revenge is hands down our all-time favorite haunted hayride we’ve ever experienced!
As we exited the hay wagon we made way to the Lost Carnival. The Lost Carnival is exactly as it sounds in the sense that it’s truly a carnival, lost in the middle of the woods. Each and every year we are continually more and more amazed with the experience Lost Carnival provides! We’ve never encountered a haunt that truly makes you feel immersed into a demented carnival, yet alone one that can do it in the middle of the woods! Just as it was on the hayride, the elegant scenes carried throughout the Lost Carnival. You’ll encounter all aspects of a carnival from the games to carnival rides to food stands to the clown funhouse and much more! Leave it to Reaper’s Revenge to somehow have a large operating Ferris Wheel along with a creepy Carousel in the middle of the woods; how amazing! Throughout the Lost Carnival many of your senses are impacted as they throw uneven walking surfaces, disorienting lighting, delicious and disgusting smells and much more your way! The scare actors we encountered throughout the Lost Carnival are some of the best actors we’ve ever encountered! Their improv skills along with their spooky fun tricks certainly make for both a frightening and humorous experience! We went from laughing in one scene to running out of the next scene in pure terror; they definitely kept us on our toes! Long story short, the Lost Carnival at Reaper’s Revenge once again provided a top notch experience! We have no doubts that the Lost Carnival will always rank #1 when it comes to our favorite clown/carnival themed attractions!
After completion of the Lost Carnival it was finally time to experience the BRAND NEW attraction for 2020, DELIRIUM! Ready or not, you’ll be tossed into a world of multiple dimensions where blood-curdling surprises lurk around each and every corner! Prior to entering Delirium guests will snag their freshly sanitized 3D glasses and will then try to mentally prepare for the hallucinating experience that you’re about to endure. Right away we were amazed by the detailed 3D paintings sumptuously plastered throughout the attraction. Drop panels were sneakily disguised, allowing scare actors the opportunity to catch us off guard delivering countless spine-tingling startles! Delirium was cleverly designed to allow the scare actors the opportunity to spook patrons from multiple different locations. The scare actors were relentless in their attack. Many of them utilized noise makers and other props to enhance the startle! Just when we thought we finally had our bearings, we had to stroll through a 3D vortex tunnel, which quickly disoriented our squad leaving us as easy targets for one final hair-raising scare! We were pleased to find out that the Reaper’s Revenge crew plans to continue to enhance Delirium over the next few seasons; adding 3D painting to the floors, more coloring to enhance the ChromaDepth, even more props, and other horrifying special effects! Rumor has it the attraction may even be expanded in the future. We thought Delirium was intense this season… we can’t even imagine the terror that awaits in Delirium for seasons to come!
After just experiencing nearly 60-70 minutes of legitimate in attraction experience our squad was once again BLOWN AWAY by the experience Reaper’s Revenge provided! Somehow each season when we return, Paul and the Reaper’s Revenge team finds a way to once again step up their game. As our squad gathered back in the entertainment area we were able to grab some munchies and kick back by the bonfire. We eventually were able to meet up with Paul to discuss our experience. As always, we were pleased to share with Paul how awestruck we were with 2020’s experience! Reaper’s Revenge boasts top of the line sound equipment utilized throughout all of their attractions, which helps elevate the haunt experience and immerse the guests into a whole new horrifying dimension! We also can’t forget to mention their first-class set design, elegant usage of pyrotechnics, and shocking special effects. Not to mention their exceptional cast and crew. Covid-19 certainly didn’t impact the always breathtaking and terrifying Reaper’s Revenge experience! Thanks again Reaper’s Revenge for somehow stepping up your game once again and continually providing a TOP NOTCH and truly WORLD CLASS haunt experience! If you’ve yet to visit Reaper’s Revenge we strongly urge you to pay them a visit. We have no doubt that you’ll be exSCREAMly satisfied with your experience! Be warned that Reaper’s Revenge is not for the faint of heart and always remember to FEAR THE REAPER! Job well done Reaper’s Revenge team!
Individual Attraction Ratings:
Attraction Name: Haunted Hayride
Overall Attraction Rating: 10/10
Cast & Crew Rating: 10/10
Set Design & Special Effects Rating: 10/10
Scare/Thrill Factor Rating: 8/10
Attraction Name: Lost Carnival
Overall Attraction Rating: 10/10
Cast & Crew Rating: 10/10
Set Design & Special Effects Rating: 10/10
Scare/Thrill Factor Rating: 9/10
Attraction Name: Delirium
Overall Attraction Rating: 9/10
Cast & Crew Rating: 9/10
Set Design & Special Effects Rating: 9.5/10
Scare/Thrill Factor Rating: 9/10
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