Dr Fright's Halloween Horror Nights - 2011 Review
Dr Fright's opened for the first time in 2010 and as a brand new attraction, we really enjoyed it. Using two marquee mazes and the owner’s own travelling fairground horror house, the event had some amazing set pieces and scares created by some manic actors. One year later, and the event has grown with two new attractions and a few other fun elements thrown in. Having had such a great time before, we went along for a review visit:
It’s clear on arrival that Dr Fright's is a temporary event – the mazes are all in marquees and the queue lines are built from temporary fencing. To take some of the rawness off, the owners have tried to create themed areas around the event field but as usual with scare attractions, it's what’s going on inside that’s important!
The Seance Experience
Expecting a standard walk through maze experience, we were a bit taken aback to enter one main room with a large table and 10 chairs, with a Ouija board in the middle. Once we were settled, the lights were turned off and the séance began.
Sitting in the dark, hearing incantations made us all feel really nervous as we knew that at anytime something was going to happen - we just didn’t know from which direction. Perhaps the temporary nature of the marquee let in too much light, but between the strobe style flashes we could see the actors moving into position which ultimately ruined some of the scare factor. But with the séance over and the spirits summoned, the attraction ended with a small walk through experience which provided our group with a couple of good startle scares.
The séance experience was a good idea that was slightly weakened by its execution. Hopefully some of the lighting issues will be rectified before the busy Halloween weekend.
Sitting in the dark, hearing incantations made us all feel really nervous as we knew that at anytime something was going to happen - we just didn’t know from which direction. Perhaps the temporary nature of the marquee let in too much light, but between the strobe style flashes we could see the actors moving into position which ultimately ruined some of the scare factor. But with the séance over and the spirits summoned, the attraction ended with a small walk through experience which provided our group with a couple of good startle scares.
The séance experience was a good idea that was slightly weakened by its execution. Hopefully some of the lighting issues will be rectified before the busy Halloween weekend.
The Darkness 2
The Darkness was the maze that last year had us in a moment of sheer panic as we were stuck in a pitch black smoky maze, with just a torch to light the way. The general premise is the same for The Darkness 2 and there is still quite a primal fear when something suddenly appears in the torchlight unexpected!
A few times we were completely lost and some of the larger rooms were really difficult to navigate around, as most times we just couldn’t see the obvious escape route. Probably the most effective scene was a large room with a girl on a swing. As she drifted in and out of sight through the fog, most of us let out an involuntary scream!
A few times we were completely lost and some of the larger rooms were really difficult to navigate around, as most times we just couldn’t see the obvious escape route. Probably the most effective scene was a large room with a girl on a swing. As she drifted in and out of sight through the fog, most of us let out an involuntary scream!
Dr Fright's World Famous Freakshow
The Freakshow is also new for 2011 and is another take on the ubiquitous clown maze. Fortunately, Freakshow is also populated by other carnival freaks and each had a unique and fun scare tactic that left all of us jumping or screaming at one point .
Each scare character was nicely signposted so you knew what they were supposed to be (although I felt the skinless man could have been better as a skinless effect and not a man in an overall wearing a mask!)
The finale in this attraction was particularly strong with an actor giving it his all in manic performance that would have you on the floor with fright one moment, followed by bouts of nervous laughter. And that thing with the balloons? Made us jump EVERY time!
Each scare character was nicely signposted so you knew what they were supposed to be (although I felt the skinless man could have been better as a skinless effect and not a man in an overall wearing a mask!)
The finale in this attraction was particularly strong with an actor giving it his all in manic performance that would have you on the floor with fright one moment, followed by bouts of nervous laughter. And that thing with the balloons? Made us jump EVERY time!
The Asylum
In 2010 we were amazed at just how long the Asylum was, and from the outside we could see how many marquees had been joined together to make it. This year it seemed smaller but this could be because we knew what to expect.
The actors and scares inside were quite mixed and for every great scream-out-loud moment there was something cheesy like a bad Hannibal Lecter impression.
The strobing was set very high in this maze and alongside the security fencing, played many tricks with your mind that made you think the walls were moving.
The whole Asylum style maze effect is one of the most common themes for a scare attraction and although full of effective and frightening scares throughout, this Asylum really doesn’t stand out against its rivals. Of course, if you’ve never done anything like this before then you’ll love it!
The actors and scares inside were quite mixed and for every great scream-out-loud moment there was something cheesy like a bad Hannibal Lecter impression.
The strobing was set very high in this maze and alongside the security fencing, played many tricks with your mind that made you think the walls were moving.
The whole Asylum style maze effect is one of the most common themes for a scare attraction and although full of effective and frightening scares throughout, this Asylum really doesn’t stand out against its rivals. Of course, if you’ve never done anything like this before then you’ll love it!
The main event field at Dr Fright's is scattered with little touches to help entertain the visitors. Without wanting to spoil any of the surprises, small filmed scenes played out in a number of places, leading to several “overspills” into the main arena which had many guests running for the safety of the toilets! These little scenes are a great addition for a temporary event and show a desire from the operators to keep things fresh and entertaining.
Compared to many of the “big events” Dr Fright's can look a little rough around the edges and you can't ever escape the feeling that you are walking through walls of Heras security fencing, in a marquee, in the middle of a field. Having said that, there are enough interesting stories and effective scares to make you look beyond that and just enjoy it for what it is – a fun and scary event that has been created by someone very passionate about the scare industry.
Compared to many of the “big events” Dr Fright's can look a little rough around the edges and you can't ever escape the feeling that you are walking through walls of Heras security fencing, in a marquee, in the middle of a field. Having said that, there are enough interesting stories and effective scares to make you look beyond that and just enjoy it for what it is – a fun and scary event that has been created by someone very passionate about the scare industry.
To find out more about - visit their website
You Review
My husband and I have long been fans of the horror genre and have visited Thorpe Park's fright nights a few times and thoroughly enjoyed it, so we were in heaven when we found out about Dr Frights taking place within a few miles of where I live!
We missed the first year as we didn't hear about it until after the event, but I wish I would have known now. We visited on a very busy Saturday night with quite long queues, but didn't queue for any attraction longer than around 20 minutes.
All the mazes were very scary with some great acting and well thought out scenes, The Asylum was our favourite although it was similar to Thorpe Park's version it was still very well done and the strobe lighting was very intense.
The Darkness was also very creepy with the novel idea of only having your own torch to light your way!
The Seance Experience was also very unique and sitting at the table watching a ouija board move by itself was very unsettling, but I thought the chase could have been a bit longer, probably because I enjoyed it so much!
The Freakshow was the maze that we enjoyed the least, it still had a few good scares including the fantastic clown ending but it seemed too light and some of the freaks were underwhelming.
Overall a very scary event that we enjoyed more than Thorpe Park because the attractions were more varied and seemed like the actors were out to scare you more! Can't wait for this year!
We missed the first year as we didn't hear about it until after the event, but I wish I would have known now. We visited on a very busy Saturday night with quite long queues, but didn't queue for any attraction longer than around 20 minutes.
All the mazes were very scary with some great acting and well thought out scenes, The Asylum was our favourite although it was similar to Thorpe Park's version it was still very well done and the strobe lighting was very intense.
The Darkness was also very creepy with the novel idea of only having your own torch to light your way!
The Seance Experience was also very unique and sitting at the table watching a ouija board move by itself was very unsettling, but I thought the chase could have been a bit longer, probably because I enjoyed it so much!
The Freakshow was the maze that we enjoyed the least, it still had a few good scares including the fantastic clown ending but it seemed too light and some of the freaks were underwhelming.
Overall a very scary event that we enjoyed more than Thorpe Park because the attractions were more varied and seemed like the actors were out to scare you more! Can't wait for this year!
You Review 2
Excellent set up and actors, very scary saw one woman in tears.
4 themed areas excellent value for money
4 themed areas excellent value for money
You Review 3
The Darkness 2 - this could of easyly been the star of the night but with the lack yet again of a big fright. the smoke and the torch was a great touch and it was very very dark. the actors again though didnt seem to interact with the group like i would of liked them too. there was no real distractions or big scares just shouting and wispering. the fencing again was a big issue with nowhere for the actors to hide or play with you so the scence of being very safe was still there. the lack of 1 or 2 big scares really let this maze down for me
Freak Show - this maze stole the show because of 2 actors in the maze. the atmosphere of the entire maze was fantastic full of fun and fright. the lighting was spot on and the look from outside was perfect for a freakshow. this was the only maze of the night that really had a few good scares in it from the human centepede leading you into a dead end chamber to the final clown getting you to dance with him and chaseing you out of the maze. easly the best maze of the event and worth a re visit.
The Asylum - the asylem was the most tame scare maze i have ever come across, there was basically no scares in the tent. the actors either just stood in a corner or they just screamed there head off. the boundry fencing was everywhere and just made the place feel to safe and there was no corners for people to hide, jump out or any hole to scare through. just seemed like a very rushed maze with no thought and needs some vast improvements to scare it up a lot
Seance Experience - being a very spiritual person the first thing that scared the whits out of me was the ouija board in the table and in front of the marquee. The tent looked great aswell with all the gypsy artifacts that were dotted around. inside the feeling of sitting in a circle with the board and a spirit light in the center of the table was very daunting and frightening. the effects, though simple were very well placed with the ouija board moving by itself and the spirit light flashing was a nice effect. the 2 actors though again just sort of wondered around the table coming into the room and leaving via the same doorway. again it was pretty tame and there wasnt any huge scares with the exception of the anticipation of what might be coming. great for the first time but not worth doing again
over all a great event which could easly continue to grown and become ever more popular. the mazes could do with being longer and they all suffer from useing the security fencing inside which is great for making noise but leave you feeling very safe. the "breakouts" from charicters are great especially the chainsaw guy. he did a cracking job but the zombie breakout they all just seemed to leave. really could of done with some type of capture or lure to finnish the breakout off plus they all came from the same door. i would like to see them pop out from all round the area not just one spot. the horror movie trailers in the center of the area were a really nice touch as was the classic horror mucic being played all the time. i would like to revisit on a much busyier day as im shure the atmophere would be much better so the place is worth a visit again next year.
Freak Show - this maze stole the show because of 2 actors in the maze. the atmosphere of the entire maze was fantastic full of fun and fright. the lighting was spot on and the look from outside was perfect for a freakshow. this was the only maze of the night that really had a few good scares in it from the human centepede leading you into a dead end chamber to the final clown getting you to dance with him and chaseing you out of the maze. easly the best maze of the event and worth a re visit.
The Asylum - the asylem was the most tame scare maze i have ever come across, there was basically no scares in the tent. the actors either just stood in a corner or they just screamed there head off. the boundry fencing was everywhere and just made the place feel to safe and there was no corners for people to hide, jump out or any hole to scare through. just seemed like a very rushed maze with no thought and needs some vast improvements to scare it up a lot
Seance Experience - being a very spiritual person the first thing that scared the whits out of me was the ouija board in the table and in front of the marquee. The tent looked great aswell with all the gypsy artifacts that were dotted around. inside the feeling of sitting in a circle with the board and a spirit light in the center of the table was very daunting and frightening. the effects, though simple were very well placed with the ouija board moving by itself and the spirit light flashing was a nice effect. the 2 actors though again just sort of wondered around the table coming into the room and leaving via the same doorway. again it was pretty tame and there wasnt any huge scares with the exception of the anticipation of what might be coming. great for the first time but not worth doing again
over all a great event which could easly continue to grown and become ever more popular. the mazes could do with being longer and they all suffer from useing the security fencing inside which is great for making noise but leave you feeling very safe. the "breakouts" from charicters are great especially the chainsaw guy. he did a cracking job but the zombie breakout they all just seemed to leave. really could of done with some type of capture or lure to finnish the breakout off plus they all came from the same door. i would like to see them pop out from all round the area not just one spot. the horror movie trailers in the center of the area were a really nice touch as was the classic horror mucic being played all the time. i would like to revisit on a much busyier day as im shure the atmophere would be much better so the place is worth a visit again next year.
You Review
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