Zombie Boot Camp Review
You know the rules of a scare attraction. You’ve heard them countless times before: walk at all times, keep your hands on the arms of the person in front of you and most importantly – do not touch the actors and they wont touch you! Zombie Boot Camp takes that rule book, rips out the pages, shreds them into pieces and then sets fire to the pieces – just to make sure! This really is something COMPLETELY different from anything anyone has done before!
The day started with a safety briefing and an introduction to the scenario. A zombie virus is spreading rapidly round the country and us, as members of the general public have been drafted in to help the military.
A sudden incident put everyone on high alert – especially as we watched quite how the “army” dealt with the situation. Suddenly this didn’t seem to be play acting anymore and this feeling wasn’t made any better when we passed through decontamination to get kitted up for our adventure.
We were given, army boots, army fatigues, a riot helmet and two sets of heavy articulated Kevlar body armour. We struggled into our kit walking around like Robocop due to the sheer weight and chunkiness of the riot gear. Surely this was all a bit over the top?
Surely not! Basic training included the use of riot shields and while we stood wondering what we had let ourselves in for a quick zombie demonstration left everyone startled. At this point our heads filled with questions such as “do we really hit the zombies that hard?”, “are they really that fast” and more importantly “are they really going to come at us so violently?”
As the basic training led way to more detailed use of the riot shields – it was beginning to become clear why we were kitted up so well. You really do need all that padding when you are being ordered to run head first into an impenetrable barrier of riot shields! Split into two groups – any British reserve was soon knocked out of us as we fought desperately to break the barrier without getting smashed by a riot baton! It was physical – it was hard – it was bloody good fun!
Our basic training also included detailed instruction on the use of the paint guns and at the firing range we tried a number of tactics including moving attacks and defensive positions .Throughout all the training, we were followed by a film crew who were capturing the events live as if this was a proper scenario.
The day started with a safety briefing and an introduction to the scenario. A zombie virus is spreading rapidly round the country and us, as members of the general public have been drafted in to help the military.
A sudden incident put everyone on high alert – especially as we watched quite how the “army” dealt with the situation. Suddenly this didn’t seem to be play acting anymore and this feeling wasn’t made any better when we passed through decontamination to get kitted up for our adventure.
We were given, army boots, army fatigues, a riot helmet and two sets of heavy articulated Kevlar body armour. We struggled into our kit walking around like Robocop due to the sheer weight and chunkiness of the riot gear. Surely this was all a bit over the top?
Surely not! Basic training included the use of riot shields and while we stood wondering what we had let ourselves in for a quick zombie demonstration left everyone startled. At this point our heads filled with questions such as “do we really hit the zombies that hard?”, “are they really that fast” and more importantly “are they really going to come at us so violently?”
As the basic training led way to more detailed use of the riot shields – it was beginning to become clear why we were kitted up so well. You really do need all that padding when you are being ordered to run head first into an impenetrable barrier of riot shields! Split into two groups – any British reserve was soon knocked out of us as we fought desperately to break the barrier without getting smashed by a riot baton! It was physical – it was hard – it was bloody good fun!
Our basic training also included detailed instruction on the use of the paint guns and at the firing range we tried a number of tactics including moving attacks and defensive positions .Throughout all the training, we were followed by a film crew who were capturing the events live as if this was a proper scenario.
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But soon enough, the training was over and it was time to put our skills into practice. It was never quite explained if this was a “training mission” or supposed to be a real zombie invasion but very soon we were racing to a nearby venue with the sirens going and our weapons at the ready!
After a few words of advice from the army trainers we formed a platoon and headed into the compound behind our barrier of riot shields. A slow lumbering zombie made its presence known and we dispatched it quickly with a few shots to the chest. “This is easy – we can do this” we all think. JUST as all hell broke loose!
Nothing could have prepared us for the assault that the zombie hordes had waiting for us. We were bombarded with debris from above, we were wrestled to the ground we were grabbed violently from behind and we were jumped upon. All thoughts of this being a game were gone as we frantically used batons, guns and shields to fight through and protect each other from the zombies. This was war – and the zombies were winning!
Obviously no head shots are allowed so each zombie was brought down by a barrage of hits from our batons. All around us could be heard the dull thuds of batons striking zombie bodies, and it took a number of hits to totally immobilise each one! As we turned each corner the zombies kept coming from all different angles and finally we could see the safety of our getaway van in sight. But even then we weren’t safe – the zombies continued attacking from all sides until we were able to hot foot it back to the base.
Arriving back panting we were given a bit of time to recover while the other “squads” completed their missions. This down time in between missions didn’t really keep in with the story of the zombie outbreak and really was just used as an excuse for most people to have a smoke and a wee!
So it was time for our second mission and for this one we warned that things were going to get even tougher. The zombies had taken over control of an indoor facility and we were going to have to clear the place. Built like a standard indoor scare attraction, this second mission ramped the terror levels up to extreme,. Armed with our shields, our batons AND our paintball rifles we ran, crawled and climbed through pitch dark corridors with zombies appearing from everywhere. Unlike the outdoor section we just couldn’t see where the zombies were coming from which meant every scare was immediately followed by frantic attempt to escape or rescue our friends.
Room after room saw things smashed over our heads, or saw us tackled to the ground or duck for cover from exploding smoke bombs. It was crazy, it was bedlam, it was one of the most terrifying things we have ever done, ever! Every step was a step for survival and we all fought together to get out the final door and back to safety.
We arrived back at base exhausted and it was here we had our first real let down of the day. Instead of a good quality debriefing, or a continuation of the “zombie survival” story we were just allowed to get changed into our civvies and head home. This sort of felt like an anti climax to the whole event and we would have preferred the day to have finished just as it started.
After a few words of advice from the army trainers we formed a platoon and headed into the compound behind our barrier of riot shields. A slow lumbering zombie made its presence known and we dispatched it quickly with a few shots to the chest. “This is easy – we can do this” we all think. JUST as all hell broke loose!
Nothing could have prepared us for the assault that the zombie hordes had waiting for us. We were bombarded with debris from above, we were wrestled to the ground we were grabbed violently from behind and we were jumped upon. All thoughts of this being a game were gone as we frantically used batons, guns and shields to fight through and protect each other from the zombies. This was war – and the zombies were winning!
Obviously no head shots are allowed so each zombie was brought down by a barrage of hits from our batons. All around us could be heard the dull thuds of batons striking zombie bodies, and it took a number of hits to totally immobilise each one! As we turned each corner the zombies kept coming from all different angles and finally we could see the safety of our getaway van in sight. But even then we weren’t safe – the zombies continued attacking from all sides until we were able to hot foot it back to the base.
Arriving back panting we were given a bit of time to recover while the other “squads” completed their missions. This down time in between missions didn’t really keep in with the story of the zombie outbreak and really was just used as an excuse for most people to have a smoke and a wee!
So it was time for our second mission and for this one we warned that things were going to get even tougher. The zombies had taken over control of an indoor facility and we were going to have to clear the place. Built like a standard indoor scare attraction, this second mission ramped the terror levels up to extreme,. Armed with our shields, our batons AND our paintball rifles we ran, crawled and climbed through pitch dark corridors with zombies appearing from everywhere. Unlike the outdoor section we just couldn’t see where the zombies were coming from which meant every scare was immediately followed by frantic attempt to escape or rescue our friends.
Room after room saw things smashed over our heads, or saw us tackled to the ground or duck for cover from exploding smoke bombs. It was crazy, it was bedlam, it was one of the most terrifying things we have ever done, ever! Every step was a step for survival and we all fought together to get out the final door and back to safety.
We arrived back at base exhausted and it was here we had our first real let down of the day. Instead of a good quality debriefing, or a continuation of the “zombie survival” story we were just allowed to get changed into our civvies and head home. This sort of felt like an anti climax to the whole event and we would have preferred the day to have finished just as it started.
Prepare for battle!
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The zombies lie dying
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As you can probably tell from this review, Zombie Boot Camp is not like any other scare attraction we (or you) will have ever experienced before. In fact – would we even call it a scare attraction? It’s probably nearer to a war games/ survival/skirmish event but using a horror theme. You could argue the zombies in each mission could be replaced by a generic terrorist/ war enemy but then how many terrorists tackle you to the ground while trying to eat your brain?
We visited Zombie Boot Camp, not really knowing what to expect but were blown away by the sheer physicality and kinetic nature of the show. Due to the very realistic elements and the real combat that occurs, it really won’t be for everyone. But for those who are prepared to get dirty and sweaty and who really want to fight back against a zombie invasion, then you need to sign up for a mission now!
We visited Zombie Boot Camp, not really knowing what to expect but were blown away by the sheer physicality and kinetic nature of the show. Due to the very realistic elements and the real combat that occurs, it really won’t be for everyone. But for those who are prepared to get dirty and sweaty and who really want to fight back against a zombie invasion, then you need to sign up for a mission now!
professional riot gear..
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What you cant see is the Kevlar body armour underneath!
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Post Script
ScareTOUR reviews are always fair and although we love to support the whole industry - we will always be completely honest in our opinions and state them in our reviews. Although we loved Zombie Boot Camp - we were disappointed that there was nothing to properly finish the day off such as a final debrief or even zombies chasing us off the compound. Since last weekend, the attraction have now confirmed that detailed character led debriefs are now included on the day to make a more rounded experience.
We are pleased that, the owners have listened to our constructive comments and found a way to address some of our concerns.from the review. These small touches will help prolong the imaginary scenario of an impending zombie apocalypse for the duration of the event!
ScareTOUR reviews are always fair and although we love to support the whole industry - we will always be completely honest in our opinions and state them in our reviews. Although we loved Zombie Boot Camp - we were disappointed that there was nothing to properly finish the day off such as a final debrief or even zombies chasing us off the compound. Since last weekend, the attraction have now confirmed that detailed character led debriefs are now included on the day to make a more rounded experience.
We are pleased that, the owners have listened to our constructive comments and found a way to address some of our concerns.from the review. These small touches will help prolong the imaginary scenario of an impending zombie apocalypse for the duration of the event!
For more details of Zombie Boot Camp - check out their website - www.zombiebootcamp.co.uk
You Review
Great, Great Great!
I cant believe how physical it was! Zombie Fight Club if you ask me. One comment: this is sooo physical it is not for the faint heated or of nervous disposition. You will be banged and bruised and potentially injured a bit.... aching the day after is pretty much a given. This is a jaw dropping adrenalin rush! It is great that something like this can still exist in the PC, cotton covered, namby pamby world we now seem to live in. Do this and you will never forget it.........................
I cant believe how physical it was! Zombie Fight Club if you ask me. One comment: this is sooo physical it is not for the faint heated or of nervous disposition. You will be banged and bruised and potentially injured a bit.... aching the day after is pretty much a given. This is a jaw dropping adrenalin rush! It is great that something like this can still exist in the PC, cotton covered, namby pamby world we now seem to live in. Do this and you will never forget it.........................
Very scary - A great experience! More about combat than scares but that's what I expected. A really physical experience in riot gear fighting off the marauding undead! Top stuff, I am going back sometime for sure.
Terrifying
Amazing Event - truly terrifying and is unlike all the other zombie events as this makes it feel as though a zombie apocalypse is actually upon us!
Apart from that your review is very precise and gives a great overview of the day - watch out for the zombies who are in fact amputees!!
Amazing Event - truly terrifying and is unlike all the other zombie events as this makes it feel as though a zombie apocalypse is actually upon us!
Apart from that your review is very precise and gives a great overview of the day - watch out for the zombies who are in fact amputees!!
You Review
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