| PANIC BOX SPOOKHOUSE:
Horror movies play on a large, drive-in style screen outside The Panic
Box. The first surprise of the night comes from an 8’ tall Michal
Myers charging up from behind alongside a series of intimidating warning
signs painted on the side of the building like, “This is the room you will
die in!” Cramped passages rule inside the Spookhouse where
monsters snarl, and bang loudly on the walls. Early on, panic is
induced by electrocutions, hanging bodies, various SAW-like games,
mechanical skeletons, vibrating floors, and other animated surprises.
Alarming music and sounds accompany the wicked journey into the uncertain
world of clowns, darkened mazes, a toxic fountain, and numerous dead end
passages. Visibility fails as your eyes begin playing tricks on you
as the course progresses into a chain link fence maze that’s illuminated
only by flashing strobes that make discerning between an open path and
another frustrating dead end practically impossible! Misdirecting
ghouls make sure each and every path is explored, regardless as to whether
there exists some means of escape or not! Eventually finding your
way through brings about a foggy light vortex that serves as a connector
to one final entrapment, this one of the chainsaw variety with seemingly
no hope of ever finding a way out of The Panic Box Spookhouse!
Analysis:
LENGTH - 7, 13 minutes.
ACTORS - 8½, Mostly masks and little dialogue,
but fantastic taunting and misdirecting through the numerous dead end paths.
Total Characters = 25.
SCARINESS - 9, Actors, sounds, lights, and mechanical
props all work together to attack all the senses. The feeling of
being trapped in the various mazes provides the major fright.
DESIGN - 8, Theme holds throughout. Narrow passages
provoke somewhat of a claustrophobic feel to the adventure. Mazes
are constructed with several dead ends and monsters are cleverly utilized
to direct customers into exploring every path. Fence maze is lit
only by strobes which makes finding the way out practically impossible!
Finishing entrapment is likewise well done. On the down side, the direction
of travel is uncertain at times to the extent that 2 groups actually exited
the indoor portion of the haunt by mistake forcing actors to break character
to get them back on course.
PROPS - 8, Rooms feature appropriate decor with some
nice mechanical surprises as well. Toxic fountain is impressive.
Corridors for the most part are undecorated.
VALUE - 8, $9 with website coupon is on equal terms to
other area attractions Lengthening the overall experience would go
a long way toward elevating the score.
RATING: 8, Just shy of 8½.
The PanicBox Spookhouse is an above average attraction that's only
a step or two away from reaching the next level. Entrapments are
well done, and the chain link fence maze is our personal favorite.
Several quality attractions are located in the Springfield area and can
all be visited in a single night, and this is one that shouldn't be left
out. Prepare to have your senses distorted at The PanicBox. |
