Field of Screams (website)
Location: 191 College Avenue, Mountville, PA 17554
Introduction
Field of Screams, located in Mountville PA is a major mainstream haunted attraction, a “scare-park” featuring an expansive midway featuring games, food options, photo opportunities and four unique haunted attractions. Field of Screams is extremely popular and we recommend the VIP upgrade for each attraction to avoid long wait times, and experience one of the best attractions in the tristate area. Field of Screams is a must visit haunted attraction this year, as they continue to be a leader in using impressive animatronics, set designs and talented actors to generate intense scares. It is important to note that we attended this attraction on a slower crowd night which gave us the opportunity to have several unique interactions with the talented (and sometimes) insane actors of this fantastic attraction. Some of the experiences described in this review may be unable to replicate in a more crowded environment, so again get to Field of Screams early this year or at least upgrade to the VIP upgrade option to get the full experience!
Attractions
Field of Screams regular price of $34.00, with $10.00 per attraction VIP upgrades provides four unique attractions that cater to the interests of diverse haunted attraction fans. Each attraction is highly detailed, incorporates effective use of lighting, sound and misdirection to allow the actors to perform at their best. While we had some minor issues regarding line back-up and some actors who were out-of-place, and a few who broke character, overall these issues are minor compared to the quality and value associated with this attraction. As you move from attraction to attraction, take in the incredible midway, which features a multitude of food and entertainment options. Also watch out for some incredible actors who roam the midway, from psychotic clowns to Michael Myers, the midway itself can be considered an additional attraction.
Den of Darkness
The first attraction visited, “Den of Darkness”, is a walk-through haunted house attraction which starts off with an effective séance scene which builds anticipation and tension. The “Den of Darkness” is the most physically interactive of the two houses at Field of Screams as guests must navigate tight corridors and crawl at times to escape the attraction. Each room in the “Den of Darkness” is for the most part filled with surprises and action. The set pieces and themes found in this attraction are beautiful, from a hauntingly disturbing vaudeville-1920’s style party scene to a creepy doll room, the set designs and structure of this attraction set the perfect tone for a scare filled experience. Field of Screams incorporates effective sensory scares into its indoor attractions, using darkness, blinding lights, and smell to disorient its guests. Grotesque smells emanate throughout corridor and add another level of sensory overload to the creepy experience. While the “Den of Darkness” was an entertaining and at times horrifying experience, several minor issues did impact its scare level during our visit. We ran into several line-back up problems associated with the crawling portions of the attraction and in some scenes actors broke character, began talking to the other actors in the scene. Thankfully this only occurred less than a handful of times, and was not present in the other attractions at Field of Screams. Again, despite these minor issues the “Den of Darkness” is one of the best indoor walk-through haunted attractions.
Frightmare Asylum
“Frightmare Asylum” is the second indoor-walk through haunted attraction visited at Field of Screams. The wait for “Frightmare Asylum” was slightly longer than the other attractions, even with a VIP upgrade but the quality of the attraction is worth it. The scenes and props found in the Frightmare Asylum are disturbing, lifelike and augment the talented work of actors who do a shockingly good job at portraying “disturbed” individuals. The patients begging for mercy and lunatic doctors who reside in this attraction work tirelessly to interact with each guest of the “Frightmare Asylum.” While asylum themes seem to be popping up in a multitude of haunted attractions, “Frightmare Asylum” continues to be a leader in using this ever-growing theme effectively. From insane twisted doctors who get up close and personal with guests, to disorienting use of light, the experience at “Frightmare Asylum” is a must visit.
Nocturnal Wasteland
“Nocturnal Wasteland” is an outdoor trail which received extensive upgrades for the 2015 season. “Nocturnal Wasteland” is a fallout themed attraction, in which inhabitants have “survived” some post-apocalyptic accident. “Nocturnal Wasteland” was our favorite walk-through attraction at Field of Screams as the trail features incredible set designs, from abandoned structures, to large-scale pyrotechnic/electrical displays. Guests must escape the wasteland through sewer tunnels, as mutants, hillbillies and other horrifying creatures are relentless in their attacks. The trail is highly interactive, as we were jolted and moved by unstable walk-ways, and bridges which added additional realism to the surreal experience. The props utilized throughout the attraction are lifelike and at times in the darkness it is difficult to determine what is “real” and what is not. The “Nocturnal Wasteland” is one of the best outdoor attractions you will visit this year, and has vastly improved its design for the 2015 season.
Haunted Hayride
The “Haunted Hayride” at Field of Screams was our favorite of the four attractions this year because the actors were allowed to interact with guests on a whole new level. As mentioned previously, we attended on a slower crowd night and the wagon was far from full. This allowed the actors to interact with each guests, and even put on several unique scenes which likely would be impossible if the wagon was filled with guests. The space on the wagon allowed for several actors to board and allowed for them to entertain and interact with each guest in a personal manner. The large-scale set designs, and animatronics found throughout the hayride are some of the most impressive in the industry as we enjoyed our trip through an evil carnival, and visit at the slaughterhouse. There are several other impressive scenes found throughout this hayride, from a graveyard filled with the dead who “jump” out of their graves to an interactive toxic waste dump, this hayride is one of the best. This year the “Haunted Hayride” has added a new set/barn, which is a take on a carnival themed “spinning room”. While it was slightly disorienting, we hope they add more to the scene, to further confuse guests. The scene fell a little flat with us, compared to the intensity of the rest of the hayride but do see its value regarding a set up to the finale of the attraction which is still one of the best endings to a haunted hayride.
Final Word
Field of Screams continues to improve each year and despite minor issues is one of the best mainstream haunted attractions you can visit for the 2015 season. Every attraction is built and designed to be of the highest quality. The actors do an incredible job of interacting with the large number of guests who attend this attraction. In order to enjoy all of the attractions we suggest you visit early in the season, or purchase VIP upgrades. This is one of the most popular haunted attractions, and they do not rest to continuously grow and improve. Field of Screams offers attractions that meet the interests of diverse haunted attraction fans.
Pros- Incredible, dark set design and props found throughout all four haunted attractions. Nocturnal Wasteland improved for the 2015 season. One of the best haunted hayrides and indoor walk-through houses you can visit. Insane actors who work tirelessly to interact with as many guests as possible.
Cons- Minor line-back up issues, new hayride addition is not as intense as other sets throughout the attraction (although may serve as an entertaining diversion prior to the excellent hayride finale)
Should you visit in 2015? – Yes! (Be Prepared for Long Lines/ Upgrade to VIP)