Wow, what a difference a decade makes! I was very excited to get a chance to go through the "New and Improved" Asylum this year. The last time was in Berwyn and it took 3 hours to get through the cue line. Needless to say, we sprung for VIP tickets because the line this time didn't look any shorter. It was well worth the wait then and would have been this year. The first thing we came to was BlackOut, a very creepy, dark set of corridors. It wasn't a traditional maze, but didn't need to be as it was PITCH BLACK in places so you couldn't see where you were going. I liked the strange sounds and cloaked figures throughout. I did however know when some of the scares were coming because every so often there was a mini-spot piercing the darkness. I wish they could have put the lights on sensors to surprise me more. One really cool effect was the blender, most unexpected and disorienting. The actor that was working this thing was great! He had red LED lights on his hat so it looked like glowing eyes coming right at you as you spun out of control. The other cool thing about this attraction was the silence. When other haunts are trying to be the most intense (really loud) this one went the other way, making the scares really stand out and startling. Goes to show the basic "Old School" attractions can still pack a punch! That's just cool.
Next we entered The Asylum Xperiment attraction. Very detailed, very "Old School", and very cool! I remember the giddy feeling I got when I grabbed the rope for the first time 10 years ago. It ALL came flooding back to me. This was the place that introduced me to the Hell-o-vator, Buried Alive, and the most innovative use of animatronics I had ever seen. When I took that rope on Sunday, I had high expectations. The Asylum did not disappoint me. The short vignettes were gone, but the feeling was still there. Walking into the rooms we were thrust into stories not just scares. The detail in these rooms was so good, I wanted to stay and look around a bit but was to frightened to. I did recognize some of the scenic elements from the old days, but they were used in new and exciting ways. My favorite rooms this year included, The Kitchen, The Butcher Shop, and Junk Yard. Make the trip to Villa Park, I wish I could do it again, but sadly don't have the time.
Great job Asylum, and Welcome back. I can't wait to see what you Lunatics have in store for us next season!

Dream Reapers has always been in my top 10 haunts, hence it's inclusion in the 2010 Chicago Haunt Tour. The scene work and the lights have always been so detailed and interesting, it was fascinating to go through every season. But the acting, that's another story. Some years it is intense and on. Then other years, it's loud and annoying. This year was a loud year. Banging on stuff and jumping out and yelling gets old quick. Can they please teach their actors the psychology of a scare? The build up, the suspense, and yes sometimes when the character calls for it, screaming. But sorry, when you bombard me with lots of noise, my body shuts down and you lose me. I can't even enjoy the sets at that point, I just want to leave!
I do like the fact they have always been affordable. The 16$ price point is great when you factor in all the cool special effects like smells, fog, and realistic waterfalls.
Over all, I am glad i got to introduce this haunt to other people on the tour. I just wish we would have brought more aspirin on the bus for everyones headaches.

The Haunted SinkHole was a bit of a disappointment. I was so hoping to see dead animals. Bloody puppies or mutilated cats, but all I got was an oversized pig that wasn't even dead! At the entrance there was a warning about Graphic Imagery and the articles talked about missing pets. I did the math and was expecting "bunnies in a blender" carnage. There was none of the above.
I was also in shock there wasn't even a hint of a hole in the Haunted SinkHole. The Nightmares inc. guys have much more creativity then this haunt displays. I know they are working on a tight budget here, but there are plenty of ways to give the illusion of going under ground. Paint treatments, special effect lighting, mirrors.... something, anything! Nope, black plywood and plastic. I do have to say the scenery they did choose to use looked good. I liked the skull wall and the dead body hallway. Also there was the Nightmares Ink. trademark, Sinister Scents. There was one room that smelled so foul, I almost gagged.
Sadly, the poor production value and poor acting made me think of the old JC's haunts, not a haunt with a 20$ price tag. Luckily, I got some free drinks out of the deal, so it wasn't a totally wasted night.

Statesville was the last stop on the Chicago Haunt Tour and it was the best produced and most intense haunt on the tour. Zombie Army did an amazing job this year. All the new toys look great and the hard work they did really shows. The acting was dead on and a special shout out goes to my Chocolate Lover in the rules room as well as the guy we interrupted in the shower. If you want aggressive, in your face scares, this is the place to hit this season. Don't get thrown off by the price, it is worth it. We spent well over an hour on the Prison grounds and were entertained every minute of it. Go to Statesville this season and say hi to the Captain for me.

Thanks Cryptkicker, we have a great tour planned and it's greta that you can be there!. The first two haunts have been nailed down too. They are DreamReapers in Melrose Park and Eleventh Hour in Elk Grove Village. It is shaping up to be an amazing tour!