Annual Halloween field trip provides plenty of scary thrills, props, and characters

by Ricky Cummins

If you are looking for an extreme haunted experience, the Haunted Hotel in Louisville pulls no punches.

The moment that hotel visitors arrive it is clear that you are in for a roller coaster ride of fright and fear. The actors have no beliefs in personal space or boundaries and they can and WILL touch, grab, throw, and pull you around as you move through the hotel. I got pinned up against a wall, pushed down, and pulled by the hair. This haunted house is not for the faint of heart.

From narrow corridors to open rooms, the Haunted Hotel has everything that you would look for in a haunted house. If it’s not the flashing lights, fog and chainsaws or the makeup, props and atmosphere, there will be something that would at least startle you. 

The wait is the worst and best part. The long lines and loud surroundings can be a little much for younger or older people, or just people who are impatient. But my favorite part of the waiting line was Zizzle, an actor who engages and has fun with the people in line. He is well known for his “sparky” performance and his iconic yellow smiley mask.

When it comes to accommodation they could do a little bit better, but overall is still pretty good. If you don’t want to get thrown around or pushed, they will give you a glowstick to show to the actors or to wear so you don’t get the full ride of what’s to come. The actors will still touch you, though.

My overall verdict would be a 4.5/5 star review. The only reason I don’t give it a 5 is  because they send in people too quickly. Multiple times my group had to stop and wait for the group in front of us to get ahead so we could go. Other than that, I had a great time. I would highly recommend it.

• Haunted Hotel
  • 3000 S. 4th Street
  • Louisville, KY 40208
  • hauntedhotelky.com