Hells Gate Haunted House review

HellsGate Haunted House is located at….oh right…they don’t have an actual address. To get to this haunt, you have to take a shuttle (look for the school bus) from Lockport Metra Lot, 1300 South State St., Lockport IL 60441. Tickets for General Admission cost $28 and for little to no wait in line, VIP tickets cost $40. This is yet another first for our review team, and HellsGate did not disappoint. They got me before my group even got to the line. We immediately started driving. When you hit the woods, the whole bus goes dark. All you see out your windows is a stream on one side and woods on the other, maybe a foot and half of clearance on either side. The whole ride took about 6 minutes. We got our tickets and decided to take pictures at the entrance. I was wondering what was taking so long with the camera. It wasn’t until I leaned over and looked at the picture after it was taken that I saw this one actor dressed like a demented version of The Joker in black/The Crow standing behind us in the picture. We turned around and he was gone!!! Turned back to look at the picture again and he’s now standing behind my group just staring at me. This all happened in the span of maybe 45 seconds. I knew then, that this was gonna be good. We get in line and there a zombie hillbilly running on all fours scaring people. He comes over, pops a squat next to me and leans his head against my leg so I can pet his head. Then proceeds to scar the people in front of us laughing. They learned quick you don’t poke fun at zombies. He wanders off and a girl dressed as a clown comes up to me wanting to dance. We danced for a bit to some Rob Zombie they had playing and then she took my notebook from me. I explained that I was part of Halloween Blast’s review team and she got all excited and started nibbling on the notebook in approval with a smile. It took 10 mins to get to the front of the line and we approach a fire where the executioner gave instructions. He comments on my notebook and again, I explain it’s purpose. His only comment…”write ‘give the big guy in front a raise…and lots of food!’” It’s always more entertaining when actors crack a couple jokes in character rather than desperately try to scare you. People come to haunts to be scared AND have fun. Halfway through the woods, this witch pops out of the wall, scaring the heck out of one of my party members making him back up. We pass a couple of stone monoliths and come across this body hanging from a tree. This was the only time an actor got me. The body had a white shirt, which draws the eyes in the dark. It wasn’t until right before he jumped out that I saw the actor dressed as a goblin twitch, crouched below the body. It was the realization that someone was there that scared me, not him jumping out. Probably the best shadow play I’ve seen yet!!! We finally arrive at the house and meet Sir Sere dressed in his sunday best; cane, top hat, and all. He’s standing there creeping out the guy in front of us, calling him “sister” and asking where and how she’s been and this guy’s just standing there staring at him like…I know you? They let us in and we meet The Twins. Was not expecting them, nor their unexpected exit. We’ll just leave their story to them, shall we? I enjoyed the experiments room the most, what with their animals. I got to pet a little albino snake one of the actors was using as part of their character. I’ve seen other animals used as like this before, and this snake was so well behaved and mild tempered. Made my whole night as an animal person. Had some trouble looking for the key though. Accidentally stuck my hand through a crate only to walk away and then realize….it was probably designed that way. By then, time was up. At least the end was cool, so I kinda forgot about the key. Giant heads crashing through walls will do that. Is the haunt worth it’s price? HELL YES!!! Would I go back to this haunt? Already planning on it before the season’s out. So come on out to HellsGate guys!!! Better hurry!!! Last one there is thrown through the gates of hell!! for tickets go to http://hellsgate.com/