General Overview

The Reindeer Manor grounds houses three completely different haunted attractions, each to entertain all tastes. The atmosphere is also one of the best in the DFW area. Secluded on private property, the dark dirt road to the parking area is spooky enough, and you have not even seen the midway yet. You ride a trailer from parking to the entrance, and you should catch a few (if not several) glances of fire blasting into the night sky.

Everything in the midway is themed for Halloween – games included – and the concessions offer a variety of carnival food and treats. You could easily spend your entire evening just soaking in the great environment. Roaming actors, vendors, screaming patrons, and relaxing rural night skies above – all provide the spirit that is haunted house season.

Admission Price vs. Length (Entertainment Value)

Each haunted attraction is very reasonably priced individually if you want to only visit one haunt. But we highly recommend the combo ticket for all three attractions, for only $30 with the $5 off coupon – which is an excellent deal for how much unique variety and entertainment available.

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Reindeer Manor

Set Design/Detail/Floor Plan

We have seen more changes made at Reindeer Manor for 2009 than we have ever seen before. Several scenes have been completely redesigned, and the scripts have been revised to match. Visiting this year brought back the same excitement I felt the first time I saw Reindeer Manor. Of course, the house has not been re-built… so you should recognize the order of rooms, the same quality details, and permanent features remain. But small changes in some scenes, huge changes in other scenes, combined with new acts and scripting, made it feel like I was seeing it for the first time.

WARNING: If you have never seen Reindeer Manor before, please be aware that most of the haunt is composed of closed scene rooms – and rather than walking through, you stay inside each scene until the actors have completed their performance. This is the only haunt in DFW that offers this type of theatrical performance, so the unique aspect makes it stand apart from any other haunt experience available. If you do not like to see actors performing skits, then this might not be your cup of tea. Give it a chance though, unless you cannot stay quiet. Talking during the performance will only ruin the experience for others.

Live Actors (Performance/Enthusiasm/Costumes)

As stated before – since Reindeer Manor is a scripted performance, it would be best if you stay quiet and listen. The new script and casting this season provided one of the best Reindeer Manor shows I have seen in years. The upgrades should be obvious as soon as you see the first scene – and the new Nosferatu. Amazingly creepy and funny at the same time, Nosferatu controls the crowd immediately and commands attention. The level of improvisation and creativity amazes me. Your next scene in the library also has some new surprises in store, so listen carefully. The butcher has had a face lift too, although the scene features and startles are still available in full force. The pond, the scientists, and even the young girl with a chainsaw were exciting, even though I knew a little bit about what was coming. Trust me, there has been enough changes to keep you wondering what will happen next! Even the additional characters through the walking trail – as well as updated costuming – should be a pleasant change if you have visited before and thought you already knew what was in store.

Overall Experience/Summary/Misc. Information

Wow. Just, WOW. Just when you think you have already seen Reindeer Manor, and just when you THOUGHT they do not change very much from year to year, the cast and crew completely shocked and surprised us for 2009. What a huge improvement to script and scene organization! I was so impressed with the number of changes and improved performances, I could not control my expression – I had a constant goofy grin on my face through the whole thing.

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