Originally posted by Haunt Master on 10-04-2004,

In celebrating their 30th season, Reindeer Manor has found several new ways to trick the senses. First off, Reindeer Manor isn’t your typical Haunted House. It’s more of a theatrical show where at many times you may become part of the story. Many actors have speaking roles, but we will hit on that later in the review. Reindeer Manor is located in Red Oak, Texas off of I-35E about 5 miles South of I-20. Once you reach Bear Creek Road, the drive to the haunted house becomes a thrill on its own. Twisting and turning down the rural 2 lane roads in almost total darkness just adds to the atmosphere. Eventually you will come up to an entrance with gargoyles and fire lanterns showing the main road where Reindeer Manor is located. The road is a gravel road that winds through the pasture until you get to the main parking area. From that parking area you hop aboard a hayride that takes you past an old barn, fuel station, and through a graveyard before arriving at the main gate. The main gate stands 20ft high with gargoyles that shoot fire into the sky illuminating and briefly heating the whole entrance area.

Reindeer Manor is a permanent location and is used in the off-season for Boy Scout outings. All proceeds from Reindeer Manor benefit Boy Scouts of America Troop 1. Talk about a creepy place to camp out… /shiver. We mentioned above that many actors have speaking roles in Reindeer Manor, and while waiting in line there are small skits that the actors perform. There are several graveyard shows where they pull an unsuspecting person standing in line into a grave. There is also hangings and a roof top show that just has to be seen to understand. All this while there are puffs of fire coming out of the three-headed dog on the roof and chimneystacks. Entertainment is plentiful and helps keep people amused while waiting in line.

The special effects and the eerie atmosphere is where Reindeer Manor shines. Most of the speaking roles are very well done, although there is definite room for improvement for some (who shall remain nameless). There are several scenes where actors could barely be heard, even in the small group that we were in. Most of the rooms throughout the haunted house are very detailed but some of the props fall short on believing. One instance that really stands out is when someone is trying to escape from a coffin and the door was being pushed up by "unseen forces" (very obvious springs) and really lost the effect they were going for. At least put some hands on the end of the springs and try to cover up the "force" to make it even halfway interesting.

Reindeer Manor’s special effects are pretty impressive and rooms have undergone major renovations from years past. From the very first room, with the fog rolling across the floor, to the pond with fire (watch out, you might get splashed), and floating room that sways back and forth giving a sensation of drunkenness (definitely a room that you do not want to go through if you’ve been drinking). Then there is another room that gives a pretty interesting point of view where you are looking through cracks in the wall with a person laying on a table with all kinds of operating instruments laying around. Then there is smoke filled room behind plexi-glass that is very reminiscent of the room in the movie Independence Day where you are almost expecting an alien to come smacking into the glass. But unfortunately, even with these effects, Reindeer Manor falls short in the fear category. There is not really much that will make you jump. In many of the rooms you are “shooed” or being told to leave, and as you leave, you to wonder what was supposed to be scary about that.

Once you leave the main house you take on another adventure into the Haunted Trail. I’m not really sure how haunted it is supposed to be, as it was too dark to see anything at all. The places that were supposed to be scary had quick blasts of fire, which lit the area for a split second - only to make your eyes constantly have to adjust. By time your eyes have adjusted between the quick flash of light and the darkness, you’ve completely missed what they were trying do. The only thing that even comes close to startling us were the branches overhanging the path. One of which was at eye level and had a sharp point that my co-reviewer came within two inches of running into. When a small light flickered and illuminated the path, it was just enough to make her jerk back without losing an eye. The acting on the trail was limited to silent actors and the occasional "boo". There is just so much lost potential with the Haunted Trail.

Overall, if you’re into special effects then Reindeer Manor may be right for you, but if you are looking for a fright then you may want to look elsewhere.

Actors/Costumes: 6
Scene Detail: 7
Sound Effects: 7
Special Effects: 8
Gore: 6
Entertainment Value: 9
Fright: 6

Overall Rating: