The Fear at Navy Pier

Chicago, IL
Reviewed on: Friday, October 10, 2014

In all our time of reviewing haunted attractions, we have never been so excited and anxious to get back to the computer and start writing. The Fear at Navy Pier has been a staple at the end of Navy Pier for several years now. Helping to accent one of the most-known tourist attractions our City provides, the Fear has never been an “extreme” haunt, but more a comprehensive, one-size-fits-all experience. But, it certainly was no mediocre experience as it has made our Top 13 twice in the past (2008 & 2010).

If you noticed, we talked about the Pier’s style of show in the past tense in the above passage because, well, things have changed. Rather than recreating the experience from years past, the ingenious team behind ‘The Fear’ took a completely different approach.

First, they decided to jump off the pier and host the entire attraction on a barge, floating just next to Navy Pier. Changing their premise to a zombie containment unit, ‘The Fear’ blends horror and fright, the fun of a boat ride, and a high level of comedy and satire. Rather than making you wet yourself from fear, laughter will certainly be the cause of the unexpected dribble down your leg. Each scene brought a mix of horrifying and hilarious actors and actresses that have given us memories that won’t be forgotten.

Want to know something else? This attraction may actually be the first to be operated on a barge!

Don’t get us wrong, there are still a plethora of zombies and patients running around both in and outside the attraction, and a cast of other characters nervously pacing for your arrival. You will jump back, grab on to the person next to you, and bury your head in their arm. But, this will definitely be followed-up by an outbreak of laughter, and smiles galore.

If you choose to come here (and we highly urge that you do), make sure to pay attention to the video that plays in the opening room. Straight out of something the Onion’s AV Club would boast, the fact that the entire facility is about to be overrun, is really just not that important. Why you ask? Because we have Al, and in Al we trust.

The Bottom Line: This is the first attraction of its kind here in the Chicagoland area and frankly, we love every bit of entertainment. The crew at the ‘The Fear’ makes sure that every patron has an experience that can’t be had anywhere else and it can be summed up into one word: Fun.

2014 Scores:
Entertainment: 19 out of 20
Scare Factor & Fright: 6 out of 10
Acting: 9 out of 10
Sets & Room Detail: 8 out of 10
Costumes: 5 out of 5
Make Up: 5 out of 5
Sound: 5 out of 5
Lights: 5 out of 5
Props & Special Effects: 8 out of 10
Originality & Story Concept: 10 out of 10
Management & Owner Presentation: 5 out of 5
Website: 5 out of 5
Total: 90 points out of 100 points possible
– Official Haunted House Chicago Review Team Review