Fear Itself at Legend Park
Mishawaka, IN
Reviewed on: Thursday, October 23, 2015
In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt presented his first inaugural address which included the most famous line, “We have nothing to fear, but fear itself”.
Those words can be implemented about Fear Itself at Legend Park in Mishawaka, IN. This attraction is one we’ve never seen or experienced before. Set up with 5 attractions across the park, each one draws you into its own world/nightmare.
We began our night with the “13th Hour 4D A-Mazement” attraction. This house has a few scares throughout, nothing too intense, but rather a complete enchantment of your senses. As you walk through the attraction wearing your 3D glasses, the unbelievably talented and intricately detailed 3D art comes alive on the walls. It is then topped off with an intriguing mix of sounds and effects that accompany the art on the walls. While this attraction is more beauty than beast, it is definitely a great attraction!
Our next journey was to that of “Rock Monkey Caves”, which brings you deep into the dark and dirty caves. With their motto being “run fast or die slow”, you never know where or when a creature is going to come out and sink their teeth into you! Inside, realistic caves engulf you as you wander into the dark, wondering what’s lurking behind each corner. It is even complete with running water inside! This attraction gives you a just a taste of the fear that lies ahead.
Next was a visit to the “Sinister Circus”, which has become one of our favorites over the years! Always growing and changing, this attraction is themed after a circus/funhouse, with more clowns than you can ever imagine! The “Sinister Circus” is pegged as the “Greatest Show Under Earth”.
As we waited to enter, we were greeted by our two favorite clowns, “Vomit” and “Starr”. Feeding off of the crowd, this duo always make the waiting fun. Inside the circus, you are taken through the world’s longest claustrophobia, spinning vortex tunnels, and a very unique mirror maze where you have to keep your arms above your head!
Not only is this attraction fun, it’s very different in that the clowns here can reach out and touch you… no joke! Let us make note, that by “touch you”, we mean a simple hair brush, getting tickled along the way or even holding your hand as you walk through the attraction. It definitely makes the attraction more fun with the way the clowns interact with you! With some new additions to this years’ show, be ready to run for your life!
Last but not least, we ended our evening at their iconic attraction, “Cuckoo’s Nest”. This specific attraction is highly renowned in the haunted attraction community. It has won many various honors and awards from different publications, and never fails to disappoint. This is one attraction that will dig deep into your senses and emotions, and fully engulf you into the “world’s most insane asylum.”
As you step inside the front door of the attraction, it puts you right in the middle of a waiting room inside the asylum. The details inside this building are astounding. With everything from the background music to the ceiling tiles and even the health department licenses hanging on the wall. Every detail makes your mind start to wander about and wonder if this might be more than the real thing?
Jimmy, one of the patients, takes you on a tour through the asylum. Within these walls, he shows you the demented minds of the doctors and what they do to their patients. From the sights, to the sounds, actors, costumes, and yes, even smell, this is the real-deal. Within these walls, the uniqueness and detail of each and every room is as real as it gets. This attraction stands out from so many others in that it’s realistic and perfectly executed each and every time. It’s no wonder why this attraction has won so many awards.
The 5th and final attraction is “Lost in the Woods”, which sadly due to the weather, was closed for the evening. But the overall concept is that this attraction takes you on a trek through the woods, with creatures lurking behind every tree!
The Bottom Line: For a fun-filled evening with family and friends, make sure to check out Fear Itself! The atmosphere and show style within their walls is something that fear attractions even come close to! Don’t fear, this is guaranteed to be a great time!
2015 Scores:
Entertainment: 16 out of 20
Scare Factor & Fright: 7.5 out of 10
Acting: 8 out of 10
Sets & Room Detail: 8.5 out of 10
Costumes: 4 out of 5
Make Up: 4 out of 5
Sound: 5 out of 5
Lights: 5 out of 5
Props & Special Effects: 8 out of 10
Originality & Story Concept: 9 out of 10
Management & Owner Presentation: 5 out of 5
Website: 5 out of 5
Total: 85 points out of 100 points possible
– Official Haunted House Chicago Review Team Review
