Reaper’s Realm
Hammond, IN
Reviewed on: Thursday, October 29, 2015
Reapers Realm is located just off I-80/94 in Hammond, IN, just minutes away from the Illinois-Indiana border. This attraction can be easily seen from the expressway, as it has a year-round location. This year Reapers Realm is celebrating its 25th anniversary of bringing thrills and chills to its audience.
Reapers Realm is one attraction, that when the calendar turns to October, has one of the most notorious radio ads. In it, it advertises “three floors of terror”, and to “come roam the realm”. Without a doubt, it is always a pleasure coming to roam the realm, and the three floors are definitely filled with terrors of all kinds.
From classic long-time rooms inside the mansion like their Egyptian room and tesla coil area, to other areas like the chain-link maze and clown room, Reapers Realm keeps its guests screaming and running from room to room.
Another great feature Reapers does well is their floors. Some floors have moving boards, or even pathways that have ramps going down as you make your way down in the caves.
After we finished through the mansion it was time to enter “Reapers Woods”. As one of the only haunted trails in our area, this has always been one of our favorites over the years. As we made our way through the woods, we passed over bridges, took a walk through the playground, and even found our way through someone’s camper! The actors that were here gave us everything they had.
Encountering Jason Vorhees and Michael Myers along the way throughout our journey, with very patient actors waiting for that perfect moment to get the best scare possible, these actors paid incredible homage to these characters. Just before we were set free, we found ourselves with one last hurdle: the maze. Although it seems easy, even for us maze-magicians, there were a few twists and turns that made us double-back a few times, especially with Michael Myers following closely behind us!
Of course, before we could finally end our trek through the woods, we had to conquer the chainsaw. As one of the best chainsaw actors we encounter throughout the season. This actor, portraying Leatherface from Texas Chainsaw Massacre showed precision with his saw, making sure to “just miss” all of our vital organs and body parts!
Also, while at Reapers Realm, patrons get an added bonus as they have a full carnival that they host on the grounds. So once you are done getting scared, you can head on over and ride a number of classic carnival rides and laugh the night away. Not to mention, eat a funnel cake or two!
The Bottom Line: Haunted House Chicago was created in 1999, and our team grew up going to Reapers Realm. This is a Chicago institution and with 25 years of experience under their belt, Reapers Realm is a one-stop attraction and is a MUST for Halloween fun and frights, this and every season!
2015 Scores:
Entertainment: 16 out of 20
Scare Factor & Fright: 6 out of 10
Acting: 7 out of 10
Sets & Room Detail: 7.5 out of 10
Costumes: 3 out of 5
Make Up: 3 out of 5
Sound: 3 out of 5
Lights: 3 out of 5
Props & Special Effects: 8 out of 10
Originality & Story Concept: 8 out of 10
Management & Owner Presentation: 4 out of 5
Website: 4 out of 5
Total: 72.5 points out of 100 points possible
– Official Haunted House Chicago Review Team Review
