Basement of the Dead and Shattered 3D Haunted House 2019

Basement of the Dead and Shattered 3D Haunted House
Aurora, IL
Reviewed on: Sunday, October 13, 2019

Basement of the Dead Haunted House has become one of the most well-known attractions in the Chicagoland area, and even garnished a few national accolades as well. Since opening in 2003, Basement has one of the longest streaks of being featured on our Top 13 list. They even captured the crown in 2008, and again in 2016. So, it goes without saying, this is definitely an attraction that has a following.

While some utilize line entertainment as a way to “wet your appetite” while waiting for the main course, the crew behind Basement incorporated the wait into the show. In fact, from the moment you arrive, until the moment you escape, you aren’t just observing the action… you are a part of it!

With a cast of endless “roamers” and iconic creatures, the waiting line portion of the Basement of the Dead experience is just as impactful as the traditional tour itself. The scene is one part party with a DJ pumping out crowd-favorite Top 40 tunes and Halloween anthems. Part two consists of legendary actors and actresses like Sugar Daddy, Zoey, Zamiel, Simbu, and Skitzo who roam the grounds dancing, taking selfies, passing out swag, and always looking for a great opportunity to catch you off-guard!

Although less of a party, when patrons finally make it into the “indoor” portion of the evening, they are greeted by a flight of stairs taking you down into the depths. Remember the name of this attraction? Well, it isn’t just for show. The entire show occurs inside a dark, musty, 100+ year old basement! Here, there are many things that will go bump in the night. While the outdoor portion may have brought smiles, in the depths of the basement there is an entirely different world.

It starts with the smell; it’s the first thing to make you realize you are a long way from Kansas. The path is winding, deceptive, and shrouded in shadows. The hair on the back of your neck will be constantly standing, because this is definitely a creepy place to be. Some of our favorite rooms include the mannequin room, doll room, the spider-infested sewer, and of course, a healthy dose of evil nuns.

If you are lucky enough to escape the basement, the fun is far from over. Once you have made your escape from the darkness, you get a chance to experience Shattered 3D, the accompaniment attraction. What makes this attraction unique is that you are given your own blacklight flashlight to aid you on your journey. All of the lights are off, and this is your only light source. Ever wanted to feel like Indiana Jones or Lara Croft? Here’s your chance! BUT, try to stay away from an alley of killer clowns! (And watch out for Pennywise!)

The bottom line: Basement of the Dead and Shattered 3D, along with their waiting area, are quite the combination of everything we love about Halloween and haunted attractions. These attractions are certainly the modern circus with equally amazing shows/experiences both outside and under the big top! This is certainly one of the best experiences in our market!

But, don’t just take our word for it, check out these images from our visit: