Statesville Haunted Prison and City of the Dead

Crest Hill, IL

Reviewed on: Thursday, October 11, 2012

As reviewers, we are faced with the challenge to remain unbiased and uninfluenced when it comes to haunted attractions. Just because we liked an attraction's show in the past, doesn't mean their current efforts will result in the same favor.

Now, at this point, most people know Statesville has been perched atop Haunted House Chicago's Top 13 list for over a decade now. Sure, there have been a couple of years where they weren't king of the mountain, but they always placed in the top three.

This is important to note as we write about our mind-set walking into Statesville Haunted Prison and City of the Dead. In fact, we should say that we walked in with a fine-tooth comb and a magnifying glass, looking for problems and reasons they shouldn't repeat as our top selection. Call it unfair or whatever you would like, but we can admit we wanted to find flaws in this year's performance.

Boy, were we in for a challenge.

History shows us that the team here is extremely talented and executes incredible shows each night. With them setting the bar, they control the decision of how aggressive they would like to be for any given season. While many attractions would sit back and only make minor changes, the team here put the pedal to the medal. We truly had no idea just how busy they had been in the off-season.

As we arrived at the attraction, we were escorted through the main entrance to the front of the attraction. Met with a detailed prison facade, some metal music, and a cast of wandering monsters just drooling to welcome you. And don't even think about getting out-of-line, as they have a nice .50 caliber gun to assist with crowd control.

As actors roamed the area and helped establish that there were no safe areas, guests are escorted from the waiting tent, to the "dog cage", and finally to the holding cell immediately adjacent to the entrance of the prison. Our hearts raced with curiosity, as we finally were told that it was time to be admitted to Statesville Haunted Prison.

Once inside, Statesville began the show with their traditional Warden opening. Accented by a host of electric sparks and a state-of-the-art sound system that rattled the walls, the Warden set the table for the adventure ahead.

As we ventured through the prison walls, we encountered numerous prisoners. Some were asking for help in the bathroom or offering to play with your entrails, as others serenaded guests in the shower. Of course, there is always a host of prisoners just dying to scare the life out of out you.

The first major change to this year's attraction was the Blood Room. The amount of detail in this newly designed boiler room was beyond anything we could imagine. But, what really makes the room is the actresses that rule this room. Known for years as, "Blood Bitches," these ladies are scantily clad and covered in blood. Just their facial expressions and body language would have been enough. Except, they had this intense desire to cover you in blood. (Preferable, the victim's own.)

Another major change to this year was the Electrical Room. Regardless if you are a firefighter, police officer, or just a normal patron, everyone knows that water and electricity don't mix. Well, apparently, the demented minds behind Statesville didn't get that memo and did just that. Easily one of the most memorable scenes to date, this room combines broken pipes, sparking electricity, and water, water, water. Above you, aside you, and all around you, we quickly buried our hands in our pockets and enjoyed the amazing details.

Other incredible rooms include the newly re-envisioned Sisters Room, the always crazy Clowns, and the truly insane maniac ward. AND don't let us forget about the newest addition to the Statesville cast: cockroaches! Serving as Mad Dog's new cell-mates, these creepy insects will keep your skin crawling.

Finally catching our breath, we escaped Statesville Haunted Prison. As the chainsaws buzzed our legs, we headed to the second part of the journey, City of the Dead.

For years, City of the Dead has been referred to as the "baby brother" to Statesville. Although not as intense and in-your-face, City of the Dead has continued to grow and progress into an amazing attraction on its own. After last season's major facelift to the facade and entrance, we were invited to experience what the design team has been busy with for the past year.

Themed as a mine-shaft, we began the second part of our adventure watching the Gatekeeper explain that the lost and buried souls of the Statesville prisoners were buried here. Traversing from room-to-room, we were greeted by actors that rock and twitched, and even spoke in their own language. (This definitely takes fear to a new level!)

As our journey into the burial ground continued, we turned the corner and literally dropped our jaws. Staring us in the face was the major change & upgrade that had been teased for months. Replacing multiple rooms, guests now stood in the middle of an open cavern inside the mine shaft. But, while the scenery was indeed breathtaking, the bigger highlight was the new addition to the cast: a live snake.

(We at HHC are not snake experts, so we don't want to improperly identify the reptile. But, for description sake, we believe it was a Ball Python or Boa.)

Regardless of the breed, guests are given a face-to-face meeting with this new addition, which is the first of its kind in the Chicagoland area! It was done so well, that it sent half of our seasoned review team running into the next room. It is easy to say, job well-done.

(Please note, as we did inquire, both the cockroaches and snake are handled by professionals and are not in any harm. Also, they do not touch the patrons.)

Did we mention bringing fear on a new level?

As we concluded our journey through City of the Dead, we made our way to their new "Midway" area. Here, you are able to purchase souvenirs, take a photo with a zombie, and play their Zombie Hunt game. In this game, you have to manage to take out the zombies with the laser guns before time runs out, or the zombies eat your brains!

Overall, Statesville Haunted Prison and City of the Dead had another extraordinary performance for this season. The detail and the major changes that we experienced inside both attractions simply blew us away. Even though we tried as hard as we could to find fault, the show here is better than it ever has been. (And if they continue to make this level of changes each year, there will be no stopping them!)

Highlights we scream about: The massive changes in City of the Dead, the electrical room, and the live animals.

What to expect for 2013? This year took us completely by surprise. Honestly, we have no idea what to expect for 2013! (Be on the look-out for a special feature on the Travel Channel!)

2012 Scores:

Entertainment: 19 out of 20

Scare Factor & Fright: 9 out of 10

Acting: 10 out of 10

Sets & Room Detail: 9.5 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: 10 out of 10

Originality & Story Concept: 10 out of 10

Management & Owner Presentation: 5 out of 5

Website: 5 out of 5

Total: 97.5 points out of 100 points possible

- Official Haunted House Chicago Review Team Review