None of the Tourers remember much about this trip, but Paul and Bryan went in 2009 and obviously considered it good enough to go back for 2010. Since we all went back in 2011, we assume it was decent enough to warrant a return trip. For some reason, Paul didn't take any photos, which is something he made sure to make up for in 2011.
For 2011, the Frankfort Jaycees featured a holiday themed haunt. Each room featured a different holiday, including Easter (complete with homicidal bunny), Christmas, Fourth of July, and St. Patrick's Day. Although staffed by mostly younger actors (under 18), the displays were creative and the actors did attempt to stay in character, resulting in a pleasant, if not overly memorable experience.
Unfortunatel,y, Paul's experience was somewhat marred by the actor who was guiding us through the haunt repeatedly telling Paul that we was not allowed to take photos. We had been read the rules in the beginning and there was no mention of no photography, so Paul continued to photograph, and the guide continued to tell him to stop. This continued until we got outside, where the guide attempted to get Paul to delete his photos. He politely told her that there was no rule against it (and indeed there was not), so we left, photos in hand.
It is very rare that the Tourers give a zero out of five chainsaw rating, as most haunts have at least something redeeming that keeps them from getting such a bad review, but unfortunately, the 2012 Frankfort Jaycees haunt hit all the wrong notes, resulting in a unanimous vote to never visit the haunt again.
The trouble started as we arrived. We were greeted by a very short line, which was fortunate since we had a packed touring schedule that night. However, appearances were deceiving, for after we paid our money and got in line, the line never moved. The people in front of us told us they had been waiting for about 20 minutes already. We really didn't see any reason for this as there were only about 8 people in line ahead of us. Paul asked the people taking tickets and was told the actors were all on a 10 minute break, which was odd, given that the haunt just opened at 7pm and it was only about 8. The 10 minute break turned into almost an hour. Paul asked for a refund but was told no in no uncertain terms.
Needless to say, we all had a bad taste in our mouths before the haunt even started. It didn't get any better inside. This year's theme was a haunted psychiatric hospital, which unfortunately for all of us, amounted to endless rooms all decorated in the same style and populated by zombies. None of the actors bothered to put much into their performances, either. In fact, the best part of the haunt was the girl in the photo to the right, who followed Paul from room to room, then lost him, only to find him again in another room and keep following him until the end of the haunt. However, one good actor does not make a haunt.
The lack of variation of the rooms and the lack of props and decorations, coupled with the ridiculously unnecessary wait time, the rise in price from 2011, and the unfriendly staff put a damper on the evening for all of us, and showed us all just what NOT to do to make an entertaining haunt. On a positive note, fellow Horror Tourers Laura did rate it a 1 out of 5 for the delicious Good and Plenty candies they gave us as "medicine" in the waiting room portion of the haunt. If only the "medicine" could have taken away they memories of the rest of the haunt.