Virtually a theme park of haunted houses, Land of Illusion is an illusion itself: Not one haunted anything, it’s four, and each is better than the one before it. The Middletown Haunted Trail ($15), Temple of Terror ($12), Dr. Psycho’s Haunted Estate ($10) and Killer Klowns ($10) make up the four separate haunts. Go through one, two, three or all four — and pay $30 for them all. Due to its popularity and seemingly endless advertising budget, expect long lines. Or spring an extra $10 and get a ticket for the express line (well worth it, in my opinion).
Killer Klowns was my favorite, thanks in part to the 3-D glasses I was handed on the way in. Not only are the painted faces and designs on the wall jumping out at you as you walk pass them, it becomes a head game trying to figure out whether a 3-D clown is a real person in disguise or an inanimate doll dressed as one. You might want to have your shrink on speed dial as you walk through, getting taunted by short and tall people dressed up as clowns. And then there’s the chainlink fence maze that allows you to see how to get out, though you just can’t find out how to get there.
The other three attractions were good, and the haunted trail made for a great and scary one-mile romp on a cool, crisp fall evening. Open dusk to 1 a.m. Friday-Saturdays and dusk to 11 p.m Sunday through Nov.2.
8762 Thomas Road, Middletown, Exit 36 off I-75, www.thelandofillusion.com
What to Expect: You will be chased. It features a maze, shifting floors and a vertigo tunnel.
What’s Unique: It’s a haunted theme park, including concessions and a bonfire.
The Damage: $10-$30; $3 parking fee
CityBeat Rating: R
