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Never Retallack<\/strong>\u00a0 | Entertainment Editor<\/span><\/p>\n The Oregon School for the Deaf, located at 999 Locust St NE in Salem, has orchestrated a spooky haunted house for the last several years called The Nightmare Factory. <\/p>\n
\nI first went in 2017 and was pleasantly surprised by the low fees and relatively small lines; this year, I decided to go on the day of Halloween in hopes of it being a slower night.
\nThe grand amount of time spent in any of the lines added up to about an hour and a half, and the fee was only $15. For a VIP pass, it would cost $25 which is a relatively good price for what you get. The VIP pass allows customers to skip the line and go straight through to the haunted house.
\nOnce at the actual entrance of the haunted house \u2014 or rather school \u2014 each group was sent to one of three different hallways. This allows the employees to better monitor the smaller groups of about seven to eight people by letting in one hallway at a time.
\nThe set and props were impressive; every detail was carefully thought out, and the actors were fully committed to terrifying as many people as possible.
\nWhile this was a no contact haunt, several actors would act like they were going to touch customers\u2019 faces, just to cause tension. There were also several points where water would be sprayed at those going through the house. The water was quite unpleasant, seeing as it was aimed right at eye level \u2014 not a fan favorite.
\nThere may not have been one central theme, but they did have several throughout the night including clowns, zombies and ghosts. Having sets like a scary swamp and a carnival provided an immersive ambiance for the night.
\nThere was a long portion with strobe lights, while the haunt-goers had to weave through a maze, convincing my group at one point that we were going in circles.
\nAfter a full thirty minutes of screams and fog machines, the exit led to the chilly outdoors.
\nOverall rating: This haunted house greatly improved from how it was two years ago; it fully developed into a heightened version of what it used to be. With actors committed to scaring each person, and a set so thorough, it seemed there was no escape \u2014 I have no complaints. I highly recommend anyone in need of a good fright to check it out next year.<\/p>\n