Have you ever been to a haunted house? Most people have been through houses with scary decorations and actors dressed up to jump at you and catch you off guard. However, have you ever been to a haunted house that really immerses you in the experience and makes you fear for your life? This is the goal of the “13th Hour Haunted House” in Wharton, New Jersey. It is an award-winning haunted house that is regarded as one of the scariest haunted houses in the entire country, and it is only approximately 33 minutes away from James Caldwell High School!
This haunted house is known for its detailed sets, terrifying animatronics, and intensely trained and professional scare actors. It begins the experience by walking you through a decorated and dark hallway with storm sound effects. The doors lock in front of and behind you and they begin telling you about the story of the mysterious Hayden family. This narrative is supported by extremely detailed props and set pieces that depict the different settings in the story—such as the Hayden family’s farmhouse. It uses the help of numerous rooms, secret passages and various jump-scares.
There are three sections in the house. The first section is called “The House of Nightmares,” then the second section takes you upstairs and it is named, “The Attic.” The third house is a completely separate entrance; it is regarded as the scariest part of the Haunted House, and it is called, “The Darkside.” When walking into the first house, participants immediately get a taste for what the rest of their time at the haunted house is going to be like. You round the corner and immediately get jump-scared. It feels like you are surrounded by actors from every direction, even from above. People walk slowly around every corner and are cautious of everything they cannot see. While the actors are not allowed to touch customers, they run at you with weapons and with their terrifying makeup and masks, giving you the illusion that they are really a threat.
When going with a group of people to the 13th Hour, no one wanted to be in the front of the line, even though we walked in pairs. One pair even had to leave when entering the first section of the house, despite paying $50 to enter, because it was too terrifying. There are hidden exits all around the house in case there is an emergency or in case someone does not wish to continue.
The first house lasted longer than any of the people in the group expected, mainly maintaining the theme of being a farmhouse with many spiders, chainsaws, old furniture and actors chasing people further back in the group. There is a slight line to get into the attic, but after walking upstairs the intensity of the scares increases and there are themes of the possessed doll, Annabelle, clowns and animatronics.
Finally, the group is taken outside and handed one ticket for the final house. Another pair decided to skip out on the final section with the horrifying anticipation of it. Jillian Blair, a senior at James Caldwell being one of them, said, “I was terrified.”
The final house is the most unique as you lose your eyesight. That’s right. They instruct you to keep your left hand on the wall next to you at all times, since it is a maze that you have to follow your way out of, except the entire time you are in the pitch black, not able to use your eyesight to help you. Most of the scares rely on your other senses. Using mainly touch, sound, and the uncertainty that comes with the inability to see, the final house keeps you on your toes. However, at certain points, the lights will suddenly flash or flicker along with terrifying sound effects to enhance the scare.
When interviewing three James Caldwell High School seniors, Lucia Rama, Siley Caplan, and Jillian Blair about their time at 13th Hour I got mixed responses. Lucia seemed to remember her time there very fondly, when asked if the haunted house met her expectations she raved, “Yes, exceeded them I would actually say…”When comparing it to other haunted houses she reflected, “It was probably the scariest one I’ve been to, and I’ve only been to two.”
Siley didn’t have any prior experience of haunted houses, but when asked about her favorite section she boasted, “The conjuring one!” Siley continued saying “yes,” she would recommend the House to others.
Jillian, despite leaving early, said that her favorite section was, “the first section. Everything was really detailed and good and it was worth the money.” She also said that she would recommend the house to others, cautioning those to go, “only if you like scary things.”
Thus, 13th Hour is a local attraction for people of all ages, but aimed at an older crowd. It is a thrilling experience and is great for the spooky season of Halloween. Its design is very creative and it truly immerses anyone who walks through into the storyline, making it feel as real and haunting as possible. High Schoolers mostly feel positive about their experience there, but it is certain, only consider going if you really dare to be scared.
