13th Hour Rising is a local hotspot of the area North of Syracuse NY. They have a basic setup with minimal themes but, the duration, use of fire and voraciousness of the actors make this a place to be seen in Central New York
Sections
Navigation and Customer Service
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Some street signage
+ A coherent trail compared to others
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Owners Fred and Terrie
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Managers Greg and Terry
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Assorted Actors
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Concessions and Merch Team
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+ All are friendly and inviting
Atmosphere and Lobby/Midway
Key Lobby and Midway Amenities
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Concessions
+ Wonderful local bakery and pizzeria selections
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Merchandise
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Video
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Music
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Seating
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Bathrooms
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Games
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Stage
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Photo Ops
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Queue Line Actors
Bonus:
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Metaphysical
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Pyrotechnics
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At least one HUGE set piece
Facade Quality
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Facades are questionable
- The Passage has no facade, you just wait outside the Barn wall
+/- Is the barn a walkthrough facade for the Hayride?
Use of Existing Environment
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Christmas Tree Farm
+ Big surprises are hidden inside clusters of trees
+ Hayride fits tightly through corridors of trees
+ Tree Barn is transformed into a fantastic heated gathering area/indoor
Midway
Actors and Acting
Energy
(The Passage)
+ Arguably more aggressive than the Hayride
(Hayride)
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Mostly typical hayride scares
+ The actors keep coming and trying and coming and trying
+ Merebus is a true sorcerer
+ Actors can touch and pull you around on the Hayride
+ Chainsaw guys bang around hardcore with the bar
Costuming
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Mostly typical hayride hodgepodge
- Very few unique characters
- Many of the characters that are there, don't allow you to suspend disbelief
+ Good psych ward patient or nurse-turned-patient
Lines and Vocalizations
- Too many simple utterances and obviously human yelling
+ Some actors lay down good lines, just not as spontaneous as other places
Theming and Design
Lighting
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A good variety of Spot, Flood and Wash lights in a number of reasonable colors
+ Illuminated fog blasts
+ Fire blasts
Sound
(The Passage)
+ Basic boo pedals with a great scream and animal snarl
(Hayride)
- Soundscape is not memorable
+ Propane Cannons
+ Vocal parts are entertaining (Grim Reaper and Merebus)
Set Dressing
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Almost no themed areas
- You can't really describe most areas too well when recalling them
immediately afterward
+ Some consistency in medical, castle, Playground and Gas Station areas
+ Witch scene at the end of The Passage is a good surprise
Entertainment and Other Values
Fun
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Local hotspot
+ Barn is a good place to hang
+ Farther parts are more fun
+ Stops in Tunnels are unlike a lot of other hayrides
+ Actors come up into the center aisle of the wagon
Scares
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Hayride is not as scary as it is fun
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I was only jumpscared in The Passage
Monetary Value
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$27 GA, no VIP (Wagon holds 60, wait is much less than other Hayrides)
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~ 37 minutes
- I think $30 would be the maximum I'd pay
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+ Definitely worth $27
Recommendations
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3 Hours on its own is inadvisable
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2 Hours on it's own is optimal
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A Trip of up to 4 1/2 hours could be justified with the addition of one or two other Fulton Area attractions
