2011 Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary Review

Sorry this took so long. The Salem trip threw a monkey wrench into the works…

We visited Terror Behind The Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary on Saturday, 10/15/11. We bought our tickets and parking vouchers online at full price for the 6 of us. I hate paying the service fee but we didn’t want to schlep into the city just for tickets nor did I want to get there only to find out that they were sold out. Tickets were for 8 PM so we left Pottstown around 6:30 PM and made it to the Girard Ave. lot in plenty of time. The lot was about 60% full when we got there. It was well lit, had lots of attendants and a row of port o’ potties. I was happy to discover that the whole online purchase fee was money well spent as the event had sold out earlier in the day. After finding a spot and braving the port o’ potties we got in line for the bus. Since it was a Saturday they had plenty running so the wait was not a long one. The bus ride from last year was so much better and not just because we got to ride the trolley. The guide barely told us a story. Instead she used the ride to mess with some teen girls in the back of the bus. So disappointing. Once at the prison we were directed to the proper line and started our wait. While in line we saw many actors scaring people on the sidewalk which I like. They all had great costumes and makeup and stayed in character. Since we arrived on time we were within the prison walls within 15 to 20 minutes. Once inside we were subjected to the obligatory group picture then joined the line for Yard Out.

Yard Out
The line for this attraction is pretty cool because of the TV’s showing stuff about ESP. The actual attraction is basically you being processed for your prison stay. It is mostly outside and was pretty much the same as last year. The actors in this section are mainly guards and do a good enough job. There is music pumped in (or out as it were) which I usually hate but the volume level was good and the music itself was mostly creepy noises so it works here. Despite this I have to admit that for me this was a throw away attraction.

The Gauntlet
This is a new attraction for 2011 but I seem to remember their being one very similar last year. The entrance is cool and the rest is basically a walk through a cell block that has “cages” full of inmates and props in it. The actors in The Gauntlet do a good job. They yell a lot so the attraction is loud but I imagine a prison in turmoil probably would be deafening. I think my favorite part of this attraction was the Tessla coils. They created a good effect. Overall I was pretty happy with The Gauntlet.

Lockdown
This attraction is a tour through Cell Block 12. The best part is definitely the actors. They make weird noises to get the scares and are still and creepy a lot of the time which I like. There is a part with hooded inmates that was particularly spooky. This attraction is definitely my favorite since it is most like ESP in the day.

Infirmary
On the way to the entrance to this attraction there is a monster band playing spooky music. The night we were there a guy with a cello and a singer singing through a megaphone were performing. It was a really creepy effect and a REALLY, REALLY good touch. I really loved it in case you can’t tell. Anyway, once inside the Infirmary I suddenly remembered how good a medical haunt can be. Pennhurst should really take notes. The props are realistic and scary and the actors are excellent despite the fact that there aren’t that many. Soooo good.

Experiment
This is ESP’s 3D attraction and I will say it’s quite good. I have seen better art but what is there gets the job done. The actors blend into the art and props a lot so keep your eyes open. So fun.

Night Watch
They basically give you a tiny LED flashlight and send you into a totally dark maze with props and actors. The props are very, very good so be sure to flashlight away. The actors are also good and plentiful. They use weird noises to set you on edge like they did in Lockdown which was very effective. Keep an eye out when you get to the last room. I can’t say too much without spoiling the surprise but I will say that what happens in this room made such an impression on my haunt veteran husband that he went back in the exit and hung out for almost 10 minutes just to watch.

The Midway
There is of course the obligatory concession area at ESP. There is food, drinks and souvenirs. It is expensive but people were definitely buying. This is where you can check out the pics they took when you entered the complex too. We ended up buying our pic as it was very good but I won’t lie… it was overpriced. The best thing about the Midway was the actors. They constantly mess with people trying to shove hot dogs in their faces. They also take pics and as far as I could see NEVER broke character. Another good part about the Midway is the promo area for the daytime tour. There are coupons if you want to come back and a good look at the undecorated prison.

Break Out
This attraction is basically a bunch of props and fog in the space between the Midway and the exit. It’s got atmosphere and an actor or two but I wasn’t impressed.

Once you exit Break Out you have to snake through a mini museum and what is the gift shop and ticket area the other 11 months out of the year. If you have time definitely look around here. There are things to be learned which are cool and which add to the haunted attraction. When you are ready to leave the bus stop is a very short walk from the exit. We only waited about 10 minutes for a trolley and were back to our car around 11:30 PM. The guide on the bus talked about the prison a bit more that the 1st one did but once again Facebook somehow was the main topic on the ride home. UGH. ESP needs to get the actors from the prison on the busses next year.

Overall I had a really good time at TBTW @ ESP. I think it is my favorite haunt of the year… I think. In any case we will definitely be back next year.