FlyerACE1 Posted April 20, 2007 Posted April 20, 2007 So last weekend my wife and I were in Pigeon Forge for our first ever visit to Dollywood. We decided to extend our brief trip by a day so we can experience the touristy goodness that is Gatlinburg, just a few miles down the road. We both like the cheesy touristy stuff and Ellen loves haunted attractions so this worked for both of us. Gatlinburg is much nicer than Pigeon Forge as you can park and walk. Sadly, the rain/sleet and cold made it difficult to walk around but we made the best of it. Overall, Gatlinburg reminded me of a cross between Lake George Village and Wisconsin Dells. However, I will say that the three haunted attractions we hit were better than any at those locations (except maybe the House of Frankenstein in Lake George). Mysterious Mansion This one is located on the equally as creepy River Road which runs sandwiched between the Parkway and the mountain. There are a couple small parking lots nearby. Overall, this was easily the scariest attraction we went to. The rainy overcast sky and the fact that we were alone on this tour probably added to it. The house is very dark and filled with rooms that have heavy doors to exit out of. This added to the fear and the fact that there was a deranged hillbilly popping up and scaring us out of our wits throughout the tour. My two favorite rooms appear in the beginning, the fireplace room with the impossible to find way out and the multiple door room which had us guessing for a while. They also have a collapsing balcony gag like at Indiana Beach which I felt was even more effective here. I think Mysterious Mansion is worth the admission (which is steep throughout Gatlinburg) and the length of the walk thru is pretty decent even though we ran scared through most of it. What a way to start the season! Hauntings Ghostly Adventure I found this one to be pretty unique. They tout themselves as Gatlinburg's only sit-down haunted attraction and it sure is. You sit in a room with about 6 rows of carpetted benches facing a living room scene with mirrors and picture frames surrounding you. Once the door is closed, you can't escape which makes you pretty uneasy. Again, Ellen and I were the only ones in here. The show lasts about 15 minutes and is filled with lighting effect gags, loud sounds and cheap technology animatronics and gags. Still, I think the attraction was pretty effective for what it was. I liked sitting and having stuff happen around you. The sound system is pretty good in making you think something might jump out at you from all directions. Ripley's Haunted Adventure This attraction is the most expensive ($12 to enter, I believe) but also the most professionally done. You start your adventure on a beat-up inclined freight elevator and then link together (literally, you're instructed to hold the shoulder of the person in front of you) for the entire adventure. There are mostly scenes to look at it with fewer shock or frightening moments. There is a dark room with a single light which appears to have no way out and I liked some of the full sensory experiences as well. For the most part, there's only one guys who follows you around (and will yell if you break the link) and a couple other people in some rooms as I recall. I like the human butcher shop. The experience ends in a standard elevator with a surprise gag (won't give it away). While Mysterious Mansion was better overall, Ripley's was way more professional in nature and also a lot more family oriented (we had a family on our walk-thru). Below are some photos of the exteriors... [/u] Here is a photo of the inclined freight elevator that starts your adventure. A close up of the Ripley's sign. On the same side of the street, several blocks closer to the Smokey's is Ripley's Haunted Adventure. Is Ellen scared of the rain or this attraction? A close up of Hauntings. Up on the Parkway is Hauntings Ghostly Adventure. The creepy hearse and mountainside location give patrons of the Mysterious Mansion an uneasy feeling even before you enter.
niiicolaaah Posted April 20, 2007 Posted April 20, 2007 Reminds me of Clifton Hill, the cheesey tourist trap of Niagara Falls! Looks like fun though. I love haunted attractions.
kennywood!007 Posted April 20, 2007 Posted April 20, 2007 ^Same think it reminded me of! Looks fun, I'm a big fan of haunted attractions!
ECZenith Posted April 20, 2007 Posted April 20, 2007 Cool stuff, I love walkthru haunts and never even knew these existed! I especially want to try out that Ripley's haunt.
FlyingScooter Posted April 21, 2007 Posted April 21, 2007 We went to a few of those when we went to the Smokeys. we had a blast. Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge are a lot like Clifton hill, only bigger. Did you guys go on the Tram?
ETapley0687 Posted January 12, 2008 Posted January 12, 2008 I'm glad that you made this review because I always wondered about those haunted attractions in Gatlinburg. I was about to in Ripley's but one of my cousins backed out at last minute. I plan on visiting some of these this summer because Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg is my summer spot! lol
ETapley0687 Posted January 12, 2008 Posted January 12, 2008 ^I don't know why but I'm not too suprised that it wasn't that scary.
TheRapidsNerd Posted January 13, 2008 Posted January 13, 2008 Their definition of an extra scary show for me was a scareactor molesting my face. I didn't ask for Ripley's Erotic Adventure! LOL! New for 2008, Feel-a-Round. Was on a choir trip to Gatlinburg my senior year of high school and had a blast at Dollywood and the town. The girlfriend and I did Mysterious Mansion and it was well worth it. To sum up: * Beth kept setting off the gags, including the funeral scene/crypt keeper and the collapsing balcony. * We repeated every bad horror movie cliche line imaginable...unintentionally * I twisted my ankle * Got scared crapless by the giant spider in the ceiling Great fun and we stayed at the River Terrace Hotel just down the street. Best part was the funeral scene. You walk in the room and it has a white casket in a white case, surrounded by little goblins or gargoyles. To the left is the hall going to the next room. From your angle, you can't see inside the coffin unless you step closer. Beth charged in and set off the "crypt keeper popping up out of the coffin" animatronic gag, and bolted out of the room. I waited in the doorway for the gag to reset. Nothing happened. Then about 30 seconds later, the head turned, looked at me and said "What are you looking at, huh?" "Beeeeeeeetttth! Wait up!" Yep, I hauled more a$$ than a Disney world tram. Had hoped to get there for spring break, but that plan broke, so sometime mid summer's the next chance. Will post a note and would love to meet up with fellow TPR members closer to time. Back on topic, glad you posted this and glad Mysterious Mansion is still fun. Thanks.
ETapley0687 Posted January 13, 2008 Posted January 13, 2008 lol thats funny! I saw this place and I was like this looks so lame so we passed it up. My girlfriend and I went up there for our senior trip in 06. We stayed in a hotel on the Pigeon Forge strip and it was a blast! I'm trying to get her to go again this summer and we gotta make Mysterious Mansion a priority lol. BTW, did that head turning and talking thing really happen?! lol
TheRapidsNerd Posted January 13, 2008 Posted January 13, 2008 BTW, did that head turning and talking thing really happen?! lol Definately. I freaked because it was so unexpected. Usually, when a gag like that is tripped, it resets itself automatically (lays back down in coffin in this case) and you know what to expect. That didn't happen. Instead, this was a very clever animatronic run by an observant human, not a computer program. They got cool points for that and probably had a good laugh at my expense. Bottom line, I had fun and would go back and do it again.
ETapley0687 Posted January 13, 2008 Posted January 13, 2008 lol Yea I would've been gone too! Glad ya liked it and thanks for the review! Something new to look forward to in PF/G.
Broadwayboy2007 Posted January 16, 2008 Posted January 16, 2008 I went to Gatlinburg about 5 years ago on a choir trip. Luckily Mysterious Mansion was right next door to our hotel. I was about to go inside with a group of friends when all of them but me and one other backed out after stepping into the doorway. So I was forced to turn around and not go through. I was slightly ticked but I really want to go through it the next time I'm up there.
Broadwayboy2007 Posted January 16, 2008 Posted January 16, 2008 ^ That's when you say "Screw you! I'm about to pay $15 for this haunted house" and go by yourself. I was really about to do that but it's not as much fun by yourself.
Warlord694 Posted January 17, 2008 Posted January 17, 2008 It's very, very creepy going thru by yourself. My daughter looked in the first room at Mysterious Mansion and bolted. I was not going to back out after paying, so I headed in. I was the only one in the entire place. Needless to say I moved very fast thru it.
TheRapidsNerd Posted January 17, 2008 Posted January 17, 2008 ^ That = true. From what I remember, it was better to have company, particularly in certain rooms and hallways. That's a really fun haunted house I've been meaning to get back to. It's worth doing. *sigh* I love Gatlinburg. Wadda great town.
TheRapidsNerd Posted January 17, 2008 Posted January 17, 2008 ^ Well I'm sure you will get there this year for DW's new rapids ride, River Battle. I appreciate the sentiment. Actually, the splash battle rides are ok, but I go for water slides and Intamin or OD Hopkins rapids rides, more than anything else. Splash country is getting a bowl slide this year too, so I'm extra happy about that. The ultimate joygasm, however, would be Kalahari or Great Wolf in Gatlinburg, with McDonald's, Carrabbas, Steak N Shake, and Vault Icee all across the street. Oh, and a date with Kat Von D.
TheRapidsNerd Posted January 17, 2008 Posted January 17, 2008 ^ My on campus gas station has Vault Red Blitz ICEE! I never liked you... Lucky soul.
Broadwayboy2007 Posted January 20, 2008 Posted January 20, 2008 I should see if the Target in my hometown carries them...
TheRapidsNerd Posted January 20, 2008 Posted January 20, 2008 ^ If that's Decatur and they DO have it, it's road trip time. Speaking of road trips, did you know the Pancake Pantry is one of the premiere breakfast establishments in Gatlinburg and it is conveniently located near the Mysterious Mansion and The Village?
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