The Akron Haunted Schoolhouse and Laboratory has been a local legend for generations. It’s rare to find a haunt that can last that long and continue to grow and evolve, bringing people back year after year. There are several changes this year that we were very excited to see, and the start of more as they continue to build. Both haunts bring high-tech scares, energetic monsters, and one-of-a-kind special effects.

There is a terrifying combination of retro and modern horror in the Schoolhouse, where you travel through stories in Miss Alma’s library. We love all the different nightmares that they bring to life. In the Laboratory, there are special effects and scenes that you literally can’t see anywhere else. From the terrifying drop of the wind turbine room to the heart-pounding finale sounds, there is fun and fear around every corner. You can enjoy the houses and then enjoy the fair feel of the midway and the sight of the world’s greatest malformed janitor, Karl, whom we love.

Both houses had standout characters. In the Laboratory’s operating theater, we loved sharing quips with the quick-witted surgeon. A mad scientist gave electrifying scares and managed to stalk us from behind before we could notice. Another doctor showed us his creations, and there was no question that he was madder than the scenes around him.

In the queues, there are unique and wonderful characters. We love seeing Karl and Chuckles every year! Chuckles has the perfect timing to scare unwitting guests and send them running. Karl has stickers, and you should make sure you get one because he’s smoking hot this year. Literally! In Dracula’s castle, everyone was on point, and down in the basement, we met several intense and haunting creatures. Cultists and monsters created a vibe of being so far underground you’d never escape.

It’s hard to not slow down so you can appreciate costumes on monsters here at the Schoolhouse and Lab. Every monster in the Laboratory is on theme, without repeat makeup looks or masks. Clothes are ripped, torn, bloody, and perfect for their scenes. There is a wide variety of techniques and we love the little details like the pencil-pierced face of Karl to the worn and torn look of the doctors and scientists trapped in their own lab. Even the headmaster is decked out perfectly, from the outfit to the immaculately shaped mustache. With so many different themed rooms in the Schoolhouse, you can enjoy every technique in the book. Some of the monsters had makeup so perfectly placed there was no human left there.

Because the Schoolhouse and Lab are local legends there is a high expectation for customer service. They do not disappoint. Signage is huge and cannot be missed, the parking lot is large, and there are attendants keeping the traffic flowing smoothly. They’ve worked hard to make sure there is safety for all of their guests with security before entry and helpful employees everywhere you look.

We also noticed several updates to stairs and floors, making it a smoother journey. There are bars on sight as well as fair food, and the smell of funnel cakes wafts through the broad midway where you can take a breath between houses to try to calm down. If you want to take home merch, there’s a store in the midway as well that sells everything from keychains to hoodies. The team here is attentive and thoughtful, making sure that everyone has a safe and fun time.

Immersion is built into the Schoolhouse and Lab’s DNA. Since both houses are literally a schoolhouse and laboratory, there is never a question that you’re wandering through these two settings. The real magic is the nightmares woven into this reality. Transitions between rooms are varied and some nightmare sets bleed into another with little warning. In the lab, there was an incredible transition heading into the botany lab that really impressed us with its level of real-world detail, making the next scene feel natural and whole around you even as the horrors in it repulse you. Sound effects, scents, fog, and lighting changes are all employed to underline the fantastical settings that you find yourself in. The entrance to the schoolhouse has seen some huge changes this year, and we were spoiled for choice on where to look and what to focus on.

In the Lab, there are all sorts of treats to look at as you cross through the nightmarish halls. Animatronics loom and jump, and there are some really horrific experiments that have been carefully crafted to live rent-free in your mind forever. By utilizing this unique location, they have built upon its natural ominous air and made aliens come to life. There’s a new scene in the lab that is so otherworldly and fog-filled that we hesitated before pushing through. There’s been some sound effect additions this year as well, particularly in the finale of the haunt, that ratcheted the tension up instantly. The Schoolhouse has seen fascinating additions this year. A mixture of old-school horror techniques (big shoutout to that spooky red-eyed ghostie) and modern machinery transport you from schoolrooms to swamps to ancient temples. There are water features, sound effects, and fog-filled scents. Every room has something to see, and there are still old-school tricks that make this haunt tilted and unique. We wanted to call out some additions to Dracula’s Castle this year, particularly an incredibly horrific victim they’ve crafted.

A group of teenage boys who arrived behind us were so terrified they refused to do more than one house. And even then, they screamed the whole way through the schoolhouse. We saw groups running out of houses, we heard screams coming from up and down the hill, depending on which house we were at, and the monsters were working hard the whole evening. Scares are varied, and there were clever distractions utilized that make sure you’re thrown off guard when the real scare arrives. There is something to scare everyone as scenes range from fantastical nightmares to high-tech body horror. Haunters are high energy, popping out of corners and walls and urging you forward to make sure you’re not late for your doom. Even the entryways are built to create tension and are full of terrifying details and hard-working queue actors.

Tickets are cheaper if you buy them online before you come, and the fast pass upgrades are well worth the price. Weekend prices vary depending on the night and kids’ admission is cheaper on Sundays. There are also season passes you can buy for $160, which give you unlimited access to both the Akron Schoolhouse and Lab and their sister house, the Factory of Terror. There is a lot of bang for your buck here as each house has multiple floors of terror that take a minimum of 20 minutes each depending on how fast you try to escape. Parking is free, and entry is always free on your birthday. This is a great time for the price, and it will stay with you long after your visit ends.