Fear Columbus Haunted House
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Fear Columbus offers an immersive and intensely scary haunted house experience, distinct from competitors like Haunted Hoochie, with a focus on elaborate props, animatronics, image projections, and well-timed jump scares. It features three interconnected indoor haunted houses providing a continuous, 25-30 minute walkthrough. The venue provides a comprehensive pre-show experience in a dedicated outdoor area with photo opportunities, vendor trucks, games, and actors interacting with guests, making the wait part of the fun.
Key Highlights
- ✓Most of the general admission line is housed inside a tent with entertainment from actors.
- ✓The overall setup is described as huge and more elaborate than previous years, featuring detailed scenes, props, and mazes.
- ✓Comprises three interconnected indoor haunted houses, walked through back-to-back without breaks.
- ✓Effective group management inside, with groups spaced well to minimize overlap and enhance scares.
- ✓Utilizes animatronics, image projections on walls/floors, and 'air' effects to create an immersive environment.
- ✓Walkthrough time for all three houses is approximately 25-30 minutes, even when walking slowly to experience full effects.
- ✓Pre-show experience in the parking lot includes photo opportunities, a hang-out area, vendor trucks, games, and roving actors.
- ✓Staff and employees are generally friendly and attentive.
- ✓Minimal smoke used inside, which is beneficial for breathing.
- ✓Provides numerous jump scares, described as full of twists and turns.
Standout Features
- ⭐Covered waiting area with live actor entertainment.
- ⭐Extensive outdoor staging area with photo props, games, and food vendors.
- ⭐Three back-to-back haunted houses providing a continuous experience.
- ⭐Elaborate props, animatronics, and image projections for high production value.
- ⭐Opportunities for group photos inside the first haunt (available for purchase later).
- ⭐Souvenir shop at exit with merchandise like t-shirts, hoodies, and patches.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Purchase tickets online and complete the waiver beforehand to expedite entry.
- →Consider arriving early or purchasing a faster pass (if available) to minimize general admission wait times, which can be up to 45 minutes.
- →Be prepared for potentially difficult parking, especially during peak hours; allow extra time for finding a spot.
- →Individuals sensitive to loud noises should consider bringing ear protection, as sound levels can be 'extremely loud' and painful in certain sections.
- →Those with mobility issues or using walkers should be aware of tight areas within the houses.
- →Take advantage of the photo opportunities and pre-show entertainment in the waiting area.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Parking can be challenging and entirely filled at peak times, despite dedicated parking availability.
- ⚠The sound in some areas inside the haunted houses is extremely loud, to the point of being painful for some guests.
- ⚠Some guests reported a relatively low number of live actors (estimated 20 for 3 houses) and inconsistent timing, with scares often hitting only the first person in a group.
- ⚠General admission lines can still result in a 45-minute wait, even when arriving early.
- ⚠Some 'dead spots' or areas lacking scares were noted by guests who frequent haunted attractions.
- ⚠Line spacing inside the haunts could be improved, as groups occasionally catch up to each other, ruining subsequent scares.
- ⚠Specific areas within the houses are tight, potentially problematic for individuals with mobility issues or using walkers.
Price & Value
Specific ticket prices are not mentioned, but the experience includes entry to three back-to-back haunted houses, lasting 25-30 minutes, with elaborate sets and pre-show entertainment. Photos taken inside are an additional purchase. There are different 'pass' options mentioned (implied faster access), suggesting a tiered pricing structure. The value proposition is a highly detailed, intense scare experience with good production quality.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accommodations for sensory-friendly experiences are mentioned; the extreme loudness suggests it is not sensory-friendly.
- •Some areas are tight, which could pose challenges for individuals using walkers or with broader mobility needs.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Food is available for purchase from vendor trucks located in the outdoor hang-out area, alongside games and photo props. No mention of outside food being allowed or disallowed.
🚗Parking Info
- •Parking exists but can be 'horrid' and completely filled at peak times, requiring patience. Part of the main parking lot is repurposed for pre-show activities and security check-in, though 'plenty of parking' was also reported by one reviewer.
- •It is advisable to anticipate parking challenges and plan accordingly.
👥Crowd Levels
- •General admission lines can result in waits of up to 45 minutes, even when arriving early.
- •Parking being 'every spot filled' suggests significant crowds during peak operating hours.
- •Internal group spacing is generally well-timed to prevent large crowds from entering the haunts simultaneously, but groups can occasionally catch up to each other inside.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Security check-in is part of the entry process.
- •Guests receive a wristband after ticket scanning, likely for access control.
- •The venue explicitly notes 'not much smoke used, so breathing was great', suggesting attention to air quality.
- •Waivers are required to be signed prior to entry.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Young children or individuals who are easily frightened, as the experience is designed to be very scary and loud.
- • Anyone highly sensitive to extreme noise levels due to the reported painful sound in some areas.
- • Individuals with severe mobility challenges that may find navigating tight spaces difficult.
- • Those expecting constant, non-stop scares from live actors throughout, as some 'dead spots' and inconsistent actor timing were noted.
- • Saturday evenings or peak hours if you want to avoid parking difficulties and longer general admission lines.
Pricing/Package/Events
Pricing & Packages
General Admission
Starting at $19.99Standard ticket for entry, prices are dynamic and vary based on date and demand.
Fast Pass
Premium ticket option to reduce wait times in line.
Immediate Access
Premium ticket option to eliminate wait times in line.
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Krampus: A Haunted Christmas Experience
December 5-7 & 12-14, 2025
Presale 50% off ending soon.
A massive interactive walkthrough horror attraction featuring elaborate sets, live actors, audio visual technology, 3 different themed mazes (Holiday Spirits, Frostbound: Krampus on Campus, Oddballs: Misfit Toys), food vendors, retail store, photo ops, and Christmas light shows. It spans 40,000 sqft of holiday horror with all new light shows, snow and fog effects, and fireworks (weather permitting, Fridays & Saturdays, hourly with last show at 9:50 pm).
🍎Food Policy
- • No outside food or drinks permitted inside the facility or waiting line.
- • On-site food vendors include Dearly Departed Desserts (spooky, handcrafted desserts and drinks by Samantha’s Doughy Delights) and Freaky Fried Feast (carnival classics like deep-fried desserts, funnel cakes, fries, chicken fingers, cotton candy, with nightly specials).
- • Krampus event offers 'Fright Bites' with classic Christmas treats, Christmas cookies, hot chocolate, and food trucks.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • All guests must pass through a walk-through metal detector and security checkpoint by a 3rd party security company and Columbus Police Department.
- • Strict no-weapons policy on the property.
- • No bags of any kind (excluding medical devices) permitted inside the facility or waiting line.
- • No valuables should be brought inside; Fear Columbus is intense and interactive, with jump scares, claustrophobic scenes, and potential running.
- • Any item brought inside the event gate must be fully secured in a pocket; nothing can be held in hands (excluding medical devices like canes, walkers, wheelchairs).
- • Prohibited items include: Bags of Any kind, Weapons of Any Kind (Pepper Spray, Tasers, Firearms, Knives), Lighters, Any Open Flames, Food or Drinks, Flashlights or Glow Items, Recording Devices.
- • Medical advisory: Not recommended for individuals sensitive to strobe lights (over 100 used), fog (heavy usage of water-based fog machines), loud noise (concert level audio), claustrophobia, heart conditions, or pregnancy.
- • Guests with existing medical conditions should consult a doctor before attending.
- • Maintain a slow and steady walking pace; no stopping or running. Groups are spaced by timers and cameras.
- • No photos or videos are permitted inside the attraction; cell phones must be secured in a pocket.
- • Heels or flip-flop shoes are not recommended; closed-toed shoes are highly recommended due to ramps and uneven surfaces.
📅Booking Policy
- • Tickets must be purchased online only; no box office or at-the-door purchases.
- • Nights sell out in advance due to controlled ticket capacity to ensure optimal experience and shortest wait times.
- • Prices are dynamic and vary based on date and demand; early purchase is recommended.
- • Arrival Time is when guests enter the front gate, not when the haunted house experience begins; expect to wait in line.
- • Arrive 15 minutes before your selected Entry Time.
- • Last minute, day-of, or on-site upgrades to Fast Pass or Immediate Access are not accommodated.
- • For groups of 20+, tickets can be purchased together in one order to guarantee the same price.
🚗Parking Information
- • Plenty of free parking in a well-lit paved parking lot directly on site.
- • Front row of the parking lot is blocked off with cones as it is a fire lane.
- • Drop-off/pickup for guests should be near the back of the parking lot or areas not slowing traffic flow.
What People Say
What's Great
- Friendly and helpful staff (mentioned in 5 reviews)
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 2 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Can get crowded during peak times (mentioned in 2 reviews)
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 4 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Steph Collinson
4 months agoParking was horrid, every parking spot filled. So lots of patience. Waiting in line was not bad at all, they have most of the line inside of a tent and entertainment from the actors. The house was full of twists and turns that were filled with Jump Scares. Such a great experience.
Amy Rawlins
6 months agoThe overall setup was huge compared to previous years and events. You must buy your tickets online and sign a waiver prior to entering the staging area. They have used a major part of the parking lot as photo opportunities, hang out area, vendor trucks, and security check-in. There is still plenty of parking available. Once you go through security, you proceed to scan your tickets and get a wristband according to what pass you have purchased. There are 3 haunted houses indoors. However, they are back to back and have no breaks between. You go through all 3 once inside. They did a good job of asking how many in your group and just letting that group go. Also, they timed the groups out well. The scenes, props, and maze were much more elaborate than years before. There is a lot to look at. You enter the first haunt and have a photo opportunity. You receive a ticket for purchase at the end. They have animatronics, image projections on the walls and floor, air. It took about 25 minutes to walk through all 3 houses (we walk slow because we want to experience the full effect). Just a couple of critiques. There were not many live actors. For the 3 haunted houses, I would guess, 20. Their timing was just off. They would scare the 1st person, and the rest of your group would not get the effect of jump scares. The sound in some areas was very loud, too loud. I understand that sound is used to distract, but it hurt in some areas. Once you exit the haunt, there is a souvenir shop with t shirts, hoodies, patches, etc. You can purchase your photo at this point. The staff was very friendly. There wasn't much smoke used, so breathing was great. If you have mobility issues and use a walker, some areas are tight.
Courtney Daniels
6 months agoI have been to three haunted houses so far this year and I think fear Columbus is scarier than the haunted Hoochie even though they both put on great shows fear Columbus was smaller groups and a lot scarier had a lot of fun. Great props great actors. I highly recommend this to anybody that wants to have a fun with their family or even just go out with a date or even go with a friend super fun. I will be returning next year.
Brae
4 months agoLove the attention to detail, the entire haunted house itself is around 30 min. Pretty cool! Actors did great, employees are nice. I will say though, it was EXTREMELY like.. EXTREMELY loud. Maybe technical issue?Haunted houses are my favorite, but it was just a little too much for me personally. Other than that, good experience!
Sherri M
6 months agoIt's a fun time with waiting area having photo props, food, games, and actors walking around. We got there early and still waited in line 45 minutes which we expected for general admission. Honestly we might just hard to impress since we have done so many but seemed to be some dead spots and areas I would of thought would have been great scare areas but nothing. Normal couple jump scares and good props. Line spacing going through could be improved we caught up to the people in front and the people behind us caught up to us so kind of ruined any extra scares after that since the group ahead of us would get the jump and we knew it was coming. All and all not bad but not the best for us would give them a 7.5/10.