The Atlanta Zombie Apocalypse is an annual "haunted house" type attraction located in Conley,…read moreGeorgia, which is about 15 miles southeast of Midtown Atlanta (a 20-25 minute drive). The Atlanta Zombie Apocalypse is supposed to simulate a real-life zombie outbreak and put you in the center of it. It's a neat idea and it's been open every October for the past several years.
I attended the attraction this past Friday, October 3, 2014, on opening night. The attraction is scheduled to be open every Friday and Saturday night, the rest of October, except for the week of Halloween, where the attraction will be open on Thursday and Friday that week. Check the business's web site for a calendar and more details, including a FAQ, here: http://www.atlantazombie.com/.
I went with a group of six. We showed up around 9pm and the line was very short. This year, there are two attractions: (1) a zombie outbreak scenario and (2) a zombie paintball gun experience. We each paid $40 for a combo ticket to visit both attractions. We each got $5 off because it was an opening weekend special. The regular combo ticket price is $45. Credit cards accepted. Parking costs $3 cash.
Shortly after signing my waiver form, I heard security say there was a "Code Yellow." A staff member told me that meant someone got so scared, they peed on themselves. I was told by security there have been "Code Browns" too, where people have soiled themselves. We went to the zombie outbreak scenario first. A few groups ahead of us were so frightened, they left after completing only a few rooms.
For the first attraction, we were able to go in as a group of six. We entered a giant, multilevel, abandoned warehouse/office building. The scenario had a storyline to it. We were basically thrust into the plot of a stereotypical zombie movie, TV show, or video game. We started off at the base of a stairwell and I was immediately reminded of The Walking Dead, 28 Days Later, and The Last of Us. It was pitch black and the environment felt real.
[Warning: Spoilers Ahead]
Actors guided us every step of the way. We were inside an overrun FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) building. Security guards and FEMA officials briefed us on the zombie outbreak situation. There was fighting amongst the characters and lots of scurrying through hallways and rooms, up and down stairwells, to try and avoid people and zombies. The actors were talking so fast and rushing us through each set of rooms that I didn't fully comprehend what was going on. Maybe it was designed that way.
Early on, it was revealed that FEMA thought we were infected, so not only did we have to escape zombies, but armed FEMA guards too. We eventually ran into a FEMA doctor and military personnel, who led us through a makeshift triage. Along the way, zombies would pop out and try to bite us. There was a lot of, "Hurry! This way!" and "Stick together!" Humans would also get into altercations with each other and sometimes end up killing each other. It was just a crazy, bleak situation.
There were a few outdoor areas that we had to run through with lots of zombies. That was fun. The actors aren't supposed to touch you and you're not supposed to touch them, so I sort of lollygagged behind the group to get a better look at the zombies. I tried to "enjoy" and take in the experience more. I think a common problem with most haunted attractions is customers go through them so fast because they're scared and running away from something that they miss out on a lot of the sights and sounds that the creators worked so hard to put together.
Overall, I thought the zombie apocalypse scenario was well thought out. Our run through the course lasted roughly 15 minutes, but felt shorter than that. We ran into a wide cast of characters. Along with FEMA, we hit the CDD (Centers for Disease Development) offices as well as some stragglers who saved us. There was one open-field chase sequence, just like in the movies, where someone was waiting for us inside a set of doors, shouting at us to hurry before the zombies got us. Of course, after rushing inside, the actor shut the doors before the zombies could get in, leaving them banging on the doors.
[End Spoilers]
The paintball experience was a letdown. First, we waited over an hour in line, and the line was short. Something must have happened inside the attraction to cause a delay. An injury, perhaps? The maximum paintball group size was four.
The paintball sequence took place in the woods. We walked through the woods, pitch black, with only our guide's flashlight to lead the way. When a zombie approached, the guide would shine his light at it and we'd shoot the zombie. One hit pretty much "killed" the zombie. The entire paintball portion lasted maybe 10 minutes. It ultimately consisted of a casual stroll through the forest, shooting a zombie every so often. There was no real adrenaline rush and it was actually kind of boring, though amusing.
In the end though, I did have fun.
