Methodology v1.0

    How the Scream Score Works

    The Scream Score is Web of Screams' editorial rating for haunted attractions. It is a single number from 0.0 to 10.0 built from eight weighted criteria, assigned by the review team or by an editor before publication.

    The eight criteria

    Each criterion is scored 0.0-10.0 and multiplied by its weight. The weighted total is the Scream Score, rounded to one decimal place.

    Scare Factor

    20%

    How effectively and consistently the haunt creates fear, tension, suspense, startles, dread, or psychological discomfort for its intended audience.

    • Variety of scare techniques
    • Timing and effectiveness
    • Consistency across the experience
    • Predictability versus surprise
    • Psychological tension
    • Use of darkness, sound, movement, actors, and effects
    • Whether the intensity fits the attraction's stated audience

    PRODUCTION

    20%

    The quality and completeness of the physical and technical presentation.

    • Sets and environments
    • Props and scenic detail
    • Lighting
    • Audio
    • Special effects
    • Costumes and makeup
    • Finish quality and visual continuity
    • Maintenance and presentation

    Immersion

    15%

    How fully the experience draws visitors into its world.

    • Thematic consistency
    • Environmental storytelling
    • Transitions between scenes
    • Narrative clarity where applicable
    • Suspension of disbelief
    • Staff and actor role consistency
    • Whether visible operations break the illusion

    ACTORS

    15%

    The effectiveness of live performers.

    • Energy
    • Timing
    • Character commitment
    • Interaction quality and improvisation
    • Coverage throughout the attraction
    • Voice and physical performance
    • Ability to adapt to different groups

    Originality

    10%

    How distinctive and memorable the experience feels compared with similar attractions.

    • Unique themes
    • Original characters
    • Unexpected scenes
    • Inventive scare methods
    • Creative use of space
    • Memorable signature moments

    Value

    10%

    Whether the experience justifies its total cost for the intended customer.

    • Admission price
    • Experience length
    • Production quality
    • Number of included experiences
    • Additional mandatory fees
    • Overall satisfaction relative to price

    Pacing

    5%

    Flow and rhythm throughout the guest experience.

    • Dead zones and bottlenecks
    • Group spacing
    • Scene timing and transitions
    • Whether guests feel rushed
    • Whether groups repeatedly catch each other
    • Whether the ending feels complete

    OPERATIONS

    5%

    The non-show experience that affects a visitor's ability to attend and enjoy the haunt.

    • Ticketing and check-in
    • Communication and queue organization
    • Staff helpfulness
    • Parking, wayfinding, and accessibility information
    • Safety practices and cleanliness
    • Wait and weather management

    Scream Level: intensity, not quality

    The Scream Level is a 1-5 intensity scale that helps you choose an attraction that fits your comfort level. A gentle family haunt can earn a high Scream Score with a low Scream Level.

    Level 1 — Spooky Fun
    Light suspense, playful scares, or family-oriented fright.
    Level 2 — Mild Scares
    Noticeable startles and dark atmosphere, but generally approachable.
    Level 3 — Frightening
    Sustained scares, intense scenes, and stronger horror content.
    Level 4 — Intense
    Aggressive scares, high sensory impact, and an experience designed for committed horror fans.
    Level 5 — Extreme
    The highest intensity, potentially involving very aggressive interaction, extreme sensory conditions, or unusually demanding content.

    Scream Score vs. Visitor Rating

    The Scream Score is editorial: it comes from our reviewers using a fixed rubric. The Visitor Rating is a separate 1-5 community average from visitor reviews. The two are always displayed separately, and visitor reviews never change the Scream Score.

    Editorial recognition

    Recognition badges are awarded by editors based on published scores. They cannot be purchased.

    • Web of Screams Recommended

      Requires editor approval. Never granted automatically.

    • Scream Worthy

      Requires senior-editor approval and no component below 7.0. Never sold.

    • Editor's Pick

      Requires senior-editor approval. Limited and selective. Never sold.

    • Best of the Season

      Managed through the annual awards workflow. Never inferred from a score.

    Independence and paid placement

    Businesses may pay for enhanced listings or promotional visibility, but payment never affects a Scream Score, Scream Level, visitor review, editorial recommendation, or award.

    Corrections

    Owners and visitors can request a factual correction from any published review using the link on the haunt's page. We correct factual errors such as wrong dates, prices, or attraction details. Scores and editorial opinions are not changed on request. We provide annual reviews as feasible.