Atlanta Zombie Apocalypse

***OCTOBER 2014 Review***
Well, after going last year, my husband and I were pretty stoked to go again. Unfortunately, it just was not what we remembered.
First off, probably our most favorite attraction of last year, «?» was gone. It was unbelievably hilarious and creative — so we were already a bit sad that we couldn’t see an updated version of it this year.
Second, We didn’t bother to do the shoot – we heard from other reviewers that it was outside, and far too short — again, a big let down – last year’s was inside and it was INTENSE. I’d never done anything like it in my life. It was just plain scary and perfectly executed.
Third, even though we were said to here «?» was gone, and the «shoot» attraction was a letdown – we STILL decided to hit up the «Haunt» part — as we heard it was great. I still consider AZA to do one of the best haunts, hands down. Unfortunately, once again, last year’s was so perfectly on target. Last year we got to know our tour guides (which were hilarious btw) and it made us get into the story much more. And we missed going through the woods– there were so many more zombies last year too! This year, we kept getting handed off to one person after another, which just got a little old. There were some hilarious characters — but they ended up disappearing far too quickly. There were a lot of stairways, but the urgency to run just wasn’t the same. The zombies didn’t seem to «go at us» as much as last year. And I think the best part was the «Monster Bash» at the end – which was probably the best and most surprising part of the haunt — wish it had ran just a few minutes longer, personally because It was absolutely hilarious.
Again, if we hadn’t gone last year – I probably wouldn’t have a single complaint. Unfortunately for us, we had a near perfect experience in 2013. This year’s just didn’t hit the mark. I believe this is the last year? If so, it’s really disappointing. I’d love to see how you keep changing it up. We will definitely keep up with you guys and hope to see you around again. Like I said, this is one of the absolute best experiences at ANY haunt attraction we’ve visited (and we’re avid fans of them), but we would’ve loved to have seen you go a similar route as last year – It was quite a special memory for us. Scary, hilarious and special.

This is the final year for AZA and they are bringing it just the same as years past. Great plot and they make it impossible to not interact. You will be involved! My favorite part was «the chase», tennis shoes highly recommended! Come out and support this group in their final year and join everyone on Nov. 1^st for the Monster Bash party.

Please read:
The haunted house experience 5 stars.
The zombie shooting experience 0 star
They did a great job with the zombie apocalypse experience. The actors were good and it was fun and worth the wait and the $ 25. Then comes the rip off. The shooting experience was an hour wait and a 4 minute experience. What was supposed to be 100 shots and 4 acres, was moved inside and ruined, and they didn’t tell you that it changed from the website description. I would have been so happy if I left after the apocalypse experience. Don’t do the shoot out.

My friends and I went Fri Oct 10^th. We only signed up for the paintball shoot. We got in line after the waivers and once to the front found out that wasn’t the paintball gun line. Had to go around the building and wait in a very short line. Because we were 7 we split in 2 groups. Honestly, I think it would have been more fun to be in 2’s.
As soon as you start they tell you to be careful because you ONLY have 100 rounds. So that makes you not want to fire a lot and run out at the end. We went through the course, I was more worried about tripping in the woods than zombies. They pop out and one shot they are dead. Some behind trees I thought died without actually even being hit. The course was so short and only one zombie actually made me jump. I think by the end I had fired maybe 20 shots and that is generous. They really should make the course longer and more zombies. Save your money and skip the shoot!!!

I went to the Zombie Apocalypse last year (2013) and it was amazing, literally the best haunted attraction I had ever been to. The interactive storyline portion lasted for a long time and there was a second «haunted house» that was also awesome — both included in the $ ²⁰⁄₂₅ general admission ticket. There seemed to be an unending number of «zombies» in the event and we were entertained the entire time. One of the guys I was with got frightened several times. It was super entertaining and well done.
We went again this year (2014) and to say that we were disappointed would be an understatement. I wouldn’t have paid even $ 5 to do the experience that we had this year. One of the staff working the line told us that there was only one «general admission» event this year because it was the longest show they had ever done. We were out in 10 minutes (I happened to glance at the time we went in when I was turning off my phone and then checked when we got out because it seemed so short). When we went last year (2013), it was at least 20 minutes and there was a second event to do. This year it was cheesy and half-​done. There were a fraction of the actors playing zombies and the whole thing was slow and poorly done. Very disappointing after the amazing experience the year before. Would not recommend for the 2014 season.

The Atlanta Zombie Apocalypse is an annual «haunted house» type attraction located in Conley, Georgia, 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:
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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.

It was fun running from Zombies! We had a great time!

Crazy good fun, this is different then other Halloween attractions, you are put live into the zombie action lots of fun… lots of running. Get your tickets online, the staff is fun and wants participants to have a lot of fun.

Not worth the money or the hour and a half wait in the ticket line or the hour wait in the attraction lines. The curse tour sucked. Actors were corny and the zombies were not scary. Next year we are going back to Netherworld. Very disappointed.

Rolling into ATL Zombie Apocalypse for our first haunt of the night, my expectations were high from the buzz this show has created for itself. I really dug the entire compound, and found the atmosphere and merchandise to be fun and unique.
We visited «?» first and sincerely fell in love with the quirky storyline, unique and fresh perspective and the actors. The action was engaging and, really, this is an A list and completely unique experience that could use just a bit of polishing and tweaking to exist as a stand alone attraction.
Next we routed into the Zombie Shoot really anticipating greatness after «?» blew us away. This is where ATLZA lost my business for future considerations. What a clunker, and for 30 $ to boot… This haunt is nothing more than running in a circle in an old hotel-​ish structure firing airsoft bb;s at the same zombies heads… RIPOFF, especially for 30 $!!! DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS «ZOMBIE SHOOT» experience!
Finally, we ended our stint at «Curse» and enjoyed the fast pace of the show, but were underwhelmed by the lack of detailed scenes as you experience this attraction. The courtyard scene is amazing, but the run through the woods was lame and quite an ankle twister. I really thought that the actors were believable, but found many of the zombies to be poorly created and very cliché. More character zombies would be a fine addition to this portion of the show. The area traversed in this attraction is quite long, but satisfying in retrospect.
In closing I battled with giving this show such a low rating, however paying 30 $ for a lame shooter experience and the obvious lack of discount packages makes this haunt one for the past. I am glad that it is under my haunt belt, however, had I not been burnt by «Zombie Shooter,» this would have been a 3 or 4 star review. ATL Zombie Apocalypse, shame on you for ripping off patrons in a lackluster show, yet charging premium prices!

My wife and I went to AZA in 2011, it was awesome. This year we decided to go again because if the experience we had the first time we went. We decided to do «The Curse «theme this year, we paid the $ 20 a piece expecting a good scare and professional show. I have to regretfully say that we were a bit let down by the show this year. I don’t want to spoil the premise of the show this year but I might choose another theme like «The Zombie Shoot «or the mystery theme. I still will go back next year but I hope AZA will get back to zombies and less cult themed chaos.

I went yesterday, November 2, and had a few issues with parking. My GPS took me to the actual overflow parking lot, and I drove up and down the street for about 10 minutes… Unaware that this was the overflow lot, and only used on larger nights. There’s weren’t any signs, or indication that there was another lot down the street. While I was driving out, three other cars were doing exactly what I was doing. Finally, I drove out of that road, and past the Subway, where I actually saw the AZA sign and pulled into that lot.
I got into the haunts VERY quickly. Almost immediately, actually. The first one I did was «Curse of the Dead». It’s very actor-​driven, where the characters have lines and monologues and what seems like a specific script to stick with. The acting was… okay. It seemed obvious that they had a specific script, and when I interacted with them (because that’s what I do, not in a rude way, in a commentary kind of way), they seemed to stumble a bit over lines.
A trek through the woods, dashing around in loops outside to avoid the hordes, meandering around the police station/​hotel. It wasn’t TOO labor intensive, but me being out of shape, it put a slight stitch in my side by the end. It was a lot of fun. The buildings are seriously amazing. Those sets have so much potential to be a totally immerse experience, and I definitely feel like they could add more, if they ever expanded the haunt with more volunteers.
The second one was «ZWAR», and that was honestly my favorite. The guy who was our guide had me cracking up SO MUCH. When we first entered, it was like some sort of Labyrinth-​style nightmare, totally my style. Cracked out junkies and a pretty blonde lady fighting a zombie, numerous characters in dark makeup and leather and boots. Very weird, but very awesome. The guide was good at rolling with the interactions of the people in the group, and he was cheeky and hilarious. Later on in the haunt, you’re accompanied by another guide who played his part very well, too, and you could seriously tell that the two of them were actually having a lot of fun in what they were doing. I was definitely more of a giggler. I stayed at the front, went into the dark rooms first, called out to the guide «There’s another one!» when the zombies came from the front, and the guide was still in the back shooting one. Nonplussed for most of it, regardless I had a lot of fun.
My final verdict is this: if you like the zombie thing that is ever-​so-​popular, you will probably like this. The zombies vary from stumbling to quick, the acting ranges from okay to good, the sets are incredibly awesome and very intricate, and the haunts are a pretty good length. The zombie make-​up is a bit heavy, but that’s understandable since you’re in the dark. There are plenty of zombies surprises, and even some guest-​interactive situations.

Amazing! There are 2 different haunts, ZWARs (which is a contiinuation of sorts from last years) and Curse of the Dead (which is all new). ZWAR was fun and about what I expected from a haunted house. They do a great job of setting up an interactive tour through a post apocalyptic scenario.
Curse of the Dead blew my mind. It was SO much fun. WAY better than I had bargained for. Running through the hotel, courtyard and forrest was intense and amazing. The actors did a great job and BIG kudos to them for being outside all night during the freezing temps.
I will be going back again next year!
It seems kinda obvious but based on some of the other reviews, I feel that I need to address it. If you go on a busy night, you are going to have to wait for a while. That’s why we went on a Sunday. It probably took a total of 2 hours total for us to complete both haunts. Not bad at all. I suspect friday/​saturday nights are probably pretty busy.
The only thing I would suggest as an improvement is to have some pre-​haunt interaction. Stuff in the parking lot or while waiting in line.
I skipped the whole paintball scenario b/​c it didn’t really seem like my cup of tea. I’ve heard mixed reviews so I didn’t do it. If you only do one, do the Curse of the the Dead.

Atlanta Zombie Apocalypse (AZA) was awesome!!!
I never did a haunted house but what a great way to pop my «haunted house» cherry by doing AZA.
I decided to go here because of good reviews that I heard that other people gave. Even though Netherworld is Top Ten in the whole country. I heard too many bad reviews like «being able to anticipate when they will scare you», «the long lines», «not being able to run through it» but I didn’t read or hear stuff like that at AZA.
The strongest point of AZA is the interaction with the various guides as you go through it. Even though I knew this was fake, the interaction and the mood they set you up in makes you forget and makes you feel like you are in your own zombie movie.
The tour guides (or actors) were great and believeable. The zombies were SCARY. I did get scared and jumped a few times… ok maybe it was more than a few times… lol I’m not going into detail of what the zombies did because that would ruin the surprise for you but I will say I did appreciate the different backgrounds, backdrops, scenes (scenes straight out of a movie) they had.
My only feedback of AZA is while people are waiting in line is to set us MORE in the mood. Have the staff workers play in character all the time and more into character. Maybe have a few TVs or projectors showing zombie movies while we are waiting. Or maybe even while waiting in line make it feel like we are in a post-​apocalyptic zombie world with search lights going. I believe that would put people more into the mood, feel, and set them up.
But don’t get me wrong, you guys did a great job! I’ll be back to bring my friends and tried to get them scared! LOL
PS To anyone who is going. Skip the long lines by going on a non-​busy day or go early.

Dear Zombie Apocalypse,
I love Halloween. I love bright orange pumpkins, crisp fall breezes, clever costumes and bad horror movies. I’m somewhat of a Halloween savant. And, with that being said, I’m a little upset with you, but it’s for the reason you may think. I loved your haunted house. Your storyline was well thought out, it was carried through well and your zombies were (un) dead on. I did, however, need my inhaler after you made me sprint up a few flights of stairs, but my joints needed the workout after the three-​hour wait. Still, I’m upset because every October 31^st, I have a specific routine. I carve pumpkins, make fun of people who get scared at Netherworld and watch Shaun of the Dead. But now, I’ll have to gladly add running from your zombie’s into my schedule. You’ll be billed for the extra paperwork.
Sincerely,
Jack O’ Lantern
P. S.- While I appreciate the thought of an interactive zombie hunt, the actual thing, was a little disappointing. I think one of my paintballs hit my neighbor’s 14-​year-​old son… revenge is sweet.

Really love the Atlanta Zombie Apocalypse. It’s like no other haunted attraction. I love that this year it’s nearly twice as long as a continuation of last year’s story!
It IS a long wait to get in, that’s the only bad part. We heard some people complaining in line but I thought «it’s Saturday night and a week before Halloween.» What do you expect? If you want to beat the crowd, get there early or go on a weeknight.
Anyway, highly recommended. It’s a lot of fun. You’ll scream, you’ll laugh, you’ll run like hell…

Its close to the end of the season but i encourage people to give this haunted house an evening, it is worth it.
The con here is the wait. However, there is not a single haunted house in October that doesn’t require some waiting. The waiting here pays off more than waiting for say Netherworld. You inevitably just catch up with the group right in front of you at most Haunted Houses. Seems like Zombie Apocalypse has been very careful to ensure that you feel stranded and alone while in the haunted house. They shuffle you in 10 at a time. It may have helped our experience that our entire group was friends since it allowed us to move through at an extremely hyper pace.
The attraction space is gigantic. They may not even be utilizing it to its fullest potential. Lots of dark, long hallways where at any moment Zombies may pop out. A large outdoor area with conceivable real risks like a car crash not on a track. Lots of zombies, and switching off guides who carry the only gun and the only flashlight. Your life in the game depends on both!
Unlike most haunted houses, where running is prohibited, this space seems to encourage the idea that you are actually trying to stay alive in a Zombie attack. We ran so much at the end of the experience, i felt like i had just finished a gym work out. There is stairs at times and little time for catching your breath so may not be the best attraction for out of shape people.
This concept is perfectly executed. Its zombies running after you as you run through multiple spaces some few hundred square feet of spaces in just one area. Leave your attitude at the door, and have fun! The intention here is to survive, so give it your best effort.
i mean when else are you going to run through a huge abandoned hotel being chased by zombies in every direction?!
…At least not until the real Zombie Apocalypse happens!

I realize that it is not the smartest move to go to a haunted house on a Saturday night the weekend before Halloween in a haunted house starved city, but that’s what we did and we paid dearly for it.
We rolled up about 9:30 to the only parking lot around. «Parking is $ 3» the old dude tells us at the gate, then he cracks a comment about how he can’t believe the women are in the front seat and the men are in back. Times have changed old man. Kind of shitty that you have to pay money to the parking lot of the haunted house. It’s not like there are other choices for parking. We walk our way over to the super long line. We assumed it would take an hour. After an hour, we moved up about a 3^rd of the way through the line. Time to go get alcohol to make this shit manageable. Pay another $ 3 to get back in with a case and chug in line. Stare at the 50 year old couple making out in front of us. Watch an amped up fight between 2 rednecks behind us. Drink some more. Finally we made it to the front where we pay $ 20. It only took us 2 hours. Now we are ushered into an area with about 7 or so lines of people. We wait another 30 minutes in the «holding area». I dart over to one of the porta potties. Damn beer running through me. Thank goodness a friend has some antibacterial lotion with her. While we wait in the holding area random actors dressed in military garb walk around asking if they can see your hands to make sure you haven’t been bitten. We are getting really bored.
«Time to roll» one guy says and our line is ushered into the building. We go into one room with a doctor talking about people being bitten. Then we are forced to run through the majority of the building; inside, outside, inside again. There were loads of opportunities for the zombies to try and scare us but none came. Instead of screaming out in terror or being spooked our group was laughing at how pitiful the attempt was. Yes, the makeup was good, and yes, the backdrop was well done, but there were loads of areas with no one jumping out, brightly lit areas that wouldn’t scare a 10 year old, and the whole thing took a total of ten minutes.
I have been to quite a number of haunted house in Atlanta. Back in high school every Halloween was spent driving near and far to find the best one. This one was one of the shittiest I have been to. I wish had known someone else who had been here before me so they could have warned me out of wasting $ 20 on this horrible haunted house.
Oh and the zombie shoot which we were all so pumped about is really just a couple people dressed up in zombie garb moving slowly standing 8 feet in front of you. You couldn’t miss them if you tried. This shit is WEAK!!!

The premise: it’s the end of the world and what’s left is over-​run by zombies and you and your group are being led to the ‘safety zone’ by some soldiers.
The execution: Good make-​up, B acting, fun times but coulda been scarier
The cons: I went on a Friday and the wait for our group of 10 was approx 2 hours. The run-​through itself only lasted about 20 minutes if that. The paintballing/​shooting of zombies was in theory a fun idea but the execution was very poor — basically you are set up behind a table with 20 paintballs and you shoot at human targets in masks milling about in the paintball arena for a minute or two. OH and you have to pay for parking… to park your own car.
The pros: It’s one more haunted house within driving distance in ATL.
My advice: skip this and save your money and time for netherworld.

It’s the end of the world and the zombies have taken over! The Atlanta Zombie Apocalypse drops you into an end-​of-​the world scenario with zombies coming at you from every angle. It’s up to a highly trained and specialized military unit to help you and your group get from one part of the compound to the other — without getting killed or infected. You’ll feel like you’re in a real life action-​horror film, complete with running, jumping, dodging, gunfire and zombie groupies. That’s right. Zombie groupies. I haven’t had this much fun since that weekend in Tijuana!
The Apocalypse portion is a MUST, but if you want to shell out $ 10 more to shoot paint balls at real zombies (albeit, in a very controlled environment) have at it, as there is a section called «Shoot Out» that allows you to do just that. While I was super excited at the thought of shooting zombies, the reality of the Shoot Out was a bit of a letdown and the only reason why I didn’t give it 5 stars. But, trust me when I say The Apocalypse section more than made up for it.
Just a tip — get there early! The ticket office opens around 8 (double-​check on their site as I think it may open earlier the closer we get to Halloween). If you’re not there early enough, you could be waiting for up to 2 hours.