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Face the Fear -
- Average Review
(47 reviews)- Scare Factor
- Scary
- Appropriate For
- Adults & Teens
- Organization Type
- Charity / NOT For Profit
- Listing Categories
- Drive-Through, Haunted Houses, Haunted Hay Rides
- More Info
- Outdoor Event(s), Touching Not Allowed, Free Parking
4 Awards Received
Storyline:
The Gator King
The City of Winter Springs incorporated in 1972 but the history of the city and the Lake Jessup area twists and turns back through the corridor of time to an era where the history of the State of Florida was struggling to emerge. History reveals and reveres the name of Moses Levy, a wealthy merchant from New York as the first owner of the Lake Jessup region.
Later, Henry Gee and his son John Henry Gee, in an agreement worked out with the governor of Florida, Richard Call was granted the rights to the area and as a result, the Gees became the new owners of the land known today as Winter Springs. Henry Gee was a doctor during the Seminole Indian Wars of the late 1830’s and 1840’s. He and his son immediately began to develop and expand the region. In a bitter legal battle, a federal court abruptly reversed the land development agreements and returned the ownership of all the properties the Gees had acquired and developed back to the Moses Levy family.
To this day, Gee Creek and Gee Hammock bear the name of Dr. Henry Gee. In the years that followed : The Lake Jessup Steamboat Company kept the area alive and moved goods from the area across the State of Florida that encouraged settlers, businesses, and development to take place.
A name lost, except by those who dabble in the unknown and unspoken, is associated with a darker, mysterious, and questionable era of Lake Jessup history. The name is Mordecai Henry Mitchell.
Mordecai arrived in the Lake Jessup area in the early 1920’s and began purchasing plots of land that he promised he would bring new life into the area. A self-proclaimed doctor, he set up an early medical practice that he ran from a wagon. This traveling doctor’s office made house calls, would set up shop on a rotational basis at various places along Lake Jessup, and featured a variety of ointments, liniments, and elixirs promising a cure for many ailments.
Dr. Mordecai Henry Mitchell became known as “The Gator King” because of one of his bottled potions, Mordecai’s Alligator Tonic, that was reported to be made from boiled alligator fat and other additional secret ingredients.
Although much of the history and story of Dr. Mordecai Henry Mitchell has been buried in the dust of time, it was reported that he spent a great deal of time in the Gee Creek area. Rumors emerged that he had discovered a spring, which he suggested was a “fountain of health” and anyone or anything that drank of the spring would find new health, longevity, and new vitality of life.
The doctor proclaimed this water to be refreshing relief from the Florida heat, a burst of winter in the sizzling sunshine, as a result, he proudly called his water source – Winter Springs.
Mordecai’s Alligator Tonic came under scrutiny, when it was discovered that Mordecai Mitchell was a descendant of Dr. Henry Gee and had developed much of his medical knowledge based on the research of his relative recorded during the Seminole Indian Wars. His return to the area had been prompted by a desire to reclaim what was stolen from his family. It was believed that his alligator tonic contained a lot less gator than people had been promised and in fact, he was doing research on alligators attempting to develop what he believed was a source of eternal youth – the waters of Winter Springs.
Eventually area founders discovered the doctor was testing his “tonic” on a variety of animals, was bringing in creatures from all over the country for testing, and there were rumors of human experimentation.
Under the cover of darkness, land owners from the Lake Jessup area drove Dr. Mordecai Henry Mitchell, along with his Alligator Tonic away from the Winter Springs area forever… fearing that his true desire was to seek revenge in the name of his family legacy. His name was erased from most public records and over time, lost in the mist of memory.
But – that is only a story….
Still a few lingering items remain in the mystery surrounding his life and endure to this day….
His proclamation of a burst of winter in sizzling sunshine water source eventually evolved into the actual name of the city – Winter Springs.
The location of the spring, reported to be somewhere along Gee Creek, was never documented and never found.
It was after his reported research and experimentation on alligators that the population of gators in the Lake Jessup area exploded, making it one of the most gator populated bodies of water in Florida.
The Gee family never regained a foothold in the area, although the creek and hammock that bear the name of the family remain. Most residents are not aware of where the name came from.
The area where Dr. Mordecai Henry Mitchell did his work and research has remained undiscovered – until now, 100 years later as a local church began getting ready for an expansion project and began to carve into previously undeveloped land – the startling discoveries they made are not only unsettling, they are enough to frighten and scare you.
Mysteriously an original bottle of Mordecai’s Alligator Tonic was discovered in an old abandoned shack. This discovery is the only concrete proof that the legend of Dr. Henry Mordecai Mitchell and his questionable creation ever existed. During the global pandemic a team of archeologists and researchers went deeper into this rich, undeveloped, wetland. The team never returned.
Now during the 2020 Halloween season – the creators of Face the Fear are offering tours into the long lost and forgotten world of Mordecai Henry Mitchell – The Gator King. What you will see -will give you nightmares.
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Some locations may have last minute updates due to changing circumstances. Please visit the attraction's website and/or social media before going to double-check that they are open. |
Recent Reviews
Review This HauntSomething was out there in the woods
Amazing! Face the Fear outdoors was fantastic. When I had scarecrows come to life and jump into our vehicle I thought I would die.. It was scary, it was fun, it was smart. The perfect attraction for this Halloween season! It also was encouraging and the DVD that was given away with admission price contained some very great resources on how to handle fear.
Posted November 2020Scare Factor: 
Fun Factor: 
Haunt Value: 
Length of Event: 21-30 minutes Time Visited: After 9PM Would Recommend: Yes Suitable For Kids: Yes 
Email Verified I would give it more pumpkins (if I could)
This haunt is worth 10 Pumpkins on a 5 Pumpkin scale! You have to understand this coronavirus version of Face the Fear is the best in Florida! These guys managed to pull it off and keep us safe, they did it without the slasher gore fest approach (way too easy for them) and they gave us a good background story. Scariest moments 1- Those creatures in the woods (still not sure what they were they just freaked me out) 2- Clowns 3-Scarecrows 4-Alligators (these guys were nuts) The entire ride was dark, scary, fun, and made me scream. The wait was even fun and the night we were there was sold out - so make sure you get there early to get the ticket.
Posted October 2020Scare Factor: Fun Factor: Haunt Value: Length of Event: 31-45 minutes Time Visited: After 9PM Would Recommend: Yes Suitable For Kids: Yes
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Email Verified Nothing to compare it to - beyond words
The Gator King was fun, scary, and a screamfest. What an amazing group of actors, staff, and drivers. No kidding, we were deep in the woods. Who knew there was so much to find in the woods of WS? I loved it, year in and year out this group does such a great job, this year is no different
Posted October 2020Scare Factor: Fun Factor: Haunt Value: Length of Event: 21-30 minutes Time Visited: 5PM - 9PM Suitable For Kids: Yes
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Email Verified Yes ! Too much FUN !
The outdoor haunt event of the year. The team of Face the Fear reinvented themselves this year and created a ride thru attraction that made me scream. I know it is not real, but being out in the woods, a long way from others, trees closing in from all sides was crazy. Somehow they even got clowns in the outdoors! Don't miss this event. The night we were there is sold out, we waited about 45 minutes to get in. It was worth it and we will do it again.
Posted October 2020Scare Factor: Fun Factor: Haunt Value:
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Outdoor excitement
The Gator King was amazing. Fantastic atmosphere, great cast, and fun people. This was a high energy outdoor experience that allowed us to scream, holler, and laugh as we were attacked and chased by all sorts of creatures.
Posted October 2020Scare Factor: Fun Factor: Haunt Value: Length of Event: 11-20 minutes Time Visited: After 9PM Would Recommend: Yes Suitable For Kids: Yes
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Email Verified Out of this world scary
I am a huge fan of face the fear. I love what these guys do each year. This year the scares are out of this world. Aliens and clowns. What could be more scary? I also love the attention to detail. They put you in a haunted hotel, I heard Come Sail Away playing as I entered (a real alien song), there were cast members disappearing, sudden surprises, and so much to see and experience. The DVD was great as well. Getting ready for next year - don't ever miss Face the Fear
Posted October 2018Scare Factor: Fun Factor: Haunt Value: Length of Event: 11-20 minutes Time Visited: 5PM - 9PM Would Recommend: Yes Suitable For Kids: Yes
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Face the Fear - replied Sep 11, 2019Most people don't realize that the price of admission includes a DVD as well. This is all part of the fun and you get to take a piece of the experience home with you.
Best haunted house!
We are haunted house fanatics and have been looking for something other than the Halloween Horror Nights scene. We've been to a lot in the central florida area and this was by far the best! Highly recommend! The entire experience was fantastic.
Posted October 2018Scare Factor: Fun Factor: Haunt Value:
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Face the Fear - replied Sep 11, 2019We are thrilled and so honored you would join us and spend your time with us in Longwood. Join us again this next season.
Email Verified They are here
Face the Fear has returned to the Longwood hotel that is truly haunted. I loved the treat they gave us by taking us upstairs and giving us a look inside of it. Of course the real thrills are found in the wickedly funny, cool, and scary story they are telling us. An alien invasion has occurred and been covered up. I know this because of the historical marker in the yard of the hotel (yes-they put up their own historical marker-loving the detail) Great fun. I was smiling and then screaming. This is a great family haunted attraction. My young teens had a great time as well. I love the push back against the demonic and appreciate they don't cheapen it with the slasher gore. Worth the wait, the time, and the trip. Planning on catching it again with some other friends. Check it out. The aliens are here.
Posted October 2018Scare Factor: 
Fun Factor: Haunt Value: Length of Event: 21-30 minutes Time Visited: 5PM - 9PM Would Recommend: Yes Suitable For Kids: Yes
Face the Fear - replied Sep 11, 2019The haunted hotel in Longwood is the perfect place for this event. Once again in our new season we will be taking guests back inside the place they have heard about but now get to see for themselves!
Email Verified Scared me big time
Aliens are a little freaky. So when I heard about an alien attack in Central Florida I had to check it out. I nearly wet my pants. I screamed, I laughed, and want to come see it again. Then if the aliens (and there were aliens everywhere) wasn't bad enough - then I saw a clown. Aliens and clowns in one night was enough to send me over the edge. I had a great time. The people that produce this show are some of the nicest and best out there. I also enjoyed watching the DVD that they gave to each guest. Some nice little horror films and some very practical advice on facing fears and scary moments.
Posted October 2018Scare Factor: Fun Factor: Haunt Value: Length of Event: 21-30 minutes Time Visited: After 9PM Would Recommend: Yes Suitable For Kids: Yes
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Email Verified Out of this world
I didn’t know what to expect but was not disappointed at all. Great atmosphere, great cast, great fun. This is a mix of old school haunted house and smart storytelling. Each guest becomes part of the narrative I so appreciate what these guys do. I like the charity that benefits. Still screaming from the maze. The aliens are real. They walk among us. I have seen them
Posted October 2018Scare Factor: Fun Factor: Haunt Value: Length of Event: 21-30 minutes Time Visited: After 9PM Would Recommend: Yes Suitable For Kids: Yes
Email Verified Loving it!
I gotta tell you I love Face the Fear. I love the aliens, I love the scary actors, I love the food, I love the creepy hotel , I love the maze , and I love the story! The Face the Fear crew take the science of scaring people to another level. They drop their guests into a scary world with a great gun story. They don’t cheapen it with slash and hack, but drive you through an exciting expert I also love the DVD you get as a guest. So worth the wait and cost, will go back next weekend and next year. I love it and can’t wait to see it again (I do miss the clowns)
Posted October 2018Scare Factor: Fun Factor: Haunt Value: Length of Event: 21-30 minutes Time Visited: 5PM - 9PM Would Recommend: Yes Suitable For Kids: Yes
Email Verified Aliens
What an awesome experience. Had a great time, and got scared, freaky aliens, what else could you ask? Great storyline and a great group of people who put on this event. So glad we came, we will come back next weekend.
Posted October 2018Scare Factor: Fun Factor: Haunt Value:
So much fun we came back the weekend after!
The whole thing was scary and fun! A great thing for the whole family if you can handle being terrified. The maze was incredibly disorienting. It was such a blast. I was invited my my friend’s family. I loved it so much I took my family the next weekend.
Posted November 2017Scare Factor: Fun Factor: Haunt Value: 
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
- View all Face the Fear - Reviews
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