 USS
NIGHTMARE: America’s premier Haunted
Steamboat formerly known as the William S. Mitchell is back at Nightmare
Landing
for their 18th season! Disastrous news footage of the 75 year old
ship's actual destruction entertains the queue line while visitors wait
to step inside. Entering into the Mitchell Museum brings about a
seasonal photo opportunity that's accompanied by a sudden, unexpected twist
that begins the actual exploration of the decrepit steamer. One of the
attractions trademark characters, Rat Girl is among the early members
of Captain Mitchell's hideous looking crew to be encountered, seated
behind a glass panel playing with her "pets!" She's sandwiched in
between two rendevous with a giant Impaler (animatronic monster), the first
of which finds the vicious beast resting quietly in his favorite section
of the wrecked ship. Next go round you're not quite so fortunate,
as the dejected behemoth has awakened from his siesta ferociously snarling,
waving his deadly spear, and clutching the torso of his most recent victim
in his left hand! Worse yet, he’s got his eye on you! Escaping
the hungry creature for the time being, leads to devastatingly torturous
sights like bodies strapped to upright tables that spin violently, while
others roast over an open coal fire, and even spring forth out of caskets.
The adventure through the bowels of the old wounded vessel continues across
a wooden plank-like bridge, chaperoned by the unnerving presence of a diminutive
crewman dangling metal keys, and shouting warnings that threaten your survival
as you make your ways across! Chained lockers shake and vibrate on
their own, as more irate crewmen lurk in the foggy darkness ahead ready
to gang up on timid looking stowaways in one capacity or another.
Brief exposure to outdoor elements adds another degree of uncertainty to
the experience as see-through iron gratings are utilized to navigate between
levels of the battered old paddlewheeler, and are all that separate you
from the muddy waters of the mighty Ohio River down below! Climbing
to the second deck delivers an immediate surprise, then it's onto the kitchen
area, where freezers are stocked with body bags, and enraged butchers and
cooks are busy preparing the Captain’s elaborate dinner table en
route to a horrific, nocturnal confrontation with some thirsty Vampires,
and a third and final encounter with the deadly, man-eating Impaler that
finds the big brute angrier than ever before! A startling, mind-boggling
SURPRISE is about to unfold! Will you become the cannibalistic ogre’s
next victim? Good fortune may permit your escape, but it’s certainly
not smooth sailing ahead, as the Captain and his playful daughter
Anna have some mischievous surprises in mind as the course progresses through
a spinning vortex, a wooden crate maze, shock walls, and a claustrophobic
passage before returning to the main level that hides Clowns, hangings,
electrocutions, an interactive Dreamalator segment, a jungle surprise,
and an assaulting chainsaw chase-out of the dilapidated old ship renownedly
know as The USS Nightmare.
Analysis:
LENGTH - 9+, Averages about 23 minutes.
ACTORS - 9, Excellent costuming and make-up. Good
interaction from some, but others just stood and stared. Dialogue
is a much more harsh and threatening if there's a frightened member of
your group they can target. "Little people," Captain, his daughter
Anna, engine room crewmen, vampires and Chainsaw madman are the most memorable.
Some characters are encountered more than once, and none carried any sort
of intimidating, noise making weapons. Would still like to see crew’s
aggressiveness pushed more to the extreme.
SCARINESS - 9+, Soundtrack that accompanies the vast
array of surprises is fabulous throughout. The condemned craft provides
an unsurpassed atmosphere that capitalizes on common phobias with its cramped
passageways, catwalks, balcony, authentic steamboat equipment (valves,
pipes, boilers, etc.), and ghastly crew.
DESIGN - 9½, Theme holds for most of the journey
with the exception of clowns and jungle finish. It's a lengthy course,
but unchanged from a season ago, and no new surprises. The exploration
encompasses 3-levels and 40 scenes including the engine room, pump well,
cargo hold, boiler room, mortuary, gally, crypt, torture chamber, Captain's
quarters, etc., all perfectly illuminated with professional lighting and
effects. Claustrophobic passageway has received some much needed
attention. Photo-op beginning needs to follow suit. Changing some
rooms and introducing new surprises is necessary to raise the score.
Expedition cleverly exits into the new Fun Center discussed below.
PROPS - 9½, Unsurpassed legitimate décor.
Numerous, well-timed animatronics provide unexpected startles that are
always accompanied with just the right sound or alarm. Inpaler and
accompanying surprise are most memorable, although there's plenty to see
in each and every room.
VALUE - 9½, Price is unchanged at $16 for one
of the most prolific attractions in the business. Visit on coupon
days to save even more, or take advantage of the new family 4-pack available
on their website for $48 (only $12 per ticket). Be sure to take advantage
of the $5 re-entry option when visiting as there’s just too much to see
the first time around.
RATING: 9+, Annually ranked among the best
haunted attractions in the country, USS Nightmare is a seasonal
attraction not to be missed! Join Captain Mitchell aboard the renowned
Nightmare
and be prepared to have the ship scared out of you! |
