 USS
NIGHTMARE: Celebrating its 20th season,
America’s premier Haunted Steamboat formerly known as the William S.
Mitchell makes a triumphant return to Nightmare
Landing in Newport,
KY! Disastrous news footage of the old ship's actual destruction
entertains the queue line while visitors wait to step inside the Mitchell
Museum, where a seasonal photo opportunity takes a sudden turn for the
worse beginning the actual exploration of the decrepit steamer. Sandwiched
in between a pair of close encounters with a giant Impaler (animatronic
monster) is one of the attraction's trademark characters, Rat Girl
- but this year's installment comes with a new twist as she's portrayed
as being trapped among the rabid rodents as opposed to cheerfully carressing
and fondling them as "pets!" Switch your focus back to the
Captain's
hideous looking monster that seemed content on the first go round, but
he's not so at ease the next time by, as he's awakened from his slumber,
snarling ferociously, and waving about a deadly spear! What's left
of his most recent victim dangles from his deadly clutch while the bones
and remains of his previous "meals" are strewn about the area below!
Fog engulfs the old wrecked ship as the course progresses through the bowels
of the old wounded vessel, across vibrating floors, wooden plank-like bridges,
and past bodies strapped to upright tables rapidly spinning round and round!
Corpses roast over open flames, while others spring forth out of upright
caskets! Steam spews forth and chained lockers shake and vibrate
on their own, as radioactive toxins fill the air and incinerate the flesh
of undead crewmen lurking in every nook and cranny of the surrounding darkness
ahead ready to pounce upon timid looking stowaways! 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 protect you from the muddy
waters of the mighty Ohio River down below! Climbing to the second
deck brings about a visit to the infirmary where a psychotic nurse attempts
to subdue a distraught patient; then onto the kitchen area that's occupied
by a bloody, pig-faced butcher snorting madly at the arrival of "fresh
meat!" A freezer stocked with body bags is up next, as is a catacomb-like
tomb area and crypt that soon brings about a nocturnal confrontation with
a blood-thirsty Vampire! The Captain's elaborate dinner table is
next to be explored, followed by a final, and near fatal encounter with
the deadly, man-eating Impaler that finds the dejected behemoth angrier
than ever before, and climaxes with a startling, unexpected SURPRISE!
It’s certainly not smooth sailing ahead, as the Captain's playful
daughter Anna has some mischievous games to play before she turns you over
to the antics and mercy of several misdirecting clowns that seem to enjoy
sending you around in circles, through a spinning vortex, and forcing you
to retrace your footsteps! Still to come are a darkened hallway equipped
with shock walls and a claustrophobic passage, followed by a wooden crate-like
maze, then back down to the main level that exposes a variety of atrocities
such as hangings, electrocutions, and an interactive Dreamalator segment
where customers are permitted to select the music that will be featured
in the upcoming section of the experience. A foggy chain-link fence
maze ushers in a jungle surprise that gives way to a sudden chainsaw chase-out
through the previously unexplored wrecked area of the dilapidated old ship
renownedly know as The USS Nightmare.
Analysis:
LENGTH - 9, Stopped the clock at the 21½ min.
mark.
ACTORS - 9+, Excellent costuming and make-up throughout.
Good interaction and improved dialogue from practically the entire crew.
Nurse
and Butcher are most memorable. Cast size may seem inadequate
at first, but most engage groups in meaningful conversations which
serve to lengthen the engagements. "Little People" have been eliminated,
or were not present on the night of our visit. Would like to see
a little darker, more violent demeanor to further elevate the score.
Total Characters = 30.
SCARINESS - 9½, Soundtrack that accompanies the
vast array of surprises is second to none. Only drawback is jungle
music leaks over into fence maze. The condemned craft provides an
unsurpassed, legitimate atmosphere that capitalizes on common phobias with
its cramped passageways, catwalks, balcony, authentic steamboat equipment
(valves, pipes, boilers, etc.), and ghastly crew. Elevated intensity
on the part of the cast would increase the scare factor.
DESIGN - 9½, Theme holds for most of the journey
with the exception of clowns and weak, inappropriate jungle segment.
Course reflects a few changes once again including expansion into the wrecked
area of the boat, but once again they don't really reflect any impressive
surprises. The exploration encompasses 3-levels and 40 scenes including
the engine room, pump well, cargo hold, boiler room, mortuary, galley,
crypt, torture chamber, Captain's quarters, infirmary, etc.
All are perfectly illuminated with professional lighting and effects.
Path cleverly delivers 3 separate encounters with the massive Impaler,
and exits into the 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. Impaler and
balcony surprise remain the most notable, although there's plenty to see
in each and every room.
VALUE - 10, While the competition continues to raise
prices, admission to USS Nightmare remains unchanged for the
fourth consecutive year! Cost is $16 ($13 weds, thurs, sun. with
website coupon) for one of the most prolific attractions in the business.
Take advantage of the "Wicked Wednesday" (2 for $19), family 4-pack ($48
= $12 per ticket), or 6-pack ($60 = only $10 per ticket) available online
ONLY. If lines are long, front of the line RIP admission is only
$4 more, and don't miss the opportunity to take advantage of their $5 re-entry
option when visiting. It's an unheard of bargain and there’s simply
too much to see the first time through!
RATING: 9½, Annually ranked among
the best haunted attractions in the country, this seasonal attraction not
to be missed! We visited USS Nightmare on their opening night
and their show was ready to go on time! Many attractions tend to
keep their customers waiting in line at show time, or make excuses as to
why they still haven't completed work on the performance they intend to
deliver for the current season. That's NEVER the case at USS Nightmare!
This is a first class operation that deserves to be recognized for their
integrity, and loyalty to their patrons! Join Captain Mitchell
aboard the renowned
Nightmare and be prepared to have the ship scared
out of you!
SPECIAL STATEMENT : Looking for the ultimate
scare? Visit USS Nightmare after 11 PM on Saturdays for a
more intense "up close, and in your face" performance, and carried to an
even greater extreme one night only - Saturday, October 29, 2011!
(CAUTION: 10/29/11's performance is being advertised as EXTREME and
UNRATED! Don't miss it!) |
