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Rock the boat and you'll get the captain's wrath! |
Todd - The USS Nightmare (USSN) offers a solid story line incorporating key characters and keeps you engaged the entire time. Yes, this haunt is on a real ship so of course it already has that going for it in terms of theme. However, this is not a haunt that relies on a theme to carry its success. Every aspect of the USS Nightmare as an attraction plays strongly to the lore and theme alike - so much so that I believe had this haunt been in a building, it would still be convincing as a haunt set on the water. Rather than just walking through, USSN pulls you into becoming a part of it with puzzles to complete (which I'll embarassingly admit too me way too long to get right) and tasks to fulfill (with RIP upgrade).
USSN offers an endless amount of eye candy which blends the ship's actual interior with the added construction of the haunt within. The two work in tandem very well without one overpowering the other. Once exception would be the clown area - the ship's interior is fully lost in this section and, in my opinion, is due for a total overhaul or abandonment all together. Just about every other area is composed in such a detailed fashion that no doubt much of it goes unnoticed and what a shame that is. I encourage you to really look around while you go through. For example, while interacting with the the actors in the bedroom or captains quarters, look at the desks and cabinets. You'll find all kinds of trinkets and random objects. For example, when we first met the captains daughter, I noticed a few old books on a table. I don't recall the titles not, but I remember them being books for children but dealing with dark subject matter which made me laugh.
The actors are great. This year, the captain was outstanding - by far the best I've ever seen. He delivered with a great deal of intimidating energy with a spectacular make up job. The barkeep did great job as well, maintaining his southern drawl and ominous, casual banter (you'll need the RIP experience to see him). Unlike a lot of haunts, just about every actor will have some level of engagement with you; you wont find many reserved to just yelling "boo". They are also treated with some of the most professional makeup you can come across. There's no overkill of gore, rather each character looks as they should, a deceased victim of this wrecked ship.
Without question, opt in for the RIP upgrade. This will give you access to secret rooms either with timed puzzles (mini escape rooms) or a few tasty treats to enjoy along the way. It also opts you in to the full contact experience, however these actors are not all that rough so don't let that stop you. It more-so allows for a bit more interaction rather than an outright manhandling (though extreme night is a different story). The length of the haunt is quite surprising as well. From the outside, it doesn't look that big but there is a lot to go through making USSN a great stop on your haunt endeavors. It's a great haunt every which way around; solid, unique, entertaining and and entirely inclusive.
USSN offers an endless amount of eye candy which blends the ship's actual interior with the added construction of the haunt within. The two work in tandem very well without one overpowering the other. Once exception would be the clown area - the ship's interior is fully lost in this section and, in my opinion, is due for a total overhaul or abandonment all together. Just about every other area is composed in such a detailed fashion that no doubt much of it goes unnoticed and what a shame that is. I encourage you to really look around while you go through. For example, while interacting with the the actors in the bedroom or captains quarters, look at the desks and cabinets. You'll find all kinds of trinkets and random objects. For example, when we first met the captains daughter, I noticed a few old books on a table. I don't recall the titles not, but I remember them being books for children but dealing with dark subject matter which made me laugh.
The actors are great. This year, the captain was outstanding - by far the best I've ever seen. He delivered with a great deal of intimidating energy with a spectacular make up job. The barkeep did great job as well, maintaining his southern drawl and ominous, casual banter (you'll need the RIP experience to see him). Unlike a lot of haunts, just about every actor will have some level of engagement with you; you wont find many reserved to just yelling "boo". They are also treated with some of the most professional makeup you can come across. There's no overkill of gore, rather each character looks as they should, a deceased victim of this wrecked ship.
Without question, opt in for the RIP upgrade. This will give you access to secret rooms either with timed puzzles (mini escape rooms) or a few tasty treats to enjoy along the way. It also opts you in to the full contact experience, however these actors are not all that rough so don't let that stop you. It more-so allows for a bit more interaction rather than an outright manhandling (though extreme night is a different story). The length of the haunt is quite surprising as well. From the outside, it doesn't look that big but there is a lot to go through making USSN a great stop on your haunt endeavors. It's a great haunt every which way around; solid, unique, entertaining and and entirely inclusive.
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Not your average river cruise |
Paul - The USS Nightmare isn't your average haunt; The location, the actors, the confinement, the interaction... There just isn't anything else like it.
The haunt takes place on board the William S Mitchell, a dredge ship built by the Army Corps of Engineers to deepen river waters for ship travel. It's an amazing piece of equipment, and every year we visit the haunt, I'm amazed by how imposing it is. Within the ship is one of the better haunts you'll find in the area!
The theme is built around the ship being haunted by the former crew. The Mitchell wasn't a particularly safe or pleasant place to work, and many people were killed on board as it performed its task of clearing waterways over the years. This seems to have left them pretty angry and they're going to take it out on you! As you walk through the haunt and experience the chaos, there's more of an authentic feel to it than most haunts could ever dream of. The rooms that would have actually been on board the original ship are always my favorites, but I still appreciate most of the outlandish ones as well.
As you board and start your voyage, you'll immediately notice the quality of the actors, costumes, and makeup. This was the most impressive year for those categories that I can remember! Their actors are always above average, but this year they really stood out. The sets are super detailed as usual, the lighting fits just about perfectly, and you really feel like you're a part of the haunt as you're going through; especially if you opt for the RIP experience.
The RIP experience adds even more interaction to the haunt. You'll get pulled to the side and put through areas that the normal haunt-goers don't get to see, the actors will be allowed to touch you, and there are a bunch of challenges and in-your-face haunters you have to deal with in order to proceed. There's one area in particular I was impressed with where you'll get to have a chat with a bartender who will give you some pretty wild surprises!
The USS Nightmare continues to be one of the top haunts in the Cincinnati area, and even one of the best in the region. It's a crazy voyage and definitely one of the scarier experiences you'll have! Head down to the Ohio river and set sail on the USS Nightmare!
The haunt takes place on board the William S Mitchell, a dredge ship built by the Army Corps of Engineers to deepen river waters for ship travel. It's an amazing piece of equipment, and every year we visit the haunt, I'm amazed by how imposing it is. Within the ship is one of the better haunts you'll find in the area!
The theme is built around the ship being haunted by the former crew. The Mitchell wasn't a particularly safe or pleasant place to work, and many people were killed on board as it performed its task of clearing waterways over the years. This seems to have left them pretty angry and they're going to take it out on you! As you walk through the haunt and experience the chaos, there's more of an authentic feel to it than most haunts could ever dream of. The rooms that would have actually been on board the original ship are always my favorites, but I still appreciate most of the outlandish ones as well.
As you board and start your voyage, you'll immediately notice the quality of the actors, costumes, and makeup. This was the most impressive year for those categories that I can remember! Their actors are always above average, but this year they really stood out. The sets are super detailed as usual, the lighting fits just about perfectly, and you really feel like you're a part of the haunt as you're going through; especially if you opt for the RIP experience.
The RIP experience adds even more interaction to the haunt. You'll get pulled to the side and put through areas that the normal haunt-goers don't get to see, the actors will be allowed to touch you, and there are a bunch of challenges and in-your-face haunters you have to deal with in order to proceed. There's one area in particular I was impressed with where you'll get to have a chat with a bartender who will give you some pretty wild surprises!
The USS Nightmare continues to be one of the top haunts in the Cincinnati area, and even one of the best in the region. It's a crazy voyage and definitely one of the scarier experiences you'll have! Head down to the Ohio river and set sail on the USS Nightmare!
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This is one top-notch experience! It is so unique and you're just in awe of how creepy it is when you're walking around the ship in the dark. |
Teresa - The USS Nightmare is a fantastically unique haunt in Newport, Kentucky, just across the Ohio river from Cincinnati. It is located on an actual boat, called the William S. Mitchell, which was a dredge boat built in 1934. It was named for its maniacal captain, who may have gone a little insane. He lived on-board with about 60 crew members and his daughter, Anna. When they would make stops, he would allow entertainers and clowns on the ship to entertain his daughter and the crew. One day, the ship broke loose from its mooring and floated down the river, eventually crashing into a bridge. There are lots of details and fantastic videos, interviews, and news coverage of the history and this event (which came to be known as the Mitchell Massacre) on the website.
It's called the Mitchell Massacre, because the captain and all crew members were found dead, along with some of the clowns from the nearby carnival. Anna's remains were never found. That's the story in a nutshell, but trust me, you want to go to the website and see this for yourself. It's very informative. Then, go explore the ship! It is open for tours, Wednesday through Sunday, with Saturday tours costing slightly more. The queue moves pretty slow, because the tour is very interactive, and you really get a special experience. If you can go early in the season, or on a "school night", the lines will be shorter. There are a number of ticket options available, including fast passes and skip-the-line passes for those pressed for time. More importantly, there are RIP tickets, for a more "in-depth" tour of the ship. I highly recommend this experience for those who aren't afraid to be physically touched by the ghosts you may find during your tour. It adds a whole new level to the fun, not just because you get "handled" by ghosts, but because it adds puzzles, games, and rooms to the tour you will miss otherwise. And I think they are worth the extra money, especially if you go with a small group of friends! The crew does a good job of telling you about the ship and warning you about what may happen to you as you wait to board. Listen carefully, as they may give you some helpful advice!
Once you enter, room-by-room, you will see firsthand what happened to Captain Mitchell and his crew. The atmosphere cannot be beat. I absolutely love all the old nautical decor. Everywhere you look, it is obvious you are on an old ship. The characters and costumes are fantastic and theatrical. Standouts were the Captain, Anna, the Lady in Red, and the Bartender. You go through all the captain's quarters, Anna's rooms, the common areas, the work areas (wheel house, radio room, etc.), through the area decorated by the ghost-clown entertainers, and into the bowels of the ship, where you will find some of the horrible things dredged from the river bottom. If you do the RIP experience, the characters will grab you, caress you, separate you from your party, and menace you in a myriad of ways. The best part of this experience, is it is VERY interactive. So, there are tasks you must complete, clues to find, decisions to make, games to play, and things to eat or drink to make it through. This really adds a challenge and allows for a unique experience. You have to pay attention! You may even learn some things! I was able to complete all the tasks but one. Now, I want to go back and try again! I came out slightly damp from a blast of water to the face, I had paint on my face thanks to Anna making me into a doll, and my arm was sticky from fishing around for a key in a slimy barrel. And I loved it!
This is one top-notch experience! It is so unique and you're just in awe of how creepy it is when you're walking around the ship in the dark. The ambiance is incomparable. The story and the part you have to play really makes for a fun night. If you make it through and want more, there are season passes. Or, if you're really an adrenaline junkie, there's The Captain's Extreme Tour, one night only, on November 2nd. I sooo want to do this!!! Oh, and when you do come, assuming you make it through without joining the crew, don't forget to check out your photo at the concession area on your way out!
It's called the Mitchell Massacre, because the captain and all crew members were found dead, along with some of the clowns from the nearby carnival. Anna's remains were never found. That's the story in a nutshell, but trust me, you want to go to the website and see this for yourself. It's very informative. Then, go explore the ship! It is open for tours, Wednesday through Sunday, with Saturday tours costing slightly more. The queue moves pretty slow, because the tour is very interactive, and you really get a special experience. If you can go early in the season, or on a "school night", the lines will be shorter. There are a number of ticket options available, including fast passes and skip-the-line passes for those pressed for time. More importantly, there are RIP tickets, for a more "in-depth" tour of the ship. I highly recommend this experience for those who aren't afraid to be physically touched by the ghosts you may find during your tour. It adds a whole new level to the fun, not just because you get "handled" by ghosts, but because it adds puzzles, games, and rooms to the tour you will miss otherwise. And I think they are worth the extra money, especially if you go with a small group of friends! The crew does a good job of telling you about the ship and warning you about what may happen to you as you wait to board. Listen carefully, as they may give you some helpful advice!
Once you enter, room-by-room, you will see firsthand what happened to Captain Mitchell and his crew. The atmosphere cannot be beat. I absolutely love all the old nautical decor. Everywhere you look, it is obvious you are on an old ship. The characters and costumes are fantastic and theatrical. Standouts were the Captain, Anna, the Lady in Red, and the Bartender. You go through all the captain's quarters, Anna's rooms, the common areas, the work areas (wheel house, radio room, etc.), through the area decorated by the ghost-clown entertainers, and into the bowels of the ship, where you will find some of the horrible things dredged from the river bottom. If you do the RIP experience, the characters will grab you, caress you, separate you from your party, and menace you in a myriad of ways. The best part of this experience, is it is VERY interactive. So, there are tasks you must complete, clues to find, decisions to make, games to play, and things to eat or drink to make it through. This really adds a challenge and allows for a unique experience. You have to pay attention! You may even learn some things! I was able to complete all the tasks but one. Now, I want to go back and try again! I came out slightly damp from a blast of water to the face, I had paint on my face thanks to Anna making me into a doll, and my arm was sticky from fishing around for a key in a slimy barrel. And I loved it!
This is one top-notch experience! It is so unique and you're just in awe of how creepy it is when you're walking around the ship in the dark. The ambiance is incomparable. The story and the part you have to play really makes for a fun night. If you make it through and want more, there are season passes. Or, if you're really an adrenaline junkie, there's The Captain's Extreme Tour, one night only, on November 2nd. I sooo want to do this!!! Oh, and when you do come, assuming you make it through without joining the crew, don't forget to check out your photo at the concession area on your way out!
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More than just a Haunted Attraction!!! |
Donna - The USS Nightmare sets the mood from your first glimpse of the old, rusty boat moored at the foot of Newport on the Levy. There is nothing else in the world like the feeling you get once you are on board and facing that first dark room. Nothing can prepare you for what you will encounter in your journey through this interactive experience. The actors are allowed to touch you on your head, shoulders and grab ankles which is new this year and actually makes the experience better and more realistic. But the real stars of this haunt are the actors who are some of the best I have ever scene. They involve you in the scene and make you actually work to get your freedom and move on to the next scene. The USS Nightmare is a combination haunt and escape room with many scares and unexpected jumps thrown in to keep you sweating. It’s a great night’s entertainment and it’s definitely in a class of its own!
This one is a winner!
This one is a winner!
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Fun! |
Gayle - This is one of my favorite haunts to visit every year. The RIP Experience is fantastic, engaging, and very interactive! It combines the creepiness of a haunt with the intensity of an escape room. There were lots of scares along the way. Actors are really into character, and maintained the theme all throughout. My only critique would be having to wait for the group ahead of ours to get through their challenges before we could continue. ..so there were times we were just standing there. I think the timing could improve, but outside of that...this haunt NEVER disappoints. Love it!