Sweet DreamZ Haunted House is Back for Its Second Year

When I saw a Facebook post alerting viewers to a new haunt close by, I knew I had a plan for Friday night. Sweet DreamZ Haunted House is open for its second year at 16125 AL Hwy 69, Joppa, Alabama.

Tickets the night I attended were General Admission $18 and Contact add-on for an additional $3. The add-on uses a glowstick bracelet to mark the guest as a target for a little more attention.

As I approached the ticket window, located just inside the haunt entrance, several actors emerged to chivy the customers along. Beetlejuice was especially outgoing and manic, combining a friendly attitude with disturbing patter. Trixie and Envy prowled the line and space just outside the entrance, remaining aloof and mysterious while helping guests make up their minds or find the ticket window.

Once inside Sweet DreamZ, guests gathered in a semi-circle around a presentation hosted by Beetlejuice and Trixie. No spoilers for this, but haunt owner Gregg was excited to discuss it, and other props and scenes he’s designed, after the tour. After the opening act, guests enter the maze in small groups, first hearing a presentation of the rules in front of another ghastly, Gregg designed, prop. Trixie provided additional voiceover to make sure guests understood the rules.

What followed was about 25 encounters with a wide variety of actors. Cleverly concealed jump scares often morphed into longer interactions. Turns into dead ends with an actor in front of the group and the exit behind would reverse the group order, much to the dismay, or pretend dismay, of the folks who claimed they did not want to go first.

Sweet DreamZ is actor driven, and those actors are well-costumed, masked, or made up. With only a little direction, Envy and Trixie provide the make up skills. The settings use decoration and props to define their space and provide some context for the scene, but actors are just as likely to emerge from a hide as they are to emerge from a setting. We encountered a scary child, Jason, and at least one dark spectre this way. A really good jump scare showed us that chains are no bar to a good fright.

The contact, for guests wearing the glowstick bracelet, consisted mainly of grabs on the shoulders and arms, and extra attention from the chainsaw operators. Don’t be too surprised if a small actor or two swats and grabs from closer to the floor, along with a stream of menacing chatter.

The haunt is fully contained within a modern metal sided building, and makes excellent use of the large space. There is one spot where guests are encouraged to crawl a short distance on a knee-friendly padded surface. Don’t let this put you off! There is a pass around for guests who are unable or unwilling.

After being chased out the exit by a chainsaw wielding scarecrow, I encountered a chainsaw wielding clown at the entry, helping to hurry guests along.

I returned to the ticket window to ask a few questions and was soon introduced to haunt owner Gregg. My few questions turned into a protracted interview and he generously shared his time on a busy Friday night.

Gregg is a veteran performer and artist, with over 20 years of experience as an actor, stuntman, and instructor. He rediscovered haunted attractions when a friend convinced him to take a job at the haunted production at Six Flags in Chicago. After that, he ran a hobby haunt for a few years, experimenting with prop, setting, and mask design before moving to Alabama and taking the plunge into a larger haunt. He has plenty of ideas and plans additional props, animatronics, and some stunt based scenes for the actors.

Considering what’s in store, I think we should stay tuned.

For more information about Sweet DreamZ Haunted House, checkout their Facebook page and their website. For information about similar events, check out our Event Calendar.

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