Sweet Dreams Scare House – Full Review

Sweet Dreams Scare House is a Haunted Attraction located in Easley, SC.

250 Saco Lowell Road, Easley, SC 29640
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Haunt Type(s):

Links:

Contact:

Features:

Free Parking, Restrooms/Porta Potties On-Site, Food/Concessions, Gift Shop/Souvenirs, “Old-School” (Low Tech), You may be touched, Original Characters, Uncovered Outdoor Waiting Line, All-Outdoor Attraction

This attraction was reviewed on September 25, 2021 by Team Jefferson Starship.

Final Scores:

(15% of Final Score) Cast: 8.77

(15% of Final Score) Costuming: 8.63

(10% of Final Score) Customer Service: 9.43

(10% of Final Score) Atmosphere: 8.9

(15% of Final Score) Special Effects: 8.71

(5% of Final Score) Theme:

(15% of Final Score) Scare Factor: 8.55

(5% of Final Score) Entertainment & Value: 8.94

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Our second haunt of the season was the incredible Sweet Dreams Scare House (SDSH). SDSH is a walking trail curving in on itself and its visitors’ nightmares. In many ways, SDSH is a smaller, old-school haunted attraction; however, this haunt is a growing presence, expanding year after year.

Sweet Dreams offers two slightly different shows ‘ a standard experience and a more intense, full-contact show. We opted, as always, for the full-contact experience (though one of our members wasn’t tagged for the R-rated show because of a bad knee), and we are extremely glad we did! The standard show is still a great experience, full of jump scares, creepy sights, and old-school haunt tropes. The full-contact version of the show, however, is full of adult humor, creepy insinuating comments, and hands-on action as the various monsters grab, push, shove, and manhandle the guests.

Before the show begins, guests can experience the Compound ‘ an extended part of the waiting area filled with several costumed actors, photo-ops, and more. The exterior and waiting area are also staffed with a fire-eater and, on some nights, a group of suspension artists.

We thoroughly enjoyed our evening at SDSH. So much so that we went through twice!

Cast Scores (15% of Final Score):

(20% of Cast Score) Did it seem like there were enough actors?: 7.5

(30% of Cast Score) How creative, believable and convincing were the actors?: 9.1

(20% of Cast Score) How interactive were the actors (verbally and physically)?: 9.5

(15% of Cast Score) How creatively & appropriately did they use dialogue?: 8.8

(15% of Cast Score) Was there a good variety of characters?: 8.8

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There are over fifty costumed actors haunting the forested hills of SDSH. These scores of monsters all maintain their character, overwhelmingly interactive with a lot of creative banter and responses. No matter how we reacted to their initial appearances and sinister quips, the various monsters and moonshiners, meth heads, and clowns all had more to say than just boilerplate one-liners. Even monsters that didn’t exactly speak seemed like they had just the right thing to say.

Guests for the R-rated show should expect some coarse language, cutting insults, and more than a little innuendo. We also experienced a fair bit of physical interaction as well ‘ being shoved into pig pens or locked into a fridge, being hugged tightly or pulled rapidly along. While those aspects would be absent for guests who opt for the standard show, the actors all seem versatile enough to deliver an outstanding show.

We enjoyed our time with the chatty bird, the plague doctor, the alien investigator, and all the clowns.

We’d like to take an aside here to point out a missing cast member who is still with the haunt. Sweet Dreams has memorialized one of their former actors by showcasing his costume in a case in the gift shop as well as a looped video recording in his old scene. There’s not a lot of explanation on site, but we wanted to give a shout out to the missing Voodoo King, long may his memory reign.

Costuming Scores (15% of Final Score):

(15% of Costuming Score) How complete / finished did the costumes appear to be?: 8.9

(25% of Costuming Score) How creative / detailed were the costumes?: 8.9

(20% of Costuming Score) Was their makeup creative? Detailed? Realistic?: 8.2

(15% of Costuming Score) How effectively did they use masks (if used)?: 8.7

(25% of Costuming Score) How appropriate were the costumes for their scene/s & theme/s?: 8.5

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From footwear to crowning-crests of corn, every inch of the SDSH cast is costumed and decorated. All of these fit the actors inside as well as the scenes in which they were located. While some of the costumes were less detailed than others, all of them took a creative approach and were appropriate for their respective locations. A lot of attention was paid to actors’ makeup, even those who were wearing masks.

Perhaps it was the onset of cooler weather, perhaps it was the skill of the makeup artists at SDSH, but the makeup on display during our visit was very well done.

Customer Service Scores (10% of Final Score):

(25% of CS Score) How easy was it to locate the attraction, park, and navigate the premises?: 9.5

(30% of CS Score) How safe was the attraction?: 8.5

(25% of CS Score) How professional, helpful and friendly were the staff members?: 10

(20% of CS Score) How easy was it to find their information before* arrival?: 10

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From the staff waving visitor vehicles in past the roadside lights to the glowing lights of the various internal stops in the haunt (Tickets, Merch, and Food), we found it easy to find ourselves around the expansive parking lot. Guests are encouraged to wear appropriate footwear and clothing ‘ not only just because this is an outdoor walking trail, but if choosing the extreme show, guests can expect to likely find themselves up close and personal with the ground, the insides of containers, or being carried around by various filthy creatures of the woods. Securing loose articles (like eyeglasses or phones) as well as making sure that you’re not wearing anything that is going to get caught on loose branches or fingers.

The support staff at SDSH were a welcoming group; everyone we talked to and interacted with was professional, friendly, and helpful.

Atmosphere Scores (10% of Final Score):

(60% of Atmosphere Score) How obvious was it that you were at a haunted house before entering?: 8.9

(40% of Atmosphere Score) How well did the atmosphere prepare you for what you experienced inside?: 8.9

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In truth, there are two areas before guests enter the trail of SDSH. The parking lot area may not scream haunt right away, but while we hung around outside, we got to hear screams come over the hill, and watch a chainsaw-wielding clown chase other guests from the exit out into the lot. Too, the resident half-blind fire-eater keeps folks entertained from the stage in front of the ticket window. We spent a half-hour or more trading witty banter with the fire-eater while he put on a fiery show.

Beyond this area is the gate to the Compound ‘ a sprawling area that winds a trail towards the true entrance, but is inhabited by several different entertaining folks. The Compound gives guests a solid glimpse at a few of the scenes and areas along the trail ‘ monsters, clowns, and other creepily-themed individuals dwell here to provide scares to those waiting, photo ops, and the like. Two of our crew even had their hair done by the clowns of the Compound.

It is in the Compound that the suspension act performs during the nights that they are on site. They weren’t performing the night we visited, but if you check with SDSH’s social media feeds, you’ll be sure to know when this additional act is present.

Special Effects Scores (15% of Final Score):

(20% of SFX Score) How effective were the sound effects?: 8.6

(20% of SFX Score) How creative / original were the scenes & props?: 9.7

(20% of SFX Score) How well were the scenes detailed?: 9.7

(25% of SFX Score) How well did they achieve & maintain the suspension of disbelief?: 8.3

(15% of SFX Score) How effective were the SFX at providing scares / entertainment?: 8.2

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Sweet Dreams, as mentioned, is an old-school haunt. Scares are driven by the scenes built up around the trail as well as anything that the actors can do. A great deal of detail surrounded us in each of the scenes. Though there is little d������cor overhead or underfoot, there were some scenes ‘ such as the entrance to the swamps where we walked across a wooden boardwalk over a fetid swamp ‘ that did provide some additional d������cor.

There is less sound bleed than one would expect from an outdoor trail. While we could occasionally hear the screams of other guests or the roar of a chainsaw from up ahead, most of the scenes were a complete surprise. Whether it’s choking fog, or an actor wrapping an arm around a neck, SDSH was an immersive and entertaining evening.

Theme Scores (5% of Final Score):

(30% of Theme Score) Could you tell what the theme was?:

(50% of Theme Score) How well was the theme carried throughout the attraction/s?:

(20% of Theme Score) How well does their location authenticate the theme?:

This score is left “N/A” when we believe the haunt is trying to target a random variety of themes or phobias, rather than a single overarching “Theme” or “storyline.”

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This year SDSH didn’t have a single unifying theme to the haunt as a whole. However, each of the various sections of the haunt is self-contained and complete in its own right. Some of them are small ‘ was that an illegal moonshine still or just a neighbor of the haunt ‘ and some of them are expansive ‘ the swamps and bayou were great fun ‘ but all of them did a great job of entertaining us.

Scare Factor Scores (15% of Final Score):

(30% of Scare Factor Score) How scary was it?: 8.5

(15% of Scare Factor Score) How well did they provide scares to the entire group?: 8.9

(25% of Scare Factor Score) How predictable were the scares?: 8.1

(15% of Scare Factor Score) How well did they provide a wide variety of scares?: 8.7

(15% of Scare Factor Score) How strong was the ending / finale?: 8.9

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Each of the different sections of SDSH’s trail provides its style of fear (and scares). While there are a lot of sudden jumps scares from monstrous actors appearing out of nowhere, other scenes build up suspense, or have looming creepy inhabitants, or play off of different movie tropes to introduce an element of fear.

The actors did a good job of spreading the scares around to our entire group, making sure that even if they leaped from the shadows to scare the front of our little line, they still had some intimidating lines for the folks in the back. More than once we had to pause briefly along the trail to wait for one of our group to be released from the clutches and attention of the creatures along the way.

Despite going through the haunt twice in one night, there were still times when the monsters were able to scare at least one of us in several different scenes even on the second trip.

Entertainment & Value Factor Scores (15% of Final Score):

(30% of E&V Score) How satisfied were you with the entertainment received during the main attraction/s?: 9.3

(25% of E&V Score) How satisfied were you with the entertainment that’s available with* the ticket price, excluding the main attraction/s?: 8.5

(30% of E&V Score) How appropriate is/are the ticket price/s?: 9

(15% of E&V Score) Have they effectively used their available space?: 8.8

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Each of our trips through SDSH took over 30 minutes. Our quickest time through was 33 minutes and the longest was 35. Given that the cost of general admission is only $25 (30 for the extreme show), that is a lot of value for the money. We spent a couple of hours just enjoying the atmosphere and entertainment of Sweet Dreams Scare House. SDSH is affordable enough for families to spend an evening roaming around the Compound and walking the trail, enjoying a meal, and shopping for souvenirs.

How Did We Get These Scores

Promo Images:

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Guest Reviews
Guest Average: 9.69 out of 10

Tamara Boysworth – 10/10 – November 2, 2019
Absolutely terrifying being able to be pulled, pushed, and scared during the rated R pass. I never …show more thought that I could have such an amazing time at a haunted attraction!!!

John G Townsend – 10/10 – October 6, 2018
Absolutely Excellent from the management down.

Karen – 10/10 – September 28, 2018
Have not been to one in many years. I have to say this one was excellent haunted trail. You will …show more differently have the best scare of your life wither if you do the rusted R version or not. Diffently a must see attraction if you want to be scared.

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Past Awards

2022 Awards

Best Touch Haunt Crew (Given by: Team Jefferson Starship)

Punk Clown (Given by: Team Jefferson Starship)

2019 Awards

Creepiest Vocals - The Lullaby Siren (Given by: Team Jefferson Starship)

Hardest Haunt to Escape Alive (Given by: Team Jefferson Starship)

Most Interactive Haunt (Given by: Team Jefferson Starship)

2018 Awards

Best Theme Introduction - Bedroom Escape (Given by: Team Jefferson Starship)

Scariest Creature - Sweet Dreams Suspension Team (Cyanide Suspension) (Given by: Team Jefferson Starship)

Most Intense Characters (Given by: Team Jefferson Starship)

Most Intimidating Chainsaw Attacker (Given by: Team Jefferson Starship)

Best Use of Space (Given by: Team Jefferson Starship)

Best F*cking Mattress (Given by: Team Jefferson Starship)

Highest Rated Haunt in South Carolina (Given by: Team Jefferson Starship)

Actor Shout Out - Abigail (Little girl looking for doll) (Given by: Team Jefferson Starship)

Actor Shout Out - Mattress Keeper (Given by: Team Jefferson Starship)

Actor Shout Out - Mother Missing Child (Given by: Team Jefferson Starship)

Actor Shout Out - Untrustworthy Clown (Given by: Team Jefferson Starship)