General Information
What is Nightmare Realm?
Nightmare Realm is an immersive haunted attraction that focuses on a progressive storyline, allowing our guests to become a part of the story as they walk through. We are very gore oriented so we do recommend 12 and older to attend but all ages are welcome depending on their level of comfort.
Where is your haunted house located?
Nightmare Realm is located about a mile off of I-94, when taking main street North or one mile West of Van Kal.
Our address is 23492 Red Arrow HWY, Mattawan, MI 49071
When are you open this season?
Nightmare Realm is open for the 2025 season on October 4th, 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th, 24th, 25th, 30th (for Whispering Shadows Only), 31st (for The Hollowed), November 1st (for Pride and Malice and Zombies), November 14th (for Whispering Shadows Only) and November 15th (for Project Jingle Hell).
What are your hours of operation?
During the dates above tickets will be available from 7:30pm-10:30pm in 30 minute time slots.
Are you open on Halloween night?
Yes we are for our The Hollowed Event. During this event we will be doing a zombified Retribution story, that takes the immersive part of our event even further!
What are the best nights to visit if I want to avoid long lines?
Long lines tend to be inevitable during certain parts of October, no matter where you go. We utilize timed ticketing (purchasing tickets ahead of time like the movies) to minimize the amount of people that can be in a line at one time. With that being said, there are still busy nights (such as the last two weekends of October) that tend to be when lines form the most. So please join us earlier in the season and on Halloween and November 1st for the quickest lines possible.
Do you close for bad weather?
We do not close for rain or snow unless the conditions become too extreme. So if you are coming out one of those nights, please dress properly!
Is parking available? Is it free or paid?
Parking is available and is free. We have a limited amount of parking though that coincides with our timed ticketing system, so our parking attendants may ask you if you have repurchased your tickets when you arrive during busier times. If you have not and we are full at the time, there is a possibility you will be turned away until a later time block, which we will prompt you to purchase at that time.
Are there places to eat or drink nearby?
Nightmare Realm has a concession stand that offers all types of fall favorites including Hot Cider, Hot Chocolate, Coffee, Donuts, Pretzels, Pizza, candy and more.
Tickets & Pricing
How much are tickets?
Ticket prices will vary for several reasons. We have three ticket styles: General Admission which is $25 per ticket and gets you into Nightmare Realm, Front of Line which is $40 and gets you to the front of the line during the exterior queue and also to the front of the line in the tent queue as well, this does not mean immediate access but much shorter wait times, and finally a VIP pass, which is $55. The VIP gets you the same as Front of Line pass but will also get you a free VIP shirt which changes annually, and a free round of axe throwing.
These prices are for tickets that are purchased online through our website, if you purchase in person at our ticketing booth, each ticket has an additional $5 service fee. So we recommend purchasing online to save some money!
Where can I buy tickets?
We sell tickets online using card and at our ticketing booth onsite using either cash or card.
Do you offer online ticket sales?
Yes we do!
Do I need to print my online ticket, or can I show it on my phone?
You do not need to print your ticket out before you come, we can scan it off your phone. Just make sure the purchaser is available who received the email confirmation with the tickets.
Do you offer a Fast Pass or VIP option?
We offer both Front of Line ($40) and VIP ($55) options. These are great for busier nights if you don’t feel like waiting in longer lines.
Are group discounts available?
There are group discounts available which we ask that you contact us at info@MInightmare.com to discuss the pricing on the packages. We offer discount group pricing at 20 or more people.
Do you have military, student, or senior discounts?
We do have military discounts, please be ready to present your info at the door if you want the discount. Student discounts will be posted on social media when they occur.
Can I buy tickets at the door?
Yes you can!! But please be aware there is a $5 service fee on top of regular ticket prices due to labor manning the booth and the fees that come with on site ticketing.
What happens if I buy a ticket but can’t make it? Do you offer refunds?
We do have a No Refund policy but we understand many situations so we are very willing to work with you to reschedule your visit to another night if we can.
Can I reschedule my ticket for another night?
If you give us an email at info@MInightmare.com or call at (616) 920-1618 and we can attempt to reschedule your ticket. We cannot guarantee we can make it happen, but the earlier before your date you are looking to change it, the better the chances we can.
What to Expect
How scary is your haunted house?
Nightmare Realm Haunted Attractions has been designed to scare and elevate your fear senses, but we will be the first to admit, everyone has different levels of fear. We strive to make sure when you visit, no matter who you are, we will give you a terrifyingly good time.
What makes your haunted attraction different from others?
Nightmare Realm strives to do several things that sets us apart from other haunted attractions:
- We make sure to space our customers out properly so you will rarely, if ever, come across another group while walking through the town of Cypress Hollow.
- We utilize behavioral psychology to help build up tension and then release it over and over again, so that the scares come more than once throughout our attraction.
- We are an immersive haunt not only in our intricate set design and theming, but our actors have been trained to drag you kicking and screaming into the story, so that by the time you are finished you are a part of Cypress Hollow, not just a guest.
- We are a storyline based haunt. This means that when you come we will deliver a tale of Trista throughout the attraction that if you chose to follow, will really become a complete experience. If you would rather take the haunt at face value, we are also designed to be terrifying with jump scares, tons of actors, and exciting interactions. It is all up to you!
How long does it take to go through the entire attraction?
Overall it can take anywhere from 35-45 minutes to complete the full Retribution attraction. Along with the midway and extras you can do please plan out at least an hour to attend Nightmare Realm.
Can I go through more than once?
Each original ticket gets you through once but we do have a “Go Again” pass for $10 which allows you to go through an additional time. This additional entry must be done on the same night, same visit as your original purchase. You may not transfer a “Go Again” pass to other people or to other nights or times during the season.
Do the actors touch you?
During our Retribution show our actors do not touch you and you are not allowed to touch them. We may have other events that touching is involved in, but these will always be made aware to guests before they purchase their ticket.
Is the haunted house wheelchair accessible?
Nightmare Realm is proud to say that it is fully ADA Compliant and wheelchair accessible. To ensure a positive experience one of our owners or management will walk in proximity to the guests in wheelchairs to ensure they receive a full and enjoyable experience throughout the attraction.
Will I be separated from my group?
You will not be separated from the group you came with during a Retribution show, unless you ask to be. There may be moments when you are asked to use a different door which leads to a similar area, but enhances the experience for the group overall.
Is it safe for people with medical conditions like asthma or epilepsy?
We do not recommend our attraction to anyone with epilepsy due to the intense nature of our show. We have strobe lights, loud noises, intense situations and smells, all which could induce an epileptic seizure. Other medical conditions we leave to your discretion but if you have any medical condition, please ask a medical professional if it is alright to attend before coming out.
What if I get too scared and want to leave?
This happens, our job is to scare you, so we expect it to happen occasionally. If you have to leave we give you the option to wait a few minutes on the midway to see if you would like to re-enter, but if you decide you cannot, then you forfeit your ticket and your experience. We do offer a Talisman (glow stick) for $2 that wards off all of the creatures of the Realm (who are not animatronic) and gives the power to the guest wielding it. This can enhance the experience for someone who does not want to be scared the entire time while walking through.
Are strobe lights, fog machines, or loud noises used?
All of the above will be used all throughout the show and on the midway. The only section you will find without these three will be the No Scare Zone just off of the midway.
Rules & Safety
Is there an age limit or recommendation?
Because of the Gore content and intense situations we recommend 12 and older to attend but we have had kids 6 years old coming out laughing and adults 46 years coming out screaming and crying, so it all depends on the person.
Can I bring my baby or small child?
You may, but we do not recommend it. On that same note, if you bring anyone under 12, they must stay with you throughout your time at Nightmare Realm.
Can I wear a costume inside the haunted house?
We do not discourage costumes, but we will ask you to take any masks off during your entire visit at Nightmare Realm.
Are masks or face paint allowed?
Masks are not allowed at Nightmare Realm but face paint is perfectly fine.
What items are not allowed inside?
We do not allow any guns, sharp objects, larger bags or purses, flashlights, lighters, cigarettes, vapes, cameras or phones that are recording. If any of these items are seen within the attraction we will step in and ask you to leave.
Can I take pictures or record videos inside the attraction?
No pictures or recording is allowed of any show unless stated otherwise. One show that is an exception of this rule is the Project Jingle Hell show, where we allow filming and pictures to be taken throughout the entirety of the show.
What happens if someone in my group misbehaves?
If someone in the group is not following the rules given, we will step into the show and remove you from our show with no refund given. Our rules are posted everywhere for everyone to see and follow, please don’t make us be the bad guys.
Is there security on-site?
There will always be security on site, along with cameras in almost all areas of the haunt making sure that guests and employees alike are safe throughout the entirety of the show. Please understand that we are recording at all times while open and yes we do see what you are doing when you don’t think we are there.
Can I bring food or drinks inside?
Food and Drinks are not allowed within the Retribution attraction itself but on the midway and in the queue tent you may have food and non-alcoholic drinks that are purchased at the park. These will need to be thrown away before entering the attraction, finished or not.
Do you have emergency exits if needed?
Within the attraction, every building has 4 available exits, one on each wall of the building. Each door has an exit sign on the top of the wall and at the base of the wall as well for maximum efficiency when attempting to find an exit. Within the outdoor areas of the attractions, each area has at least two exits as well which have been marked for guests safety. Employees have all been trained on the proper ways to exit the attraction if any assistance is needed in an emergency.
Jobs, Auditioning, and Volunteering
How can I apply to be a scare actor?
Currently on our home page of the MInightmare.com website you can find buttons that lead you to our Employment application, our Volunteer application, and our Creature Corps application (under 16 years old). To apply to be a scare actor fill out the Employment application if you can do a full season, or the Volunteer application if you can only do parts of the season. Then make sure to come to our open house auditions on Sunday, April 13th, 2025 anytime between 9am-7pm and audition. Here we will have you work with us through several activities to see what roles within our show you may fit into.
Do I need prior acting experience to audition?
No acting experience is necessary to act at Nightmare Realm, we will train you to be prepared for the first season. It does always help though to have some experience. Either way just remember to be your weird self because everyone on this team is weird and as long as you let that show, you will find a home here.
What happens at a scare actor audition?
During an audition you fill out your paperwork, and meet a bunch of the alumni team members we have had with us for years. Then when you are called into the audition room, we have you act either by yourself or with someone else. Most of what we do are little performances that are guided by us to see your ability and creativity. We are not judging you in any way, just trying to get you to be yourself and get the right fit for you.
Do you provide costumes and makeup, or do actors bring their own?
Nightmare Realm, being a narrative based haunt, has specific characters already picked out which we help you to create a strong backstory for before you start acting in the season. Because of this our costumes are already acquired, and our makeup team is already trained to do airbrushing on all of our actors. The same goes for props and masks as well. So once you are in, we will work with you to find something that fits your character personality just right.
What other positions do you hire for this season?
For the 2025 season we will also be hiring for:
Airbrush/Prosthetic Makeup Artist – no experience necessary, auditions will be on the same day as acting auditions (4/13/2025, 9am-7pm), we will have all the equipment for try outs.
Sliders – no experience necessary but you need to be very physical for this role, auditions will be on the same day as acting auditions (4/13/2025, 9am-7pm), we have sliding gear for you to test out
Stilt Walkers – no experience necessary but you need to be very physical for this role, auditions will be on the same day as acting auditions (4/13/2025, 9am-7pm), we have stilt gear for you to test out
Parking and Ticketing roles – We will be interviewing for these positions on the Open House audition day (4/13/2025, 9am-7pm) as well.
Are job positions paid, or is it volunteer-based?
We have both, it all depends on what kind of time you can invest in the haunt. If you can only work a couple days out of our 12 day season, it is best to volunteer and try it out to make sure you enjoy it. That way the year after you are already a part of the Nightmare Realm family and if you want to work more we can hire you. If you can work the season, then we can hire you into whatever role fits you best. We pride ourselves on having most of our acting and hospitality staff on payroll, because when you put that much effort into something, you deserve to be compensated for it.
How old do I need to be to work at your haunted house?
We hire actors, sliders, stilt walkers, makeup artists, ticketing and hospitality at 16 years and above. Any age below that we ask that you would look into our Creature Corps team, which is a street team that works with your local schools in passing out flyers, putting up posters and posting social media stories to draw attention to the Nightmare Realm brand.
Do you offer internships or community service hours?
We have certain nights like our Pride Nights, or Project Jingle Hell where we donate a portion of our proceeds to charity. One these nights we would love to have people come for community services hours. As for internships we do not have a program set up yet but it is something we may look into in the future.
What are the expectations for employees?
There are many expectations for employees that will all be discussed upon hiring. The most umbrella expectation though… Be the Best you can be. Yeah we know it is already taken, but honestly if you try your hardest, are open to feedback and treat others with kindness and like a family, you will fit in real well here.
How do I get notified about upcoming auditions or job openings?
Fill out an application and SHOW UP TO AUDITIONS! A lot of people don’t come to auditions and expect us to follow up. You have to be proactive. And when you come out, BE YOURSELF! We know your brain is telling you to run and hide, but we just want to see the real you, and this is your chance to be that, we are all weird and at Nightmare Realm that is encouraged!