Haunted Attraction Network

In celebration of the event's 30th anniversary, Jack the Clown is returning to Orlando's Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights. The iconic character will be featured throughout the event - from the streets to the haunted houses and more. Visitors will also be able to get a closer look at Jack's past HHN appearances at a limited-time "Jack'd Up" experience, which will take place at Universal's...

The Dent Schoolhouse in Cincinnati Ohio is celebrating their 25th anniversary this Halloween. But after pivoting to open during the pandemic, the team is busy deciding what’s going to go and what’s going to stay. These are the conversations happening all around the country as haunts begin auditioning, and they’re big decisions even without a 25th anniversary. Lucky for you, we have an insider at t...

Haunted Calgary has launched a creative service to celebrate Father's Day, "Creepy Character Deliveries". Surprise your dad with a signature Haunted Calgary creepy character delivering a gift directly to his front door. Packages range from $50 - $100 - with a basic package offering a dozen donuts, a card, and a "disturbing diddy" sung by a scareactor. With the VIP package, your creepy character wi...

Quick Hits, a roundup of some of the new experiences catching our attention, and a discussion on app extensions. Stories: Spain reopens borders to vaccinated tourists; Walt Disney World makes masks optional for guests effective June 15; Fantawild opens new Glorious Orient park in Ganzhou; Cedar Point opens Snake River Expedition; Hasbro unveils new Monopoly experience set to open in London; Musion...

The Haunted Attraction Association Online Auction kicks off on Wednesday, June 9th. Like the annual in-person auction at Transworld's Halloween & Attractions show, this online auction will feature a variety of fantastic products from HAA preferred vendors. The auction will raise money for the HAA to provide members with an array of benefits. The next Haunt Master Masterclass is “Music, Sound, & St...

Scott is joined by special guest Spencer Terry, the president of the Haunted Attraction Association, to discuss the changes planned for the HAA in the future.

This week is full of updates from around the world. The EEOC gave guidance for mandating vaccines, while Universal Orlando became the first theme park to make masks voluntary for all guests. Seaworld Orlando enters into Universal’s territory with a new Halloween event; is allowing 100% ownership by foreign investment; Butterbeer is coming to New York; The Studio Tour in Tokyo is under construction...

Every year the Haunted Attraction Association (HAA) gives a state of the industry presentation. This year however, was a little different (and not just because of the pandemic). Before this year’s presentation, the incoming leadership team sent out a survey. The results revealed some issues. “Overall, how would you rate the HAA and how we're supporting the industry right now? Low is 1 and 4 is hig...

Disney is reopening to out of state guests in California and Universal Orlando Resort is raising wages to compete on staffing. Companies are betting on the future of in-person experiences, but meanwhile media companies are trying to consolidate to combat Disney +. But what’s the big deal? IP is critical because it has extendibility. This week we summarize the state of media consolidation and discu...

This Fall Great Pumpkin LumiNights will take place at Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta, Georgia. 2021 has proved to be the park's biggest opening season yet, and with its success, park officials have decided to add the new Halloween event. Great Pumpkin LumiNights will feature "larger-than-life" pumpkin sculptures throughout the park. The event has already been implemented in the company's s...

Part 2 of our Transworld Halloween & Attraction Show interviews. Featured in this show: Graphitti FX, Psychotic Circus of Savannah, Demski Creations, ScareIT Badges, and Swag Smart.

Maximus Bryant does all the work on this one! Max gets some of the show vendors, actors, and creators on this podcast from the Transworld Halloween & Attractions Show. He chats with: John Moran from Brimstone Haunt Creature Corps Mask-R-Aid Polaris BreachFX Mia Demaree from Grim Trails Fred Hearn from Hell's Dungeon Franken Fab Paul from Haunter's Against Hate Dead Rabbit Studios

The CDC has released new guidelines for fully-vaccinated individuals. Fully-vaccinated people can "resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance". The 2021 SCAR Awards have been announced. Winners include Creepy Caves Resurgence a...

Since we have just passed the "Halfway to Halloween" mark for the 2021 season, Scott wanted to share some thoughts about time management. By working "time smart", your event won't creep up on you.

This week, we’re circling back to cover updates on some big topics from previous shows. The EU is reopening to international travel, staffing struggles have escalated, and Disney doubles down on demand bets by raising prices. Stories covered: The EU Reopens; Cedar Point to pay $20/hour; Disney Cruise Line Releases Pricing for the Inaugural Season of the Wish; Hong Kong Disneyland has posted its wo...

We talk a lot about the haunt community and how important it is. For many haunters, the largest community gathering is the Halloween and Attractions Show in St Louis. But- it’s tough to describe this show to you. Instead, we are taking you inside the perspective of three different attendees. Three days in St Louis told via audio diary from three quite different attendees – a first timer, a first-t...

Scott shares his experience at the TransWorld Halloween, Christmas and Escape Room shows in St. Louis. This episode includes interviews with Scott's friends Matt Scott from Von Grimm Productions, Phil Raybourn with Raybourn Creative and Brian Foreman with Scareit Badges (and, of course, Haunt Topic Radio).

Attendee registration is now available for the Midwest Haunters Convention. This event is open to the public. All haunters and Halloween enthusiasts are welcome to attend this annual convention that features classes, haunt tours, exhibitors, and networking opportunities. This year's event will take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 25th - 27th, 2021. Although Le Manoir de Paris had to temporar...

This week’s major news is – of course – the CDC announcement that fully vaccinated Americans can stop wearing masks and maintaining social distance in most settings — both indoors and outdoors. While this is great news for attractions, it’s going to take some adjusting with your team. We discuss the Disney/Universal response and how you should open the dialogue at your attraction. Plus – as demand...

We’re past halfway to Halloween and that means many haunts are finished design and entering build. But before you begin, have you avoided the common design flaws? Today Leonard Pickel from Hauntrepreneurs walks you through the top common haunt design flaws. Leonard is a legend in the haunted attraction space, and with his background in architecture has been designing haunts for over 40 years. This...

Seasonal events have always been used to encourage FOMO and drive attendance – and they work. Despite the staffing concerns we discussed last week, attractions are pushing Fall 2021 for all they’re worth. Attractions, restaurants, and streaming services are jumping on the Halfway to Halloween bandwagon – and you should too! This is the perfect time to begin pre-sales and get audiences a preview of...

Florida's Orange Country announced "all settings" - including theme parks - are allowed to move forward with reducing the required social distancing from six feet to three feet. This new guideline will allow for increased capacities in parks and attractions. Cedar Point, Kings Island, and Cedar Fair parks have released updated COVID-19 protocols as they prepare to reopen this month. Many of the pa...

Today we’re highlighting a show in the Dallas region. The Texas Haunters Convention is coming July 17th - 18th to the Mesquite Convention Center. Culley & Brandon join the show to discuss the offerings. Find out more about the show here: https://www.texashauntersconvention.com/ Support for the haunted attraction network comes from Gantom Lighting and Controls. Gantom Illuminates attractions worldw...

Fall is coming and as attractions ramp up, some are scrambling to find employees. We discuss why that is, how attractions are adding incentives, and what training will look like in the new normal. Stories Covered: Genting SkyWorlds in Malaysia seeks 1,500 new workers; Great Wolf Resorts has almost 2,000 job openings available at 16 of its locations; 900 jobs available at Pennsylvania parks for 202...

Haunt Industry News: The West Coast Haunters VIRTUAL Convention Recap, HAA Announcements, an update on social distancing, and the 6 Types of Screams Signup for our weekly newsletter at hauntedattractionnetwork.com Support for the haunted attraction network comes from Gantom Lighting & Controls. Talk with a Gantom Designer and test out their new fixtures for FREE at: www.gantom.com/demo