Haunted Attraction Network

Here is a summary of this week's news: California's Great America & ValleyFair are transitioning away from scary for Halloween into family-friendly events; Halloween Club's 9th Annual Spook Show returns to La Mirada, CA September 24th; ScareCon will take place May 9th - 11th at Thorpe Park Resort; Tickets are still available for TransWorld's Halloween & Attractions Show's City Museum Party and The Vampire Circus events; The next TransWorld Live takes place March 4th at 8:00 p.m. CST and features Distortions Unlimited, Midnight Mayhem, and Acme Solutions Group; This Thursday's 5:00 p.m. PST Fear Expo Haunt Master Class is a Vendor Spotlight with Emily Bloom of Bloom FX; Zombie Joe's Underground Theatre Group kicks off their 30th season March 11th - 13th with Blood Alley Haunt; Scream Dreams Haunted Attraction comes to Thomasville, NC for the 2022 Halloween season; Fear on the Farm hosted a successful Zombie Prom event; The creators of Hush Haunted Attraction are set to open "The Legendary Axe" axe throwing bar March 12th; Hall of Horrors' Valentine's Day haunt was featured on ABC Columbia news; Take a tour through the Wicker Manor home haunt via a 4K Youtube video; Hush Haunted Attraction discusses how they transform their haunt for Valentine's Day; Fear Overload and Ultimate Terror Scream Park differentiate themselves from other haunts in their respective markets; Immortal Masks will lauch 3 new product lines for TransWorld's Halloween & Attractions Show; Froggy's Fog offers free shipping with discount code; Pale Night Productions offers a limited-time discount on all Perma-Product orders with free pickup at TransWorld's Halloween & Attractions Show. Read more: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/haunt-industry-news-feb-28

Coming up, why should you consider opening for an off-season event? Christmas, Valentine's Day, and even Halfway to Halloween – more and more haunts are opening outside of the traditional Halloween Season. We’ve heard plenty of examples here on the show. Today, Scott Swenson will walk us through his list of 4 reasons: additional revenue, utilizing assets, expanding your audience, and building loyalty. This is a preview of the first part of Scott’s upcoming seminar at Transworld “Turning the Page from Halloween to Christmas” (https://registration.haashow.com/events/show/hs17). Subscribe our newsletter: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Today, we’re discussing ways the industry will change from the Russia Invasion, the Galactic Starcruiser, the Harry Potter Exhibition, Peppa the Pig, and the new Attack on Titan Exhibition. Subscribe our newsletter: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

From mini-golf props to animatronic characters, and special effects to roller coaster theming Creative Visions (https://creativevisionsonline.com/) has been providing theming to a wide range of clients for nearly 30 years. Coming up, Mark McDonough, President of Creative Visions, joins us to discuss two topics: ordering timelines under the current supply chain issues and the future of smaller entertainment facilities. Support for this episode comes from Gantom Lighting & Controls; See what you’re missing with a free demo (https://gantom.com/demo). Subscribe to our newsletter: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Coming up, will latex cost more this season? Plus - Why creating icon characters might be worth the cost. Today, Joe Glenn owner of Zombie Skin FX (https://zombie-skin.com/) gives his take on trends in latex Makeup. Zombie-Skin is the only cosmetic-grade ammonia-free latex on the market. This is our vendor showcase series in partnership with the Haunted Attraction Association. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Started in 2005, Pale Night Productions (https://www.palenightproductions.com/) is a special effects studio serving the haunted attraction, amusement, and escape room industries. Pale Night is particularly known for their PERMA-Blood, which they’ve been perfecting since they opened. Coming up – we’ll hear about their new escape game product and the trend they see in haunts limiting their reliance on staff. This is our vendor showcase series in partnership with the Haunted Attraction Association. This interview features Pale Night President Kip Polley. Find Pale Night Productions at Transworld in booth 417 this year, and take advantage of their pre-sale on all Perma Products. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Haunters Against Hate is a nonprofit that donates to LGBT youth organizations across the country. They raise funds from the sale of merchandise, the Book of Haunters, and most recently – events. Coming up, we’ll learn more about the latest Book of Haunters and this year’s Haunters Against Hate the Event. This is our vendor showcase series, in partnership with the Haunted Attraction Association. This interview features Paul Lanner, the creator of Haunters Against Hate. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

New dates announced for the Midwest Haunters Convention; This week's Fear Expo Haunt Master Class is "Vendor Spotlight with David Quinn from Monsters Alive"; Monday's Transworld Live features Gore Galore and FrightProps warehouse tours; The Haunted Attraction Association is accepting vendor donations for their annual auction; The San Francisco Dungeon has permanently closed; Raven's Manor presents "My Bloody Valentine - Till Death Do You Part", an interactive murder mystery; Scarefest returns to Alton Towers this October with a new maze; Spirit Halloween raised over $50K for Covenant Children's Hospital; Creating custom family-friendly events with Jack o' Lantern Journey; Bobby Wiener of Bloody Mary talks Transworld and HAA contributions; Stranger Things Season 4 will premiere May 27th; Spring Haunt Events. Read more: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/haunt-industry-news-feb-21

Over the last 5 years, Haunt Shirts has grown from a haunter-driven shirt company to a Halloween apparel company, one that might just be releasing beach wear next month. It’s been about 4 years since James and Melissa have been on the show, and a lot has changed. In this episode, we’ll hear about the company’s evolution and what they have planned this year. This is part of our vendor showcase series, in partnership with the Haunted Attraction Association. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

While Disney continues to build walls around experiences with ‘Storyliving by Disney,’ attractions across the world are tearing them down by inviting guests to engage in cultural festivals. This week we touch on: Storyliving, Lost Spirits Distillery, St Patrick’s at Busch Gardens, Mardi Gras at Seaworld, The Batman Season in Abu Dhabi, and Cool Japan at Universal Osaka.

Insurance has been tricky for haunted attractions. Many places are unsure how to classify haunted attractions, and others don’t reward haunts for following safety practices. Granite Insurance is hoping to offer a solution for the industry. Using an advisory board of haunters, they hope to offer incentives for safety practices and eventually streamline the process through an online portal. Coming up, we’ll learn more about how haunts can ensure they’re getting the best coverage. This episode is part of our vendor showcase series, in partnership with the haunted attraction association. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

2021 was one of the busiest years ever for Midnight Syndicate. Beyond releasing their new Bloodlines album, they also branched out by releasing videos and music from their live shows at Cedar Point. And let’s not forget the custom music they made for Universal Studios Orlando Halloween Horror Nights 30th. Coming up, we’ll learn more about each of these and the evolution of Midnight Syndicate over the past 25 years. Music in this episode is courtesy of Midnight Syndicate. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

My Deceased Valentine returns to Lexington South Carolina this weekend. As we mentioned yesterday- Valentine’s Day is over, but there are still haunts around the country open this weekend. Yesterday we shared a haunt that created an entirely different low-capacity event for valentines, but many haunts offer layovers instead. That’s the case with Deceased Farm. Deceased Farm in Lexington South Carolina opened last weekend but will open again this weekend for their “My Deceased Valentine” event. That’s four whole nights! Here’s Blanchard Williams to give us the details. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Valentine’s Day is over, but there are still haunts around the country celebrating spooky romance this coming holiday weekend. One of those haunts is Dark Castle in Elgin South Carolina, and they have one of the most unique off-season experiences we’ve seen. Dark Castle’s My Bloody Valentine puts couples through a 2-hour zombie survival scenario. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

This week: Celebrate Halfway to Halloween at the Spooky Swap Meet in L.A. April 30 - May 1; Casino Night returns to Transworld's Halloween & Attraction Show; The Haunt in Atascadero discusses their Valentine's Day event and actor retention throughout the year; the staff of House of Four Scythes Haunted Attraction judged a high school poster art competition; The Endless Night Vampire Ball returns to Los Angeles February 20th; Camelot Rises reopens after opening weekend power outage; Idaho Halloween & Horror Convention announces exhibitor list; Immortal Masks, Project Backfire Design & Creations, and Froggy's Fog will be featured on TransWorld Live on February 15th at 5pm CST; The next Haunters Toolbox Masterclass is scheduled for Wednesday, February 16th at 7pm CST and will feature Cynthia MacDonald of Zombie Farms; Fear Expo Live presents "Tradeshow Selling & Presenting, The Secret to Yes" by Doug Shelden February 17th at 5pm PST; Phil Raybourn discusses using fear year-round in "Fear Factors: Creating Terrifyingly Brilliant Guest Experiences"; Scott Swenson discusses the benefits of joining haunt associations & groups; Holiday World announces new nighttime show featuring Halloween; Mycotoo is hiring for NYC's Stranger Things Experience; Froggy's Fog announces new scent boxes for 2022; VFXcreates is launching a new line of family-friendly puppets; Disney+ announces new Goosebumps series; Haunted Attractions Network has launched two new industry resource pages featuring trade shows and haunted attraction associations & groups. Read more: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/haunt-industry-news-feb-15

For over 30 years, Mt. Healthy Haunted Hall in mount healthy Ohio (http://www.hauntedhallinfo.com/index.htm) has been raising funds for charity. Last year alone they collected 3,172 pounds of canned goods for the Mt. Healthy Food Alliance. Maximus went on-location to speak with the team there. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Disney continues to build higher walls around their properties. This week we discuss takeaways from the latest earnings call and compare that to Bob Chapek’s 2022 Goals. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Fear Overload in the bay area and Ultimate Terror Scream Park in the Sacramento area are both owned by the same brothers. And while these two northern California area haunts seem similar, they have vastly different approaches. Coming up, we’ll hear how two attractions in overlapping markets differentiate. Fear Overload is open for their Valentine's Day event on February 11, 12, and 14, 2022; that makes this the perfect time to learn about the attraction. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Hush Haunted Attraction in Westland Michigan opens TONIGHT for their Valentine Haunt (https://valentinehauntdetroit.com/). It’s valentine’s day weekend and there are over 50 haunts all over the country opening this weekend to celebrate. Some haunts are reopening with their normal show (see our Feb 5th Show). Others, like Hush Haunted Attraction, are adding entirely new scenes and characters to celebrate. We’ll find out why that’s important in this interview with owner Cody Bailey. See what you’re missing with a free demo (https://gantom.com/demo). Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork