Haunted Attraction Network

Stories this week: NBCUniversal CEO shares more details of new Epic Universe; Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee says quarantine-free travel to mainland China next year ‘very realistic possibility’; Ocean Park posts deficit of almost HK$1.82 billion; Minion Land featuring Villain-Con Minion Blast attraction and Minion Café coming to Universal Orlando; and Dubai Parks and Resorts in UAE celebrates holiday season

This is the 2022 Halloween Special from HaunTopic Radio. In it, Lesley Bannatyne shares some spooky tales about October traditions, the beginning of Halloween, and the evolution of haunted attractions. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

VFX specializes in interactive and wearable puppets, props, and electronics. Today, we’ll hear about some of their new toys from owner Patrick Voss. This interview was recorded during the IAAPA Expo on the show floor. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Glenwood Springs CO was home to the Haunted Mine Drop. Built on the side of a mountain, the ride drops you 120’ under the ground. The ride has been closed since a guest died on the attraction in September 2021. But now, Creative Visions is retheming the entire ride and the park plans to reopen it. Today we’ll hear a preview from Mark McDonough, Founder of Creative Visions, on what the new ride will be like. This interview was recorded during the IAAPA Expo on the show floor. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Inside the Box Productions announces SLEEPWALKR: an immersive 360-degree audio experience; Netherworld Haunted House will host a Lights On Tour on December 10th; Niles Scream Park raised over $134,000 for area charities in their 49th season; Transworld's Halloween & Attractions Show debuts the 2023 t-shirt design from Sinister Visions; Updated Holiday Haunt List

We explore a series of stories that illustrate how, despite how it feels, things are proceeding according to plan: The Grinchmas heart is growing at Universal Studios Hollywood; Hong Kong Disneyland begins a ‘new Christmas tradition’ with concert series; Great Movie Escape room at Universal CityWalk opening next week, tickets available; IAAPA report expects spending boost on Middle East parks; PortAventura World announces world’s first ‘Uncharted’ coaster

Hear from 6 different haunts about the challenges they faced this season. This episode is courtesy of HaunTopic Radio and features a Haunter’s Toolbox Masterclass Recording; if you want to join future sessions, head over to haunterstoolbox.com. Featured in this episode: Terror Isle, Deadmonton Haunted House, Grey House Haunts, Country Dream Farms, Dead Factory, and Haunted Hallows. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Nightmare on Edgewood in Indianapolis, Indiana, is a large indoor facility with three haunted attractions. They were awarded both the Highest Rated Haunt in Indiana & Scariest Haunt in Indiana this year by The Scare Factor. Despite all that, they faced a few challenges this year which we will explore in today’s show with Kevin Cook. If you’re bummed about not catching the show this year, Nightmare on Edgewood will open Dec 10th and 17th for their Holliday show. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Season's Screamings takes place at the Pasadena Convention Center this weekend; Transworld's Halloween & Attractions Show announces their events lineup for 2023; The Scare Factor presents their 2022 Haunt Awards; Submissions now open for the 2022 Home Haunter Awards Show; Area15 to host enhanced screenings of Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas; The Newburgh Civitan Zombie Farm hosts their 3rd annual A Creepy Little Christmas December 9th - 10th; The Dent Schoolhouse presents "A Christmas Nightmare" December 9th & 10th; The House of Four Scythes Haunted Attraction raised over $60,000 for charity in their 4th season; Twisted Haunts LA returns this year with Gremlins: Fan Tribute Haunt; Twisted Christmas horror double-feature will take place at The Friday Cinema on December 17th; Dive into the mysterious backstory of The Haunted Mansion with Tokyo Disney Resort's Disney Story Beyond AR Event January - March 2023; Spirit Halloween releases new Toothy the Clown Animatronic; 12' Home Depot Skeleton Thanksgiving displays featured on Good Morning America.

We discuss the return of Bob Iger as CEO of the Walt Disney Company.

Transworld’s Halloween & Attractions Show is the largest gathering of haunters in the world, and the annual show has moved up its timeline this year to February 2-5, 2023, in St Louis. The show also added a new Interactive Entertainment section. While at IAAPA Expo last week, I stopped by to learn more. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

In 2020 we dedicated our Thanksgiving special to Robbi Lepre, who had recently passed. Most haunts were unable to open at the time, and vaccines weren’t a thing yet. While things are moving ahead in the US, many haunts saw dips in attendance this year, and we’re still dealing with supply chain prices. So today, I’m replaying our 2020 special – a celebration of Robbi Lepre. Listen and reflect on where we were, where we are, and where we’re going. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Set to open in 2023, Funtown Splashtown USA in Saco, Maine, has partnered with Sally Dark Rides to add the Whispering Pines Hotel to their property (AKA the Haunted Hotel dark ride). Four-passenger ride cars will move guests through 14 scenes concluding with a final visit through an otherworldly dimension. Guests of the Haunted Hotel will play a key role in the story. Sally unveiled the new Dark Ride during this year’s IAAPA Expo, and we stopped by to learn more from Drew Hunter (Vice President of Creative Design). Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Updated Holiday Haunts List; Funtown Splashtown USA & Sally Dark Rides unveil new Haunted Hotel Dark Ride at IAAPA; Creep It Real FESTIVE announces new celebrity guests and Fear Farm haunt experience; Brokepam Productions launches a Kickstarter campaign to fund their new haunt "The Haunting of Bloody Mary"; Jingle Hells returns to Awaken Haunted Attraction; Fear Columbus expands their Krampus: A Haunted Christmas Experience to two weekends; Zombie Joe's Underground Theatre Group presents "Turkeys! The Musical" and "Cabaret Macabre Christmas"; The Frida Cinema hosts a special screening and panel of Silent Night, Deadly Night; The Haunted Museum Nottingham is set to open in January of 2023; a Halloween-themed Thanksgiving display is featured on the local news in Parma, Ohio. Read more: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/haunt-news-haunted-hotel-comes-to-funtown-splashtown-usa

Scott and Philip walk the IAAPA Expo Show Floor, meet with some friends, and discuss the 2022 show. Watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/VfCV88YemuU

Masters of Make-Up Effects LIVE with Howard Berger and Marshall Julius by Haunted Attraction Network

"WITCH!" is an original immersive experience based on the true story of the Pendle Witch Trials of 1612; we’ll learn about the writing and design process on today’s show. The team behind Witch also created ‘It’s Alive’ last year ( https://www.haunt.news/its-alive-a-frankenstein-immersive-experience/ ). Today, we’ll speak with co-writer Devon Armstrong about the process. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Haunters Rejoice because Season’s Screamings (https://seasons.ticketspice.com/seasons-screamings-2022) is coming to Burbank Dec 2-4; Now in its 2nd year, Season’s Screamings holiday horror convention in Burbank is where you’ll find scores of spooky stocking stuffers, wandering evil, and so many other not-so-nice surprises. Today, David Markland joins us to preview some of the chilling holiday entertainment they have planned for this year. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Universal Studios & Blumhouse Productions celebrated their partnership with the first-ever in-person Blumfest featuring a Halloween Horror Nights Q&A; IAAPA Expo takes place this week - November 14th - 19th in Orlando, Florida; The Scare Factor hosts their annual Monster Bash at Nightmare on Edgewood this Saturday, November 19th; Seasons Screamings announces full panel lineup; Krampus Tavern comes to The Globe Theatre December 10th & 11th. Read More: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/haunt-news-nov-14

Scott and Philip outline their plan for the annual IAAPA expo in Orlando.

Cedar Fair Earnings are great; Supply chains will be strained more for Chinese New Year; Seoul's Halloween Stampede is a cautionary tale.

Remaining Halloween events in Seoul canceled after a deadly Halloween celebration stampede; Creep It Real Festive takes place November 25th & 26th at the Heritage Museum of Orange County; The Legendary Haunt Tour visits Nashville area haunts this weekend; The Hall of Yuletide Spirits returns to Season's Screamings this December 2nd - 4th; The Idaho Halloween & Horror Con has changed its name to Horrorween Con Idaho; Universal announced the first Halloween Horror Nights maze of 2023: Chucky; Bennett's Curse presents "Krampus Haunted Christmas" December 2nd - 3rd; Castle Dark returns to Castle Park this holiday season with "Krampus" interactive maze; NPR shared 4 creative ways to keep leftover pumpkins out of landfills. Read more: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/news-nov-08

We're taking a post-halloween break to work on new shows and will return on November 14, 2022. Check our feed for all 61 Hauntathon episodes, plus our Halloween Special.

On October 9th, we went to the Frida Cinema and recorded this audio from ‘An Oogie Boogie Afternoon,’ a panel presentation from Disney on the making of the Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney’s California Adventure. Jeff Depaoli from Dizney Coast to Coast produced the panel and aired it on his show ( https://www.dizneycoasttocoast.com/ ) . Today, we’re playing that full episode from Dizney Coast to Coast. Happy Halloween! Follow along to our Hauntathon: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Today, we’re visiting ScareUSA in two rivers to learn about their 10th season from John Schwarz Jr. ScareUSA is open November 4th and 5th so there’s still a chance for you to visit this year if you’re nearby. Follow along to our Hauntathon: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Now in its 11th season, Fear Factory in Salt Lake City, Utah, spans 6 floors and nearly 90,000 square feet. If you’re worried about missing the show this year because it’s nearly Halloween, Fear Factory will open for blackout nights on November 4th and 5th. Today, we’ll speak with two owners (Rob Dunfield and Spencer Terry) about the show and get insight into what it takes to operate. Follow along to our Hauntathon: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Scott and Philip discuss the 2022 Halloween Season

An abandoned farm’s bloody history is revealed during Darktober at M&D’s Scotland's Theme Park in Scotland. Scotland's Theme Park has been celebrating Halloween with a maze since 2014. The maze is part of this year's larger event called Darktober, which acts as a second gate for the park. Today, we’ll learn about the event from Carly McCleary, who produces the maze. Follow along to our Hauntathon: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Nestled in rural Nebraska, Grey House Haunts is a 7,000 Square Foot linear haunt celebrating its 9th year. Today, we’ll speak with owner Jan Knuth about the season and what it’s like haunting in an isolated area. Follow along to our Hauntathon: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania, has offered Halloween for many years, but they made a massive expansion this year with Dark Nights at Hersheypark. Billed as an immersive haunt experience, Dark Nights expands Hersheypark’s Halloween offerings with four haunted houses, three scare zones, themed food, and merchandise. Guests can still enjoy the Halloween entertainment as normal and can purchase wristbands that allow entry into the haunted houses. Adding Dark Nights makes the Halloween programming more multi-generational, but it’s a balancing act adding something scarier to a traditional family-friendly park. Today, we’ll learn about the event and how the team maintains that balance. Featured in this episode are Quinn Bryner (Director of PR), Chris Brown (Director of Planning and Design), and Rob Gordon (Managing Director for Food & Beverage). Follow along to our Hauntathon: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

News stories from Hell Week! Follow along to our Hauntathon: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Scott and Philip take a break from the news to discuss marketing a Halloween event at your attraction.

Now in its 49th Season, Reindeer Manor in Red Oak, Texas, is preparing to move to a new location after this season. Today, we’ll speak with Co-Owner Alex Lohman to learn about this year’s show, the reasons for the move, and their approach to staffing. Follow along to our Hauntathon: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Requiem Haunted House in Downtown Caldwell, Idaho, is celebrating its 9th season this year. The haunt is roughly 13,000 square feet spread over multiple levels and takes 30-45 minutes to walk through. However, what makes Requiem stand out is its fun and community engagement culture. Today, we’ll speak with co-owner Krista Brower Wood about Requiem and their haunt’s culture. Follow along to our Hauntathon: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

The Herman Brothers Haunted Mine has reopened for tours, but if you descend into the mine, will you make it back out? Wicker Manor is a 300 square foot experience built within a two car garage in Denver, CO. Now in its 6th year, the last two years have explored a haunted gold mine. Despite the size, this home haunt is broken into 5 scenes, each brimming with effects. Guests descend into the mine via a fake elevator and then must make it out. Today, we’ll hear from owner Sean Herman about designing and building wicker manor.

At Dark Hour Haunted House in Plano, TX, a cover of 13 witches is using your fear to cast a spell of eternal darkness! Dark Hour Haunted House in Plano TX is a 50,000 square foot facility with theme park quality sets and show control. For those in the haunt industry, it’s an iconic venue. Today, we’ll explore how Director Allen Hopps is creating a unifying band aesthetic using costuming, story, and show control. Follow along to our Hauntathon: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

During The Summoning, Guests will participate in a real live seance that rips a hole into the supernatural world and takes them on a terrifying adventure! Held at the San Francisco Mint, the show is a unique brand of immersive horror. It combines scares with show sequences, sexuality, and plenty of queerness. Today, we’ll speak with founders David Flower and Joshua Grannell about the show’s evolution. Follow along to our Hauntathon: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Now in its 10th year, A Nightmare on Franklin Street takes over Tampa Theatre for the final two weeks in October. The event series encompasses several entertainment genres, from movies to tours, education, and even a murder mystery. Today, we’ll speak with Jill Witecki about the event and what goes into the design process. Follow along to our Hauntathon: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Billed as “Sydney’s scariest Halloween event,” Halloscream at Luna Park is celebrating 10 years of XTREME FEARS with 3 horror mazes, an immersive Horror Themed Attraction, and unlimited rides. Luna Park Sydney is a heritage-listed amusement park constructed in 1935; the park caters to families during the day and uses Halloween as a second scarier gate. Today, we’ll learn about the event and its unique challenges from Andrew and Kate. Andrew Ross-Graham is the Showtime Manager at Luna Park Sydney, and Kate Englefield is the Creative Director for Fractal Creative. Follow along to our Hauntathon: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Thrillvania started with a single temporary attraction, Verdun Manor, 37 years ago. Michael Malec is the General Manager at Thrillvania, but he started working in Verdun as a kid. Today, we’ll speak to Michael about Thrillvania’s 2022 season and how they’ve stayed around this long. Follow along to our Hauntathon: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Eastern State Penitentiary's Halloween Nights partnered with Haunters Against Hate to celebrate National Coming Out Day (October 11th) by hosting a Pride Night full of special festivities; Erebus Haunted Attraction offers "Fun Without the Fear Tours"; Fort Edmonton Park's DARK's viral Tik Tok Campaign; Global Village unveils new House of Fear attraction; Alton Towers debuts a new immersive audio experience - "The Invitation"; West Coast Halloween Convention canceled for 2023; Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood adds night to their season; Holiday World presents Halloween in the Sky October 22nd & 29th; McDonald's iconic Halloween pails return October 18th - 31st. Read the stories: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/haunt-news-oct-19

The price of Genie+ will increase at both Disneyland and the Walt Disney World resort. Plus, we review a listener message about TikTok and takeaways from the new secret bars at Hush haunted attraction.

Hush Haunted Attraction in Westland, Michigan, has added three bars this year for its 10th anniversary. Two bars are hidden within the maze, and one is outside next to the cue line. Today, we’ll learn about the design and logistics of the bars from Founder Cody Bailey. Follow along to our Hauntathon: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Picture a street festival spanning an entire block; now imagine that street is taken from a post-apocalyptic nightmare like the walking dead. Nightmare on Chicago Street puts guests into a post-apocalyptic nightmare for a night of fun and screams. The story follows the Zombie Defense Initiative, an organization establishing a “safe zone” from zombies yearly. Guests enter the safe zone, which is the street festival area, and hope nothing goes wrong. Today, we’ll learn more about this event from the art director and ‘mistress of disinformation.’ Follow along to our Hauntathon: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

The Thirteenth Hour in Indianapolis recently transitioned from an outdoor location to a new indoor building. Today, Tyler is on-location with Ben to learn about the move and this year’s show. Follow along to our Hauntathon: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Hatch & Kraven’s Slaughterhouse has moved and expanded over the last few years into a full SlaughterPLEX. Today, we’ll learn all about it. Follow along to our Hauntathon: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Shaqtoberfest is one of the most hotly anticipated haunt event of 2022 in Southern California. Today, we're on-location hearing about the event's creation from Chris Stafford. Chris is the CEO of thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group, one of the producing groups for this first year event.

Dark Harvest returns to Anaheim in a new location. Pirates Cave Productions joined Dark Harvest this year to bring more technical scenes. Today we’ll speak with Adam LeBlanc from Dark Harvest and Dave Larson from Pirates Cave Productions about the new experience. Follow along to our Hauntathon: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Today, it’s a cross-over episode! I recorded this episode with Jeff Depaoli for Dizney Coast to Coast. “Dizney Coast to Coast” is an entertaining and informative podcast about anything and everything related to The Walt Disney Company. Jeff and I discuss Halloween in this episode at every Disney property worldwide, and I rank my favorites. Follow along to our Hauntathon: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Son of Monsterpalooza celebrates the art of monsters & movie magic this weekend; West Coast Halloween Convention announces cancellation of 2023 event; Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood adds an additional night; Halloween pails return to McDonald's; Find out the most popular candy in your state with CandyStore.com's interactive map; Instacart delivered more than 116 tons of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups in 2021; Four new haunted house doughnuts come to Krispy Kreme for the Halloween season; LVCRFT released their 4th album, Scream Warriors, in collaboration with composer Christopher Young. Follow along to our Hauntathon: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork