Haunted Attraction Network

Craig Watt (Terror Isle in Texas City) a veteran insurance agent explains haunt insurance in simple terms. He gets into some of the pitfalls for home and pro haunters plus reveals that the coverage you have might not be covering what you think it does. This episode is from one of our Partner Stations – Hauntopic Radio – hosted by Brian and Darryl. Today’s episode is a recording from Brian’s Haunt Master classes; you can join those at haunters toolbox.com

Ballview entertainment presented an odyssey-like popup immersive experience last weekend at the Sherry Theatre in North Hollywood – all centered on a hand. While the live show was only available one weekend, it will live on as a new VR Experience – marking the first time Ballview has experimented with VR. Today, we’ll speak with the creators about the show process and it’s evolution into VR. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/hand-immersive-experience

Coming up, the boozy cauldron was visiting Los Angeles and we went to check it out. The Boozy Cauldron is an immersive 4-part cocktail experience and interactive show themed to wizards and witches. It’s like a pop-culture-centric raunchy PG-13 variety show. Today, we’ll speak with Ryan Wieczorek about its creation and hear what the guests think. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/the-boozy-cauldron-bts

Monsterpalooza takes place this weekend June 3rd - 5th, 2022 in Pasadena, California; Haunters Against Hate The Event announces the theme of their 2nd annual Makeup Competition: The Nun; TransWorld Live: The Road to MHC - Episode 5 will go live Tuesday, May 31st at 6:00 p.m. PDT; Knott's Scary Farm is looking for monsters to join the madness of their 49th annual Halloween event; Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood scareactor auditions are set for June 17th - 18th; UnDead in the Water announced 3 upcoming casting sessions; A devastating fire burned down Creepy Hollow in Alberta Canada; Nightmares Manila opens in the Philippines; Zombie Joe's Underground Theatre Group presents Urban Death: Cannibal Corpse; The Austin Vampire Carnival returns to Texas with "Fear Factory" June 18th; Sir Henry's Haunted Trail announces their "Headless" featured trail; Hunt A Killer: Investigate LIVE is heading to the San Francisco Bay Area starting July 29th; Netflix celebrated Stranger Things: Season 4 with rifts to the Upside Down appearing on landmarks around the globe; SugarMynt Gallery plans two special events for June 3rd & 4th; Haunted Attractions Network visits the Haunt Supershow at the LA County Fair; Universal Studios Hollywood's Halloween Horror Nights will no longer use the term "maze" for their haunts; Granite Insurance announces a new program designed specifically for the haunted attraction industry; Hershey to add three distribution and fulfillment centers ahead of this year's Halloween candy rush. Read the stories: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/haunt-industry-news-may-31-2

This week we recap Licensing Expo 2022, discuss Ocean Park Hong Kong’s new water park, Hersheypark’s 2 new rides, Rocky Mountain Construction’s apprentice program, the Milwaukee County Zoo requiring masks, and the Drive-thru zoo experience returns to San Antonio Zoo. Show notes: https://www.haunt.news/green-tagged-current-uncertain-times

Today we go on location to Zombie Joe's new 20-minute Blind-Folded horror theatre experience that delves into your deepest nighttime terrors! Billed as a safe, non-aggressive, unique & personal phantasmagoric-immersion experience, the show is playing through May 30th, 2022. We’ll hear from the cast about what putting the show together was like. Featuring Ben Billand, Cochino Carlos, Charlotte Cocker, Jorge Lozano, Mery Piloyan, Ben Reynolds & Alex Schetter; Directed by Zombie Joe & Jorge Lozano.

Coming up, Big Moves in the Right Direction. We’ll talk about Disney’s pride collection, Pirates of Speelunker Cave, the Summer Celebration at Busch Gardens Tampa, and how attractions are using TikTok. All that and more on this episode of GT TP in 30.

Back for its third year at the LA County Fair and located in Building 9, the Haunt Supershow will be joining in on the centennial celebrations by offering an all-new “100 Years of Horror” exhibit. The popular social media photo-op attrac! Plus, two mazes with scare actors, a zombie shooting gallery, and plenty of vendors. Today we'll hear from organizer Dirk Hagen and Asylum Zone.

Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando & Hollywood have announced their "Universal Monsters: Legends Collide" original maze; Tickets are now on sale for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Walt Disney World; Fear Forest is seeking managers and set designers/builders; Arson at Wild Woods of Terror; The Haunt Supershow returns to the LA County Fair for the third year; Carnival of Darkness haunted house to open in Ontario, California this Fall; Five Nights at Freddy's Haunted House will open in Medina, Ohio for four nights only this Halloween season; The Fear FDX hosted a successful Halfway to Halloween event this past weekend; SugarMynt Gallery hosts "Halloweentown" special events this Friday & Saturday; The Cleveland Haunt Club will host its 2nd Annual Half-way to Halloween Flea Market on Saturday, May 28th; The West Coast Halloween Convention returned this past weekend after two years away; Disney+ announced Hocus Pocus 2 will begin streaming on September 30th; Are You Afraid of the Dark? series Co-Creator D.J. MacHale discusses the series and Easter eggs; Haunted Attraction Network call for Casting Notices & Job Postings.

Sugarmynt Gallery hosted a Q&A with series Co-Creator D.J. MacHale on May 21st. Moderated by Jeff DePaoli D.J., explains the history of the series and easter eggs behind 4 of the episodes. Today, we’re playing the full presentation for you. The event is part of the ‘Spooky Kids Club’ exhibit and there are more events scheduled through June; check www.sugarmynt.com/ for details.

Last week we talked about affordable media outreach for your haunt. Today we're diving into one specific tactic - hosting a media night. Today’s expert is Tori Elder, owner of victori solutions (victorisolutions.com/). In the haunted attraction space, Tori is best known for her work with The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor, Dark Horizon, and Temecula Terror. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/haunt-media-nights

Now in its 10th year, The Fear PDX in Portland Oregan opened for Halfway to Halloween on May 13th. This 1-night event was a first for the haunt, and it coincided with the WCHC bus tour. Today, we’ll go on-location and hear from the team. Show notes: https://www.haunt.news/the-fear-pdx-2022

Coming up, we’re on-location at the WCHC. After two years away, the West Coast Halloween Convention returned May 13th - 15th, 2022, in Portland, Oregon. From home haunters to pros, attendees enjoyed the Halloween Marketplace, three days of education, haunt tour at The FearPDX, Halfway to Halloween Costume Ball, charity auction, and the Nightmare After WCHC movie night. But what makes this event unique is that it’s a 501(c)3 organization that gives grants to professionals who work with children with hearing impairments and/or autism. Today, we’ll hear from Roman Marino, Roger Hayes, and Jeremiah from the Calvarium. Show notes: https://www.haunt.news/wchc-2022

The Midwest Haunters Convention has announced their list of exhibitors featuring Haunted House Chicago Row 2022, a collaboration with HauntedHouseChicago.com to showcase some of Chicago's top haunts; Sign Up Form now available for Midwest Haunters Convention Stage Entertainment; Tickets are now on sale for SeaWorld San Diego's Howl-O-Scream; The Chamber of Haunters will host a Facebook Live interview with Zagone Studios on Thursday, May 19th; Haunter's Toolbox Haunt Master Class presents "Haunt Insurance: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" on Tuesday, May 17th at 5:30 p.m. PDT; Three suspects have been arrested in connection to a break-in at ScreamDreams Haunted Attraction; Escape the Asylum - from the creators of Eloise Asylum - is now open; The Ohio State Reformatory, home of Blood Prison haunted attraction, will be featured in upcoming Shawshank Redemption bus tours; SugarMynt Gallery's "Spooky Kids Club" exhibition special events for May 20th -22nd; Scare USA hosted a successful Slasher Weekend. Read the stories: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/haunt-industry-news-may-17

This week Scott and Philip argue quite a bit over the Six Flags Q1 Earnings and Meow Wolf’s 2 new locations. Plus, are teens convinced about the Metaverse? Show notes: https://www.haunt.news/green-tagged-make-your-position-known

Coming up, we’re discussing how affordable ways you can do media outreach for your haunt. You don’t need a large budget, but you need a focus on building allies. It may seem early, but now is the time to lay the groundwork for our season. This episode features John Singh from J2 Communications. Show notes: https://www.haunt.news/affordable-haunt-media

Coming up, we’re visiting the Spooky Kids Club exhibit at SugarMynt Gallery. Open now through June 19th, this exhibit focuses on the Halloween-loving child in all of us. We’ll hear from the co-creators, 2 of the artists, some guests, and even get a guided tour and hear about some of the easter eggs. Featured in this episode: Jeff Depaoli, SaraRose Orlandini, Jimi Martinez, Victor Acuña, The Creepy Cool Kid, and Ted Dougherty. Show notes: https://www.haunt.news/spooky-kids-club

The West Coast Halloween Convention returns this weekend, May 13th - 15th, in Portland, Oregon; ScareCON comes to Thorpe Park May 9th - 11th; The Haunted Attraction Association will host their next virtual Monthly Mixer on May 23rd at 8:00 p.m. EDT; The Midwest Haunters Convention announces their complete seminar lineup; The Scare Factor is now accepting haunted attraction review requests; Nethercraft Founder Tom Baksik passes away at the age of 51. Read more: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/haunt-industry-news-may-09

Attractions are doing everything they can to mitigate the upcoming rush. This week: The new queueless experience from Disney, SeaWorld and Cedar Fair are seeing financial recovery (despite still losing millions), Universal staffs up, and performer safety.

Scare USA in Two Rivers Wisconsin is opening this weekend, May 13th and 14th, for Slasher weekend – an experience where guests use flashlights to follow arrows and find PRIZES! We’ll hear all about it. Today, we’re talking with John Schwarz. He’s the owner of Scare USA. Notes: https://www.haunt.news/scare-usa-slasher-weekend-2022

In the wake of recent violence against live performers, Scott discusses the importance of performer safety. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/haunt-performer-safety

The Scare Factor is a nationwide haunted house review website and directory. Today, we’ll learn about an opportunity for free and paid advertising for your haunt on The Scare Factor. And if you don’t have a haunt, you’ll learn where to find the best ones. This interview features Tyler and Nora, who reported for us at this year’s Transworld. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/the-scare-factor-haunt-directory

VFX offers a full line of interactive and wearable puppets to help you promote, entertain, and scare your haunt’s guests. Today, we’ll hear from Patrick Voss about the company history and their 2022 products. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/vfx-puppets-haunt-2022

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will return to The Magic Kingdom select nights August 12th - October 31st; The Oogie Boogie Bash - A Disney Halloween Party will return to Disney California Adventure this Fall; The Disney Cruise Line will debut all-new Halloween experiences with "Halloween on the High Seas"; Nightmare on Chicago Street is back from the dead as the Elgin Council reverses their previous decision to cancel the event; Netflix & Fever present a new immersive Stranger Things Experience in Brooklyn, New York; Zombie Joe's Underground Theatre Group Presents "The Boogeyman" Sundays & Mondays May 15th - 30th; SugarMynt Gallery's newest exhibition, "Spooky Kids Club" opens May 7th. Read the stories: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/haunt-industry-news-may-02

It’s Halfway to Halloween and we’re breaking down what you can learn from how other attractions are celebrating! Show notes: https://www.haunt.news/green-tagged-halfway-to-halloween

It’s officially Halfway to Halloween and we’re celebrating with a trip to year 2 of the Spooky Swap Meet at the Heritage Square Museum in Los Angeles. This episode features: Claire Dunlap and Sarah Cooke from Spooky Swap Meet, Greg and Tim from Bones Gulch Haunted Attraction, Rix from Fear Farm, Monte Revolta from Los Angeles Haunted Hayride, Adam Dollins from AdamJessFX, Art’s Sideshow, Samhain Cemetery, Desirae from Rags to Witches, and Tiffany Dawn Silver. Links to everyone mentioned are in the show notes: https://www.haunt.news/spooky-swap-meet-2022

We’ve all seen them, and maybe you’re thinking of adding one to your haunt. Today we’ll learn all about them from GEP productions (including pricing), so you can decide if it works for you.

Rust, mold, slag, water damage, ooze – Brutal Rust provides faux finishes for your haunt. Established by haunters in 2011, Brutal Rust has grown its customer base and catalog tremendously over the years. Today, we’ll learn more their best sellers and new product lines. This interview was conducted by Maximus Bryant at Transworld and features Shayne Torrans. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/brutal-rust-2022

Do you have your haunt insurance for this season? Today, we’ll hear from some vendors offering coverage for your haunt. if you have specific questions about haunt insurance – let me know ([email protected])! Featured in this episode is Leavitt Insurance and Donat Insurance. A third option is Granite Insurance, and we interviewed them back on our Feb 19th show. Links to everything in the show notes: https://www.haunt.news/haunt-insurance-2022

Founder of Fright Night Studios, Michael Burnett, got his start in movies. And his angle is bringing movie-quality pieces to your haunt. Today, we’ll learn about his studio and their ability to customize props. Brian Foreman from HaunTopic Radio conducted this interview and he’s interviewing Michael Burnett from Fright Night Studios on the Transworld show floor. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/fright-night-studios-2022

Celebrate Halfway to Halloween this weekend at the Spooky Swap Meet; The Texas Haunters Convention & Los Bastardos present an interactive screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show; RWS Entertainment Group acquires The Experience Department; A Hollywood Wax Museum Haunted House scareactor shot after scaring attendee; 10/31 Consortium announces their Halloween parade will go beadless; Ashles' Tales of Terror plans pop-up Club Carnage immersive experience; Blackout night at NecroManor Haunted House; Graveyard productions plans new Middlefield, CT haunt, "The Haunting at the Ridge” Read the stories: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/haunt-industry-news-april-25

Scott discusses how he has handled quotes and contracts for goods and services within the Haunt industry. NOTE: Scott is not a lawyer nor is he an expert in contract law. This episode is designed to share thoughts on what can or should be in a quote or a contract. " Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/asitd-haunt-quotes-contracts

We dive deep into Disney’s troubles in Florida, then hit takeaways from the dissolution of CNN+ and the latest RWS acquisition. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/green-tagged-parks-politics-purchases

Today Julia from Gantom lighting will give you some suggestions on DMX alternatives and simple uses for DMX. DMX is a is a protocol used to control lights in your haunt. DMX can be used for many more things such as fog machines and triggers, but we’re only focused on the lighting today. You need something that generates a signal, and then that signal travels to the light to tell it what to do. The signal can be pre-programmed or controlled live. So, DMX can be simple and run a few fixtures, or complicated to run a large show; it scales to the need. And that need is why we recommend you decide whether to get into DMX. Do you need them to perform a timed show or just a single effect over and over (like a heartbeat)? Would the guest notice lighting that’s in time with other effect? So you see how DMX is highly dependent on your haunt’s experience. If you want to setup a time to discuss your needs with Gantom’s Designers, they’re offering a free 30-minute demo at www.gantom.com/demo

Halfway to Halloween is just around the corner, and plenty of haunts are opening this year to celebrate. Here in Los Angeles, we have a unique event that involves multiple haunts called the Spooky Swap Meet (https://spookyswapmeet.com/). Today, I’m going to replay our episode from the Spooky Swap Meet last year so you can hear what it was like. Here’s the background: Guests can ‘shop among the spirits for Halloween treasures!’ The backdrop for the event is the Victorian era houses of the heritage square museum. There are plenty of vendors and food, but there’s also trick or treating. Local haunts will each decorate one of the Victorian manors and create mini trick or treat experiences for the guests. Spooky Swap Meet is next weekend April 30th and May 1st. This year the haunts involved are AdamJess FX, Fear Farm, Bones Gulch Haunted Attraction, LA Haunted Hayride, Samhain Cemetery, and Vamp and the Fiends! Get tickets to Spooky Swap Meet here: https://spookyswapmeet.com/

One of the biggest hurdles that Haunters face is preparing your attraction for the fire marshal. This podcast episode will get you ready for your inspector and help make your Haunt safer, for your customers and staff. To hear this full Master Class and get the video, become a member of The Haunter's Toolbox. Join here. Thanks to Guy Buck Burdick from Fear Asylum and Station 5 Productions.

Over the last 19 years, Fright Props has grown from smaller mechanics to distributing most anything you’d need for your haunt. Today, we’ll hear about the new products and cutoff times. Their animatronic division, poison props, also launched 15 new props this year. Tyler from The Scare Factor conducted this interview and he’s interviewing Doug from Fright Props on the Transworld show floor. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/frightprops-2022

Nightmare on Chicago Street cancelled for 2022; Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment and Egan Escape Productions present the "Escape IT" experience in Las Vegas; Ghost Bus Hawaii offers year-round Japanese-themed horror; Book Your Hotel for TransWorld's Halloween & Attractions Show 2023; Celebrate Halfway to Halloween with the Idaho Halloween & Horror Convention's mini event on April 30th; Read the stories: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/haunt-news-april-18

Fearworm is the first and largest full-service marketing agency dedicated to haunted houses; Today, we’ll learn about their firm and get a tip for managing your haunt’s social media. This interview was recorded during Transworld, conducted by Scott Swenson, and features Tyler Barnett. Show notes: https://www.haunt.news/fearworm-2022

We’ll review the most important new attractions openings and break down why they’re all continuations of ongoing trends. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/green-tagged-trend-convergence

Wristband Resources is one of the largest manufacturers and suppliers of identification wristbands and accessories in the world – and for the past 16 years, Bonnie has been building relationships in the haunted house space. This interview was recorded during Transworld, conducted by Max, and features Bonnie Lewis. Show notes: https://www.haunt.news/wristband-haunt-2022

We check in with Von Grimm Productions to hear about their 2022 products. The owner has worked in the haunted attraction and special makeup effects industry for over 14 years, in attractions large and small; Von Grimm settled into making masks and started with their signature burlap designs.This interview was recorded during Transworld by Darryl Plunkie and features Matt Scott from Von Grimm Productions. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/von-grimm-2022

Reaper’s Revenge, in Scranton Pennsylvania, started in 2006. A founding member, Travis oversees most of the things that involve the employees. With a staff of 240 every show night, there’s certainly a lot to keep track of. Over the years, Travis has developed a family philosophy to retain team members, and today, we’ll explore some concrete things you can do to retain you haunt team. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/haunt-retention-travis-rhoad-reapers-revenge

Since 2006, minispotlight has been providing LED lighting solutions for haunts. They have the standard stuff sure, but as you’ll hear, their real differentiation is in custom creations like the LED Warp Tunnel and Jacob’s Ladders. This interview was conducted by Scott Swenson during Transworld 2022 and features Bert Zelten; it’s part of our vendor showcase series in partnership with the Haunted Attraction Association. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/minispotlight-2022

Midsummer Scream announces the theme and participants for this year's Hall of Shadows - plus 40% off GA tickets; The Ohio Haunters Association welcomes their new Board of Directors; ScareCON announces their shortlisted nominees for their 2022 awards ceremony; The next FearWorm Wormhole virtual event will take place April 22nd and feature Abe Robinson of Blind7Photography; This Thursday's Fear Expo Live will feature Patrick Voss of VFX Creates; Halloween Haunt & Camp Spooky will return to Canada's Wonderland in 2022; Celebrate Halfway-to-Halloween alongside baby kangaroos at Cobb's Adventure Park; Stranger Stays AirBnB rentals are selling their Big Bear Lake properties. Read the stories: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/haunt-industry-news-april-11

For 19 years, Creepy Collection has been providing its unique style of static props to the industry. Today, Brian is discussing the 2022 line with Creepy Collection owner Jerry Dalessandro. This interview was recorded during Transworld. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/creepy-collection-bodies-2022

This week we explore stories of staffing, acquisition, diversification, and breaking the 4th wall. https://www.haunt.news/green-tagged-the-staffing-balance

Celebrating their 10th anniversary, Shattered FX debuted several new designs in 2022 including the popular necromancer. Beyond their designs, Shattered FX is also set apart by its lifetime warranty. Max interviewed Jared Alcala during Transworld’s Halloween & Attractions Show 2022 from the show floor. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/shatteredfx-2022-necromancer

Making Monsters since 1978 is a Distortions Unlimited, a Halloween manufacturing company and online Halloween store based in Greenly, Colorado. Distortions is prolific in the industry, having, as you’ll hear, their hands in nearly every piece of it. Darryl wedeled some time out of Ed Edmunds during Transworld’s Halloween & Attractions show 2022, primarily to discuss the new Mutant and jack lines. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/distortions-unlimited-2022

Jim Werner is the Operations Manager for both Pennhurst Asylum Haunted Attraction and Eloise Asylum, which debuted just last season. Today, we’ll hear from Jim on: his journey as a haunter, how both attractions create a fantastical experience while also maintaining the local history, and disaster preparedness. This is the 3rd episode in our mini-series introducing the new Haunted Attraction Association Board Members. Show Notes: https://www.haunt.news/jim-werner-pennhurst-training