Haunted Attraction Network

This week we’re discussing Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard and what that means for the Themed Entertainment Industry. Plus, how 2 large attractions are combating staffing issues. Participate in the Haunted Attraction Benchmark Survey here (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HAAHANSurvey). Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

This past Halloween was crazy. Between the staffing shortages and varying restrictions, it was a challenging year for most haunters. During our Countdown to Halloween, we partnered with The Scare Factor to get as many on-location interviews with haunters as possible and gauge how each was dealing their local issues. As you can imagine, things also got a little crazy for us. We couldn’t air all the interviews we collected this Halloween- Until now. Today, we’re airing two on-location interviews submitted by The Scare Factor’s Team Skelegore: Grimsley’s Gorge (https://www.facebook.com/GrimsleysGorge/) and 13th Hour Rising (http://www.13thhourrising.com/). Both interviews are from New York area and took place mid-season. Why are we still airing these? Because they offer insight into how haunts adapted. Insight you can use when planning for 2022. If you want to hear more of these on-location interviews, check back in our feed for the “On-Location” label. See what you’re missing with a free demo (https://gantom.com/demo). Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter: https://hauntedattractionnetwork.com/newsletter/

Disney’s Haunted Mansion inspires many haunters, and the Nightmare Before Christmas is an annual watching tradition. So in 2001, when Jack Skellington took over the haunted mansion in Haunted Mansion Holiday – it was glorious. Today – we’ll hear the story behind this holiday takeover. Disney tapped Garner Holt to bring Jack Skellington’s Nightmare to life, and although he had a background in haunting, the path was anything but predictable. This episode contains excerpts from a panel recording from the inaugural Season’s Screamings event in Pasadena. In it, you’ll hear garner holt live on stage recounting the process behind the attraction layover. See what you’re missing with a free demo. Subscribe to the Haunted Attraction Network here.

This is the fourth and final episode in our mini-series covering some of the haunt friendly wholesalers from this year’s Halloween & Party Expo in Las Vegas. Coming up, we’ll hear from three vendors with very different perspectives on what’s important for Halloween: Ghoulish Productions (https://ghoulishproductions.com/), Savvi (https://savvistuff.com/), and Fight Face (https://fightface.com/). See what you’re missing with a free demo (https://gantom.com/demo). Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter: https://hauntedattractionnetwork.com/newsletter/

The Haunted Attraction Association and Haunted Attraction Network launched their industry-wide Benchmark Survey; Nominations for the Haunted Attraction Association's OSCARES Awards now accepted through January 23rd; Salem, MA considering expanding the city's Safety Enhancement Zone for Halloween 2022; Tickets now available for Midwinter Ghost Stories at Ed Gannon's Chambers of Terror; Park N Play announces Camelot Rises horror drive in & interactive zombie experience at Camelot Theme Park; A drive-through haunt in Indonesia offers COVID-safe scares; Locals in Kirklareli, Turkey celebrated the Halloween-like festival of Koleda on January 8th; Exhibitor registration now open for this year's Texas Haunter's Convention; Fear Expo Live takes place this weekend; Indy Horror Story announces the sale of its business and commercial property; Valentine's Day Haunt List. Complete the survey here (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HAAHANSurvey). Read more: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/haunt-industry-news-jan-17

This is the third episode in our mini-series covering some of the haunt friendly wholesalers from this year’s Halloween & Party Expo in Las Vegas. Coming up, we’re chatting with Tony Zagone, owner of Zagone Studios (https://zagonestudios.com/) about why he thinks this Halloween will be one of the best ever. See what you’re missing with a free demo (https://gantom.com/demo). Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter: https://hauntedattractionnetwork.com/newsletter/

Scott Swenson led this Haunt Master Class for the Haunters Toolbox members, covering: saving money on design, creative brainstorming, and the 2022 mindset. To listen and view this entire Master Class, become a Haunt Master member at www.HauntersToolbox.com

This week we explore stories about how attractions keep the guests flowing. From combating low staffing to setting attendance records, Half a Billion Dollar Renovations and new seasons of fun – this week we’re showing the resilience of attractions. Take the Haunted Attraction Benchmark Survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HAAHANSurvey

This is the second episode in our mini-series covering some of the haunt-friendly wholesalers from this year’s Halloween & Party Expo in Las Vegas. Coming up, no series would be complete without the iconic Morris Costumes (https://www.morriscostumes.com/). With tens of thousands of products and a history spanning 60 years, Morris has perspective on the industry. In this episode, Sean Morris joins to discuss new products and trends in the Halloween industry. 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 free weekly newsletter: https://hauntedattractionnetwork.com/newsletter/

Over the past 12 years, Trick or Treat studios (https://trickortreatstudios.com/) has expanded from select masks to dozens of products serving everyone from end consumers to haunts. But before we get into all that, you might be wondering why it matters? Halloween is an ecosystem. What consumers see in stores and when they see it directly impacts haunted attractions. It primes attendees for certain themes and prepares them to attend events. Plus, if your haunt has a merchandise store you can setup direct relationships with wholesalers. So, with all that in mind, this is the first episode in our mini-series covering some of the haunt friendly wholesalers from this year’s Halloween & Party Expo in Las Vegas. Support for this episode comes from Gantom Lighting & Controls. See what you’re missing with a free demo (gantom.com/demo). Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter: https://hauntedattractionnetwork.com/newsletter/