Haunted Attraction Network

Have you ever wondered what drives haunt reviewers crazy? On today’s show, reviewers from The Scare Factor discuss their haunt pet peeves! While these pet peeves are simple fixes, they’re easy to lose track of.

The Scare Factor provides Haunted House and Halloween lovers with the most professional and accurate info possible. Find your next favorite haunt at (thescarefactor.com).

We’re counting down to Halloween with our 61 day hauntathon. Our hauntathon is made possible through generous support from Gantom Lighting. We’ll see you back here tomorrow and every day until Halloween.

There are 57 days until Halloween. In day 4 of our Hauntathon, three haunting poems from whispers of a witch: The Amber Witch, The Haunted Oak, and The Two Witches. Support for our Hauntathon comes from Gantom Lighting & Controls. Follow our hauntathon: https://hauntedattractionnetwork.com/hauntathon-2021/

The Fear Factory in Salt Lake City is celebrating their 10th season and beyond remodeling, they’ve added a season pass ticket option. Spencer Terry is the General Manager and President of the HAA; Spencer’s team was the first haunted house to reopen after the start of the pandemic and they’ve helped countless haunts around the world with their reopening plans.

Today is Thursday, September 2nd and there are 59 days until Halloween. Coming up – Are you struggling to paint that pesky brick pattern? Today’s haunt hack is for you. Stay tuned to the end of the episode for a PSA from The Scare Factor. Support for today's show comes from Gantom Lighting & Controls. Learn more: www.gantom.com/demo

Halloween Horror Nights - Universal Orlando to install vinyl dividers; Oaks Park cancels annual Oktoberfest; Hopi Hari celebrates 20 years; Swampus Returns comes to New Orleans; The Franklin Institute unveils new Halloween science shows; Bronx Halloween Parade returns for its 36th year; Freeform's Halloween Road returns; Thirteenth Floor Haunted House Chicago announces new location; Kennywood Park's Phantom Fright Nights to become Phantom Fallfest; Pumpkin spice season starts earlier than ever before
And finally - In Memorial: Steve Koci.

After some quick hits, our deep dive this week is retail experiences versus app extensions; while many brands are crafting experiences with licenses, Disney is doubling down on app experiences. Stories: Walt Disney World requiring COVID vaccine for unionized cast members; Delta’s Extra $200 Monthly Healthcare Surcharge To Unvaccinated Airline Workers May Have Serious Unintended Consequences; Vinyl dividers will separate guests and scareactors at Universal Studios; Universal Beijing Begins Trial Operations Sept 1; Ocean Park Hong Kong opens Bid for Development; Licensing International selects its 2021 Excellence Award winners; Universal Orlando releases Halloween Horror Nights menu inspired by haunted houses; Nearly all Disney store locations in Florida closing as Target announces ‘shop-in-shop’ expansion; Disney Wish to include interactive mobile device experience on board.

In June, we shared the association’s new strategic plan. Well it’s been a few months, so how are things are shaping up? Coming up, Spencer Terry the new President gives us an update. Several programs are ready to go, and there’s even content available free for all haunters. Member group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/304973841371896) and website: https://hauntedattractionassociation.com/

HERSHEY'S finds 86% of Americans will celebrate Halloween; The Home Depot sells out Halloween merch; Disney unveils adaptive costumes; Fifolet Halloween Festival transforms; USH HHN Ruled not a mega event; Airbnb banned one-night stays on Halloween; GlasgowBotanicGardens' "GlasGlow"; Warner Bros. Studio Tour London's "Dark Arts"; Haunt 'O Ween LA; Miami Children's Museum "Not So Scary Gamily Halloween Bash"; Louisville, Kentucky's "Ultimate Halloween Fest"; City Government of Celina, Texas announces Celina the official "Halloween Capital of North Texas"; plus stay tuned for a PSA from The Scare Factor.Read more: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/haunt-industry-news-aug-22

This week’s big news is the unveiling of Disney Genie. The service puts Disney one large step closer to the ‘park sharing’ model of peak efficiency. While the service democratizes concierge planning for every ticketholder, the lightning lane marks another set of ‘velvet ropes’ to get more spend per guest. Disney’s walls climb ever higher by adding technology and cash to the chasm. Will the service discourage passholders? How will other attractions compete? Does this kill vacation spontaneity? There’s a lot to discuss.

Earlier this year 13th Floor Entertainment quietly acquired another property, one very different from their other properties. Delusion, known for their immersive horror shows, joined the 13th floor brand with Jon Braver becoming the Director of Immersive Entertainment. When the largest haunted attraction company makes a move like this into immersive shows, it’s a big deal.
Today on the show, we’ll hear the backstory behind the merge and what 13th Floor Entertainment Group has planned for their properties in Los Angeles. This is a panel presentation from Midsummer Scream’s event Awaken the Spirits. This was recorded live on location in Pasadena on August 14th. The Los Angeles Haunted Hayride opens September 24th through October 31st and Delusion Reaper’s Remorse is showing September 16th through November 21st.
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