Haunted Attraction Network

This week we’re giving updates on industry staffing and then discussing new openings that focus on blending IP with the natural world to refurbish existing attractions. Stories: Disney Cruise Line to resume Bahamian voyages from Florida in August; multiple layers of safety measures added; IAAPA Supports the Robust Resumption of Visa Processing; Ohio's Coney Island offers new incentive for seasonal staff; Disney staff relocation to Florida indicates shift in priorities; Scream n' Stream; Ocean Park Launches Explorer R; Step into the Wizarding World with ‘Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience’; Pokémon Fossil Museum exhibit coming to museums across Japan

Your Weekly Haunt Industry News!
LA Reinstates Mask Requirements; Eastern State Penitentiary Reimagines Halloween Event; The ScareHouse Celebrates 20 Years; Texas Haunters Convention is THIS WEEKEND; Knott's Scary Farm announces dates; Halloween Horror Nights - Universal Orlando announces new mazes; Zombie Joes Underground Theatre Group at ZJU Theater has a new event; FearExpo announces new dates; Spirit Halloween has new animatronics; Disneyland previews NBC gingerbread house.

Read more: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/haunt-industry-news-july-16

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While France and LA are adding new mandates, new attractions are opening in time for the Fall Season. This week: LA County’s mask mandate; France’s tourism pass; Disney’s new campus; Halloween Nights at Eastern State; よみうりランド Pokemon Hunt; Universal Osaka’s Demon Slayer partnership.

This weekend - July 17th & 18th, 2021 – Haunters and Halloween fans alike will gather at the Mesquite Convention Center for the Texas Haunters Convention. This two-day cash & carry style Halloween convention is open to the general public and has a wide variety of exhibitors, classes, and activities geared to everyone from haunt owners and industry professionals to enthusiasts, families, and trick-or-treaters of all ages. With so much to see and do, here are a few highlights from the event’s packed schedule. https://www.texashauntersconvention.com/

At the end of episode 57, Scott mentioned the importance of staffing and retention for the 2021 season. This episode was inspired by that off-the-cuff comment and explores the issue in greater depth.

Universal Studios Hollywood announced the return of Halloween Horror Nights on select nights September 9th - October 31st. The event will feature the new "The Haunting of Hill House" maze based on the popular Netflix series. Fans will encounter many of the show's sinister spirits including William Hill - The Tall Man, The Ghost in the Basement, and The Bent-Neck Lady. The Haunting of Hill House will also be featured at Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights as well. Tickets for the event at Universal Studios Hollywood will be available soon.

Halloween celebrations return to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park September 3rd - October 31st, 2021. Haunted Mansion Holiday, the Main Street Pumpkin Festival, and the Halloween Screams fireworks spook-tacular will return to Disneyland, and guests will be able to meet Mickey and friends in their Halloween finest. At Disney California Adventure Park Radiator Springs will become "Radiator Screams" with Mater's Graveyard JamBooree and Luigi's Honkin' Haul-O-Ween, and Guardians of the Galaxy - Monsters After Dark will return to thrill guests each night. Oogie Boogie Bash is also set to return on select nights. The event will feature treat trails, Mickey's Trick & Treat stage show, the Frightfully Fun Parade, and Villains Grove. Tickets start at $114/person. Sales begin on July 13th.

The interactive theater event, Delusion announced their 2021 theme and new Pomona, California location. Reapers Remorse will bring participants into the world of occultist Esther Phillips, "a solemn collector surrounded by artifacts that not only tell tales but carry the very souls they’re tied to." Also new for 2021 is the "Her Private Collection: VIP Experience" upgrade which includes a secluded 2nd floor of terror experience with exclusive story threads, entrance to the "Dark Arts Bar & Lounge", and a limited edition poster signed by creator John Braver. Delusion opens September 16th. Tickets go on sale at 11:00 a.m. on July 15th, but fans who register in advance on the event's website are eligible for a special July 14th pre-sale.

The owner of The Haunted Majestic floating barge haunted attraction has filed a lawsuit again the West Virginia State Fire Marshal's Office, arguing that they overreached when they forced the attraction to close after an inspection last year. The lawsuit states the defendants did not have the power to close the barges last year because they do not have regulatory authority to impose state law upon federally inspected commercial marine vessels. Instead, the U.S. Coast Guard is the overseeing agency of the vessel. The owner of the barge would like to reopen for the 2021 Halloween season and recoup an estimated $60,000 in lost revenue due to the closure.

A proposed haunted attraction in the Town of Wilson, New York is drawing criticism from area residents who are concerned about noise, traffic, and even "lasting psychological harm to their children". Corey Quinn, co-owner of the property which The Haunted Forest hopes to occupy in the Fall of 2021, intends to dispel misconceptions surrounding the agritainment event. Haunted hayrides and Halloween events can help to supplement income and agricultural tourism to farms, and with proper precautions like adequate parking, low-decibel speakers, and crowd control fences & staff, the impact on neighboring properties can be minimized. A public hearing will take place at a later date. Quinn believes the Department of Agriculture and Markets will defend his right to operate his Halloween event.

Beth Turner, co-owner of Haunted Hydro in Fremont Ohio, has opened the kayaking company, Ghoul Runnings. Guests can rent kayaks and canoes, and tours and kayaking lessons will be offered in the near future. The name was inspired by watching members of Haunted Hydro's cast & crew go kayaking after working on the haunt, some in full Halloween gear. As Turner recalls, "That's where the Ghoul Runnings came in because it was kind of like a bunch of ghouls going down the river.”

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Read More: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/haunt-industry-news-july-10

Stories covered: The Travel industry has a blueprint for reopening international travel; A congressional update from IAAPA; IAAPA Awards are open; The Theas are now free to stream; Universal Hollywood and Disneyland announce Halloween events; Lego’s NY Store has upped the retailtainment game; and Hans Christian Andersen museum opens in Denmark.

Despite the rising Delta Wave, surveys show that Americans are ready to go out. We’ll discuss recent travel surveys and look at new business opportunities for attractions. This week: Surveys from Morning Consult and AnyRoad show a return to events; Marriott on bleasure trends; parades return to Orlando; NCAA ruling; Knott’s Releases Official Podcast; Great Wolf Resorts Moves into Animation with ‘The Great Wolf Pack’

A build season check in with Brimstone Haunt in Wilmington, OH. Brimstone offers 4 attractions: Hayride, Forgotten Forest, Psychosis, and Zomebie Assault.

This week Japanese specially effects makeup artist Jiro premiered a mobile immersive haunted experience, Mugan (or "No Face" in English). Starting July 2nd the single trailer truck experience will visit various areas in Tokyo, Okinawa, and Kagoshima. This short 5-minute experience utilizes surround sound technology and high-end special effects makeup. Groups of up to 5 people can experience the attraction together for 1,000 yen (about $5) per person.

Zombie Joe's Underground Theatre Group announced their latest project, Bazaar Bizarre!. This pop-up retail experience directed by Brandon Slezak and produced by Zombie Joe takes place in North Hollywood, California July 7th - 11th. Explore a mysterious hidden marketplace and ask to see the "private wares" to take part in a 15-minute immersive experience touring the Bazaar's private collections of the odd and occult, along with the peculiar services provided by a bevy of colorful characters. Admission to the rummage sale is free, tickets to the immersive show are $10.

After a highly successful 2020-2021 run in Los Angeles, Netflix's Stranger Things: The Experience is coming to New York City and San Francisco in the Spring of 2022. This drive-through immersive experience features fan-favorite locations from the Stranger Things series - including Scoops Ahoy sundae parlor, the Palace Arcade, and the secretive Hawkins Lab. Guests can also try delicious themed food & drinks and take pictures at immersive photo ops. Tickets start at $54/person and they go on sale Thursday, July 8th.

During a routine fire inspection at Dead City Haunted House, the Assistant Fire Chief Joey Mittelman had an idea – using the haunt to train their Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT). With the Dead City team providing the location, actors, and effects, the initial training went well and plans are underway for a regular partnership.

Hundred Acres Manor Haunted House announced their return for September 10th adding “While the manor was dark in 2020, the jack-o-lantern stayed lit."

Aspiring Haunter (and Pro LEGO builder) “Chairudo” created 2 life-size LEGO Skeletons to entertain visitors at a restaurant by Kostnice Kutná Hora. Each 6’ skeleton took 16,000 bricks and 4 more are planned.

In addition to a special Halloween cereal, Generals Mills is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Count Chocula and Frankenberry with "Monster Mash" Fruit Flavored Snacks. The snacks will feature six different shapes, including the Monster Cereal Castle, Frankenberry, Fruit Brute, Boo Berry Yummy Mummy, and everyone's favorite, Count Chocula.

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