Haunted Attraction Network

This week is full of updates from around the world. The EEOC gave guidance for mandating vaccines, while Universal Orlando became the first theme park to make masks voluntary for all guests. Seaworld Orlando enters into Universal’s territory with a new Halloween event; is allowing 100% ownership by foreign investment; Butterbeer is coming to New York; The Studio Tour in Tokyo is under construction; Japan’s TeamLab expands into food experiences; and Disney is cashing in on Pride month.

Every year the Haunted Attraction Association (HAA) gives a state of the industry presentation. This year however, was a little different (and not just because of the pandemic). Before this year’s presentation, the incoming leadership team sent out a survey. The results revealed some issues.

“Overall, how would you rate the HAA and how we're supporting the industry right now? Low is 1 and 4 is high. The average right now is a 2.5 for this specific question. This is no surprise to us, because one thing that we talked about in our internal assessment is that we need to be doing more and we're not doing it,” commented Spencer Terry, the incoming President of the HAA.

So, the Haunted Attraction Association knows they need to do more, but what does that mean exactly? Well, Spencer has a plan. A plan to not simply address these concerns, but to pivot the industry culture. Let’s dig deeper.

Disney is reopening to out of state guests in California and Universal Orlando Resort is raising wages to compete on staffing. Companies are betting on the future of in-person experiences, but meanwhile media companies are trying to consolidate to combat Disney +. But what’s the big deal? IP is critical because it has extendibility. This week we summarize the state of media consolidation and discuss how attractions are using IP to extend experiences.

This Fall Great Pumpkin LumiNights will take place at Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta, Georgia. 2021 has proved to be the park's biggest opening season yet, and with its success, park officials have decided to add the new Halloween event. Great Pumpkin LumiNights will feature "larger-than-life" pumpkin sculptures throughout the park. The event has already been implemented in the company's sister theme parks - including Dollywood. The family-friendly experience is a $700,000 investment for the park.

On June 30th, Mary Shelley's House of Frankenstein in Bath (UK) will open to the public. This interactive experience/museum is bursting with unusual artifacts and vintage items, multi-sensory environments, and assorted body parts. Guests will step into the dark world of Mary Shelley to learn about her tragic life and come face-to-face with an 8-foot recreation of the literary monster that continues to fascinate the world.

After the popularity of their Christmas projection show on the Armoury building in Chatham (Ontario, Canada), The Armoury in Lights event organizers have decided to add a Halloween show for 2021. The Halloween event will take place October 14th - 30th with three shows each night. Each show will be 90 minutes - twice as long as their 2020 shows - and feature projections, dancing, and performances. Last year the event switched to a drive-in format and it will remain that way for 2021 - and new for this year is an illuminated entryway featuring works from 10 artists. Applications for performers and artists will be available soon.

In the market to buy a haunted house? Waco Haunted House in Central Texas is for sale by co-owners John & Danea Anderson. After 30 years of operation, the Andersons hope to sell it to a new generation of haunters. The sale price will likely be around $600,000 and will include 2 haunted houses (over 7,000 sq. ft. per house), a 60' mobile home/office, store & warehouse, ticket booth tower & concession building, company van, 3 hearses, storage trailers, and more. If the right purchaser comes along, the haunt can be up and running again for the 2021 season.

The house of home haunter Kit Espada (East Providence, Rhode Island) was damaged in a fire this past week. Espada hosts an annual Halloween display in her yard, collecting donations and non-perishable food items for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank Association. Some of the homemade props stored in her garage went up in flames, but luckily no one was harmed in the fire. Espada had planned a clown theme for her 2021 display, but with many of her props damaged or lost in the fire, she is doubtful it will happen. A GoFundMe has been set-up for the Estrada family by members of the haunt community.

Descanso Gardens in La Cañada, CA announced the return of Carved for this October. The Halloween event features a mile-long trail lined with thousands of professionally-carved, jack-o-lanterns and sculptures made of natural materials. Other activities include pumpkin carving demonstrations, a hay maze, themed food, and a house made of pumpkins. Tickets for this 3-week event will go on sale in September for members and October for the general public.

As we prepare for the haunt season, scareactors may want to strengthen their skills for dealing with aggressive guests. The newest entry in The Practical and Theatrical Scare Actor blog has some helpful advice for ways to respond to difficult guests who are aggressive and belligerent.

Continuing our scareacting education, the Youtube Channel Spikima Movies released a video on the art of the Jumpscare. Using examples from the films of David Lynch, the video explores how set-up, setting, sound, and pacing can create the perfect jumpscare to startle audiences. There are many tips that can be applied to haunts and immersive theater as well.

Part 2 of our Transworld Halloween & Attraction Show interviews. Featured in this show:
Graphitti FX, Psychotic Circus of Savannah, Demski Creations, ScareIT Badges, and Swag Smart.

Maximus Bryant does all the work on this one! Max gets some of the show vendors, actors, and creators on this podcast from the Transworld Halloween & Attractions Show.

He chats with:

John Moran from Brimstone Haunt Creature Corps Mask-R-Aid Polaris BreachFX Mia Demaree from Grim Trails Fred Hearn from Hell's Dungeon Franken Fab Paul from Haunter's Against Hate Dead Rabbit Studios

The CDC has released new guidelines for fully-vaccinated individuals. Fully-vaccinated people can "resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance".

The 2021 SCAR Awards have been announced. Winners include Creepy Caves Resurgence at Chessington for Best Halloween Scare Experience, The Walk at Over Farm for Best Adjustment to COVID, and Survival Zone for Best New Event/Attraction. Visit their website or view the announcement video to see the full list of winners.

The Haunted Attraction Association has named its new board of directors. Cody Bailey is the Vice President, Terri Bernstein is the Treasurer, and Jim Bugos is the Secretary. Spencer Terry (General Manager of The Fear Factory) has been unanimously elected president of the Haunted Attraction Association. Spencer is excited for this new role, saying “I’m following in some very large footsteps and am honored to lead a very talented and dedicated team of industry experts as we shift, refocus, rebrand and increase the membership of the Haunted Attraction Association".

The Haunted Attraction Association presented their 2020 OSCARES Awards at Transworld's Halloween & Attractions Show. The full list of winners are:
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AWARDS
Bennett’s Curse - MD
Fear Fair - IN
ScreamWorld - TX
Terror Behind the Walls - PA
VENDER EXCELLENCE AWARDS
FrightNight Studios - Michael Burnett
Bloody Mary Makeup - Bobbie Weiner
Little Spider Creations – Marc Brawner
Boneyard Productions - John Denley
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD
Dan Hower
HOME HAUNT AWARD
Rick Romano - Failed Experiments
PRESIDENTS AWARD
Randy Young
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Bob "Crazy Bob" Turner
BEST NEW PRODUCT AT TRANSWORLD
Go Ghost Hunting App by Zombie Army Productions

A UK woman was left mortified after 10 policemen paid her a visit over a Halloween prop. After Cara Louise left a homemade corpse prop out in her garden, a neighbor called the police to investigate the suspicious body-shaped bag. After questioning the mother-of-two, police confirmed that the item was in fact a prop for her children's "It"-themed circus party. Cara has been a good sport about the incident, giving this advice for all home haunters: “I have a tip for all parents who go all out at Halloween like myself — dispose of props or put them away safely".

Disney has some exciting news for fans of the 1993 film Hocus Pocus, a sequel is coming to Disney+ in the Fall of 2022. Original cast members - Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler, and Kathy Najimy - will reprise their roles as the Sanderson Sisters for the upcoming film. The sequel centers on three young women who accidentally bring the Sanderson sisters back to modern day Salem and must figure out how to stop the child-hungry witches from wreaking a new kind of havoc on the world.

Since we have just passed the "Halfway to Halloween" mark for the 2021 season, Scott wanted to share some thoughts about time management. By working "time smart", your event won't creep up on you.

This week, we’re circling back to cover updates on some big topics from previous shows. The EU is reopening to international travel, staffing struggles have escalated, and Disney doubles down on demand bets by raising prices.
Stories covered: The EU Reopens; Cedar Point to pay $20/hour; Disney Cruise Line Releases Pricing for the Inaugural Season of the Wish; Hong Kong Disneyland has posted its worst net loss on record at HK$2.66 billion.

We talk a lot about the haunt community and how important it is. For many haunters, the largest community gathering is the Halloween and Attractions Show in St Louis. But- it’s tough to describe this show to you. Instead, we are taking you inside the perspective of three different attendees. Three days in St Louis told via audio diary from three quite different attendees – a first timer, a first-time vendor, and a veteran. Featured in this episode: Brian Foreman from Haunter’s Toolbox and ScareIt Badges, Max Bryant, Scott Swenson, Scott Tater Lynd, Doug Schaefer, and Dalton Dale.

This show is supported by Gantom Lighting & Controls; Gantom illuminates attractions worldwide with the world's smallest intelligent spotlights. Demo some lights and chat with Gantom's design team for free from the comfort of your home: www.gantom.com/demo