Haunted Attractions Podcast

The only officially licensed 'IT' experience in the world, EscapeIT is an escape room on steroids. Guests arrive in Derry and embark on a mission with Derry Public Works to find the missing children. The nearly 90-minute experience spans 16 rooms and brings you face-to-face with full-scale scenes from the movie based on the novels by Stephen King. After three years of planning, EscapeIT Chapter 1 has officially opened in Las Vegas. I went on-location to speak with creator Jason Egan about the experience, his journey working with large IPs, and the future of year-round horror experiences. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Based in Kingwood, Texas, 916 Productions specializes in faux finishes for your haunt. Today, we’ll learn about their Fear Finish line and new blacklight stain. This episode was recorded live during Transworld. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Universal Orlando Resort's Halloween Horror Nights returns for a record-breaking 44 nights in 2023; Tickets are now on sale for the Midwest Haunters Convention Pre-Convention Bus Tour; Terror Tours announces their 2023 Texas Terror Tour haunt lineup; Fear Expo returns to the Owensboro Convention Center April 12th - 14th, 2024; The Chamber of Haunters will offer a Crowd Control G.H.O.S.T. course on April 13th; Zombie Joe's Underground Theatre Group presents a new Easter show; Pluto TV celebrates Halfway to Halloween with the month-long "April Ghouls" celebration. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

We recap the major takeaways from the First Annual IAAPA North American Trade Summit, specifically, the central theme of Authentic Reality. The IAAPA Trade Summits have replaced the former Leadership Summits, and each region will host a local trade summit annually. The trade summits combine member connections and education on regional issues with a trade component. This year’s North American summit took 134 attendees on 5 facility tours in the San Diego area over 4 days, with 21 trade partners and 3 keynote speakers. This episode features on-location audio and interviews with Michael Shelton (VP and Executive Director, IAAPA North America), George Walker (CEO & Founder, The League of Extraordinary Dining), Jim Lake (President of SeaWorld San Diego), Spencer Meinburg (GM of Plunge San Diego), Andrew Terbush (Executive Chef, SeaWorld San Diego), and the San Diego Zoo. Special thanks to Rachel Wilkinson for assistance with the audio recording and Caitlin Dineen (Director, Global Communications, IAAPA) for coordi

Toxic FX, founded in 2017, creates Halloween masks, props, and novelties. Their rotting pumpkins have become iconic in the industry. This year, they received the vendor excellence award from the Haunted Attraction Association. We stopped by their booth during Transworld to hear what’s new in their line. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Craig Watt is a rare combination of a seasoned insurance agent and a professional haunter at Terror Isle in Texas City. Today, get insights on the spooky side of insurance policies, as Craig unravels the mystery of haunt insurance for amateurs and pros alike. Dare to discover the hidden vulnerabilities in your coverage, and avoid getting tricked by what it doesn't protect you from. Today’s episode is a recording from Brian’s Haunt Masterclasses; you can join those at haunters toolbox.com.

Read the full stories here: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/escape-it-opens-in-las-vegas

Political clashes are shaking up the theme park world: Biden against Resort Fees and Disney versus De Santis. Plus, trends are unfolding in the world of Six Flags expansions. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Allen Hopps owns Stilt Beast Studios and is the Director of Dark Hour Haunted House. During this year’s Transworld, Allen brought several new costumes with an anti-reality theme, and he’s also been experimenting with gamification and off-season events at his haunt. Here’s Allen live at the show with more. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Scott visits the Middle East Film and Comic Convention and draws parallels between horror culture and its impact across countries. The Middle East Film and Comic Con (commonly referred to as MEFCC) is a speculative fiction convention held annually in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in April. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Haunts nationwide celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a terrifying twist - including Dark Hour, Hudson Haunted House, Bennett's Curse, Frightmare, Panic Point, Brighton Asylum, Bayville Scream Park, and Field of Screams, and Fright Haven Haunted House; Scream Break comes to Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags Magic Mountain this weekend; Efteling shares progress on new Danse Macabre and Huyverwoud Haunted Forest area; Haunted Majestic to launch a new charitable giving program for the 2023 haunt season. Read the stories here: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/st-patricks-day-haunt-events-around-the-country

Universal announces a rebrand as their expansion in Texas is approved. Meanwhile, Disney is hitting a price ceiling due to a lack of demand for the Galactic Starcruiser. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Today, Scott Swenson shares a design hack – incorporating easter eggs (AKA Hidden narrative moments) into your haunt for your best customers to discover. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Should you hire a consultant for your haunt, and how do you begin? Today, Scott Swenson explains what makes a great consultant, things to avoid when hiring the right one, and why you might not even need one. If you want to join the conversation for the next masterclass, join Haunter’s Toolbox (https://haunterstoolbox.com/). Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

RibFX, who just celebrated their successful 2nd year at the show, specializes in creating static props with translucent urethane rubber. Today, we’ll learn more about why that matters. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Tickets are now on sale for Midsummer Scream; The Cleveland Haunt Club will host its 3rd Annual Halfway to Halloween Flea Market; The Ohio Haunters Association announces Halfway to Halloween Character Contest; Springtopia will feature two mazes in Spooky-Land section; Wells Township Haunted House hosts St. Patrick's Day lights out haunt; Castle Blood celebrates St. "Batrick's" Day; Netflix announces new Stranger Things stage play in London; The Haunted Attraction Association seeks volunteers for Home Haunt & Vendor Committees; Fear Factory is hiring General Maintenance & Build Apprentices; Walt Disney Studios releases Haunted Mansion teaser trailer. Read the stories here: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/midsummer-scream-expands-hall-of-shadows

We're breaking down the 2022 earnings for Six Flags and SeaWorld this week! Overall good news, as despite lower attendance, the parks showed more profitability.Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Today, Scott discusses how he has handled quotes and contracts for goods and services within the Haunt industry and how you should approach them. Subscribe our newsletter: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Presented by The Haunted Attraction Association during Transworld, the OSCARES are the highest achievement in the Halloween and Haunted Attraction industry. We’re playing the full award presentation for you today, including the board nomination remarks and acceptance speeches. Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/a3QVglndlCo

The City Museum in St Louis hosts haunters for a yearly party during Transworld’s Halloween & Attractions Show. The massive space is about interactive play, where the local team makes everything from recycled materials. The Museum was hit hard by the pandemic, but now that they’ve recovered, what’s the plan? We speak with Rick Erwin, Creative Director of the City Museum, to learn about their design philosophy. Subscribe our newsletter: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork