Haunted Attractions Podcast

Next week the largest tradeshow in our industry, Transworld’s Halloween & Attractions Show, will take over St Louis. Today, we’ll replay a show from several years ago that examines Transworld through audio diaries from 3 individuals. Three days in St Louis told via audio diary from three entirely 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. Support for this episode comes from Gantom Lighting and Controls. See what you’re missing with a free demo. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Founded in 1960, Morris Costumes is a wholesaler distributing tens of thousands of Halloween products. Over the years, they’ve become known for animatronics, and they debuted several new models at this year’s retail show. The Halloween & Part Expo, held every January, is where Halloween retail stores go to buy for the upcoming Halloween season. For Haunters, the trends at this show are key because they determine what your customers will see in stores this fall. Today, we’ll discuss the new technology trends in consumer-grade animatronics and whether the pending recession will impact Halloween with Sean Morris. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Containment haunted house in Lithia Springs, Georgia, has closed its old location permanently, and today, we’ll visit the final show. Containment haunted house opened its lithia springs location in 2016. The haunt is made from shipping containers, each acting as a different scene. The time has come for the haunt to move and decide if they’ll keep the container model or move to a building. Finding a location is one of the most significant obstacles for haunters, so today, we’ll go on-location to hear about the move from General Manager Joey McCollough. Elsie Acuna went on location to report this story. Support for this episode comes from Gantom Lighting and Controls. See what you’re missing with a free demo. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

The Haunted Attraction Association welcomes new VP, Brent Wilson; The Haunted Attraction Association's online auction is now accepting bids; The Ohio Haunters Association and Carnage Haunted House plan a Halfway to Halloween event sponsored by the Midwest Haunters Convention; Abandoned Acres Farm opens a new escape room; The Savannah Underground and Creations & Libations will present an Immersive Haunted Paint & Sip event; Maag Marketplace & The Heritage Museum of Orange County present a Bloody Valentine event on February 11th; Valentine Haunt returns to Hush Haunted Attraction; Composite Effects announces Transworld Show Special; Trick or Treat Studios unveils 2023 catalog. Read more: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/haunted-attractions-getting-ready-for-valentines-day

In contrast to last week's show, we look at recent Disney Policy changes and discuss their impact. Plus, it's Chinese New Year, and theme parks worldwide are celebrating.

In this session, taught by yours truly, we’ll explain what TikTok is and best practices for using it for your haunt. This audio recording is taken from the January Haunter’s Toolbox Haunt Master class. Participate in future sessions by becoming a Haunt Master at haunterstoolbox.com.

Universal Parks & Resorts announces plans to build a permanent Horror experience in Las Vegas, Zombie Joe's Underground Theatre Group presents "Conjure the Spirits"; Celebrate Valentine's Day with haunts from Carnage Haunted House, Scarehouse, Dark Hour Haunted House, 13th Floor Jacksonville, Sir Henry's Haunted Trail, and Murder House Productions; South Korean police seek criminal charges against 23 officials for a lack of safety measures blamed for a crowd surge that killed nearly 160 revelers in October; The next Ohio Haunters Association meeting will take place this weekend on Sunday, January 22nd, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. EST at the Ohio State Reformatory; Fear Farm will create a mini-haunt experience at this year's Creep I.E. Con; The Haunted Attraction Association announces path to CHAOS Recertification for all that were certified prior to 2020; New product announcements from Gore Galore, Distortions Unlimited, Scareit Badges, Frightbro's FX, and Henry Monster Designs; Exotic Lenses opens for pre-orders; Utah

Universal took the industry by storm by announcing two major attractions coming to Dallas and Las Vegas. Stories: Universal Parks & Resorts Plans to Bring New Concept for Families with Young Children to Frisco, Texas; Universal Parks & Resorts to Bring Entirely New Year-Round Horror Experience to Las Vegas.

Last week we played the 2022 state of the industry presentation from the Haunted Attraction Association. Today, we’ll revisit the Q&A session that followed the presentation. Looking back on the most significant issues from last year, it’s interesting to see what has changed and what hasn’t. How did your haunt compare to some of the predictions made? This Q&A session was recorded live at Transworld immediately following the 2022 State of the Industry Presentation. Support for this episode comes from Gantom Lighting and Controls. See what you’re missing with a free demo. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Two haunters have pivoted to developing a 360° immersive audio experience called SLEEPWALKR. Hidden within a strip mall in San Gabriel, California, is The Sandmen Collective, a popular dream exhibitor. When entering, guests can choose from three distinct dreams offering 12 minutes of 360° audio effects intermixed with practical elements and actors. Today, we’ll preview the experiences with co-creators Sam Kellman and David Coleman (Inside the box productions). Support for this episode comes from Gantom Lighting and Controls. See what you’re missing with a free demo. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

The Haunted Attraction Association (HAA) is the trade association for the Haunted Attraction Industry. Every year during Transworld, HAA puts on several events - from safety training to auctions and awards ceremonies. Today, we’ll hear what the association has planned and preview some of the state of the industry topics from HAA Board President Spencer Terry. Support for this episode comes from Gantom Lighting and Controls. See what you’re missing with a free demo. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Eloise Asylum to receive a $4 million renovation; Dark Hour Haunted House presents new "Dead by Dark Hour" one-night-only event; Celebrate 65 years of Famous Monsters of Filmland with Famous Monsters FilmFest, sponsored in part by Monsterpalooza; The Fear Festival Friday the 13th music festival & immersive experience comes to SoCal; View The ScareFactor's list of 19 haunts that will open for Friday the 13th; Sweet Dreams Scarehouse now hiring for the 2023 season; Hackey Haunts announces Valentine's Day event; Halloween & Party Expo takes place January 10th - 12th in Las Vegas; The Haunted Attraction Association seeks submissions for OSCARES Memorial; Disneyland's Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay extended through January 29th; Alton Towers announces re-theme of classic haunted house dark ride; Distortions Unlimited announces new Pumpkin Witch prop; Trick or Treat Studios offers pre-orders for new Killer Klowns from Outer Space action figures; Netflix officially announces Season 2 of "Wednesday." Read the full s

China has reopened its boarders, signaling the final phase of tourism recovery for the world. This week, we'll look at how different countries are responding to Chinese travel resuming. We'll also discuss how one attraction is rethinking career paths.

In this episode, you’ll hear the entire Haunted Attraction Association’s 2022 State of the Industry Presentation from Transworld’s Halloween & Attractions Show. The 2023 presentation will be Friday, Feb 3rd, 2023, at 9 AM. Slides are available here. Support for this episode comes from Gantom Lighting and Controls. See what you’re missing with a free demo. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

The ScareTrack team travels to Walsall Scare Maze in England to report on the Christmasacre event. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

For our year-end episode, we look at some large stories from 2022 and how they will impact 2023. We've broken them into 4 large buckets: Recovery, Supply Chain, Attention Wars, and AI Technology. Support for this episode comes from Gantom Lighting and Controls. See what you’re missing with a free demo. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Universal Orlando comes to Transworld's Halloween & Attraction Show; Creep It Real O.C. returns September 16th - 17th & November 17th - 18th; The Spooky Swap Meet rises again April 29th - 30th; The Haunted Attraction Association seeks donations for their annual auction; The Canadian Haunters Association is accepting entries for their annual Home Haunter Awards Contest; Factory of Terror hosts a Friday the 13th Glowstick Night Combo event; All Saints Lunatic Asylum hosts Friday the 13th event; Distortions Unlimited releases static prop based on their Mutant animatronic; In Memoriam - scareactor George "Snap" A. Deskins. Read the stories here: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/haunt-news-universal-orlando-comes-to-transworld

Sir Henry's Haunted Trail, Asylum X Haunted House, and Insanity Haunted House, join this round table to discuss opening your haunt for the holidays. If you want to join future sessions, head over to haunterstoolbox.com. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

Frightworks is a 13,000 sq ft indoor haunted house in Powell, Tennessee; they celebrated Haunted Christmas on December 9th and 10th and had a record-breaking 2022 season. We went on-location to see the Christmas show and speak with owner Rob Knolton. Today, we’ll learn about their Haunted Christmas event, 2022 season, and FREE season pass deal. Support for this episode comes from Gantom Lighting and Controls. See what you’re missing with a free demo. Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/hauntedattractionnetwork

HUSH Haunted Attraction hosts a Legendary 2023 NYE Bash; Complete your holiday horror mixtape with LVCRFT's new single; The Chamber of Haunters offers 50% off membership; Get your best goat costume ready for the Norwegian holiday tradition of Julebukking. Read more: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/happy-holidays-from-the-haunted-attraction-network