Episodes

July 28, 2021

Haunted Attraction Industry News for July 27th

Events from all over are announcing their return including Halloweekends, Brick or Treat, the York Halloween Parade, house of spirits, and Scream n' Stream. Halloween Horror Nights - Universal Orlando, Knott's Scary Farm & Howl-O-Scream made...

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July 27, 2021

Embedding IP Activations into the Natural World

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;...

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July 20, 2021

Haunted Attraction Industry News for July 20th

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...

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July 20, 2021

New Mandates & New Openings

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...

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July 16, 2021

Weekend Preview: Texas Haunters Convention 2021

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...

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July 15, 2021

A Scott in the Dark Episode: 58 - Post Pandemic Staffing Challenges

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.

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July 13, 2021

Haunted Attraction Industry News for July 13th

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...

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July 13, 2021

Lego Just Mic Dropped & The Blueprint for International Travel

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...

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July 13, 2021

The Survey Shows – Bleisure is Coming

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;...

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July 9, 2021

Season Check in with Brimstone Haunt in Ohio

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

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July 7, 2021

Haunted Attraction Industry News for July 6th

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....

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July 2, 2021

Carnage Haunted House’s Reopening SCREAM Peek

Carnage Haunted House in Columbus Ohio started in 2017, and things were going well. So well, the team decided to get a larger building. They found an old bowling alley and began converting it, but turns out that’s a little tougher than it seemed at...

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June 29, 2021

Haunted Attraction Industry News for June 29th

David Fachman, owner of The Scarefactory, Inc. plead guity to one count of willful failure to pay over tax to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). According to court documents, for at least four years, Fachman withheld and collected the trust fund...

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June 28, 2021

Summer Strains and Cruise Blues

This week: American cancels hundreds of flights; Knoebels and Seaworld Orlando add incentive programs for new hires; Disney resumes college program in time for 50th anniversary; Royal Caribbean discourages unvaccinated guests from sailing.

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June 24, 2021

Catching Up and Looking Ahead to Fall

This week we’re following up on trends impacting the day to day and the near future. Stories covered: California is reopen; prices for travel services are surging; Universal opened sales for HHN30; the Boo Bash is selling out; Midsummer Scream’s...

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June 22, 2021

Haunted Attraction Industry News for June 22nd

In celebration of the event's 30th anniversary, Jack the Clown is returning to Orlando's Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights. The iconic character will be featured throughout the event - from the streets to the haunted houses and more. Visitors...

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June 19, 2021

The Dent Schoolhouse 2021 Season Update

The Dent Schoolhouse in Cincinnati Ohio is celebrating their 25th anniversary this Halloween. But after pivoting to open during the pandemic, the team is busy deciding what’s going to go and what’s going to stay. These are the conversations happening...

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June 15, 2021

Haunted Attraction Industry News for June 15th

Haunted Calgary has launched a creative service to celebrate Father's Day, "Creepy Character Deliveries". Surprise your dad with a signature Haunted Calgary creepy character delivering a gift directly to his front door. Packages range from $50 - $100...

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June 13, 2021

From Hologram Dining to Life Size Monopoly: A Roundup of New Experien…

Quick Hits, a roundup of some of the new experiences catching our attention, and a discussion on app extensions. Stories: Spain reopens borders to vaccinated tourists; Walt Disney World makes masks optional for guests effective June 15; Fantawild...

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June 9, 2021

Haunted Attraction Industry News for June 9th

The Haunted Attraction Association Online Auction kicks off on Wednesday, June 9th. Like the annual in-person auction at Transworld's Halloween & Attractions show, this online auction will feature a variety of fantastic products from HAA preferred...

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June 8, 2021

A Scott in the Dark: Ep 59 - The Haunted Attraction Association

Scott is joined by special guest Spencer Terry, the president of the Haunted Attraction Association, to discuss the changes planned for the HAA in the future.

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June 8, 2021

Vaccine Mandate Updates, New Retailtainment Openings, and PRIDE

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...

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June 3, 2021

The HAA Outlines 3-Year Plan to Support and Strengthen the Haunted At…

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...

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June 2, 2021

The IP Wars - $80 billion in media takeovers

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...

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