Episodes

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;...
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.
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....
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...
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...
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.
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...
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...
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...
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...
June 13, 2021

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

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...
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...
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.
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...
June 3, 2021

The HAA Outlines 3-Year Plan to Support and Strengthen the Haunted Attractions Industry

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...
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...
June 2, 2021

Haunted Attraction Industry News for June 1st

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...
May 28, 2021

HaunTopic Radio's Transworld Halloween & Attractions Show Special Part 2

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.
May 27, 2021

HaunTopic Radio's Transworld Halloween & Attractions Show Special Part 1

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...
May 26, 2021

Haunt Industry News for May 25th, 2021

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,...
May 25, 2021

A Scott in the Dark: Episode 57 - Time Management

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.
May 24, 2021

Circling back to International Travel and Staffing Shortages

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...
May 21, 2021

SPECIAL Halloween & Attractions Show 2021

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...
May 19, 2021

A Scott in the Dark: Episode 56 - Catching Up With Friends at TransWorld 2021

Scott shares his experience at the TransWorld Halloween, Christmas and Escape Room shows in St. Louis. This episode includes interviews with Scott's friends Matt Scott from Von Grimm Productions, Phil Raybourn with Raybourn Creative and Brian Foreman...