July 25, 2025
NEWS: HHN Tests Street Experiences; Texas Haunters This Weekend
Halloween Horror Nights Orlando announced two "all-new street experiences - "Mel's Die-In Zombies," featuring zombie carhops, and "Club Horror," featuring undead DJs. While we've seen 'street' shows in prior years, they're not typically announced and this could mean a stronger entertainment for this year's event. Also: The Texas Haunters Convention is this weekend; Summerween Spurs Creativity and Spooky Vibes Before Fall Celebrations; Applications Now Open for the Haunted Attraction Association's Award Winning Haunts Program; "Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition" to Feature Halloween Horror Nights & Dark Universe; Official Teaser Released for Stranger Things: Season 5. Read more here.
WEBVTT
1
00:00:07.480 --> 00:00:10.279
Coming up your weekly roundup of news from around the
2
00:00:10.320 --> 00:00:17.440
haunt industry. Welcome to the show. I'm Philip on the
3
00:00:17.640 --> 00:00:21.239
hn Show. We bring you the haunt news, information, and
4
00:00:21.399 --> 00:00:24.839
education you need to prepare for Halloween. On Tuesdays, we
5
00:00:24.879 --> 00:00:28.320
bring you a roundup of news from haunts worldwide. Read
6
00:00:28.399 --> 00:00:30.679
more about these stories and so much more in our
7
00:00:30.719 --> 00:00:34.240
free weekly newsletter. Subscribe at the link in the show notes,
8
00:00:34.600 --> 00:00:37.039
and as always for the news roundup, I'm passing it
9
00:00:37.079 --> 00:00:37.640
off to Darryl.
10
00:00:38.320 --> 00:00:42.439
Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando announces new street experience as
11
00:00:42.799 --> 00:00:46.880
Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida has announced to all
12
00:00:46.960 --> 00:00:50.759
new street experiences for this year's Halloween Horror Nights. Mels
13
00:00:51.079 --> 00:00:54.399
Die In Zombies will feature zombie car hops, and Club
14
00:00:54.479 --> 00:00:59.600
Horror will feature undead DJs. No further details have been announced, however,
15
00:00:59.719 --> 00:01:02.439
there there is speculation that there will be a roaming
16
00:01:02.479 --> 00:01:05.439
hoard around Mel's restaurant and a dance party at the
17
00:01:05.480 --> 00:01:09.359
San Francisco area. These street experiences join four scare zones
18
00:01:09.400 --> 00:01:13.560
and ten houses. Halloween Horrnites Orlando runs select evenings August
19
00:01:13.640 --> 00:01:16.879
twenty ninth through November two. Learn more by reading our
20
00:01:16.920 --> 00:01:20.000
comprehensive guide by following the links in our show notes.
21
00:01:20.319 --> 00:01:24.400
Applications are now open for expanded Top Haunts program. The
22
00:01:24.439 --> 00:01:28.400
Haunted Attraction Association's Top Haunts Program has been expanded to
23
00:01:28.439 --> 00:01:33.000
include three categories of haunted attractions. To be certified, attractions
24
00:01:33.079 --> 00:01:35.239
must be an HAA member and meet a list of
25
00:01:35.319 --> 00:01:38.439
ten criteria relating back to the mission of the AHAA
26
00:01:38.599 --> 00:01:43.480
to protect customers, promote haunted attractions, and educate industry professionals.
27
00:01:43.480 --> 00:01:46.599
Recognition levels are Silver for hants two or more years
28
00:01:46.599 --> 00:01:50.040
in operation with at least three thousand annual attendants, Gold
29
00:01:50.159 --> 00:01:52.519
for hants five or more years in operation with at
30
00:01:52.599 --> 00:01:56.040
least five thousand in annual attendants, and Platinum for hants
31
00:01:56.120 --> 00:01:58.439
ten or more years in operation with at least ten
32
00:01:58.519 --> 00:02:01.920
thousand in annual attendants. Winners will have their logo displayed
33
00:02:01.959 --> 00:02:05.120
on the HAA website for national media attention, and press
34
00:02:05.120 --> 00:02:07.439
releases will be sent out to the National press wire,
35
00:02:07.599 --> 00:02:10.759
as well as mail to local media designated by the winners.
36
00:02:10.960 --> 00:02:15.520
Online applications are now being accepted. Universal Theme Parks. The
37
00:02:15.680 --> 00:02:19.800
exhibition to feature HHN and Dark Universe go behind the
38
00:02:19.840 --> 00:02:23.280
scenes of Universal Theme Parks with Universal Theme Parks. The
39
00:02:23.360 --> 00:02:29.000
exhibition at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February thirteenth
40
00:02:29.039 --> 00:02:33.120
through September seventh, of twenty twenty six. Spanning eighteen thousand
41
00:02:33.199 --> 00:02:37.719
square feet of space, The exhibit will display ride vehicles, costumes, props,
42
00:02:37.800 --> 00:02:41.599
at artwork, highlighting, steam components, and career paths that drive
43
00:02:41.639 --> 00:02:44.439
the creation of theme parks and attractions. There will be
44
00:02:44.479 --> 00:02:48.280
eight galleries, including one on scares and horror concept art
45
00:02:48.280 --> 00:02:51.319
for the space highlights props and artwork from Dark Universe
46
00:02:51.360 --> 00:02:53.919
and Halloween Horror Nights. Guests will also be able to
47
00:02:53.960 --> 00:02:57.439
participate in interactive experiences where they can create their own
48
00:02:57.599 --> 00:03:00.960
Universal Monster. Tickets will go on sale in the coming months.
49
00:03:01.080 --> 00:03:03.919
Join the official pre sale wait list to be notified
50
00:03:03.919 --> 00:03:07.520
when the tickets sales begin. The Texas Hunters Convention takes
51
00:03:07.520 --> 00:03:11.280
place this weekend. The Texas Hunters Convention taking place July
52
00:03:11.400 --> 00:03:14.639
twenty sixth and twenty seventh at the Irving Convention Center
53
00:03:14.719 --> 00:03:18.199
in Irving, Texas. The event features over ninety thousand square
54
00:03:18.240 --> 00:03:22.639
feet of family friendly vendors, events, demonstrations, and classes targeting
55
00:03:22.680 --> 00:03:26.039
Helloween and cosplay enthusiasts. The fun begins of the Friday
56
00:03:26.120 --> 00:03:29.360
Night Haunt Tour featuring Dark Hour Haunted House. Saturday and
57
00:03:29.439 --> 00:03:32.000
Sunday feature a show floor with over one hundred and
58
00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:36.759
fifty exhibitors, demonstrations, classes, and more. Saturday Night's Costume Ball
59
00:03:36.800 --> 00:03:40.319
includes a live DJ, giveaways, food trucks, cash bar, and
60
00:03:40.400 --> 00:03:44.039
an adult eighteen over costume contest. Tickets are on sale now,
61
00:03:44.080 --> 00:03:46.280
starting at ten to twenty dollars for single day show
62
00:03:46.280 --> 00:03:49.599
floor passes, twenty five dollars for weekend show fulloor passes,
63
00:03:49.840 --> 00:03:53.319
and one hundred and fifteen for VIP passes. Summer weens
64
00:03:53.360 --> 00:03:58.240
spurs creativity and spooky vibes before fall celebrations. A recent
65
00:03:58.360 --> 00:04:02.639
CTV News article analyzes this year's popular summer ween trend,
66
00:04:02.800 --> 00:04:05.960
with spooky decor hitting shelves earlier than ever before and
67
00:04:06.080 --> 00:04:10.599
local attractions planning Halloween in summer celebrations. One such celebration
68
00:04:10.759 --> 00:04:14.439
is the Strathcono Hotels hot Gool Summer Rooftop Pool Party
69
00:04:14.680 --> 00:04:19.160
in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Ali Harrington, the hotels events
70
00:04:19.160 --> 00:04:22.839
and communications manager, says that summer weeen events provide people
71
00:04:22.879 --> 00:04:25.720
with an excuse to dress up an indulge in seasonal
72
00:04:25.759 --> 00:04:28.759
fund as people grow out of their adolescence, it becomes
73
00:04:28.800 --> 00:04:31.920
increasingly difficult to have reasons to wear that tutu hiding
74
00:04:31.959 --> 00:04:33.839
in the back of the closet or try out a
75
00:04:33.839 --> 00:04:36.399
new crazy makeup style. She says by having it in
76
00:04:36.439 --> 00:04:39.160
the summer, it gives the opportunity for a new range
77
00:04:39.160 --> 00:04:42.279
of costumes that don't need to take potential weather pitfalls
78
00:04:42.279 --> 00:04:45.720
into account. Retailers have been shifting towards earlier and longer
79
00:04:45.759 --> 00:04:49.759
celebrations for all seasonal holidays, with Halloween taking off particularly
80
00:04:49.839 --> 00:04:52.199
well as it is one of the most expressive and
81
00:04:52.279 --> 00:04:55.920
inclusive times of the year that brings out customers creativity
82
00:04:55.920 --> 00:05:00.439
and ways few other holidays do. Melissa Mills, Michael's Senior Manager,
83
00:05:00.480 --> 00:05:04.199
President and general merchandise Manager, says that the less traditional
84
00:05:04.240 --> 00:05:08.160
summerween merchandise helps Halloween lovers transition from the warmer months
85
00:05:08.199 --> 00:05:10.319
into fall and ensures that they can get into the
86
00:05:10.360 --> 00:05:14.560
spirit sooner without feeling like they're sacrificing. This summer, Lovecraft
87
00:05:14.639 --> 00:05:18.959
launches the Scream Warriors Challenge. Lovecraft and Horror score legend
88
00:05:19.040 --> 00:05:23.519
Christopher Young present the Scream Warriors Challenge. This Halloween contest
89
00:05:23.519 --> 00:05:26.519
will feature a series of ten public domain horror films
90
00:05:26.519 --> 00:05:30.800
stitched together with spine tingling interlude tracks from Lovecraft's twenty
91
00:05:30.920 --> 00:05:35.360
twenty two album Scream Warriors. Starting Friday July eighteenth, each
92
00:05:35.399 --> 00:05:38.040
week the new video will released on the band's official
93
00:05:38.079 --> 00:05:41.120
YouTube channel. Once all the clips have been released, the
94
00:05:41.160 --> 00:05:44.920
official guessing form will unlock in September nineteenth. The first
95
00:05:45.079 --> 00:05:48.680
entry with the most points will win exclusive Lovecraft Loot.
96
00:05:49.079 --> 00:05:52.959
Official teaser has been released for Stranger Things season five.
97
00:05:53.240 --> 00:05:56.680
Netflix has released the official teaser trailer for Stranger Things
98
00:05:56.680 --> 00:05:59.680
Season five. This final chapter of the hit series is
99
00:05:59.680 --> 00:06:02.279
set to in the autumn of nineteen eighty seven. Hawkins
100
00:06:02.360 --> 00:06:04.480
is scarred by the opening of the Rifts, and her
101
00:06:04.519 --> 00:06:07.959
heroes are united by a single goal, fined in kill Vecna,
102
00:06:08.199 --> 00:06:11.959
but he has vanished his whereabouts and plans unknown, complicating
103
00:06:12.000 --> 00:06:15.120
their mission. The government has placed the town under military
104
00:06:15.199 --> 00:06:19.040
quarantine and intensified its hunt for eleven, forcing her back
105
00:06:19.079 --> 00:06:23.040
into hiding. As the anniversary of Will's disappearance approaches, so
106
00:06:23.199 --> 00:06:26.480
does a familiar dread. The final battle is looming, and
107
00:06:26.560 --> 00:06:29.839
with it a darkness more powerful and more deadly than
108
00:06:29.959 --> 00:06:33.399
anything they faced before. To end this nightmare, they'll need
109
00:06:33.439 --> 00:06:37.000
everyone the full Party standing together one last time. The
110
00:06:37.040 --> 00:06:40.240
final season will be released in three parts. Volume one
111
00:06:40.279 --> 00:06:43.639
will premiere on November twenty sixth, twenty twenty five. Volume
112
00:06:43.720 --> 00:06:46.959
two will premiere on December twenty fifth, twenty twenty five,
113
00:06:47.120 --> 00:06:50.240
and the finale will premiere on December thirty first of
114
00:06:50.279 --> 00:06:53.279
this year. Some upcoming events in July through September of
115
00:06:53.319 --> 00:06:57.439
twenty twenty five, including the Texas Haunters Convention July twenty
116
00:06:57.519 --> 00:07:01.240
sixth and twenty seventh in Dallas, Texas, Haunters Against Hate,
117
00:07:01.240 --> 00:07:05.439
the Event three August eighth through tenth in Louisville, Kentucky,
118
00:07:05.759 --> 00:07:10.319
Midsummer Scream August fifteenth through seventeenth in Long Beach, California,
119
00:07:10.360 --> 00:07:14.120
and creep a Real Oc September twelfth through fourteenth in
120
00:07:14.240 --> 00:07:16.120
Santa Anna, California.
121
00:07:16.839 --> 00:07:18.240
And that's all for the news this week.
122
00:07:18.680 --> 00:07:22.120
Today's episode was produced by me Philip Bernandez, with reporting
123
00:07:22.319 --> 00:07:26.360
by Darryl Plunky, post production by David Swope. This Haunt
124
00:07:26.439 --> 00:07:29.199
News Update is a production of the Haunted Attraction Network,
125
00:07:29.439 --> 00:07:31.720
and you can sign up to our weekly newsletter at
126
00:07:31.720 --> 00:07:35.199
Haunt Attraction Network dot com. Support for this episode comes
127
00:07:35.199 --> 00:07:40.439
from Gantum Lighty and controls until Next time haunters stay scary.
128
00:07:41.800 --> 00:07:44.199
This is a haunted attraction.
129
00:07:44.720 --> 00:07:46.079
Network Production
1
00:00:07.480 --> 00:00:10.279
2
00:00:10.320 --> 00:00:17.440
3
00:00:17.640 --> 00:00:21.239
4
00:00:21.399 --> 00:00:24.839
5
00:00:24.879 --> 00:00:28.320
6
00:00:28.399 --> 00:00:30.679
7
00:00:30.719 --> 00:00:34.240
8
00:00:34.600 --> 00:00:37.039
9
00:00:37.079 --> 00:00:37.640
10
00:00:38.320 --> 00:00:42.439
11
00:00:42.799 --> 00:00:46.880
12
00:00:46.960 --> 00:00:50.759
13
00:00:51.079 --> 00:00:54.399
14
00:00:54.479 --> 00:00:59.600
15
00:00:59.719 --> 00:01:02.439
16
00:01:02.479 --> 00:01:05.439
17
00:01:05.480 --> 00:01:09.359
18
00:01:09.400 --> 00:01:13.560
19
00:01:13.640 --> 00:01:16.879
20
00:01:16.920 --> 00:01:20.000
21
00:01:20.319 --> 00:01:24.400
22
00:01:24.439 --> 00:01:28.400
23
00:01:28.439 --> 00:01:33.000
24
00:01:33.079 --> 00:01:35.239
25
00:01:35.319 --> 00:01:38.439
26
00:01:38.599 --> 00:01:43.480
27
00:01:43.480 --> 00:01:46.599
28
00:01:46.599 --> 00:01:50.040
29
00:01:50.159 --> 00:01:52.519
30
00:01:52.599 --> 00:01:56.040
31
00:01:56.120 --> 00:01:58.439
32
00:01:58.519 --> 00:02:01.920
33
00:02:01.959 --> 00:02:05.120
34
00:02:05.120 --> 00:02:07.439
35
00:02:07.599 --> 00:02:10.759
36
00:02:10.960 --> 00:02:15.520
37
00:02:15.680 --> 00:02:19.800
38
00:02:19.840 --> 00:02:23.280
39
00:02:23.360 --> 00:02:29.000
40
00:02:29.039 --> 00:02:33.120
41
00:02:33.199 --> 00:02:37.719
42
00:02:37.800 --> 00:02:41.599
43
00:02:41.639 --> 00:02:44.439
44
00:02:44.479 --> 00:02:48.280
45
00:02:48.280 --> 00:02:51.319
46
00:02:51.360 --> 00:02:53.919
47
00:02:53.960 --> 00:02:57.439
48
00:02:57.599 --> 00:03:00.960
49
00:03:01.080 --> 00:03:03.919
50
00:03:03.919 --> 00:03:07.520
51
00:03:07.520 --> 00:03:11.280
52
00:03:11.400 --> 00:03:14.639
53
00:03:14.719 --> 00:03:18.199
54
00:03:18.240 --> 00:03:22.639
55
00:03:22.680 --> 00:03:26.039
56
00:03:26.120 --> 00:03:29.360
57
00:03:29.439 --> 00:03:32.000
58
00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:36.759
59
00:03:36.800 --> 00:03:40.319
60
00:03:40.400 --> 00:03:44.039
61
00:03:44.080 --> 00:03:46.280
62
00:03:46.280 --> 00:03:49.599
63
00:03:49.840 --> 00:03:53.319
64
00:03:53.360 --> 00:03:58.240
65
00:03:58.360 --> 00:04:02.639
66
00:04:02.800 --> 00:04:05.960
67
00:04:06.080 --> 00:04:10.599
68
00:04:10.759 --> 00:04:14.439
69
00:04:14.680 --> 00:04:19.160
70
00:04:19.160 --> 00:04:22.839
71
00:04:22.879 --> 00:04:25.720
72
00:04:25.759 --> 00:04:28.759
73
00:04:28.800 --> 00:04:31.920
74
00:04:31.959 --> 00:04:33.839
75
00:04:33.839 --> 00:04:36.399
76
00:04:36.439 --> 00:04:39.160
77
00:04:39.160 --> 00:04:42.279
78
00:04:42.279 --> 00:04:45.720
79
00:04:45.759 --> 00:04:49.759
80
00:04:49.839 --> 00:04:52.199
81
00:04:52.279 --> 00:04:55.920
82
00:04:55.920 --> 00:05:00.439
83
00:05:00.480 --> 00:05:04.199
84
00:05:04.240 --> 00:05:08.160
85
00:05:08.199 --> 00:05:10.319
86
00:05:10.360 --> 00:05:14.560
87
00:05:14.639 --> 00:05:18.959
88
00:05:19.040 --> 00:05:23.519
89
00:05:23.519 --> 00:05:26.519
90
00:05:26.519 --> 00:05:30.800
91
00:05:30.920 --> 00:05:35.360
92
00:05:35.399 --> 00:05:38.040
93
00:05:38.079 --> 00:05:41.120
94
00:05:41.160 --> 00:05:44.920
95
00:05:45.079 --> 00:05:48.680
96
00:05:49.079 --> 00:05:52.959
97
00:05:53.240 --> 00:05:56.680
98
00:05:56.680 --> 00:05:59.680
99
00:05:59.680 --> 00:06:02.279
100
00:06:02.360 --> 00:06:04.480
101
00:06:04.519 --> 00:06:07.959
102
00:06:08.199 --> 00:06:11.959
103
00:06:12.000 --> 00:06:15.120
104
00:06:15.199 --> 00:06:19.040
105
00:06:19.079 --> 00:06:23.040
106
00:06:23.199 --> 00:06:26.480
107
00:06:26.560 --> 00:06:29.839
108
00:06:29.959 --> 00:06:33.399
109
00:06:33.439 --> 00:06:37.000
110
00:06:37.040 --> 00:06:40.240
111
00:06:40.279 --> 00:06:43.639
112
00:06:43.720 --> 00:06:46.959
113
00:06:47.120 --> 00:06:50.240
114
00:06:50.279 --> 00:06:53.279
115
00:06:53.319 --> 00:06:57.439
116
00:06:57.519 --> 00:07:01.240
117
00:07:01.240 --> 00:07:05.439
118
00:07:05.759 --> 00:07:10.319
119
00:07:10.360 --> 00:07:14.120
120
00:07:14.240 --> 00:07:16.120
121
00:07:16.839 --> 00:07:18.240
122
00:07:18.680 --> 00:07:22.120
123
00:07:22.319 --> 00:07:26.360
124
00:07:26.439 --> 00:07:29.199
125
00:07:29.439 --> 00:07:31.720
126
00:07:31.720 --> 00:07:35.199
127
00:07:35.199 --> 00:07:40.439
128
00:07:41.800 --> 00:07:44.199
129
00:07:44.720 --> 00:07:46.079
