May 12, 2026

NEWS: What Disney and Six Flags Tell Haunts About Fall

Show Notes
Transcript

Both Disney and Six Flags posted strong earnings this week, and while haunts are a few steps removed from the major theme park operators, it tells us something useful: guests are still booking, still spending, and still showing up. The two chains are taking different approaches to the same moment, with Six Flags leaning into value and regional passes while Disney leans into premium. For haunted attractions, the takeaways are the same ones we've been tracking since TransWorld. In this issue:

Disney Q2 Revenue Up 7% as D'Amaro Pitches Disney+ as Everything App
Six Flags Q1 Revenue Up 12% as Reilly Doubles Down on Pass Strategy
Oogie Boogie Bash Returns for 33 Select Nights
AEOStudios to Close in June After 30 Years
ScareCON 26 Takes Place May 18-20
Mars Unveils New Seasonal Treats for Halfway to Halloween

WEBVTT

1
00:00:07.480 --> 00:00:10.240
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
00:00:17.600 --> 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 --> 00:00:28.359
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 --> 00:00:34.280
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 --> 00:00:38.079
off to Darryl.

10
00:00:38.399 --> 00:00:42.000
In theme park news. Disney Q two's revenue is up

11
00:00:42.079 --> 00:00:46.200
seven percent, as Dmorrow pitches Disney Plus as the everything app.

12
00:00:46.320 --> 00:00:49.759
In its Q two earnings report, Disney reported twenty five

13
00:00:49.799 --> 00:00:53.000
point one seven billion in revenue, which is seven percent

14
00:00:53.119 --> 00:00:58.159
increase an adjusted EPs of a dollar fifty seven. Experiences.

15
00:00:58.200 --> 00:01:01.240
Revenue hit a Q two record at nine point four

16
00:01:01.399 --> 00:01:05.400
nine billion dollars, with operating income of two point six billion,

17
00:01:05.599 --> 00:01:08.840
even as domestic park attendants fell one percent on softer

18
00:01:08.959 --> 00:01:13.280
international visitation, per capita spending at domestic parks was up

19
00:01:13.359 --> 00:01:16.480
five percent. Hugh Johnson said the company has not seen

20
00:01:16.480 --> 00:01:20.000
any change in consumer behavior due to elevated gas prices

21
00:01:20.079 --> 00:01:23.400
and Disney World forward bookings or pacing strongly even with

22
00:01:23.480 --> 00:01:27.040
a forty percent increase in crew's capacity. The most striking

23
00:01:27.079 --> 00:01:30.680
move on the call was Josh Diamaro's reframing of Disney

24
00:01:30.719 --> 00:01:33.319
Plus as the centerpiece of the company, calling it the

25
00:01:33.359 --> 00:01:37.439
single most significant opportunity the company has. He described a

26
00:01:37.519 --> 00:01:40.200
hub and spoke model with Disney Plus at the center

27
00:01:40.359 --> 00:01:45.680
and spokes including experiences, ESPN Games, Epic Games, partnership, and

28
00:01:45.760 --> 00:01:50.239
consumer products. Instead of simply consuming produced long form content,

29
00:01:50.480 --> 00:01:53.200
the new Disney Plus could act as a fan hub.

30
00:01:53.400 --> 00:01:56.959
While Demero didn't share any details about this, it seems

31
00:01:57.000 --> 00:02:00.840
the first integration will be vertical short form video Disney's

32
00:02:00.840 --> 00:02:05.040
Creators collection and verts the TikTok style vertical video feed.

33
00:02:05.079 --> 00:02:07.840
Disney rolled out on the Disney Plus app in March

34
00:02:07.879 --> 00:02:11.280
twenty twenty six, after testing it on ESPN in August

35
00:02:11.280 --> 00:02:14.400
twenty twenty five. You can watch Philip and Scott discuss

36
00:02:14.520 --> 00:02:17.599
more on this week's episode of The Green Tag Podcast,

37
00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:21.840
or read the full analysis on Seasonal Entertainment source by

38
00:02:21.879 --> 00:02:25.080
following the links in our show notes. Six Flags Q

39
00:02:25.199 --> 00:02:28.639
one revenue is up twelve percent as Riley doubles down

40
00:02:28.680 --> 00:02:32.560
on pass strategy. Six Flags posted a strong Q one

41
00:02:32.840 --> 00:02:36.159
two point nine million guests, which is a four percent increase.

42
00:02:36.400 --> 00:02:39.039
Net revenue is up twelve percent to two hundred and

43
00:02:39.080 --> 00:02:42.560
twenty five point six million dollars and per cap spending

44
00:02:42.639 --> 00:02:45.960
up six percent to sixty nine dollars in twenty six cents.

45
00:02:45.960 --> 00:02:49.360
More interesting, though, is that the new regional passes driving

46
00:02:49.439 --> 00:02:53.919
Cross Park Visitation and CEO John Riley named South Gallen,

47
00:02:54.039 --> 00:02:56.960
Texas as the markets where the pass is already working.

48
00:02:57.159 --> 00:03:00.520
Six Flags is leaned into this by announcing expand summer

49
00:03:00.560 --> 00:03:04.520
programming and teasing new holiday programs at select parks as

50
00:03:04.520 --> 00:03:08.240
some budget conscious guests look to trim spending. Six Flags

51
00:03:08.319 --> 00:03:12.080
is positioned well geographically to capture the trade down demand.

52
00:03:12.360 --> 00:03:15.759
The six Flag strategy targets guests seeking more regional or

53
00:03:15.840 --> 00:03:19.319
local vacations where price is a greater concern. The Ougi

54
00:03:19.360 --> 00:03:23.199
Boogie Bash who returns for thirty three select nights. Oogi

55
00:03:23.280 --> 00:03:26.560
Boogie Bash is set to return to Disney California Adventure

56
00:03:26.599 --> 00:03:30.680
Park in Anaheim, California for thirty three select nights August

57
00:03:30.719 --> 00:03:34.039
eighteenth through October thirty first, two more event nights than

58
00:03:34.080 --> 00:03:37.680
in twenty twenty five. At this separately ticketed event, the

59
00:03:37.759 --> 00:03:41.960
Park transforms into a family friendly, frightfully fun after hours

60
00:03:42.000 --> 00:03:45.919
event filled with tricks and treats. Entertainment and other programming

61
00:03:45.919 --> 00:03:48.400
has yet to be announced, aside from a note that

62
00:03:48.439 --> 00:03:52.000
the Ugi Boogie Bash VIP tour will return this year.

63
00:03:52.199 --> 00:03:55.680
According to an email sent to Disneyland Resort Magic keyholders,

64
00:03:55.800 --> 00:04:00.000
pre sale for Inspired keyholders will begin on June sixteenth.

65
00:04:00.080 --> 00:04:03.159
Their Magic keyholders will have access to ticket sales on

66
00:04:03.280 --> 00:04:06.680
June's seventeenth. A date for general ticket sales to non

67
00:04:06.719 --> 00:04:10.599
pass holders has not yet been announced. Special effects makeup

68
00:04:10.639 --> 00:04:15.759
and prop company AEO Studios is close in June. AEO

69
00:04:15.919 --> 00:04:20.360
Studios from Orlando, Florida, a special effects, makeup and prop company,

70
00:04:20.560 --> 00:04:24.000
will close its doors on June thirtieth, twenty twenty six.

71
00:04:24.360 --> 00:04:28.160
Since nineteen ninety six, co owners Alan Ostrander and Drew

72
00:04:28.240 --> 00:04:32.319
Delare have supported film, television, and theater productions with makeup

73
00:04:32.360 --> 00:04:36.839
and special effects product coseplay supplies, props, Halloween decre and more.

74
00:04:37.000 --> 00:04:40.680
Their notable Haunt credits include Ocean Park Halloween Bash and

75
00:04:40.759 --> 00:04:44.560
Hong Kong Terror on Church Street, Bush Gardens, Tampa Bay

76
00:04:44.639 --> 00:04:49.480
hallo Scream, Universal Studio, Florida Fright Nights ninety one and

77
00:04:49.839 --> 00:04:53.160
HHN two thousand Tosha May In Park, Queen of the

78
00:04:53.279 --> 00:04:57.160
Night Horror Show in Tokyo. Additional updates, including plans for

79
00:04:57.199 --> 00:05:00.800
a farewell gathering, will be shared via the company Facebook

80
00:05:00.879 --> 00:05:04.920
and Instagram accounts. Scare Con twenty six takes place May

81
00:05:05.000 --> 00:05:08.639
eighteenth through twentieth. Scare Con returns to the Heart of

82
00:05:08.720 --> 00:05:13.639
England Convention Center in Coventry, UK, May eighteenth through twentieth.

83
00:05:13.720 --> 00:05:16.360
On Monday May eighteenth, there will be a pre show

84
00:05:16.399 --> 00:05:19.800
meet and greet at the convention center. Tuesday, May nineteenth

85
00:05:19.800 --> 00:05:23.920
will feature the exhibit Hall, Workshop and seminar program scare Ball,

86
00:05:24.199 --> 00:05:28.759
an annual scar Awards ceremony. On Wednesday, May twentieth, scare

87
00:05:28.759 --> 00:05:31.720
Con will host Aztec Zombie Golf, where guests will be

88
00:05:31.720 --> 00:05:35.720
able to play indoor miniature golf in a specially created atmosphere.

89
00:05:35.879 --> 00:05:39.600
This experience will contain live scare actors from Steurbridge Scare

90
00:05:39.600 --> 00:05:43.199
Mays in Steurbridge, United Kingdom, who will be lurking across

91
00:05:43.199 --> 00:05:47.399
the eighteen hole course, which includes overgrown Aztec jungles and

92
00:05:47.519 --> 00:05:50.959
mine covered ancient ruins. If guests survive to the end,

93
00:05:51.120 --> 00:05:53.639
they can catch up with friends and other delicates to

94
00:05:53.720 --> 00:05:58.040
relax in the ruins, bar a vibrant Tiki themed tropical oasis,

95
00:05:58.240 --> 00:06:00.560
or grab a tasty bite to eat Eat it as

96
00:06:00.600 --> 00:06:04.240
tech eats scare Con. Tickets are on sale now starting

97
00:06:04.240 --> 00:06:08.199
at eighty four pounds plus fees per person. Mars unveiling

98
00:06:08.319 --> 00:06:11.920
new seasonal treats for Halfway to Halloween. Mars is getting

99
00:06:11.920 --> 00:06:14.399
a head start on the spooky season with its third

100
00:06:14.439 --> 00:06:18.639
annual Halfway to Halloween celebration by unveiling its twenty twenty

101
00:06:18.720 --> 00:06:22.920
six lineup featuring ghoulishly delightful innovations and the return of

102
00:06:22.959 --> 00:06:26.199
the annual fan favorites. Halfway to Halloween has become a

103
00:06:26.240 --> 00:06:30.439
treasured tradition at Mars, said Tim LaBelle, chief Halloween Officer

104
00:06:30.519 --> 00:06:34.399
and Chief Customer Officer at Mars Snacking North America. Our

105
00:06:34.439 --> 00:06:37.560
twenty twenty six portfolio is a direct reflection of what

106
00:06:37.639 --> 00:06:40.600
the consumers are telling us they want new textures and

107
00:06:40.680 --> 00:06:45.399
experiences along with beloved classics. New for twenty twenty six,

108
00:06:45.759 --> 00:06:49.839
Skittles Popped will debut a Creepy crunch flavor, a freeze

109
00:06:49.920 --> 00:06:53.720
dried version of the classic candy that delivers a uniquely crunchy,

110
00:06:53.800 --> 00:06:57.439
airy texture The Twix brand is getting a spooky makeover

111
00:06:57.560 --> 00:07:01.079
with the introduction of Twix Skull Singles and Twigs Skull

112
00:07:01.160 --> 00:07:04.480
Share Size, offering a new huntingly fun shape for the

113
00:07:04.720 --> 00:07:08.399
iconic cookie bar. Snickers is also expanding its popular pumpkin

114
00:07:08.439 --> 00:07:12.680
shape offerings with a new pack featuring Snickers Fun sized pumpkins.

115
00:07:13.000 --> 00:07:17.639
Returning Halloween favorites include M and M's Milk Chocolate Pumpkin Pie,

116
00:07:17.839 --> 00:07:21.000
m and M's Halloween Blends and Milk Chocolate, Peanut and

117
00:07:21.040 --> 00:07:25.519
Peanut Butter, Snickers Pumpkins, Twigs and Snickers Ghoulish Green, and

118
00:07:25.680 --> 00:07:30.199
Skittles Shriekers. The twenty twenty six Mars Halloween lineup will

119
00:07:30.240 --> 00:07:33.519
begin rolling out into store shelves and online this summer.

120
00:07:33.720 --> 00:07:37.959
Mars Halloween Headquarters in Topeka, Kansas will celebrate halfway to

121
00:07:38.040 --> 00:07:42.120
Halloween on Thursday, May fourteenth with a free event inviting

122
00:07:42.120 --> 00:07:45.079
community members to come together for an evening of trick

123
00:07:45.160 --> 00:07:49.360
or treating with Mars candy, music, food, and other festivities

124
00:07:49.399 --> 00:07:52.360
at Red Bud Park and Topeka from six pm to

125
00:07:52.439 --> 00:07:56.319
eight pm Central daylight time. Some upcoming events this May

126
00:07:56.360 --> 00:07:59.319
through July of twenty twenty six includes scare Con in

127
00:07:59.439 --> 00:08:05.399
United king May eighteenth through twentieth. Monster Palooza from Pasadena, California,

128
00:08:05.720 --> 00:08:09.240
May twenty nine through thirty first in the Midwest Haunters

129
00:08:09.279 --> 00:08:13.399
Convention in Rosemont, Illinois, June sixth and seventh, and the

130
00:08:13.439 --> 00:08:18.399
Texas Haunters Convention from Irving, Texas, July eighteenth through nineteen.

131
00:08:19.120 --> 00:08:20.560
And that's all for the news this week.

132
00:08:20.959 --> 00:08:24.439
Today's episode was produced by me Philip Hernandez with reporting

133
00:08:24.639 --> 00:08:28.680
by Daryl Plunky. Post production by David Swope. This haunt

134
00:08:28.759 --> 00:08:31.519
News Update is a production of the Haunted Attraction Network

135
00:08:31.759 --> 00:08:34.039
and you can sign up to our weekly newsletter at

136
00:08:34.039 --> 00:08:38.200
hantattrastionnetwork dot com. Support for this episode comes from Gantum

137
00:08:38.279 --> 00:08:42.679
Lighting and Controls. Until next time, Haunters, Stay Scary

138
00:08:44.080 --> 00:08:48.399
This It's a Haunted Attraction mid production

NEWS: What Disney and Six Flags Tell Haunts About Fall

Listen On

Featured Episodes

Recent Episodes