Is Halloween Dead?
A rational look at the prospects for haunted attractions this year and for your haunt in particular Episode 46 of my A Scott in the Dark podcast (recorded on July 25th, 2020) asked the sobering question, “Is Halloween dead?” The day before, Universal Studios cancelled Halloween Horror Nights in California and Florida for 2020. That […]
Remembering Robbi: Lessons Learned from a Reluctant Haunter
By Scott Swenson For over 25 years, I was lucky enough to have Robbi LePre as part of my life. She played many roles. She was my mentor, my boss, my co-worker, my friend, and, always, my inspiration. When Busch Gardens in Tampa, FL assigned me to be part of a three-person team to create […]
TEA and AECOM Release the 2019 TEA/AECOM Theme Index and Museum Index
The annual publication lists new additions to the top 25 theme parks worldwide and provides data and trends on the global industry. The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) and AECOM have just published the 2019 TEA/AECOM Theme Index and Museum Index, which provides comprehensive data on attendance and other statistics from the world’s top theme parks, water parks, and […]
Phases of Recovery from COVID for Haunted Attractions
Approaches to Addressing a Crisis—Which Haunts Should implement All the Time By Scott Swenson Welcome back to the dark. I based this blog on Episode 45 of my A Scott in the Dark podcast, in which I talked about phases of recovery from the ongoing pandemic. A phenomenal seven-week certificate program I completed at the […]
Midsummer Scream to Host a Livestream “Telethon”
There in Spirit: Midsummer Scream — a Daylong Livestream Telethon Celebrating All Things Spooky Midsummer Scream, the world’s largest Halloween and horror convention, will be hosting a livestream telethon all day Saturday, August 1, featuring previews and updates for Halloween events and attractions, including related performances, talks from leaders in spooky entertainment, as well as […]
5 Enormous Halloween Events Cancel Plans
While one haunt has reopened, Disney’s Halloween Party, Kennywood Halloween events, and Eastern Penitentiary’s Terror Behind the Walls announce canceled seasons. On June 29, 2020, the Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor joined several other large events that have already canceled for 2020. However, Fear Factory in Salt Lake City, Utah held a successful reopening event on […]
The Power of Diversity in Your Haunted Attraction
Use Diversity in your team, in your scares, within your industry, and in your products to strengthen your haunt. By Scott Swenson Welcome to the dark. This blog is based on Episode 44 of my podcast, A Scott in the Dark. It had been awhile since I’d recorded an episode, and this was recorded in June […]
Don’t Panic, Pivot Your Haunt
Creative strategies for haunts and haunters to move through the COVID-19 pandemic and emerge on their feet. by Scott Swenson Episode 42 of my podcast, A Scott in the Dark inspired this post. Let me be 100% honest. I had no intention of recording this episode, but inspiration hit and hit hard, and Episode 42 […]
Marketing Your Haunted Attraction After a Pandemic
Strategies from FearWorm Hauntvertising for how to market your attraction during a post-pandemic Halloween season By HaunTopic Radio When a global crisis happens, like COVID-19 and similar contagious pandemics, haunted attraction and entertainment venues can suffer. Customers can become fearful to attend close-quarters events like concerts and attractions. State regulations may be different for your event […]
Fear Factory Haunted House Successfully Reopens
Tickets sold out for the May 29 “Halfway to Halloween” Event at Fear Factory in Salt Lake City On May 29, 2020, Salt Lake City’s Fear Factory became the first professional haunted attraction in the world to safely open during the coronavirus pandemic. Themed attractions and most other businesses shut down in the U.S. in […]
