How Scarehouse Windsor is Elevating the Haunt Industry with Unique Themed Dinners that Boost Per Cap Spending and Appeal to New Audiences
Scarehouse Windsor, one of Canada’s leading haunted attractions, is redefining the haunt experience with its immersive, three-course themed dinners. Guests who book this package arrive 90 minutes early, enjoy a gourmet meal with live actors, and get expedited access to the three haunted houses on site. This blend of fine dining and immersive horror offers guests a premium experience that goes beyond traditional scares.
The immersive dinner experience isn’t just an extra feature—it’s a strategic move to attract a wider audience and increase guest spending. “We come from a hospitality background first,” said co-owner Shawn Lippert in an interview. “It was a natural progression for us to fuse everything together.” For Scarehouse Windsor, food isn’t just an add-on, it’s an integral part of the attraction’s storytelling and guest engagement.
The Concept: From Hospitality to Haunts
Scarehouse Windsor’s immersive dinners were born out of the owners’ backgrounds in hospitality and their desire to make the haunt experience more accessible to different demographics. “We’re attracting people that would never be caught dead in a haunted house,” Lippert shared. “They come for the dinner and end up loving the haunt as well.” The themed dinners are designed to lure in guests who may not initially be drawn to a haunted house, but are intrigued by the idea of a unique dining experience.
Guests are seated in one of several themed dining rooms, each with its own storyline and special effects. Whether it’s the séance room or the ominous black-and-white chamber, these rooms feature lighting and sound effects, pneumatic triggers, and live actors who interact with the diners. “We’ve designed different rooms where people can return multiple times and have a totally different experience each visit,” said Lippert. This rotating dinner concept ensures that each visit feels fresh and immersive, encouraging repeat guests.
The Business Impact: Boosting Per Capita Spending
One of the most notable aspects of Scarehouse Windsor’s immersive dinner experience is its impact on per capita spending. Haunts generally have lower per capita spending compared to other attractions. In fact, 65% of haunted attractions charge less than $30 for general admission, according to the 2024 Haunt Industry Report from Hauntpay. However, Scarehouse Windsor’s immersive dinner package significantly increases per cap spending, bringing the total ticket price to $125 per guest – making it closer to that of a theme park.Per capita spending at regional parks in 2022 averaged $56.50, while destination parks reported $170.00 per guest (Global Theme and Amusement Park Outlook 2023-2027).
By integrating gourmet dining with the haunt experience, Scarehouse Windsor is positioning itself closer to the per capita spending seen at destination parks. “It ends up being around $45 for the meal and $55 for your fast pass, which is our normal price,” Lippert explained.
The main course: Slow Braised London Broil with Mushroom Red Wine Jous, Parmesan Truffle Potatoe Crouquette, Chef’s Choice Mixed Roasted Veg.
A Unique Experience for All Audiences
The immersive dinner experience at Scarehouse Windsor isn’t just about increasing revenue—it’s also about broadening the attraction’s appeal. While traditional haunted houses tend to attract younger audiences seeking thrills, Scarehouse Windsor’s themed dinners are drawing in a more diverse crowd. “We’re seeing older couples, families, and people who are just curious about the dinner,” said co-owner Dario Silvaggi. The experience is designed to be accessible to guests who may be hesitant about entering a haunted house.
Each dinner is infused with storytelling, where the live actors engage with guests throughout the meal. The interactions range from subtle conversations to full-on theatrical performances, depending on the room and the storyline. “The actors aren’t just there to scare—they’re there to tell a story, to create an atmosphere,” said Silvaggi. This softer approach to scares ensures that even guests who are not typically thrill-seekers feel comfortable and entertained. “One of our goals was to create something that appealed to people who might never set foot in a haunted house. They’re drawn in by the dining experience, but they leave having had their first haunt experience—and they love it,” Lippert added.
This strategy of offering varied experiences for different audience segments mirrors what’s happening at larger attractions like Universal Studios and Disney, where themed dining and VIP experiences cater to diverse visitor profiles. As the Global Theme and Amusement Park Outlook 2023-2027 notes, offering premium, customizable experiences is becoming a key strategy for increasing both attendance and per capita spending. For Scarehouse Windsor, it’s a deliberate way to cater to those who might not initially think they would enjoy a haunted attraction but leave as fans of the immersive horror experience.
The Bride and Frankenstein during the final scene of Frankly, It’s a Black and White Immersive Dinner
The Future of Dining and Haunts: An Opportunity for Growth
Themed food and beverage offerings are a growing trend in the attractions industry. Scarehouse Windsor’s immersive dinner fits squarely within this trend, offering a premium experience that enhances guest satisfaction and increases revenue. This represents a huge opportunity for haunts to capitalize on, as fewer than 10% of haunts currently incorporate food into their offerings (2022 Haunt Industry Benchmark Survey) and only 3.9% cite it as a major revenue source (2024 Haunt Industry Report).
Theme parks are using dining experiences to shore up spending, and counter flattening attendance. “Food and beverage spending is one of the largest revenue drivers for parks, contributing significantly to per capita spending. Offering premium dining experiences and exclusive food offerings has proven to increase guest satisfaction and overall revenue.” (Global Theme and Amusement Park Outlook 2023-2027). While haunts and parks have different infrastructure these findings underline opportunities for expanding offerings to guests.
Think More Like Family Entertainment Centers
While haunts have traditionally been viewed as niche, seasonal attractions, Scarehouse Windsor’s immersive dinners demonstrate that there is untapped potential for haunts to evolve into more comprehensive entertainment experiences like family entertainment centers. The inclusion of dining and VIP options is not just a revenue boost but also a way to extend the experience into a full evening event, much like a theme park might offer a dinner show alongside their main attractions.
Of course, theme parks have already been doing this, albeit in reverse: “Halloween has become a critical driver of attendance for theme parks, with many parks extending their operating seasons and investing heavily in themed events to attract visitors” (TEA/AECOM Global Attractions Attendance Report, 2023). As seen in parks like Universal Studios with Halloween Horror Nights, the integration of immersive elements beyond the core attraction, like themed food and live performances, has revolutionized how attractions engage guests during the Halloween season.
Similarly, by offering a unique dining experience tied into the haunted house narrative, Scarehouse Windsor is following this strategy of diversifying offerings to extend guest engagement beyond just a traditional scare experience. “It’s about creating an entire evening of entertainment, not just a haunted house,” Silvaggi explained. As more haunts begin to incorporate food and VIP experiences, the industry could see a significant shift in both audience demographics and financial success.
How to Book the Immersive Dinner Experience
For those interested in experiencing the immersive dinner at Scarehouse Windsor, tickets are available online. The package includes a 90-minute dinner, live actors, and expedited entry into the three haunted houses. Guests are encouraged to book in advance, as seating is limited.
For more information or to book, visit Scarehouse Windsor’s Immersive Dinner Experience.
