Haunted Attraction Network

Two threads land on themes we keep circling back to: who you're selling to and what you're selling is changing.Families are one of the three groups still spending on attractions, and the new Universal Kids Resort is a direct play for that demographic. But, it seems to suffer from the same issue as Universal Horror Unleashed: Universal positioned the product as premium, betting that the IP and brand would justify the price, and early reviews show it struggling to meet guest expectations.The operators who get premium right don't lean solely on IP to do the work. They build a strong core product, evoke emotion, and let everything else extend it.Ultimately, we all sell memories made of emotion, and increasingly, guests want to buy items that extend them. During IAAPA Expo Asia, Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park explained how merchandise fits into that cycle.For haunts, it comes down to one question: what's the moment in your attraction that guests already talk about, photograph, and remember? You're not just selling the scare. You're selling the moment they'll remember, and everything else extends it.In this issue:-Universal Kids Resort Opens For Previews-Stranger Things Returns to Halloween Horror Nights-H.R. Bloodengutz Returns to HHN Orlando with New Original House-Dollywood Hosts Its First Separately-Ticketed After-Hours Halloween Event-The Rocky Horror Picture Show Planned for Sphere in 2027https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/a-haunt-sells-memories-not-scares

Our job is to entertain people. How they want to be entertained, though, might be changing. New data from PGAV and Integrated Insight show that the audience for paid attractions is shifting, with visits down about 11% year over year, with the steepest declines among lower-income households, women, and families without kids.This week, we break down who's still spending, what they want, and why Disney's new Oogie Boogie Bash street party might point to where entertainment is heading.In this issue:-Madame Leota's Swinging Wake Comes to Oogie Boogie Bash-Monstropolis Celebrates H.U.M.A.N. Day at Disney's Hollywood Studios-Six Flags Fiesta Texas Announces Werewolf Gorge Launch Coaster-Nightmare Wharf Reveals Attraction Themes-Midsummer Scream Announces Main Stage Theme Park Panels-C.H.A.O.S. Training to Be Held on June 27th- Midwest Haunters Convention Returns June 10th-13th, 2027https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/whos-still-spending-on-attractions

It's March, and that means convention season for the haunted attraction industry is upon us! This week: Preview the floor plans for TransWorld's Halloween & Attractions Show, coming up March 26th - 29th in St. Louis; Midsummer Scream Tickets On Sal; East Coast Haunters Convention Haunt Tour Tickets On Sale; Texas Haunters Convention Registration Open; United Parks Reports Declining Revenue Amid Stock Buybacks; Dark Masquerade Returns to Queen Mary in March; Distortions Unlimited Reveals Frankenstein Animatronic. Read the stories here.

The 2026 OSCARES Award winners have been announced, honoring excellence across the haunted attraction industry ahead of the March 28th ceremony at TransWorld.Also this week: Glenwood Caverns Files for Bankruptcy After $116M Verdict; Dark Masquerade Returns in March After Sold-Out Debut; Derry Halloween Proposes Ticketing System for 40th Anniversary; East Coast Haunters Convention Announces Haunt Tours; HAA Live Auction Moves to Thursday Night; Midsummer Scream Haunter Pass Applications Open; 7 Gates Screampark Rebrands as Pine Street Horror. Read more here

Over 100 haunts are opening for Valentine's weekend, and Dark Hour's new interactive mechanic shows how operators are evolving the off-season format.This week: Dark Hour's Glow Stick Mechanic Turns Blackout Haunts Into a Game; Universal's Hotel Strategy Crosses $1B Quarterly EBITDA; Attractions Magazine's Epic Universe Guide Now Available Digitally; Ask the Haunter: Live Q&A with Philip Hernandez (Feb 10); Efteling Partners with HHN's Nightmare Fuel Team for New Show; Horrorland Miami's "Love Kills" Valentine's Event; Creep It Real OC Announces 2026 Dates; HAA Proposes Bylaw Opening Board to Non-Owner/Operators; 100+ Valentine's and Friday the 13th Haunts Nationwide.Read more here.

Haunts nationwide are experimenting with immersive Valentine’s formats, while new retail data suggests a resilient outlook for the 2026 Halloween season. This week: Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor Launches "Dark Masquerade"; Cinema of Horrors' "Hearts of Horror"; Brass Ring Excellence Award Finalists; Universal's Fan Fest Nights Doubles Down on Core Fans; Halloween Retailers Expect a Slight Increase in Business in 2026; Haunted Attraction Association to Add New Paid Administrator Role; Creep I.E. Con Returns This Weekend. Read more here

100+ Haunts nationwide are preparing to open for Valentine's Day next month, and we'll explore one haunt, Fright Nights WV, and its strategy in depth. Plus: VFX Creates Launches 2026 Product Line; Is Six Flags Preparing to Sell More Parks?; Scooby-Doo Meets Universal Monsters at USH; The Halloween & Costume Association Spooky Awards Winners; University of Florida Study Suggests A Good Scare Can Bring People Together; Hershey Aims to Break Out of the Seasonal Game; Camp Nowhere Returns This Summer; Russ McKamey Wins Partial Summary Judgement on E-mail Hack Lawsuit. Read more here.

Merry Hauntings from the Haunted Attraction Network! While most haunts have concluded their holiday run, 8 haunts are still operating this coming weekend. Also this week: Six Flags Magic Mountain Delays New Coaster; Zombie Fun Run at Field of Screams PA Raises $8,000 for PA Breast Cancer Coalition; HauntPay Releases 2025 Season Data in Updated Report; TransWorld Announces "Heaven & Hell" Costume Ball; Read more here.