Haunted Attraction Network

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1000

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May 2026

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We connect the global Haunted Attraction industry through education, news, and events. Subscribe to our podcast for education and interviews with innovators in the Halloween space.

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60 recent

May 28, 202612 min

NEWS: Why haunts Are Becoming Scream Parks

Haunts and theme parks are facing similar challenges in entertaining guests: the connective tissue between the big moments is what makes the day (or night) work.In this issue:- Sinners Announced for Halloween Horror Nights Orlando and Hollywood- Hersheypark Dark Nights Sets June Audition Dates- Epic Universe Turns One: Takeaways- Disney Faces Class Action Over Disneyland Facial Recognition- Field of Screams Nixa Expands to Branson With New Indoor Haunt- Hotel of Terror Reaches Purchase Agreement with City of Springfield- Monsterpalooza Comes to Pasadena, CA This Weekend- Get Ready for Midwest Haunters Convention, June 6th - 7thRead more:https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/why-haunts-are-becoming-scream-parks

May 19, 20268 min

NEWS: Why Haunts Are Weaving Food Into The Story

Last week I attended IAAPA Honors, and my biggest takeaway was something I saw last year: F&B as narrative. From LA Haunted Hayride's Cider Mill to Scarehouse Windsor's dinner experiences, the expansion of food carts at HHN, and all the haunts with hidden bars, we're seeing more haunts weaving food into the story. Guests are buying experiences from us, and food has to be part of that, not separate from it. Also this week: United Parks posted a rough Q1 while peer parks grew, and the next Sphere is heading to Yas Island.In this issue:F&B as Narrative: What I Saw at IAAPA HonorsUnited Parks' Dismal Q1The Next Sphere Is Going to Yas IslandDerry Halloween to Adopt New Partner-Led ApproachFirst Look at Midwest Haunters Convention Exhibitor ListHaunters Toolbox: Inhuman Resources Hiring Sessionhttps://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/why-haunts-are-weaving-food-into-the-story

May 12, 20268 min

NEWS: What Disney and Six Flags Tell Haunts About Fall

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 AppSix Flags Q1 Revenue Up 12% as Reilly Doubles Down on Pass StrategyOogie Boogie Bash Returns for 33 Select NightsAEOStudios to Close in June After 30 YearsScareCON 26 Takes Place May 18-20Mars Unveils New Seasonal Treats for Halfway to HalloweenRead More

May 12, 202610 min

NEWS: Trends shaping the 2026 Halloween season

It was a slow news week after the rush of Halfway to Halloween, but a few major trends are emerging that could shape this Halloween season.In this issue:-Dead Man's Party Returns to Six Flags Great Adventure-Six Flags St. Louis Enacts Strict Chaperone Policy-Universal Horror Unleashed Teases New Dinner Series-Nocturne Theatre Debuts The Eaves-Ohio Haunters Convention Takes Place This Weekend-Midwest Haunters Convention Announces Pre-Show Tours-Spooky Swap Meet Announces 2027 DatesRead more here.

May 12, 202611 min

NEWS: Halloween Creep hits a new record

Halloween creep is officially here. Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party returns to the Magic Kingdom on August 7th, the earliest start date in the event's history. But Disney is moving up the calendar without really reinvesting in the event itself. Combined with Universal bringing back HHN icons and recent earnings flagging softer summer demand, the question is whether the major operators are quietly bracing for a slower fall.In this issue:Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Returns August 7thUniversal Parks Revenue Surges 24%, But There's a CatchDark Nights at Hersheypark Returns September 12thSCAR Awards 2026 Nominees Announced Ahead of ScareCONWinchester Mystery House Halfway to Halloween EventsDark Hour Hosts Halfway to Halloween Spring MarketSpirit Halloween Reveals 2026 Store ThemeLowe's Halloween Early Access for Rewards MembersHAA Silent Online Auction Live Until May 31stRead more here.

April 25, 202611 min

NEWS: How Haunters are Celebrating Halfway to Halloween

It's Halfway to Halloween week, and haunters nationwide are celebrating. The Spooky Swap Meet is taking over Heritage Square Museum in LA, the East Coast Haunters Convention kicks off this week in Oaks, Pennsylvania, and it's also the opening weekend of Universal Fan Fest Nights, where Universal Monsters are headlining.In this issue:-East Coast Haunters Convention Guide-Spooky Swap Meet This Weekend-Fan Fest Nights Food and Merchandise Lineup-Six Flags Reinstates Park Presidents at 10 Parks-Field of Screams Halfway to Halloween Music Fest-Creep It Real OC Announces September Return-Universal Horror Unleashed Panel at MonsterpaloozaRead more here

April 16, 202615 min

NEWS: ECHC, Retail Creep, & 1,000 Disney layoffs

The East Coast Haunters Convention is less than two weeks out, and this week's HAN newsletter has your full guide to haunt tours, the show floor, seminars, and the Saturday night party at Shocktoberfest. Build season is picking up, and we're booking Vendor Spotlight Videos on the ECHC floor.Also this week: Disney cut 1,000 jobs across marketing and publicity while parks and live entertainment went untouched, Home Depot dropped its 2026 Halloween lineup in April, and Dorney Park faces a negligent hiring lawsuit tied to a Halloween Haunt employee.In this issue:Your Guide to the East Coast Haunters ConventionDisney Lays Off 1,000, Theme Parks UntouchedDorney Park Sued for Negligent HiringDisney Patents a Heat Exposure Prediction SystemHome Depot Releases New 2026 PropsThirteenth Floor Hiring for CA Scenic ShopHaunters Toolbox Live Session with Spooky WorldCreep I.E. Aftermath Tickets on Salehttps://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/echc-retail-creep-and-1000-disney-layoffs

April 4, 202615 min

NEWS: Transworld 2026 - The Full Recap

TransWorld's Halloween & Attractions Show wrapped up Sunday in St. Louis, and this week's newsletter is dedicated to the full recap. We spoke with 16 vendors across the show floor, where the trend toward retailtainment was impossible to miss: booths are becoming experiences. We also covered the OSCARES (record attendance this year), a new HAA president, and an insurance conversation the industry can't avoid.In this issue:- 16 Vendor Spotlights from the Show Floor- OSCARES 2026 Winners- HAA Elects New President, Approves Bylaws Change- State of the Industry (With Full Audio)- TransWorld Announces 2027 Dates- Halloween Horror Nights 35 Tickets on SaleRead the stories here

March 30, 20261 hr 1 min

The Haunted Attraction Association's 2026 State of the Industry Seminar

Held annually at TransWorld's Halloween & Attractions Show, the State of the Industry Seminar brings together HAA board members, haunt owners, operators, and vendors for a candid look at the past season and the challenges ahead. Moderated by outgoing President Jim Werner (Pennhurst Asylum), this year's discussion covered the ongoing insurance crisis, AI's impact on search and operations, and a push for collaboration over competition. Read our full recap here.

March 30, 202612 min

NEWS: Transworld Week is here

TransWorld's Halloween & Attractions Show kicks off this week in St. Louis. Whether you're heading to the show floor or following from home, here's what the industry is talking about heading into the biggest week of the year.Also this week:- Halloween Horror Nights 35 Reveals First Haunted House and Returning Icons- Jana Partners Pushes Six Flags to Explore Sale- Sesame Workshop Sues United Parks to Terminate Licensing Agreement- Carowinds Brings The Conjuring: Beyond Fear to Spring Break with First-Ever Scream Break- HAA Proposes Bylaws Changes That Would Open Board Seat to Non-Owner/Operators- Minecraft World Announced for Chessington World of Adventures in 2027- Funland to Renovate Haunted Mansion Ride- Horror at Hinchingbrooke House Cancelled Due to School Grounds Damagehttps://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/transworld-week-is-here