For the next following of weeks, I am conducting a research of the top haunts all over the U.S. and study how they endured their success through marketing their brand. I will carefully pick ones that I believe are great examples that I can follow my own business plan.
Week 1: Choosing the Haunts
This week I am searching for the best of the best Haunts to use as a model guide. Of course, I have experienced most haunts in Orlando, but it will be nice to compare. I want to include the local Halloween Horror Nights, Screamageddon, Howl O Scream and 13th Floor. As far as the top around the country, I chose Asylum 49, Netherworld Haunted House, and Terror Behind the Walls.
Week 2: Asylum 49
Located in Tooele, Utah, this haunt is on my bucket list because you not only can be touched throughout the haunt but also be re-directed and separated from your group. Many haunts try to avoid this technic but it is defiantly a scare factor.
Week 3: Netherworld Haunted House
Located in Stone Mountain, Georgia this haunt is known by their special effects and unique monsters that they create. They have been recognized for top 13 haunted attractions many years in a row because if this. Tickets range from 15-30 dollars and they stay open till midnight most nights. One thing to consider is how late do you stay open? It is difficult because if your company is very popular, the extra hours many need to be considered.
Week 4: I want to do things a little different this week. I am attending Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida. Now my question that I raise is, how does a theme park bank on special events like HHN? Is the success built on the simple fact that it is already an established theme park? I want to dive more into the idea of first of, how does a theme park change from day and night and what drives their success?
Halloween Horror Nights - To give a bit more information in case you are not aware. Every year Universal Studios Florida transforms their daily theme park into a fright fest.
Week 5: Screamageddon
This particular haunt reminds me of a haunted carnival. The location is near Tampa and is in the middle of no where off of I4. As you enter you see a huge mural the is part of their wooden gate barricade. Tickets are between $25-32 dollars depending on which day you choose to go. They have roughly 8 attractions and many food stands. Each haunted attraction has a theme with great special effects make up and props. The one thing that I loved was their chapel house and they had a scareactor strapped on this contraption to rise up to the ceiling.
Week 6: 13th Floor
I been to this attraction 2 years in a row and they seem to never disappoint. They are located in Jacksonville in a huge warehouse. I think it is brilliant because they keep their original layout but change the decoration and theme of the rooms which can be cost effective considering you do not have to build every year ( building is expensive.) Tickets are about 25-30 dollars and you can buy a front of the line ticket. They are not a year around haunt, but they do open on most holidays like Christmas, Valentines Day, and or course Halloween. What also makes them unique is their layout. There is usually 3 different themed "houses" but there is not entrance or exit point between them, you continue along the path and with great theming, the facades give away that you are entering a new "house".
Week 7: Howl O Scream
This is another one of my favorites that we will be returning this year. Howl O Scream is located in Tampa ,FL in Busch Gardens theme park. What I love about this Haunt is the original houses, the affordable prices and the huge gest interactions. There are many scare zones, one at which was Dia De Los Muertos which we spent about a good 20 mins because you are emerged into their world with song and dance. I highly recomment if you are willing to spend a little more money, the VIP package tour that is a guided tour to front of line to all houses and unlimmted beverages!!!!
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