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ParkWord October 2013
Each October, or even earlier, new Halloween celebrations are introduced at theme parks across the globe. Yet still no country enjoys the volume and variety of experiences as those offered in the United States. Leading the way are events such as Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights and Knott’s Scary Farm, still going strong after 41 years at Knott’s Berry Farm, but there’s also over 3,000 registered “haunts” – standalone haunted houses and walk-through attractions – across the country. There’s even three dedicated trade shows and conferences just for the haunted attractions industry, and I use the word ‘industry’ intentionally as here it’s almost a business in itself, rather than a sub-sector of the wider attractions industry. Larry Kirchner, owner of The Darkness in St Louis, Missouri, gives us some idea of the scope of the US scene beginning on page 33. It is to North America that Richard Cottier, creator of Farmaggedon in the UK, travels to get much of his ideas – as well as being the only place you can stock up on the props and effects needed to build a credible haunted house or scare attraction. Read Richard’s story on page 36. We also highlight a handful of other attractions from Europe, including the charming Hekse Skolen at Djurs Sommerland in Denmark (page 38). “Since our main target group is families with children it seemed only natural to develop an experience that the whole family can do together,” explains Djurs managing director, Henrik B Nielsen. Disney, as you might expect, takes a similar approach, staging Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Parties each autumn/fall at its resorts in Orlando and Paris. I’m 30- something, but that sounds just the right amount of scary for me. If you’ve ever considered celebrating Halloween at your park but never got round to it, then start making plans now. “It’s no good deciding in summer, ‘Oh I want to do a Halloween event,’ although you’d be surprised how many parks do,” one theming company told me recently. By getting started now you’ll be able to check out the local competition, visit some of the big events elsewhere and perhaps even schedule a visit to one of the US trade shows, starting with Hauntcon this January in Houston, Texas. That should give you plenty of time and inspiration to create a thrilling, chilling haunted house or Halloween event at your park. If you want me to come and see it, however, I would kindly ask that you leave the lights on.
Owen Ralph – Editor
Editor Owen Ralph (+44 161 438 2934)
parkworld@btopenworld.com
North American Editor Contributors this issue
Paul Ruben (+1 585 381 1012)
parkw@rochester.rr.com
Jack Samuels, Wolfgang Payer, Gene Jeffers, Dennis Speigel
Sales Manager Mark Burgess (+44 1622 699124)
parkworld@datateam.co.uk
Publishing Director Paul Ryder
pryder@datateam.co.uk Data Development Manager Alex Wetton
awetton@datateam.co.uk Managing Director Parvez Kayani
p.kayani@datateam.co.uk Publication Secretary
Jennifer York (+44 1622 699109)
parkworld@datateam.co.uk
OCTOBER 2013 ISSN 1462-4796
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