Adding a Halloween Event To Your Park
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The document provides a comprehensive overview for facilities considering adding a Halloween event, emphasizing its potential benefits such as increased income and new clientele. It details successful case studies, like Fright Nights at the PNE, and outlines critical operational aspects, including planning, permits, advertising, and attraction design. The author encourages thorough research and creativity to ensure a fun and engaging experience.
Adding a Halloween Event To Your Park
- 1. Adding A Halloween Event To Your Facility! A comprehensive overview of concerns relating to a “first time” October seasonal production at an FEC or Amusement Park. By Leonard Pickel of Hauntrepreneurs® Haunted Attraction Design and Consulting 972-951-5100 hauntrepreneurs@gmail.com www.hauntrepreneursl.com
- 2. Why Halloween? - Expanded Season - A New Clientele - Ancillary Sales - Good PR - Increased Income
- 3. AMUSEMENT TODAY Playland's Fright Nights shows have record year (NOV 9; 11:02 AM) Fright Nights at the PNE, held for eighteen consecutive nights at the PNE’s Playland Amusement Park, surpassed company expectations for both attendance and revenues in this the third year of this event. “We’re fortunate to have been able to successfully develop a product that has significant appeal to the post trick-or-treat market,” says the PNE’s President and CEO Michael McDaniel. Fright Nights attendance topped 63,000 guests, a 58 percent increase over the 2004 numbers. Gross revenues surpassed $1.3 million – making Fright Nights one of the leading Halloween events in the country. “Our goal for 2006 will be to continue the upward momentum of this product,” said McDaniel. “We are already planning on expanding the number of haunted houses as well as the overall footprint of Fright Nights. We are also exploring creative ways to increase attendance on non- peak weekday nights, thereby relieving capacity issues on the weekends.” Fright Nights featured unlimited access to five haunted houses, a huge haunted maze and five of Playland’s most popular thrill rides including its historic Wooden Roller Coaster. The park was completely themed in Halloween scenes and a cast of 167 live actors provided the “thrills” for guests. Copyright 2005 Amusement Today. All rights reserved.
- 4. Event Master Planning Multiple Element - Increase Ticket Price - Greater Perceived Value - Ancillary Sales - More to Promote
- 5. Event Master Planning Types of Elements - Haunted Trail (Outdoor) - Haunted Hayride (Outdoor) - Haunted House (Building or Tent) - Stage Show - Themed Games - Museum
- 6. Event Master Planning Hay Ride vs. Haunted House - Younger and Older - Teenage Age Group - Less Expense - Weather Protection - Fewer Code Restrictions - Sprinkler & Fire Alarm - Harder to get Insurance - Safer Attraction
- 7. Permitting and Codes Special Event Permit - Post Construction Inspection - No Building Permit - Codes Still Apply
- 8. Permitting and Codes Building Permit - Emergency Lighting and Exit Signage - Fire Alarm with Hard Wired Smoke Detection - Sprinkler System - Non-Flammable Materials - “Confusing Lights and Sound”
- 9. Permitting and Codes Working With City Officials - Apply For Permit - Plan Review - Building Permit - Inspections Fire Marshal Electircal Health Plumbing HVAC - Certificate Of Occupancy
- 10. Create a Working Plan Admission Price - Competitor’s Prices - Theater Prices - Discounts - Fast Pass - VIP Tickets - Online Ticket Sales
- 11. Create a Working Plan Construction Costs - Building your own Attractions - Purchasing Attractions New Used
- 12. Create a Working Plan Advertising The most important piece of the Haunting Puzzle – Where to Advertise Web Site – (Start Now!) Ticket Sales Coupon Radio Billboards Signage – (Start Now!) – When to Advertise
- 13. Create a Working Plan Operational Costs - Increased Staffing Actors Ticket Sellers Ticket Takers Security Maintenance - Costuming - Mask vs. Makeup
- 14. Attraction Design Safety First - Actor Separation No Touching No Hand Props - Security “The Rules” Insurance - No Moving Floors - No Grab Machines
- 15. Attraction Design Storyline - The Reason for Existence - History - Character Development - Theme
- 16. Attraction Design Effectiveness - Scare Factor Timing Surprise Darkness - Entertainment Factor
- 17. Attraction Design John Burton’s 3 types of Scares 1) Visible Scare - A scare you can see and know is coming, but you jump anyway. 2) Invisible Scare - A scare that you have no idea is coming. 3) Visible Invisible Scare - A scare that you can see, but had no idea it was going to scare you.
- 18. Attraction Design Throughput - Multi-Impact Points - Scare-Forward - High Startle - Low Theatrics
- 19. Attraction Design Things to avoid - Display Style Attraction (Handrails) - Guided Tour - Child’s Haunt - Offensive Themes - Licensed Characters
- 20. Conclusion Do Your Homework - Attend Gatherings and Conventions - Experience Other Shows - Subscribe To Magazines - Buy Books Think Outside of the Coffin Have Fun
- 21. Resources and Further Information Haunted Attraction National Tradeshow and Convention (HAuNTcon) 972-951-5100 www.hauntcon.com Hauntrepreneurs® - Haunt Design and Consulting Firm 972-951-5100 www.hauntrepreneurs.com Sinister Visions - Haunting Web Design 312-952-1832 www.sinistervisions.com Haunted Attraction Magazine – Trade Publication for the Industry 704-366-0875 www.hauntedattraction.com
Editor's Notes
- #3: Bulk age group for a Halloween event is 13-30 Kids haunts do not work
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