I can't confirm all of these but it appears that Oak Island, Pale NIght, Evilusions I heard they're closing, Scarefactory might not make it, I also heard about two more companies that either closed or talking about closing.
I'm also seeing tons of middle class haunts closing, meaning haunts trying to do 5 to 15 thousand people. What gives?
Well I think I can explain at least the haunts side of things... haunts are getting hammered due to high cost of operating them. Simply put they cost to much money to operate, and honestly probably 85% of every haunted house in America doesn't make enough money to support a family, or any serious year around employees. Secondly many haunt owners are OLDER, been doing this for a long time they're getting tired of the grind. As prices of haunts rise, and they have fewer and fewer people are visiting more than one. Another issue is amusement parks have dived full nosed into Halloween they have many advantages. Universal gets all the press no matter what state you're in... that is just a fact.
Haunt owners have learned there are easier ways to make money, from axe throwing, adventure parks, escape rooms, whatever.
Two more haunts in my area closed within 12 months of each other. Attendance isn't growing, so we rely more and more on making more per person than ever. Haunts are learning they must look at other things than just scaring people to make money. Adding things like escape rooms, paintball, midways, food, etc. Digital marketing has many haunt owners confused on how to market their product this has hurt a lot.
Lastly, we're dealing with a new generation of people who grow up on social media. There is more things to do now than ever from escape rooms, axe throwing, adult themed mini golf, indoor mega bowling centers, interactive theaters, trampoline parks, i mean you name and its out there.
Vendors are feeling it because no haunt vendor can EVER SURVIVE on The Netherworlds of the World. They're one haunt and they don't buy no where near enough. Vendors need those middle class haunts to make it period!
Very soon I think the haunt industry will come full circle when the overwhelming number of haunts will be charity ... where workers do it for free.
Theme parks will own the space, with a few handful of haunts like Netherworld, etc.
Its going to get harder not easier thats for sure!
Larry
I'm also seeing tons of middle class haunts closing, meaning haunts trying to do 5 to 15 thousand people. What gives?
Well I think I can explain at least the haunts side of things... haunts are getting hammered due to high cost of operating them. Simply put they cost to much money to operate, and honestly probably 85% of every haunted house in America doesn't make enough money to support a family, or any serious year around employees. Secondly many haunt owners are OLDER, been doing this for a long time they're getting tired of the grind. As prices of haunts rise, and they have fewer and fewer people are visiting more than one. Another issue is amusement parks have dived full nosed into Halloween they have many advantages. Universal gets all the press no matter what state you're in... that is just a fact.
Haunt owners have learned there are easier ways to make money, from axe throwing, adventure parks, escape rooms, whatever.
Two more haunts in my area closed within 12 months of each other. Attendance isn't growing, so we rely more and more on making more per person than ever. Haunts are learning they must look at other things than just scaring people to make money. Adding things like escape rooms, paintball, midways, food, etc. Digital marketing has many haunt owners confused on how to market their product this has hurt a lot.
Lastly, we're dealing with a new generation of people who grow up on social media. There is more things to do now than ever from escape rooms, axe throwing, adult themed mini golf, indoor mega bowling centers, interactive theaters, trampoline parks, i mean you name and its out there.
Vendors are feeling it because no haunt vendor can EVER SURVIVE on The Netherworlds of the World. They're one haunt and they don't buy no where near enough. Vendors need those middle class haunts to make it period!
Very soon I think the haunt industry will come full circle when the overwhelming number of haunts will be charity ... where workers do it for free.
Theme parks will own the space, with a few handful of haunts like Netherworld, etc.
Its going to get harder not easier thats for sure!
Larry
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