July 25, 2025 • 7 mins
Halloween Horror Nights Orlando announced two "all-new street experiences - "Mel's Die-In Zombies," featuring zombie carhops, and "Club Horror," featuring undead DJs. While we've seen 'street' shows in prior years, they're not typically announced and this could mean a stronger entertainment for this year's event. Also: The Texas Haunters Convention is this weekend; Summerween Spurs Creativity and Spooky Vibes Before Fall Celebrations; Applications Now Open for the Haunted Attraction Association's Award Winning Haunts Program; "Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition" to Feature Halloween Horror Nights & Dark Universe; Official Teaser Released for Stranger Things: Season 5. Read more here.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:07):
Coming up your weekly roundup of news from around the
haunt industry. Welcome to the show. I'm Philip on the
hn Show. We bring you the haunt news, information, and
education you need to prepare for Halloween. On Tuesdays, we
bring you a roundup of news from haunts worldwide. Read
(00:28):
more about these stories and so much more in our
free weekly newsletter. Subscribe at the link in the show notes,
and as always for the news roundup, I'm passing it
off to Darryl.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando announces new street experience as
Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida has announced to all
new street experiences for this year's Halloween Horror Nights. Mels
Die In Zombies will feature zombie car hops, and Club
Horror will feature undead DJs. No further details have been announced, however,
(00:59):
there there is speculation that there will be a roaming
hoard around Mel's restaurant and a dance party at the
San Francisco area. These street experiences join four scare zones
and ten houses. Halloween Horrnites Orlando runs select evenings August
twenty ninth through November two. Learn more by reading our
comprehensive guide by following the links in our show notes.
(01:20):
Applications are now open for expanded Top Haunts program. The
Haunted Attraction Association's Top Haunts Program has been expanded to
include three categories of haunted attractions. To be certified, attractions
must be an HAA member and meet a list of
ten criteria relating back to the mission of the AHAA
to protect customers, promote haunted attractions, and educate industry professionals.
(01:43):
Recognition levels are Silver for hants two or more years
in operation with at least three thousand annual attendants, Gold
for hants five or more years in operation with at
least five thousand in annual attendants, and Platinum for hants
ten or more years in operation with at least ten
thousand in annual attendants. Winners will have their logo displayed
on the HAA website for national media attention, and press
(02:05):
releases will be sent out to the National press wire,
as well as mail to local media designated by the winners.
Online applications are now being accepted. Universal Theme Parks. The
exhibition to feature HHN and Dark Universe go behind the
scenes of Universal Theme Parks with Universal Theme Parks. The
exhibition at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February thirteenth
(02:29):
through September seventh, of twenty twenty six. Spanning eighteen thousand
square feet of space, The exhibit will display ride vehicles, costumes, props,
at artwork, highlighting, steam components, and career paths that drive
the creation of theme parks and attractions. There will be
eight galleries, including one on scares and horror concept art
for the space highlights props and artwork from Dark Universe
(02:51):
and Halloween Horror Nights. Guests will also be able to
participate in interactive experiences where they can create their own
Universal Monster. Tickets will go on sale in the coming months.
Join the official pre sale wait list to be notified
when the tickets sales begin. The Texas Hunters Convention takes
place this weekend. The Texas Hunters Convention taking place July
(03:11):
twenty sixth and twenty seventh at the Irving Convention Center
in Irving, Texas. The event features over ninety thousand square
feet of family friendly vendors, events, demonstrations, and classes targeting
Helloween and cosplay enthusiasts. The fun begins of the Friday
Night Haunt Tour featuring Dark Hour Haunted House. Saturday and
Sunday feature a show floor with over one hundred and
(03:32):
fifty exhibitors, demonstrations, classes, and more. Saturday Night's Costume Ball
includes a live DJ, giveaways, food trucks, cash bar, and
an adult eighteen over costume contest. Tickets are on sale now,
starting at ten to twenty dollars for single day show
floor passes, twenty five dollars for weekend show fulloor passes,
and one hundred and fifteen for VIP passes. Summer weens
(03:53):
spurs creativity and spooky vibes before fall celebrations. A recent
CTV News article analyzes this year's popular summer ween trend,
with spooky decor hitting shelves earlier than ever before and
local attractions planning Halloween in summer celebrations. One such celebration
is the Strathcono Hotels hot Gool Summer Rooftop Pool Party
(04:14):
in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Ali Harrington, the hotels events
and communications manager, says that summer weeen events provide people
with an excuse to dress up an indulge in seasonal
fund as people grow out of their adolescence, it becomes
increasingly difficult to have reasons to wear that tutu hiding
in the back of the closet or try out a
new crazy makeup style. She says by having it in
(04:36):
the summer, it gives the opportunity for a new range
of costumes that don't need to take potential weather pitfalls
into account. Retailers have been shifting towards earlier and longer
celebrations for all seasonal holidays, with Halloween taking off particularly
well as it is one of the most expressive and
inclusive times of the year that brings out customers creativity
and ways few other holidays do. Melissa Mills, Michael's Senior Manager,
(05:00):
President and general merchandise Manager, says that the less traditional
summerween merchandise helps Halloween lovers transition from the warmer months
into fall and ensures that they can get into the
spirit sooner without feeling like they're sacrificing. This summer, Lovecraft
launches the Scream Warriors Challenge. Lovecraft and Horror score legend
Christopher Young present the Scream Warriors Challenge. This Halloween contest
(05:23):
will feature a series of ten public domain horror films
stitched together with spine tingling interlude tracks from Lovecraft's twenty
twenty two album Scream Warriors. Starting Friday July eighteenth, each
week the new video will released on the band's official
YouTube channel. Once all the clips have been released, the
official guessing form will unlock in September nineteenth. The first
(05:45):
entry with the most points will win exclusive Lovecraft Loot.
Official teaser has been released for Stranger Things season five.
Netflix has released the official teaser trailer for Stranger Things
Season five. This final chapter of the hit series is
set to in the autumn of nineteen eighty seven. Hawkins
is scarred by the opening of the Rifts, and her
heroes are united by a single goal, fined in kill Vecna,
(06:08):
but he has vanished his whereabouts and plans unknown, complicating
their mission. The government has placed the town under military
quarantine and intensified its hunt for eleven, forcing her back
into hiding. As the anniversary of Will's disappearance approaches, so
does a familiar dread. The final battle is looming, and
with it a darkness more powerful and more deadly than
(06:29):
anything they faced before. To end this nightmare, they'll need
everyone the full Party standing together one last time. The
final season will be released in three parts. Volume one
will premiere on November twenty sixth, twenty twenty five. Volume
two will premiere on December twenty fifth, twenty twenty five,
and the finale will premiere on December thirty first of
(06:50):
this year. Some upcoming events in July through September of
twenty twenty five, including the Texas Haunters Convention July twenty
sixth and twenty seventh in Dallas, Texas, Haunters Against Hate,
the Event three August eighth through tenth in Louisville, Kentucky,
Midsummer Scream August fifteenth through seventeenth in Long Beach, California,
(07:10):
and creep a Real Oc September twelfth through fourteenth in
Santa Anna, California.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
And that's all for the news this week.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
Today's episode was produced by me Philip Bernandez, with reporting
by Darryl Plunky, post production by David Swope. This Haunt
News Update is a production of the Haunted Attraction Network,
and you can sign up to our weekly newsletter at
Haunt Attraction Network dot com. Support for this episode comes
from Gantum Lighty and controls until Next time haunters stay scary.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
This is a haunted attraction.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Network Production
Coming up your weekly roundup of news from around the
haunt industry. Welcome to the show. I'm Philip on the
hn Show. We bring you the haunt news, information, and
education you need to prepare for Halloween. On Tuesdays, we
bring you a roundup of news from haunts worldwide. Read
(00:28):
more about these stories and so much more in our
free weekly newsletter. Subscribe at the link in the show notes,
and as always for the news roundup, I'm passing it
off to Darryl.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando announces new street experience as
Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida has announced to all
new street experiences for this year's Halloween Horror Nights. Mels
Die In Zombies will feature zombie car hops, and Club
Horror will feature undead DJs. No further details have been announced, however,
(00:59):
there there is speculation that there will be a roaming
hoard around Mel's restaurant and a dance party at the
San Francisco area. These street experiences join four scare zones
and ten houses. Halloween Horrnites Orlando runs select evenings August
twenty ninth through November two. Learn more by reading our
comprehensive guide by following the links in our show notes.
(01:20):
Applications are now open for expanded Top Haunts program. The
Haunted Attraction Association's Top Haunts Program has been expanded to
include three categories of haunted attractions. To be certified, attractions
must be an HAA member and meet a list of
ten criteria relating back to the mission of the AHAA
to protect customers, promote haunted attractions, and educate industry professionals.
(01:43):
Recognition levels are Silver for hants two or more years
in operation with at least three thousand annual attendants, Gold
for hants five or more years in operation with at
least five thousand in annual attendants, and Platinum for hants
ten or more years in operation with at least ten
thousand in annual attendants. Winners will have their logo displayed
on the HAA website for national media attention, and press
(02:05):
releases will be sent out to the National press wire,
as well as mail to local media designated by the winners.
Online applications are now being accepted. Universal Theme Parks. The
exhibition to feature HHN and Dark Universe go behind the
scenes of Universal Theme Parks with Universal Theme Parks. The
exhibition at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February thirteenth
(02:29):
through September seventh, of twenty twenty six. Spanning eighteen thousand
square feet of space, The exhibit will display ride vehicles, costumes, props,
at artwork, highlighting, steam components, and career paths that drive
the creation of theme parks and attractions. There will be
eight galleries, including one on scares and horror concept art
for the space highlights props and artwork from Dark Universe
(02:51):
and Halloween Horror Nights. Guests will also be able to
participate in interactive experiences where they can create their own
Universal Monster. Tickets will go on sale in the coming months.
Join the official pre sale wait list to be notified
when the tickets sales begin. The Texas Hunters Convention takes
place this weekend. The Texas Hunters Convention taking place July
(03:11):
twenty sixth and twenty seventh at the Irving Convention Center
in Irving, Texas. The event features over ninety thousand square
feet of family friendly vendors, events, demonstrations, and classes targeting
Helloween and cosplay enthusiasts. The fun begins of the Friday
Night Haunt Tour featuring Dark Hour Haunted House. Saturday and
Sunday feature a show floor with over one hundred and
(03:32):
fifty exhibitors, demonstrations, classes, and more. Saturday Night's Costume Ball
includes a live DJ, giveaways, food trucks, cash bar, and
an adult eighteen over costume contest. Tickets are on sale now,
starting at ten to twenty dollars for single day show
floor passes, twenty five dollars for weekend show fulloor passes,
and one hundred and fifteen for VIP passes. Summer weens
(03:53):
spurs creativity and spooky vibes before fall celebrations. A recent
CTV News article analyzes this year's popular summer ween trend,
with spooky decor hitting shelves earlier than ever before and
local attractions planning Halloween in summer celebrations. One such celebration
is the Strathcono Hotels hot Gool Summer Rooftop Pool Party
(04:14):
in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Ali Harrington, the hotels events
and communications manager, says that summer weeen events provide people
with an excuse to dress up an indulge in seasonal
fund as people grow out of their adolescence, it becomes
increasingly difficult to have reasons to wear that tutu hiding
in the back of the closet or try out a
new crazy makeup style. She says by having it in
(04:36):
the summer, it gives the opportunity for a new range
of costumes that don't need to take potential weather pitfalls
into account. Retailers have been shifting towards earlier and longer
celebrations for all seasonal holidays, with Halloween taking off particularly
well as it is one of the most expressive and
inclusive times of the year that brings out customers creativity
and ways few other holidays do. Melissa Mills, Michael's Senior Manager,
(05:00):
President and general merchandise Manager, says that the less traditional
summerween merchandise helps Halloween lovers transition from the warmer months
into fall and ensures that they can get into the
spirit sooner without feeling like they're sacrificing. This summer, Lovecraft
launches the Scream Warriors Challenge. Lovecraft and Horror score legend
Christopher Young present the Scream Warriors Challenge. This Halloween contest
(05:23):
will feature a series of ten public domain horror films
stitched together with spine tingling interlude tracks from Lovecraft's twenty
twenty two album Scream Warriors. Starting Friday July eighteenth, each
week the new video will released on the band's official
YouTube channel. Once all the clips have been released, the
official guessing form will unlock in September nineteenth. The first
(05:45):
entry with the most points will win exclusive Lovecraft Loot.
Official teaser has been released for Stranger Things season five.
Netflix has released the official teaser trailer for Stranger Things
Season five. This final chapter of the hit series is
set to in the autumn of nineteen eighty seven. Hawkins
is scarred by the opening of the Rifts, and her
heroes are united by a single goal, fined in kill Vecna,
(06:08):
but he has vanished his whereabouts and plans unknown, complicating
their mission. The government has placed the town under military
quarantine and intensified its hunt for eleven, forcing her back
into hiding. As the anniversary of Will's disappearance approaches, so
does a familiar dread. The final battle is looming, and
with it a darkness more powerful and more deadly than
(06:29):
anything they faced before. To end this nightmare, they'll need
everyone the full Party standing together one last time. The
final season will be released in three parts. Volume one
will premiere on November twenty sixth, twenty twenty five. Volume
two will premiere on December twenty fifth, twenty twenty five,
and the finale will premiere on December thirty first of
(06:50):
this year. Some upcoming events in July through September of
twenty twenty five, including the Texas Haunters Convention July twenty
sixth and twenty seventh in Dallas, Texas, Haunters Against Hate,
the Event three August eighth through tenth in Louisville, Kentucky,
Midsummer Scream August fifteenth through seventeenth in Long Beach, California,
(07:10):
and creep a Real Oc September twelfth through fourteenth in
Santa Anna, California.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
And that's all for the news this week.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
Today's episode was produced by me Philip Bernandez, with reporting
by Darryl Plunky, post production by David Swope. This Haunt
News Update is a production of the Haunted Attraction Network,
and you can sign up to our weekly newsletter at
Haunt Attraction Network dot com. Support for this episode comes
from Gantum Lighty and controls until Next time haunters stay scary.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
This is a haunted attraction.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Network Production
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