Haunt Weekly

Pretty much everyone agrees that fast food mascots are creepy. We've taken it a step further and devised a theory that they are, without exception, serial killers.So, this week, we are discussing them. We're taking a look at the major fast food mascots, why they are creepy and how you can introduce some of that creep into your haunt.We do this in hopes that maybe, just maybe, some haunts will steer away from ripping off famous horror movie characters and shift to either using parodies of fast food mascots or, even better, create all-new characters incorporating this creep factor.This Week's Episode Includes1) Intro2) Last Week's Question of the Week3)This Week's Question of the Week4) Intro to the Topic5) The Wendy's Girl6) Colonel Sanders7) The Chick-Fil-A Cows8) The Burger King9) The McDonald's Mascots10) Jack11) ConclusionsAll in all, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEma

Looking around many haunted attraction groups, I've been seeing several posts claiming that haunts are recession-proof or, at the very least, recession-resilliant. But is it?Haunted attractions have changed a LOT over the past decade or so. We've become a luxury entertainment experience and that's one that had an increasing impact on our customers' wallets? What happens when belts tighten?That's what we're going to look at today with evidence both for and against this notion as well as some suggestions for making your haunt more recession-proof.This Week's Episode Includes:IntroQuestion of the WeekThe Uncertain FutureThe Origins of the Idea of Being Recession-Proof5 Reasons Haunts May Be Recession-Proof4 Reasons They May Not5 Ways to Better Protect Your HauntConclusionsAll in all, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com

This week on Haunt Weekly we're doing the news, and it has been another busy news cycle to say the least. Not only do we have the end of the 2021 haunt season to go over, but the aftermath of that season carries with it tons of news of its own.Luckily for us, it's an interesting mix of happy and serious stories this week as we talk about an arson at one haunt, another haunt run by the developmentally disabled and much, much more.This Week's Episode Includes:IntroQuestion of the WeekConference RemindersParker Haunted House Destroyed in "Suspicious" Blaze (https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/parker-brush-fire-haunted-house-destroyed/73-53796481-4d81-4710-9268-2a73b279fc92)Incident at KLAQ Haunted House Under Investigation (https://kvia.com/news/el-paso/2021/10/30/incident-at-klaq-haunted-house-under-investigation/)Local Youth Run Haunted House (https://kvia.com/news/el-paso/2021/10/30/incident-at-klaq-haunted-house-under-investigation/)Can a Haunted House Even Scare Us in 2021? (ht

This week on Haunt Weekly, we're celebrating the end of haunt season 2021 with a look back to the past.Haunting: Starring Polterguy, is a unique game for the Sega Genesis and Mega Drive. Released in 1993, the game has you play the role of a poltergeist with the singular goal of scaring a family out of their beloved home. However, there's much more to this game than fun, cartoony graphics and silly scares. There are some lessons for haunters and, just maybe, a good way to wind down after the long haunt season while still getting a bit of your post-season haunting itch scratches.This Week's Episode Includes:IntroHousekeeping NotesQuestion of the WeekThe Basics of the GameWhy Haunters Should Play itSome Bad NewsConclusionsAll in all, this is one episode that you do NOT want to miss! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com

Halloween 2021 is in the books and for us, well, it didn't exactly go as well as planned. Between car accidents, back injuries and a million other misfortunes, this was NOT the Halloween we wanted.However, we did try to make the best of it. There were parties, or at least A party, trick or treating and a lot of moaning and crying out, just not the spooky kind.So join us as we go back through the Halloween that was, discuss why our haunt was closed this year and, more importantly, what we did the the holiday itself.This Week's Episode Includes:IntroConference RemindersA Recap of our HalloweenConclusionsAll in all, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com

**Due to a back injury we are doing another classic episode, this one an interview with Jim Warfield from Raven's Grin Inn!**Most haunters are already very familiar with Raven's Grin Inn, a year-round haunted attraction in Mt. Carroll, IL. The brain child and labor of Jim Warfield, it is an attraction that is both unique and revered.Last week, we got the chance to see the iconic haunt and it was indeed every bit as unusual an amazing that we thought it would be. But, equally awesome, Jim agreed to sit down with us and talk for an hour about his attraction, how he got started and the challenges of running a year-round haunt in a small midwest town.Jim is definitely one of the most interesting characters we've met and this interview is easily one of the biggest honors we've had with this podcast.So, without any further ado, here's Jim Warfield of Raven's Grin Inn talking about his 30+ years at Raven's Grin Inn. PS: Be sure to follow Raven's Grin Inn on Facebook and check

This week on Haunt Weekly, we're doing the news and man do we have a busy show for you. Without a doubt, 2021 has been one of the busiest and most chaotic seasons to date and we're covering the bulk of it in just one episode as we discuss all the haunt news that's fit to print (or talk about).So sit back, relax and let's talk about some haunted attraction news!This Week's Episode Includes:IntroUpdate on Our DisplayRevisiting the Question of the WeekThis Week's Question of the WeekConference Reminders13-Year-Old Girl Injured at Haunted House (https://www.cleveland19.com/2021/10/18/13-year-old-girl-injured-berea-haunted-house/)How the "Labor Shortage" is Impacting Haunts (https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/10/22/metro/labor-shortage-is-spooking-new-victim-haunted-houses/)Haunts Need a Banner Year (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/21/business/haunted-house-halloween-pandemic.html)Haunted House Owners Warn of "Free Ticket" Scam (https://www.wsaz.com/2021/10/21/haunte

Halloween novelty songs are a tradition that goes back more than sixty years. They have been a part of American culture for decades and have made a splash all around the world.So this week we're going to take a look at some classic mainstays of the genre. We'll examine the song itself, what it means, and take a look at the person or people that wrote it.Hopefully this trip down memory lane will be just as exciting and for you as it was for both of us.This Week's Episode Includes:IntroHousekeeping NotesUpdate on CrystalQuestion of the WeekBackground on the TopicThe Purple People EaterLove Potion Number 9I Put a Spell on YouWitch Doctor!Monster MashSpooky Scary SkeletonsConclusionsAll in all, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com

As we've discussed, we didn't get the Episode 300 we wanted or the Episode 305 we wanted either. However, Crystal is back now, and we're trying to get some of what we missed back as we look over our history and discuss our favorite episodes.But wait, you say, didn't you do this in Episode 200? Well, yes. That's why we're focusing most of our energy on the last 100 episode and looking at some of our favorite episodes over the least 100 weeks. So sit back, relax and join us as we discuss the best Haunt Weekly has to offer!This Week's Episode Includes:Intro Housekeeping NotesQuestion of the WeekOur Top 10 Favorite Episodes From The Past 100Our Most Useful EpisodesWhich Episode We Had the Most Fun WritingFavorite Episodes of All TimeConclusionsAll in all, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com

Sadly, due to circumstances beyond our control, we are unable to record a new episode this week. So, instead, we're resharing Episode 200, Our Favorite Haunt Weekly Episodes.This was meant to be the episode we were going to play off of this week, but it's a great episode that points to many other great episodes and is well worth either a first or second listen.Previous Show Notes: It is our 200th episode and, to celebrate, we're going through our entire library and highlighting the best of the best. That's right, we both blindly picked 12 episodes we thought worthy of mentioning. Of the 12 we each picked, we had four we agreed on leaving us with 16 episodes we each wanted to highlight and 4 that we both agreed on. This gives us our top 20 episodes (with some extreme caveats).So sit back and relax but pay attention. There is a quiz at the end and, if you're one of the first to answer the questions correctly, you could win some neat (but admittedly small) prizes.This Week's Episode

This week on Haunt Weekly, we are doing the news and the past four weeks have been busy ones. Most notably, we've had the start of haunt season and, with that, we have our first shooting of the season and a very odd stabbing.However, it's not all bad news as we have some very unique haunts opening or reopening this year as well as some very upbeat forecasts on the seasons. So sit down, grab your favorite beverage and listen as we take you though all the haunt news fit to print... or podcast.This Week's Episode Includes:IntroRevisit Question of the WeekThis Week's Question of the WeekConference RemindersTeen Killed at Haunted Attraction Shooting (https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/12/us/haunted-hayride-shooting/index.html)Haunt Actor Accidentally Stabs Customer (https://www.cleveland.com/community/2021/09/haunted-house-actor-accidentally-stabs-11-year-old-boy-at-cuyahoga-county-fairgrounds-in-berea.html)UK Theme Park Accused of Exploitation (https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/amusement

It's the busy time of year for most haunts. After all, your haunt is likely either just opening up or about to open soon. So, it's that last-minute crunch to get everything ready.But did you remember everything? Are you sure? We know from experience that it's easy to overlook a lot when things are at their craziest, so we are here to help with 10 things that you or your haunt should be doing right now, but may have overlooked.This Week's Episode Includes: IntroLast Week's QuestionThis Week's Question of the WeekWhy It's the Busy Season10 Things You and/or Your Haunt Should Be DoingConclusionsAll in all, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com

This week on Haunt Weekly we're digging through the archives and revisiting Episode 71, when we talked about our haunt wishlist.This week, we get to update it by first scratching off some that we already made it to, adding a some new ones that stoked our interest and discuss the types of haunts we desperately want to make it to.So sit back, relax and let us go through a few places on our bucket list.This Week's Episode Includes:IntroQuestion of the WeekConference RemindersSending Love to Haunted Hills HayrideIntro to the TopicThe Three We Visited AlreadyThe Seven That RemainFour New AdditionsConclusionsAll in all, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com

This week on Haunt Weekly we're taking a look at the aftermath of Hurricane Ida and the various ways that being haunters helped us get through it.Sure, being a haunter may seem like a great way to accumulate a slew of useless skills, but in reality, they can help you survive a natural disaster.Here's just some of those ways.This Week's Episode Includes;IntroHousekeeping NotesQuestion of the WeekHurricane Updates7 Ways Being a Haunter Helped UsConclusionsAll in all, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com

This isn't the 300th episode we were hoping for. However, not rain, nor sleet, nor snow, nor hurricane will stop the Haunt Weekly train. Sure, we don't have the big panel and blowout we were planning, but we can bring you... DA NEWS.So sit back, relax and let us regale you both in the story of Ida and the latest in haunted attraction news. This Week's Episode Includes:Intro Update on the StormKentucky Haunt Mourns Death of Actor (https://www.wlky.com/article/castmates-reflect-on-slain-jefferson-co-deputys-work-as-haunted-house-actor-love-for-halloween/37251091#)Haunt Actor Charged in Sexual Assault of a Minor (https://www.abc4.com/news/local-news/man-charged-after-sexually-abusing-teen-at-draper-haunted-house/ )Statesville Prison Purchased by Zombie Army Productions, Celebrating Final Season (https://statesvillehauntedprison.com/)Georgie Renfest to Open Haunted House (https://www.wsbtv.com/entertainment/things-2-do/georgia-renaissance-festival-transforms-into-haunted-house-this-halloween/AQPDJF

If you run a home haunt, you most likely take donations. If you aren't, you probably should consider it.But donations can be a touch subject for visitor and haunter alike. So, how do you maximize the donations that you receive while minimizing the headache that they cause? That's exactly what we aim to answer this week.This Week's Episode Includes: IntroQuestion of the WeekWhy Home Haunts Take DonationsPromoting DonationsBuilding a Donation BoxVirtual DonationsSome Additional ThoughtsOur DonationsMain Points to RememberConclusionsAll in all, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com

This week on Haunt Weekly, we're throwing the curtain back on our podcast and showing you how we make this show week after week. So, whether you're an aspiring podcaster, a successful podcaster that wants to mock us, or just plain curious how we make the show, your questions will be answered.So sit back, relax and enjoy this look at how the sausage is made.This Week's Episode Includes:IntroConference RemindersSome Transparency About This Week's EpisodeThe Origins of Haunt WeeklyThe Equipment We UseFAQsAdvice for Those StartingConclusionsAll in all, this is one episode you do NOT Want to miss! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com

This week on Haunt Weekly, we're turning our gaze to the upcoming 2021 haunt season and the challenges that we are facing.As wild and as unpredictable as 2020 season, this one is setting up to be even more so. Between pent-up demand, the rising Delta variant and new rules and regulations being handed down, we are actually less sure about this year than the last.So let's break it all down and see what you should be thinking about right now.This Week's Episode Includes:IntroQuick Non-Housekeeping NoteRevisit the Question of the WeekThis Week's QuestionIntro to the TopicThe Bad NewsThings to Plan ForThe Good NewsRevisit This Week's QuestionConclusionsAll in all, this week's episode is one you do NOT want to miss! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com

This week on Haunt Weekly it is time to do the news and what a news week we have for you. This July has been anything but a quiet month.Of course, we have the latest on HHN and other major haunt shows but also news about Reaper's Realm, Eastern State Penn and much, much more.This episode also marks the return of the conference reminders, so come find out what conventions are happening in your area!This Week's Episode Includes: IntroQuestion of the WeekConference RemindersReaper's Realm Denied Rezoning Request (https://www.salisburypost.com/2021/07/27/rowan-county-planning-board-denies-reapers-realm-rezoning-request-after-opposition-from-neighbors/)Eastern State Penn Changes Terror Behind the Walls (https://www.phillytrib.com/eastern-state-to-turn-terror-behind-the-walls-into-a-kinder-halloween-festival/article_9ae8cf35-4c06-5014-9b82-22e4f839d1dd.html)Haunting of Hill House Comes to HHN (https://blog.universalorlando.com/things-to-do/the-haunting-of-hill-house-at-halloween-horror-nights-2/)HHN

Last week we paid a visit to St. Louis, our first trip since the start of the pandemic. Though most of the trip was about family, we decided to take a day to visit the legendary City Museum. Though City Museum may not be a haunted attraction in and of itself, it has a lot in common with one. To that end, there's a lot that the museum gets right when it comes to being an attraction and a few things it could improve.However, in both cases, there's a lot that haunters can learn about how to improve their attractions and, hopefully get more money from even happier customers.This Week's Episode Includes:IntroHousekeeping NotesQuick Non-HW Housekeeping NoteQuestion of the WeekHistory of City MuseumWhat is City MuseumPositive LessonsNegative LessonsWrap UpConclusionsAll in all, this is one episode you do NOT want to miss! Get in Touch and Follow Us!Facebook: @HauntWeeklyTwitter: @HauntWeeklyYouTube: @HauntWeeklyEmail: info@hauntweekly.com