International Haunts?

[Nvinal]

Hello everyone...

I was wondering if the Haunt industry or Haunted Attractions in general extend beyond the US like in Europe or East Asia for example although I'm aware that Canadian/Mexico/South American haunts exist but I kinda wish there was more diversity.

[Badger]

I had a great conversation at Transworld with Jason Karl of AtmosFEAR! in the UK and talked extensively about haunts in Europe. They have a small but rapidly growing Halloween industry, but their scares tend to be more psychological rather than someone chasing you with a knife or chainsaw. I also had a talk with Danish FX artist Anders Lerche and discussed the haunt scene in Denmark and Scandinavia. We'll be airing those interviews on the next Big Scary Show (along with LOTS of other Transworld vendors).

I know Ocean Park in Hong Kong does a big Halloween event. Joel Talacko does a lot of their set design and actor training. Author Chris Kullstroem has spent the better part of the last year traveling the globe researching her next book about the Halloween and Haunt industry around the world. Can't wait to see the finished product.

http://www.atmosfearuk.com/ for some more info

[screamforadream]

Halloween is absolutely growing and expanding into other countries, I have orders going to haunted attractions in the UK, Lima, France, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and China..... Our giant beating heart really appealed to those crowds, as did the horn boasters we had this year. From a vendor standpoint, we had a measure-able amount of sales for clients outside of the U.S.

[Valley_of_Screams]

I June I will have finished my 10th haunt design for an overseas client with HauntDesignKit.com ... I can tell you that the overseas market is growing at a very rapid rate. For anyone wanting to work overseas, better learn the metric system and learn some foreign languages! Haha... Europe is growing fast, but the new markets are China, New Zealand/Australia, and South America.

-Tyler

[Nvinal]

Well perhaps one possibility for international and diversity in the haunt industry which gives the people from the respective countries to explore their own mythologies/folklore without the need of westerners appropriating them. For example, a Japanese haunt would most likely explore Shinto themes especially having Yōkai monsters, a Indonesian haunt would have Pocongs, Pontianaks, and etc.

[Vengence]

I was stationed at Grafenwohr Germany for a bit and had the privilege to go to the actual Frankenstein's castle which was converted to a haunted house experience. It was interesting to see Germanys take on all things scary. For the most part they just take Western horror culture and toss it all in a bag with Freddy and Jason masks. And a 6' tall Chucky.... Halloween is something's that's slowly becoming popular more so with younger demographics. Not so much with older people as they don't celebrate it.

The most interesting part is it's full touch, completely acceptable and expected. They'd throw people into boxes and cages and everyone entertained. No ones saying in German "you cant touch me".

[spookers]

New Zealand's not so new

I know some markets are quite new, but we have been operating all year round in New Zealand for 10 years, and started 14 years ago as a 4 month of the year attraction. Not long in the history of Halloween, but then we don't actually celebrate halloween.

[BigT]

Circo de Los Horrores in Spain

Circo de Los Horrores is an interesting twist on haunted houses and theatre. This is more of a "play" featuring lots of horror. I didn't get the chance to go this year, but from what I was able to find out about it, they kind of mix theatre with haunted house themes, with lots of gags and frightening costumes. Of course, frightening to us is different than frightening to the European audience, but it seems to have had a good run in Spain.

[Dusti]

Chimelong Paradise in mainland China has been doing Halloween since 2011. They retheme the park and currently have 3 haunted houses, a '4D' experience, and a shoot-the-zombies ride. They also do Halloween-themed menu items in the park. Mostly it's pretty adorable, with some intensity thrown in. The season this year went from Oct 15 to Nov 15. Here's a link and a few quick photos to give you an idea of what goes on..

http://www.lifeofguangzhou.com/node_...68592462.shtml