What was your biggest set back ??

[Mike Honcho]

Hey guys,
I'm currently on my way to opening a haunt and was wondering what some of the failures and set backs some of you have encountered , and what did you do to resolve them, if you did at all ?

I would like to hear from all, form the yard haunts to the seasoned vets what were some of obstacles from the the beginning, to some obstacles you run into now that you have been in the game for a while

I look forward to your replies

Thanks

[Nightgore]

Finding a building... that 'perfect' building; ample parking, high ceilings, the square footage, sprinklers, dock doors, etc etc. Not to mention dealing with city officials, realitors, zoning laws, lease agreements, etc. etc... I think that has been our biggest set-back so far... of course, I know more's to come! -Tyler

[Front Yard Fright]

I totally agree with Tyler. To this day we don't have a building but are still looking for possible locations.

Also, our first year we had a hard time getting actors. But over the years our "Scream Team" has about doubled every year!

That's all I can think of off the top of my head... I'll let you if I think of anything else!
.

[xxxdirk]

2006, found the perfect place for my full time haunt. Had the bldg inspector and firemarshal give their blessings in March. sept 1 I move in, Sept 7th have all the walls up and ready to paint. Firemarshal and bldg inspector call and come out and tell me they have changed their minds and I can not open. Talk about feeling like your life is done!! However within 24 hours I found my current location and was able to open that October on time & have been there since.
In hind site my "perfect location " would not have been so perfect and I would have outgrown it within 1 year. My current place is a pain, cause I have only 23 days to build, and 15 to tear down, but on the other hand I have more space than I can ever use and I am learning how to build and tear down REALLY fast!!

[N2SPOOKINU]

I think most of the problems you will hear will be location.

That seems to be the biggest issue for most haunts and it's the most important thing that is needed to be sucessful. Location location location. Thats what all the pros preach to us.

We were lucky enough to find an old farm house setting on 46 acres. We built commercial canopies around the property to house all of our attractions except the hayride and corn maze.

Come to Fearfest on Friday nite the 27th for the Columbia Haunt tour and see our setup. It is a one of a kind I assure you and if your having trouble finding a building then you need to visit us to see how we turned a farm house and a field into 12,000 Sq ft of fun.

www.columbiahaunttour.com For tickets and information

Thanks, Greg

[SomeThingInTheIce]

PARKING, I have none and I mean none, even our actors have to park on the right-a-way. This has already started to kill us. Last year a school bus pulled up and had to unload right in the street.

[Mike Honcho]

yes that's my biggest problem is location ... I can get a "A" location but they would not benefit me in anyway, and I have decided that leasing is something I don't want to get into

[Boni]

Great actors, finding great actors has been difficult for me since I do not pay and we live in a relatively small town, 12,000 people.

This year I plan to hit up more of the local colleges for help from their drama dept's.

One Christian college in town requres each dorm floor, frat, sorority to do a service project for a not for profit or church. On 2 of our nights we had 12-15 college kids from a single dorm floor come in and help. They loved it, they were great at it, and it sure beat ringing the bell for donations at Wal-Mart.

[MeyerPointManor]

Have any of you guys that are having trouble finding a location consider building a trailer haunt?
-Meyer Point Manor

[brad]

Finding a building... that 'perfect' building; ample parking, high ceilings, the square footage, sprinklers, dock doors, etc etc. Not to mention dealing with city officials, realitors, zoning laws, lease agreements, etc. etc... I think that has been our biggest set-back so far... of course, I know more's to come! -Tyler

I've had these problems several times over the course of a few years.

Another big set back is my age. I am 25 now, but 4 years ago when I had the funds and spirit and drive to do a first-year-haunt, no one was willing to rent to me. Now I cant prove that they wouldnt rent because of my age, but it's pretty obvious.

Also, in Texas there are a lot of churches. And some of these churches are ok with the idea, and some despise the idea.

The town I live in has a church/cult that controls a lot of what Longview does... so it's REALLY hard to operate a haunt in town.

Im not giving up though.