NEWS: A Haunt Sells Memories, Not Scares

Two threads land on themes we keep circling back to: who you're selling to and what you're selling is changing.Families are one of the three groups still spending on attractions, and the new Universal Kids Resort is a direct play for that demographic. But, it seems to suffer from the same issue as Universal Horror Unleashed: Universal positioned the product as premium, betting that the IP and brand would justify the price, and early reviews show it struggling to meet guest expectations.The operators who get premium right don't lean solely on IP to do the work. They build a strong core product, evoke emotion, and let everything else extend it.Ultimately, we all sell memories made of emotion, and increasingly, guests want to buy items that extend them. During IAAPA Expo Asia, Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park explained how merchandise fits into that cycle.For haunts, it comes down to one question: what's the moment in your attraction that guests already talk about, photograph, and remember? You're not just selling the scare. You're selling the moment they'll remember, and everything else extends it.In this issue:-Universal Kids Resort Opens For Previews-Stranger Things Returns to Halloween Horror Nights-H.R. Bloodengutz Returns to HHN Orlando with New Original House-Dollywood Hosts Its First Separately-Ticketed After-Hours Halloween Event-The Rocky Horror Picture Show Planned for Sphere in 2027https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/a-haunt-sells-memories-not-scares