Theme parks push Halloween attractions earlier than ever to boost slumping attendance

While shoppers have grown accustomed to seeing Halloween decorations in stores in August , theme parks are now jumping on the spooky bandwagon earlier than ever.

Disney, Six Flags and Universal are rolling out a range of attractions, live-performances, merchandise, and food and beverages at their parks this summer to take advantage of the surging popularity of Halloween.

The major theme park operators are pushing their holiday-themed attractions in an attempt to boost slumping attendance, which has dropped off after steep post-pandemic demand as inflation-hit consumers pull back on spending.

Edithann Ramey, chief marketing officer at Six Flags told Reuters that the theme parks saw attendance gains and increases in guest spending last year when it introduced attractions based on the horror films “SAW” and “The Conjuring.”

The offerings were so successful that the theme park company has been investing more in such Halloween experiences, Ramey said.

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“It’s become this time of the year that’s grown in explosive ways,” Ramey said. “It’s become a billion-dollar industry in the last five years.”

The Halloween-themed attractions have become a major selling point for theme parks marketed toward children and families, International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions CEO Jakob Wahl said.

“We actually see a growth every year in terms of Halloween events, not only in North America, but across the world,” Wahl told Reuters.

The Disney parks started their Halloween season earlier this year than ever before.

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“Mickey’s Not So Scary Party” — which features trick-or-treating and spooky decorations through the park as well as ticketed Halloween-themed parties — kicked off Aug. 9 and will run through the end of October.

The “Oogie Boogie Bash” – named after the “Nightmare Before Christmas” boogeyman — sold out in just 11 days this year, Disney said.

The company has moved up the release date to Aug. 25 from its previous Sept. 5 launch.

“We’ve seen from our guests in years past that there’s a demand for them to come and enjoy that season with us,” Tracy Halas, creative director of Disney Live Entertainment, told Reuters.

Six Flags, which typically offers scare-fests more appropriate for adults, will introduce “Saw: Legacy of Terror” experience on Sept. 14.

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Other new attractions coming this year are based on the Netflix series “Stranger Things” and horror films like “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “The Conjuring.”

Its dayslong “Fright Fest” is famous for its “scare zones,” which include live entertainers.

Six Flags even introduced “Fright Fest Extreme” at its Southern California and New Jersey parks this year.

“It’s our busiest time of the year across the whole nation, and so we did want to invest big on making them the most exciting they can be,” Ramey told USA TODAY .

Ramey said the extreme experience was designed for the “true thrill seeker.”

Comcast-owned Universal Studios plans to also cash in on the holiday fun, hosting its “Halloween Horror Nights” from Aug. 30 to early November — its longest season yet.

Universal is also adding a new “Ghostbusters”-themed haunted house and an attraction inspired by the horror movie “A Quiet Place.”

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