Denver Haunted House Season

[Chris]

Here's a good topic for debate, what will this season be like for denver haunted houses? Will the economy have an effect? Will people get out and try to forget their troubles by having a good time getting scared?

I'm torn, I think the economy could play a factor, but I also think that the celebration of Halloween is growing, and in turn awareness of haunted houses is growing. What do you think? There is no right or wrong answer, if we all had a crystal ball to tell us, we'd know it all, and have ultra successful businesses. I'd probably be playing the stock market instead of doing haunted houses...well maybe not.

I've heard rumblings of new haunts opening up, some have been talked about here on the October Lounge, and others have not. It does seem a little curious to me that more people would think that this is a good time to open a haunt, in light of economic circumstances. Maybe they know something I don't.

Regardless, I hope the haunts that do open, open a quality show that will build awareness of haunted houses, and increase the number of people going to them. If people have a good experience at a haunted house, they may try another one, if they have a bad experience, then a customer may be taken out of the market.

Each season I try to get out and see a few other local haunts, this season it could be tough. If I'm going to sneak away for a night or two, I'd actually like to sneak away out of town. We'll see if that happens. I'd really like to get to Halloween Horror Nights during the season.

I'd also like to get down to Colorado Springs this year, I've never gotten down there to see any of the haunts.

Probably wishful thinking, and rambling, think and type...

Chris

[Luv2BScared]

I'm thinking that the economy will play a small factor in the industry this season, but I don't think it will be much. If the crowds are smaller, I think it will be the 25+ groups that may not come. The younger groups will attend in the same numbers if not higher. That's the demographic group that always finds a way to hit the haunts.
As for new haunts, it's a bold move to open when the economy has been so tough, but again, the younger demographic groups will probably ensure some level of success. Location will be key for the new haunts. A haunt opening 20 miles away from the Metro area stands little chance of survival. Gas prices alone will play a role in that. The new ones this year are local, so they should fare well.

Getting out of town for haunts? I AM!!! I'm going to New Orleans and Baton Rouge to see last years top haunt in the Nation and 2 other top haunts. I CAN'T WAIT!!!

[Chris]

Good points Luv2,

Come on now, anyone else have input on this? This is a serious consideration for a lot of haunts this year. Anyone? What do you think?

I agree on location. There are a lot of haunts in Denver, so if someone has to drive by several to get to yours, especially if it's new, not a good thing. But the opposite could be true, being located to close to an established haunt creates a pretty big uphill battle as well.

Speaking of haunted houses, need to go build some...

Chris

[Shadow]

I think that the Haunts will do the same if not better.. My friend took me to my first haunted house last year and I already have plans to go to Frightmare, The Hauntplex, and Frightfest this year because I loves it last year so much.. So if there is anybody else like me that haunts will do excellent

[Luv2BScared]

BL~

Do you mind if I ask your age range? If you're in your teens, I'd be interested to get some input from you about haunts. (Hope I'm not putting you on the spot) :)

[Shadow]

haha Im 13... Last year I went to frightmare and I loved it so im going ALOT this year :) and I will give you my input

[Shade]

Here are the people who I think might skip haunts based on economic reasons this year:

1) People who've never been. If you've never been to a haunt and money is tight, chances are you're not going to plunk down an hour or two's wages to go to one, unless all your friends are doing it.

2) People who have taken the most drastic measures in their budgets. I mean people who are spending literally nothing on going out to eat or on entertainment. I don't think this represents very many hauntgoers.

3) People who have only had (or primarily had) negative haunted house experiences in the past. If they've ever left a haunt feeling like it wasn't worth the money they paid, economic factors are likely to make it easier for them to decide to skip it. If money wasn't so tight for everyone, some of these people might venture out to try a different haunt, but in times like these nobody wants to pay money for something unless they know they're getting their money's worth.

By and large, I think haunted houses are more likely to follow the same trend as other entertainment. Concert attendance is finally rebounding, and the box office hasn't suffered nearly as bad as the analysts predicted. People who normally make haunted houses part of their October plans will still do it this year. They might only hit one or two haunted houses where they used to do three or four, but I find it unlikely that they'll skip it altogether.

The haunts that will make money this year are 1) The ones with a reputation for delivering a good show, and 2) The ones who keep putting their name in front of hauntgoers. I predict improved sales for any haunt that effectively capitalizes on Twitter this year or next.

[Luv2BScared]

haha Im 13... Last year I went to frightmare and I loved it so im going ALOT this year :) and I will give you my input

Awesome!! I want to know what makes you WANT to go to a haunt. Then, being 13, how do you come up with the money to go to haunts? How important is location, how do you and your friends get to haunts? What is the scariest/best part of a haunt for you?

[Luv2BScared]

Here are the people who I think might skip haunts based on economic reasons this year:

1) People who've never been. If you've never been to a haunt and money is tight, chances are you're not going to plunk down an hour or two's wages to go to one, unless all your friends are doing it.

2) People who have taken the most drastic measures in their budgets. I mean people who are spending literally nothing on going out to eat or on entertainment. I don't think this represents very many hauntgoers.

3) People who have only had (or primarily had) negative haunted house experiences in the past. If they've ever left a haunt feeling like it wasn't worth the money they paid, economic factors are likely to make it easier for them to decide to skip it. If money wasn't so tight for everyone, some of these people might venture out to try a different haunt, but in times like these nobody wants to pay money for something unless they know they're getting their money's worth.

By and large, I think haunted houses are more likely to follow the same trend as other entertainment. Concert attendance is finally rebounding, and the box office hasn't suffered nearly as bad as the analysts predicted. People who normally make haunted houses part of their October plans will still do it this year. They might only hit one or two haunted houses where they used to do three or four, but I find it unlikely that they'll skip it altogether.

The haunts that will make money this year are 1) The ones with a reputation for delivering a good show, and 2) The ones who keep putting their name in front of hauntgoers. I predict improved sales for any haunt that effectively capitalizes on Twitter this year or next.


I think Shade is spot on here. People that never go aren't going to go out of their way to modify their budget to go see one.
In any economy, I save up for haunts every year so there is no possibility that I will miss them. In this economy I would have no qualms about skipping dining out to ensure that I could afford haunts. But I am a huge enthusiast, so I'll do what it takes. I'm not the average visitor.

[Shadow]

Im still Britneys.lova I just got a new name...

What makes me want to go to a haunt is because I love getting scared and it gives me time to hang out with all my friends. Going to Elitches is free for me and my friend because I have a season pass and 8 tickets but all the rest of them I have a weekend job and I get the money from that plus allowance and my parents. Location is very important if my parents are driving.. It needs to be on the way to something or very close by or else I have to make plans with my friends and I have lots of older friends that have a license.. and Im not sure yet.. last year it was the actors if that what your talking about. Ill let you know when I go the hauntplex.

[Skelterbet]

Shade, I think you are spot-on with your assessment.

I hope that the economy doesn't force any Haunts to close.

[Luv2BScared]

Im still Britneys.lova I just got a new name...

What makes me want to go to a haunt is because I love getting scared and it gives me time to hang out with all my friends. Going to Elitches is free for me and my friend because I have a season pass and 8 tickets but all the rest of them I have a weekend job and I get the money from that plus allowance and my parents. Location is very important if my parents are driving.. It needs to be on the way to something or very close by or else I have to make plans with my friends and I have lots of older friends that have a license.. and Im not sure yet.. last year it was the actors if that what your talking about. Ill let you know when I go the hauntplex.

Will you be spending less this year on haunts or about the same amount? Do you use discount coupons?
So the actors are the scariest/best part of a haunt for you? Which do you prefer, the silent creepy ones, or the in your face actors?

[Shadow]

Will you be spending less this year on haunts or about the same amount? Do you use discount coupons?
So the actors are the scariest/best part of a haunt for you? Which do you prefer, the silent creepy ones, or the in your face actors?

I dont know... Im going to Frightfest every weekend so the haunts have to be weekdays so that may be a bad thing because I dont think I could get transportation, and yes if I can find them. The in your face ones give me a long mellow scare but the Silent Creepy Ones give me a short huge scare and I have a story about 1 of them in Frightmare haha :D

[Luv2BScared]

I dont know... Im going to Frightfest every weekend so the haunts have to be weekdays so that may be a bad thing because I dont think I could get transportation, and yes if I can find them. The in your face ones give me a long mellow scare but the Silent Creepy Ones give me a short huge scare and I have a story about 1 of them in Frightmare haha :D

I personally love the creepy silent ones. I just had an encounter with a silent creepy lady in the mountains yesterday. She wasn't even at a haunt, but would be great in one!! She just stood on the side of the road with a blank, empty stare. Creeeepy!!
Tell the story...I wanna hear!!!

[Shadow]

I personally love the creepy silent ones. I just had an encounter with a silent creepy lady in the mountains yesterday. She wasn't even at a haunt, but would be great in one!! She just stood on the side of the road with a blank, empty stare. Creeeepy!!
Tell the story...I wanna hear!!!

hahaha there was a person like that on a alley on 16th street mall once, i know what you mean by creepy. and okay... well in frightmare i was with like 4 of my friends and it was the first haunt ive ever been to so I was really scared and there was this person thing just like standing there and then a monster came behind and i like ran into it and kept walking then it went boo and as a reaction I turned around and hit it... hahahaha it was funny and we shook hands and I continued.

[Luv2BScared]

HAHAHA...Nice!! one of the old critics a few years ago, got so scared in Frightmare that he took off running and plowed right into a fence and fell. He got to his feet and nearly killed another critic trying to get by her.
Last year, one of our critics got so scared that she jumped on my back and was trying to drag me backwards through the scene we were in. I had to half carry her out on my back. :D
And then there's Jason, hiding in the dark and grabbing me as we go through. He's the only one who gets a good scare out of me every season! :p

[Shadow]

HAHAHA...Nice!! one of the old critics a few years ago, got so scared in Frightmare that he took off running and plowed right into a fence and fell. He got to his feet and nearly killed another critic trying to get by her.
Last year, one of our critics got so scared that she jumped on my back and was trying to drag me backwards through the scene we were in. I had to half carry her out on my back. :D
And then there's Jason, hiding in the dark and grabbing me as we go through. He's the only one who gets a good scare out of me every season! :p

Hahahaha funny stuff...
do you think there are any Junior Critic positions open?!?!? have a teens opinion....

[Shadow]

Hahahaha funny stuff...
do you think there are any Junior Critic positions open?!?!? have a teens opinion....


haha Im 13... Last year I went to frightmare and I loved it so im going ALOT this year :) and I will give you my input

and im 14 October 19th... im blessed to have an october birthday :)

[Shadow]

Hahahaha funny stuff...
do you think there are any Junior Critic positions open?!?!? have a teens opinion....

or maybe not a critic but just tagging along at some of the haunts? (frightmare, asylum! maybe bloodshed?)
but a critic would be amazing :) :)

[Luv2BScared]

I would love to say yes right out of the gate, but one of the requirements for critics is that they have transportation because we drive, a LOT. Would that be something you could arrange?

[Shadow]

I would love to say yes right out of the gate, but one of the requirements for critics is that they have transportation because we drive, a LOT. Would that be something you could arrange?

Ya... Im sure I can work it out with my parents. Do you guys have to pay admission?

[Luv2BScared]

Why don't you email me at kskrop@gmail.com

[Shadow]

Why don't you email me at kskrop@gmail.com

okay... its sent

[cdfisk]

Dunno about the economy making much of a difference, if people wanna do haunts, they'll make it somehow. I wanna do Primitive Fear this year if they stay up in standards.

[Luv2BScared]

I agree Fisk. There are some things people will not give up no matter how bad the economy is.