Scaring the Daylights Out of You. What a scream?!

The first Halloween event, the “Underworld,” exceeded expectations and was a tremendous success.   Staff were inspired, enthusiastic, and eager to support this new event.   Guests were extremely engaged and more than satisfied with their chilling experience in the haunted house(s).   Reviews were very positive and most encouraging.   For the management team, the smiles were overwhelming.

October was a month when attendance was always below budget.   October 2001, with the introduction of the first Halloween event, brought attendance levels above budget.

With positive results, the Halloween event became an annual affair each October.   The event became known as the Ocean Park Halloween Bash, and the haunted house(s) were the primary feature.   As the years progressed, the event expanded in scope and scale and extended in duration.   Initially, it was just a few weekends in October, and as the popularity intensified, it became an event that began in September and ran for 6 to 7 weeks through October 31.   

It was also an event that was popular with various corporations and business partners, who “chartered” it exclusively for their staff and family, or customers.  It was a real hit.   By 2014, Attendance in October grew to over 700,000, aided by Halloween.   Aside from the obvious excellent financial results, the event galvanized and motivated staff in a way that may not have been possible otherwise.   It grew from strength to strength over the years.  It provided great job opportunities with more and more talent recruited each year to provide the scares and manage the experience.  It began with one haunted house and grew to 6-8 haunted houses.   Visiting multiple frightening attractions in one night and scaring the daylights out of guests, what a scream!

It was a great formula.   We provide the scares, you provide the screams?   The more we scare you, the more we charge.    Halloween was the business of screams. Advertising screams, scares, and frights.  The advertisements became more and more creative and attractive.   The noise grew louder and louder with each passing year.   What terrific results.