jjcollins
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 26, 1999
Universal Studios' top-drawing annual Halloween Horror Nights might get a new home this fall: Islands of Adventure.
The proposed move being researched by Universal Orlando executives would be part of a major expansion and upgrading of the scare-fest.
"We are looking at a variety of ways to dial up the fear factor," said Susan Lomax, a Universal spokeswoman.
That strategy may include using the larger assembly of thrill rides at the Islands park as part of the Halloween Horror Nights show -- which already includes haunted houses and clouds of faux fog to hide monster-playing actors who leap out at guests.
The possible move is seen by some industry figures as a way to boost Islands of Adventure, where attendance has lagged behind the older and tamer Studios park.
"Islands is a teen-oriented attraction, and the nature of Halloween Horror Nights really speaks to that demographic," said Dennis Speigel, president of International Theme Park Services, a tourism-attraction consulting company in Cincinnati. "I think this could push Islands up a tick on the attendance barometer by bringing in new users who have never seen the park before."
Attendance at Universal Studios fell 10 percent in 2001 to 7.3 million, according to an estimate by Amusement Business magazine. The draw at Islands last year fell 8 percent to 5.5 million.
Not everyone thinks the change would be a good idea. Peter Stapp, a former Universal executive and now an attractions consultant in Orlando, said, "You know the old saying, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it.' I wouldn't tinker with something so successful."
The success Halloween Horror Nights has already had makes it a major potential growth vehicle, Lomax said. "It's our signature event -- the biggest thing we do all year."
The special nights start after park closing and a separate admission of $48 is charged for out-of-state guests, although Florida residents can get in for less.
Crowds typically number 10,000 to 20,000 a night, sometimes exceeding daily park attendance.
Perhaps the event's most encouraging trend: Attendance remained strong despite the post-Sept. 11 travel slowdown. In fact, fans of Horror Nights seemed undaunted by last fall's terrorism, at least in terms of what they do for fun.
"What we have heard from our guests is, 'Can you make Halloween Horror Nights scarier. Not just a little, but a lot,' " Lomax said.
If Islands is the new site, she said, the entire 110-acre park would be dedicated to the event on evenings when it's scheduled. Currently, only certain portions of Universal Studios are used.
jj.......
The proposed move being researched by Universal Orlando executives would be part of a major expansion and upgrading of the scare-fest.
"We are looking at a variety of ways to dial up the fear factor," said Susan Lomax, a Universal spokeswoman.
That strategy may include using the larger assembly of thrill rides at the Islands park as part of the Halloween Horror Nights show -- which already includes haunted houses and clouds of faux fog to hide monster-playing actors who leap out at guests.
The possible move is seen by some industry figures as a way to boost Islands of Adventure, where attendance has lagged behind the older and tamer Studios park.
"Islands is a teen-oriented attraction, and the nature of Halloween Horror Nights really speaks to that demographic," said Dennis Speigel, president of International Theme Park Services, a tourism-attraction consulting company in Cincinnati. "I think this could push Islands up a tick on the attendance barometer by bringing in new users who have never seen the park before."
Attendance at Universal Studios fell 10 percent in 2001 to 7.3 million, according to an estimate by Amusement Business magazine. The draw at Islands last year fell 8 percent to 5.5 million.
Not everyone thinks the change would be a good idea. Peter Stapp, a former Universal executive and now an attractions consultant in Orlando, said, "You know the old saying, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it.' I wouldn't tinker with something so successful."
The success Halloween Horror Nights has already had makes it a major potential growth vehicle, Lomax said. "It's our signature event -- the biggest thing we do all year."
The special nights start after park closing and a separate admission of $48 is charged for out-of-state guests, although Florida residents can get in for less.
Crowds typically number 10,000 to 20,000 a night, sometimes exceeding daily park attendance.
Perhaps the event's most encouraging trend: Attendance remained strong despite the post-Sept. 11 travel slowdown. In fact, fans of Horror Nights seemed undaunted by last fall's terrorism, at least in terms of what they do for fun.
"What we have heard from our guests is, 'Can you make Halloween Horror Nights scarier. Not just a little, but a lot,' " Lomax said.
If Islands is the new site, she said, the entire 110-acre park would be dedicated to the event on evenings when it's scheduled. Currently, only certain portions of Universal Studios are used.
jj.......
