Haunt Industry News for May 11th

Florida's Orange Country announced "all settings" - including theme parks - are allowed to move forward with reducing the required social distancing from six feet to three feet. This new guideline will allow for increased capacities in parks and attractions.

Cedar Point, Kings Island, and Cedar Fair parks have released updated COVID-19 protocols as they prepare to reopen this month. Many of the parks will not require temperature checks prior to entry or the wearing of masks in outdoor (unless social distancing cannot be maintained).

Universal Studios Orlando is now accepting video audition submissions for Halloween Horror Nights. The submission deadline for Scareactors and Big Foot & Hybrid Stilt Walkers is Sunday, May 9th.

Disney celebrated Halfway to Halloween this week with two fun announcements. Walt Disney World will host a new separately ticketed Halloween event this year: Disney After Hours Boo Bash. The event will take place August 10th - October 31st and include Halloween-themed cavalcades, special performances by the Cadaver Dans, decor, lighting, music, treat stops, and more.

Disney+ announced that The Muppets will host their first-ever Halloween special, Muppets Haunted Mansion. The Muppets will visit the historic Disneyland attraction, The Haunted Mansion, for a special airing on the streaming service this Fall.

The Lakeville Haunted House (Lakeville, MA) is scheduled for demolition after it has sat abandoned after closing in 2019. The haunted attraction had operated for 27 years before the closure. At the upcoming May 10th town meeting, voters will be asked to approve spending for the demolition & removal.

After a one-year hiatus, the Portsmouth Halloween Parade (Portsmouth, NH) will return this Halloween after the City Council unanimously approved their permit request this week. The parade typically draws thousands of people to the downtown area and is described as a "grassroots, all-inclusive celebration of community, creativity, and free expression".