Paul Arthur Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 I've been really busy and apologize for not getting these up sooner. These are from the Transword National Haunt and Attractions Show that took place March 27-29 in St. Louis at the America's Center. Almost every theme park that has a special Halloween season or attraction attends this show to make orders and it's easy to see what the trends will be for the coming season at a park near you. Note to self: don't forget badge. As we were leaving, security was swooping in on someone who snuck in without a badge. Blacklight bubbles were very popular this year. Brent is suppressing his need to dance, even in the presence of so much blacklight. Headless Horseman that bucks and gallops in place. Is it just me, or does it look like the black hole is about to make Brent lose his lunch? "Didn't I see you in Stormship Troopers or something like that?" These were really cool.... LED cones for cotton candy that strobe in different patterns. AAAHHH!!! Let's go look at this neat looking harpsichord... "I'm a big fan.... can I get a picture?" Into the 'Dark Zone' section of the show. Who let this guy out? Just your everyday food court area. This was very popular this year.... an electric wheelchair inside drives this around once the 'hood' is down. AAAAHHH!!! I think I'll go over and see what this does... Get in my belly! it catapults him off and towards guests. This guy sits on his pedestal making mechanical motions until.... AAAAHHH!!! Something seems very wrong with this delivery..... That explains the mood swings... Frankenstein's monster was just constipated. Lifesize 'Operation' Makeup demos being done all day long. More vacuform set pieces. More vacuform set pieces. Vacu-form panels were all the rage this year. You see the strangest photos being taken at this show... This little guy was just creepy... he'd follow you around and keep trying to stab you in the leg. This guy was really loud! I felt sorry for the exhibitors in the booth next to him. I couldn't pass the Amazon girl and not get a picture. When activated, she starts to thrash around and bubbles come out of the throat. In the right setting, this would be very disconcerting to walk by. This was probably the most disturbing haunted house prop I've seen in several years.... Brent and I getting lost in a circus tent maze. There are so many things wrong with this.... Doc was demonstrating his sideshow blockhead act. I ran into a performer friend... Doc Swann. And yes, that's an ice pick up his nose. His operator can be a couple hundred feet away. This guy was very popular with buyers.... he's remote controlled and has all sorts of onboard effects. Puttin up 'The Fonz' with Swamp Thing. Very popular barbershop quartet.... I think they've found a way to get a-head in show business. Brent was getting to know himself... [insert Rockwell impression here] "I always feel like... somebody's watching me" If only they had some wall tchotchkes to order... They've really ramped up security at the door this year. My travel partner, Brent, and I make our way into the America's Center from the hotel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Arthur Posted April 28, 2009 Author Share Posted April 28, 2009 The show is not nearly as big as it used to be. It used to be combined with the costume/lingerie show as well as the party/events show. Then last year they broke them all up into seperate shows in seperate cities. If you ever start up your own haunt, this is pretty much the only way to get orders in with all the big suppliers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pufferfish Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 That's some very cool stuff at that show this year. I really like how the animatronics are getting much more realistic now than they used to be. I also love the led lit cotton candy cones. I can definitely see that one becoming a hit at Halloween events this year. Thanks for covering this and sharing your pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freestylenut Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 Awesome pics, & thanks for sharing....now for some "newbie" questions... Â is this show open to the public? Or do you need to be involved with a theme park or haunt? Â How much was the entrance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Arthur Posted April 28, 2009 Author Share Posted April 28, 2009 is this show open to the public? Or do you need to be involved with a theme park or haunt? How much was the entrance?  The show is not open to the public.  Your company/attraction needs to be an active purchaser of industry related goods.  You have to provide a copy of your business license or resale tax certificate, as well as one of the following: * A copy of a Yellow Pages listing for your business * An ad featuring your business from a trade publication * A copy of the lease agreement for your retail business * An imprinted business check or credit card * Invoices totaling more than $200 from your suppliers * A company catalog * A flyer or other promotional piece for your business * An invitation letter from a current exhibitor  I don't know offhand how much a buyer's pass is, as it's always paid for by my employers. I think a 10'x10' exhibitor booth is around $1,200.  There are now two shows every year: one in Vegas and one in St. Louis. This year, they were both in March. Next year, the St. Louis show will be in February. I don't know offhand when the 2010 Vegas show will be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vffreak07 Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 That's SO awesome! I'm a huge haunt fan. Thanks for the TR! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speeddeamon128 Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 Great pics & thanks for sharing! I'm also a big theme park halloween fan & am looking forward to HHN in Orlando this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PKI Jizzman Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 Halloween is my favorite holiday...I can't wait 'till Haunt....maybe I'll get to work with one of these guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghost007jas Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 Wow, that's really neat! I'm close to being a bigger Halloween Attraction enthusiast than a theme park enthusiast! Â Great pictures, and report, loved it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FitchCoaster Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 That did NOT help with my Haunt withdrawals. Anyways, great photo TR. I love seeing pictures of these Halloween conventions. I hope to see some of this stuff used in some of this year's events! I thought the drowning girl prop was awesome, but I'd definitely run past it in a maze, hahaha. Â The 'woman giving birth' was used last year in Club Blood at Knott's. It was pretty effective, well at least for me. I jump at everything, lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dino Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 Wow, this was such a cool TR. I'm a huge fan of halloween, so I love seeing things like this. The whole "Haunt" industry just seems to be getting more & more high tech. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRapidsNerd Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 I'm a big fan of themeing and absolutely loved this TR! Glad you put this up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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