Here’s a recap of the latest news at theme parks around Europe! Ready for some Halloween events or do you prefer a New Orleans style celebration first?
Check out the news of this edition:
Movie Park Germany-Halloween Horror Festival
Now the true horror of the year 2020 begins! Spooky music, thick fog and plenty of zombies and monsters will soon lurk in the darkest corners of Movie Park Germany again! The Halloween Horror Festival will provide new scary surprises for 2020. When the full moon rises above the Horrorwood Studios in Germany’s largest movie and amusement park from October, over 280 monsters will once again be unleashed. This year, the new horror house “The Curse of Chupacabra” and the new interactive laser walkthrough “Secrets of St. Elmo” will provide fresh supplies on the devilish attraction menu. Due to the great success of the last years, Movie Park will again offer 23 event days. The Halloween Horror Festival will take place from October 1 to November 8.
NEW: “The Curse of Chupacabra”: The Mexican Día de los Muertos is in full swing when a few tourists get the chance to visit an old Mayan temple. However, the secret lies hidden at first: A dark curse weighs on this creepy place. Surrounded by darkness, the visitors must find their way out.”We placed particular emphasis on a good storyline and an immersive experience. The guests become a direct part of the story around the legendary South American myth of the Chupacabra,” says Halloween Project Manager Manuel Prossotowicz. “The theme of darkness plays a major role.” For Halloween 2020, the new maze moves into the premises of the attraction “The Lost Temple”. 
NEW: “Secrets of St. Elmo”: Since the beginning of the season, Movie Park Germany has had its sights firmly set on the opening of its new interactive laser walkthrough “Secrets of St. Elmo”. Planned for the opening of the 22nd Halloween Horror Festival, the interactive experience will take place in the former premises of the licensed attraction “The Walking Dead Breakout”, which expired in 2019. After Halloween, “Secrets of St. Elmo” will remain a permanent attraction at Movie Park Germany.
This is where accuracy is most important! In a total of six scenes, the guests, equipped with laser weapons, slip into the role of a ghost hunter and accompany the young ghost Adeen to finally free the city and the saloon of St. Elmo from its evil forces. A mining accident laid the town in ashes 140 years ago. Thus, the guests not only discover the mysterious history of St. Elmo but also a well-kept secret that threatens to endanger the mission and raises the final question: Who is on whose side?
For the theming and technical implementation of the new attraction, Movie Park Germany commissioned the Dutch company Lagotronics Projects to create an intense overall experience. The company has already worked around the world to help theme parks develop ideas in the areas of interactive systems, games, audio, video, lighting, show control, virtual and augmented reality
Tickets and capacity regulation for a safe Halloween
As already since the opening of the park in May, Movie Park Germany is only allowed to let a limited number of visitors into the park which also applies to the horror mazes for the 23 Halloween days. Time tickets for the horror houses must also be purchased online and in addition to the entrance tickets. Due to smaller groups of people and the smaller capacity in the horror labyrinths, it is absolutely necessary to secure a time slot for the mazes in advance and exclusively online before visiting the park.
Parc Astérix – Prepare to feel “peur”!
From October 3rd until November 1st, the Gaul village transforms itself to terrify both young and older guests. Haunted mazes, special shows: discover your favorite attractions like never before!
Special Halloween treats!
Several attractions get decorated in Halloween style. Want to ride the Cauldron teacups in a spooky setting? Or how about the Old Timer ride transformation to “The Enchantress Road”? Also don’t miss out on “Magna Maleficus“, a magic spectacular in the Panoramix Theatre! (Not advised for children under the age of 12)
Scares for young and old
4 mazes await guests to get terrified! In “Catacombes”, you go through tunnels and dark corridors… waiting for the inevitable! In “Colère d’Anubis”, you travel back in time thanks to a special museum exhibition. But some spirits got released so you’ll need to face your fears. If you prefer a visit to a psychiatrist, then “La Maison de la Peur” is your place to be. 
Younger guests can enjoy the decorations in “Le Forêt de Idéfix” which got additional with funny and spooky theming! In the heart of the village, you can enjoy the show “Search for the Leprechaun“
Walibi Rhône-Alpes – Looking back at the summer season!
As the summer season has ended, the park wanted to look back at the season. After opening only on June 20th, the summer was more important than ever for the park. It gave back smiles to visitors also thanks to their newest ride (Airboat) even with all the measures taken to ensure a safe visit. Walibi will continue to welcome guests until November 1st and is in full preparation of the Halloween season.
Less visitors but a higher guests satisfaction
Getting out of the house with familie and friends… that’s what people in France (and probably around the world) were looking forward to do. In a special summer with last-minute reservations, local holidays… Walibi adapted itself towards those preferences.
The park welcomed around 70% of guests compared to the 2019 summer season. The number needs to be put in context: “Last year, we celebrated our 40th birthday and we had a recording breaking number of guests. This year, regarding the health context, we did not expect a similar level,” explains Luc De Too, General Manager of the park. After a low start after reopening, numbers went up nicely in July. By the end of August, the number of guests in the park were identical to the usual guest attendance at that time. On a more positive note, guests satisfaction went up! Thanks to loyal guests and about 15% of tourists in the region.
Enjoy the atmosphere of New Orleans in September
The park remains open every weekend in September. In celebration of the indian summer, some special New-Orleans theme will be more present than ever. Enjoy a stroll in the Vaudou district and get a snack on the Quad 38 boat. If you’re more hungry, the Jazz Sugar Club offers a musical sugar rush. And don’t forget to ride Mystic and the new Airboat!
