The Attractions Group Podcast

🎙️ BEHIND THE SCARE:  Hersheypark Dark Nights — Master Planning, Immersive Design & The Business of Fear   What does it take to turn Sweet Town into a realm of pure terror? In this exclusive episode of The Attractions Group Podcast (Behind the Scare series), host David Detling sits down with two of the key creative and operational masterminds behind Hersheypark Dark Nights: 🎃 Brewer Lister – Managing Director of Immersive Experiences 🕷️ Chris Brown – Director of Planning & Design   Whether you’re a theme park professional, an event manager, a dark ride enthusiast, or a haunt fan, this deep-dive conversation delivers an unmissable look into how Hersheypark concepts, designs, and executes one of the Northeast’s premier fall events while balancing its iconic family-friendly daytime operations.   ⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS & TIMESTAMPS Welcome to The Attractions Group Podcast & Episode Intro Introducing Brewer Lister & Chris Brown of Hersheypark Professional Backgrounds: From Landscape Architecture & Marketing to Theme Parks History of Fall Events at Hersheypark & the 2004 "Haunted Harvest" Experiment The 2021 Research Tour: Visiting Knott's Berry Farm, Universal, and SeaWorld The Three Rules of Engagement: No blood/guts, no ghosts of Milton Hershey, and no candy violence Executive Vision & Launching Dark Nights in 2022 Partnering with Design Consultants (Epic Entertainment Group & Zeitgeist Design) Evolving to In-House Story Ideation & Long-Term Production Partners (Adirondack Studios & Illuminated Integration) The Annual Timeline: Post-event wrap-ups, March TransWorld purchasing, and summer builds The Day-to-Night Dichotomy: Balancing trick-or-treating with evening thrills Avenue of the Afterlife: Non-scary, high-energy street entertainment Passholder Lights-On Tours and the New "Meet and Shriek" Spotlight on "Kill & Fill": Designing the 1970s service station haunted house rooted in Hershey Estates history Culinary LTOs: Spirits Rooftop Patio, Tasting Passes, and Seasonal King-Size Shakes Favorite Aspects: Hay mazes, fog-soaked midways, and peak park energy The Chain Saw Debate: Finding the perfect spot in Haunted Coal Mine Unscripted Guest Reactions: The clipboard scare actor in the Fallout Zone What's New This Season: House updates and the Reese's Depot of Doom scare zone Christmas Candy Lane & Estate of Evil Holiday Open House Rapid Fire Questions: Coaster favorites, candy preferences, and final thoughts   🌐 Hersheypark OFFICIAL LINKS & SOCIAL MEDIA🎢  Official Website: https://www.hersheypark.com/ Dark Nights Info & Tickets: https://www.hersheypark.com/explore-the-park/drinks-dining/dark-nights.php Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hersheypark Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hersheypark X (Twitter): https://x.com/hersheypark   🎙️ The Attractions Group Podcast Podcast Website: https://www.attractionsgroup.com/podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AttractionsGroup Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-attractions-group-podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/attractionsgroup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/attractionsgroup X (Twitter): https://x.com/attractionsgrp   🏢 The Attractions Group Official Website: https://www.attractionsgroup.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-attractions-group Consulting & Inquiries: https://www.attractionsgroup.com/contact   🏷️ PODBEAN EPISODE TAGS Hersheypark, Dark Nights, Hersheypark Dark Nights, Brewer Lister, Chris Brown, David Detling, The Attractions Group, The Attractions Group Podcast, Theme Park Design, Theme Park Operations, Theme Park Industry, Immersive Experiences, Haunted House Design, Haunt Operations, Seasonal Events, Halloween Haunt, Hershey PA, Roller Coasters, Theme Park News, IAAPA, Dark Ride Design, Guest Experience, Event Planning, Theme Park Logistics, Hersheypark Halloween

🎃 Holiday World’s Happy Halloween Weekends with Lauren Crosby | Gourd Behind the Scenes In this episode of our 2026 Gourd Behind the Scenes series (recorded September 1st), hosts David Detling and Clete Reinberger welcome Lauren Crosby, 4th Generation Owner and Director of Entertainment and Events for Holiday World & Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana! Join us as Lauren shares an insider’s look into what goes into planning, designing, and executing Holiday World’s iconic Happy Halloween Weekends. From seasonal live entertainment and family-friendly event operations to carrying forward a cherished four-generation family park legacy, this is an episode you won't want to miss!   ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Intro & Welcome 01:30 – Interview: Lauren Crosby (4th Generation Owner & Director of Entertainment) 05:15 – The Legacy of Holiday World & Family Operations 12:40 – Designing & Executing Happy Halloween Weekends 22:10 – Live Entertainment, Shows, & Seasonal Guest Experience 34:00 – What’s Next for Holiday World & Splashin' Safari 42:15 – Wrap-Up & Closing Thoughts   🌐 CONNECT WITH HOLIDAY WORLD & SPLASHIN' SAFARI Website: holidayworld.com Facebook: facebook.com/HolidayWorld Instagram: @holidayworld X (Twitter): @HolidayWorld YouTube: @HolidayWorldSplashinSafari   🎙️ CONNECT WITH THE ATTRACTIONS GROUP Website: theattractionsgroup.com Attractions Network: attractions.network LinkedIn: The Attractions Group Facebook: facebook.com/theattractionsgroup   🏷️  #HolidayWorld, #HappyHalloweenWeekends, #GourdBehindTheScenes, #TheAttractionsGroup, #DavidDetling, #CleteReinberger, #LaurenCrosby, #ThemeParkOperations, #AmusementPark, #ThemeParkPodcast, #EntertainmentAndEvents, #SplashinSafari, #HalloweenEvents, #ThemedEntertainment   Holiday World, Splashin Safari, Lauren Crosby, Clete Reinberger, David Detling, The Attractions Group, Gourd Behind the Scenes, Happy Halloween Weekends, Holiday World Halloween, Santa Claus Indiana, Theme Park Operations, Theme Park Podcast, Amusement Park History, Family Theme Park, Halloween Event Planning, Live Entertainment Design, Theme Park Industry Insights, 2026 Haunt Season

🎃🎃 Gourd Behind the Scenes at Dollywood’s Great Pumpkin LumiNights! 🎃 Experience the ultimate fall family getaway at Dollywood’s Harvest Festival and the award-winning Great Pumpkin LumiNights in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee! Nestled in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, this world-renowned autumn celebration combines thrilling theme park adventures, wholesome family entertainment, and breathtaking seasonal beauty without the scary haunts. Experience Autumn Magic at Dollywood When the sun sets over the Smokies, Dollywood transforms into a glowing nighttime wonderland featuring more than 12,000 illuminated, hand-carved pumpkins. Stroll through immersive installations like the towering 40-foot Pumpkin Tree, the whimsical Hoot Owl Hollow, and Dolly’s giant glowing guitar. Explore colorful themed zones like Candy Corn Country and catch energetic family dance parties in Wildwood Grove. By day, immerse yourself in traditional mountain heritage with world-class live entertainment featuring over 700 Southern gospel, country, and bluegrass performances. Watch master artisans in Craftsman's Valley showcase traditional Appalachian crafts, and take on world-class roller coasters—including Big Bear Mountain, Lightning Rod, and the all-new multi-sensory attraction, Nightflight Expedition. Fall Flavors & Family Memories Indulge in seasonal culinary creations with the Harvest Festival Tasting Pass! Satisfy your cravings with fall favorites, including: Whether you’re planning a weekend retreat to a Smoky Mountain cabin or looking for the best kid-friendly Halloween events in East Tennessee, Dollywood offers an unforgettable autumn experience for every generation.   TOPIC TIMESTAMPS: [00:20] Introduction & Welcome [01:04] Nightflight Expedition & Technical Ride Updates Discussion surrounding the opening, guest feedback, wait times, and the technical ride rehearsal phase for Dollywood's $60 million multi-sensory coaster, Nightflight Expedition. [02:10] Honoring Dolly Parton's Legacy & Future Additions Reflecting on Dolly Parton's passing, the emotional impact on the park team, and upcoming tribute projects scheduled for 2027—including a new waterfall near the Dr. Robert F. Thomas Chapel, custom stained-glass windows, a Show Street portal experience, and the "Dream Maker" character in Wildwood Grove. [07:05] Dollywood Culinary Traditions & Cinnamon Bread Highlighting park food favorites, Dolly’s personal culinary requests (such as ribs), her cookbooks, and the enduring popularity of Dollywood's famous cinnamon bread. [08:18] Wes Ramey's Background & Journey to Dollywood Wes shares his early career aspirations in motorsports (including an internship with NASCAR at Bristol Motor Speedway) and how a family visit to Dollywood 14 years ago inspired him to transition into his dream job. [14:35] Harvest Festival & Great Pumpkin LumiNights Overview The arrival of autumn in the Smokies, managing 12,000 real and artificial pumpkins, colossal 1,000-pound pumpkin weigh-offs, donating giant pumpkins to the Knoxville Zoo, and providing a family-friendly, non-scary evening alternative to traditional haunted houses. [18:43] History and Scale of the Fall Festival How the Harvest Festival evolved from a traditional Southern Gospel and crafts event into an internationally recognized fall destination featuring roughly 700 concerts and the launch of Great Pumpkin LumiNights in 2017. [22:53] Regional Tourism & Planning Multi-Day Smoky Mountain Trips Positioning Dollywood within Sevier County, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg, and strategizing how guests can experience both the Harvest Festival and the transition into the Christmas season. [26:34] Park Operations & The 5-Day Festival Switchover Behind-the-scenes look at the all-hands-on-deck, Sunday-through-Thursday park closure where teams transition the park from 12,000 pumpkins to 6 million Christmas lights, complete with meticulous architectural lighting details. [34:13] What's New at Great Pumpkin LumiNights New evening dance parties in Wildwood Grove, the apple market near the Dollywood Express Depot, Harvey's Boo Bash, and returning fan favorites like the resident pumpkin carver. [36:01] Fall Food Offerings & Tasting Pass A deep-dive into autumn menus, including fried apple pies, caramel apples, skillet-cooked apples, the Harvest Festival tasting pass, barbecue chicken sweet potato bowls, and specialty drinks. [38:45] Integrating Nightflight Expedition into the Fall Season How Nightflight Expedition’s nighttime storytelling and bioluminescence theme complement the evening atmosphere of Great Pumpkin LumiNights. [42:34] Rapid Fire Questionnaire A lighthearted lightning round covering Wes's favorite season, Lightning Rod vs. Nightflight Expedition, carousels vs. ferris wheels, coffee preferences, pumpkin spice thoughts, favorite Dolly song ("Light of a Clear Blue Morning"), Halloween candy preferences, and summarizing the fall festival in three words ("fall family memories").   #Dollywood #GreatPumpkinLumiNights #DollywoodHarvestFestival #PigeonForge #SmokyMountains #FamilyFriendly #FallInTheSmokies #DollywoodCinnamonBread #VisitPigeonForge #EastTennessee #ThemeParkFun #FallGetaway #SmokyMountainChristmas #TennesseeTravel

Season 6, Episode 14- Gourd Behind the Scenes: Building the Ultimate Fall Tradition with Scott Bengsten How Bengsten’s Pumpkin Farm Scales Fall Family Fun | Gourd Behind the Scenes   Welcome to Gourd Behind the Scenes, a special sub-series from The Attractions Group Podcast where we go behind the curtain of top autumn destinations, agri-entertainment venues, and seasonal events! In this episode, we sit down with Scott Bengsten, owner and operator of Bengsten’s Pumpkin Farm, one of the premier fall family destinations in the Midwest, based in Homer Glen, IL. Scott shares the secrets behind running a high-capacity seasonal operation, expanding family-friendly attractions year after year, and creating unforgettable traditions for hundreds of thousands of guests each autumn. Whether you're an agri-tourism professional, attraction operator, or fall festival enthusiast, this deep dive offers invaluable insights into guest flow, attraction expansion, and seasonal event management.   🎙️ About The Attractions Group Podcast The Attractions Group Podcast delivers executive interviews, industry news, and operational insights across themed entertainment, amusement parks, haunts, and seasonal attractions.   🔗 Follow & Subscribe: Bengstens Pumpkin Farm Website: https://www.pumpkinfarm.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Pumpkinfarm Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bengtsonpumpkinfarm/   Join The Attractions Group on Gourd Behind the Scenes as Scott Bengsten reveals how Bengsten’s Pumpkin Farm creates top-tier fall family experiences.   Bengstens Pumpkin Farm, Scott Bengsten, The Attractions Group, Gourd Behind the Scenes, Attractions Group Podcast, Agritourism, Pumpkin Patch Operations, Fall Festival, Agritainment, Theme Park Industry, Seasonal Attractions, Family Entertainment Center, Amusement Industry   #GourdBehindTheScenes #TheAttractionsGroup #BengstensPumpkinFarm #Agritourism #ThemeParkIndustry #FallFestivals #AttractionsPodcast

Season 6, Episode 013- this episode of the Attractions Group Podcast takes us behind the scenes to the insight behind the Lake Compounce Phantom Fall Fest. We welcome Madison Burnes-Baker, Events & Entertainment Manager.   “Play all day... fright all night!” 👻🎃 In this exclusive episode of The Attractions Group Podcast, host David Detling sits down with Madison Burnes-Baker, Events & Entertainment Manager for Lake Compounce, to give you an insider look at the 2026 Phantom Fall Fest! From family-friendly daytime trick-or-treating at the all-new Candy Corn Country to heart-pounding terror after 6 PM, discover what it takes to bring Connecticut’s premier Halloween event to life! 🔥 In this episode, you’ll learn: - Behind-the-scenes secrets of designing the haunted houses & scare zones 🧟‍♂️ - What’s NEW for 2026 🎶 - How Lake Compounce balances family fun by day with extreme screams by night 🎃 - Nighttime coaster rides on Boulder Dash, Phobia Phear, and more in the dark! Plus, David takes Madison through another lightning "Rapid-Fire" question round... 🔔 DON'T FORGET TO LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE! Hit the notification bell 🔔 so you never miss an episode of The Attractions Group Podcast!   🌐 Connect with Us & Learn More: Lake Compounce Tickets & Info: https://www.lakecompounce.com/   Lake Compounce Phantom Fall Fest 2026, Madison Burnes-Baker interview, David Detling Attractions Group, Lake Compounce haunted houses, Connecticut Halloween events, Boulder Dash night ride, Phantom Fall Fest behind the scenes, theme park entertainment manager interview, play all day fright all night, amusement park halloween podcast   #LakeCompounce #PhantomFallFest #TheAttractionsGroup #ThemeParkPodcast #Halloween2026 #HauntedHouse #RollerCoasters #ThemeParkNews #BehindTheScenes #CTAttractions