For Amber Arnett-Bequeaith and the team at Full Moon Productions, today is the start of the most wonderful time of year—a season of blood-curdling screams and monstrous terror.
Tonight, Full Moon’s three haunted houses will open for business. Edge of Hell, The Beast and Macabre Cinema are among the nation’s best-produced attractions of their kind, and some of the longest-lived, too. Edge of Hell is starting its 41st season.
Arnett-Bequeaith has been in the business since she was 5 years old, and she loves the art of a good scare. But running a mostly seasonal operation presents special challenges, she said.
This year, Full Moon Productions will be open 24 nights, the fewest in the company’s history, due to rising operating costs, Arnett-Bequeaith said. That’s a narrow window for generating revenue. Every night counts.
Own the Space, Upgrade the Experience
Full Moon has an edge over other haunted attractions because it owns its own property, which includes 13 buildings in Kansas City’s West Bottoms. That gives the company a measure of cost control.
And unlike attractions in other cities, many of which operate in tractor-trailers or other temporary facilities, Arnett-Bequeaith and her team can use the rest of the year to continuously upgrade their experience. They’ve invested in features such as sophisticated animatronic technology, a zipline and a place where (spoiler) audience members jump from a second-story window onto a giant airbag.
Those constant refinements also help Full Moon fight for the attention of audience members, who have more entertainment options today than in practically any other era. Combine that with all the other X factors that can disrupt attendance—bad weather, a great Royals season—and it’s important to have the best possible presentation.
Devote Extra Time to Hiring
The seasonal nature of Full Moon’s business extends to its workforce, which swells to nearly 350 during the busy season. Ultimately, haunted houses are a people business, and Arnett-Bequeaith needs employees who are great entertainers and who can read guests.
That’s why she and her managers spend hours upon hours auditioning employees. By hiring right, they solve a lot of problems up front.
Despite all the challenges of seasonality, Full Moon is very successful, drawing about 100,000 guests each year, young and old. It can be a rite of passage—or a great first date.
“It’s amazing how many first dates we’ve had end in marriage,” said Arnett-Bequeaith.
