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Presentation
Monsters, Ghosts and Coasters; Noise, Toys, and Sea Creatures: Comparing Six Major Theme Park Halloween-Themed Events
Western Social Science Association (2015)
  • Douglas J. Swanson, Ed.D APR
Abstract
In times past, Halloween was recognized as a fairly innocent children’s holiday involving trick-or-treating in suburban neighborhoods. Today, Halloween is more commonly recognized as an opportunity for teenagers and adults to attend parties, dress in provocative costumes, and participate in increasingly terrifying scare zones at Halloween-themed events. This case study research analyzes social media communications of six major themed amusement parks in regard to Halloween. Three research questions are addressed and answered. The study identifies key similarities and differences between the parks’ communication outreach. Findings support earlier research suggesting Halloween-themed events contribute to negative social and cultural outcomes. The work ends with a list of ten ‘best practices’ suggestions for more comprehensive, inclusive social media communication by theme parks.
Keywords
  • Halloween,
  • Halloween events,
  • Halloween-themed events,
  • Halloween attractions,
  • Amusement parks,
  • social media,
  • social media content analysis,
  • social media evaluation,
  • social media best practices,
  • case study,
  • social media case study,
  • Disneyland Mickey’s Halloween Party,
  • Knott’s Berry Farm Scary Farm,
  • Legoland Brick-Or-Treat Party Nights,
  • The Queen Mary Dark Harbor,
  • Six Flags Magic Mountain Fright Fest,
  • Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights.
Publication Date
April 10, 2015
Citation Information
Douglas J. Swanson. "Monsters, Ghosts and Coasters; Noise, Toys, and Sea Creatures: Comparing Six Major Theme Park Halloween-Themed Events" Western Social Science Association (2015)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/dswanson/75/