LOS ANGELES, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Halloween has arrived

earlier than ever at major U.S. theme parks, as major operators

like Disney ( DIS ), Six Flags and Universal Studios seek to expand

their reach and build on consumers' love of spooky costumes and

scares.

Theme park operators have introduced a range of attractions,

live-performances, merchandise and food and beverages in August,

before summer has ended and well before the actual holiday, to

take advantage of the surging popularity of Halloween. These

holiday-themed efforts come at a time when domestic theme park

attendance has slumped, following a post-COVID surge in demand.

Edithann Ramey, chief marketing officer at Six Flags

, told Reuters that the theme parks saw attendance gains

and increases in guest spending in 2023 when it introduced

attractions based on the horror films "SAW" and "The Conjuring."

The offerings were so successful that the theme park

company has been investing more in such Halloween experiences,

Ramey said.

"It's become this time of the year that's grown in explosive

ways," Ramey said. "It's become a billion-dollar industry in the

last five years."

Jakob Wahl, chief executive for the International

Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, said Halloween

has become one of the strongest selling points for parks that

cater to young people and families.

"We actually see a growth every year in terms of Halloween

events, not only North America, but across the world," Wahl

said.

HALLOWEEN OFFERINGS IN AUGUST

Walt Disney's ( DIS ) parks started the Halloween season

earlier than ever this year with "Mickey's Not So Scary Party"

beginning on Aug. 9 and running through the end of October.

The Oogie Boogie Bash, a separately ticketed event named for

the "Nightmare Before Christmas" villain, sold out this year in

11 days, Disney ( DIS ) said. Its popularity prompted the company to

push the release date to Aug. 25 from Sept. 5.

"We've seen from our guests in years past that there's a

demand for them to come and enjoy that season with

us," said Tracy Halas, creative director of Disney Live

Entertainment.

Six Flags also kicks off Halloween early this year, on Sept.

14, with a new experience called "Saw: Legacy of Terror"

celebrating the 20th anniversary of the "SAW" horror movie

franchise.

Following the $8 billion merger of Six Flags and former

rival Cedar Fair, which created the nation's largest amusement

park operator, with 42 parks across 17 states, Six Flags is

increasing its investment in Halloween.

That includes adding Hollywood-themed experiences to Six

Flags Fright Fest based on Netflix's science fiction series,

"Stranger Things," as well as horror films "Texas Chainsaw

Massacre," and "The Conjuring."

Comcast ( CMCSA )-owned Universal Studios 2024 Halloween

Horror Nights in Orlando runs from Aug. 30 to Nov. 3, the

longest season they've ever had. The company did not immediately

respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Universal is adding a "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire" haunted

house to its Halloween programming alongside the first

attraction inspired by horror franchise, "A Quiet Place."

Universal also aims to attract guests at Universal Studios

Japan with a new 4D show in collaboration with the anime

television series "Chainsaw Man."

Both Universal Orlando and Japan will add cast members

dressed as the antagonists called Death Eaters to haunt Diagon

Alley during Horror Nights.

Disney ( DIS ) villain Cruella de Vil hosted a "Let's Get Wicked"

celebration at Hong Kong Disneyland in 2022, which received an

industry award and returns this year.