Random Fright Fest Idea

So I rode Houdini recently, and thought about how cool it could be if they ran it during fright fest, while keeping Midnight Mansion. HEX at Alton Towers is also a Madhouse, but has a "maze" portion before the ride. What if the park re-configured the path of Midnight Mansion so it begins on the other side and ends with Houdini? There wouldn't be a preshow, as it would be time consuming, but I think it could work with a shorter ride cycle. Anybody have any thoughts on this idea lol?

Interesting idea. Problem is you would have to figure out where the queue would go without blocking the entrance and exit of Tomahawk. Another problem I see is capacity. I don’t know how fast the line would be moving if Houdini ever had a big line.

I've always thought about that. Maybe they could give the ride sequence a new recording to go along with the theme of Midnight Mansion and not randomly jump to Houdini. That would certainly be a cool idea!

I feel like they could keep the queue in the same place they have it for Midnight Mansion. Possibly, a larger number of people could be sent through the maze, and the Pre-Show room could have a short movie, which would be the exact same time as the *new* ride cycle. If done right, I feel like it could be cool.

Sure, but one thing to keep in mind is that sending a large amount of people in a haunt maze would often distract the experience. If the ride cycle is gonna be half the length of Houdinis, I would add several special effects, and maybe a surprise animatronic jumpscare for the end.

Completely agree with you there. Possibly add Strobes and some kind of music to enhance the ride.

Not sure how it would work as a complex maze with actor. but a themed walk through queue could be interesting for the. Maybe play of the illusion theme and have a few effect rooms leaving up to the ride. I know the park no longer uses the vortex at least not for Area 51.

That's also not a bad idea. Maybe have a few scare actors along the way, and add a few special Halloween props and effects for the ride.

I really like that idea. While it would be taking away one of the parks Haunts, it would be adding a brand new experience, which wouldn't be too expensive to do. I wonder if the park has ever thought about trying to incorporate Houdini into the haunt.

I actually just remembered something from way back in 04,or 05 back when Houdini was running during Fright Fest. The overflow queue of that time was closed off, and a projector showing a ghostly image of a guy playing Houdini, talking and interacting with the guests. That would be a cool thing to bring back if this Houdini haunt idea was ever to come to reality.

That sounds really creepy! This probably won't come to frutation, but it's cool to think about the possibility haha!

If they were to do this this would be my idea. Have the attraction start with the ride portion. With the queue where they set it up now. Overflow could go down to the bathrooms. That way you wouldn't end up with just a line through the walk through to get on the ride. The theme of the attraction would be you're time traveling into a different dimension (think The Further from Insidious) and then you step off the ride into a creepy walkthrough and out the exit.

Having the ride first would really spread out the groups in the walk through and turn Midnight Mansion into a new and improved Fright Fest attraction.

I thought about that idea, but I think that the haunt following the ride would have to be really good, or else it might be a little anti-climatic. But I do agree that this would work better, if it were to ever happen.

It was fun and made the wait an enjoyable experience. On my trip we even skipped a few rides just to see what else the image had to say before it started repeating.

Nice idea. it would help with the crowd control.