Vekoma Madhouse in 2026?

[Cedar Fair Fanboy]

Oh boy, I'm going to get flag all over again... but yea I think my hopeful ride in K.I. inside the Crypt building is probably gonna happen next year. Not saying it's true or not. But with Mike Koontz saying that he will evanescently and for Vekoma to show that they're working on the next Madhouse in this video on that time frame. https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx4muIHXPpASWKjC7BRmwZbJy-2KRQD5u- I think Kings Island will finally get one of these, and I do have evidence to show if it happens.

1. Vekoma is starting to resurge to America after a long time. Started off with their Family Suspended coaster, with Circuit Breaker and Big Bear Mountain, I could see the possibility that Cedar Fair will hop on the Band Wagon and add one of these to the park, and for Kings Island to finally have a chance to ask for a Vekoma Madhouse for there park.

2. Madam Fatales been inside that building for a decade, Kings Island needed to replace that maze with something else. Mike Koontz wanted to see that building to house a new ride inside. The Madhouse can easily fit inside without even striping or tearing down the building, and can decorate the outside to make it fit in River Town. Which brings me to evidence 3.

3. That building was design to build a flat ride even if the walls are up. You can thank Paramount on this one, They manage to build a Huss Giant Top Spin inside to hide what they're building. You can do the same with a Madhouse. They might dig a few feet under to fit the Motors that spin the house upside down, and pour new concrete for the support of the Room and Gondola and electrical wirings, but they could manage it.

4. The last evidence is that it will be a people eater like a B&M coaster. With Pre-shows and even more theming, it can easily bring and move riders in this ride. Every Madhouse must have a Pre-show or shows to tell what is going on, and importantly to make sure that it doesn't delay the ride for it. And even more cool is that it has no minimum height for kids to ride, But they're will be a minimum height for guest to ride alone, somewhere around 48' inches. But it will not only bring all the family to ride, but also can give kid a chance to ride some of the rides that goes upside down. Being a illusion ride, it can give the kids a head start on going upside down before the real deal.

5. Need I said that Snoopy's Soap Box Racers has a package deal for Kings Island.

That's all the evidence that I think a Vekoma Madhouse might come next year. If I'm wrong don't rant about it, after all it's just my prediction. But you can post your opinions or ideas in reply. Thanks for reading and remember my catchphrase. "Keep the Madhouse WILD!"

[johnjniehaus]

I've always liked this idea and all of your points are valid! In my personal opinion whatever they are cooking up to replace Vortex can wait till 2025 and they need to either give us the madhouse or they need to restore boo blaster to the phantom Theater. Either one works for me! 

[brenthodge]

I don’t think it will ever happen. These depend on theming and story elements to sell the illusion, and 2 points to that 

1) even though it’s way better than before, Kings Island  has limited success in keeping theming functioning at 100% (see spotty MysticTimbers swinging lamps, flickering lights, Banshee flickering lights, Banshee lighting package, etc) and 2) these are so story driven that once you have experienced the story a few times, there is limited “re-ridability” which is critical at a regional park KI. 
 

[Cedar Fair Fanboy]

30 minutes ago, brenthodge said:

I don’t think it will ever happen. These depend on theming and story elements to sell the illusion, and 2 points to that 

1) even though it’s way better than before, Kings Island  has limited success in keeping theming functioning at 100% (see spotty Mystic Timbers swinging lamps, flickering lights, Banshee flickering lights, Banshee lighting package, etc) and 2) these are so story driven that once you have experienced the story a few times, there is limited “re-rideability” which is critical at a regional park KI. 
 

Can I counter that.

1. Cedar Fair are doing theming, Aeronautica Landing at Carowinds and the new Fiesta Village at Knott's are changing what Cedar Fair is doing. They're giving us a premium experience. Madhouse is on that category of something premium.

2. I agree the story is a one and done deal. But it's actually have re-rideability, cause it's not the story, it's the peoples reaction when in the ride. Also it can draw in guest around the world to ride. And can have the guest to ride it multiple times every visit.

[brenthodge]

1 hour ago, Cedar Fair Fanboy said:

Can I counter that.

1. Cedar Fair are doing theming, Aeronautica Landing at Carowinds and the new Fiesta Village at Knott's are changing what Cedar Fair is doing. They're giving us a premium experience. Madhouse is on that category of something premium.

2. I agree the story is a one and done deal. But it's actually have re-rideability, cause it's not the story, it's the peoples reaction when in the ride. Also it can draw in guest around the world to ride. And can have the guest to ride it multiple times every visit.

Agree to disagree on both points. What CF is doing with all these projects you mentioned plus Adventure Port and Boardwalk is more architectural “themed structures” where are easier to maintain than theatrical effects needed to make a mad house interesting enough to “draw guests from around the world”. Got it-you want one-I’d like to experience one once, but just don’t see it being a solid investment for the park. I think it’s telling that there aren’t to a of them around outside of Europe. 

[johnjniehaus]

6 hours ago, brenthodge said:

I think it’s telling that there aren’t to a of them around outside of Europe. 

Actually I think that's what makes the ride model more compelling to me is that very few American amusement parks have them! Now maybe some people aren't thrilled with them and they are a once and done type of ride but I enjoyed Houdini's Great Escape at Six Flags Great Adventure so much I rode it numerous times that day. Just the mechanics of how it works has always amazed me and I think it's a great family ride. (Plus did we forget to mention they are indoors and operate during the rain?) I saw people of all age groups on the one at Six Flags - kids, teenagers, and grandparents and it seemed to scare the teens the most actually....

[Cedar Fair Fanboy]

Waiting till Passholder preview and Opening day to see Constructions going on around the Crypt building.

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

42 minutes ago, Cedar Fair Fanboy said:

Waiting till Passholder preview and Opening day to see Constructions going on around the Crypt building.

If there were to be a madhouse in there, they likely wouldn't start construction until late in the season. In fact, you can probably still do the Haunt in there and have the new madhouse open by the next season's opening day. 

[Cedar Fair Fanboy]

On 2/10/2023 at 8:57 PM, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said:

If there were to be a madhouse in there, they likely wouldn't start construction until late in the season. In fact, you can probably still do the Haunt in there and have the new madhouse open by the next season's opening day. 

Madhouse does take longer to build. The entire room must be decorated after they build the rims around the ride, and after the platform has been build with all the benches, after they dug the concrete inside the building and place the motors in, AFTER they get the ride parts all away from Denmark. That's more time to construct than it is to construct the 2 new rides at Adventure Port. 

Edit: I've got a feeling that we might get a bit of tease during Coaster Stock this year.

[johnjniehaus]

I thought I'd revive this conversation about the potential mad house in river town (in crypt building). I still think it would be a great idea. Anyone have any thoughts on the theming or storyline they would like? Remember it has to fit rivertown 

[silver2005]

^I saw something to combine the lores of Tomb Raider/Crypt, Beast and Mystic Timbers. 

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

I would love to see a Madhouse happen! KI really needs more indoor family attractions to get the whole family out of the elements for a bit. Boo Blasters just doesn't cut it and FOF has a 54" height requirement. I wouldn't be shocked if Soapbox Racers is part of some sort of package deal with Vekoma similar to what we saw with CP and Zamperla. I think a 3 ride deal with Vekoma featuring Soapbox, a Vekoma multi launch (Vortex replacement), and a madhouse would be a good deal tbh. 

[OverlandTaxis30]

I could see them redoing the outside of the building to resemble a mill/factory and I would also finally put a Ferris Wheel alongside and theme it as a water wheel with the occasional sprinkle of water on the riders.

[johnjniehaus]

1 hour ago, OverlandTaxis30 said:

I could see them redoing the outside of the building to resemble a mill/factory and I would also finally put a Ferris Wheel alongside and theme it as a water wheel with the occasional sprinkle of water on the riders.

That's very creative I love that idea! 

[KI Guy]

I also rode the Houdini Madhouse at Great Adventure in New Jersey. It was definitely worth a ride. I am skeptical though of the appeal for a lot of people after a ride or two once they know what's going on. I can see it appealing to young kids quite a bit since it would be the first and only "upside-down" ride they will do until they get older. Older folks would also enjoy riding with their grandkids.

Where I agree is that the park seems to be losing the plot a little bit with the attractions they've put in. Kings Island used to try for a broader audience than it does today. In the Cedar Fair era, most new attractions are either intense roller coasters or kids' rides. Adding "medium" attractions/rides that appeal to a wider audience outside of the coaster enthusiast or small children has not been a priority. Several of the attractions of this nature they have added have been modest or weaker versions of KI rides from the past (new Flyers, new Antique Cars, Cargo Loco, Sol Spin).

Kings Island used to invest more into elaborate family rides. In the 80s and 90s alone they added Amazon Falls, White Water Canyon (probably the best family ride in the park IMO), Action FX theater, Adventure Express, and Phantom Theater. Shows were more elaborate and happened more often, special events at the park happened more often as well.

I think the problem is that when you are not adding attractions nearly every year as they did from 1972-2011ish, the medium/family rides simply get passed over. Major coasters come every 3-5 years and little to nothing is added on "off" years. Thoughts?

[IndyGuy4KI]

12 hours ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said:

I would love to see a Madhouse happen! KI really needs more indoor family attractions to get the whole family out of the elements for a bit. Boo Blasters just doesn't cut it and FOF has a 54" height requirement. 

Most of the queue for FOF is outside now. Can we even consider it much anymore?

[Cedar Fair Fanboy]

5 hours ago, IndyGuy4KI said:

Most of the queue for FOF is outside now. Can we even consider it much anymore?

Houdini's Great Escape, Hex, Le Palais du Genie, Merlin's Magic Castle, Fluch der Kassandra, Haunted House Monster Party.  Need I say more.  (Also I love that my idea is getting noticed.)

[super7]

I really hope this would happen   That empty building is one of the biggest eyesores in the park after Stunt Coaster 

 

I think Cedar Fair is doing GREAT theming initially, but they don’t/won’t maintain it well if it’s anything that moves.   Copperhead strike has some of the best theming  they’ve ever done, but most of it is static.   The animated chicken feathers haven’t worked for a while. 
A proper  madhouse should have some animated theming.  
 

 

 

[thoe124]

I mean hey they already have one maintained/working animatronic in there already! 

If only it were a little more family friendly... 

 

[marineman]

My wife and I were in line for The Beast Sunday having a conversation about how dumb it is to have that big, ugly, empty building sitting there used for literally nothing except a haunted house. It takes up a good bit of space itself, and there is plenty more around it. The survey that went out mentioning an indoor/outdoor ride could certainly fit that building/plot.

Personally, I'd much (much, much, much, ...) rather have a more intense looping coaster since the park is fundamentally lacking in that area with the removal of Vortex, Firehawk, Cobra, etc and most new coasters not having loops (except Banshee). Still, the real estate makes sense. If they do it, hopefully they at least make it a legit, butt-kicking ride. 

[Vortex1987]

A  madhouse sounds terrble. LOL. 

 

I want something unique in that building. That can invert. 

[Cedar Fair Fanboy]

16 hours ago, Vortex1987 said:

A  madhouse sounds terrble. LOL. 

 

I want something unique in that building. That can invert. 

Madhouse calling you:  "So am I a joke to you?"

[Vortex1987]

Yes. Lol. A madhouse sounds boring as heck. 

[Coastercrush]

23 minutes ago, Vortex1987 said:

Yes. Lol. A madhouse sounds boring as heck. 

Have you been on a vekoma madhouse?

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

Personally I would rather 2025 be focused on general park improvements and prep for 2026 Vortex replacement (if it does indeed come in 2026). With the last 2 additions (Camp Snoopy and Adventure Port) not opening with the park for the season, I would rather let the park get a head start on construction for The Vortex replacement like KD is doing this year with the Volcano replacement that way it can open with the park the next spring. Plus I kinda like it when the whole season is focused on park improvements (see the 50th year) and especially when they are prepping for a new big attraction. Those seasons outside of the season a big new addition opens are some of my favorite seasons. 2019 was one of my favorite seasons for this reason as it focused on general park improvements along with a very minor but much needed addition with Antique Autos along with the introduction of Grand Carnivale and then throughout the season see the construction and buildup for Orion come together really made for a fantastic season and personally I would prefer 2025 to be more like 2019 than having a decent size addition like a dark ride or flat ride package. A Soak City slide would be a fairly minor addition like Antique Autos, but with the rumors of Cedar Point and Valleyfair adding to their waterparks next year, I'm starting to doubt 2025 is Soak City's year. 

[Vortex1987]

23 hours ago, Coastercrush said:

Have you been on a vekoma madhouse?

Yes I have. They're not that great at all IMO. I just want something personally similar to the  original ride.   Nothing I've ever rode has had my jaw on the floor as much as TR:TR did when I first rode it. Just don't give us the 08' version.

[Cedar Fair Fanboy]

2 hours ago, Vortex1987 said:

Yes I have. They're not that great at all IMO. I just want something personally similar to the  original ride.   Nothing I've ever rode has had my jaw on the floor as much as TR:TR did when I first rode it. Just don't give us the 08' version.

In your opinion, If they would ever get a Madhouse, what would be your reaction, what do you think the theme is and how will it affect the park.

[Coastercrush]

3 hours ago, Vortex1987 said:

Yes I have. They're not that great at all IMO. I just want something personally similar to the  original ride.   Nothing I've ever rode has had my jaw on the floor as much as TR:TR did when I first rode it. Just don't give us the 08' version.

A themed madhouse to something along with the spooky Mystic Timbers theme if done right would be great.  

[Cedar Fair Fanboy]

Still holding on tightly, but I made a Hero's Forge photo of one of the Madhouse Le Defi de Cesar (Challenge of Cesar) enter the world of Defunct Madhouses.

[DJSkyFoxx]

Imagine them going really cheap and turning the building into an indoor inflatable park. The smell of feet would be the scariest part!