Houdini's Great Escape — Local services in Jackson Township

An unexpected experience at a park which mostly focuses on thrill and open-air rides with minimal theming.

Houdini has two parts; one being a somewhat lengthy, yet fun pre-show, followed by the main attraction. The pre-show feels inspired by The Haunted Mansion, with spooky Victorian decor and leering gargoyles within a nicely themed show building. An original film about Harry Houdini plays, and a few special effects set the mood for the rest of the attraction.

The main attraction is set up as several rows of bench seats facing each other, with a continuation of the Victorian theme, fitting for Houdini’s approaching seance. The effect of the “spinning room” is highly convincing, disorienting and a lot of fun. Though the ride itself is a gentle experience relative to the steel giant coasters that it shares with the park, it is not for anyone who becomes motion sick easily!

Houdini is the closest attraction experience I’ve had to the immersion level of Disney at a Six Flags Park. There are a few spots for improvement; the attraction could use a little bit of cosmetic upkeep, and the voiceovers are a little too cheesy at times.

For a park that likes to theme by placing a vehicle with a logo on it under a Vekoma coaster, Houdini is...

This experience manipulates your perception of spacial orientation. You are secured to wooden benches that face each other with a lap bar. When it begins, the walls and ceiling remain stationary relative to the tilted benches, creating a sense of disorientation. Then the seats and walls begin to rotate separately. The feeling is quite surreal. It is indoors, so if it's hot out, this might be a welcome respite from the heat.

I found it very enjoyable, if somewhat campy. If you enjoy being scared, visit Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia around Halloween.

The antechamber that you stand in before the ride could use a bit of TLC, and it had a strong aroma of THC.

Younger children may find it...

Kudos to SFGE for keeping this ride going. It has a great theme, which SF often doesn't put much into (compared to Disney or Universal for example), and unique. Last time I was on it though it needed a little TLC and touch up paint, the speaker system needs upgrading also. But it's still great fun.

Be warned that this is not a ride like a coaster. You mostly sit in one place, and the room seems to spin, while you move a little, while you hear haunted voices, which is mind bending. Some people walk away a little queasy because of this, but it doesn't...