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Villa Volta at Efteling
Villa Volta is a classic madhouse attraction located at the Efteling theme park in the Netherlands. This ride offers a unique 2 room pre-show that blends storytelling, music and optical illusion for your enjoyment.
Queue up for the attraction to meet Hugo van den Loonsche Duynen. You’ll find out why Hugo’s home, Villa Volta, has been cursed by a mysterious woman.
A Brief History of Villa Volta
Villa Volta opened in 1996 as a revival to the madhouse. Vekoma created Villa Volta as a first of it’s kind attraction in the modern ages.
The benches are surrounded by a large drum. While the benches swing back and forth, the drum rotates 360 degrees making it feel like you’re going upside down.
The Villa was designed by Efteling creative director Ton van de Ven. Meanwhile, the music for the attraction was composed by Ruud Bos.
The Queue System
- Standby Line: The primary queue for most guests.
- Accessibility Queue: Guests with mobility issues or other special needs can access the ride via a dedicated queue next to standby. Instead of having to navigate turnstiles, guests can walk or wheel themselves inside.
Pre-Show of Villa Volta
The pre-show of Villa Volta is a vital part of the madhouse experience. It provides a back story (in dutch) about the villa and it’s owner. This particular attraction has two separate pre-show rooms that riders must move through to get to the ride itself.
First Pre-Show Room
The first pre-show of the Villa is an audio show that sets the mood. We learn about the Bokkenrijders (Goat Riders) who, according to Dutch folklore, are robbers who made a pact with the devil. They would fly through the sky on the back of goats to mark the houses they were going to rob.
When some victims of the gang start talking, Hugo van den Loonsche Duynen the leader of the Bokkenrijders becomes the subject of the conversation.
Second Pre-Show Room
Once the doors of the first room open, guests walk into a second pre-show room where an elderly Hugo sits in a chair surrounded by religious objects and treasures.
When the lights go down, Hugo will start telling about how he went about getting his Villa cursed by a young lady from the Abbey of Postel.
In a nutshell, Hugo and his Goat Riders found the chapel empty and thought to help themselves to the treasure beyond it’s doors. When they started taking money from the collections box as well as the silver and gold treasures, a lady stopped Hugo and told him to repent.
Hugo wasn’t going to have any of it and called his men to leave. The lady vanished into thin air. However, when he reached Villa Volta a day later, who would he see on top of the roof? The lady from the abbey.
“Nowhere in thy own house, nor in any other place in the world, will thou find rest or peace. Now thou have desecrated God’s house. Only when a noble man with a clear conscience like that of a newborn child enters thy dwelling, then thou will find peace. In thy house and in thy heart.”
Needless to say, the curse has yet to be lifted. I suppose that says a lot about the guests who come to visit…
Ride Information for the Villa
Below, you will be able to find all of the practical information for Villa Volta.
Are There Restraints on the Ride?
There is a lap bar that will come down.
How Many Can Ride at Once?
The ride can roughly support up to 78 riders at a time.
Are There Height Restrictions?
There is no height restriction for Villa Volta. However, riders under 1 meter (3 feet 3 inches) must be accompanied by an adult. The attraction is not suitable for small children on the lap.
How Long Does the Ride Last?
From the first pre-show, you will spend about 10 minutes in Villa Volta.
Can Guests Bring Bags on Board?
Yes, guests can bring their bags. Simply place the bag in between your feet. You will want to step on the strap or hold it to keep your bag from sliding away as the benches swing.
Is There a Single Rider Line?
No, Villa Volta does not have a single rider line.
Is There Baby Switch for Villa Volta?
Yes, you may use baby switch on this particular attraction.
Accessibility and Disability Information for Villa Volta
If you are wondering about how accessible Villa Volta is, find answers to your questions right here!
Is the Attraction Wheelchair Friendly?
While the two pre-shows are wheel chair accessible, the ride itself is not. However, guests in wheelchairs can go into a viewing area to watch a special film can be watched instead.
Are There Other Mobility Challenges?
There are no other mobility challenges for this attraction.
Is the Ride Service Dog Friendly?
No, the ride is not animal friendly. Please have a member of your party wait with your guide dog if you choose to ride.
What Sensory Stimulations Can Be Expected?
Guests can expect the following sensory stimulations on Villa Volta:
- loud music
- menacing laughter
- talk about hell and curses
- swinging sensation
- feeling like the walls are spinning
Is This Ride Size Friendly?
The attraction can accommodate some guests of a larger size. In general the lap bar is often a challenge and will push down on thighs that do not fully fit under the closed lap bar, or will push into the stomach. Some riders of larger sizes find this extremely uncomfortable.
Evacuation from Villa Volta
If you’re wondering how you’re going to get out of Villa Volta if the ride malfunctions and leaves the ceiling in the floor position (with the doors on the ceiling), don’t worry!
This attraction has a back up battery that will bring the ride back to what is called “zero position.” If the back up battery stops working, then there’s a hand pump for the hydraulic pump to return the seats to zero position.
And, in the worst-case scenario where neither fail-safes work, staff can come through hidden trap doors and safely evacuate guests from the ride.
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