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If they’re all still intact, I’d assume (hope) they’d use them.

The sound of urinals flushing.

I do wonder if the centurion or the other statue character would count as the static figure, since they were only technically classified as animated statues in the original ride. Depending on what the classify as one of the 33 animatronic, I’m personally predicting that if the turntable is used, the static figure will be on that since it gives it the illusion of motion and would probably depict a character, but I wouldn’t be shocked if the Centurion would also count for this. Also, with the conditions of the building and such, I wonder if the original paper mache statue that survived could be placed in the new attraction as an Easter Egg. Another random aside, next season I would love for some of the artifacts that they don’t use for the new ride to be placed somewhere in the park. One of the gift shops could be cool if they have a PT area, but I would be worried about sun damage. If the attraction is like REALLY popular consistently throughout the season, maybe making an extended queue into the peanuts showplace and displaying these there could be neat.

Kings Island November 2025 Food & Beverage Write-up For a park that once had laughably uninspired dining options, Kings Island has come a long way since Cedar Fair introduced meal plans and hired Chef James Major to improve the park's dining. Now with Chef Perez at the helm, we have continued to see specialty food options added to compliment the rest of the regular-season food. Festival food items are advertised outside each location and Chef's Plate items are announced online. This year has not been all sunshine and rainbows, though. Despite online posts from the park about the specialty festival foods, there has been a notable lack of a complete list of items and even less transparency on which of those items are included with the Dining Plan. Chef's Plate items are also often announced via a Facebook or Instagram story in the middle of the day about 1-2 hours before the item becomes available. The beginning of the season saw continued challenges with the quality of fountain drinks. More complications arose when refill stations and restaurants started running out of Drink Plan cups and refused to provide an alternative even after the pass had been scanned. Guests visiting Cedar Point and Kings Dominion received 10oz cups — down from the standard 16oz — for about two months in the middle of the season. Another issue has presented itself as various KI dining locations have begun to use Sysco (or similar generic commercial food supply brand) chicken tenders. This is a notable change from the higher-quality tenders still found at the Chicken Shack. Standardized options are good for saving time and money, but the lower quality should be made up for by it being hot and freshly prepared. Daily ticket holders may not know the tips and tricks of buying a One-Day Dining Plan to share amongst their group. These are the guests that will (rightfully) complain about the high price of food and often mention the quality after bad experiences. Yes, us passholders understand where the good dining locations are, but the gap between the good and the bad seems to be wide. Third-party dining vendors have changed over the last few years as well. While Chik-Fil-A and Subway have unceremoniously left the park, LaRosa's, Panda Express, Skyline Chili, Starbucks, and Tom + Chee remain. Most of these offer a few basic options as part of the park dining plans and allow out-of-town guests to experience a version of local cuisine. My personal experiences with my 2025 Kings Island Dining Plan have been considerably good so far. Out of 39 dining plan meals at Kings Island, only 5 have been what I consider to be sub-par. Out of 86 drinks I think I've encountered at least 20 instances of soda fountains being out of syrup. There have been even more experiences of fountains being out of ice. I haven't been able to achieve my goal of eating at most restaurants in the park, but I have eaten at most of the big ones and a few of the smaller ones. With my All-Park Dining Plan I would've "spent" $716.25 on food and $215 on drinks across 5 Six Flags parks throughout the 2025 season. To get all of that for a total price of almost $200 is a very good deal. Some might argue that myself and others have "abused" the dining plan, but the reality is that most normal guests will not even reach the 10-12 meals it'd take to break even on it. So I've analyzed these different parts of the KI dining experience: what now? I have a few suggestions for if the park would like to improve their dining even more. Let me know your thoughts and if you have suggestions for how the park might continue to improve their food and beverage experience. Transition to an order number system for counter service dining locations that already require guests to provide a name for their order (Rivertown Potato Works, Skyline, Tom + Chee, etc.). Each guest would be given a receipt with their order number on it and a monitor next to each pickup window would display the progress of each order. This ensures that each order will be tied to an identifying number and that guests receive a list of items they purchased. Implement an Order Slip feature on the park's mobile app that includes the order number and details. This would show guests how many times they have used their meal plan, what time they used it at, and what they got with it. It might also provide a function for guests to rate their meal, giving direct feedback to the park about the quality of their food. Provide trays for larger orders and install tray return locations at each dining location. This already happens at some locations, but there are no dedicated tray return spots. The tray return spots could be placed next to each pickup window for convenience. Guests would then be able to see the return location when they pick up their food. Dedicate at least two associates to restocking Coca-Cola Refresh Stations each day. These associates could ensure each machine has ice and proper carbonation/syrup. Consider installing food lockers at some locations for mobile/kiosk ordering. Guests would still get a receipt and an order number. The largest hassle would be with ensuring total unfulfilled orders do not exceed the number of available lockers. These are not all of my thoughts, but they're enough of what I could get out right now.

The webpage for the NYE celebration is up. No info yet on whether or not they will be offering the party in the international restaurant. https://www.sixflags.com/kingsisland/events/new-years-eve-celebration

It cost roughly $45 dollars to have lightning lane multi pass (Fast Lane) at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom for one time use on each ride. And CP is wanting to charge $100 for essentially the same thing???

Permit:

It comes down to how much a given person values their time. If a FL/FLP pass costs, say, $150, and someone values their time at $50/hr, one need only save 3 hours to "break even", which is relatively easy to do. If you get on 6 rides throughout the day and save an average of 30 minutes per ride, you've come out even. Anything more than that and you come out ahead. Personally, I don't use it to marathon rides or maximize the number of laps I get throughout the day. I use it because I'd rather be enjoying my day at the park without spending the majority of it waiting in line.

Vote For Kings Island For Best Theme Park Holiday Event! I already voted, currently as of this post... Kings Island is ranked #3, lets make Kings Island number 1! https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/winterfest-kings-island-mason-ohio/?fbclid=IwdGRzaAOCL2djbGNrA4IvRWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHi2uDLc0PHqfVSv7gyemrjE_TmgFm6HwdWzbuzeSdoU0Oxj2zej8eRmOwy_C_aem_cIUILKi9fxfFeGhFSTMjcQ&brid=_vzs8phM3FGQZRpcazQUsw

Herschend's recent expansion combined with Six Flags's announcement that they'd like to offload more parks makes me wonder which Six Flags parks we might see become Herschend Parks. And if those parks have "Six Flags" in their name, what those parks' names become.

Why would I vote for an event that no one has been to yet?

We are number 2 now!

It is nice to see that the park is once again pushing stuff like this on there socials. It seems that the current marketing team sees the value in stuff like this. It does bring pride to everyone in the area when they win so it is nice to see. When I was an associate it always felt good knowing that you contributed to that and even as a guest you get to contribute to it as well by voting.

I like Winterfest, but who knows what it'll actually be like this year....it's hard to say it's the best for 2025 when it hasn't happened, especially under the management of Six Flags. If it was 2017 when it returned, sure I'd vote for it. But like @rexpostal's thought, Smoky Mountain Christmas is the superior event, especially because year after year it continues to get better. We can't say the same for Winterfest.

The north end of the Emporium would be a great place to do this. It already serves at the Haunt Store during the Fall season and only receives partial direct sunlight through the doors that face International Street. I could see The Shakespearean statue (in the case above) and Houdelini head be placed in there: probably in the corner where the lantern activation point has been. If the park still has the rest of the artifacts from the exhibit, this would be an opportunity to turn this area into a mini-museum with items replacing a few shelves. The model could also be displayed if there is room to do it. I hope the back wall from the KIT lobby display survived as well since it could serve as a backdrop again. The inverse busts will probably go back into the ride building and some of the description boards might not fit in the new space either. There will also need to be space in this store/mini museum for things about the new ride. I don't know how much Sally Dark Rides can provide, but photos of new concept art and a filmed interview with some of the creative team would be an awesome start. I really hope this new Phantom Theater does really well. Six Flags is currently looking through their portfolio as they "optimize" to figure out their priorities, and if they don't see a good ROI with this major addition for Kings Island I might be worried about how "major" future additions will be. It's bad to fear monger, but this is a situation that is actively developing with the other parks as well.

Do you think he could be projection mapped like Victoria Frankenstein in the queue of Monsters Unchained? I can't tell if static means fully static or if it's face could move/it could move on a platform.

If the face busts return in the hallway... do you think they will be the same busts from before or will they be all new ones?

Exactly all of this, and @KI Guy, reasons 1 and 2 on your list. There is no roller coaster in the World at this point and time in my life that is worth more than a 30 minute wait (15 ish at KI simply because I could make the drive there every weekend if I truly wished to), and you flat dont get on Mav and SV in less than 30 without FL+.

As long as his face and audio works. Hate seeing the later POVs of PT where he's completely lifeless and faceless

I figure it was an unforeseen circumstance, but it's a temporary sacrifice I can support if it means keeping the organ longer (less wear and tear per day) and getting more shows in the park.

I'm kind of hoping the static figure is the Centurion! He was such a small part of the original, but I think he added to the vibes as much as the Gargoyle and the other living props.

33 animatronics is significantly more than I expected. Granted, they’ll surely be limited in their movements when compared to Universal/Disney, but 33. Wow. Unreal. Sounds like they’re really going for it. Any bets on the static figure? Return of the centurion?

Another set of interesting notes from today's video: Most of the black ceiling tiles in the queue room have been removed. The FunTV screen(s) are still up in the queue room alongside the hurricane-style lamps on the right hand balcony wall. The fake windows, queue railings, and center part of the linoleum tile floor have been removed. Some of these elements are leaned up against the front wall. The door nearest the photo room is painted white on the inside. Both the extended cover and the underside access panel for Maestro's queue room balcony have been removed. (This could be an awesome sign for what's to come!) Maestro's curved stage right after the loading station is still in place and looks like it is merely dirty and only received a little bit of paint. The door to the left of the photo room ("Not An Exit") leads to a backstage hallway that appears to either be painted to resemble a cave or to have a tarp over the wall. The wall to the left of this door is labeled as the "YARD" scene with "A-17 [up arrow]" (presumably denoting the scene and prop element that goes there. Scene #8 | Kitchen I think walls have been removed from the back of the BBoBH bedroom scene. A new pallet-looking item is leaned up against the wall where No Legs Larry once beckoned guests into the theater. The turntable and platform still exist, but there is a big cutout in the wall that leads to the former theater stage. The newer interior walls use metal framing, if anyone was curious. The only remnant of the large parlor scene appears to be the painted checkerboard floor. Everything else looks to have been replaced by new walls. Scene #13 | Pipe Organ Scene #15 | Dungeon Lab The ride operator's telephone and black curtain remain in the loading station for now. You can still see the old Phantom Theater wallpaper and paneling that has been painted over, especially now that the house lights have been turned on. The upper wallpaper will need to be replaced or removed if they hope to emulate the original station. (Which I very much hope they do!) The only look into the bust hallway shows that the floor and queue dividers have been removed. This final interior shot also shows that the wall formerly used for the camera has been replaced. Boocifer lives on in the spot where Boo Blasters defeated him, now removed from behind his stone arch. The green "grass" paint remains under his unmoving figure in another room that appears to have been given new drywall. Metal wire chasing boxes sit beside Boocifer. Some of those will presumably be used to send the scoring system data to new screens at the end of the ride, similar to the Justice League attractions at other Six Flags parks. No work has begun on the exterior facades. Even the Boo Blasters Safety Guides are still posted. Areas of the building that we didn't see include the bust hallway, the graveyard, the portrait hallway(s), the former PT electrical room, half of the now-former dungeon, both skeleton scenes, and Boocifer's last stand. Some parts of the track also look to have been pulled up, possibly to change which direction the opera boxes will face. The completion of the demolition phase and the beginning of "intricate" electrical work give some insights into the transformation process. The article (posted above) in Amusement Today states that there will be 26 interactive scenes with 1 static figure and 33 animatronics inside. The new character of Sir Pretzel joins the now-named Arpeggio (or Archie for short) and Rick the Electrician. The ride will end with "...a grand on-stage musical finale with all cast members" — I believe this might go in either the larger skeleton room or the leaderboard room. Lauren Wood Weaver, VP of marketing at SDR, also stated that the company was approached several years ago and that this project was approved in November 2024. This just goes to show how much time and planning goes into these attractions before they are even announced. Tuesday, November 18th can't seem to come soon enough! I think they might show off the first functional animatronics and maybe another little glimpse into the new attraction or two.

I think the chandeliers will stay, but I hope they add more in the loading station like there were in the original. I know they sold some of the load station chandeliers to schools in the area. The glow in the dark cobweb fabric was added for Scooby-Doo and the Haunted Castle. You can see how much they've faded in your photo comparing the balcony setups. The Amusement Today article mentioned that there will be 26 scenes as well. I'll have to go through my layout to see how they can have them organized. It's super interesting that you can still see where the Maestro sign was on the balcony. 100% not happening IMO. I don't know how well it did in the 90s, but so many people already sit on the metal rails and break them that I don't think they would risk something like the nice stanchion ropes. Carpet would be really nice to have but they'd need to clean it often and well. It gets way too wet and slippery with the linoleum floor, so I hope they get the carpet.

I honestly wonder if they're going to put old theater style carpet in the queue. I believe Haunted Hotel (a recent Sally creation) has themed carpet in the queue.

The green cobwebs were added after PT. I wonder if the queue will have the red rope queue lines like the original? Also I’d put an almost 0% chance of them doing this, but I wonder if any of the scrap wood/floor tiles could be like chopped up and sold in like the front gift shop like The Beast track or those Vortex slices. That would be cool, but I don’t know if a dark ride carries the same appeal to manufacture that, and I also doubt anyone cares enough about Boo Blasters to have an unrecognizable item like that lol. (I did perhaps take a crumbling piece of flooring from when I worked Boo Blasters and it was going to be thrown away, so maybe I have a rare, one of a kind artifact)

Prediction... the chandeliers stay but we get new wallpaper for the que. Also were the green cobwebs on the Chandeliers originally for PT?

I actually do miss SoB as both riding it and the incredibly loud and prominent presence it had. Of course, I was much younger during my time riding SoB and my body could take the violence better. I think if I were to hop in a time machine and ride it now, I would be singing a different tune. But I'd like to think that had the ride actually successfully survived itself, there would have been some extensive work done on it over the years if not a complete RMC refab. Other sounds I enjoy: -The Monster's many hydraulic motors humming in sync with one another once they all fire up ( miss this sound but I am happy they are working to get it back up and running this year! ) -The lift motor inside The Bat's station. It's a lot more quiet since they've drastically slowed down the lift. But I remember it being louder during it's time as Top Gun/Flight deck. I also know the main bull gear is different than the one it had previously. It has spokes now whereas the old one was solid. -Vortex-miss everything about it, but to stay on topic, I miss all the different sounds it produced. The continuous sounds of the lift hill, the much loved Arrow anti-rollbacks noise, the sound of the brake fins slowing down the train the way an Arrow can only produce, the rattle of the structure while sitting almost under it having a slice of LaRosa's -Firehawk-the incredibly loud lift and anti-rollbacks, the whooshing it made while gliding through the layout -Drop Tower's lift motor hum and the loud clank when the catch car releases the gondola -Delirium's monstrously loud swing arm coupled with the slight high-frequency whining noise -Sol Spin's "turkey gobble" brakes I'm sure I can think of more. These just came to the top of my mind. Oh-honorable mention: The old IS fountains. Not only did they look more grand, they also were much more commanding simply by the amount of water you could hear being pushed through the pedestals. If you closed your eyes when you walked by on a quiet morning or evening at the park, it almost sounded like a small waterfall. Not to mention the breeze carried that larger amount of water better and would cool you off on a hot day as you walked by.