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So, I do know John—I worked with him at SEA both when he was COO under Joel Manby and as acting CEO after Manby was forced out. He was not CEO when Blackfish came out (I believe he was still park president at San Diego when that occurred)—Jim Atchison & the remaining old guard at BEC were still in place when Blackfish dropped. Joel was brought in as CEO (from Herschend) to try to reverse the mistakes that had been made after Blackfish—if I recall correctly, he then promoted John to COO from the San Diego park. Personally, I like John—I thought he should have been named CEO after Joel and before they hired Gus from Carnival (who I was not a fan of). John started his career as a popcorn seller in college at BGW (he enjoyed telling that story ) so he grew up in park operations when SeaWorld/Busch were at their best. I’m a little biased probably, but I think this is a good choice.

Mr. Six is that you?

Some things I expect to see happen with John Reilly as CEO are ticket and season pass prices being raised, a stronger focus on customer service, and less regionalization with departments. It will eventually get back to the way it was and should be with more boots on the ground at the park level.

They’re perfect. The music. The voices. The posters. The dialog. Thank you Kings Island. This is better than I expected.

I'm a couple days behind on posting this, but for anyone curious, here is the video that they were playing on the side panels. And the posters that were displayed on the monitor as well. There was more concept art displayed on the monitor during the press announcement, but I wasn't able to get good pictures of it from where I was standing. Sorry! IMG_6602.mov

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/172ixz2eAY/?mibextid=wwXIfr Close up of the flashlight/blaster

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

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 attended yesterday from open to close. Got Bat's last first ride of the day of the season, plus 12 more rides before it was told to close around 3:30. I caught its last train of the season but didn't know it until my train rolled out of the station and the driver spieled, "That 'all clear' sends you out of here on the last train of the season!" It did briefly go down just before 2, but thankfully for short enough that it could reopen despite the already-below-minimum ambient temperature. Even in the mid-30's, it was hauling! I also rode the B&M's before they closed, and finally got my lifetime Delirium count to 100 plus its snowy last ride of the season. When I got tired of the cold, I marathoned Flight of Fear and got 24 rides in just a couple of hours! Additionally, I unexpectedly got WindSeeker's last cycle of the season the previous night before it went down, meaning I netted three last rides of the season in just over 24 hours!

Only thing that could really ruin it for me would be lack of regular upkeep.

WinterFest preparations around the park:

I'd love a good indoor entertainment venue in Rivertown. The general lack of an entertainment venue in that area takes away from its potential. There used to be the Rivertown Reel amphitheater (where the arcade is now) and then the Back Porch Stage (where Diamondback's station sits now), and now there's nothing. FYI: the Red Garter Saloon is approximately 60' x 70' and the Rivertown Arcade is roughly 60' x 90'. With some good, thoughtful, extensive renovations (and maybe a facade-ectomy) it could be transformed into that kind of venue. Alternatively if the TR:TR building were to be demolished that would open a good amount of space for a Rivertown expansion where they could add a new entertainment venue, a flat ride, and some buildings that could return the "town" to Rivertown.

Fox 19 did a fantastic story on Gary Wachs, who was recently inducted into the IAAPA Hall of Fame. https://www.fox19.com/2025/12/03/how-kings-island-was-born-founder-receives-hall-fame-honor/

2025 Ridership for the Top 6 Rides has been posted. Note doesn't include the additional rides The Racer and Mystic will recieve during WinterFest, so I expect Mystic Timbers to probably pass The Beast before the end of the season.

There is some stuff that I think they could overlay between Haunt and Winterfest- for example how the Rivertown scare zone gets repurposed for Winterfest. You could keep the drive-in that you see for Winterfest- just put it up earlier and just play classic Halloween movies instead, so it’s less effort to switch over come Winterfest time.

I'd have to disagree with the thought about budget appearance. Adventure Port is very well done. Camp Snoopy is well done. The new part of Soak City spruced up the area. I don't think they skimped in the appearance, the aesthetic is good. It's just that the areas they did do are small.

All that sounds great! I hope your are correct.

So IAAPA is officially over. I have scoured literally every social media platform possible to find more/better footage of the BTS videos and concept art shown in the presentation, but if anyone took any they haven’t shown it yet (If anyone on this forum took it please share) but here’s all the new info/my predictions I have after the event. -Rather than being an abandoned theater that the guests just happen to stumble into, I interpret the vibe now as more as a theater for phantoms and wandering spirits (think the original retirement home idea for the haunted mansion at Disneyland) -The original soundtrack is rescored and will be present in this version. I interpret this as being Maestro’s new composition he discusses “Terror Toccata in D Minor” (unless of course he’s taking credit for bach’s work) -The animatronics on display went through 3 different spiels, and I believe this is the setup we’ll see in the queue. However, I think the particular Maestro animatronic they used will be located at the finale to the ride as opposed to the queue, as this figure has full legs and a “bowing” movement. The Larry animatronic could be in the queue to show off how to use the flashlight, or at the very beginning if they changed from the concept art for the opening scene they showed off. At this point, I think Maestro on the organ is a scene they’ll save for the physical ride (I think in the first room where the graveyard is now), but I really love the dynamic between Larry, Maestro, and the guests they showed off, so I’m fine with that. But I think there will be more that they say in the actual queue, I’d say more of a 15-40 minute loop. - We saw new bts videos showing off the Boiler Men, Arpeggio, the vulture from The Beastie, and Willard being wrapped up (by the ghost notes I assume) into the mummy. -They showed off the flashlight technology, which I’m very curious to see how it works. I wonder if the scoring system will be off of points or how many ghost notes you capture. -The park promises more updates throughout the Winter, which at this point I sorta hope they don’t show off too much more of the ride. Overall very impressed with the event, we got more than I expected. Thank you sally dark ride and Kings Island.

IAAPA's Funworld has released this video with new information from Sally Dark Rides: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIPiFcuFBxs This video also has the full press conference: It was a great day. I was very moved being there for this.

BBoBH cars spotted in Lebanon, per the Season Passholders Group on Facebook.

The Holiday Meatloaf Burger is back for WinterFest. It’s moving from Miami River Brewhouse to Juke Box Diner.

Here's a pic from the KI International Street webcam, getting ready for Winterfest with some snow coming down.

The only thing that would ruin it for me is the 'thoosies who complain about it from the start. Yeah, there are things we all would love to see and experience, but it's going to be what it is, the park/Six Flags/Sally planned the attraction, none of us did and unless someone donates a lot of $ to add something they may want, it'll be what it is when it opens. Sit down, enjoy the ride for what it is and get back in line (or don't).

Updates of the week (aka what I saw now and was already out there): Last month’s permit reports were leaked and the permits for Opening Nightmare were filed officially. I’ve seen like job values for these things and I have no clue if like this is normal or like an indicator of “woahhhh this ride is impressive” because Soapbox Racers cost like 10,000,000 to construct. But also, if it does have less of a construction value needed, I’m keeping with my belief that it’s going to open with the park at the start of next season. I also don’t fully know how the permits work, but I think that since they haven’t mentioned any exterior work the castle facade is getting a retheme vs a new outdoor queue or new entrance being constructed (The public permits have been lost to time, but I believe if memory serves my right the castle entry structure they added had to get approved) Also there’s a new (blurry) look at the animatronics for IAPPA. I spoilered it incase you don’t want to see, but this was in the background official Sally Dark Rides post, so I feel like it’s within fair game versus the photos in a photos down tour location. At this point I’m just so interested to see what their voices sound like.

The Feshaus was packed when we went in there this evening. I rally enjoyed the new Tinker`s Jingle Bell Ball show. We also checked out the new Charlie Brown show which was standing room only. Given the cold weather, the crowds seemed decent. We arrived right at 5pm, and left shortly before the parade started. The kiddos were getting quite cold after a ride on the Scrambler, so we headed out before catching the parade. As always, the park looked beautiful. We didn`t get to the train this evening, but I know last year the lights were looking kind of sad along the route. I still miss the White Christmas Express from Winterfest 2005. There weren`t as many lights along the route, but it had a story, and actors/somgers along the way (think a soldier returning home from WWII. They should do something to spruce it up.

It seemed somewhat dead for opening night, then again it is Black Friday, colleges were playing, and it was cold. Started to pick up as we were heading out after about 2 hours. Something felt lacking. Not having the dark ride (Boo Blasters/Phantom Theater) open hurt the appeal a bit as most people would flock there for warmth… but that’s a temporary issue. I still argue the train needs a change- the lights along the ride were starting to show their age. It’s a shame the park doesn’t have nearly as many dark rides at once did because something like tomb raider/the crypt or even the action theater would have been a welcomed ride for people trying to escape the frigid cold.

John Reilly has been named the new CEO for Six Flags. https://themeparksbydon.com/six-flags-names-john-reilly-ceo/

This is such a bad take. You might want to do some research on John Reilly and what he accomplished while he was at SeaWorld Parks and Resorts and Palace Entertainment/Parques Reunidos.

These are some very quick sketches I made, but this is sorta how I’m predicting the entrance will look like. At this point, I’m not expecting them to massively demolish the whole facade and more so do a paint job and overlay to make it look different enough to recognize it’s a different attraction, but not anything major since I think a majority of the budget is going into the animatronics and theming. I didn’t want to draw it, but especially since they’re canonically ghosts at this point, I think a small detail to add that would go a long way is putting tombstones in the grassy section of land to the right on the entrance.

Glad to see more retracking on The Beast!

Them reusing that gag would actually fit really nicely since every ride in that building except the original Phantom Theater used it. Also funnier if they blatantly dress up the same figure as like Larry getting chased by the ghost notes or something and that’s their static figure. “Ahhh get away from me, help, save me, oh they’re gonna get me!!! Hey guys, the show is just about to begin, helppp!!”

https://amusementtoday.com/issues/2025/202511ii/assets/downloads/AT-NOV-II-2025i.pdf The latest issue of Amusement Today has an article about Phantom Theater, with some details that have not yet been released. The ride will feature a new performer, a contortionist named Sir Pretzel, and it features 33 animatronics and 1 static figure.

There was a time when Kings Island had four indoor ride through attractions operating at once. Flight of Fear, Tomb Raider or The Crypt, Action Theater, and the kids dark ride all brought something different to the park, and together they created a level of variety that made the indoor lineup feel complete. When you compare that to today, where Flight of Fear and Phantom Theater are the only true indoor rides, it is easy to see how much that part of the park has shrunk. A third indoor attraction would not be unusual for Kings Island. It would simply move the park closer to the variety it once offered. Phantom Theater is a great addition, especially for families, but it cannot represent every type of indoor experience on its own. Kings Island used to offer several different styles of indoor attractions at the same time, and there is still plenty of room for something with a different style or tone. An interactive ride, a more modern concept, or a lighter themed attraction would fill a space that the current lineup does not fully cover, and it would give guests another option that fits outside the coaster focused offerings. This is where Action Theater naturally comes up. The original ride is gone and the inside is now used for a haunt, but the type of attraction that once operated there filled a role the park no longer has. Kings Island already has many haunted houses, so using that space only for seasonal events does not bring much to the main season. If the park ever found a way to bring back Action Theater in some form, or create a new indoor attraction with a similar purpose, it would reintroduce a style of experience that is currently missing. Adding another indoor ride would not repeat the past. It would simply expand the lineup in a way that feels natural for Kings Island. A new attraction inspired by the spirit of Action Theater, or a completely new concept altogether, would round out the park in a meaningful way and bring back a type of variety that used to be one of its strengths.

I would also like to see KI operations go back to the pre-Paramount era. It's unfortunate many today did not experience KI in the 80's. It should be noted Reilly was president of Busch Gardens December 2007 (prior to Blackstone purchase) to November 2010. He had a direct influence in bringing the Busch Gardens Williamsburg name back from Busch Gardens Europe.

As much as I really want the castle to go in favor of a brand new exterior design, I would totally not be shocked if they just make some minor modifications to the castle structure and just dress it up to make it more like a gothic/medieval theater. I mean Music Hall in downtown Cincinnati sorta looks like a castle on the outside.

Caught a few additional images from the Sally display at IAPPA from an interview with Tony Clark on Facebook: Hopefully that video is released at some point, I’d love to see it. Love that BTS stuff.

^That's more than retracking!

Maestro looks perfect! A blend of cool, creepy ish, and cute! I love this so much! The presentation, the IAAPA exclusive lines from Maestro and No Legs Larry, the way they revealed them with the curtain and the people dressed as ushers.. Just absolutelu splendid!

Me also in 8th grade drawing a 395 foot giga idea for KI named Savage 395 and telling every classmate and teacher about it. Ha!

https://www.sixflags.com/kingsisland/shows/what-the-dickens

The Maestro booth over the years... once it got to Boo Blasters it was just an eyesore. I'm hoping the Maestro returns to his booth in Phantom Theater Opening Nightmare!

As some of you may know the first thing I do every morning is check the webcams at CP and KI. This season has been interesting watching the transformation of Snowflake Lake on the Towercam. It has been left on so everything can be seen. Since Monday I've seen at least 10 people working every day, 11-12 hour days including this morning getting it ready. As of this am they are almost done with the 1st layer of plywood. Not sure how many layers there are (I would guess 2 along with the "cooler" layer of panels. Also of note, looks like the 2x2's and plywood are all new this year or at least they all look like they came packaged from a lumber company. Not sure if they use new every year (seems like they would re-use every couple of seasons) and if it's true they re-use the lumber that may point to Snowflake Lake returning for the next couple of season. Either way kudo's to those working on the project along with the rest of the team, looks like most halloween stuff was down by mid-day on Monday. It's been interesting seeing the transformation in real time and it certainly looks like they aren't "cutting costs" in this aspect of the transformation. Well done by all involved and can't wait to see the park for the first time in the 2nd week of November today.

Anything they could do to fix Rivertown would be a good thing in my book. Maybe the easiest things to do would be making [the former] Swan Lake look better/more natural and enclosing the top cattlepen of Diamondback's queue line (and making it look like a town again). Back to Winterfest: If there's anything the park can do to to get a Winterfest 1.0 look on International Street, I think that would be a nice change and, if done with some proper planning, would be a great little "show" like the Haunt fountain shows were (but without using the fountain jets which are currently being covered). Think of this view with more warm white lights (this view shows cool white) and more foliage in and around Snow Flake Lake. Finding a way to color in the rest of the stars might also help. It might also elevate the feel of the event while removing some of the stuff that makes it feel manufactured — which in turn could help it rise to the level of similar events at Dollywood and Silver Dollar City. Image: Journal-News Photo: ParkFans

I did like when they had entertainment in Brew House for Winterfest. It was short lived, but appreciated.

We NEED what the Dickens back or some other old English style Christmas show. That one was hilarious

I’d trade out Carnivale for an expanded Food and Wine (with tasting cards) and an Oktoberfest event.

I think the biggest thing I want to see the return of for any of the food related events would be the punch cards. I feel like they give a better value, or at least the sense of a better value vs a 'la carte. It also provides more of an incentive to participate. I know the likelihood of punch cards returning is slim to none, but one can kindly request it from the powers that be. As for any other certain special events, I have some thoughts and feelings but those are discussions to be had off the forums as I know this is not the place to have them.

So, basically a status quo to pre-merger I wasn’t really for it at the time, but in retrospect I think CF would have been better off accepting (with price negotiation) SeaWorld’s buy out offer a few years ago. I know “United Parks” (sorry, still hard for me to say that) has their own issues (as I’m acutely and personally aware), but those parks are still in a lot better shape financially than the legacy SF ones. Both are similarly sized chains and I don’t think either one would have negatively impacted the other as much as SF is negatively impacting CF.

If I remember correctly, before the front gate on the right side of the gate, there were flower beds that featured floral arrangements of the words Kings Island and a featured ride, like The Beast.

They were just using it for the most part to park sales and promotional content the past couple years instead of using it for its intent to tell stories. If they’re not going to use it for storytelling, it doesn’t serve a purpose.