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What you have to keep in mind, is that every opinion of all coasters/rides/installations on this site are through an enthusiast lens. The general public likely doesn't see Orion as just a taller version of Diamondback. They see it as yet another highly enjoyable coaster that is the tallest in the park to date. It seems @Orion-XL200, we were typing up similar responses at the same time.

Sure, Orion isn't the best of the best....it's not a MF or a Fury (which isn't my favorite by any means)...but it is what it is. It wasn't originally meant for KI...but we got it. It's my favorite in the park and my 2nd favorite Giga. Literally the only people I see who complain about Orion are the 'thoosies online. The roller coaster 'thoosies are the most unenthused people about their hobby.

I too like some of the others on here thought the Phantoms were too "cute" or "friendly" when I first saw them but the design has grown on me. In the original they were borderline creepy and I think that's the difference in the two attractions - original phantom they were meant to be creepy and haunted. The new one they are supposed to be engaging characters once again but they are a bit more family friendly. I think it has the potential to be a great ride and as I have said before I think it's great that people are being creative and not just bringing back a 30 year old ride. I know we still have beloved old dark rides at Disney or Knoebels but when you are creating something new for today's audiences I think it's natural that it changes a bit from what the expectations of a dark ride were in 1992. Oh I also don't think I've mentioned yet that I think the red "box seats" or doom buggies look better than even the original ones did. The greyish blue was classic of course but the red gives it a real restored theater vibe. Really digging the red ride vehicles

I think the ornaments are from either a small holiday photoshoot that Sally Dark Rides did or it's from a potential holiday overlay mock-up for PT:ON. There were also some photos with Maestro in a Santa costume, but all of these photos were taken in the SDR workshop so we probably won't know much until later this year. As much as some commenters like to say the art style is "too cartoony" I really like the new looks for everyone. It's taken the original characters and mixed their appearances with No Legs Larry's puppet form from Phantom Theater Encore. Either way, isn't it better for everyone to look more "lively" in preparation for the theater's grand reopening? I'd much rather that than going to see them in their less mortal, more corrupted state

Introducing... Sir Pretzel!

My 2026 "wishlist" for KI: 1) New music in the park. While I think Area 72 and Adventure Port should keep their own soundtracks I think it is time for a reset on all the music in the park. The jazz on I street is outdated and just doesn't work with I-street. I want the orchestral soundtracks back. Or maybe since 2026 is the 250th birthday of America, celebrate that with patriotic music on I-street like what is played during Tricks and Treats in Coney Mall. Speaking of Coney Mall, it is time to ditch pop music there and do a custom soundtrack. I think you could split it into two areas. If you want to keep jazz in the park, you could have it in the front half of Coney Mall near Racer's entrance. Then in the back half by Jukebox Diner and Antique Autos, have 50's/60s style music playing. In Rivertown, please ditch the bluegrass covers of pop/rock songs and do actual bluegrass/country songs. Sorry, but as someone who likes rock music, hearing a bluegrass cover of "Enter Sandman" just makes me want to puke lol. In Snoopy, it's time to add a custom soundtrack for Camp Snoopy. I say move the playlist that plays in the Soapbox Racers queue line and have it play in the rest of Camp Snoopy. I just think it is a missed opportunity hearing Kidzbop in that section of the kids area. If you want to have Kidzbop in the Planet Snoopy section that's fair, but have it cut off right around the Snoopy's Boutique and transition to "Camp Snoopy" music. Finally for the rest of the park, I think pop is fine, but change the playlist. It's been the same list of songs the last couple of years so I think it's time to add more and maybe remove a few current ones. 2) More limited time special events. No I'm not talking about Food and Wine or Carnivale. I'm talking about pop up weekend events like the park used to do in the past. Like food truck fridays, dive in movies, etc. I also really would like to see the park bring the color run 5ks back. I don't understand why the park doesn't do that anymore. They could get some local organizations to sponsor it and/or have it raise money for a good cause. KI already does the JDRF walks and the A Kid Again Family Festival so they still do stuff like that, but I think a family friendly fun 5k in the spring time would be perfect. I like the color run idea as it really adds to the fun especially at a park like KI. KD still does Run and Ride so it's not like legacy CF has abandoned events like this. I also would like to see Grad Nites brought back (which tbh would kinda sting to fairly recent HS grads like me who didn't get a grad nite at KI). Multiple legacy Six Flags parks do Grad Nite and I believe I saw somewhere Carowinds is doing one so I think doing a grad nite would be great. 3) More New events: Now I'm going to talk about actual seasonal events. While nothing is confirmed, I'm willing to bet Carnivale is not coming back so something needs to go in its place. Obviously other parks in the chain have introduced "La Viva Fiesta" and while I think that would do well at KI, I want to see KI do their own take on a "Summer Nights" event. Like Cedar Point has Boardwalk Nights and Knotts has Summer Nights. Even Worlds of Fun calls theirs "KC Nights". So I think a custom event for KI would be perfect. I think "Island Nights" has a good ring to it and KI has used that name before, but in Soak City. Another event I'd like to see come to KI is some sort of Kids event like Kidzfest at Canada's Wonderland which is very popular there. Worlds of Fun also introduced their own version of Kidzfest and it seems to be doing well there as well. It would be a great way to show off our large kids area. When it comes to timeframe I think Food and Wine should be moved to late April through Memorial Day. That just makes more sense as Food and Wine feels more like a spring time event instead of a summer event. Then hold Kidzfest in June and Island Nights in July/August. Then Haunt and Winterfest during their normal timeframes. 4) A New Indoor VIP lounge: I know I'm not the only one who thinks this, but our VIP lounge is an embarrassment when compared to other parks in the chain. Plus with more people buying the prestige pass, a glorified patio next to the dumpster and restrooms is not going to cut it. It's time to take a page out of Kings Dominion and move it indoors. I personally think the best location for it would be the International Restaurant as it is a large indoor space with a great view that isn't used that often, but there are some obstacles that would likely prevent them from going that route. The next potential location is the Antique Photos building in Rivertown. The final location I thought of is the Graeters building. Idk if it is just me, but I don't usually see that many people in Graeters at KI. I personally wouldn't mind them moving Graeters somewhere else in the park like Rivertown and converting that building to the VIP lounge.

I am already wishing for warmer weather and longer evenings. These cold, dreary days damage my inner soul.

Seems like I am one of the few true coaster nerds that really enjoy Orion for what it is. Ha! Just kidding. It's no Fury 325, and is on the shorter side of overall length, but it I love that first drop, fun elements and tons of speed. It's a great combo with Diamondback's airtime and repeating big hills. And it is very re-ridable for most everyone. I can marathon both easily which is nice. I think we are lucky to have it at our home park. Now just we need a really amazing install in The Vortex old spot...it's just so empty back there without it.

Absolutely they don't look the same but I think everyone knows that even if they create a carbon copy of the original somehow it still wouldn't be as good in the eyes of the original fans. So pleasing the original fans is not the goal. The goal is to bring back characters that are popular in park lore and to create a ride that original fans will enjoy because it's a new version of the original and create something that appeals to the average guest and to kids because while I know phantom theater is located on international Street technically it's so close to Planet Snoopy that alot of kids go through that building

100%, my dude. They look significantly better than the original figures. Not that they were bad or anything, but 34 years allows technology to develop in such a way that, on a surface level, makes them superior. The movement and articulation of the new Maestro when specifically compared to the original makes it obvious. To go further, yeah… I adore the art direction of the original ride. Everything about it. But I’m not going to sit here and say this new direction looks worse. I know that’s mostly objective, but come on: Ultimately, comparison is a thief of joy. I’m just hyped for what’s in store. Sally knows what they’re doing. Based on what little we’ve seen in the Curtain Call BTS series and via the filed plans, it seems like it’s going to be done right. Only time will tell…

I actually really love Sir Pretzel and the reasoning behind his name, he’s my favorite now because there’s no previous design from the original to compare him to. (I had a shock seeing they slightly changed Lionel’s outfit in the background and I’m hoping they do him justice (as if he was a vital character in the original)) Also RIP Bosco for real now, iykyk.

I've always said that KI's 4th of July event should be more than just "come for what's already here and stay for a bigger firework show". Add specialty food offerings, have special activities and entertainment geared towards the holiday. Give the locals something that would make them decide to spend their 4th of July day at KI rather than their local July 4th festival. Bc locals can go to KI pretty much anytime over the summer, but they can't go to a local 4th of July event any other day. Also since Soak City usually gets the most crowded on the 4th, I wouldn't mind spreading some of the "special activities and entertainment" over there. Like set up a stage and do live bands over there. I also think doing some sort of camp fire/s'mores thing in Camp Snoopy as the sun goes down would be kinda cool. I believe Knotts used to do something like that as part of Summer Nights. Like imagine spending your day in Soak City then coming back after the waterpark closes and seeing special camp activities and campfires/s'mores going on. As a kid I would've LOVED that.

I am so happy the flag poles are no longer there behind the sign.

I honestly love the new animatronics compared to the old ones and I've actually ridden the original PT. These animatronics look a lot more lively and interactive more so than the original PT animatronics. I'm just hoping it's going to be more of a dark ride than Boo Blasters meaning less bright lights. 😅

Years ago I went to Holiday World around July 4th and they had an all you can eat buffet cookout in their picnic area. I think that could be something KI could look into and they could sell tickets to it with a discount for those with a dining plan.

Sir Pretzel = Pretzel Dark Rides… duh. He looks great! Archie:

I wish Christopher the best in his new role. He was always nice to me when I spoke to him at the park.

It would definitely need a more decorative building but I would put something over Cargo Loco before Monster. I do think the park needs more sheltered/indoor rides

Wonder if this new "No Sharing" policy will make it to the other parks....

The database that needed to up was upgraded was done this weekend by @malem . 🥳 With that announcement, let's make sure our forums are not a threads of emoji codes by using emojis sparingly. 😁 Thanks for your help on behalf of the KIC Admin. 🙂

I do hope we get a phantom theater holiday overlay that’s properly done, not just decorations but new dialogue and music maybe, I like the new style too and I do think they need to be a little more innocent looking due to the fact that you don’t want children who loved boo blasters to be afraid of this new ride and after all this is a family ride

Bringing back some kind of Fourth of July barbecue or cookout might be the best option for "specialty" food. It would definitely help any additions if the event ran for a week instead of just two days. Cedar Point is supposed to host a one day America 250 event (info from the ACE No Coaster Con), but no other information like potential food offerings was given.

I’d say you’re probably right. Maybe Archie as well!

I believe 2017 was the last time KI hosted dive in movie nights. However, they hosted the "Island Nights" glow party with ERT on select water rides in Soak City in 2018 and 2019. I believe 2020 they were going to introduce a new "Summer Nights" event in Action Zone, but Covid messed that up and that whole concept was shelved and never revisited. I also would like to see Coaster Camp Out return in some form which was held up until Covid.

I think it'd be cool if for one night they kept some of the pools open and had a movie playing for people to swim and watch. Similar to what Disney does at their resorts.

Introduction to new characters that we are about to encounter. Mr. Pretzel is one of those "friends."

And here we are 6 years later and this horse has been more than beaten to death...

Same! They make more sense being out before the entrance gates.

Thank You, but why wait until Spring?

According to what metrics?

Exactly this. I mean it's fun to think about hypotheticals and all. But there's no way the park would spend extra money to improve Orion from a construction standpoint. I do wish the ride layout was more about speed and terrain and less with the air time and the similar Diamondback "out and back" format. It does indeed feel a little redundant to have a taller version in the same park.

^^They have lift hill audio theming already. I wonder why they don't use it?

Six Flags Mexico is opening the Speedway Stunt Coaster later this month. Linked below is a news story on it and then a video from Six Flags showing off the ride. SIx Flags Mexico Family Coaster Opens This Month Six Flags Video Looks like great theming around the ride and it's interesting that this received better theming than Soap Box Racers.

That’s a fair point- I’m sure there are quite a few rides that *could* be enclosed or covered. Cargo Loco Monster Scrambler Great Pumpkin Coaster (I pitched this idea on a different thread)

Yeah I think that $350 seems fair. As with most collectibles it's only worth what someone will pay for it. Probably not a gold mine but definitely a very cool piece of history from the park!

The lights are still in place and operating in the fountain along with the pyro:

Ugh. More Fast and Furious. Was hoping for something different for east/west coast.

Oh I don't disagree but let's face it times are changing and they aren't giving parks new additions like they used to with the exception of Cedar Point. I'm not saying I agree with them not investing in a other major coaster I'm just saying it can always get worse. At least they are still improving our water park, giving us a "new" section of the kids area, and bringing back a beloved dark ride. I look at a park such as Great Adventure that lost nearly 8 rides I believe since 2022 and I say, I'm so thankful we're not that park because there's always a worse end of the stick to get. Kings Island might not be the top flagship investment park it historically has been but at least so far I would say they haven't screwed us like they have some of the smaller parks and how they did great adventure

And the same can be said over the whole Wonderland conversion hack....

On a different tangent...I often wonder why Six Flags doesn't market adjust for California? If costs are significantly higher to operate there ( labor, fuel, taxes etc) shouldn't a daily meal plan reflect this? Why is it the same price there as it is, in say, Oklahoma, where operating costs will be much lower? ( I don't know the price in Oklahoma or if it's even offered, just using it as a for instance)

I think this is just the existing rule of "You must have the wristband on your wrist and cannot use two at once" written out and posted publicly. Technically with the season pass meal plan you're supposed to have everyone there to scan each pass with the passholder present, but it doesn't always get enforced because parents don't want to have to deal with their kids being in a food line. In reality, the policy saying "no sharing" probably means "no giving your wristband away" rather than "we will watch you eat and make sure you don't share food with your family and friends". There are quite a few people online who like to leave dining wristbands in bushes if they leave early enough in the day and make a post saying to come get them. This new policy might be trying to cut down on that. Associates are already supposed to throw away discarded wristbands and nobody needs more plastic littering the parks/harming the foliage or animals that might get to them before humans do.

KI did have a 4th of July event in Picnic Grove https://cpfoodblog.com/kings-island-4th-of-july-bbq-2015/ The question is, would it actually be worth it to do it now with meal plans being available, better quality food around the park, etc?

Two points, I like the look of the cat, he’s modeled very well and I wonder why he has Christmas ornaments around him, maybe a Christmas scene? Also I was right in my guess that the characters would be more light hearted then they used to be, some older fans may not like that but I think it’ll still have scary elements

Yes, but Kings Island is not comparable to either of those two parks. Both combined wouldn't match Kings Island's revenue. Not to be insensitive, but at the "at least"/"be glad" we're not Michigan's Adventure has always seemed like a cope by KI superfans. I'm going to hold them to a the high standard that they've always had at least until very recently.

Thanks, that means a lot.

Kings Island has held "Dive In" movies at Soak City before, they just stopped either due to COVID or logistical issues. If they were to do it again I'd rather see it held in a different area of Soak City in case the fact of it being in a wave pool was one of the larger problems. I could believe that it's harder to perform wave pool lifeguard duties at night, even with somewhat adequate lighting. Maybe it could be held in one of / across all of the lounge pools or in a new large lounge pool.

The first time I ever watched The Mummy was at Cabana Bay's pool! But Six Flags is not Universal or Disney. But all you really need is a projector and a projector screen, so it is a possibility. I've been to some small indoor water parks and even they have movies playing in the wave pool. Should KI do it? Yes. Could KI do it? Yes. Will they do it? Probably not. If they can't have all of the lights that are on the Christmas train at KI lit, how are they going to put a movie on in the wave pool? Cool idea though, I think this would be really cool!

We’re living a different world than we used to.

Oops, sorry for the confusion, I was referring to Kings Island's/Six Flags' social media team. I think the whole KIC team does a great job with their social media Maybe the KIC team could also make a post about it! Especially if y'all have a more recent photo with all three rides in it.