Hawaiian Coasters 325

I've been checking the webcams back and forth and it seems like they have been moving WindSeeker up and down today Also I have noticed some trucks parked outside of the entrance to Phantom Theater right by the swings and kid dodgem

Fiesta Texas is doing passholder extra ride time this Saturday after park close. I would love to see KI bring back passholder post close ride times! Both in KI and Soak City like in pre covid years

I'm curious in knowing what the budget for this thing is. Obviously putting in animatronics plus screens is not cheap! I'm curious if the pricetag is around the amount as a new coaster.

I think they should do some TLC/painting of the outside to make it not as ugly. I think the building provides an opportunity for another indoor ride. Whether the park/six flags takes the opportunity in the future remains to be seen. I would hope they really look into it if Phantom Theater is a smashing hit. I think the park should look into building more Haunt buildings in backstage areas and converting the 2 former ride buildings (Crypt and Action Theater) back into indoor rides.

I came up with an idea to expand and refresh The Beast plaza as well as add a new indoor restaurant/show venue. The new restaurant/show venue I'm calling Beast Canyon Saloon would feature 2 levels, a bar, as well as a stage which would be a permanent home for country shows. It would also house a dance floor and during the day in between show times would offer free line dancing lessons (like those places in Nashville) which would be a cool experience for guests. I also added a water feature back to The Beast's queue area. Also while not in the concept, I envision The Crypt/current Conjuring building would be used for another indoor attraction

**DOUBLE POST** Six Flags Over Texas did an opening day ceremony for the park yesterday to kick off the 2026 season. I think KI should do something like this on opening day or even pass preview night since most guests are passholders anyway. I love what they're doing for their 65th anniversary. Since 2027 is KI's 55th, we could see another anniversary celebration season? Obviously I doubt they do something on the scale of 2022 (the 50th), but maybe a season with a dedicated logo and park improvements throughout the park if there isn't a new attraction next year. Also the fact they're adding 7 new shows this year is insane. Yet KI tends to have only like 4 stage shows plus the fireworks during part of the summer season and leaves the venues dark for a decent chunk of the season when they could be doing more (ie having bubbles for like 3-4 weeks in the KI theater and leaving it dark the rest of the season when they could add another show for the rest of the summer season). I also would like to see the park opening ceremonies return where a family is brought up each day to open the park at 10 am each day. That honestly makes the experience even more special! Video of Over Texas opening day ceremony:

Here's to the last full month of the park being closed!

The KI Inn site is basically off the table now as Rivers Crossing announced a few weeks back they are going to be expanding onto that site. I believe they're developing half the lot into parking.

Did a little hotel mockup idea

I wish they would do some work on the entry plaza side of the building. At least dress it up and make it look like a grand entrance building like other parks have. Or if you want to go modern, replace the banner with an LED screen. Cedar Point fans should be used to at least some gaps between big projects. They went 6 years after Maverick when they opened GateKeeper. Wild Mouse was the first coaster addition since Steel Vengeance which was a 5 year gap. If you don't count that as a major addition then Top Thrill 2 was 6 years. Siren's Curse was the first fully ground up coaster addition since Valravn.

Why hello Owen lol. I didn't think you would be on here! I agree the smaller additions each year are much needed and are better than nothing at all imo. I personally would rather see new major coaster additions be spread out more and have more of a focus on improving the park and adding stuff everyone can enjoy. Personally I think there won't be any new ride in 2027 as I'm guessing 2027 capital will mainly be delayed 2026 projects and projects already planned pre merger. KI got their planned 2026 project with Phantom Theater and since 2023 KI got some sort of new attraction every year so I think 2027 will be more of an "off year" with more of a focus on park improvements and maybe some new events. I personally would like to see the park take advantage of the "55th anniversary" opportunity when it comes to marketing in 2027 as that'll be the 55th anniversary season. Now I don't think they'll do anything on the scale of the 50th celebration, but I could see some marketing and advertising done to celebrate 55 years. Also in 2027 Mystic Timbers will celebrate its 10th anniversary. Personally I think that would be a great year to update the shed and add some new music, theming, monsters on the screen, and maybe even an animatronic or 2 in there (if budget allows). I wouldn't mind seeing the shed completely redone and they could bring back #whatsintheshed for some marketing and do it right this time.

Looking closely on the webcam, it definitely looks like some new work done there:

This is the type of 4th of July event I think Kings Island should be doing outside of just a bigger firework show! This is Cedar Point's new America 250 event

Carowinds is planning to host a passholder q&a with park leadership as well as other festivities as part of pass preview night. I think KI should do something like this on pass preview day

I believe Tony Clark confirmed Carnivale would be back this year at No Coaster Con, but I also heard he either hinted or downright confirmed this would be the last year for it. If so why have it anyway if you know it is going to be the last year for it because we all know they'll use it as an excuse to water it down even more!

Carowinds has moved their Viva La Fiesta event to be a spring time event from April 17-May 17 other than peak summer. Looks like they're counting the Splash Water Parade as the peak Summer event or they have a new unannounced event coming. If Food and Wine is coming back I would like to see KI follow suit and move Food and Wine to a few weeks earlier and have it run from like the last weekend of April through Memorial Day as that makes the most sense to hold it imo https://www.sixflags.com/carowinds/events

I had a dream last night that KI announced a concert series for this summer....then I woke up per usual lol.

Since the color scheme looks to be purple track with dark grey/black supports I think it nearly confirms "Phantom Spire" is the name! I'm honestly curious if we're going to see some crossover references to Phantom Theater in the theme/queue of that ride as legacy CF loved to reference rides at other parks in "easter eggs".

This is why a new gen Vekoma multi launch is my top choice for that area and it's pretty clear based on the survey back in November/December that the park and corporate are in fact looking into that. Ever since Vortex left there is no coaster that goes upside down that has a 48" height requirement. Banshee is 52" and Invertigo/FOF is 54". A ride like AlpenFury would be great, but it has a 54" height requirement I think.

I've said before that I would like them to convert the current Peanuts Showplace space to a Phantom Theater museum/gift shop area that features props from the old Phantom Theater ride as well as that being where the character meet and greet could go. They could move the Peanuts meet and greet to Beagle Scout Acres (which they sorta already have over there). Or they could go back to having Snoopy and the gang on International Street. Maybe bring back the Peanuts Block Party and have shows on the bandstand during the day like before?

I think the facebook post got taken down...not shocked lol.

My hope is a glow in the dark carpet type flooring with a cool pattern kinda like what's in Haunted Hotel at Funtown Splashtown USA which is another fairly recent Sally installation.

I could honestly see The Vortex replacement in 2028 followed by a parking lot coaster (Invertigo/Congo/TW area) along with a renovated entry plaza in 2032 for the 60th anniversary (which is crazy to think we are getting close to the halfway point to that year as the 50th year feels like yesterday). Assuming we don't run into another major financial disruption (ie another pandemic or major recession or even bankruptcy).

So it seems like the new tower is going in the parking lot somewhere in front of the current building. Interesting they chose there instead of right behind the waterpark where there is some open land there between the outdoor pool and columbia rd.

Elizabeth Nadeu, The digital marketing manager has announced she is leaving Kings Island to take the social media and community manager position at P&G: https://www.instagram.com/p/DUo86ZCDIpJ5QSkQbDTE6spzt7I1Y64vNya3PA0/?img_index=1 I know some of you have mixed feelings about her, but she was always nice to me and I will miss her around the park and I wish her nothing but the best moving forward.