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Everything posted by johnjniehaus
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Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare New in 2026
johnjniehaus replied to IndyGuy4KI's topic in Kings Island Central Newsroom
So does this confirm the suspension that this ride was planned after the 50th and has been delayed a couple years? -
Hope so! Yes there is no way to tell but I do wonder considering that PT encore I think was sort of a test to see if the fanbase was still around - and it was
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If you are looking for somewhere else to spend your money in the amusement park industry, I'd encourage you to do Kentucky Kingdom, Holiday World, or Dollywood. I think all 3 are well run and within driving distance of Ohio. Indiana Beach and Stricker's Grove are not immaculate but they are decent. If you really want to make a longer trip, Knoebels in Elysburg PA and Enchanted Forest in Turner, OR are the two best run parks I've been to over the past 5 years. Both are super clean, fully staffed, family owned, and have good food for fair prices. Both of those parks put six flags to shame! They might not be large parks but Knoebels has two great woodies and a pile of classic flats that all kick butt. Enchanted Forest while a bit light on the rides has one of the most funky log Flumes, a really cool coaster that seems like a backyard Matterhorn, and one of my favorite dark rides!
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Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare New in 2026
johnjniehaus replied to IndyGuy4KI's topic in Kings Island Central Newsroom
Boo Blaster used to have ghosts that popped up on the balcony didn't it? Or was that only Scooby Doo? -
Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare New in 2026
johnjniehaus replied to IndyGuy4KI's topic in Kings Island Central Newsroom
Just confirmed that Richard Doyle (voice of maestro) is still living. Would be dream come true to have him back to record new dialogue for the ride -
Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare New in 2026
johnjniehaus replied to IndyGuy4KI's topic in Kings Island Central Newsroom
They could end up redoing that room entirely... But yes I'd love to see him or maybe Larry in the que -
Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare New in 2026
johnjniehaus replied to IndyGuy4KI's topic in Kings Island Central Newsroom
I hope the original characters appear as animatronics and that the shooting or the ghosts you're trying to zap appear on screens. -
Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare New in 2026
johnjniehaus replied to IndyGuy4KI's topic in Kings Island Central Newsroom
Looks fantastic! Hope ours is like that -
Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare New in 2026
johnjniehaus replied to IndyGuy4KI's topic in Kings Island Central Newsroom
Do you think they are keeping the existing ride system or will it be replaced with a new Sally ride system? I thought based on the concept art they are keeping the doom buggies but at the same time the concept art has them shooting with literal flashlights so it may or may not be the most accurate to what the final product is going to look like -
Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare New in 2026
johnjniehaus replied to IndyGuy4KI's topic in Kings Island Central Newsroom
I agree that entrance needs a facelift. Hopefully something similar to the original of at least something that looks like a vaudeville opera house. I do wish the entrance would not be in Planet Snoopy but I highly doubt they would move the entrance. I also kinda think the bridge stays as is unfortunately. As long as they get rid of the castle facade I'll be happy -
Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare New in 2026
johnjniehaus replied to IndyGuy4KI's topic in Kings Island Central Newsroom
Well if it's not A.I. they should do a better job in the future of making sure it doesn't look like it is lol. As long as the final product delivers it doesn't matter what the promotional material looks like. I'm curious if the opera boxes are going to be painted red like they are in the poster because the original phantom doom buggies were kinda greyish blue -
Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare New in 2026
johnjniehaus replied to IndyGuy4KI's topic in Kings Island Central Newsroom
I also thought the concept art looked a little A.I. but maybe the final product will look better -
Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare New in 2026
johnjniehaus replied to IndyGuy4KI's topic in Kings Island Central Newsroom
Yes there is no way to tell but I do wonder considering that PT encore I think was sort of a test to see if the fanbase was still around - and it was! -
Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare New in 2026
johnjniehaus replied to IndyGuy4KI's topic in Kings Island Central Newsroom
Haven't we already established that Phantom could have been a 2023 plan that got pushed out? Stands to reason that whatever the family thrill ride was for next year could have also gotten pushed out or cancelled -
Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare New in 2026
johnjniehaus replied to IndyGuy4KI's topic in Kings Island Central Newsroom
They probably won't do it but I'd LOVE if they did make it run the opposite direction so that it feels like a different layout. Also I'm pretty sure the vehicle swivels can be changed so even if it runs the same direction as it always has, maybe the swivel will be different -
Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare New in 2026
johnjniehaus replied to IndyGuy4KI's topic in Kings Island Central Newsroom
100% agree here. This attraction seems to the be most reasonable compromise between what the old die hard PT fans wanted and also what the GP and average guests want. Alot of kids love the shooting aspect of boo Blaster so realistically it was a stretch to think that was ever going away. I agree that it can make a ride more re-rideable especially if the story isn't Disney caliber. I for one view this as a win - it should be better than boo Blaster. Will it be as good as the original PT? Probably not but hey it probably never was going to be that good and frankly the original was not built for the screen addicted generation of kids we have today. This ride will be more popular amongst families than if they brought back a carbon copy of the original -
I'm on PST so I don't have to wait as long as y'all
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8/28 Boo Blasters: Announcement or Teaser?
johnjniehaus replied to Diamondback_Is_King's topic in KI Polls
Only a few more hours till the countdown runs out! -
Monster Mansion at SFOG has gone through numerous changes over the years too I believe and it's arguably one of the better dark rides in the six flags chain. PT doesn't have to be a carbon copy of the original to still be fun and nostalgic
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In general Kings Island is still in much better shape in terms of investment than most six flags and Cedar Fair parks located in mid size Midwest cities. I sometimes look at it in terms of was whatever they did an improvement over what was there previously? For example Franklin Flyers and Space Buggies replaced snoopy splash dance. Definitely an upgrade. Mystic Timbers was better than not having anything over there. Antique Autos replace Dinosaurs Alive entrance. 100% better. Orion replaced Firehawk which was an upgrade. Adventure Port replaced slingshot definitely an upgrade. Camp Snoopy replaced unused space so naturally an upgrade. Sure we lost Vortex and the drone show hasn't justified it's removal to me but that's one change the park has seen in the past decade that wasn't positive. We got a fantastic 50th anniversary season and in general while there's always room for improvement, the park has been trending in the right direction with the replacement rides being better than whatever was there before. Sure the new rides aren't as good as the real original ones from the 70s but sometimes having it back in some fashion is better than not having it. Would you rather have Kings Mills Antique Autos or just not have an antique car ride? The originals are never coming back as we knew them and anyone saying they'd just prefer not to have a new ride because it's not as good as the original ride it's similar to is crazy
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In general Kings Island is still in much better shape in terms of investment than most six flags and Cedar Fair parks located in mid size Midwest cities. I sometimes look at it in terms of was whatever they did an improvement over what was there previously? For example Franklin Flyers and Space Buggies replaced snoopy splash dance. Definitely an upgrade. Mystic Timbers was better than not having anything over there. Antique Autos replace Dinosaurs Alive entrance. 100% better. Orion replaced Firehawk which was an upgrade. Adventure Port replaced slingshot definitely an upgrade. Camp Snoopy replaced unused space so naturally an upgrade. Sure we lost Vortex and the drone show hasn't justified it's removal to me but that's one change the park has seen in the past decade that wasn't positive. We got a fantastic 50th anniversary season and in general while there's always room for improvement, the park has been trending in the right direction with the replacement rides being better than whatever was there before. Sure the new rides aren't as good as the real original ones from the 70s but sometimes having it back in some fashion is better than not having it. Would you rather have Kings Mills Antique Autos or just not have an antique car ride? The originals are never coming back as we knew them and anyone saying they'd just prefer not to have a new ride because it's not as good as the original ride it's similar to is crazy
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YES!!!
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I rode Scooby Doo only once and don't have much but a few flashes of memories from it. Boo Blaster was always a part of my childhood and while it's been in really rough shape recently, I have enjoyed it for what it is. My favorite story was standing in line for it during winterfest, the couple Infront of us got into an argument about what ride had previously been in the building. The husband said "hey didn't this ride used to be the outer limits?" And the wife said "No that's on the other side of the park. I think this was tomb raider" and the husband replied "No, tomb raider was at Universal"
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Kings Island General Discussion 2025
johnjniehaus replied to Klabergian Empire's topic in Kings Island
I say they should get M&Ms to sponsor the monster and then paint the pods all different colors like M&M candies and call it the M&M Monster! -
I think it's funny how the park keeps trying to cater to families but all my family members and friends haven't been pass holders since 2022. Some of them are actually getting excited about the park again with the potential of a phantom return