cdubbs727

Haven't seen anything posted in this forum yet, so thought I'd share. This article from Attractions Magazine -- and other posts I've seen on FB -- show a first-look at the lobby for Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare. And I gotta say: my excitement level just went up. I love the animatronics in the queue....not just Maestro back home where he belongs, but also a No-Legs Larry animatronic. So much better than the TVs!! https://attractionsmagazine.com/construction-update-inside-the-phantom-theater-at-kings-island/?utm_content=buffer0269c&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer&fbclid=IwY2xjawQhUitleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFwTDM5QmdESlhPdzVXdWl6c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHvwzFaB4xip-EW4XxxdU-pA6rH1BKyvz4y2hXKW85sDbMG3_Mvqk3keoAC7o_aem_thC19aDTEP3W5oOii5N_1A

Yeah, I don't think "I got so wasted at the regional amusement park's haunted house that they kicked me out" is the flex he thinks it is.

Cool story, bro.

I'm really excited. I was in my teens when Phantom Theater opened, and had just gone to Walt Disney World, so I thought it was great that the park we went to every year had something that resembled Haunted Mansion (although even at my age, I understood it was a budget version of Haunted Mansion). By the time it was closed, I was an adult without kids, so it didn't really bother me. By the time my kids were ready for Kings Island, it was Boo Blasters...and they loved "the spooky house," but I was always so disappointed that instead of an inventive attraction that made an attempt to capture the feel of Disney, they got a lame shooter with ugly blacklights and cheap sets and blasters that rarely worked. I'm not sure we'll get to KI this year; we're in Detroit and are choosing to try Dollywood this summer. but we have Gold Passes, so we can get to Cedar Point a few times. But if money and timing allow, I'd like to take a trip and see how it all turned out. I love the idea of honoring the past, and it sounds like they're really trying hard to make this a memorable attraction.

I agree. I'm not a Haunt person, so I guess YMMV, but I hate the amount of room they take up for mazes that are used for about a month. But while I prefer they use backstage areas, I would rather see them use one of the ugly boxes than have haunts standing around with signage but not operating in the summer -- I tend to think having stuff like Slaughterhouse or whatever is by The Bat just hanging around all summer looks trashy.

I haven't ridden Drop Tower because that's the one that's a bit too much for me. I also haven't ridden KI's WindSeeker, but I have ridden CP's....it was also a bit too high up and stomach-churning for my likes, so I won't be trying KI's anytime soon. And in terms of past rides, I was never able to ride the OG Bat, Demon, Rotor, or Bavarian Beetle. Just a bit before my time (but I did ride King Cobra several times).

I doubt they'd bring back the water feature. It would probably require updates to the infrastructure (the water's been gone for 40 years), people don't have a history of treating stuff like that well, and I wonder if it would also cause the area to get a bit mosquito-y in the humid months. I also don't think we need to talk about changing the roller coaster's layout. It's not broke, doesn't need fixed. But I like the idea of removing the TR:TR building to expand Rivertown. It definitely needs something fresh there; I feel like there's just one small stretch between the train station and the log ride that feels like RiverTown. A nice restaurant out there (BBQ would make sense, but Coney Mall has one) perhaps with outdoor seating and entertainment, would work.

I feel like you could probably lose Action Zone, as I'm not sure there's anything too memorable there that you couldn't just move elsewhere. Losing Antique Autos would take a really great, Christmas-y attraction. It's fun to drive through there with all the lights ... would definitely be missed. And if they ever had to close the train, I feel like that would be the final nail in the coffin for Winterfest. I think it's personally a bit too short of a train ride, but it's probably the most traditional Christmas attraction you can have an amusement park. Feels like it's essential. I wonder if they're actually losing money on the Winterfest buffet on International Street. I'm sure they sell out, but I'm also sure it's a lot of money to make all that food. I wonder if they'd be better to make it a drink-and-dessert place. Stop in, do hot cocoa with a toppings bar. Some deserts. Maybe open up the bar. Limit people to 30 minutes in there to warm up, enjoy their drinks and enjoy the view, and then keep people moving through and spending money.

Glad to see this. I like Looney Tunes, but the innocence of Peanuts has always been a nice fit with the kids' area. And honestly, anything to keep the legacy CF parks from having to appear any more like a Six Flags.

Concept art definitely seems like "Maestro Babies". But like you said, I think that's probably better for the kids.

Based on the concept art, I think you're going to be disappointed in that. But it makes sense -- this is a kids' ride. It always has been. It's probably going to be spooky, but not scary, with some humorous moment scattered throughout.

I think there's probably a lot of elasticity in what's meant by "family thrill attraction." They can say this is spooky and "thrilling" and bases are covered.

I think that interactive element is here to stay...that's what the kids seem to want. Disney has several of them; they're popular and encourage people to re-ride. I don't mind the shooting element, so long as the flashlights/blasters actually work. I'm sure this is going to be pretty screen-heavy. I do hope there are some animatronics throughout. Even Universal seems to understand the days of screen-centric rides are ending, and animatronics are the bigger draw.

Posted this in the BB thread, but I'll put it here, too: I'm a bit bummed that this apparently is going to use the same layout as BB. I really wish they'd make it a bit more fast-paced and fun (maybe I was spoiled by MIB at Universal and its spins). I also hope that, since it appears they're going to continue making it a shooter, the blasters/flashlights get a major upgrade and actually work. I would have loved for them to have placed this in The Crypt, but this is likely the cheapest option, so we'll have to sit with that eyesore empty for another year (the building itself isn't too distracting, but that empty entryway sure is). But, the concept art makes me smile. I like the new designs and the idea seems like it will straddle the line between honoring the past and making a fun new experience for families. I'm hopeful it's going to be a fun addition to the park.

On the one hand, I kind of am bummed that it sounds like this will use the same layout as BB, and will even keep the shooting concept (the flashers will probably continue to be blasters that might or might not work...hopefully they'll be overhauled). On the other hand, fun! I like the reimagined look -- definitely going for an energetic, family friendly ride, and it will hopefully straddle the line nicely between honoring the past and giving families a fun, new attraction. Not bad!