Kings Island to add “family thrill” attraction in 2026

[AintNutinElse2Do]

After looking at the Vidanta World stuff then Intamin's catalog I did find a ride listed as a family thrill attraction. It's also something missing from Kings Island's lineup and would look splendid along Coney Mall somewhere.   But that would be the coaster wheel.

https://www.intamin.com/product/coaster-wheel/

Which I think would be a pretty solid addition while still leaving room for something bigger later.

 

[Diamondback_Is_King]

Can we consider Sol Spin as a "Family Thrill Attraction"? Can we consider Mystic Timbers as a "Family Thrill Attraction"? The statement was very vague, and could really mean anything. Could be a flat ride, coaster, or as far as we know, it could be a walk-through thing. But the fact that the other rides say coaster means that KI will most likely not be getting a coaster. Very sad time for coaster enthusiasts at KI. My hope is that they are doing all of these small additions and then adding an amazing coaster. But every year we are like, "It's going to come next year" and then it doesn't. I really hope that KI adds some real good coasters in the near future, but there is that tiny bit of doubt in the back of my mind. Anyway, hopefully KI will add a new thrill coaster in the next 5 years.

[Tr0y]

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[BoddaH1994]

Theme Parks By Don blog on this:

https://themeparksbydon.com/could-this-be-kings-islands-next-family-thrill-attraction/

Tower Topics on the subject:

 

[jbeast]

The last thing I want in the old Bat/Vortex spot is another family type coaster. That spot has been occupied by two of the most iconic coasters KI has ever had. I loved the original Bat. And while Vortex wasn't my overall favorite, to say it fit that spot and was an icon for the park is a vast understatement. It was just stunning to look at on the midway.

I feel that a major coaster should always be reserved for that area. KI needs to step up and install a coaster worthy of that spot. I know the season pass numbers and families are key, but so are the millions that love big coasters. I will be so disappointed if it is not the case.

[KIBeast]

I truly don't feel like the 2026 project will be in Vortex's old spot. I know nothing of what or where, but that's just my gut feeling on it. I could definitely be wrong.

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

9 hours ago, KIBeast said:

I truly don't feel like the 2026 project will be in Vortex's old spot. I know nothing of what or where, but that's just my gut feeling on it. I could definitely be wrong.

I have a feeling the crypt building is where we should keep our eyes on. If the park goes with a family thrill coaster, I think the Crypt building is the best spot for it. Imagine a well themed indoor queue line and then a dark ride section pre launch and then launch out into the woods and hug the terrain. 

[CoasterJack]

14 minutes ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said:

I have a feeling the crypt building is where we should keep our eyes on. If the park goes with a family thrill coaster, I think the Crypt building is the best spot for it. Imagine a well themed indoor queue line and then a dark ride section pre launch and then launch out into the woods and hug the terrain. 

Hasn't Koontz said he wants something done with the Crypt Building before retirement. Could we see this be his magnum opus to his family additions . But in seriousness, I do think this could be a possibility. I can see a project that would cost somewhere in the range of a coaster, but not necessarily a coaster. So the crypt box, or I'm on board with a Boo Blasters Retheme...

[robintodd]

On 11/22/2024 at 9:16 AM, jbeast said:

The last thing I want in the old Bat/Vortex spot is another family type coaster. That spot has been occupied by two of the most iconic coasters KI has ever had. I loved the original Bat. And while Vortex wasn't my overall favorite, to say it fit that spot and was an icon for the park is a vast understatement. It was just stunning to look at on the midway.

I feel that a major coaster should always be reserved for that area. KI needs to step up and install a coaster worthy of that spot. I know the season pass numbers and families are key, but so are the millions that love big coasters. I will be so disappointed if it is not the case.

I mentioned this on the comments of Tower Topics so I'll reiterate here.  I think from the video TT showed that it would be fitting to use the Son of Beast station and the old Wild Animal Safari area to build the coaster.  In the video it has different animals.  Lots of room for it and the Lantern interaction during haunt would have served as a hint.  I'm thinking they will use that building for something or they would have just demolished it alltogether.

Anyway, I would be happy with that, assuming they will be saving capital for a coaster in 2027 in The Vortex plot.

[Tr0y]

On 11/22/2024 at 8:14 AM, BoddaH1994 said:

Theme Parks By Don blog on this:

https://themeparksbydon.com/could-this-be-kings-islands-next-family-thrill-attraction/

Tower Topics on the subject:

 

A family launch coaster across from a family launch coaster (Backlot) will go well with our pair of B&M hypers. 

[BoddaH1994]

3 hours ago, Tr0y said:

A family launch coaster across from a family launch coaster (Backlot) will go well with our pair of B&M hypers. 

Don't say anything in front of Snoopy's Soapbox Racers and Backlot. Parenthood is tough.

[DoomPlague]

6 hours ago, Tr0y said:

A family launch coaster across from a family launch coaster (Backlot) will go well with our pair of B&M hypers. 

We got an invert right across from an old invert and a new wood coaster in the same area of the park as our most famous wood coaster. So at least those B&M's are in different parts of the park 

[Tr0y]

On a serious note, trying to further decode 2026. I don’t think we will be getting a coaster at all.

For one, coaster is omitted from the list of park additions amongst all the parks within the chain:

Also Ride Entertainment Systems and Zamperla was listed in the commencement of work. So I’m guessing we’d get a flat thrill ride from their lineup?

https://rideentertainment.com/sales-home/

https://www.zamperla.com

 

 

[Orion-XL200]

Based on that. 
 

It were to come from Ride Entertainment I’m guessing a dark ride. Or maybe a similar ride to Catwoman’s Whip at SFSL. 
 

Zamperla….who knows. 

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

Remember that Notice of Commencement is for 2024 and 2025 additions and modifications. I think it's very likely that it doesn't include 2026 construction plans at all. For example, with Orion the NOC said 2018, 2019, and 2020 additions and modifications. 

Now I'm very interested that Ride Entertainment is listed. RE does a lot of work with Gerstlauer and KCL Engineering. An infinity coaster was listed in a recent survey. Obviously an infinity isn't really considered family thrill so the odds are really low for that being the 2026 project, but what if in the very unlikely chance they're just trying to throw us off here and we're getting the infinity coaster after all, but KI just didn't want it to get out?

Also looking at Ride Entertainment's portfolio, it looks like they do work with upgrading dark rides. And one of the options in a recent survey was an update to Boo Blasters. However, I don't see how a shooting dark ride is considered family thrill. Unless, maybe the park pulls a 2003 and adds a dark ride update and a thrilling flat ride the same year (ie Scooby and Delirium in 03). 

https://rideentertainment.com/lagotronics/

[Rivertown Rider]

To the Gerstlauer point, I would love to see the Infinity coaster as it checks a ton of boxes.  Curb appeal, dive elements that aren't as forced as a B&M dive, inversions, and most importantly for families a 48 inch height requirement.  It is a great successor to Vortex in that location.

It is also worth noting that Baker Concrete is listed on the NOC and one of the projects they have listed on their website is the footings for Pipeline at SWO.

[DiamondbackFan]

Does the park own the Skycoaster or is it leased from Ride Entertainment?

[Tr0y]

1 hour ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said:

Also looking at Ride Entertainment's portfolio, it looks like they do work with upgrading dark rides. And one of the options in a recent survey was an update to Boo Blasters. However, I don't see how a shooting dark ride is considered family thrill. Unless, maybe the park pulls a 2003 and adds a dark ride update and a thrilling flat ride the same year (ie Scooby and Delirium in 03). 

https://rideentertainment.com/lagotronics/

There was a survey marker spotted near the exit of Boo Blasters earlier this season:

[Old_Bearcat]

3 hours ago, Tr0y said:

On a serious note, trying to further decode 2026. I don’t think we will be getting a coaster at all.

For one, coaster is omitted from the list of park additions amongst all the parks within the chain:

Also Ride Entertainment Systems and Zamperla was listed in the commencement of work. So I’m guessing we’d get a flat thrill ride from their lineup?

https://rideentertainment.com/sales-home/

https://www.zamperla.com

 

 

IMHO, there are probably two or more potential things for 2026 that KI is currently looking at, both family-oriented thrill attractions, one may be a coaster and the other something else. Planning is still on-going and the ink certainly has not dried on the contracts, so the PR is vague in that regard.   Either way, it's a bigger thing coming since it made the chain-wide PR (as opposed to a few flat rides or something) 

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

Honestly a family thrill coaster in the Crypt building plus an update to Boo Blasters in the same season would be a pretty good investment.