Kings Island to add “family thrill” attraction in 2026

[Vortex1987]

Can I just have some of that TRTR theming? Or something off those seats? Then I'll be quiet. Lol. 

[Diamondback_Is_King]

1 hour ago, Vortex1987 said:

Can I just have some of that TRTR theming? Or something off those seats? Then I'll be quiet. Lol. 

Do you really think you'll get some theming?

I hate to be real, but Kings Island doesn't care about one guest and what they want (sorry if that came across rude, didn't mean to ). Unless you have some close connection, you're probably not gonna get anything (sorry)

[beastfan11]

Is there anything pointing towards this being a Madhouse specifically (should something even be going in that space at all)? 

Could be cool. 
 

It would honestly make for a great fit with the amount of pre show space available to really flesh out a solid story. 

… Or it could be another bar. Which would be great. Because I just spent an hour of my Saturday reading through temper tantrums about an empty warehouse in Mason and I could use a drink. 

[Vortex1987]

I want the building gone. 

13 minutes ago, johnjniehaus said:

Let's keep things a little more respectful on here huh? No need for swearing or risking getting banned over a ride that closed over a decade ago. 

As for myself, I rode Houdini at SFGAv and loved it and I've heard that it's arguably one of the worst compared to the ones in Europe. I personally am on team mad House and I think it's crazy to say no to any ride in there at this point 

I rode Houdinis Great Escape at SFNE and actually got off boo-ing. I just didn't personally care for it. It's just not my cup of tea. Maybe though, I'd like Hex at Alton Towers. 

 

I'm unsure though, I hope this one ends up more like Hex than Houdinis Great Escape. (Being fully immersive with theming and such, even though madhouses aren't my favorite kind of ride.)

 

Make it actually invert with lapbars and I'll throw a party!!!! I'm getting heavy TR:TR vibes from it, but i just don't think the illusion aspect of a madhouse can do it for me.......... I just like inversions. Lol.

 

Maybe........ I might be wrong, but I'm 99% sure I won't like what goes in the building. 

[Diamondback_Is_King]

2 minutes ago, johnjniehaus said:

Let's keep things a little more respectful on here huh? No need for swearing or risking getting banned over a ride that closed over a decade ago. 

As for myself, I rode Houdini at SFGAv and loved it and I've heard that it's arguably one of the worst compared to the ones in Europe. I personally am on team mad House and I think it's crazy to say no to any ride in there at this point 

Agreed. KIC is supposed to be about community, not about tearing each other down by insulting other's opinions. Being respectful of others and their opinions, that's the way it should be.

[brenthodge]

8 minutes ago, Diamondback_Is_King said:

Agreed. KIC is supposed to be about community, not about tearing each other down by insulting other's opinions. Being respectful of others and their opinions, that's the way it should be.

And actually adding compelling content to the ongoing narrative, not just beating the same personal dead horse over and over. 

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

I personally think the park should remove the axe/soccer game location and use that space for a nice water feature to compliment the new ride's entrance. Some sort of rock wall with an artificial spring/waterfall would be nice. Bonus points to the park if they redo the pathway between that and the gravel towards Diamondback (Swan) Lake to look like a bridge, similar to the one between Mystic Timbers' entrance and exit. I'd be oh so happy to see something like this (see below) scaled up and placed in that spot with a small pond near the pathway. Think similarly to the entrance to Camp Snoopy at Carowinds with the canoe. 

That would also be a great spot for the ride I.D. sign. I think it could go on the right side of the fountain in front of the Diamondback support where part of the photo booth pad is now. 

Bring some more water back to Rivertown and let it flow freely   : ) 

[Diamondback_Is_King]

10 minutes ago, Losantiville Mining Co. said:

I personally think the park should remove the axe/soccer game location and use that space for a nice water feature to compliment the new ride's entrance. Some sort of rock wall with an artificial spring/waterfall would be nice. Bonus points to the park if they redo the pathway between that and the gravel towards Diamondback (Swan) Lake to look like a bridge, similar to the one between Mystic Timbers' entrance and exit. I'd be oh so happy to see something like this (see below) scaled up and placed in that spot with a small pond near the pathway. Think similarly to the entrance to Camp Snoopy at Carowinds with the canoe. 

That would also be a great spot for the ride I.D. sign. I think it could go on the right side of the fountain in front of the Diamondback support where part of the photo booth pad is now. 

Bring some more water back to Rivertown and let it flow freely   : ) 

I love the idea of more water in Rivertown! Something like cascading waterfalls in Celestial Park at Epic Universe (obviously not as large) would be a great addition!

[Vortex1987]

Just now, Diamondback_Is_King said:

I love the idea of more water in Rivertown! Something like cascading waterfalls in Celestial Park at Epic Universe (obviously not as large) would be a great addition!

Maybe theme it to a cave and put a large rock waterfall at the entrance? (tough to explain, but you get the idea)

[brenthodge]

15 minutes ago, Vortex1987 said:

Also, what would become of the leftover queue/theming from TR:TR/Crypt? I know the posts for the sign out front are still there abandoned and so is the exit photo booth back when it was TR:TR. I don't know how I'm going to pull this off, but I'm going to try to get my hands on some of that theming, even if I have to pay a pretty penny. 

I’m assuming that would be demoed with the rest of the parts of the building they weren’t reusing for the new attraction. They’d most likely demo and dispose of it to keep it from falling into the wrong people’s hands. 

[Vortex1987]

Just now, brenthodge said:

I’m assuming that would be demoed with the rest of the parts of the building they weren’t reusing for the new attraction. They’d most likely demo and dispose of it to keep it from falling into the wrong people’s hands. 

I'm going to attempt to call the park when more construction goes on and ask about purchasing some of the theming. I  would sell  my soul to get my hands of a small piece of TR:TR's theming, just so I can hang it on my wall. 

[PKIDelirium]

So, about that Paramount Parks patent regarding Tomb Raider: The Ride?

Paramount Parks no longer exists.

Who do you think owns it now?

[Vortex1987]

1 minute ago, PKIDelirium said:

So, about that Paramount Parks patent regarding Tomb Raider: The Ride?

Paramount Parks no longer exists.

Who do you think owns it now?

Nobody!!! 

 

There will never be another ride like TR:TR and I'll always be salty that I missed out on it by ONE YEAR.  Don't get me started again.......................

 

Oh well. Back on topic. 

 

I'm curious, won't they have to expand the outer walls of the building to fit the madhouse? Or is it actually big enough? I also know that theres stairs that lead to the floor of the building after the queue ends so I'm wondering if its going to board via the stairs at the floor or via a walkway. And would the mystery aspect return? I hope so, because like TR:TR, the mystery aspect of the whole thing could attract more guests to ride it.

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

My idea with the spring is mainly so it can be taller (I like the back "wall" of the game and how it blocks the view behind it), while keeping the floorspace big enough for a small pond. Celestial Park-style cascading waterfalls would be nice, although I don't know how good they would look in that space. I like the idea of the cave and rock waterfall, but that may be a little hard to do with the height and space constrictions. Canada's Wonderland did just do some new rock work on Wonder Mountain that go around AlpenFury's supports. I wonder if something similar would work for the base of Diamondback's helix supports. These are some good ideas! Thank you for indulging me. 

That game seems to have not been set up for this season so I'm curious what'll happen with the space. If anyone has a good picture of that empty game spot in the daylight, please post it here or direct me to it. I think I'd like to see what I could do with it in (the ridiculously expensive) Photoshop. I'd miss the Winterfest photo-op if it went away, but I think this could be a nicer looking use of the land.

[IndyGuy4KI]

This thread has been cleaned up. Please stay on topic. The TRTR horse has been to a pulp. Thanks!

[Cedar Fair Fanboy]

I know and all it takes is a single mention of a Vekoma Madhouse to see a bond fire turned into a house fire.

[Vortex1987]

I'm curious on the madhouse:

 

Do you think they're going to theme it incredibly well like Hex or just leave it , "empty"? (Its tough to explain, but i think you all know what I mean)

 

[Shaggy]

On 6/6/2025 at 3:01 PM, Vortex1987 said:

Now The Vortex plot............... They better stick something incredible in there. That plot has had the first ever large scale looping coaster, and the first ever suspended coaster. That plot needs something incredible. 

Just to clarify...

There were several "large scale" looping coasters in operation before Vortex.  Yes, Vortex set a (temporary) world record for most inversions on a coaster at the time of its opening.  But "large scale" looping coasters had been around for a decade before Vortex was built.  (i.e. Loch Ness Monster, Orient Express etc.)

Also, KI's The Bat was not the first ever suspended coaster.  It was the first "permanent modern-day" suspended coaster made by Arrow.  But others pre-dated it.  There was one as early as the early 1900's in California.  Also, there was a suspended coaster that operated in Germany for Octoberfest in 1975.  Its rumored that Anton Schwarzkopf was inspired by the German Fun-Fair version and was working on his own take on the concept in the late 1970's.

(I do agree with your feeling that the land on which those two rides existed should - sentimentally - be used for something just as grand and/or groundbreaking.)

Also...

For posterity, if KI were to install a "Madhouse",  it would not be the first time one appeared at a (legacy) KECO park. 

Most here are too young to recall, but in 1985 Carowinds premiered "Blackbeard's Revenge" - a Huss Haunted Swing (The manufacturer name to the equivalent ride now called a Madhouse.)  It was originally built for a Worlds Fair, but after the fair ended it was purchased by KECO and moved to Carowinds.  It operated there for around fifteen seasons until it was demolished for the (now defunct) Flying Super Saturator.  If you are familiar with Carowinds, it was located in an themed building where the "Flying Cobra" boomerang coaster now resides.  I remember distinctly when Carowinds added the ride - it was completely shrouded in mystery and marketing avoided revealing what the ride actually did/was.

Both Vekoma and Mack Rides still manufacture their equivalents of a Haunted Swing.  There are two Vekoma Madhouse rides in operation in the SF chain - both themed to Houdini (as discussed) and installed the same year - 1999 - at Six Flags Great Adventure, and Six Flags New England.  Noah's Ark in Wisconsin is the only Mack version of the ride in the US.

(I personally think that such a ride would be a great use of the TR:TR building.  It would likely be an initial hit with guests that have not experienced an attraction of it's type before.  There's never been one in the region - so it would likely be considered a really novel "thrill" ride to many.  I do question the longevity of interest, and staying power - but, then, the ones at SFGADV and SFNE have been popular attractions for over a quarter century now.)

Finally - I do not necessarily believe the 2026 ride to be a "Madhouse."  Could be.  But I personally believe that the attraction will be one that was previously solicited to guests via surveys.  That seems to be the trend on which the ride additions are happening with the other legacy CF parks.

Shaggy

[brenthodge]

9 minutes ago, Vortex1987 said:

I'm curious on the madhouse:

 

Do you think they're going to theme it incredibly well like Hex or just leave it , "empty"? (Its tough to explain, but i think you all know what I mean)

 

There’s been no confirmation it’s a madhouse. As to how themed it would be is irrelevant discussion right now. 

[Vortex1987]

1 minute ago, Shaggy said:

Just to clarify...

There were several "large scale" looping coasters in operation before Vortex.  Yes, Vortex set a (temporary) world record for most inversions on a coaster at the time of its opening.  But "large scale" looping coasters had been around for a decade before Vortex was built.  (i.e. Loch Ness Monster, Orient Express etc.)

Also, KI's The Bat was not the first ever suspended coaster.  It was the first "permanent modern-day" suspended coaster made by Arrow.  But others pre-dated it.  There was one as early as the early 1900's in California.  Also, there was a suspended coaster that operated in Germany for Octoberfest in 1975.  Its rumored that Anton Schwarzkopf was inspired by the German Fun-Fair version and was working on his own take on the concept in the late 1970's.

(I do agree with your feeling that the land on which those two rides existed should - sentimentally - be used for something just as grand and/or groundbreaking.)

Also...

For posterity, if KI were to install a "Madhouse",  it would not be the first time one appeared at a (legacy) KECO park. 

Most here are too young to recall, but in 1985 Carowinds premiered "Blackbeard's Revenge" - a Huss Haunted Swing (The manufacturer name to the equivalent ride now called a Madhouse.)  It was originally built for a Worlds Fair, but after the fair ended it was purchased by KECO and moved to Carowinds.  It operated there for around fifteen seasons until it was demolished for the (now defunct) Flying Super Saturator.  If you are familiar with Carowinds, it was located in an themed building where the "Flying Cobra" boomerang coaster now resides.  I remember distinctly when Carowinds added the ride - it was completely shrouded in mystery and marketing avoided revealing what the ride actually did/was.

Both Vekoma and Mack Rides still manufacture their equivalents of a Haunted Swing.  There are two Vekoma Madhouse rides in operation in the SF chain - both themed to Houdini (of course) and installed the same year - 1999 - at Six Flags Great Adventure, and Six Flags New England.  Noah's Ark in Wisconsin is the only Mack version of the ride in the US.

(I personally think that such a ride would be a great use of the TR:TR building.  It would likely be an initial hit with guests that have not experienced an attraction of it's type before.  There's never been one in the region - so it would likely be considered a really novel "thrill" ride to many.  I do question the longevity of interest, and staying power - but, then, the ones at SFGADV and SFNE have been popular attractions for over a quarter century now.)

Shaggy

I honestly just think I need to find closure with having missed out on TR:TR by ONE YEAR. But how?

 

I really hope KI keeps the mystery aspect of the madhouse like they did with TR:TR. What I mean is that when you boarded TR:TR, you couldn't tell what kind of ride it was even when you got off, it would keep the average guest more intrigued to ride and visit again. (Tough to explain, but you know what I mean)

 

IF KI pulls this off correctly, it could be incredible. We'll see........... Don't the parks do announcements for next years attractions in August or am I wrong? (Like, animation previews, listing on their website, ect.)

[brenthodge]

3 minutes ago, Vortex1987 said:

IF KI pulls this off correctly, it could be incredible. We'll see........... Don't the parks do announcements for next years attractions in August or am I wrong? (Like, animation previews, listing on their website, ect.)

Not necessarily. Some things yes, if they feel it will boost pass sales. Some things they may wait till off season to announce. 

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

I wonder what they'll do with the front areas of the building. The bridge over the lowered floor is super cool to me. They could stand to lose the bamboo though. The old pre-show room would be great for either a) a preshow (duh), or b) a little more indoor queue space. 

If this announcement is held in the same manner as those over the past few years, it'll be a social media post at 3AM (spooky!) around or on the date that 2026 passes first go on sale. The new Soak City additions were announced on 8/8/2024 — the same day 2025 passes went on sale.

[Vortex1987]

2 minutes ago, Losantiville Mining Co. said:

I wonder what they'll do with the front areas of the building. The bridge over the lowered floor is super cool to me. They could stand to lose the bamboo though. The old pre-show room would be great for either a) a preshow (duh), or b) a little more indoor queue space. 

If this announcement is held in the same manner as those over the past few years, it'll be a social media post at 3AM (spooky!) around or on the date that 2026 passes first go on sale. The new Soak City additions were announced on 8/8/2024 — the same day 2025 passes went on sale.

The bamboo is what holds the "ceiling" tarps giving it a rustic look......

 

I think it should be like, mine-themed. The theming is there....... so utilize it!!!!! 

[brenthodge]

7 minutes ago, Vortex1987 said:

I really hope KI keeps the mystery aspect of the madhouse like they did with TR:TR. What I mean is that when you boarded TR:TR, you couldn't tell what kind of ride it was even when you got off, it would keep the average guest more intrigued to ride and visit again. (Tough to explain, but you know what I mean

Nothing that you’ve said was tough to explain really is. I think we all get what you are saying with each of your posts. Thanks for moving forward and adding new ideas to the discussion though. You’ve got some good ideas! 

[Vortex1987]

7 minutes ago, brenthodge said:

Nothing that you’ve said was tough to explain really is. I think we all get what you are saying with each of your posts. Thanks for moving forward and adding new ideas to the discussion though. You’ve got some good ideas! 

Rude again? Really? You didn't have to come off like that. 

 

I'm getting to work in PlanCo on the madhouse, I want you all here to throw me some ideas on what they could do with the theming! I'll post it here sometime in the next week or two. 

Actually, I don't think PlanCo has a madhouse at all. LOL.But I have an idea on how to replicate one...............................

[Shaggy]

22 hours ago, Vortex1987 said:

I honestly just think I need to find closure with having missed out on TR:TR by ONE YEAR. But how?

TR:TR, was the premiere example of what I believe the Paramount executives were trying to achieve with their installs.  It was (IMO) the apex of all of the attractions that Paramount added during their tenure as owners.  It was also one of the primary representations of how they didn't give a flying fig about where they put those attractions.  (I still stand by my original 23-year assertation that it should have been shoe-horned in the area between King Cobra and Adventure Express. )

When it opened - there was a great deal of backlash among enthusiasts (go figure) who ultimately denounced it as being nothing more than a flat-ride in a box.  I was in the camp that felt like Paramount had finally added a landmark ride, unique to KI, that was groundbreaking enough to be a part of the parks rich legacy of "big" attractions.  

The downside to TR:TR is, of course, Paramount Parks did not follow through with the demanding maintenance of such a complicated and "heavily themed" attraction.   Their inability to maintain the specialized theming elements on ride installs - coupled with their absolute disregard for the esthetics and history of the park - stand as my greatest frustrations with that era of ownership.  (Fun fact - Starting in 2005, I refused to attend KI for three seasons following attending their media day for Italian Job.  I left absolutely disgusted at how cheap, junky and horrible the final installation of IJ:ST looked.  Its placement in the park was the worst decision in the park's history and came at the unnecessary and ignorant cost of two legacy attractions.   I just simply couldn't stomach it.  To this day, it remains a pain-point for me... and I side eye that attraction every time I pass by it.)

I was present to see/tour TR:TR ride under construction privately (fun fact, the ride unit was hidden in the picnic pavilion - the very same one where Coasterstock meals are served - while it awaited assembly.)  I attended media day for the ride as well.  There were some original effects that did not last past the first few weeks - that no video has ever captured.  That's because the complicated theming components didn't survive the repetition of the cycles.  (*See my statement above) For instance, the Shiva's eyes originally moved left to right over the entire gondola while shining a laser-effect over the riders (momentarily blinding them.)  That effect literally only lasted a week or two.  The pre-show room's projections screen would hydraulically raise and lower between groups of guests as they were cycled through (If I recall. this lasted only through the first season - for subsequent seasons it remained stationary.)  Also, the "lava pits" water jets originally soaked targeted riders.  But after complaints and a few weeks of operation - they were reduced to mostly "tease" the riders.  At the very end of the ride - two large tubes would blast cool highly pressurized CO2 at the riders from either side.  That eventually disappeared (probably to make the ride more clearly visible to the ride ops and safety cameras.)

Each time I'd ride, it would seem like an effect was either broken - or gone - only to never return again.   The flame effects above the Monkey warriors in the anti-chamber died one by one and were never fixed.  The "code unlocking" triangle of light effect was temperamental - and (I believe) eventually phased out. Eventually, the triangle of light's hydraulic door no longer opened and closed - it was just left sitting ajar. 

In its infancy, TR:TR was a superb attraction - albeit misplaced.  But as with so many rides of that era, it just didn't stand the test of time.  Bottom line, you didnt miss much in that last year of its original operation.  By then, it was a shell of its original intention.

[Vortex1987]

5 minutes ago, Shaggy said:

TR:TR, was the premiere example of what I believe the Paramount executives were trying to achieve with their installs.  It was (IMO) the apex of all of the attractions that Paramount added during their tenure as owners.  It also is the perfect sample of how they didn't give a flying fig about where they put their attractions.  (I still stand by my original 23-year assertation that it should have been shoe-horned in the area between King Cobra and Adventure Express. )

When it opened - there was a great deal of backlash among enthusiasts (go figure) who ultimately denounced it as being nothing more than a flat-ride in a box.  I was in the camp that felt like Paramount had finally added a landmark ride, unique to KI, that was groundbreaking enough to be a part of the parks rich legacy of "big" attractions.  

The downside to TR:TR is, of course, Paramount Parks did not follow through with the demanding maintenance of such a complicated and "heavily themed" attraction.   Their inability to maintain the more complicated theming elements on ride installs - coupled with their absolute disregard for the esthetics and history of the park - stand as my greatest frustrations with the ownership.  (Fun fact - Starting in 2005, I refused to attend KI for three seasons following attending their media day for Italian Job.  I left absolutely disgusted at how cheap, junky and horrible the final ride looked.  Its placement in the park was the worst decision in the park's history and came at the unnecessary and ignorant cost of two legacy attractions.   I just simply couldn't stomach it.  To this day, it remains a pain-point for me... and I side eye that attraction every time I pass by it.)

I was present to see/tour TR:TR ride under construction privately (fun fact, the ride unit was hidden in the picnic pavilion - the very same one where Coasterstock meals are served - while it awaited assembly.)  I attended media day for the ride as well.  There were some original effects that did not last past the first few weeks - that no video has ever captured.  That's because the complicated theming components didn't survive the repetition of the cycles.  (*See my statement above) For instance, the Shiva's eyes originally moved left to right over the entire gondola while shining a laser-effect over the riders (momentarily blinding them.)  That effect literally only lasted a week or two.  The pre-show room's projections screen would hydraulically raise and lower between groups of guests as they were cycled through (If I recall. this lasted only through the first season - for subsequent seasons it remained stationary.)  Also, the "lava pits" water jets original would soak riders.  But after several weeks of operation - they were reduced to "tease" the riders.  At the every end of the ride - two large tubes would blast cool highly pressurized CO2 at the riders from either side.  That eventually disappeared (probably to make the ride more clearly visible to the ride ops and safety cameras.)

Each time I'd ride, it would seem like an effect was either broken - or gone - only to never return again.   The flame effects above the Monkey warriors in the anti-chamber died one by one and were never fixed.  The "code unlocking" triangle of light effect was temperamental - and (I believe) eventually phased out. Eventually, the triangle of light's hydraulic door no longer opened and closed - it was just left sitting ajar. 

In its infancy, TR:TR was a superb attraction - albeit misplaced.  But as with so many rides of that era, it just didn't stand the test of time.  Bottom line, you didnt miss much in that last year or its original operation.  By then, it was a shell of its original intention.

in its peak, (Opening year) it looks absolutely incredible. If only it were maintained, it could have lasted. 

[Tr0y]

Here is my rendering of what should go into the TR:TR building:

Miami River Mine Train - presented by Diet Coke

[Vortex1987]

Hmm.................. Start throwing me some ideas everyone!!!

 

What should go in  the building? I'm fixing to create a seperate thread for this. I want to see what kind of ideas you all come up with to put in the TR building!!

[TombRaiderFTW]

17 hours ago, Vortex1987 said:

What should go in the building?

A Vekoma Madhouse.