Kings Island to add “family thrill” attraction in 2026

[beastfan11]

2 hours ago, Beasttamer said:

Was at the park last Wednesday. We stayed late for a beast night ride, Anyway, it was past 10 PM and as we were leaving, we cut through Rivertown and then through Planet Snoopy towards the exit. When we got to the Boo Blasters area, a security guard stopped us and said that we would have to go around because they were filming something at Boo Blasters. 

Now it is probably nothing, but with folks speculating about Boo Blaster's future, figured I'd see what you all thought.

Probably filming B roll for the PT revival about to be announced. 
 

(Delusional, wishful thinking)

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

I think there are plenty of wood coasters that should get the RMC treatment before anyone even parses the idea of doing it to The Beast. Giving up the title for the longest wooden roller coaster is not something the park should do, especially since they already seem to be making a lot of rough decisions for additions to the park. Leave the record-holding coaster, put something in The Crypt's building.

 

I feel like any Boo Blasters retheme will take place at the same time for Kings Island, Kings Dominion, and Canada's Wonderland. Those three parks' BBoBH are all located in Planet Snoopy and would get similar updates. 

[BeeastFarmer]

5 hours ago, Losantiville Mining Co. said:

I think there are plenty of wood coasters that should get the RMC treatment before anyone even parses the idea of doing it to The Beast. Giving up the title for the longest wooden roller coaster is not something the park should do, especially since they already seem to be making a lot of rough decisions for additions to the park. Leave the record-holding coaster, put something in The Crypt's building.

 

I feel like any Boo Blasters retheme will take place at the same time for Kings Island, Kings Dominion, and Canada's Wonderland. Those three parks' BBoBH are all located in Planet Snoopy and would get similar updates. 

I'm not sure about C Wland or KD, but Kings Island 's Boo Blasters is actually part of International Street, I have been told. 

[BryanJay]

11 minutes ago, BeeastFarmer said:

I'm not sure about C Wland or KD, but Kings Island 's Boo Blasters is actually part of International Street, I have been told. 

Legally Boo Blasters is on International Street (even though it’s in the same staffing section as Planet Snoopy). The other parks BBoBH have a different ride system and smaller show buildings compared to KI though.

[DonHelbig]

[disco2000]

59 minutes ago, DonHelbig said:

Trademark it before they steal that from you too

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

If it is going to continue to legally be part of International Street, they should make that little plaza a little more distinct from Planet Snoopy. Remove the Peanuts theming from the Wind-Up or replace it with another small flat ride with theming related to whatever the dark ride would be. I'm sure the one at KD might also be a part of their International Street for this reason, though I'm not as certain. 

I understand keeping it there so that whoever owns the Peanuts brand remains happy, but the area seems to pretty much fully be a part of Planet Snoopy. Either move the boundary of the land or redo it and make it a part of Planet Snoopy. 

IMO the reason why the park should bring back the covered walkway between International Street and Rivertown is because then they could fully cut off access to Planet/Camp Snoopy during Halloween Haunt. Most of the pathway for it still exists, the issue is where the large chiller unit and rear access are located for Planet Snoopy Grill. The shaded area would be a good bonus as well. Movable planter walls or smaller permanent gates would block access to the area. That would also look much better than the rinky dink fences or string they tie across the vast expanses of pathway. I remember when they used to put the scrim curtain walls up along the route of Woodstock Whirlybirds. That seems like it would be just as easy to put across as the rope or the fences. 

Kings Dominion has gates (for what, I don't know) that can block access from International Street to Old Virginia and the Central Walkway. I believe there may also be two more going toward Planet Snoopy and Dominator, respectively. 

4 hours ago, BryanJay said:

The other parks BBoBH have a different ride system and smaller show buildings compared to KI though.

Funnily enough, both the BBoBH at Carowinds and at KD were once theaters as well. Carowinds' was the original Harmony Hall, while Kings Dominion's was an indoor theater in the Lion County Safari. The latter only uses the back portion of said building where the stage/backstage would have been. The front area is now part of a restaurant/bar. The big difference is that the buildings were still just smaller than the behemoth that originally housed the Enchanted Voyage. 

[brenthodge]

7 hours ago, Losantiville Mining Co. said:

Kings Dominion has gates (for what, I don't know) that can block access from International Street to Old Virginia and the Central Walkway. I believe there may also be two more going toward Planet Snoopy and Dominator, respectively. 

Their "bonus weekends" after HAUNT do not include Old Va, so Im sure thats why those gates exist, so they can close off certain sections. I'd bet they close the ones going to Candy Apple from the tower as well since theres access to that area from the parts that will be open

[beastfan11]

7 hours ago, Losantiville Mining Co. said:

If it is going to continue to legally be part of International Street, they should make that little plaza a little more distinct from Planet Snoopy. Remove the Peanuts theming from the Wind-Up or replace it with another small flat ride with theming related to whatever the dark ride would be. I'm sure the one at KD might also be a part of their International Street for this reason, though I'm not as certain. 

I understand keeping it there so that whoever owns the Peanuts brand remains happy, but the area seems to pretty much fully be a part of Planet Snoopy. Either move the boundary of the land or redo it and make it a part of Planet Snoopy. 

I’ve anyways wondered if they could keep the entrance where it is, but reorient the direction of the queue line towards IS. You could enter the queue where the face painting stand is and walk alongside the building until you turn into the current entrance of the building. That could solidify it more as an IS attraction. 

[Shaggy]

22 hours ago, beastfan11 said:

Probably filming B roll for the PT revival about to be announced. 
 

(Delusional, wishful thinking)

Maybe not as delusional as you think...  remember, wishes become dreams.  And according to Disney, your dreams can come true.   ;-)

 

[KIBeast]

23 hours ago, beastfan11 said:

Probably filming B roll for the PT revival about to be announced. 
 

(Delusional, wishful thinking)

Which one is more delusional...for Phantom Theater to make a return or for the older crowd wishing it was Enchanted Voyage making a comeback? 

[beastfan11]

20 minutes ago, KIBeast said:

Which one is more delusional...for Phantom Theater to make a return or for the older crowd wishing it was Enchanted Voyage making a comeback? 

I think we both could use some help! Ha. 

[BryanJay]

1 hour ago, KIBeast said:

Which one is more delusional...for Phantom Theater to make a return or for the older crowd wishing it was Enchanted Voyage making a comeback? 

I think the phantom theater fans never learned the lesson from the attraction: The performers refused to let go of their past, staying in their theater for decades after the audience left, ultimately corrupting them into these phantom characters. Faces rotting, skin decaying, legs falling off I guess (?) They hang onto the thing they love, performing, but their acts don’t go as well as they did in their prime. The rabbit is now a demon, the mirror breaks, everything is scary. Ultimately, sometimes its best to let go of the past instead of clinging to the past. 
 

That being said, if a phantom theater reboot isn’t announced for this season I’m going to be hopping mad! 

 

[brenthodge]

5 hours ago, beastfan11 said:

I’ve anyways wondered if they could keep the entrance where it is, but reorient the direction of the queue line towards IS. You could enter the queue where the face painting stand is and walk alongside the building until you turn into the current entrance of the building. That could solidify it more as an IS attraction. 

the only challenge is you cross over the exit. You could technically have the exit funtion as the entrance but then you'd loose the indoor queue. 

 

[beastfan11]

8 minutes ago, brenthodge said:

the only challenge is you cross over the exit. You could technically have the exit funtion as the entrance but then you'd loose the indoor queue. 

 

Didn’t even think of that. Duh. 

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

Or how about gut the entire building including the peanuts showplace (that's only used for meet and greets nowadays) and the park services warehouse or "the cage" as associates call it. (They could move that somewhere else) and do a whole new dark ride layout. Have the entrance and exit be right by the Family Care Center. Then you could have it be a part of International street. 

[BeeastFarmer]

30 minutes ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said:

Or how about gut the entire building including the peanuts showplace (that's only used for meet and greets nowadays) and the park services warehouse or "the cage" as associates call it. (They could move that somewhere else) and do a whole new dark ride layout. Have the entrance and exit be right by the Family Care Center. Then you could have it be a part of International street. 

If this was 2019, I' d say that might be something they would consider in the long range planning. Now, if the park emerges from the dark time it's in, I could be something that would be feasible after 2030 or so, unless ki becomes part of another brand that is flush with capital. 

As far as the ride being on International Street or in kiddie land, I don't think it makes much practical difference to the average customer. Cohesion wise, it would be great if it could is the IP of kiddie world, currently Peanuts. 

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

The entrance could theoretically be moved fully over to the side path facing the First Aid building. You would lose the trees and more open plaza area that have existed throughout the attraction's history, but then it would at least be more on International Street than not. It'd be easier to just move the Snoopy statue somewhere else and retheme the Wind-Up ride to create more of a visual barrier between IS/PS. If the queue/exit got any work done, I'd focus on improving the atmosphere in there and in the exit line.

The two TVs are probably part of a corporate mandate on allocation of FunTV locations in queue lines, so I doubt they'd be removed unless another chain got KI. Really, what needs to happen in there is new paint, preferably not just black; new wallpaper, hopefully something that would look good in there; new flooring; and new lighting that isn't just can lights or fluorescent tubes. 

Note: If an attraction's queue line is focused entirely in one area, any pre-show or effects should run on a loop lasting at least 30-60min. Guests will notice if they are standing in line and hear the same line five times in an hour. 

I recently noticed that one of the fabric cobweb strands is missing from a chandelier, and there is now a random fabric cobweb tacked onto the left side of Maestro's balcony. 

[SmartCat7162]

I’ve been thinking, and I don’t know if we will see the 2026 family thrill attraction in 2026. I’m thinking that it has most likely been pushed due to the fact they announced season pass sales. However, no other park has announced anything for 2026 I believe besides great adventure pushing theirs to 2027. But I don’t know I could be wrong and this is all speculation.

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

I feel like we won't see new ride announcements until sometime around the quarterly conference call in August and they'll probably just roll them out in a press release at once. 

[DiamondbackFan]

8 minutes ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said:

I feel like we won't see new ride announcements until sometime around the quarterly conference call in August and they'll probably just roll them out in a press release at once. 

The earnings call is Wednesday.

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

1 hour ago, DiamondbackFan said:

The earnings call is Wednesday.

Hopefully we'll hear something then. 

[RollerColt]

I think it's getting less and less likely we're getting something next year... In fact, it feels more and more likely we're going to be losing more in the next few years. 

This merger was great for some people, but I think for most of us consumers it's been a negative. I hope I'm wrong and that down the road things will get better, but as of now I'm pretty apprehensive on the future of our park... 

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

Anyone who listened to the conference call today, was there any mention about 2026 capital plans for the chain? 

[DJSkyFoxx]

2 hours ago, RollerColt said:

I think it's getting less and less likely we're getting something next year... In fact, it feels more and more likely we're going to be losing more in the next few years. 

This merger was great for some people, but I think for most of us consumers it's been a negative. I hope I'm wrong and that down the road things will get better, but as of now I'm pretty apprehensive on the future of our park... 

I feel like I have been receiving a lot more surveys this season than previous ones. I fill them out every time, but I really don't think they will make any real difference as it feels more like damage control vs. really hearing what people are saying. Especially those of us who have been long time guests/passholders. I guess we will see. I hope that whatever was planned for next year still happens since the park still feels like it could use some more stuff to round it off a bit. I know most of us here really want to see a new coaster-and I don't mean a family coaster ( no shade to SSBR-that really is a surprisingly fun little addition ) but you all know what I mean. Something to really replace the loss of Vortex that's for the thrill seekers. But as far as whatever family thrill attraction was planned, its a bit concerning that there hasn't been any obvious movement or any fun hints given at all by this point. I honestly thought when the passes went on sale that there would also be some kind of an announcement to go along with it to maybe boost even more interest and excitement like old times. But alas-crickets.

I will say that I am quite fatigued saying stuff in the same vein of "time will tell." or "we will see". Bleh. 

[RollerColt]

13 minutes ago, DJSkyFoxx said:

I feel like I have been receiving a lot more surveys this season than previous ones. I fill them out every time, but I really don't think they will make any real difference as it feels more like damage control vs. really hearing what people are saying. Especially those of us who have been long time guests/passholders. I guess we will see. I hope that whatever was planned for next year still happens since the park still feels like it could use some more stuff to round it off a bit. I know most of us here really want to see a new coaster-and I don't mean a family coaster ( no shade to SSBR-that really is a surprisingly fun little addition ) but you all know what I mean. Something to really replace the loss of Vortex that's for the thrill seekers. But as far as whatever family thrill attraction was planned, its a bit concerning that there hasn't been any obvious movement or any fun hints given at all by this point. I honestly thought when the passes went on sale that there would also be some kind of an announcement to go along with it to maybe boost even more interest and excitement like old times. But alas-crickets.

I will say that I am quite fatigued saying stuff in the same vein of "time will tell." or "we will see". Bleh. 

I'm planning to buy Holiday World passes for next season honestly. Even though I live 3 hours away we've had a lot better experiences at Holiday World this year vs. KI... 

[WoodVengeance]

46 minutes ago, RollerColt said:

I'm planning to buy Holiday World passes for next season honestly. Even though I live 3 hours away we've had a lot better experiences at Holiday World this year vs. KI... 

I've also really enjoyed my visit to Holiday World this year compared to my visits to Kings Island. I've also quite enjoyed Kentucky Kingdom as well, seeing that Herschend is starting to invest into that park.

Since I'm going to Cedar Point in two weeks, I already went ahead and bought and activated my 2026 season pass for Kings Island, but I'm definitely going to keep renewing my season pass for Kentucky Kingdom also.

[IBEW_Sparky]

I have got a lot of thinking and soul searching to do, as well as watching to see who gets put in place to winch the USS FUNtanic up from the sea floor before I make a decision on getting back in, and Im telling you if HW/SS were to implement their own version of FastLane Id take the option of their Season Pass instead.  That is the one, single scale tipper for me.... yep First World problems and it makes me sound like a Richard, Im good with that... but thats what even puts the idea of a Six Flags pass in the running.

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

1 hour ago, DJSkyFoxx said:

I feel like I have been receiving a lot more surveys this season than previous ones. I fill them out every time, but I really don't think they will make any real difference as it feels more like damage control vs. really hearing what people are saying. Especially those of us who have been long time guests/passholders. I guess we will see. I hope that whatever was planned for next year still happens since the park still feels like it could use some more stuff to round it off a bit. I know most of us here really want to see a new coaster-and I don't mean a family coaster ( no shade to SSBR-that really is a surprisingly fun little addition ) but you all know what I mean. Something to really replace the loss of Vortex that's for the thrill seekers. But as far as whatever family thrill attraction was planned, its a bit concerning that there hasn't been any obvious movement or any fun hints given at all by this point. I honestly thought when the passes went on sale that there would also be some kind of an announcement to go along with it to maybe boost even more interest and excitement like old times. But alas-crickets.

I will say that I am quite fatigued saying stuff in the same vein of "time will tell." or "we will see". Bleh. 

After 17 visits to Kings Island and one visit each to Carowinds, Kings Dominion, Six Flags America, and Dorney Park this season I have only received one survey opportunity. It was from Six Flags America. While I understand that they go out to a random selection of guests for each day's visits, it's perplexing that last year I received 5 surveys from Kings Island and not even one this year. 

 

I don't have high hopes for Kings Island receiving its promised 2026 Family Thrill Attraction since it seemed rather low on the totem pole, but I do hope we can at least see more investment throughout the park if it doesn't happen. Maybe they could do some work to improve the parking lot or plant more trees? There's still at least five restrooms that need to be renovated as well. Maybe the park/Six Flags could look into a partnership with a solar shade company like the Cincinnati Zoo did in 2014. Anything comprehensive would be better than nothing, I simply fear that we are headed toward nothing.

[IBEW_Sparky]

4 minutes ago, Losantiville Mining Co. said:

After 17 visits to Kings Island and one visit each to Carowinds, Kings Dominion, Six Flags America, and Dorney Park this season I have only received one survey opportunity. It was from Six Flags America. While I understand that they go out to a random selection of guests for each day's visits, it's perplexing that last year I received 5 surveys from Kings Island and not even one this year. 

 

I don't have high hopes for Kings Island receiving its promised 2026 Family Thrill Attraction since it seemed rather low on the totem pole, but I do hope we can at least see more investment throughout the park if it doesn't happen. Maybe they could do some work to improve the parking lot or plant more trees? There's still at least five restrooms that need to be renovated as well. Maybe the park/Six Flags could look into a partnership with a solar shade company like the Cincinnati Zoo did in 2014. Anything comprehensive would be better than nothing, I simply fear that we are headed toward nothing.

Id like to place strong emphasis and agreement on some of your last points here.  Given an already small number being available for any cap-ex in 2026, it would make me incredibly happy to have the amount earmarked for KI to be put towards those types of improvements.... right now $18 million (purely speculative number used for example) will go MUCH further towards turning a minefield into a parking lot, stocking drink cups and flavoring syrup for Freestyle machines, and allowing sufficient staff to keep 3 train ops and clean restrooms/midways than it will towards any wood or steel constructed ride or attraction.  That is the reason this park drew me back and away from the joint up north, like I said good ops, food, and entertainment hold my attention far better than a new shiny $25 mil coaster at a dump.