Kings Island to add “family thrill” attraction in 2026

[Tr0y]

 

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

The Crypt building entrances are well hidden from guest view, so I don't think much outdoor construction can be seen aside from possible staging. You can see some things from The Beast's queue and station area and maybe some more if you crane your neck on the train. The building is already there, so presumably no permits or construction needed for site work or major building adjustments. I'd assume most of the construction that needs to be done would consist of ensuring the current foundation can hold the ride, putting the pieces together once they arrive, and maybe doing some cosmetic work on the inside. 

8 hours ago, disco2000 said:

It is clear in recent years that their approach to new attractions doesn't care when they open and they seem to have no problem with stuff opening well beyond the season opener, so that could impact some of what we see, but based on the list below, typically park goers would have seen some evidence of some of these new attractions by now - either permits, land clearing, etc.

The delayed openings are what really get to me. If I'm a Silver Pass holder who only visits 1-2 times per year, I might be looking to either move my trips or try out a different park chain entirely. You could upgrade to a Gold Pass to get access to Haunt/Winterfest, but that sounds like more money for trips that could've been avoided. Rapterra and RiverRacers appeared to be the only two major additions to open "on time" this year across the Legacy Cedar Fair parks. 

7 hours ago, DiamondbackFan said:

Six Flags Great America is unlikely to leak before the announcement and they don't start construction this early.

I'm really curious to see where in the park their new children's area will go. I don't believe they have a big singular kids area, so I'm excited to see what they end up doing.

[Diamondback_Is_King]

If I'm correct, this new Vekoma model was presented last year. And from my understanding of this Screamscape article, Vekoma has just now listed their new "Suspended Dark Ride" on their website. According to the article, this is rumored for Dollywood's new ride.

So why do I put it on this thread? I was thinking, "hmm...you know what? This fits just right into the 'family thrill attraction' category, so is it out of the realm of possibility for KI to add one of these?" This is personally something I'd love to see based on the video, and would like to see there be an interactive part of the ride too. This would probably have to go in the Crypt building, or else replace Boo Blasters. What do you guys think of this possible addition?

Sources:

https://screamscape.com/html/dollywood.htm#2026

https://www.vekoma.com/suspended-dark-ride

 

[BeeastFarmer]

9 minutes ago, Diamondback_Is_King said:

If I'm correct, this new Vekoma model was presented last year. And from my understanding of this Screamscape article, Vekoma has just now listed their new "Suspended Dark Ride" on their website. According to the article, this is rumored for Dollywood's new ride.

So why do I put it on this thread? I was thinking, "hmm...you know what? This fits just right into the 'family thrill attraction' category, so is it out of the realm of possibility for KI to add one of these?" This is personally something I'd love to see based on the video, and would like to see there be an interactive part of the ride too. This would probably have to go in the Crypt building, or else replace Boo Blasters. What do you guys think of this possible addition?

Sources:

https://screamscape.com/html/dollywood.htm#2026

https://www.vekoma.com/suspended-dark-ride

 

That really looks great!  I'm loving the vekoma rebirth. 

The music is giving me Nightmare on Elm Street vibes and ends with Star Trek: TNG vibes. 

[DiamondbackFan]

40 minutes ago, Diamondback_Is_King said:

If I'm correct, this new Vekoma model was presented last year. And from my understanding of this Screamscape article, Vekoma has just now listed their new "Suspended Dark Ride" on their website. According to the article, this is rumored for Dollywood's new ride.

Sources:

https://screamscape.com/html/dollywood.htm#2026

Screamscape is wrong. Dollywood is working with Mack Rides.

https://parkfans.net/threads/dollywood-project-2026-40th-anniversary-addition.7729/page-5#post-329306

[Diamondback_Is_King]

9 hours ago, DiamondbackFan said:

Screamscape is wrong. Dollywood is working with Mack Rides.

https://parkfans.net/threads/dollywood-project-2026-40th-anniversary-addition.7729/page-5#post-329306

I didn't know that. Thanks for the correction!

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

11 hours ago, Diamondback_Is_King said:

If I'm correct, this new Vekoma model was presented last year. And from my understanding of this Screamscape article, Vekoma has just now listed their new "Suspended Dark Ride" on their website. According to the article, this is rumored for Dollywood's new ride.

So why do I put it on this thread? I was thinking, "hmm...you know what? This fits just right into the 'family thrill attraction' category, so is it out of the realm of possibility for KI to add one of these?" This is personally something I'd love to see based on the video, and would like to see there be an interactive part of the ride too. This would probably have to go in the Crypt building, or else replace Boo Blasters. What do you guys think of this possible addition?

Sources:

https://screamscape.com/html/dollywood.htm#2026

https://www.vekoma.com/suspended-dark-ride

 

Imagine that in Boo Blasters building as a Phantom Theater revival

[Outdoor Man]

A Sally Dark Ride/Vekoma collaboration can be found with "Uncharted, The Enigma of Penitence" at PortAventura World in Spain.  It's an interesting and immersive concept. My guess is that said attraction could/would replace the aging Boo Blasters ride.  That space spent:

• 12 seasons as the "Enchanted Voyage"
• 7 seasons as the "Smurf's Enchanted Voyage"
• 11 seasons as "Phantom theater"
• 8 seasons as "Scooby Doo"- and if it goes here
• 16 seasons as it's worst iteration as "Boo Blasters."

I have high hopes, but the full on conversion of Kings Island to being just a "corporate park" in the chain doesn't give me much hope for such a concept on that scale. If so, they'd have to re-inhabit the entire building to fit it all.  And even if they did, they'd mess with the theming and mystique by placing one of those stupid "FUN-TV" screens in the line queue, or whatever it's called these days.  Budget contraints would cut off important elements of a "great" attraction and it would just come off as "good".

If KI is to be hamstrung with thinning budgets, I'd settle for existing park enhancements/refurbishments and sufficient staffing to present a complete park with clean thoroughfares, well managed trash cans, restrooms that you don't feel like bathing in Chlorox after using, food tables that get wiped off more than once a day, etc. to guests who would pay a $90 gate price.

OR, maybe an actual water-coaster (see Holiday World for three examples).

 

[brenthodge]

3 hours ago, Outdoor Man said:

I have high hopes, but the full on conversion of Kings Island to being just a "corporate park" in the chain doesn't give me much hope for such a concept on that scale. If so, they'd have to re-inhabit the entire building to fit it all.  And even if they did, they'd mess with the theming and mystique by placing one of those stupid "FUN-TV" screens in the line queue, or whatever it's called these days.  Budget contraints would cut off important elements of a "great" attraction and it would just come off as "good".

There’s already a “fun tv” and if you saw the original concept art in the show lobby in 22-23, you’ll realize that Phantom Theatre DID go through budget cuts that took it from a great attraction to good. 

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

Is this new Vekoma suspended dark ride model basically a new version of the model Peter Pan's Flight at the Magic Kingdom? I haven't seen many of these, but they seem like a cool gimmick. My only question is how the ride vehicles are unloaded/how riders are evacuated during an emergency stop. 

I doubt we'd see something like this at Kings Island any time soon. One complaint I currently have about Boo Blasters is that all of the lighting and sound effects in the queue line got turned off sometime in the last 10 years. KI's Boo Blasters is the only one with an indoor queue (as well as being the outlier overall), so I can understand that it would've required even more theming and props in the first place. The only change I can see coming to the FunTV situation in the Boo Blasters queue would be the replacement of both TVs with more/bigger screens.

[Outdoor Man]

17 hours ago, brenthodge said:

There’s already a “fun tv” and if you saw the original concept art in the show lobby in 22-23, you’ll realize that Phantom Theatre DID go through budget cuts that took it from a great attraction to good. 

I know there is a "Fun TV" screen in the queue already; that's largely what I was referring to because the bright, cheer'y screen and content clash 1000% with the theme of, not only the ride, but the line queue.

Very rarely does the end product look like the concept. When PT was installed, it was the 1991/1992 recession period = belt tightening for new attractions.  My concern is that if budgets continue to be tight, not because of economy- but because of the merger (and this isn't going to resolve by 2026 construction schedules) that they'll push forward because they "have to have a new ride" and half-a## it. I say don't install it, use a fraction of the funds to spruce up the surroundings, hire some MUCH NEEDED staff, and do it right in a year or two.

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

7 hours ago, Outdoor Man said:

they'll push forward because they "have to have a new ride" and half-a## it.

Unfortunately, it seems most of Kings Island's new attractions after 2019 have been designed with this mentality. Whether it is from Cedar Fair/Six Flags holding the park down, or from the reasoning that KI is the "most penetrated park", the thought process for Kings Island additions is very much pushing forward because they have to and delivering an (arguably) mediocre/mid-tier product. 

[BeeastFarmer]

5 hours ago, Losantiville Mining Co. said:

Unfortunately, it seems most of Kings Island's new attractions after 2019 have been designed with this mentality. Whether it is from Cedar Fair/Six Flags holding the park down, or from the reasoning that KI is the "most penetrated park", the thought process for Kings Island additions is very much pushing forward because they have to and delivering an (arguably) mediocre/mid-tier product. 

Disagree. None of the additions are half assed. Area 72 is really well executed for what it is. I personally love Onion. Would have been nice to have a KI custom GiGa, but I'd much rather have it than Firehawk and some concrete with non working flasher lights on a chain link fence. Would also be nice to have it fleshed out as an area vs a ride plaza with more rides and a crowd appropriate restroom.  But the coaster and the lack of other things is not a half assed job.

Same with AP...very very well done except it's so tiny. It brings new iterations of classic KI rides for the nostalgia. The theme is on point. 

I can't speak to the water park visually, but from an "outside" perspective, a higher capacity attraction replaces a thrilling, but dated and low capacity attraction that served a niche segment. A new or refreshed children's section is also a good thing. 

As coaster/park/KI enthusiasts, we need to realize that, for good or bad, the park knows the audience. It caters to passholders and will continue to do so. The coaster wars are long over and we aren't a thrill park. We are a family park.  Until the market penetration radically changes, I don't see a different direction. 

[Tr0y]

1 hour ago, BeeastFarmer said:

Disagree. None of the additions are half assed. Area 72 is really well executed for what it is. I personally love Onion. Would have been nice to have a KI custom GiGa, but I'd much rather have it than Firehawk and some concrete with non working flasher lights on a chain link fence. Would also be nice to have it fleshed out as an area vs a ride plaza with more rides and a crowd appropriate restroom.  But the coaster and the lack of other things is not a half assed job.

Same with AP...very very well done except it's so tiny. It brings new iterations of classic KI rides for the nostalgia. The theme is on point. 

I can't speak to the water park visually, but from an "outside" perspective, a higher capacity attraction replaces a thrilling, but dated and low capacity attraction that served a niche segment. A new or refreshed children's section is also a good thing. 

As coaster/park/KI enthusiasts, we need to realize that, for good or bad, the park knows the audience. It caters to passholders and will continue to do so. The coaster wars are long over and we aren't a thrill park. We are a family park.  Until the market penetration radically changes, I don't see a different direction. 

The coaster additions were half assed. Do you think guest would have filled out the surveys with the coaster types they wanted based off what the park has produced?

It is evident the powers that be, that have green lighted these coasters to be built don’t even understand the coaster type and what those types are good at. For example, Orion shares more elements in common with Diamondback than it does to any of the other giga coasters in the Six Flags company, and yet Diamondback still does airtime better. Water coasters are known for their speed and uphill elements. River Racers only has one uphill element and the ride is terribly slow.

Speaking of surveys here is one from 2024. The questioning provided will only result in vague one or two word answers. It lacks the questioning to get the reasoning of WHY people answered the way they did. 

[BeeastFarmer]

5 minutes ago, Tr0y said:

The coaster additions were half assed. Do you think guest would have filled out the surveys with the coaster types they wanted based off what the park has produced?

It is evident the powers that be, that have green lighted these coasters to be built don’t even understand the coaster type and what those types are good at. For example, Orion shares more elements in common with Diamondback than it does to any of the other giga coaster in the Six Flags company, and yet Diamondback still does airtime better. Water coasters are known for their speed and uphill elements. River Racers only has one uphill element and the ride is terribly slow.

Speaking of surveys here is one from 2024. The questioning provided will only result in vague one or two word answers. It lacks the questioning to get the reasoning of WHY people answered the way they did. 

Agree to disagree.  I cannot speak to River Racers at all as I have not been to the park and am not someone who ventures into the cesspool of human soup that are in waterparks.  Attractions are subjective, but you can gain objectivity from installs.

RR, even though it may not be HW caliper water coaster, or even a water coaster at all, refreshed the area and added more capacity to a typically crowded park.  Most patrons will look at it and be satisfied.  Coaster/water enthusiasts, not so much.  But they are not who pay the C-suite bonus.  Onion-While many locals compare it to Dback, they still line up to ride it.  They may have heard of MIllie, but they have no idea that Onion is ranked lower than most tall coasters.  Besides, when they think of tall coasters, they think extreme CP.  

All that to say is that it validates that they know the market.  You may have wanted Onion to be Fury 325 on steriods, but it simply wasn't needed nor would it move the attendance needle to justify another 10 million dollars, at least in leadership eyes.

Trust me, I would have loved Fury on steriods, or a massive B&M flyer in place of  Invertigo/Congo/Timberwolf/Skyflyer.  But those days of The Beast and Son of Beast are over.  Unless the two OH parks are separate, one will always be the thrill park and the other will be the family park.  That ship has sailed.

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

Don't get me wrong, I really do like what Kings Island has gotten over the past six years. Orion and Area 72 are really nice and work a lot better than what was there before. I would've welcomed something a little bigger than one of the smallest giga coasters, but it's good nonetheless. The post-lockdown 2020 season was far better than what it could have been, and 2021 followed suit. The 50th anniversary celebration is by far the best event I've ever been to (and it brought a lot of love and nostalgia into the park). It's certainly much better than what Kings Dominion is currently being dragged through. Adventure Port, while small and late to open, is very visually appealing and works well as an area. Camp Snoopy on the other hand is very nice to look at, but has not lived up to what it was supposed to be. A new family coaster and some good TLC for the area is awesome; however, it is far outpaced by areas of the same name at Carowinds and Cedar Point. The new Soak City expansions were much needed and appear to have resulted in some positives for that area of the waterpark. Despite those positives, I don't believe they do much to help the capacity of what is now the only major regional waterpark in SW Ohio. Each of these additions seems to have been done for the sake of doing something — rather than being done to an appropriate scale for the park. Thrill park or family park, the scale is simply too small. 

My issues are not with the investments the park could have gotten on its own. They are with the fact that other top-tier Cedar Fair (Six Flags) parks have received much better investments on all scales in recent years. Kings Island has received some good and needed additions. I just wish they would have been a little better than simply good. 

Over the last three years Cedar Point has received a large new midway refresh, complete with a small roller coaster and a large new restaurant; a massive roller coaster refurbishment. even if it does act like a lawn ornament most of the time; and a third brand new roller coaster. In that time Carowinds also celebrated their 50th anniversary, complete with a new area; completed some extensive upgrades to keep Carolina Harbor cool; and received two new family attractions, one being a family coaster larger than SSBR and the other being a family river raft ride. 

Five more feet of height on Orion's first drop. More trees, land/ride inclusions, and thought put into Camp Snoopy. More cooling upgrades to Soak City. Those are what I feel Kings Island deserved being a park of its size and stature. This is partly why I fear the 2026 Family Thrill Attraction will be a flat ride in a box rather than a Vekoma Madhouse or an immersive Dynamic Motion Stage. If the new standard is to only receive massive investment every 5 or 7 or 10 years, then Kings Island and Six Flags will need to prove that they care about the park. 

[DJSkyFoxx]

So if and when they make the announcement for this supposed 2026 attraction, do you think we will hear about it around the time they start the 2026 pass sales?

[teenageninja]

Six Flags always rolled out their announcements together, I wonder if they'll do more of the same.

[WoodVengeance]

I remember Six Flags used to do their announcements later than Cedar Fair, so it's possible they might not announce anything until after national roller coaster day. (August 16th)

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

The new Six Flags will still be desperate to sell more season passes and get some money in the bank, so I bet we'll see another announcement around 8/8 (or 8/7 if they choose to have it on a Thursday again) right when 2026 pass sales start up. Delayed announcements might waste time that they could be using to generate more revenue. I think they could generate a little more buzz for these new attractions if they held in-person announcements again, instead of putting up a press release at 3AM, but what do I know  

I doubt we'll be seeing any attraction teasing either, unless it happens within two weeks of the announcements. Then there are also the potential issues with tariffs that seem to be signaling doom for additions like at Great Adventure. The company has a lot of work to do for 2026, and not a lot to show for it right now. 

[Outdoor Man]

KI only got Orion because of a zoning issue in CA, if not mistaken.  Though it does check "giga" off the list, it's essentially an upgraded Diamondback layout. 

Adventure Port is a nice visual upgrade to the area, but one has to wonder why they didn't proceed with taking Festhaus and Viking ship along with it. Those are the only vestiges of Oktoberfest left- and even so- the German themed Festhaus has no German Food and has a US Country Music review as entertainment. So, instead of bringing together two concepts into one, they created another section of the park. 

Camp Snoopy looks great, but why do we need Camp Snoopy and Planet Snoopy? Pick a lane; finish what you started. 

I'm rather ambivalent about the waterpark. On one hand, a smaller, family owned park in southern Indiana has three outstanding water coasters... and there could be a legitimate debate as to whether KI's advertised "new" water coaster qualifies as one.

This isn't to demean KI.... it really isn't.  BUT, they can do MUCH better than they have.  Honestly, though, I'd settle for a few more season employees to keep grounds clean right now.

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

I'd love to see the Festhaus and Viking Fury either be sectioned into International Street and/or have Action Zone transformed into New Oktoberfest and connect it up to the remains of the original. I think the latter especially could work well, even if Banshee is kept the same (hopefully with a fresh coat of paint). I also hope the park eventually converts the rest of Planet Snoopy to become Camp Snoopy. That may have been a budget constraint — although it's odd that the most forested part of Planet Snoopy wasn't included. The most some of those rides would have needed would have been a new sign and maybe a name. 

Allegedly there are some new stakes planted in the Kingda Ka/Green Lantern/Parachutes plot at Great Adventure. Maybe this (late-ish) good news from Great Adventure could mean Kings Island's 2026 attraction is still on the table? With the way the company is going right now I could see a world where it gets cut.

[RollerColt]

Going to be interesting to see what happens in the months ahead. 
 

As for The Vortex area? My dream would be something like Stardust Racers. I know full well that’s not going to happen. But man is that a fun ride.