Bye bye, Boo Blasters

[super7]

9 hours ago, kingsislandfan1972 said:

I remember last year Kings Island sent out surveys for possible ride ideas, one I remember was the extension of The Beast and the other was for a Peanuts screen based dark shooting ride... the concept art for the Peanuts ride looked very disappointing, I'm hoping KI doesn't go in that direction. 

This would be worse than the current bad ride.   At least with boo blasters if one doesn’t want to shoot, they can still ride through and there are moving sets to look at. 

[robintodd]

58 minutes ago, DJSkyFoxx said:

We as humans spend farrrrrrrrr too much time looking at screens. Which is why I fear this could possibly end up being a screen based attraction if they choose to keep the building and continue the tradition of dark rides. I realize animatronics cost a lot to upkeep and what not, but there is a sense of realness to them that gives the more analog feeling-something you can really touch vs another digital screen based thing that we as a society are already oversaturated with.

If there is going to be any screen-based attractions happening, I would much rather them bring back the FX theater with the motion seats. That is still something I wish all the time they would bring back because it was yet another option to escape the heat/cold and still do something fun. It was also another option to break up the bigger rides. It was just fun/thrilling enough to keep the thrill seekers happy, but not overly wild for younger/less thrill seeking guests. I saw it as the more mature dark ride of the park.

It is crazy to me to think that during my lifetime there were 4 indoor rides ( FoF, SDATHC/BB, FX Theater, TR:TR/Crypt ). And this isn't even counting the KI Theater. Shortly, we will be just down to one once BB closes for however long. 

After riding Justice League battle for metropolis at Six Flags over Texas I would love to see something like that at KI.  My first preference, of course, is that when Rick came to do the meet and greet at the Phantom Theatre Encore show, he signed a contract and has spent the last 2 years molding and modeling the anamatronics for Phantom Theatre's Revenge!

[CoasterJack]

29 minutes ago, robintodd said:

After riding Justice League battle for metropolis at Six Flags over Texas I would love to see something like that at KI.  My first preference, of course, is that when Rick came to do the meet and greet at the Phantom Theatre Encore show, he signed a contract and has spent the last 2 years molding and modeling the anamatronics for Phantom Theatre's Revenge!

I agree. Though in all honestly, I think KI just needs more dark rides in general. Keep the Boo Blasters building as something with more physical sets, and then build a Justice League ride or modern dark ride with a more dynamic ride system elsewhere in the park.

[Gordon Bombay]

They’re gonna remove the ride scenes, put down a floor, and make it a “premium” Haunt maze. Maybe two. Sure the track components will remain (and the hope will always linger), but most of the vehicles will rot outside with a few others used as Halloween decorations. 

[cdubbs727]

12 hours ago, Losantiville Mining Co. said:

I could believe this is a change from what was planned back in November when that list was published. The original long-term plan (according to Tower Topics) was for a new 2026 addition in The Crypt's building, but once the poor financials were made more clear over the past few months and other projects were cancelled, this one may have been downgraded to a new dark ride. 

It is still entirely possible for Kings Island to receive a "new" ride from another park next year as well. 

I wonder whether the expiration of the Peanuts license plays a role. It's possible they had two areas earmarked and just recently made a decision not to renew Peanuts (if that's the way they go). If they're overhauling that area of the park, a new attraction adjacent to it is a good way to really brand it as something new. Assuming they do let the Peanuts license lapse and do plan to use that building for an attraction in 2026. 

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

I can guarantee you that they wouldn't close it this early if there wasn't any new attraction planned for the space for next season. They would likely wait until after Winterfest is over. 

[disco2000]

1 hour ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said:

I can guarantee you that they wouldn't close it this early if there wasn't any new attraction planned for the space for next season. They would likely wait until after Winterfest is over. 

What if there is an expensive fix on the horizon and they are concerned about the ride working until end of December and nothing is planned?  Didn't many people think Vortex had a planned replacement....

[Korey]

Honestly, I was totally caught off guard when the announcement dropped. Closing the current ride this early in the season definitely hints at a 2026 opening. If it were getting pushed back further, they probably would’ve kept it running a bit longer. Fingers crossed it avoids the delay list and we get something in 2026.

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

1 hour ago, disco2000 said:

 Didn't many people think Vortex had a planned replacement....

Apples and oranges here. Vortex closed at the end of the regular operating season. Boo Blasters is closing in the middle of the season. Likely bc they want to start work on it asap so they can get whatever is planned up and running next spring. 

[KIBeast]

I would like to point out that I believed the new attraction was going to be a replacement for Boo Blasters and was correct. I also honestly believe Looney Tunes will be coming in, while Peanuts will be out. I don't believe that the license will be renewed at the end of the 2025 season.

[jcoop22]

5 hours ago, DJSkyFoxx said:

We as humans spend farrrrrrrrr too much time looking at screens. Which is why I fear this could possibly end up being a screen based attraction if they choose to keep the building and continue the tradition of dark rides. I realize animatronics cost a lot to upkeep and what not, but there is a sense of realness to them that gives the more analog feeling-something you can really touch vs another digital screen based thing that we as a society are already oversaturated with.

If there is going to be any screen-based attractions happening, I would much rather them bring back the FX theater with the motion seats. That is still something I wish all the time they would bring back because it was yet another option to escape the heat/cold and still do something fun. It was also another option to break up the bigger rides. It was just fun/thrilling enough to keep the thrill seekers happy, but not overly wild for younger/less thrill seeking guests. I saw it as the more mature dark ride of the park.

It is crazy to me to think that during my lifetime there were 4 indoor rides ( FoF, SDATHC/BB, FX Theater, TR:TR/Crypt ). And this isn't even counting the KI Theater. Shortly, we will be just down to one once BB closes for however long. 

Use the WB license in the FX Theater. Although they’d need more storage elsewhere because that theater has just been a warehouse for a long time.

[disco2000]

4 hours ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said:

Apples and oranges here. Vortex closed at the end of the regular operating season. Boo Blasters is closing in the middle of the season. Likely bc they want to start work on it asap so they can get whatever is planned up and running next spring. 

First you said guaranteed it was a new ride and now you say likely...that is a big difference...

I am just pointing out an early closure could be just that - it could be a repair coming up they don't want to spend and nothing is planned.

Likelihood is it is some sort of new attraction, but it isn't guaranteed at this point until we see an announcement or something else other than a closure.

But at the same time, given the pass sale and everything else going on, why wouldn't they take advantage of this notice with a simple "being closed to make way for something new in 2026"?

Maybe it is just poor marketing 101 or they don't have anything planned.

[IndyGuy4KI]

On 8/12/2025 at 3:42 PM, disco2000 said:

Maybe it is just poor marketing 101 or they don't have anything planned.

I don't think we can make conclusions based on the current marketing creativity.

[Captain Nemo]

Or it could be a result of the 500 full time positions removed this past summer. All part of a plan to reallocate money and reduce expenses.
The Budget for practically everything has been changed. Change in price for Season Passes, now you pay less BUT there’s more ‘premium’ up charges. Now what was included has been hit with a $$$ signs. Low entry price looks appealing, but in park spending is higher. Nickel and diming resentment increases. And we end up where we are now. The guests are not happy, the board is not happy, the CEO is out of a job come 2026.
This is textbook price obfuscation and loyal visitors are noticing.

[kingsislandfan1972]

On 8/12/2025 at 2:29 PM, jcoop22 said:

Use the WB license in the FX Theater. Although they’d need more storage elsewhere because that theater has just been a warehouse for a long time.

I would love to see a Batman or Looney Tunes themed attraction in that area! Honestly I would just love to see Action Theater open again.

[Diamondback_Is_King]

At least they announced the ride closure...unlike some other parks

[kingsislandfan1972]

21 hours ago, Diamondback_Is_King said:

At least they announced the ride closure...unlike some other parks

That is true, I honestly heard when Phantom Theater closed in 2002 it was without warning and in the middle of summer.

[MaestroJr]

One thing Id thought id point out is when Scooby Doo and the mystery of the spooky swamp closed at SF: St Louis on 9-14-14 and the new Justice League ride opened the following June, I do not want a justice league ride and would much prefer a phantom theater ride even with the gun element but just saying it can be done quickly, I rode Boo Blasters yesterday and it’s really sad the state it’s in, only one of the three guns worked and half of the ride props where off or non functional,I will miss this ride but I’m ready for a change 

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

If the timing of this ride closure is so they can start working then I'd hope it would be done by Opening Day. I think the current setup of the ride also lends itself better to being Phantom Theater or another spooky dark ride. If it becomes a Justice League dark ride then it will need a lot of work beyond just adding the screens and reprofiling the castle (which I assume is what would happen with a conversion to PT). For a company trying to save money, it may be easier to convert Boo Blasters into a new Phantom Theater. 

Kings Island may be more of a regional park than a destination park, but I think it deserves something better than a ride most of the big Legacy Six Flags parks got years ago. 

[kingsislandfan1972]

My question is if Phantom Theater does return... does the big purple castle get removed completely or would it be reused but modified? Personally I think the purple castle should retire, it worked with the Scooby-Doo & Boo Blaster theming but in my opinion wouldn't work with a PT theming.

[specialk141]

I would love to have something like toy story mania! I know.... screens blah blah blah... but thats the most entertaining attraction I've ever been on!

[MaestroJr]

I wonder if they’ll wait to make an announcement after they close the ride, the anticipation is killing me

[BryanJay]

11 minutes ago, MaestroJr said:

I wonder if they’ll wait to make an announcement after they close the ride, the anticipation is killing me

Literally the anticipation has been killing me too. I’m so curious if they’re like “saving” a new ride announcement to package with another announcement that might be controversial. Something like “Invertigo isn’t reopening or Congo Falls is closing, but here’s the new ride!!” Mostly because I suspect they announced Boo Blasters closing the same day as they confirmed haunt’s an uncharge to do a similar thing. 
 

My thought for the announcement is that it’s made sometime next week, or even on the last day for Boo Blasters so that they can put up themed construction walls for whatever the new attraction is. Also like 90% of the gp wouldn’t know, but there’s a high chance that in the first week of September permits leak whatever the plan is for the new ride. (Also unrelated slightly, but I’m kinda sad that a lot of people on Facebook and stuff seem to be confused that the Phantom Theater reboot and Planet Snoopy retheme is a 100% confirmed thing. Sorta lessens the impact they would’ve had coming directly from the park, but I’m still having a helpful doubt for the rumors so I’ll still be excited)

[kingsislandfan1972]

43 minutes ago, MaestroJr said:

I wonder if they’ll wait to make an announcement after they close the ride, the anticipation is killing me

I agree the anticipation is overwhelming me as well. I wonder if they will make an announcement the day it closes or the day after it closes. I dont think they'll wait too much long after the ride closes. I'm hoping they gave a teaster outiside the ride as well similar in 2002 when they closed the Phantom Theater for Scooby-Doo.

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

I predict the announcement will come on September 25th the same day Over Texas announces their dive coaster. I think we'll see all of Six Flags rollout their 2026 capital plans that day. Whether that be in the form of a press release like we saw CF do the last few years or a video like legacy Six Flags did under Jim Reid Anderson remains to be seen. 

[MaestroJr]

Seems to be the cheapest option would be to reskin boo blasters and re theme it to Phantom Theater or something else, I wouldn’t mind seeing that but I do hope that if they go that route they create some new animatronics, they could even re use boocifer as maestro but cardboard cutouts would be a major disappointment 

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

On 8/18/2025 at 8:04 AM, kingsislandfan1972 said:

My question is if Phantom Theater does return... does the big purple castle get removed completely or would it be reused but modified? Personally I think the purple castle should retire, it worked with the Scooby-Doo & Boo Blaster theming but in my opinion wouldn't work with a PT theming.

I bet you the structure could definitely be modified to fit the theater facade theme. If all of the structure under it is still in good condition, it would just need new shaping and paint. I'd rather see a new facade though. The pillars for the gate are probably easy enough to redo on their own. I believe the deciding factor would be if this new attraction has a more cartoonish art style (like SDatHC and BBoBH do) or if it will have a more realistic art style (like Phantom Theater did). 

Speaking of construction, I hope we'll see proper fencing go up. It will probably just be the chain link with the vinyl covering, but I think wood fencing would look much better. I'd assume it'll go up where there is a door blocking the exit hallway, maybe something blocking the entrance bridge, and maybe something blocking a staging area where they'll bring some stuff out through. 

 

4 hours ago, BryanJay said:

My thought for the announcement is that it’s made sometime next week, or even on the last day for Boo Blasters so that they can put up themed construction walls for whatever the new attraction is. Also like 90% of the gp wouldn’t know, but there’s a high chance that in the first week of September permits leak whatever the plan is for the new ride. (Also unrelated slightly, but I’m kinda sad that a lot of people on Facebook and stuff seem to be confused that the Phantom Theater reboot and Planet Snoopy retheme is a 100% confirmed thing. Sorta lessens the impact they would’ve had coming directly from the park, but I’m still having a helpful doubt for the rumors so I’ll still be excited)

It would make sense for Six Flags to wait until the SFOT announcement on September 25th, but I hope they go this route and announce it before the start of the Fall events. The park will have been open to the public for 3 days before the 25th and, to me, it would not make sense to have a 3 day teaser campaign (unless they don't plan to physically tease at all). We've seen the subtle hints in the BBoBH closure announcement post, which may be all we get until the official attraction announcement comes. 

Realistically, I know to not trust Six Flags with anything so if they announce something for it I will be a happy camper. I would not like to see a Justice League dark ride, nor would I like for it to become a different DC/Peanuts/Looney Tunes attraction. There is a also non-zero chance that this project gets delayed or cancelled entirely within the next month. Like I said, I do not trust Six Flags with anything they promise. 

The fact that a lot of people on Facebook seem to think that the Phantom Theater reboot and the removal of the Peanuts from the parks is 100% happening speaks to how bad Six Flags has been at communicating basic information to its guests in a timely manner. Parks that normally had announcements by mid-August are now starving for any information at all, and the void they left is being filled by people with inside sources as well as by theorists who have no idea what might be going on. It seems that the even park's unpaid Facebook attendants have no clue as to what it will be. (No offense meant to the aforementioned FB attendants.)

 

2 hours ago, MaestroJr said:

Seems to be the cheapest option would be to reskin boo blasters and re theme it to Phantom Theater or something else, I wouldn’t mind seeing that but I do hope that if they go that route they create some new animatronics, they could even re use boocifer as maestro but cardboard cutouts would be a major disappointment 

To be fair, the cardboard cutouts would just be a continuation of what we have seen since 2003. While I'd hate to see the ride become Boo Blasters with a Phantom Theater overlay, I think I'd rather see that over many of the alternatives. It's either animatronics and cutouts or animatronics and screens — anything else would look far too cheap. A proper full-on 2026 version of Phantom Theater with all animatronics would be the best. A slightly more budget friendly Phantom Theater would be acceptable for the time being. 

 

I really hope they save the trees all around the building.

[kingsislandfan1972]

Honestly if Phantom Theater does return..  I would love it if they mention the destruction of their former theater and maybe make a mention of Boo Blasters as a joke like they did in the Phantom Encore show.

[DJSkyFoxx]

Whatever they choose to do, I get the distinct feeling that people are either going to be incredibly happy with whatever they choose to do with it or they are going to be big mad about it. Lets just hope they do something that will be a positive change and not some half-done attempt at a "new" attraction. This still leads me to wonder if this is somehow going to be what they deem the new 2026 family "thrill" attraction. Because quite frankly, I'm not entirely sure how this building could be outfitted with anything that would classify as thrilling per se. Unless of course they just decide to demolish the building all together and use the grounds for the 2026 attraction. I think that would actually really upset a lot of folks since tis building is historic and that would eliminate yet another indoor attraction for the park. 

So many questions and still so few answers. I would love to say that it makes me excited, because the optimistic me wants to still believe there are exciting things in store and that there are worthy things coming down the pipeline for our beloved KI, but with the recent season and the disregard for a lot of areas, there is still that glimmer of doubt lingering that whatever is coming won't be a KI worthy attraction. I don't want that to be the case, believe me. I'm not expecting anything majorly "wow" much anymore since I fear those days might be behind us for quite awhile. But I still want to see good attractions that will make folks happy that are actually fun be added until we get our next major installment. 

[burlguy41005]

Hope no screen based visual effects....the one in Mystic is horrible....fix that first...really hope they open the peppers ghost effect back up in the ride!!!