IndyGuy4KI Posted August 28 Author Share Posted August 28 Maestro cordially invites you to step inside the Phantom Theater on a stormy night for the grand (and ghostly) opening of a long-awaited performance at Kings Island! No Legs Larry, the Phantom Theater’s legendary usher, needs YOU to help seat the audience. But beware…just before the show, a lightning strike has released supernatural ghost notes from Maestro’s famed pipe organ and they’ve run amok throughout the theater. The entire cast is calling on you to return them back to the organ before the curtain can rise! Riding in enchanted opera boxes and armed with interactive spellbound flashlights, journey through haunted hallways, magical dressing rooms, and wild backstage chaos to capture the ghost notes before they ruin the show. Along the way, meet unforgettably familiar vaudeville stars, dodge a firing cannon, and witness operatic shrieks that shatter mirrors. Will you save Maestro’s masterpiece in time for the show? Only one thing's certain: in the Phantom Theater, all the world’s a stage, and ghosts love a good encore! https://www.visitkingsisland.com/new-in-2026 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BryanJay Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 I'm crying. We are so back. 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beastfan11 Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 Here we go… https://www.instagram.com/reel/DN5rm8RAaGi/?igsh=aHYzbHF0ejFidDUz 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamondback_Is_King Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beastfan11 Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 https://www.visitkingsisland.com/blog/2025/august/phantom-theater-opening-nightmare-coming-in-2026 “Along the way, the enchanted opera boxes travel through fully built dimensional scenes, including backstage areas, haunted hallways, dressing rooms and a fiery boiler room as they meet other performers who are ready to take the stage. From animatronic forms of Houdelini and The Great Garbanzo to Hilda Bovine and Lionel Burymore, the Phantom Theater’s beloved crew returns, getting caught in the chaos while guests simultaneously search for the ghost notes. New surprises await guests around every corner, including the introduction of Arpeggio, Maestro’s furry feline friend.“ 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdubbs727 Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 On the one hand, I kind of am bummed that it sounds like this will use the same layout as BB, and will even keep the shooting concept (the flashers will probably continue to be blasters that might or might not work...hopefully they'll be overhauled). On the other hand, fun! I like the reimagined look -- definitely going for an energetic, family friendly ride, and it will hopefully straddle the line nicely between honoring the past and giving families a fun, new attraction. Not bad! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion-XL200 Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 Hey I beat you to the post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flightoffear1996 Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 Please please dont mess this up 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbeast Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 At last it's announced! Cautiously optimistic since I am a big fan of the original! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedarPointer Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 I'm cautiously optimistic, but I feel like the effects will work for about the same amount of time as the flag waving Snoopy on Soapbox Racers or, at best, the fog curtain in Boo Blasters. It's a huge relief that it's not screen-based. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperial79 Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 This looks great, can't wait to ride it next year. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beastfan11 Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 It’s funny, I literally found this site and started posting here because of desire to see this ride return. And here it is. Wow. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamondback_Is_King Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 15 minutes ago, flightoffear1996 said: Please please dont mess this up I agree. The pressure is on KI. People have expectations...hopefully they can meet them 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
super7 Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 Lord its still going to be a shooting ride. That means half the capacity of the original Phantom theater and probably lots of cheap screens. as much as I loved the original Phantom theater and thought blue blasters was absolute garbage. It’s hard to get excited about anything this cost cutting company does these days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calakapepe Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 13 minutes ago, flightoffear1996 said: Please please dont mess this up 11 minutes ago, jbeast said: At last it's announced! Cautiously optimistic since I am a big fan of the original! Exactly.. lol we have to temper expectations. The design looks cool but very different.. and I was hoping for more details shown that warranted a video versus a photo but... Im happy this theme is back as a KI original. Just gotta hope its up to par :p time will tell... well.. Kings Island will tell 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJSkyFoxx Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 Happy for the PT fans as your wish has been granted. I will give it a try at some point next year. It will be interesting to see how it all pans out. Still curious though. This doesn't fit the 2026 Family Thrill attraction...unless that's been canceled in lieu of this...or there is still something waiting around the corner for the old Crypt building (highly doubtful...) 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdubbs727 Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 Posted this in the BB thread, but I'll put it here, too: I'm a bit bummed that this apparently is going to use the same layout as BB. I really wish they'd make it a bit more fast-paced and fun (maybe I was spoiled by MIB at Universal and its spins). I also hope that, since it appears they're going to continue making it a shooter, the blasters/flashlights get a major upgrade and actually work. I would have loved for them to have placed this in The Crypt, but this is likely the cheapest option, so we'll have to sit with that eyesore empty for another year (the building itself isn't too distracting, but that empty entryway sure is). But, the concept art makes me smile. I like the new designs and the idea seems like it will straddle the line between honoring the past and making a fun new experience for families. I'm hopeful it's going to be a fun addition to the park. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reesesp56 Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 17 minutes ago, CedarPointer said: I'm cautiously optimistic, but I feel like the effects will work for about the same amount of time as the flag waving Snoopy on Soapbox Racers or, at best, the fog curtain in Boo Blasters. It's a huge relief that it's not screen-based. I think it'll be a mix of screens and animatronics. Really no indication either way if screens will be used or not though. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamondback_Is_King Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 I'm a little confused by the teaser now after the announcement because it really didn't have much to do with the announcement. It did play Phantom of the Opera, but like what was the whole Crypt building things about? Just to throw us off? Also, is this considered the 2026 "family thrill attraction"? I have many questions. Most, cannot be answered...yet 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdubbs727 Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 9 minutes ago, super7 said: Lord its still going to be a shooting ride. That means half the capacity of the original Phantom theater and probably lots of cheap screens. as much as I loved the original Phantom theater and thought blue blasters was absolute garbage. It’s hard to get excited about anything this cost cutting company does these days I think that interactive element is here to stay...that's what the kids seem to want. Disney has several of them; they're popular and encourage people to re-ride. I don't mind the shooting element, so long as the flashlights/blasters actually work. I'm sure this is going to be pretty screen-heavy. I do hope there are some animatronics throughout. Even Universal seems to understand the days of screen-centric rides are ending, and animatronics are the bigger draw. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oysterman Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 I looked up Sally Dark Rides that is making it, looks like good quality, mix of tech https://youtu.be/gUCBj_ZzrEU Edit: found out they also were the ones who developed Boo Blasters 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flightoffear1996 Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 2 minutes ago, Diamondback_Is_King said: I'm a little confused by the teaser now after the announcement because it really didn't have much to do with the announcement. It did play Phantom of the Opera, but like what was the whole Crypt building things about? Just to throw us off? Also, is this considered the 2026 "family thrill attraction"? I have many questions. Most, cannot be answered...yet Maybe the Crypt tease was about 27? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdubbs727 Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 9 minutes ago, DJSkyFoxx said: Happy for the PT fans as your wish has been granted. I will give it a try at some point next year. It will be interesting to see how it all pans out. Still curious though. This doesn't fit the 2026 Family Thrill attraction...unless that's been canceled in lieu of this...or there is still something waiting around the corner for the old Crypt building (highly doubtful...) I think there's probably a lot of elasticity in what's meant by "family thrill attraction." They can say this is spooky and "thrilling" and bases are covered. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I...am SteVe Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 While I really love the whole idea, the new character design is a little funky, especially Maestro. I was expecting the cast to be pretty close to what they looked like originally. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonofBaconator Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 Quote Along the way, the enchanted opera boxes travel through fully built dimensional scenes, including backstage areas, haunted hallways, dressing rooms and a fiery boiler room as they meet other performers who are ready to take the stage. From animatronic forms of Houdelini and The Great Garbanzo to Hilda Bovine and Lionel Burymore, the Phantom Theater’s beloved crew returns, getting caught in the chaos while guests simultaneously search for the ghost notes. New surprises await guests around every corner, including the introduction of Arpeggio, Maestro’s furry feline friend. In total, 26 interactive scenes feature added multi-sensory effects like wind and sound, hidden Easter eggs throughout and a grand on-stage musical finale with all cast members. Manufactured by Sally Dark Rides, the leader in indoor family dark ride experiences, Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare is a true nod to the original that made its home at Kings Island from 1992 – 2002. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonofBaconator Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 12 minutes ago, cdubbs727 said: I'm sure this is going to be pretty screen-heavy. I do hope there are some animatronics throughout. Even Universal seems to understand the days of screen-centric rides are ending, and animatronics are the bigger draw. From the release: “Along the way, the enchanted opera boxes travel through fully built dimensional scenes, including backstage areas, haunted hallways, dressing rooms and a fiery boiler room as they meet other performers who are ready to take the stage. From animatronic forms of Houdelini and The Great Garbanzo to Hilda Bovine and Lionel Burymore, the Phantom Theater’s beloved crew returns, getting caught in the chaos while guests simultaneously search for the ghost notes. New surprises await guests around every corner, including the introduction of Arpeggio, Maestro’s furry feline friend. In total, 26 interactive scenes feature added multi-sensory effects like wind and sound, hidden Easter eggs throughout and a grand on-stage musical finale with all cast members. Manufactured by Sally Dark Rides, the leader in indoor family dark ride experiences, Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare is a true nod to the original that made its home at Kings Island from 1992 – 2002.” 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion-XL200 Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 I do find this exciting, while disappointed that the "shooter" aspect will remain. I'm hopeful for the tech/storyline can hold up year after year (I think it will, but have seen how BBOBH went downhill after several years). The storyline seems solid and I'm excited to see how it expands the original. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamondback_Is_King Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 20 minutes ago, flightoffear1996 said: Maybe the Crypt tease was about 27? Possibly. Maybe the 2026 attraction got pushed back to 2027 like others, and they decided to put in a filler of Phantom Theater (or maybe it was always planned?) But it's kind of off-topic, so I'll have to discuss this in another thread about a future Crypt building project 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calakapepe Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 19 minutes ago, oysterman said: I looked up Sally Dark Rides that is making it, looks like good quality, mix of tech https://youtu.be/gUCBj_ZzrEU Edit: found out they also were the ones who developed Boo Blasters Sally can be pretty good.. or pretty okay. Just depends. Let's hope Six Flags pumped this project with more money than expected for a retheme than has happened at some parks over the years. Overall despite my pipedream.. im happy this is here and I expect the following: -Maestro design, while not as terrifying, will grow on me. - The capacity won't return to original phantom theatre levels.. seriously wth, paramount? Haga - there will be animatronics.. but not for every character and every instance.. - there will be at least some screens - more people (esp boo blaster fans) will be happy to be able to shoot -I will be happy that we still have a way to escape the heat! .... side note, how do we know for sure its going to use the exact Boo Blasters layout? Obviously that's probable but.. i think it could be economical if they just reverse the direction hehe 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamondback_Is_King Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 35 minutes ago, DJSkyFoxx said: Still curious though. This doesn't fit the 2026 Family Thrill attraction...unless that's been canceled in lieu of this...or there is still something waiting around the corner for the old Crypt building (highly doubtful...) I was thinking the same thing. I discussed it a little in the new Phantom thread, but I think it's possible that the 2026 attraction go pushed back to 2027. The Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare (not a fan of the long name. Although BBOBH was pretty long too) in my opinion is not a "family thrill attraction". I don't think a 2027 attraction is out of the picture...yet 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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