Hawaiian Coasters 325 Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 Made an exterior idea using a Boo Blasters exterior photo found on Wikipedia: Source for photo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boo_Blasters_on_Boo_Hill 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdubbs727 Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 19 minutes ago, Dane said: Just hoping for a more PG-13 scary like the original was rather then a overly cartoonish one. Based on the concept art, I think you're going to be disappointed in that. But it makes sense -- this is a kids' ride. It always has been. It's probably going to be spooky, but not scary, with some humorous moment scattered throughout. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
specialk141 Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 I like the updates to the character expressions to make them more cartoonish... this is geared towards families (especially with the shooting aspect) so making them more kid friendly is a great idea in my opinion 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawaiian Coasters 325 Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 I think there's lots of potential with this. Here is a recent installation by Sally Dark Rides at Funtown Splashtown USA in Maine and it looks cool. If Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare is done anywhere close to this, I think we're all in for a treat! This Haunted Hotel theme honestly reminds me a bit of Phantom Theater in a way. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnjniehaus Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 Do you think they are keeping the existing ride system or will it be replaced with a new Sally ride system? I thought based on the concept art they are keeping the doom buggies but at the same time the concept art has them shooting with literal flashlights so it may or may not be the most accurate to what the final product is going to look like 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swiftdrawer Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 1 hour ago, CedarPointer said: The park responded to a Facebook comment and said it's not AI. I think it suffers from the fact that the style is so similar to the slop AI puts out when you say "generate an image of X in Pixar style". I think you’re right. As time has gone on, there have been certain image “styles” that AI slop seems to most often put out. The worst looking kind of AI slop generated images is the kind where it looks hyper realistic and cartoony at the same time. I’m thrilled they confirmed it’s not AI slop and now I gotta know how designed the poster because whoever did deserves all the props. After all, creatives are usually underpaid for their work in every creative industry and deserve more recognition for the hard work they do. That’s most glaringly in writing and animation. I find this confirmation to be really exciting. It’ll make hardcore PT fans and BB/Scooby Doo fans happy. A best of both worlds situation, combining the most popular aspects of attractions that have been inside the building over the years. With all the bad stuff that is going on on a daily basis to the point it’s probably hard for someone to fully process everything that has happened in just the past week in the country alone, this is really really good news to have. This along with the revivals of Regular Show, Phineas & Ferb, and Gumball feel like it’s just what we needed. Returning what was once over but doing it in a way that makes it new all over again. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnjniehaus Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 32 minutes ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said: I think there's lots of potential with this. Here is a recent installation by Sally Dark Rides at Funtown Splashtown USA in Maine and it looks cool. If Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare is done anywhere close to this, I think we're all in for a treat! This Haunted Hotel theme honestly reminds me a bit of Phantom Theater in a way. Looks fantastic! Hope ours is like that 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WoodVengeance Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 Looks to be a fun twist on the original Phantom Theater ride that also incorporates the interactive elements from Scooby Doo / Boo Blasters. If I were to guess, my bet would be that the original characters like the Maestro and No Legs Larry will appear as animatronics in the queue and ride, while the ghosts you're trying to catch will appear through screens. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnjniehaus Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 7 minutes ago, WoodVengeance said: Looks to be a fun twist on the original Phantom Theater ride that also incorporates the interactive elements from Scooby Doo / Boo Blasters. If I were to guess, my bet would be that the original characters like the Maestro and No Legs Larry will appear as animatronics in the queue and ride, while the ghosts you're trying to catch will appear through screens. I hope the original characters appear as animatronics and that the shooting or the ghosts you're trying to zap appear on screens. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingsislandfan1972 Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 I'm satisfied for all Phantom Theater fans like myself for the Maestro to finally be back in the park. Over the past few years it seems like Kings Island has been teasing it, especially Kings Islands 50th anniversary fireworks where the Maestro was literally at the end of it laughing and saying "You'll be back...", as well as the Phantom Encore show, it makes me wonder if they'll have The Maestro and other PT characters as regular meet & greet characters as well, now that would be great! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingsislandfan1972 Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 One thing fingers crossed is for the Maestro returns to booth! (I hope they don't leave it empty for the new attraction.) 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnjniehaus Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 They could end up redoing that room entirely... But yes I'd love to see him or maybe Larry in the que 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnjniehaus Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 Just confirmed that Richard Doyle (voice of maestro) is still living. Would be dream come true to have him back to record new dialogue for the ride 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawaiian Coasters 325 Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 Why not both Maestro and Larry? I think what will probably happen is they'll have Maestro up there at his organ and there will be lightning and thunder special effects for the "stormy night" part and then have the ghost notes disappear from the organ and then both Maestro and Larry will give instructions to find the notes using the flashlight. Kinda like during the Scooby Doo Haunted Castle days where Scooby and Shaggy were up there telling you how to use the blasters. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingsislandfan1972 Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 14 minutes ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said: Why not both Maestro and Larry? I think what will probably happen is they'll have Maestro up there at his organ and there will be lightning and thunder special effects for the "stormy night" part and then have the ghost notes disappear from the organ and then both Maestro and Larry will give instructions to find the notes using the flashlight. Kinda like during the Scooby Doo Haunted Castle days where Scooby and Shaggy were up there telling you how to use the blasters. I would love it if they would do that! The Boo Blasters que felt so bare without anything like that! Well at least there's the FunTVs.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnjniehaus Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 Boo Blaster used to have ghosts that popped up on the balcony didn't it? Or was that only Scooby Doo? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingsislandfan1972 Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 3 minutes ago, johnjniehaus said: Boo Blaster used to have ghosts that popped up on the balcony didn't it? Or was that only Scooby Doo? Boo Blasters did for the first few years but for some odd reason they moved those to the opening graveyard scene in the ride, they also used to play eerie music in the que and they got rid of that too. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingsislandfan1972 Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 On the Sally Corporation website it does say there will be animatronics in the ride as well, so it's not going to be a completely screen based ride! 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Losantiville Mining Co. Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 I'm super excited for the new Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare and the return of Maestro to Kings Island! This new dark ride looks like it has been designed with love and care by the people who know how to do dark rides. The theme of the theater reopening is also much better than if they had simply remade the original entirely. Changing the directions of the ride vehicles at some points is possible, although I've heard that it has to be done from a crawlspace below the floor. I believe the busts in the hallway are all still there (maybe except the two that were used in the exhibit). The stated 26 "scenes" could either include or exclude things like the entrance, queue line, the bust hallway, loading/unloading area, and the exit hallway. According to the concept art panel from the exhibit, there were about 26-30 "scenes" in the original if you include those areas. I think the odd-looking ghostly sharp with the eye has an eighth note next to it, which is why it looks so weird. Some of the notes have wings while others have horns or use their stems/flags to resemble a scythe. It's relieving that the promo art is not AI. I've looked long and hard at it, and all of the typical warning signs appear to be genuine. I got a little confused because Maestro looks to have four fingers on his right hand, but that could just be how he's positioned. No Legs Larry's usher hat (with the drama masks and bat wings) definitely do not look to be AI. I have to wonder if the use of real artists is because of Sally Dark Rides and their creative team (possibly) not using AI. The cartoonish style might take a little time to get used to, but it looks good! The fact that they kept the shooter aspect and changed it from a "paranormal shooter" to a "note collection" game is awesome. I like the red Opera Box ride vehicles and that they appear to be mostly reverting to the original look without the Mystery Machine tire cover on the front. The blasters/flashlights look like they'll be new, and if they even work as well as the ones at KD or the new ones at Carowinds then I'll be very happy. Arpeggio might become my favorite new character if we get to see him enough! Some fun things I noticed: The piece of paper that's picked up by the girls in the announcement video appears to be a (reprinted) 1992 park map. They're carrying blue stuffed animals. It isn't much, but it's nice because all of the Phantom Theater characters are blue. The logo looks surprisingly nice and kind of expands on the simple clip-art-ish style that the original used. I'm glad they didn't just reuse the original or the one from Phantom Theater Encore and slap the "Opening Nightmare" tagline! Fun fact: the PTE logo was a re-tooling of a logo that Dorney Park used for one of their Fall shows. The background of the main scene in the art appears to be the auditorium. All of the foreground characters are also in different spots depending on which page you're looking at. Give the SDR press release a gander with all of the comments included. There's so much love in the Phantom Fandom! https://www.sallydarkrides.com/post/phantom-theater-opening-nightmare-coming-in-2026 I'll see if any more thoughts come to me or if I have more hopes and dreams for this fantastic new ride! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndyGuy4KI Posted August 28 Author Share Posted August 28 The New for 2026 page has the story added to it. https://kicentral.com/new-in-2026/ 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dane Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 3 hours ago, johnjniehaus said: Do you think they are keeping the existing ride system or will it be replaced with a new Sally ride system? I thought based on the concept art they are keeping the doom buggies but at the same time the concept art has them shooting with literal flashlights so it may or may not be the most accurate to what the final product is going to look like I'd be willing to bet same ride system and reworked buggies. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoomPlague Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 Excited to see how it turns out. I am a bit conflicted about the character designs though. The Maestro seems Disneyfied but I get that they want to keep the ride family friendly. Also hoping the flashlights are just actual, focused flashlights that you shine on things to interact with them. That would be a good way to avoid taking the interactive nature away from kids who like it and pleasing those of us who didn't like that we miss scenery because we're struggling to hit those targets. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeeastFarmer Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 5 hours ago, calakapepe said: Welp... I only briefly thought it couldve been AI until I saw some small details that werent out of place like the poster above the audience showing maestro and the video version showing another ghoul peaking from behind the curtain.. however.. there is one detail that I do not understand what it is. I see the other notes have swirls, or eyes, or wings... but I dont understand why this sharp symbol has an eye out by itself nor what the other markings are. But i figured if this is the only thing, it's probably not AI.. good to have it confirmed I suppose Let's stir the pot a little: Looks like it cryptically is saying: watch out for #7. What is #7? If "#5 is alive!" could SOB be #5. The next roller coaster after SOB was the Junkyard Coaster. So naturally that would be #6. What's next? Firehawk as #7. New style Vekoma flying coaster called SOB built out of the SOB station outward, coming out over extreme sky flyer and taking up the removed Timberwolf, Congo Falls and Invertigo plots. New SOB confirmed! Seven is alive!!!! :):):):) Or.....there is a secret coup that will happen and seven references a new owner is coming after Six. Lololol 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RollerColt Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 As a musician, this story really piques my interest! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I...am SteVe Posted August 29 Share Posted August 29 Wasn't there a Peanuts-themed shooting ride on passholder surveys for a while? If so, it's entirely possible that that PT:ON was that very concept to start out, but was re-themed. Why would they change the theme? Because of the expiring license. This could be an indicator that Charlie Brown and Snoopy might be evicted in favor of one of the legacy SF IPs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamondback_Is_King Posted August 29 Share Posted August 29 1 hour ago, BeeastFarmer said: Let's stir the pot a little: Looks like it cryptically is saying: watch out for #7. What is #7? If "#5 is alive!" could SOB be #5. The next roller coaster after SOB was the Junkyard Coaster. So naturally that would be #6. What's next? Firehawk as #7. New style Vekoma flying coaster called SOB built out of the SOB station outward, coming out over extreme sky flyer and taking up the removed Timberwolf, Congo Falls and Invertigo plots. New SOB confirmed! Seven is alive!!!! :):):):) Or.....there is a secret coup that will happen and seven references a new owner is coming after Six. Lololol How long did that idea take you? If you wanted to stir the pot more, you would put the ride in The Vortex plot and make some certain people very upset...but let's not go there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingsislandfan1972 Posted August 29 Share Posted August 29 19 minutes ago, I...am SteVe said: Wasn't there a Peanuts-themed shooting ride on passholder surveys for a while? If so, it's entirely possible that that PT:ON was that very concept to start out, but was re-themed. Why would they change the theme? Because of the expiring license. This could be an indicator that Charlie Brown and Snoopy might be evicted in favor of one of the legacy SF IPs. Yes I did wonder that too, but a lot of people have been wanting a Phantom Theater return but then again if the Peanuts were the original idea and if they aren't returning for the 2026 they went with an IP that was already owned by Kings Island to replace that idea that being the Phantom Theater. Which will be sad for those who are fans of the Peanuts, but I'm more happy to see The Phantom Theater return. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeeastFarmer Posted August 29 Share Posted August 29 53 minutes ago, Diamondback_Is_King said: How long did that idea take you? If you wanted to stir the pot more, you would put the ride in The Vortex plot and make some certain people very upset...but let's not go there. About three minutes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BryanJay Posted August 29 Share Posted August 29 oh my god they had this planned since the beginning. (Also the musical note ghosts are either going to make or break the attraction, it’s so stupid I love them) 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cedar Fair Fanboy Posted August 29 Share Posted August 29 This is my theory of what International Street will look like when more and more lore base ride (Like Phantom Theater) is added. Edit: For everyone who want to know how the interactive flash light with mix media will play out, there's Monster Inc. Ride & go seek at Tokyo Disneyland with almost the same system. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAmqZCKJEMA 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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