Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare New in 2026

[WoodVengeance]

27 minutes ago, MaestroJr said:

How long after Boo Blasters closes do you think until we see construction begin? 

Since the ride is going to be indoors, we won't be able to see most of the construction. However, I think a good chunk of the Boo Blasters props will be taken out by the time the park reopens on September 19th. We may also see some removal of the haunted house facade at the front of the queue assuming the park wants to build a new theater facade in its place.

[KI Guy]

On 8/29/2025 at 1:52 PM, Shaggy said:

Why?

Does it really make a difference that they aren't replacing the track? 

Personally, I'd rather them invest the bulk of capitol in the figures/scenery...

Because more can be done with a blank slate. The current vehicles force you to only look forward so the theming can never be 360°. It also is limited to nearly fixed speed. There can be no drop scare or variance in speed like on Blazin' Fury at Dollywood.

Think of the Calico Mine Ride at Knott's or Fire in the Hole at Silver Dollar City for a different kind of experience they could have made. 

Ideally they'd have a big budget and a clean slate, but that wouldn't be in line with what they've been doing for 8 years or so.

It can still be a great ride for sure. Maybe the theming will be great enough that the rest won't matter. If it's on the level of the Phantom Theatre, they'll have winner on their hands.

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

1 hour ago, kingsislandfan1972 said:

Big hopes that we can see the return of the stained glass piano in some form or other! It looks really cool and I think it'd be a good easter egg (is it an easter egg if it's just a reused whole prop?) to the original. 

 

Walking through the stores tonight, I noticed that they don't have any of the old Phantom Theater merch stocked anymore it's all just the new merch for Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare. I really hope they bring the old merch back to one of the stores on International Street. I get that they're promoting the new ride, but there looked to be quite a bit of merch left last weekend and I think both would sell really well.

Here's the promotion for PT:ON outside of Boo Blasters' entrance, to the left of the birthday sign.

[kingsislandfan1972]

2 minutes ago, Losantiville Mining Co. said:

Big hopes that we can see the return of the stained glass piano in some form or other! It looks really cool and I think it'd be a good easter egg (is it an easter egg if it's just a reused whole prop?) to the original. 

 

Walking through the stores tonight, I noticed that they don't have any of the old Phantom Theater merch stocked anymore it's all just the new merch for Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare. I really hope they bring the old merch back to one of the stores on International Street. I get that they're promoting the new ride, but there looked to be quite a bit of merch left last weekend and I think both would sell really well.

Here's the promotion for PT:ON outside of Boo Blasters' entrance, to the left of the birthday sign.

I love this! Also yeah I think its funny how Boo Blasters has that 15th birthday sign and now its getting replaced. 

[BryanJay]

38 minutes ago, Losantiville Mining Co. said:

Here's the promotion for PT:ON outside of Boo Blasters' entrance, to the left of the birthday sign.

The more they advertise this, the more excited I get that they’re putting effort into this rather than just making a half-hearted retheme. It’s rare that theme parks announce what’s replacing an attraction before they announce what’s replacing it (Boo Blasters wasn’t particularly beloved but people still seem to be somewhat sad about it) and I’ve NEVER seen a giant sign advertising a new attraction right outside of the attraction it’s replacing, alongside a merchandise line that they released the day after the announcement into the park (I don’t think any recent additions like Camp Snoopy or River Racers had anything like this).

[kingsislandfan1972]

5 hours ago, BryanJay said:

The more they advertise this, the more excited I get that they’re putting effort into this rather than just making a half-hearted retheme. It’s rare that theme parks announce what’s replacing an attraction before they announce what’s replacing it (Boo Blasters wasn’t particularly beloved but people still seem to be somewhat sad about it) and I’ve NEVER seen a giant sign advertising a new attraction right outside of the attraction it’s replacing, alongside a merchandise line that they released the day after the announcement into the park (I don’t think any recent additions like Camp Snoopy or River Racers had anything like this).

I'm getting more excited the more the advertise it as well! I'm also glad they are giving Boo Blasters a good send-off rather than in 2002 when Phantom Theater was just closed in the middle of the season without warning of last rides.

[I...am SteVe]

I find it noteworthy that Rick Bastrup wrote in his book, Adventures of a Theme Park Designer, that he'd be willing to help bring back Phantom Theater. Keep in mind that the book was written around the time PT:E was still being shown in the park.

[BeeastFarmer]

On 8/29/2025 at 6:50 AM, kingsislandfan1972 said:

Possibly but I'm thinking the Maestros cat is a reference to the cat being scared by the big mouse from the original ride. 

Yes, but my way of thinking was Azrael because easter eggs are always fun. Both start with"A" and both Maestro and Gargamel can be intimidating to little kids, so the cat can soften this up for them. I never rode the OG PT, so my only relation to the cat is from PTE when the audio was in the preshow music, and Houdilini pulled out the cat skeleton from the hat( at least I think it was a cat)

[cdubbs727]

On 8/28/2025 at 6:40 PM, DoomPlague said:

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.

Concept art definitely seems like "Maestro Babies". But like you said, I think that's probably better for the kids. 

[brenthodge]

5 hours ago, I...am SteVe said:

I find it noteworthy that Rick Bastrup wrote in his book, Adventures of a Theme Park Designer, that he'd be willing to help bring back Phantom Theater. Keep in mind that the book was written around the time PT:E was still being shown in the park.

Generally things like this aren’t thrown together in a year. I have a feeling early plans were being formed even then. I seem to remember Koontz saying something new in that building and TRTR were 2 of his goals “before he retired” since his retirement was forced a bit early, I think we can have him to thank a bit for keeping this idea alive these past few years. For the quick turn on this (less than 8 months) a lot of development has already happened and probably some set pieces will be ready to go in as soon as the space is cleared. Pivot can be changed with these ride vehicles (it was for Scooby) so I think it can still feel different. 

[Orion-XL200]

I found out that one of my friends helped design PT:ON and from what I do know based on that, it'll be quality.

[kingsislandfan1972]

2 hours ago, Orion-XL200 said:

I found out that one of my friends helped design PT:ON and from what I do know based on that, it'll be quality.

Thats awesome to hear! Did your friend ride the original PT?

[SonofBaconator]

On 8/30/2025 at 1:02 AM, BryanJay said:

I’ve NEVER seen a giant sign advertising a new attraction right outside of the attraction it’s replacing, alongside a merchandise line that they released the day after the announcement into the park (I don’t think any recent additions like Camp Snoopy or River Racers had anything like this).

They used to do this back in the day after something was announced. If any of you recall, Banshee had a bunch of its concept art along the fence after the ride was announced in 2013. I cannot speak for post announcement stuff like Mystic Timbers and Orion because I don’t remember- but I do I remember Adventure Port had stuff as well.

The park is stepping up their game when it comes to advertising future attractions in general. I was at the park recently and there’s a huge sign for their Dragon’s Layer (or whatever it’s called) Haunt where Blackout once was.

It gives you a sense that they are just as excited about what’s to come as the fans are- which reminds me of what they used to do back in the early Cedar Fair days with their additions.

Also, I’m sure there’s a marketing strategy behind it too- people are more willing to check out a coming attraction if they have a physical advertisement of it in the park.

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

Orion had a giant banner on the fence after it was announced. They also did a daytime Haunt in what was Chaos themed around the Orion storyline as a "pre launch" preview. Tbh I really want to see the daytime/HallowTween Haunts return in the future. I liked what they would do with the corn maze and even last year with the daytime tour of Madame Fatales. 

[robintodd]

18 hours ago, brenthodge said:

Generally things like this aren’t thrown together in a year. I have a feeling early plans were being formed even then. I seem to remember Koontz saying something new in that building and TRTR were 2 of his goals “before he retired” since his retirement was forced a bit early, I think we can have him to thank a bit for keeping this idea alive these past few years. For the quick turn on this (less than 8 months) a lot of development has already happened and probably some set pieces will be ready to go in as soon as the space is cleared. Pivot can be changed with these ride vehicles (it was for Scooby) so I think it can still feel different. 

I've always felt that Rick didn't come to KI from California just to watch the show.  I believe he had plans with him back then.

[BeeastFarmer]

1 hour ago, robintodd said:

I've always felt that Rick didn't come to KI from California just to watch the show.  I believe he had plans with him back then.

My question with Rick is: does he consult for Sally on a project such as this? I'd love to think that he is involved with the project. It would really suck of they picked his brain for ideas, shelved the redo until "later" and then just gave the ideas to Sally.

But I don't know how all of this stuff works. 

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

I know this isn't likely, but something I was thinking about with the entrance and queue. Since this ride is going to be very popular and on busy days, Boo Blasters line tends to spill out on the midway, I think what they should do is connect the current queue house with the Peanuts Showplace and move the entrance to the ride to down by the Great Pumpkin Coaster in what is currently the entrance to the Peanuts Showplace. I honestly kinda like the wooded feel down there and it could make it feel like you're going into an overgrown/Haunted theater in the woods. Having 2 separate queue rooms also opens up potential to multiple scenes for this storytelling. 

I also was thinking if they choose not to go that route they could make the Peanuts Showplace into a Phantom Theater character meet and greet area and museum. If they wanted to create new props/decor for the new ride, they could then (if they still have them) display the old decor from the old Phantom Theater that they had in the PT Encore show lobby in the Peanuts Showplace. 

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

I could see the line using the Peanuts Showplace whenever it opens, but it shouldn't be incorporated into PT:ON. Kings Island cannot stand to lose another entertainment venue without more being built. I understand the fact that Six Flags doesn't really do entertainment — even though they really need to invest in that sector if they want to attract more guests — but entertainment is important to a lot of Kings Island guests.

[kingsislandfan1972]

10 hours ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said:

I know this isn't likely, but something I was thinking about with the entrance and queue. Since this ride is going to be very popular and on busy days, Boo Blasters line tends to spill out on the midway, I think what they should do is connect the current queue house with the Peanuts Showplace and move the entrance to the ride to down by the Great Pumpkin Coaster in what is currently the entrance to the Peanuts Showplace. I honestly kinda like the wooded feel down there and it could make it feel like you're going into an overgrown/Haunted theater in the woods. Having 2 separate queue rooms also opens up potential to multiple scenes for this storytelling. 

I also was thinking if they choose not to go that route they could make the Peanuts Showplace into a Phantom Theater character meet and greet area and museum. If they wanted to create new props/decor for the new ride, they could then (if they still have them) display the old decor from the old Phantom Theater that they had in the PT Encore show lobby in the Peanuts Showplace. 

I love this idea! Honestly one thing I think would be funny if The Maestro makes a small reference to the 2 rides that replaced The Phantom Theater that being Scooby-Doo & Boo Blasters... kind of like a fun easter egg! Sort of how the Maestro made a reference to Boo Blasters in The Phantom Theater Encore Show. 

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

I think it could be cool if they choose to reuse some of the windows and other items from Boo Blasters as props for a new Haunt maze or as part of a new attraction during Tricks and Treats. Obviously they probably wouldn't use Boocifer or anything that might explicitly be part of Sally Dark Rides IPs, but I feel like surely the basic items could be reused by Kings Island. There's also the possibility that most of it gets sold/sent back to SDR, but I'd like to see the non licensed materials used at KI again.

[Orion-XL200]

On 8/30/2025 at 11:59 PM, kingsislandfan1972 said:

Thats awesome to hear! Did your friend ride the original PT?

I believe he did 

[BryanJay]

 

Animatronic construction... will have to get used to them but at least there's a lot of characters! Featuring what I think are the Great Garbonzo, Willard Warbler, Lionel Burymore, and the rope characters.

[Orion-XL200]

Where'd this come from?

[SonofBaconator]

Going off this paper^

Two faces far left: Houdelini

Smirking face: Stagehand pulling the ropes?

Shocked face dead center: Stagehand being hung by his leg?

Grinning face- Boiler room? The never seen Mighty Bosco?

Smiling face, no teeth- The second Boiler room guy? Garbanzo? (There’s a picture right under it of him but I still think it’s the thinner boiler room guy)

Highest in the back- Willard Warbler?

The one who’s face you can’t see- unknown- you’d have to really examine the eyebrows.

Also note the Viking hats in the back right

[SonofBaconator]

3 minutes ago, Orion-XL200 said:

Where'd this come from?

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19GSHE4BGK/?mibextid=wwXIfr

[BryanJay]

So judging by the sheet at the bottom, here's the confirmed animatronic list we have so far:

1-2. Maestro

3-4. No Legs Larry

5-6. The Great Garbonzo

7-8. Houdelini

9. IDK TBH. Willard Warbler or Lionel Burymore I'm guessing (There's at least 1 Willard for sure physically on the table)

10-11. Stage hands (I can't make out what they're being named in this one.

12. Gus the stage manager (?) (AKA the guy with the flashlight)

13-14. The Boiler Men.

15. The Demon Rabbit.

16-17. Hilda (Not pictured but the helmets are visible.)

 

Judging by the list, my basic scene layouts are as follows:

The portrait scrim effects for the main performers return. The "Caught in the Ropes, Backstage, Houdelini, and Hilda scenes return basically as is. The hallway with doors has a physical Willard animatronic, but is mostly a screen (Maybe Bosco makes a physical debut?). The pepper's ghost scene returns at the end, but is achieved through screen projections. I'm also thinking from this list that Arpeggio (The new cat character) appears in each scene via the screens (same as the demon rat which is certainly going to be a gag that returns.)

 

My main questions are if outside the list, they're more animatronics with physical face movement. These figures look like they have static faces (Which I'm 100% fine with, the original had these two), but the glaring ommisions from the images on the table are additional Maestro figures for the queue and opening scene (So you wanted to see the theater, did ya?). I'm really hoping that maybe they're being worked on separately, but I'm honestly so glad that there's so many physical figures being made for this attraction rather than cutouts or screens. 

 

[SonofBaconator]

I’m trying to figure out the bottom three characters to the left of the rabbit. Also, the one to the right of the two Houdelini renderings. 

I wonder if these are new characters, the members of the audience that you saw during the peppers ghost scene, or something else entirely. The page isn’t laid flat out so it’s hard to make out. I’m sure that more stuff will be revealed later on, but it’s cool to decipher.

[kingsislandfan1972]

2 hours ago, BryanJay said:

 

Animatronic construction... will have to get used to them but at least there's a lot of characters! Featuring what I think are the Great Garbonzo, Willard Warbler, Lionel Burymore, and the rope characters.

 

2 hours ago, BryanJay said:

 

Animatronic construction... will have to get used to them but at least there's a lot of characters! Featuring what I think are the Great Garbonzo, Willard Warbler, Lionel Burymore, and the rope characters.

I'm excited about this, honestly looks very similar to the original animatronics! I wish I could find the picture for the original Phantom Theater animatronic heads that was a photo just like this one so we can see a side by side comparison! 

[beastfan11]

This is utterly surreal to see. Fantastic. 

[BryanJay]

38 minutes ago, kingsislandfan1972 said:

 

I'm excited about this, honestly looks very similar to the original animatronics! I wish I could find the picture for the original Phantom Theater animatronic heads that was a photo just like this one so we can see a side by side comparison!