Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare New in 2026

[kingsislandfan1972]

1 hour ago, BryanJay said:

Bryan’s random PT thought of the day: What do we think the chances are of any of the characters appearing as meet and greets next season?

 

I’d say it’s unlikely we get anything like a full show like Encore, but I could envision like Maestro and the Larry puppet meeting in the circle where Snoopy’s doghouse (or inside the Peanuts showcase, which if I didn't think they’d want the peanuts characters meeting in there, that would be a prime location for an extended queue with the same artifacts from the Encore lobby).

But also for the meet and greet idea, I could also see a scenario where they bring them out if they hold a media day to do interviews, and then they never appear again. 

It was a nostalgic trip if they brought back the original costume that Kings Island had for the 1992 season (then dissappeard) occasionally I've seen the mask during Halloween Haunt.

22 minutes ago, WoodVengeance said:

That would be nice to see. SFOG has meet and greets with the characters from Monster Mansion, so it's definitely possible.

I would love to ride Monster Mansion, very good use of animatronics for a dark ride from the POV videos I have seen.

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

I think it's unlikely that we'd see any walk-around characters in a spot near Peanuts characters or IP, mainly due to the seemingly stringent licensing agreement about what can be shown in the same areas as Peanuts IP. It's been said that Boo Blasters was always part of International Street because of this issue.

They should definitely see about getting some characters out near the fountains or somewhere like that. Maybe they could go where the Takis trick or treat location is between Graeter's and Sweet Spot on the side of the Royal Fountain. A small set display could also go out there and get dressed up to look like the lobby or something similar. That way you'd be taking photos with characters in a setting instead of being with characters who are seemingly out of place.

[BryanJay]

Thought of the day: The IAAPA Expo is in about a month (November 18-21). For the past few years, Sally Dark Rides has had a booth, and typically they showcase work from their new projects (for example, they showcased the animatronics for the SpongeBob carnival ride and the haunted hotel before much material was available for those rides). I’d put an 80% of them showing something from Phantom Theater Opening Nightmare on display personally, I could see them maybe showing off the Maestro animatronic in the queue (assuming there is one because it would probably be the most advanced) or maybe something with the flashlight score system because that seems to be a unique thing to the US (we’re ignoring the monsters Inc ride that has the same thing).

I’m also still thinking on Halloween we get a teaser or new concept art from Kings Island themselves, but who knows?

[kingsislandfan1972]

5 hours ago, BryanJay said:

Thought of the day: The IAAPA Expo is in about a month (November 18-21). For the past few years, Sally Dark Rides has had a booth, and typically they showcase work from their new projects (for example, they showcased the animatronics for the SpongeBob carnival ride and the haunted hotel before much material was available for those rides). I’d put an 80% of them showing something from Phantom Theater Opening Nightmare on display personally, I could see them maybe showing off the Maestro animatronic in the queue (assuming there is one because it would probably be the most advanced) or maybe something with the flashlight score system because that seems to be a unique thing to the US (we’re ignoring the monsters Inc ride that has the same thing).

I’m also still thinking on Halloween we get a teaser or new concept art from Kings Island themselves, but who knows?

I was thinking that too, I don't see why not the IAAPA wouldn't acknowledge Phantom Theater Opening Nightmare, I want to see as many teasers as I can before the ride opens in 2026. I'm hoping KI has more teasers soon or at least some construction process.

[Orion742]

2 hours ago, kingsislandfan1972 said:

I was thinking that too, I don't see why not the IAAPA wouldn't acknowledge Phantom Theater Opening Nightmare, I want to see as many teasers as I can before the ride opens in 2026. I'm hoping KI has more teasers soon or at least some construction process.

Personally I’m the opposite. I don’t want it to get spoiled. I want to see it all for the first time when I ride in spring 2026.

[BryanJay]

I’m like half and half: I want to know enough to be excited for it (mostly what the characters look like so I can draw them tbh) but I don’t want to see any full scenes or like a ridethrough before opening day.

[kingsislandfan1972]

1 hour ago, Orion742 said:

Personally I’m the opposite. I don’t want it to get spoiled. I want to see it all for the first time when I ride in spring 2026.

I want to be surprised for the most part no actual scenes however a teaser here and there would be nice, I still would like to see pictures of Boo Blasters props being removed though.

[SonofBaconator]

https://www.reddit.com/r/KingsIsland/s/QpUR6QQtxR

[CoasterJack]

10 minutes ago, SonofBaconator said:

https://www.reddit.com/r/KingsIsland/s/QpUR6QQtxR

Saw that, unfortunate that she was filming in an area of the tour you're not allowed to, but great for us who've been craving some phantom progress pictures, and it means we're only a month away from seeing them active. I've been on that Sally Tour, its a great time. I assume this will be the two animatronics shown at the Sally booth, and I assume these will be towards the beginning of the ride with the screen showcasing how the flashlight works. It definitely looks like the flashlights will be something new other than the same blasters, as the IAAPA description said they would show off the flashlight technology and two of the new animatronics.

[Captain Nemo]

Spoiler

 

 

I initially saw the TikTok a few days ago and really had a long ponder about this. On one hand, I feel bad when hard work of essential artists is leaked like this. The other hand, it’s just nice to see an update (ANY UPDATE) on this project. In the meantime here’s some AI slop with a very important message.

[SonofBaconator]

I saw it on reddit- I originally had the images too- but then I read the comments and saw that this was taken during a camera’s down tour so I removed them. 

Not sure if keeping the link up makes any difference. @IndyGuy4KI?

[kingsislandfan1972]

One prediction for PTON, is with the introduction of Arpeggio the Cat as new character which I presume will be present throughout most of the ride, well personally I think this is supposed to be the same Cat that was scared by the giant mouse/rat in the original PT ride, but in the new ride I can see them do a twist where Arpeggio gets the upper hand and scares the giant mouse/rat... I think that would be perfect! (If they decide to bring the gianr mouse/rat back, this is what I think they should do!) 

[IndyGuy4KI]

On 10/23/2025 at 9:45 PM, SonofBaconator said:

I saw it on reddit- I originally had the images too- but then I read the comments and saw that this was taken during a camera’s down tour so I removed them. 

Not sure if keeping the link up makes any difference. @IndyGuy4KI?

As long as the photos are not posted to KIC. If that happens, please report it. 

[Cedar Fair Fanboy]

14 hours ago, kingsislandfan1972 said:

One prediction for PTON, is with the introduction of Arpeggio the Cat as new character which I presume will be present throughout most of the ride, well personally I think this is supposed to be the same Cat that was scared by the giant mouse/rat in the original PT ride, but in the new ride I can see them do a twist where Arpeggio gets the upper hand and scares the giant mouse/rat... I think that would be perfect! (If they decide to bring the gianr mouse/rat back, this is what I think they should do!) 

Maybe turned into a monster to scare the rat... Although it was taken by The Unnamable from Efteling's Danse Macabre.  I don't think Kings Island is gonna make Arpeggio a monster cat. Lore wise, the deceased takes their mortal forms when they died and is not like a monster. Banshee is evidence that Ghosts or Phantoms maintained there human look.

[SonofBaconator]

3 Questions:

1. What’s one thing will you be upset if they don’t bring back?
2. Whats one thing you don’t think they’ll bring back?
3. What’s something you’d like changed that they didn’t do the 1st time?

[beastfan11]

1 hour ago, SonofBaconator said:

3 Questions:

1. What’s one thing will you be upset if they don’t bring back?
2. Whats one thing you don’t think they’ll bring back?
3. What’s something you’d like changed that they didn’t do the 1st time?

1. Maestro in the queue. Seems like a no brainer. With some updates and special effects, it could be really, really cool. 
 

2. Pepper’s Ghost finale. It sucks, but with screen based tech, the no reason why they would. Prove me wrong! 
 

3. Not remove it in ten years. 

[BryanJay]

59 minutes ago, SonofBaconator said:

3 Questions:

1. So two things for this, because they're my two favorite scenes and I'm very passionate about this: I'm worried that the queue with Maestro playing the organ and turning back to the audience will return. I know it's literally something depicted on the logo, but it was an iconic aspect of the original. Even more-so, I want them to bring back Houdelini's scene of pulling the demon rabbit out of the hat mostly as is. Unless the eyes have pretty big movement, neither of the Houdelini figures we've seen really fit this scene, and it's probably my favorite bit of the original.

2. I think the talking statues won't be included. It feels like an effect that didn't really work in the original, and isn't really impressive now. 

3. I'd love the performer characters to get voice lines other than Maestro and Willard (Like Houdelini, Garbanzo, Lionel, Hilda)

[MaestroJr]

1. Hoping that theirs lots of animatronics and that the queue has the Maestro and moving bust, I would like to point out that two of the  bust in the walls are still there so that would be easy to install. 
2. Having said that i think the peppers ghost effect may not be included due to emphasis on shooting targets or also the Maestro in the lobby as Kings Island may put more of an emphasis on the actual ride and not the queue. 
3. Keep this ride a staple at Kings Island, in the future if a new dark ride happens then build it somewhere else, leave phantom theater at the park just like disney would haunted mansion or pirates of the carribean 

[PKIDelirium]

I know it's probably unlikely, but I'd like to see the "castle" bridge entrance removed and take it back to a pathway down and around in front of the building, entering at queue level, instead of having steps right inside.

[kingsislandfan1972]

5 hours ago, SonofBaconator said:

3 Questions:

1. What’s one thing will you be upset if they don’t bring back?
2. Whats one thing you don’t think they’ll bring back?
3. What’s something you’d like changed that they didn’t do the 1st time?

1. For me I would love to see the return of The Maestro playing the organ in the que, it was iconic and it just wouldn't seem right for the Phantom Theater to return without it. Also I want creepy music to be played in the que and for the FunTVs to be removed. (I feel like the FunTVs playing take away from the creepy vibe that PT is supposed to be)

2. I don't think they'll bring back the darkness (as dark as the original PT was) but who knows they might surprise me!

3. If they decide to do the Peppers Ghost effect maybe the glass shouldn't so close where riders can rudley spit or throw gum at it.

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

6 hours ago, SonofBaconator said:

3 Questions:

1. What’s one thing will you be upset if they don’t bring back?
2. Whats one thing you don’t think they’ll bring back?
3. What’s something you’d like changed that they didn’t do the 1st time?

1. As everyone else has said, I'll be upset if Maestro isn't playing the organ on his balcony in the queue line. They might even be able to put him on top of the weird indoor entrance roof if the balcony is somehow too small/unwieldy for a new Maestro. The FunTV screens should also get sent to other rides queues, but I don't have faith in Six Flags to take them out. I hope they prove me wrong!
   1. A second potential upset: I really hope they restore the old auditorium scene to its full size and glory (minus the Pepper's Ghost effect). The space was literally designed for it and probably still exists under all that plywood!
2. I doubt we'll see a new Pepper's Ghost scene used anywhere. Maybe something could be done with screens, but nothing on the scale of what was there before.
3. If anything is changed from the original, I think it will be the overall tone of the ride. Instead of sneaking through a haunted theater as trespassers, we'll be welcomed into a reopened theater as helpers. That tonal shift alone might be enough to sway opinions between the old and the new.

[kingsislandfan1972]

I still think it would be funny in PTON in the que if the Maestro says something along the lines of "Our theater was replaced by a group of teens and a talking dog and what is a Boocifer?!?!" I would absolutely LOSE it!  I'm hoping that maybe we get subtle  references to both Scooby-Doo & Boo Blasters, not a big thing but it would be funny!

[BryanJay]

Random phantom thought of the day: For the very general public, how many people do we think aren’t going on PTON because they think it’s a show?
 

Not like it’s going to affect how successful or crowded it is, but I often wonder this about the original because people are morons in theme parks (no offense to anyone on this server, you’re all not included) and there’s no obvious indication at the entrance that it’s a dark ride unless you look at the safety signage.

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

I think most of the general public (even the moronic ones) will understand that it is a ride because they will know that there used to be a ride there before with Boo Blasters. If anyone walks by and thinks it is a show, I will think they have a bad grasp on the reality of theme parks. Maybe I'll be kinder to them if we see another Phantom Theater show return next year.

[kingsislandfan1972]

1 hour ago, Losantiville Mining Co. said:

I think most of the general public (even the moronic ones) will understand that it is a ride because they will know that there used to be a ride there before with Boo Blasters. If anyone walks by and thinks it is a show, I will think they have a bad grasp on the reality of theme parks. Maybe I'll be kinder to them if we see another Phantom Theater show return next year.

Funnily enough there have been times when guests thought Boo Blasters actually was a show and had to ask random guests in line on what the attraction actually was.

I also remember one time when a guest cussed out the worker because he wanted his family of 6 to all ride in the same ride vehicle, literally caused a big scene and was screaming because he tried to convince them that all 6 family members could fit in the same ride vehicle, he then got out line with his family giving everyone the middle finger. I honestly can't stand guests like that. 

[SonofBaconator]

I never understood why the park never used the IP for nearly 20 years until PTE. We could’ve had Haunt Mazes, merch, etc in between 2003-2022

[KIghostguy]

I'm disappointed that they did nothing with Phantom Theater for Haunt this year. It would have been so easy to have Maestro open up Haunt every night or have the characters roaming around during Tricks and Treats, promoting the new ride. It would have been the perfect seasonal tie-in and help promote and build interest for the new ride. It's not surprising, but still disappointing that the park doesn't do any creative in-park marketing anymore. 

[SonofBaconator]

4 hours ago, KIghostguy said:

It's not surprising, but still disappointing that the park doesn't do any creative in-park marketing anymore. 

that was one of the things that I feared would go away when the chains merged…marketing is always one of the first departments to experience cuts when companies are trying to save money.

[kingsislandfan1972]

On 10/28/2025 at 8:51 PM, SonofBaconator said:

I never understood why the park never used the IP for nearly 20 years until PTE. We could’ve had Haunt Mazes, merch, etc in between 2003-2022

I agree its like they wanted us to forget about PT... honestly I really think the only reason why we got the PTE show is because of fans of the original ride who were upset when it was removed and the fans are the reason now why we are getting a new PT ride. 

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

Adding it to Haunt might have detracted from the family-friendly nature of the new attraction and/or the scary nature of Haunt. If anything it might have been withheld due to the fact that it wouldn't have been able to be replicated at the other Tricks & Treats events. Corporate seems to enjoy keeping the events nearly identical (Legacy Six Flags also enjoyed keeping most of their parks near clones of each other).

If they do anything with the characters outside of the ride I hope it'd be special meet & greet characters. Then again, if they need to cut down on costs I'd rather have a great ride with no walk around characters instead of a meh ride with walk around characters.