Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare New in 2026

[BryanJay]

That must really be disappointing for those who were chosen, I’m sorry if that applies to anyone here. From what I gather from some Facebook comments (assuming multiple people are telling the truth) there’s probably some last minute legal/logistical issue with the way they selected the actors, so they’re switching to a private casting company instead. I say this not to speculate over the events of a private event, but it’s not an issue in terms of the ride’s completion. If it wasn’t finished by now, they likely wouldn’t have sent the media invites.

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

I should've clarified: I don't think it's the ride that isn't ready but rather the park or someone higher up involved in the photoshoot. Someone could've gotten sick (the most likely scenario IMO), or the camera crew (whoever that might be) needs time for something, or maybe there's an issue with another thing in the park. I think all of the ride construction and programming is done. 

While we're speculating, when do you think the park might take a ride POV? Will it just be a camera riding alone in the car or do you think they would have someone there capturing ghost notes? Maybe the park will wait a little bit before filming the POV. Who knows (I don't, that's why I'm asking all of you)

 

5 minutes ago, BryanJay said:

That must really be disappointing for those who were chosen, I’m sorry if that applies to anyone here. From what I gather from some Facebook comments (assuming multiple people are telling the truth) there’s probably some last minute legal/logistical issue with the way they selected the actors, so they’re switching to a private casting company instead. I say this not to speculate over the events of a private event, but it’s not an issue in terms of the ride’s completion. If it wasn’t finished by now, they likely wouldn’t have sent the media invites.

That's an issue I could see popping up like this. Selecting participants via a Google Form that shut down 2+ hours before it was advertised to close isn't exactly the best look. There also could have been an issue with either participants not being chosen fairly — though I would think that might only be an issue if those chosen were being paid. I've heard stories about these photoshoots only including people with certain physical aspects. The private casting company will be much better for all of the above since they're probably held to a higher legal standard. Either way, it's upsetting for all of the folks who were selected and got all gussied up for it.

As for media invites, I'll remind everyone that Six Flags had Quantum Accelerator's 2025 media day planned with invites sent before cancelling it. (I don't think that will happen here, just saying that it's happened before.)

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

To those who were origionally chosen, I hope the park does something to make up for it and I mean something well thought out and worth the cancellation not an extra bring a friend ticket or credit off of merch. 

[BryanJay]

1 hour ago, Losantiville Mining Co. said:

While we're speculating, when do you think the park might take a ride POV? Will it just be a camera riding alone in the car or do you think they would have someone there capturing ghost notes? Maybe the park will wait a little bit before filming the POV. Who knows (I don't, that's why I'm asking all of you)

I think the park wouldn’t publicly release a POV until at least the end of the summer, since I feel like there’s a sense of mystery with a dark ride (especially one that you can record on yourself… I hope. I hope they didn’t change that rule from Boo Blasters) versus a coaster that shouldn’t have that many legal recordings of it.

When they do I suspect it’ll be like the most recent Boo Blasters POV they did where it’s mostly for archival purposes, but it would be REALLY awesome if they implemented the source audio into a ride through (I also hope the source audio releases asap because I know I’ll want to listen to the theme song. Whether it’s a Sally Dark Rides post or something they share within any press kit during media day (if so lmk wink wink)

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

IIRC the last Boo Blasters POV had riders shooting at the targets (you could hear them talking and maybe see an arm  ). Theirs and others' POVs interacting with the ride really helped make it not feel so dead, so I hope any PT:ON POV has people interacting with it. Releasing a POV at the end of Summer would make a lot of sense. Let everyone come see it for themselves and then release the video.

 

Another thought: now that the ride cars are grouped in pairs (except for #27 which appears to be alone on the plans) do you think there will be 3 or 6 different flashlight colors? We know there will be at least three colors per vehicle, but depending on how interactions in each scene are planned out I think six colors could be helpful.