Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare Construction Progress

[CedarPointer]

I can never figure out how to find anything there, so I'm guessing other people are in the same boat. 

[johnjniehaus]

1 hour ago, CoasterJack said:

I'm surprised no one has mentioned anything about the detailed ride blueprints in the mason permit portal. They're been out for about a week now, they show the ride scene layout, screen locations, etc. I don't want to spoil too much, but looks like not too many screens fortunately, and it confirms a certain someone in a certain area of the building... I'll leave it at that 

Any way to post that here with a spoiler heading so those of us who want to see can and those who want to keep it a secret can not see it? Or maybe start a new sub discussion in a different thread? I like most people have never been able to find the info on Mason's permit office 

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

The city building permit portal has become increasingly harder to navigate in recent years. Most of the links I've found either lead to a blank page or to the application portals (the Accela site is particularly egregious). Now, something could be bugging out on my end, but I think it might just be that hard to get anywhere with the City of Mason. The Warren County pages also seem to have gotten cleared out in terms of seeing anything fun. I'm trying to leave some things until opening day, but my architecture brain really wants to see these floor plans.

 

1 minute ago, johnjniehaus said:

Any way to post that here with a spoiler heading so those of us who want to see can and those who want to keep it a secret can not see it? Or maybe start a new sub discussion in a different thread? I like most people have never been able to find the info on Mason's permit office 

I'd love to either see this or read a little more information as to which link got you closer to finding the documents.

[beastfan11]

Someone hook a beastfan up with those plans! 

[Captain Nemo]

If it’s public then please share the link with a spoiler tag.

[BryanJay]

Love the new precedent of announcing Curtain Call episodes in advance so I don’t have to stress about a random drop on Thursdays. Starting the new year off right.

[kingsislandfan1972]

Whos counting down til midnight for Phantom Theater Episode 2? 

 

(Oh and also the new year...)

[kingsislandfan1972]

Seeing this set piece in Episode 2 is really getting me excited!

[MaestroJr]

Richard Doyle confirmed as maestro again, interesting to see where Rick bastrup will appear in the ride, here’s to April. 

[BryanJay]

Here’s every animatronic (except one I guess, I’m not sure if they’re counting the gargoyle as one). I’m assuming some of the head sculpts will be reused for the main characters. I wonder if them being yellow within their model means they have facial movements (Which would align with Maestro and Larry well. The two oddballs with this theory are Hilda and the Boiler Men which I assume would talk but I after this new episode I also need to remember that it’s a homage to the original versus a remake. Also if Houdelini gets a voice that will be cool.) They all look fine here, and when judging the models with the physical figures we’ve seen I’m sure they’ll look fantastic! 

[beastfan11]

So… help me out. Who’s this? 
 

[Fishdinner]

If I were to guess, I would say it’s Gus the electrician, basing off the we haven’t seen him in the animatronic list, but we’ve seen his body and switch.

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

I thought somewhere it was stated that the electrician's name would now be Rick, and that that would be the Rick Bastrup feature, no? Maybe in one of the text articles from October/November? Although looking back at the plans it does say Gus. Are Marty and Ralph the stage hands? So many characters are listed that I hadn't noticed before.

 

According to the video, exterior work should be starting any day now. I wonder how much of it we might be able to see from the webcam. Very exciting times!

[johnjniehaus]

Did anyone else interpret the new teaser video of mentioning a new exterior for the building? (I thought they said something about it)

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

37 minutes ago, johnjniehaus said:

Did anyone else interpret the new teaser video of mentioning a new exterior for the building? (I thought they said something about it)

They said "work on the facade would begin after the first of the year" so yeah that was mentioned. However, based on the blueprints it seems like the current entrance and bridge will remain, but I'm guessing they'll do some work on the castle itself to make it more like an opera house. I believe someone on here created a couple of mockup ideas awhile back on this thread or another thread. 

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

I think it's entirely possible that they just change the turrets instead of building a whole new facade onto the existing structure. Those look like they might be as easy to change as the top of the big Kings Island sign (like happened after Cedar Fair took over). That would at least make it look less castle-y.

Above anything I hope they let it have a good color palette. The original looked nice but I don't know if beige and brown would work as well on the castle without something else being added. I do want the "Featuring" marquee overhang to return though.

[Cedar Fair Fanboy]

If I could imagine what the facade will look like, it's something in the lines of these theater style. Colonial mix in with Victorian style architectural facade. It fits within the british style and field with the lore of Phantom Theater. 
 

[kingsislandfan1972]

22 hours ago, Cedar Fair Fanboy said:

If I could imagine what the facade will look like, it's something in the lines of these theater style. Colonial mix in with Victorian style architectural facade. It fits within the british style and field with the lore of Phantom Theater. 
 

I love it! Anything is better than the purple Scooby-Doo castle which was good for a decade or so but by the time the 2020s came it was definitely looking worn down and an eyesore. Fingers crossed we get eerie sounds (wind effects, ghosts moans, etch) on the outside/entrance just like the original PT.

[beastfan11]

[Cedar Fair Fanboy]

20 hours ago, beastfan11 said:

Introduction to new characters that we are about to encounter. Mr. Pretzel is one of those "friends."

[beastfan11]

18 hours ago, Cedar Fair Fanboy said:

Introduction to new characters that we are about to encounter. Mr. Pretzel is one of those "friends."

I’d say you’re probably right. Maybe Archie as well! 

[kingsislandfan1972]

Introducing... Sir Pretzel! 

[BryanJay]

 

I actually really love Sir Pretzel and the reasoning behind his name, he’s my favorite now because there’s no previous design from the original to compare him to. (I had a shock seeing they slightly changed Lionel’s outfit in the background and I’m hoping they do him justice (as if he was a vital character in the original)) Also RIP Bosco for real now, iykyk.

[beastfan11]

Sir Pretzel = Pretzel Dark Rides… duh. He looks great! 
 

Archie: 

[MaestroJr]

Two points, I like the look of the cat, he’s modeled very well and I wonder why he has Christmas ornaments around him, maybe a Christmas scene?

Also I was right in my guess that the characters would be more light hearted then they used to be, some older fans may not like that but I think it’ll still have scary elements 

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

I think the ornaments are from either a small holiday photoshoot that Sally Dark Rides did or it's from a potential holiday overlay mock-up for PT:ON. There were also some photos with Maestro in a Santa costume, but all of these photos were taken in the SDR workshop so we probably won't know much until later this year.

As much as some commenters like to say the art style is "too cartoony" I really like the new looks for everyone. It's taken the original characters and mixed their appearances with No Legs Larry's puppet form from Phantom Theater Encore. Either way, isn't it better for everyone to look more "lively" in preparation for the theater's grand reopening? I'd much rather that than going to see them in their less mortal, more corrupted state  

[MaestroJr]

11 minutes ago, Losantiville Mining Co. said:

I think the ornaments are from either a small holiday photoshoot that Sally Dark Rides did or it's from a potential holiday overlay mock-up for PT:ON. There were also some photos with Maestro in a Santa costume, but all of these photos were taken in the SDR workshop so we probably won't know much until later this year.

As much as some commenters like to say the art style is "too cartoony" I really like the new looks for everyone. It's taken the original characters and mixed their appearances with No Legs Larry's puppet form from Phantom Theater Encore. Either way, isn't it better for everyone to look more "lively" in preparation for the theater's grand reopening? I'd much rather that than going to see them in their less mortal, more corrupted state  

I do hope we get a phantom theater holiday overlay that’s properly done, not just decorations but new dialogue and music maybe, I like the new style too and I do think they need to be a little more innocent looking due to the fact that you don’t want children who loved boo blasters to be afraid of this new ride and after all this is a family ride 

[Timchat2]

Depending on how much extra programming is involved, it should be relatively "easy" to switch out the screen media, LED lighting, etc. for a holiday overlay. Perhaps guests could be helping to recapture escaped jingle bells for a holiday concert at the Phantom Theater.

[kingsislandfan1972]

I honestly love the new animatronics compared to the old ones and I've  actually ridden the original PT. These animatronics look a lot more lively and interactive more so than the original PT animatronics. I'm just hoping it's going to be more of a dark ride than Boo Blasters meaning less bright lights. 😅

[beastfan11]

9 hours ago, kingsislandfan1972 said:

I honestly love the new animatronics compared to the old ones and I've  actually ridden the original PT. These animatronics look a lot more lively and interactive more so than the original PT animatronics. 

100%, my dude. They look significantly better than the original figures. Not that they were bad or anything, but 34 years allows technology to develop in such a way that, on a surface level, makes them superior. The movement and articulation of the new Maestro when specifically compared to the original makes it obvious. 

To go further, yeah… I adore the art direction of the original ride. Everything about it. But I’m not going to sit here and say this new direction looks worse. I know that’s mostly objective, but come on:

Ultimately, comparison is a thief of joy. I’m just hyped for what’s in store. Sally knows what they’re doing. Based on what little we’ve seen in the Curtain Call BTS series and via the filed plans, it seems like it’s going to be done right. Only time will tell…