Kings Island General Discussion 2026

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

I think the fountain will start to be filled on Monday at the earliest, or maybe sometime the week after. They might be waiting for the weather to be consistently warmer and for the rest of the lights/nozzles to be repaired. 

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

A look at Carowinds' Spring Break activities. It just amazes me that KI can't have activities like this during the early portion of the season or even during the season. Minus the Easter stuff of course as the park opens after Easter. But a cornhole tournament, a bubble party, a paint show (which the park did in 2021 btw), and a peanuts dance party would not be that hard or expensive to do. 

[BeeastFarmer]

Why would they spend the extra money when people show up to Kings Island in droves, because it is a pass heavy park?

When pass sales significantly fall, they will consider doing things like this I think.

[disco2000]

^This exactly.  Nice weather and KI will pull 30k attendance daily during the weekend ops.

For good or bad, we are a pass heavy park where people come regardless of the product being offered...

[DonHelbig]

5 minutes ago, disco2000 said:

^This exactly.  Nice weather and KI will pull 30k attendance daily during the weekend ops.

For good or bad, we are a pass heavy park where people come regardless of the product being offered...

I feel a change in the wind. 

[chad_1138]

1 minute ago, DonHelbig said:

I feel a change in the wind. 

If the change is less passes, you can count 3 (Prestige) from our family.  Been passholders since 2016 and Prestige since its inception.

[CedarPointer]

I think there will also be an increasing number of people who buy a pass, but don't spend a dime in the park the whole season since the in-park experience has declined so badly. Shame they decided to give away the gate.

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

16 minutes ago, DonHelbig said:

I feel a change in the wind. 

I doubt we see pass sales drop that much. In fact I think we see the exact opposite. While there may be some people choose not to renew, I don't think it'll be enough to really have an effect on attendance numbers. 

59 minutes ago, BeeastFarmer said:

Why would they spend the extra money when people show up to Kings Island in droves, because it is a pass heavy park?

When pass sales significantly fall, they will consider doing things like this I think.

I don't think doing things like bubble parties, dance parties, or a cornhole tournament comes down to KI being a pass heavy park. The cost of doing things like that would be very minimal. It's more along the lines of people high up at the park not really thinking outside the box and using the whole "ok, good enough" mindset. 

I even think doing stuff listed above along with tie dyeing shirts and/or a sidewalk chalk drawing party in Camp Snoopy (where kids can draw on the CS concrete for fun) would be a cool idea for late May/June as kids start getting out of school for the summer. 

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

5 hours ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said:

I don't think doing things like bubble parties, dance parties, or a cornhole tournament comes down to KI being a pass heavy park. The cost of doing things like that would be very minimal. It's more along the lines of people high up at the park not really thinking outside the box and using the whole "ok, good enough" mindset. 

I even think doing stuff listed above along with tie dyeing shirts and/or a sidewalk chalk drawing party in Camp Snoopy (where kids can draw on the CS concrete for fun) would be a cool idea for late May/June as kids start getting out of school for the summer.

I agree with this, and would like to add that Kings Island was a pass heavy park for years before we "stopped" receiving interesting things. (The park is still getting good major investment, the stoppage/slowing mentioned is simply a sentiment many have shared on here and other social media sites.) I'd argue that Kings Island is the status quo that Carowinds and other parks are being told to aim for in terms of attendance and quality, while KI/SF management are firmly content with where the park is now. This is naturally leading to a feeling of stagnation since the focus has been shifted. If the park wants to think outside of the box for new events or update their current ones then they'll need to find a way to increase guest interaction without forcing them to pay $20 each time they visit the event. Unfortunately I think the company will try to use whatever they can to pay off debt, so events that change from year to year like the ones at Dollywood are out of the question for now.

Most passholders will probably be fine with lower quality because KI is their home park and is a family tradition. Families feel the price of a pass is worth it, even if they only ever visit twice. If they take a year off it might be hard for the park to regain their trust, which is why it's important to at least keep the status quo. 

 

In other news, the Royal Fountain is being filled for the season. Does anyone know how they fill it? It looks like there are a few hoses being run into it, but I feel like that would be inefficient way to fill such a large basin. There was also someone working on a few fountain sprayer nozzles earlier today. I wonder if they'll reinstall the park sign after it's done being filled or wait a little longer.

[BlondyRidesOn]

3 hours ago, Losantiville Mining Co. said:

In other news, the Royal Fountain is being filled for the season. Does anyone know how they fill it? It looks like there are a few hoses being run into it, but I feel like that would be inefficient way to fill such a large basin. There was also someone working on a few fountain sprayer nozzles earlier today. I wonder if they'll reinstall the park sign after it's done being filled or wait a little longer.

The fountain is filled with a large valve and outspout near the pump room located underneath the International Street Bandstand. It looks kinda like one of those old top loaded washing machines with a middle agitator where the water fills the compartment before actually running.

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

There seems to be a boom truck of some kind in the Monster area

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

I know I'm probably in the minority, but I would love to see the Phineas and Ferb theme song (aka Today is Gonna Be A Great Day by Bowling For Soup) return to playing at rope drop again. Imo that song really help set the mood for the day! I also would like to see a new version of the national anthem play as well before rope drop. I was thinking the Tabernacle Choir version like what CP plays at before they open. I believe KI used to play that version in the early CF days in the late 2000s, but then moved to the marching band version that's still played today. Imo the Tabernacle Choir version sounds more grand to me. 

[Swiftdrawer]

5 hours ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said:

I know I'm probably in the minority, but I would love to see the Phineas and Ferb theme song (aka Today is Gonna Be A Great Day by Bowling For Soup) return to playing at rope drop again. Imo that song really help set the mood for the day! I also would like to see a new version of the national anthem play as well before rope drop. I was thinking the Tabernacle Choir version like what CP plays at before they open. I believe KI used to play that version in the early CF days in the late 2000s, but then moved to the marching band version that's still played today. Imo the Tabernacle Choir version sounds more grand to me. 

We so need the Phineas and Ferb theme song extended version back at KI. That was the stuff. That was the stuff. I listened to it earlier today and was thinking of how it played at Kings Island as a result.

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

I'm honestly curious when they started playing that song at rope drop and who's idea that was? It honestly fits so well as it talks about having a great day during the summer and mentions building a rollercoaster and climbing up the Eiffel Tower which connects with KI very well. 

I'm also curious why they chose to not play it anymore at rope drop. I honestly could see a world where the higher ups were sick of that song and as someone who knew associates during the time that song would play they would dread hearing that song as it meant it was time to be in their spots as guests were in the park. I believe 2019 was the last year they played it and in 2021 (the first full season since covid) they started playing High Hopes by PATD but not at rope drop, it would be played as associates started to arrive for the day. In fact, Mr. Koontz selected a song each season from 2021 til his retirement last year to be played in the morning as associates arrive to help set the mood and get employees ready for the day!

[robintodd]

2 weeks till passholder preview day.  Action going on at the monster, zephyr has it's canapy on and the scrambler has been running most of the morning!

 

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

We got a saloon now?!!!!

Jk it's probably that bar that was put in by the conjuring/crypt building

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

I was thinking the Snake Pit Saloon was either that or a replacement for the Outpost Frozen Cocktails location. That structure needs to be turned back into a food stand, but I guess it's whatever for now. For anyone counting there are now 5 official bars in Rivertown (Outpost, Brewhouse, Whistlestop, Snake Pit, and the bar counter in front of LaRosa's).

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

Double posting to mention that the Royal Fountain has started its testing!

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

Hopefully to a new better soundtrack. I swear if the jazz returns for a 5th time....

[Orion-XL200]

3 hours ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said:

Hopefully to a new better soundtrack. I swear if the jazz returns for a 5th time....

It is jazz....but it's the Phineas and Ferb theme song.

[robintodd]

Whirly birds and racer currently running.  We're getting close!

[silver2005]

I didn't see on the KI website, but what are the preview day hours?

[BeeastFarmer]

How in the world is Kings Island/ Six Flags NOT capitalized on the Orion Spacecraft that is currently reaching the furthest point away from a manned spacecraft has ever been???

I don't think it would sell tickets, but it could be a small piece of KI lore for years to come. 

[disco2000]

37 minutes ago, BeeastFarmer said:

How in the world is Kings Island/ Six Flags NOT capitalized on the Orion Spacecraft that is currently reaching the furthest point away from a manned spacecraft has ever been???

I don't think it would sell tickets, but it could be a small piece of KI lore for years to come. 

The Orion spacecraft hit true giga heights 😝

[johnjniehaus]

On 4/3/2026 at 8:17 AM, robintodd said:

2 weeks till passholder preview day.  Action going on at the monster, zephyr has it's canapy on and the scrambler has been running most of the morning!

 

Anyone else think that Cedar Point Monster is possibly becoming a parts donor for the KI one? Cedar Point ride still had the skirting around the base to hide the motors...wonder if we will see any improvements like that on the KI one as the one at CP was removed? Also worth mentioning the CP one had lights on the center dome shaped piece unlike the KI one. It was a "more complete" looking ride. Would like to see KI get the spare tubs and parts... Black with the yellow red and orange tubs could be a cool new look but for God's sake take the stupid eyes and mouths off... The monster isn't a dang kiddy ride

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

2 hours ago, silver2005 said:

I didn't see on the KI website, but what are the preview day hours?

Fun Fact: It doesn't actually say what the Passholder Preview hours are on KI's website! Like, it's not shown anywhere! Not even on the event page (https://www.sixflags.com/kingsisland/events/season-passholder-preview). According to a correspondence between Jim Flugel and the KI Guest Services team the Passholder Preview will go from 12PM-9PM on Friday, April 17th, 2026. The hours are not listed on the calendar since the park will only be open to passholders, but hours are subject to change without notice either way. I haven't seen a post from the park about it either.

 

2 hours ago, BeeastFarmer said:

How in the world is Kings Island/ Six Flags NOT capitalized on the Orion Spacecraft that is currently reaching the furthest point away from a manned spacecraft has ever been???

I don't think it would sell tickets, but it could be a small piece of KI lore for years to come. 

I don't think they see a way to profit off of it and/or aren't putting 2 and 2 together as to how they could post about it. You'd think it would be a quick and easy post, but I guess someone didn't like the idea.

 

1 hour ago, johnjniehaus said:

Anyone else think that Cedar Point Monster is possibly becoming a parts donor for the KI one? Cedar Point ride still had the skirting around the base to hide the motors...wonder if we will see any improvements like that on the KI one as the one at CP was removed? Also worth mentioning the CP one had lights on the center dome shaped piece unlike the KI one. It was a "more complete" looking ride. Would like to see KI get the spare tubs and parts... Black with the yellow red and orange tubs could be a cool new look but for God's sake take the stupid eyes and mouths off... The monster isn't a dang kiddy ride

I think it'll be used as a parts donor in its entirety. Since we got the news part of me has been wondering if KI is waiting on a component from that one to start reassembling ours. 

 

Allegedly the Preferred Parking lot is being expanded for 2026 as well. The post I saw had new fencing and such extending into the Bus & RV Lot and maybe over toward Banshee. The signs and paint would be easy to do, but it didn't look like a major project beyond that. I have to wonder if the Bus Lot will be moved into those parts of the Banshee Lot or if the new Bus lot will go elsewhere. The park should find something to do about all the people who park there and take spaces away from the busses and RVs that are supposed to be using it.

Of course, this could also just be some new fencing for the Bus Lot. It's a little hard for me to tell exactly where the new fence is just from these photos. I wonder if they're going to move the parking attendant booth (that they just installed in 2024 or 2025) or if they're going to build a whole new one.

Photos: Jim D Flugel on Facebook (in the Spoiler)

Spoiler