See international star illusionist Brad Ross at KI

[DonHelbig]

Award-winning international star illusionist Brad Ross brings his mesmerizing show to Kings Island, taking audiences on an unforgettable journey into fantasy and imagination. Families can expect jaw-dropping grand illusions, laugh-out-loud comedy, and breathtaking live magic on stage. This action-packed production is sure to thrill and amaze guests of all ages, keeping them on the edge of their seats from May 30 through June 21.

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

And sadly it looks like the Kings Island Theater will be dark during the peak summer season. I really hope we see something else in there after Brad leaves. KI really needs that indoor AC during that peak July/August heatwave! 

[DonHelbig]

49 minutes ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said:

And sadly it looks like the Kings Island Theater will be dark during the peak summer season. I really hope we see something else in there after Brad leaves. KI really needs that indoor AC during that peak July/August heatwave! 

Gone are the days when Kings Island had shows in the Showplace Theatre and Festhaus from the start of the season through Labor Day and the Kings Island Theater from Memorial Day through Labor Days. They provided added value for guests. When the theaters are dark, there’s not much for non-riders to do. 

[KI Guy]

3 minutes ago, DonHelbig said:

Gone are the days when Kings Island had shows in the Showplace Theatre and Festhaus from the start of the season through Labor Day and the Kings Island Theater from Memorial Day through Labor Days.

Until Herschend buys the park you mean?

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

1 hour ago, KI Guy said:

Until Herschend buys the park you mean?

Herschend would probably need to sell off a few properties to come up with the money they would need to buy Kings Island. I don't think Six Flags would even think of giving up Kings Island. Too much of a cash cow. 

 

1 hour ago, DonHelbig said:

Gone are the days when Kings Island had shows in the Showplace Theatre and Festhaus from the start of the season through Labor Day and the Kings Island Theater from Memorial Day through Labor Days. They provided added value for guests. When the theaters are dark, there’s not much for non-riders to do. 

Until the park/corporate cleans house and brings in people who actually think outside the box and push for more entertainment. We see Over Texas and Great Adventure having more entertainment. Why can't KI who's attendance and profits are higher? 

[Winterfestguy]

I imagine the second half summer season  of the theater budget is going towards doing Carnival just like last season did with the theater going dark later in June. Carnival has run its course and likely no longer a huge crowd draw for non-pass holders as it once was. 

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

5 hours ago, KI Guy said:

Until Herschend buys the park you mean?

If that happens then I can't wait to hear about how Kings Island never gets any massive thrill coasters anymore  

 

4 hours ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said:

Until the park/corporate cleans house and brings in people who actually think outside the box and push for more entertainment. We see Over Texas and Great Adventure having more entertainment. Why can't KI who's attendance and profits are higher?

I think the major hold up is from both the park and corporate at this point. John Reilly has big visions for more entertainment and better guest experience. Cedar Point hasn't released their entertainment lineup yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if they got to have 10-ish shows to add to their major festivals and events again. Something I really want to know is who made the decision to cut back on Kings Island's Independence Day celebration. It used to be a two-day event and now that Cedar Point is extending theirs to be a whole week, KI only gets one night of festivities. 

Over Texas and Great Adventure were really slacking on their entertainment in recent years, so those don't surprise me. It seems that even after the sale of 6 parks and the upcoming sale of LaRonde, Six Flags seems to be complacent with what Kings Island has. We don't know the rest of the park's entertainment lineup for the 2026 regular season but I really hope it involves some new shows that aren't just [stunt show] and [bubble show]. There could be another show that goes in the KIT after Brad Ross (Kings Dominion had a simple laser show in theirs last year). I think that only required associates to man the theater and to press the buttons, meaning they wouldn't need performers or costumes and the set could be simple.

 

On a separate note: HiFi Honey will be returning to Kings Island for some performances in 2026. That said, it appears someone got their dates wrong when entering them into the website. If I had a nickel for every time someone put the wrong dates for a KI event/show on their website, I'd have two nickels; which isn't a lot but it's odd that it happened twice.

[KI Guy]

5 hours ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said:

Herschend would probably need to sell off a few properties to come up with the money they would need to buy Kings Island. I don't think Six Flags would even think of giving up Kings Island. Too much of a cash cow. 

1) We saw how crazy cheaply they sold off what is now Enchanted Parks.

2) We can't assume the way things are going that there will even be a company called Six Flags in ten years. In the long term anything could happen.

[Buckeye Brad]

I saw Brad Ross at SFSTL last season. It was a fine, wholesome old school magic show, and a refreshing break from the blistering sun. Hopefully he’ll provide some great memories for KI families.