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For those of you speculating the ending with the Crypt meant in that teaser... I'm sorry to break the news to you but...

I don't see KI being sold off anytime soon. KI is a major money maker to the chain and has the highest market penetration. I don't think they'd want to let that go. Also I doubt they'd invest too heavily in a park they plan on selling off.

In my opinion I think the Omnimover system feels much nicer than the carts that smash the doors open on the other boo blasters rides. It gives off old school carnival dark ride, which is fine, but I think the omnimover carts feel more premium, something seen more at a Disney Park. Now would a more dynamic ride vehicle be awesome like what's found on Justice league or Men in Black, but I don't know if that's the right choice for a dark ride like phantom theater (or if SF wants to pony up that kind of money).

Even though I'm disappointed that we are not getting a Vekoma Madhouse, Getting a Vekoma isn't off the table as well. We could be getting something like this if they're replacing the omnimover style ride. https://www.vekoma.com/suspended-dark-ride

My prediction is that it will utilize boo blaster current ride cars and system and just retheme it to Phantom Theater. Reason A: Phantom Theater is already an IP well familiar with Kings Island faithful and nostalgia and marketing are a hell of a thing. Reason B: it wouldn’t cost very much but would still be a “new ride” Reason C: they could utilize a lot of the props they already have and switch out the soundtrack very quickly and easily while also saving a buck. Six Flags Fiesta Texas did a similar thing with their Scooby Doo haunted castle, they simply rethemed it with new guns and a new story with some old props but mostly new and voilà you’ve got yourself a new ride in Pirates of the Deep Sea, I personally think that merchandise featuring the Maestro would be very popular and not to mention nostalgic. I can’t wait for next weeks announcement and I for one seriously hope for a Phantom Theater ride in some capacity, I fully accept that the original isn’t coming back but a “new” version would be welcome, I will be seriously disappointed if they waste this opportunity with a lame ride not to mention they chose to play Tocata Y Fugue which is well known as the Phantom Theater queue music so they REALLY shouldn’t play with people’s emotions by selecting that if they are gonna go a different route so I hope they choose the Maestro and we can once again visit the Theater!

I've decrypted all the clues. The reason they show the Crypt building is...because the ride will encompass both buildings! It will be connected by underground tunnels made by The Boring Company which is desperate to do something that isn't a completely terrible idea.

Mason has changed the way their permits are available to the public online. They go by month. July was the last update....so assuming around the first part of September the permits for August will be viewable.

This is precisely what I meant by my comment. While Six Flags would lose their "most penetrated" (and most reliable), they would likely be keeping Cedar Point. I think if they were to declare bankruptcy someone in their bankruptcy management would force them to sell parks that have another one in their immediate surrounding area. Cedar Point/Kings Island, SFOT/Fiesta Texas, and Magic Mountain/Knotts would probably be the major splits IMO. As I've said before in other words, I hope the transition from Boo Blasters to whatever comes next will be graceful and revitalizing. Let there be some wooden walls/fencing to block the entrance/exit instead of chain link fences with vinyl wraps. Put up some nice concept art boards along the path/fence instead of a rapidly-printed banner held up by string. There's a lot of easy ways to make the construction site look cheap, but there are also a lot of easy ways to make it look good. The difference is just whether or not Six Flags and Kings Island are willing to put in the time and effort to do it nicely.

I don't either, but with this leadership, nothing is off the table. If they were looking to shed many of the underperforming parks, a major park like Kings Island could be the crown with minor parks like WOF, St. Louis, etc. That would fetch a pretty penny. However, Six Flags would loose a ton of recurring revenue for years down the road. Since the merger, though, it appears they only are focused on the here and now and will not look at long term impacts . Of course, I say this as a casual observer. I don't believe they would jettison one of their stalwart parks.

I don't either, but with this leadership, nothing is off the table. If they were looking to shed many of the underperforming parks, a major park like Kings Island could be the crown with minor parks like WOF, St. Louis, etc. That would fetch a pretty penny. However, Six Flags would loose a ton of recurring revenue for years down the road. Since the merger, though, it appears they only are focused on the here and now and will not look at long term impacts . Of course, I say this as a casual observer. I don't believe they would jettison one of their stalwart parks.

Said should infer when I mean could injfer. We'll see when haunt get's here. I would think there would have to be a limit on these because the Conjuring has a limited capacity. Either way capitalism will rule the day, the stockholders must be appeased. I hate that. Corporations no longer care about their employees or their customers, just the stockholders who are often NEITHER an employee or a customer. As far as the "sold out" situation I think what happened is management changed their mind on the price. Maybe a 59.99 will be offered without Conjuring or express lane. They recognized the problem and the quickest way for the IT department to "stop selling them immediately" would be to just put them as "sold out" because that option is probably already on the system (as we saw with Coasterstock). I'm sure their IT Department took a hit when the cuts were made. I think Disney may be interested in that land for their new park.

The more I think about it, the more I think how cool this would be with a phantom theater theme. Imagine this, you pass no legs larry directing you and you ascend upstairs to the balcony and cross the balcony with a view of the theater stage then you travel downwards through the rest of the course.

Don and Ryan both seem pretty confident it's a Phantom Theater reboot even before the teaser, and the breadcrumbs have been there for a bit. I think them bringing the Phantom Theater Encore show a few years back was a nice way to gauge interest (it's a shame they didn't make it a permanent addition; it was a fun show...maybe they can bring it back?). I wouldn't be surprised if they've been talking about brining Phantom Theater back for awhile, even before the Six Flags merger; it's in line with what they did a few years back with bringing the Antique Autos back and honoring the park's history. My guess is they've been figuring out the best way to do this. As much as I'd love the use of The Crypt building at the end of that video to mean they're finally going to do something with that building (beyond a maze that's used for one month of the year), I do think you're right that it's going to be a retheme of Boo Blasters. There's no reason to close that building in September if they're putting the new attraction elsewhere...unless they plan to raze part/all of the building or do something with it as part of the retheme to Looney Tunes (which I still think is happening). Will it use the same omnimover system? I hope not. It's been in use for decades and, honestly, that system feels so cheap and out of date to me. I'd love it if they could gut the building, put a new track in, maybe add some spins (ala Men in Black at Universal). Seems like if they were going to use the same ride system but just dress Boo Blasters up with screens and a few animatronics, they would be able to start after Haunt or Winterfest. Maybe they are going to clear all that out. Who knows!? It's exciting!

Bring back the pumpkin spice funnel cake! I'll fully admit my basic self absolutely loved this and wish they would bring it back for one of the fall food items

This actually truly would be a haunted attraction/maze! Trying to navigate through the DG without getting hurt. Testing your physical strength to move carts/totes that are in your way and your mental stamina for patience to try and find help...but the help is sitting outside on a smoke break yelling at their SO over late bills or kids Sadly I am not a PT fan. I was very young when I got to experience it and honestly barely remember anything about it. I was probably 4-5 years old at the time and it doesn't hold any real value to me. I realize it is very popular with those of you who got to experience it and remember it vividly and if this is a reboot of it, I'm happy for you. But honestly if it is a reboot, it probably won't exactly entice much excitement from me unless they do something really unique/imaginative with it. Otherwise, it'll just be one of those things that I'll wait to do on a day that isn't terribly busy to experience because the nostalgia for this particular thing isn't for me.

If Kings Island gets two rides in one year, I'd be forced to assume that either we won't see any investment for the next 5+ years OR that Kings Island will be sold off to another park chain even sooner. Six Flags doesn't have the money for any big investments, let alone two sizeable ones in one park. I could very well see Six Flags resorting to selling KI if they don't think anyone would take the bait with a park like Dorney or Kings Dominion. There's always the insane possibility that whatever was earmarked for 2026 could still be coming in some form with the Boo Blasters replacement funds having been redirected from another park, but I highly doubt it. Keep your standards low if you don't want to be disappointed by what might come. Personally, I think I'll withhold my judgement until it actually gets announced.

Great job, KI. Now I'm gonna lose a ton of sleep thanks to your epic teaser.

That would be a CP thing to do.

Imo I feel like it would've been better to announce it after Boo Blasters closes to allow focus to be on Boo Blasters getting its last rides. What I would've honestly done is let Boo Blasters run until its closing day (labor day) to keep the speculation going and then like a day or so after it closes, drop this video and have the story be "after the boo castle was boarded up, security was notified of some strange activity going on around the castle so they went in and this video happens..." then announce the official replacement like a week later.

I’m one of those locals!

Although, if they expand my after 4p Express benefits for my AP to Epic, I could get behind this change

I feel like CP and KI’s fortunes are tied- if Six Flags keeps CP but sells KI- they’re basically reigniting the competition both parks had with one another prior to the Paramount parks acquisition.

But isnt “Mr. Announcement” doing the announcements for KI now? If so, it tracks.

No, I think they are using a different model, more like a roller coaster than a dark ride

Reds Hall of Fame Grille

They told me not to go in the shed... I didnt listen and lived to tell the tale...

I agree. Hopefully they do something like that, but they haven't recently. RiverRacers only had the date on it with "Get Ready to Race" and Siren's Curse just had a date on it. Since the first teaser was very vague, I hope other ones reveal more of the theme and/or ride.

I really hope we get another teaser or 2 between now and then. The "to be continued" has me thinking there could be a part 2 of that teaser video.

If we don't see more teasers dropping like every 2-3 days before next Thursday then yes I think it'll get drug out on us lol. They know they can troll the PT fan base and really boost their social media and fan hype over this one.

What if 8/28 is just another teaser and not an announcement LOL

It looks like new photos have gone up online for The Conjuring: Beyond Fear that show more of what this experience may look like. Have any of you purchased a ticket for TC:BF? Do you know if there is a way to choose your group or if it might be a situation where groups are chosen when you get there?

What would honestly be cool to do is when the ride is cycled off for the night they allow a small group of people (sign up ahead of time first come first serve) to actually walk the Boo Blasters course with the lights on as a guided tour.

Personally as a huge fan of Phantom Theater, I’m so glad that they’re announcing it when they are because 1. We should know if the same ride system and layout is being used, which if it’s not I’d have a chance to say goodbye to that. 2. Permits would’ve been leaked in September for at least Boo Blaster’s demolition, so I’m glad there’s still a sense of mystery where there’s not physical leaks for phantom’s return (thought it’s heavily implied) and also there’s still the mystery of what the crypt building is doing at the end of the video. Also random thought for the last day of Boo Blasters since it’s on topic: I wonder if anything special will happen that day. https://x.com/kingsislandpr/status/1956008390989066620?s=46 I wouldn’t be totally shocked if they switched out the opening voice to this for the last night/weekend as a tribute for all the hardcore Boo Blasters fans (who I’m sure exist somewhere)

I do agree I thought they would have waited until after Boo Blasters was closed at least but nonetheless I am still very excited!

It will be interesting to see how the investigation for fraud plays out. I don't personally think much or any intentional fraud has been committed by Six Flags, but the blatant mismanagement and lack of proper announcements — combined with the high amount of euphemizing — could be considered fraud in some sense. I'm curious as to what any other legal experts might think about that. Is that Banner article just talking about how Wild One will close at the end of the season? Or is it about something else? My normal methods of avoiding signing up for free articles didn't seem to work so I can't read much of what was said.

An exciting start to announcement season! I guess now we know what they were filming that one night the Boo Blasters pathway/plaza was closed a month or two ago. I think the new Phantom Theater will replace Boo Blasters, and the shot from the antechamber at the end is either misdirection or something to lead into a new sneak peek for The Conjuring: Beyond Fear. While I'd love for a new ride (especially a Madhouse or a Dynamic Motion Stage) to go in there, I don't see what the use would be for adding two attractions in one off-season when Six Flags is cutting everywhere else. Unless Kings Island is going to be the crown jewel of a package sale, it wouldn't add up. This could also be something where the spooky abandoned theater of PT and the haunted artifacts museum of TC:BF are similar enough in concept to showcase them both together. That would honestly be a really cool way to hype up your guests for what's to come. It could be possible that The Conjuring: Beyond Fear is a one-season test to see whether or not it could be brought to other Haunts throughout the chain. If I remember correctly, CW's is going in one of the newly-reconfigured spaces in Wonder Mountain; Carowinds' is going in their Aeronautica (Action) Theater; and Cedar Point's is going in the old Town Hall Museum building. Kings Island still has the other side of Action Theater they could move this to, or they could build a new Haunt barn like they did with Slaughterhouse if they wanted to.

Honestly this was the best teaser since Mystic Timbers! I am curious however about how this ties in with the Crypt building but its looking for sure that Phantom Theater is returning. I bet we are all excited to see what is officially announced on the 28th!

This was a prop in phantom theater, yes. And the furnace is in Slaughterhouse. (Me when my degree in phantom theaterology pays off)

I've heard urban legends that the "powder keg" wooden barrel at The Beast exit, near the lower queue, is Garbanzo's TNT.

Yes the old boiler is still in slaughterhouse, there at the very end of the maze

Unfortunate they were destroyed. It would be a cool nod to the original attraction if they set up the cannon and mummy in the que or even as part of the ride. I had heard that supposedly the original boiler is in slaughterhouse? I'd also like to see some of the displays from phantom theater encore return like the concept art and that sort of stuff

The animatronics were placed outside the building the first year the haunted house operated. They were all then destroyed (rip) but the mummy’s sarcophagus and garbanzo’s canon was left in the house until they were removed for the encore show.

That’s exactly what they did. They pulled the passes off sale just long enough for KIC, Facebook, TT, etc., to start blasting out “sold out!” posts. Then, magically, the very next morning, they’re back on sale—only at a higher price. It’s not that they sold a certain number of passes. They sold however many they happened to until a set date, then jacked up the price. Same old “Price goes up September 1!” Gold Pass gimmick—just slimier. And look, for those who don’t listen to Tower Topics and for whatever reason care what I think: I’m totally fine with this IF it actually means a better product. I’ll pay for an improved experience. But if 2026 rolls around (assuming we even get Haunt—never underestimate Six’s ability to screw things up) and we’re stuck with a bunch of half-staffed, low-effort mazes besides the new ones then this whole thing’s going to blow up in their faces. That said, I get why people are mad. Folks bought passes expecting the mazes to be included—like they had been for almost 25 years. Yeah yeah, I know someone will run in waving the T&Cs saying, “Technically they can do this!” (have fun at media day, by the way). But come on—this rollout was about as shady and non-transparent as we’ve all come to expect. My take: 30% chance: They actually deliver something elevated, it catches on, and people come to see the upcharge as worth it. 70% chance: The new stuff is solid, but the rest is the same tired filler. People may feel like maybe Conjuring is worth it, but everything else is a ripoff. By 2026, sales dip, by 2027 the mazes are a Prestige perk, by 2028 they’re back in Gold, and by 2030, everything’s reverted to how it’s always been. At the end of the day, Kings Island’s Haunt worked because the mazes were included, and that’s why the lines were huge. If you wanted haunted houses specifically, there’s already plenty of competition around here. So is this going to stand alongside Dent Schoolhouse, Land of Illusion, and the rest? Or is it going to be, in my brother’s words, “a crap sandwich, hold the bread”? Your move, Kings Island.

All I’m asking… please be phantom theater!!

Ok so, I'm not in any way shape or form a huge fan of pumpkin spice or seeing the need for everything to be pumpkin spice flavored...however...I really really reeeeeeally LOVED the pumpkin spice funnel cake that they had a few years back as one of the special treat offerings during the fall season. I would be stoked if they brought it back every year and not as a mini-funnel cake, but a full sized one.

A hot dog cart (or as they're called in some European countries, a pølsevogne) on International Street. It's another quick service option that can be run by one person.

The bakeries on I-Street would be a nice comeback.

That squirrel had Fast Lane, evidently......

Not anymore I don’t think, they used to be outside the crypt building, but that’s been quite a long time ago, when they did the Phantom Theatre encore two years ago, there was only a few animatronics still around, and they were only fragments and pieces, my guess is 99% of those are OG animatronics are gone