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Caught a few additional images from the Sally display at IAPPA from an interview with Tony Clark on Facebook: Hopefully that video is released at some point, I’d love to see it. Love that BTS stuff.

Glad to see more retracking on The Beast!

IAAPA's Funworld has released this video with new information from Sally Dark Rides: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIPiFcuFBxs This video also has the full press conference: It was a great day. I was very moved being there for this.

^That's more than retracking!

NightFlight Expedition has its own thread now.

I am really intrigued with this footage and I'm scouring every IAAPA video to find it lol. Arpeggio looks really good, I'm kind of surprised that they weren't included in the display as well so I'm not greedy. I don't have the screenshots, but I saw that they're showing off the character posters during it as well, and a vulture and mummy animatronic were in it too. I wonder if the top character they're working on in the third image is Houdelini or another character.

As hesitant as I was for the new style of the ride, it's growing on me. I think the new style will definitely make it more palatable for younger audiences while doing a good job of retaining their images. The largest difference (to me) is the fact that they look less gaunt and more hauntingly lively. (Also, it's almost opening night for the new theater, of course Maestro is going to make sure his hair is done and his face looks good!) Those photos being over 20 years old and using full flash definitely doesn't help the case for them. I think the weirdest part of this reveal is the fact that they decided to use the red Kings Island logo with the blue flag on both the top sign and the screen. You'd think they could have used the white logo with the red flag instead. The last time we really saw the red logo used was earlier on in the Cedar Fair era. On the flip side, I really enjoyed that they used a red curtain-like drape with gold tie backs for the cover and that they chose to put the two "curtain pullers" in full costume instead of just having them wear slacks and a polo. I also noticed that they did the same for the reveal of the Tormenta car. If this is the length that the company is willing to go then I think this might be a sign as to how much theming we might continue to see in the future. The flashlights look like they might be a little weird to use. I'm wondering if that is the same model found on other rides that use the flashlight system and how it has worked out for those attractions. It might have a learning curve for Kings Island guests who are so used to using the Ghost Blaster guns. This version of Maestro definitely sounds a lot like Richard Doyle. If it somehow isn't his voice then major props to whoever it is. No Legs Larry kind of sounds like one of the actors who portrayed him in Phantom Theater Encore. I was watching through the 50th Anniversary Archives POV earlier and noticed some parts of the original ride that each felt like they were missing something. The hallway of doors definitely felt empty from when you saw Houdelini, Garbonzo, and Bosco until the electric panel scene. I think the interactive elements would help to fill those "empty" spots in the ride that might've harmed the pacing in the original. We also have a new name I think we should call the Phantom Theater soundtrack: "Terror Toccata".

Double posting to share this video Orlando Experience took at IAAPA. You can see the screen on the left side as well as a less crowded view of the display at the end of the video.

The white Chevy Express really sells the whole thing

Ghost Blasters and Ghost Blasters II are the base models of the Boo Blasters on Boo Hill property from Sally Dark Rides. The ride that Canada's Wonderland, Carowinds, Kings Dominion, and Kings Island received is specifically the Ghost Blasters II model, which was also installed at Elitch Gardens in 2008. The new animatronics, new screens, and new flashlights will definitely help to differentiate it from SDatHC and BBoBH. I don't know if Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare is an exclusive partnership between Kings Island/Six Flags and SDR or if other parks will eventually have the option to purchase it, but I think the most we'll see in the short term would be to replace the CW, CAR, and KD versions of Boo Blasters.

Maestro looks perfect! A blend of cool, creepy ish, and cute! I love this so much! The presentation, the IAAPA exclusive lines from Maestro and No Legs Larry, the way they revealed them with the curtain and the people dressed as ushers.. Just absolutelu splendid!

They also included this cool concept piece that I believe we saw in a previous YouTube video/interview:

They’re perfect. The music. The voices. The posters. The dialog. Thank you Kings Island. This is better than I expected.

I’m really loving how active the socials have been about this new dark ride. It appears that the park and the marketing teams realize how special this is and they are really pushing it which makes me happy. You can tell there are lots of passionate people bringing this project to life and they want to show us all the work and time going into this addition!

Me in high school drawing and redrawing the leaked Diamondback layout on every notebook I had. Ha!

Another sign WinterFest is getting closer, the Eiffel Tower Christmas Tree is all lit up now!

Only thing that could really ruin it for me would be lack of regular upkeep.