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Because they moved heavy machinery in there and didn't use small man and machinery crews so work on the exterior of the building. They did it as fast and a cheaply as they could which probably includes ripping out trees that are in the way. I know the Cincinnati Zoo gets quoted higher prices by construction companies when they mandate that certain large shade trees must be saved during the construction process

I feel BGW is one of those parks that doesn't need a giga coaster. It's almost too scenic to have something that big kind of dwarf the park.

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.

Possibly so...I know they sent parts from World's of Fun to valley Fair a few years ago I think when world's of fun lost the "octopus" monster ride. I'm still curious whatever happened to the one Dorney removed a few years ago? Honestly the fact the one at Kings Island is an opening day attraction and came from Coney Island is probably the only reason it's still getting invested in to be kept around. Glad Kings Island is trying to keep it going. Arguably there is no flat ride more beautiful on a midway than an Eyerly Monster (other than maybe a classic carousel)

The Orion spacecraft hit true giga heights 😝

So I'm digging the color scheme. I am still on the band wagon of they should have gotten rid of the castle and made a custom facade for the building but hey I get it sometimes you just repurpose what you already have. For reusing the castle it looks pretty darn good. Love the new colors and the treble clefs on the towers are spot on. I do think the wooden slats with the eyes cheapens the look (has really bad boo blasters vibes for me). Overall looks decent and I hope at a minimum they got rid of that stupid mouth with the teeth you walk into...like replace it with theater doors at least please. What kinds of theater haunted or not has a giant mouth with teeth as the entrance?

Granted, we haven’t seen the entrance in its entirety yet, but I can’t imagine why they’d have to remove the trees they did, here.

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

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).

We got a saloon now?!!!! Jk it's probably that bar that was put in by the conjuring/crypt building

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!

Agree - its WAY too much going on and introduces a conflict into the narrative based on what we've seen so far. The interior looks "new" - just spooky but not abandoned and rediscovered. I seemed like the story was more "this is a phantom theatre that brings the spirit world's best entertainment to the living - enjoy the newest production" not "we have discovered a long-abandoned theatre and have 'disturbed the spirits' with our need to 'see the theatre" Now it's a comically distressed looking exterior that doesn't really look authentically distressed and a new looking interior - maybe the show scene will tie it all togther, but as of now REALLY not liking the exterior. Should've not done the crumbling plater and boarded up windows. WAY too literal and not in a good way

They’ve advertised on the event pages for it and opening day that you’ll be among the first to ride it, and they’ve giving out keychains on opening day to the first so many riders of it while supplies last. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have never been someone who believes SOB will be resurrected, but lately I have been dreaming about what that could look like so I came up with this overhead sketch of an RMC. Just to clarify how this would work, the drop out of the station and the entrance into the brake run would thread right through Banshee. The drop out of the station would dive under Banshee's upward turn into the inline twist and the finale into the brake run would go right over the exit out of the second vertical loop and right through the supports underneath the inline twist. I included some elements from the original SOB like the predrop, the double helix, and vertical loop, but added some new elements and a new twist on things. For example, the first turn is an outerbank turn like Steel Vengeance has and at the top of the double helix features a giant cutback element. The coaster then extends more towards the boneyard area and the finale would hug that downward slope going towards Banshee and the station.

Short video teasing the “new” facade has found its way to Instagram. Check it out! The disembodied flashlight hands are… a choice. But I’m impressed with the amount of work that went into this. Still think it looks like a castle, though. Looks good!

Looking closely at the "new" concrete path, there does seem to be some sort of temporary fencing set up likely for an extended queue.

Man. If the filled in the castle dental molding, it would’ve looked 100% better. Looks fine from this perspective. What’s inside matters the most. Definitely still looks like a castle.

I'm fine with it, there's more new paint and architectural changes than there were with the conversion to Boo Blasters so it's much better. Screenshot included in the spoiler because the video was taken from a moving car and is hard to see.

There was a relocated merch stand which could possibly be the structure if it hasn’t moved, which could justify having to build the concrete expansion. It could also be entrance for an extended queue line, as I think the assumption from most people is that they’re building one. For as excited as I am for Phantom, I’m sorta dreading the opening weekend for it. Here’s hoping that the weather is thundery and horrible, so that it’s a quirky thing because there’s a thunderstorm in the ride plot, but the line will maybe only be one hour instead of 4+.

^^that honestly looks a little bit like the frame from the display at IAAPA

Opening day queue predictions. queue will extend into the Enchanted Theatre. Utilizing rope switchbacks throughout the space. Will likely be a 3+ hour queue

I feel a change in the wind.

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.

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.

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.

I thought for sure they were filling the Royal Fountain yesterday, but it was hard to be sure, today the reflection of the Eiffel Tower is in the fountain, another sign that Passholder Preview Day & Opening Day is getting closer! 🙂 Edit, it may not be the towers reflection, just its shadow, it's hard to tell. I have screenshots of around this time, and the shadow/reflection isn't in the fountain.

I don’t believe there has been an announcement for Coastermania ‘26 at CP either.

I'd think so too. Still plenty of time to get things done. Absolutely. I imagine the lights will be updated to help signify it's return. I'm happy to see the flat rides get some TLC. I'm not personally able to ride most of them (got vertigo from labyrinthitis years ago, now I get super dizzy on anything that spins) but my wife and kids absolutely love spinning rides. You can bet they'll be on monster a some point this season!

I don't know, specifically, but I'd imagine they could use a forklift vs. a crane.

You for sure will see me in the park this year. First time since 2019 I have a season pass. Obviously I wouldn't be posting my constructive criticism if I still was employed by the company. The event lineup is a very minor issue to me. I'll still go when I get the chance. I just think the park can do better when it comes to special events and live entertainment. Obviously we still don't know the stage shows for this year but I'm sure Hot Rhythmn Nights is returning. Not sure about Showplace, Festhaus, or the KI Theater though as last year was the 2nd year for the shows in those venues. Even if the park just did a bands in residence program on select stages throughout the park like the carousel stage, LaRosas patio in Rivertown, Enriques patio, and Action Zone along with the existing entertainment lineup I'd be happy!

KI being in a mature market is a poor excuse to not do dive in movies or passholder ERT events or pop up events that would appeal more to the locals than those out of town. Agree with Don that is not a wise move to tamper with ACE and JDRF but KI may have not had a choice bc the economy isn't the best right now and costs continue to increase everywhere. ACE may need to consider increasing their membership fees to accomodate rising costs of doing events like this. I personally think the park needs to start looking at making changes higher up in event planning. While I hate calling for jobs, I'm starting to get really frustrated with those high up in that area. While they may have their hands tied by corporate, There are other parks in the chain that are thinking outside the box when it comes to events and live entertainment (see Jeff Siebert's parks) while KI is just "ok let's just do food and wine at the beginning of summer and then a bigger fireworks show for 4th of July and then a watered down Carnivale and then Haunt and Winterfest." While I know there are other parks out there who would love to have an event lineup like that, it is a bit lackluster for a park like Kings Island with a huge fan and pass base where not that long ago used to have stacked event lineups and partnerships with outside vendors and would do all these pop up events and even charity stuff. Remember Kicks Cancer or the color runs? Changing subject, but I noticed Pass Preview has been changed to "Perks and Play Pass Preview" like Carowinds. There's still time for them to throw some sort of charity donation event into there for that as well as a Q&A/Presentation session.

It all comes down to money, or lack thereof. And while we may not agree, they see KI as a full-filled, growth limited market and don't believe the gains would exceed the costs. And Orion-XL200 has pointed out many times KI isn't hurting for attendance. That is why Texas is currently seeing the spend - they are deemed a market with a lot of growth potential.

Right, but they need to keep the name to build a following. Switching it up every two years won't gather the following. Who knows if KI changed the food offerings since they didn't have tasting cards lol. Or maybe that is why they didn't so the food could stay the same...

The special event lineup has been posted! Outside of a few extra nights for Star Spangled Nights, it's basically what we expected. Food and Wine and Carnivale are back. https://www.sixflags.com/kingsisland/events A few thoughts: While I'm glad Food and Wine is back, I will continue to die on the hill and preach it should be a late April through Memorial Day event not a late May through June event Carnivale has run its course imo. A little bit disappointed it's back but we all knew it was coming since Tony supposedly said it at No Coaster Con. Imo if they aren't going to return it to 2019 levels than they should retire it A big missed opportunity with Pass Preview by not doing what Carowinds did with some sort of charity donation event. There are plenty of charities around here and would be a perfect opportunity to do it. Also a pass member Q&A/presentation session would've been perfect. I don't like complaining, but I'm getting kinda bored of the same old same old at KI year after year when it comes to events. Food and Wine was a good start imo, but there hasn't been any new event added since. I personally think there should be some sort of new event added every other year or so. Moving Food and Wine to April/May would open up the door for some sort of June event in between that and a peak summer event (Carnivale). My request is some sort of Kids event like Peanuts Celebration or Kidzfest. Another event I want is some sort of BBQ/Brew event which I think I just heard CP is getting this year. Overall, I'll be happy with what we have and will enjoy the events, but I'm starting to get frustrated with leadership rn.

They've been actively working on the dirt pile behind Orion with what looks to be a front loader and dump trucks the last few days. It is hard to see if it is clearing or just dirt.

I believe Adventure Port has the new brown metal bins. Camp Snoopy has some metal bins, but they also have some reskinned gray plastic bins. All of Area 72 has gray plastic bins if I recall correctly. Magic Mountain also received some new metal bins in their park entrance area for 2025. Carowinds might have gotten some for their Camp Snoopy. I know Cedar Point got some blue bins for the Main Midway. I meant to mention in my original post, but user Dancegames on Reddit made a digital version of the Worlds of Fun trash can stickers. I'm sure someone could easily put other park logos on it if you really wanted to. Image: u/Dancegames on Reddit.

Are the Adventure port trash cans the same as the newer ones like area 72 and camp snoopy because if it is it shows a trend of them moving to that newer design of trash cans to each area. Maybe 2027 could see all new trash cans for the whole park instead of a ride wouldn't that be nice! Seriously would not want something unless it was big. Savor the small things the moments that you get in the mean time it isn't about the ride it's about the people your company it is bigger than a place it is where people can have good people in there lives it brings them together. So what if it takes 4-5 more years. But if adventure port has the bad trash cans it could just be for a lack of capital in the investment or it coudl be that it doesn't matter to them.

If it means more budget for the actual ride experience/show, I think it’s worth it to update what’s there. But yeah, an original facade would be preferable. Guess we’ll see. Ultimately, I’d say what’s inside the building will matter more.

I'm cautiously optimistic as always, the ride has a lot of potential but I also know that this is SIX operations so I'll keep expectations low so that if it's a success I'll be far more happy than before. Which I'll be frank, I like the idea that they're rejuvenating it for a new audience and all but I miss the old PT vibes that we had. Hopefully we can get some decent call backs and a true come to form from the old attraction.

I think you’re right.

I think you could do quite a bite with the existing facade to make it work. The castle dental molding should go, as well as the turret style features (which they seem to be addressing now). A lot of the existing colors in the art design (from what we’ve seen) could be incorporated into what’s there. Mocked up this concept over the last few days to try and visualize what it could be. Not sure how it would work, but I’d really love to see some kind of marquee added to the front inspired by the original: Excited to see what they do.

No sure if this has been mentioned, but it appears they have primed the entire facade of the former castle entrance.

Some footage…

Soooo… You wanted to see spoilers, did ya? Proceed with caution. Hyped to hear it’ll be ready opening day! Photo credits: Great Ohio Coaster Club Kernny-Cation Really, reaaaaally loving how this is coming together.

A warning for anyone else who’s trying to go in spoiler free for the actual ride experience (which I’ve decided is me at this point, but maybe people who frequent the construction updates may not share the same view). There’s a media construction tour of the new ride happening today, and there’s not a spoiler embargo (I’ve already seen some photos inside the ride), so be cautious on social media if you’re wanting to avoid that. But also maybe today we’ll get logistical updates like an opening date, so that would be cool to see.

Is it just me or am I getting serious 2016 vibes with this ad on the website? Reminds me a lot of the banner on the entrance back in 2016 Photo source: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=122124750639113270&set=pcb.2797682560564843

Really cool to see it in the top three with Disney and Dollywood.

It has more to do with Six Flags has said Texas is an undersaturated market, so they are spending big there. Now what happens if/when that doesn't turn into the numbers they expect to see...

I think a lot of the improvements and investments at SFOT for 2026 (there are a ton of improvements) are thanks to Jeffrey Siebert being at the helm of both SFOT and Fiesta Texas. He's super dedicated to what he does and knows what it takes to make these parks amazing. I wish we could have 7 shows this season, let alone all of the other little improvements it seems KI currently needs. Some of those look really good! I hope they're available at more than just Grain and Grill, though. I'm not a healthy eater by any means, but having healthier meals served in at least two areas of the park would be great for those who are health conscious.

Looks like some healthier dining options this season! Much needed.