Leaderboard

Looks like media day is scheduled for next Thursday, April 16th. Check out the video on Instagram Looks like the park sent media outlets a “trunk” with a flashlight that can be used to reveal a hidden message within the box. Unfortunately, looks like the flashlight in this video doesn’t work. Ha. Hopefully not a sign of things to come. They also included a ticket that references the opening years of each version of the ride. The box itself features some throwback character images and Easter eggs. “Ship to Bosco” is a fun throwback. Hoping we see him in the ride, if he ever got that dressing room door open. Haha. The “Haunted Theater” was the original concept/name the park came up with before R&R got on the project, if I remember correctly. Happy to take one of these off someone’s hands…

I cannot imagine a ride of this scope and complexity hasn't been testing already for some time now. A ride like this is almost certainly going to be considerably more complex compared to any roller coaster, at least from a controls perspective. And as the controls system complexity increases, so too do the number of potential failure modes, etc. All of that takes time to work through.

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.

I have a strong reason to believe this ride will be a hit and fan favorite

When was the last time we saw a media preview package like this? Orion's announcement? This is cool to see.

I will be upset if I get to the park next week (!!!) and they aren’t selling plushies of the characters. Also figures and a flashlight toy and other unique stuff like that.

I really love the packaging of the invite box. If there’s any merch that requires packaging (doubtful for this season but there’s some cool merch opportunities with this) I hope they use a similar aesthetic. The Haunted Theater logo is a deep cut, I wonder if that’s concept art from the 1992 ride.

Very valid point... maybe there is a reason they haven't put it all back together yet? I'm curious if it was always the plan to retire the Cedar Point one or if they realized they needed more parts for the KI one and were like "crap we just sold Valley Fair and CP is our only option?" Or maybe the Cedar Point one needed the same part as the KI one and they just said nah it's not worth waiting a year to get the part and trying to fix it

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. 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. 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)

Got a survey from Busch Gardens Williamsburg that had some interesting new additions for the poll... Honestly I would be really excited to see some of these actually happen!

Owen Varga on the KI Season Pass Holders group on Facebook shared his media package and here's what he said about the secret message: I think it's probably better viewed in person, but either way it's a nice little media package!

https://www.sixflags.com/canadaswonderland/attractions/the-daredeviler Looks like wonderland just officially announced the refurbishment of their SLC using the trains they acquired from Six Flags America

Is that one someone someone we know well?

The ride posters when posted on the construction fence had the wrong stats because someone didn’t bother to ask someone if they were right.

Mystic Timbers

BGW is my favorite of the United Parks properties—it’s a gorgeous park. It’s the only theme park I’ve ever been to where the backstage areas were pretty as well 🙂

You are taking the survey too literal. It does say "over 300-foot" in the description.

Do you think Phantom Theater is testing yet? The park has about 10 days left to get it tested and commissioned, so I'd assume they will start soon if they haven't yet. I wonder how much of the testing is getting the vehicles and animatronics moving again and how much of it is getting people in the cars to test out the flashlights. It would be interesting to know if they get enough people to fill the ride to capacity and test it or if the first time it'll be at capacity will be on the 17th. The promotional photoshoot could be one of those times to get everything tested and working as well.

I think they used the same AI tech that @Hawaiian Coasters 325used for his Rivertown building;)

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.

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

I think it will definitely look better if/when the foliage grows in. Removing the eyes does make the windows look a little plain, but the issues with the parapet could be solved by adding a roof trim like the original had. It could either be flat (like the image below) or still be curved to go with the rest of the current structure. The rubble and missing stucco details are fine IMO. They add to the rundown look the ride is going for. (I think this image was made by either BryanJay or Hawaiian Coasters 325, sorry if I got it wrong though!) One thing that keeps getting me is all of the people who are baffled to see that the ride will have a very cartoon-y art style. I completely understand why they wanted a more refined look, but this should not be a shock to anyone who's seen the singular piece of promotional art that's been used for the new ride since August.