Theme park fans of a certain age are going to want to listen up. Kings Island—one of the most important regional parks in the country—is officially bringing back Phantom Theater, the cult-favorite dark ride that debuted in 1992 and disappeared far too soon.
If you’re not familiar with Kings Island, it's one of the crown jewels of the Midwest. Located just outside Cincinnati, the park is nationally famous for its roller coaster lineup, including legendary wood coaster The Beast, hyper coaster Diamondback and giga coaster Orion. But while coasters make the headlines, Phantom Theater has held a special place for longtime Kings Island fans—the ride fans never stopped asking about.
Originally positioned as Kings Island’s answer to Disney’s Haunted Mansion (but with more jokes and less doom), Phantom Theater operated for a full decade before closing in 2002. The attraction was later replaced by a Scooby-Doo shooter ride that still exists today as Boo Blasters on Boo Hill. Now, in a full-circle moment, Boo Blasters is closing after September 1 to make room for Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare, opening in April 2026.
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The story centers on the grand reopening of the Phantom Theater on a stormy night, when a lightning strike sends magical “ghost notes” flying out of Maestro’s pipe organ. Guests ride through the attraction in enchanted opera boxes, armed with spellbound flashlights, helping No Legs Larry restore order before the show goes completely off the rails.
Fan-favorite characters are back—including Houdelini, Hilda Bovine, Lionel Burymore and The Great Garbanzo—along with a new character named Arpeggio, Maestro’s cat. The ride will feature 26 interactive scenes, expanded sets, modern effects and a full musical finale, all built by Sally Dark Rides.
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The reboot stays true to what made the original Phantom Theater resonate in the first place: humor that works for kids without winking too hard at adults, spooky vibes that never cross into scary and a hauntingly clear story that unfolds scene by scene.
While the original attraction ran for 10 years before closing in 2002, its characters and music never fully disappeared from the park’s collective memory, resurfacing in fan forums, ride retrospectives and even an official POV video Kings Island later shared online.
View this post on InstagramAccording to Kings Island park manager Tony Carovillano, the goal this time is to strike a balance between nostalgia and innovation. “Families who have visited Kings Island will remember how special the original Phantom Theater was, and they’ve always wanted it to return,” he said. “While paying homage to the original ride, Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare’s modern and advanced features will help create new memories and stories for all who take their seat inside this amazing experience.”
For longtime Kings Island fans, it’s a comeback they’ve been waiting years to see.
Related: The Roller Coasters Amusement Park Superfans Are Most Excited to Ride in 2026
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