A ride that closed at Kings Island over 20 years ago is set to make its return in a brand-new form next year.
On Thursday, Kings Island announced it’s bringing back the Phantom Theater ride that closed in 2002, with the same quirky characters and chaos but also modern technology, enhanced scenic elements and expanded storytelling. The dark ride will be located in its original space, where Boo Blasters on Boo Hill is currently. The ride will be called Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare and it will make its debut in the spring.
Kings Island teased the return of Phantom Theater in a short and cryptic video last week, exciting the ’90s and early ’00s kids who got to experience the original ride.
“Families who have visited Kings Island will remember how special the original Phantom Theater was, and they’ve always wanted it to return,” Tony Carovillano, park manager of Kings Island, said in a press release. “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.”
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Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare will be a comedic and fast-paced family adventure, says the park. The story begins on a dark and stormy night of the grand reopening of the haunted Phantom Theater, where audiences are ready for the long-awaited performance by the theater’s organist, Maestro. But lightning strikes, unleashing the ghost notes — mischievous musical spirits that will wreak havoc on the theater.
To stop the ghost notes, riders will become part of head usher No Legs Larry’s team, riding in “enchanted opera boxes” and using “spellbound flashlights” to capture the ghost notes and return them to the organ so the performance can begin on time.
The enchanted opera boxes will move through 26 fully built dimensional scenes, including backstage, haunted hallways, dressing rooms and a boiler room, meeting animatronic forms of original performers along the way, like Houdelini, The Great Garbanzo, Hilda Bovine and Lionel Burymore. There will also be new surprises, including Arpeggio, Maestro’s furry feline friend.
The scenes will also feature multi-sensory effects like wind and sound, hidden Easter eggs and a grand, on-stage musical finale with all cast members.
Boo Blasters on Boo Hill will close to make way for Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare. The last day you can ride it will be Monday, Sept. 1.
Kings Island, 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason. More info: visitkingsisland.com.
This article appears in Aug 20 – Sep 2, 2025.
