Kings Island in Ohio has unveiled its new Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare dark ride ahead of its opening tomorrow, 18 April.
Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare is located at the site of the park's original Phantom Theater dark ride, in the structure previously occupied by Boo Blasters on Boo Hill.
Guests will enter the attraction's "hallowed halls on a dark and stormy night", Kings Island said in a press release.
Inside, a performance by the theater's resident organist Maestro is set to begin, but a lightning strike unleashes mischievous musical spirits from Maestro's pipe organ.
Alongside head usher No Legs Larry, guests will ride in "enchanted opera boxes", using special spellbound flashlights to capture and return the spirits so the performance can begin.
During the ride experience, guests will travel through immersive scenes, including backstage areas, haunted hallways, dressing rooms and a fiery boiler room.
Riders will also enjoy multi-sensory effects such as wind and sound, hidden Easter eggs throughout, and an on-stage musical finale.
Additionally, characters from the original ride to return in animatronic form will include Houdelini, the Great Garbonzo, Hilda Bovine, and Lionel Burymore.
“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 last year.
"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."
Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare is manufactured by Sally Dark Rides.
Images courtesy of Kings Island
