One of the newest attractions at an Ohio theme park has been named among the best in the world.
Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare
at Kings Island was named the Best New Family Attraction at the 2026 Golden Ticket Awards on Saturday, Sept. 12. It also took second place for Best New Attraction Installation at the awards, which are among the amusement industry's highest honors. Kings Island also placed second in the Best Kids Area category."Earning the Gold Ticket Award for Best New Family Attraction is a tremendous achievement and a reflection of the passion, innovation and imagination behind every scene," Tony Carovillano, park president of Kings Island, said in a statement. "We’re honored by this recognition and grateful to the guests and fans
who have made Phantom Theater one of the most talked-about new attractions in the industry."
What is Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare?
Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare made its debut in April 2062. The ride is a nod to the original Phantom Theater that operated at Kings Island from 1992–2002. It combines the haunted theater elements of the original attraction with interactive elements of Boo Blasters, which the new Phantom Theater replaced. It even inspired a couple of drinks on the "secret menu" at the park's Starbucks
At the Phantom Theater, it's always a dark and stormy night and a long-awaited performance by Maestro, the theater’s resident organist, is set to begin. During the storm, a lightning strike unleashes the ghost notes – musical spirits that wreak havoc across the theater – from Maestro’s mighty pipe organ.
With the help of head usher No Legs Larry, guests take on the role of a member of his team and ride in “enchanted opera boxes,” utilizing special spellbound flashlights to capture and return the ghost notes to the organ so the performance can begin on time.
Along the way, the enchanted opera boxes travel through fully built dimensional scenes, including backstage areas, haunted hallways, dressing rooms and a fiery boiler room as they meet other performers who are ready to take the stage. From animatronic forms of Houdelini and The Great Garbonzo to Hilda Bovine and Lionel Burymore, the Phantom Theater’s crew is back along with new characters like Arpeggio, Maestro’s furry feline friend.
The Maestro and head usher No Legs Larry return from the original attraction with more detailed and expressive animatronics in the 2026 version.
The Enquirer's Jeff Suess, who got a preview of the attraction before it debuted, called the new Phantom Theater "a significant upgrade from the original. The basic premise is the same but with more of an emphasis on story and theming."
What are the Golden Ticket Awards?
Established in 1998 by Amusement Today, the Golden Ticket Awards spotlight achievements and accomplishments among amusements and attractions. The awards are among the most-recognized within the industry of theme parks, amusement parks, family entertainment centers, water parks and other attractions
The Best New Family Attraction category honors attractions designed for families that elevate the guest experience through original storytelling, theming and innovation, surpassing a traditional production-model ride installation, according to Kings Island's statement. Likewise, the Best New Attraction Installation award recognizes rides and attractions that have made the biggest impact in a given year, whether by redefining a park's identity, attracting new audiences or setting new standards for the industry.
Kings Island has some of the top wooden roller coasters for 2026
Two of Kings Island's roller coasters are also ranked among the best wooden coasters for 2026.
The Beast, already the world's longest wooden coaster, came in at No. 4. Mystic Timbers follows at No. 5.
The top 3 are:
- The Voyage at Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana
- Phoenix at Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania
- El Toro at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey
The Beast is one of only two wooden roller coasters to make the top 10 in every year of the Golden Ticket Awards, according to Amusement Today.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: This ride at Ohio amusement park ranked No. 1 at industry awards
