Tower Topics

Cedar Point is bringing back Fresh-Cut Fries Fest September 10–13, and this year’s promotion comes with a deliciously unusual twist: guests with qualifying “Fry” last names can get free admission. In this episode of Tower Topics, we discuss Cedar Point’s creative promotion, why it could generate major buzz, and what makes Fresh-Cut Fries Fest such a popular event.

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Does Kings Island need a new ride to convince you to buy or renew a 2027 season pass? With no major new attraction announced for 2027, we debate what really drives season pass value at Kings Island. From The Beast, Diamondback, Orion, Mystic Timbers and Phantom Theater to food, cleanliness, entertainment, festivals and overall park improvements, is the current lineup enough?

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Kings Island is closed for two weekends in September—but that doesn’t mean your amusement park season has to stop! Don Helbig and Ryan Suhr discuss the best regional parks to visit while Kings Island is closed, including Cedar Point and its 2026 HalloWeekends event.

From Steel Vengeance and world-class roller coasters to haunted mazes, scare zones, live entertainment, and the new Diablo: Inferno...

Five months after its opening, what are guests REALLY saying about Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare at Kings Island? In this episode of Tower Topics, we dive into guest sentiment surrounding Kings Island’s newest dark ride, from nostalgia for the original Phantom Theater to the animatronics, physical sets, music, details, and overall ride experience. Is Opening Nightmare a worthy successor? We break down what guests love, w...

How did Kings Island’s 2026 summer season really go? Don Helbig and Ryan Suhr break down the biggest wins, disappointments, surprises, food & beverage changes, dining plan controversy, entertainment, Grand Carnivale, and the massive success of Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare. Was 2026 a good season for Kings Island—or a mixed bag? Find out in this episode of Tower Topics!

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Kings Island is celebrating Season Passholders and Members during Passholder Appreciation Weekend, September 4–7, 2026—but are the perks enough? We break down the $19.99 Bring-A-Friend ticket, $10 WinterFest loyalty reward, special offers, bonus ride time, and the big question every drink plan holder is asking: Will Kings Island finally have ICE? We also discuss guest experience, park cleanliness, customer loyalty, and ...

Did Kings Island just get snubbed from the annual USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards for Best Theme Park Halloween Event? Despite adding two brand-new mazes—Metal Massacre and Jason: Blood Rain—and bringing back fan-favorite shows like Ghouls Gone Wild and Nightwalkers, Kings Island was completely left off this year's top 20 ballot. On this episode of Tower Topics, Don Helbig and Ryan Suhr dive deep into the panel'...

What if Kings Island had saved Vortex instead of tearing it down? On this episode of Tower Topics, Ryan Suhr and Don Helbig look back at the legendary 1987 coaster, its six inversions, iconic presence in Coney Mall, and the legacy it left behind. With Hersheypark investing in SuperDooperLooper for its 50th anniversary, we ask whether Kings Island should have pursued a major Vortex refurbishment—and what saving this historic c...

Six Flags is taking Halloween Haunt to the next level with 11 new IP-driven haunted mazes, including Friday the 13th, Final Destination, The Blair Witch Project, and Diablo. We break down the new attractions, returning mazes, and the ongoing debate over paid haunted attractions—including what it means for Kings Island Haunt.

Plus, we discuss Haunt night rides, scare zones, and...

Dollywood’s NightFlight Expedition is unlike anything we’ve experienced before! Join us on Tower Topics as we break down this groundbreaking $60+ million attraction—a hybrid of a dark ride, roller coaster, and motion simulator featuring immersive storytelling, cutting-edge technology, and an unforgettable adventure. We discuss our first ride experience, the story of Cora and Jasper Oakley, the Secret Lake, the Bio...

Should you buy a 2027 Kings Island season pass now—or wait? In this episode of Tower Topics, Don Helbig and Ryan Suhr break down whether Kings Island has earned your renewal after a frustrating 2026 season. From staffing and limited events to declining food quality, park investment, and season pass pressure, we discuss why waiting could be the smarter move for some guests. Find out why giving Kings Island time to prove that 2...

Six Flags CEO John Riley says the company is leaning more heavily into special events and entertainment over major capital investments like new roller coasters. What could that mean for Kings Island and the next big coaster? In this episode of Tower Topics, we break down Six Flags’ latest comments, the future of events, coaster investment, WinterFest, and what Kings Island fans should expect next. Plus, we discuss the Kings I...

Six Flags is changing the game for season passholders with new language that could impact your home park, renewal eligibility, pricing, and benefits. In this episode of Tower Topics, we break down the latest Six Flags season pass terms, regional pass loopholes, home park rules, Prestige Pass pricing, and whether the company is trying to outsmart its guests—or simply protect its business. What does this mean for Kings Island, ...

Celebrate National Roller Coaster Day with a look at how Kings Island could become a major destination for coaster enthusiasts!  On this episode of Tower Topics, Don Helbig and Ryan Suhr discuss ideas for a special National Roller Coaster Day event at Kings Island, including behind-the-scenes tours of The Beast and The Racer, exclusive ride time, coaster history, special guests, and unique experiences for roller coaster fans. ...

Could Kings Island create a premium, separately ticketed family Halloween event to complement Tricks and Treats and Halloween Haunt?  In this episode of Tower Topics, Don Helbig and Ryan debate whether an exclusive after-hours event with kid-friendly rides, trick-or-treat trails, characters, entertainment, special food, and limited capacity could fill a major gap for families at Kings Island. Could an idea inspired by events a...

Get the latest on Six Flags Halloween Haunt 2026 as we break down the official announcement of Jason Bloodline, the all-new Friday the 13th haunted maze replacing Hotel Saint Michelle. We discuss what this major addition means for Halloween Haunt, how licensed IP attractions could shape the future of Six Flags' Halloween events, and whether this is the start of a bigger investment in immersive haunted mazes. If you're a fan of King...

Will Kings Island's 2026 Halloween Haunt attraction pass change the future of Haunt? In this episode of Tower Topics, Ryan and Don discuss what other Six Flags parks have revealed about Haunt passes, why the current upcharge model may improve the guest experience, and what Halloween Haunt could look like in 2027, 2028, and beyond. Join the conversation about Kings Island, Halloween Haunt, haunted mazes, Six Flags, scare zones, and ...

Get an early look at what Kings Island’s 2027 Season Passes could look like as Ryan and Don break down the newly announced Six Flags pass and membership program, including potential pricing, Prestige Pass perks, Gold Pass value, memberships vs. season passes, drink plan changes, parking updates, renewal incentives, and what these changes could mean for Kings Island guests. They also discuss why fans may want to wait before re...

Big changes could be coming to the Kings Island Season Dining Plan! In this episode of Tower Topics, Don Helbig and Ryan Suhr break down the rumored 2026 meal plan changes, including limited meal tiers, new pricing, unlimited dining options, and what these updates could mean for season passholders. Will the new Six Flags dining strategy improve the guest experience, or make visiting Kings Island more expensive?

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