Flight of Fear on the Chopping Block?

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MusicEnlightens

Feb 28, 2024
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Sorry for the double post, but screamscape posted about the possibility of Flight of Fear leaving both KI and KD. I think this is more speculation than evidence-based rumor, but the thought it still there.

Kings Dominion

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We know from KD's official post in December that the at least the façade of Flight of Fear will remain, because it's been rethemed and repainted to fit Jungle X, but there's always a small chance that we could lose the actual ride itself.
 
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I haven't heard this rumor specifically, but I do know that Flight of Fear has been "adjacent" to the chopping block for a long time now and I would not be remotely surprised to hear that it isn't slated to survive past its 30th anniversary.

In fact, I would say that the park's choices around Flight of Fear this year suggest that its position on the chopping block may have been solidified. They're not rebranding or retheming the ride—they're only redressing its exterior facade to blend with Jungle X. This year I'm expecting the facade of Flight of Fear to have no relation to the actual attraction, Flight of Fear. That doesn't seem like a decision the chain would make if Flight of Fear had a bright future.

Ultimately, it's a little surprising to me that such a poorly-constructed, problematic, prototype coaster has made it this far and, though I love it and will be sad to see it go, I won't be surprised when the announcement does eventually come.

Maybe KD and KI can go halfsies on a new spaghetti bowl-style coaster layout designed to fit in the existing FoF buildings? Theme and brand them differently of course, but I wouldn't mind another pair of indoor sister coasters.
 
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Two counter points — and maybe this is just me coping with the possibility of FOF closing, because I love FOF.

One, KD just posted FOF on Instagram and on their story. Spotlighting a ride they’re about to remove would be an odd choice. And I would find it strange if they have any solid plans to remove FOF “in the future” instead of just ripping it out now, since they had no qualms with doing that with Anaconda and Berserker (and potentially more).

Two, investing in retheming the exterior seems like a wasteful choice if they don’t have definitive plans to keep or reuse at least the building for the foreseeable future. One might argue they just did that so the building wouldn’t stick out incongruously in Jungle X with the Pantherian retheme, but Backlot remains with its original theme, so clearly they can’t care that about thematic consistency that they’d eat that retheme money just for a short-term effect.

Maybe I’ll eat my words on this. It would sure make me sad if FOF leaves. It’s my #2 coaster in the park (hot take?) after Twisted Timbers.
 
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I hate this possibility with a passion as FoF is my favorite ride at KD. However, West Coast Racers was my favorite at MM, so here’s hoping they can be brought back for a fitting replacement if this is true.
 
Mushroom said:
Two, investing in retheming the exterior seems like a wasteful choice if they don’t have definitive plans to keep or reuse at least the building for the foreseeable future. One might argue they just did that so the building wouldn’t stick out incongruously in Jungle X with the Pantherian retheme, but Backlot remains with its original theme, so clearly they can’t care that about thematic consistency that they’d eat that retheme money just for a short-term effect.
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They could just leave this ride SBNO. Now that the building exterior blends in with the rest of the area, they don't need to spend any money on demo.
 
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My thought is they continue consolidation of older rides which was already happening with both Cedar Fair and Six Flags before the merger. As rides reach the end of their service life, close one at a time, shipping trains, parts, etc. to keep others running. They now have four of the same coaster, so if they close one FOF parts go to the other. They could close Poltergeist or Joker just as easily and use them for spare parts. I think it will depend on the park’s lineup and the importance of them in the lineup and the ridership. If it’s one of the parks signature rides (SFFT/SFA) it may be spared versus either of the FOF’s where it’s lower ranking in the parks lineup of popularity and thrills.
 
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GAcoaster said:
If it’s one of the parks signature rides (SFFT/SFA) it may be spared versus either of the FOF’s where it’s lower ranking in the parks lineup of popularity and thrills.
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Sounds more descriptive of Kings Island's, although their theming is better. I might consider FoF at KD #5 in the park, at KI that place would be (FoF's theme mate) Orion.

As much as we may think they're going crazy and and should hold back, I think they ARE holding back. Do have to soften the blows, but doesn't mean it's safe in the future.
 
On one hand, Six Flags is still going to keep cutting rides. On the other, cutting rides back without a plan to replace things seems a little foolish, and that park has plenty of other problem areas.
 
MaxxForceFan said:
They could just leave this ride SBNO. Now that the building exterior blends in with the rest of the area, they don't need to spend any money on demo.
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And they have already used the building for a Haunt attraction in the fall anyway, so its season is shorter than KI's.
 
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