Summer 2026 Entertainment Lineup

[Thriller]

Didn't the park originally have a small stadium with a bird show in that approximate location?

 

[MrBradferd]

what do they use the old nickelodeon stage for? Used to be the BMX show

 

[MusicEnlightens]

Didn't the park originally have a small stadium with a bird show in that approximate location?

Yes, but before my time so I can't really speak much to it, other than I know it was pretty much exactly where those plans are. Wouldn't be a bad place to place a new theater even today. Maybe it doesn't need to have as much seating as originally planned, but even like three to four rows of varying height, and rotate it so the lake is in the background.

what do they use the old nickelodeon stage for? Used to be the BMX show

Tinker's Toy Factory was there its very first year, and used to be a dolphin show and high diving show many years before that. Currently just Music in the Parks uses it.

 

[AmyUD06]

By the stadium, i meant the former Aqua Arena in Planet Snoopy. I forget what it is called now. They would rather have the performers and audience out in the hot beating sun than use that venue. Lets Get Wild would have worked fine there, except for the arrival in the Jeep.

That is the Peanuts Showplace, and was in use for a Winterfest show as recently as 2021 2023 (or was it 2022? Time blurs together), and possibly for kids shows since then. As mentioned, it is also used for the school band/dance events. @MrBradferd and @Thriller , we are all talking about the same location haha.

 

[mtorange]

That is the Peanuts Showplace, and was in use for a Winterfest show as recently as 2023 (or was it 2022? Time blurs together), and possibly for kids shows since then. As mentioned, it is also used for the school band/dance events. @MrBradferd and @Thriller , we are all talking about the same location haha.

I believe the last time Showplace was used was in 2019. Parts of that original Tinker’s Toy Factory stage are still up today. It’s rather wild how they haven’t taken it down.

 

[AmyUD06]

I believe the last time Showplace was used was in 2019. Parts of that original Tinker’s Toy Factory stage are still up today. It’s rather wild how they haven’t taken it down.

2021. I have video and pictures of the Tinkers show in that venue. And pictures and video of it when it moved to the KD Theater in 2022. Oh how I miss when George was part of their show cast. :

 

[mtorange]

2021. I have video and pictures of the Tinkers show in that venue. And pictures and video of it when it moved to the KD Theater in 2022.

You’re totally right! Covid brain fog got to me there…

 

[Haunted River]

Something like 10 years ago, KD accidentally released blueprints for a small theater that would have been built in Safari Village (Jungle X) where the Jungle Market Eatery outdoor patio currently is. Obviously it was never built.

KDFans has a super old article about it:
View attachment 42443

I did notice this season that KD never brought back the tables that are usually in that patio — they removed them for Haunt when the Site X scare zone was moved there last year.

They of course won’t build a theater there now, but I wonder if they’ve considered putting a show there? They could easily install a shade structure over it, and wouldn’t have the crowd flow issue of putting a show in the middle of the path like Let’s Get Wild. And the defined boundaries of the patio would make it feel like a more intentional show venue, even if it has nothing more than a shade structure with a small stage and maybe some benches.

Looks like the Safari Amphitheater that was in that exact spot when I was a kid. I wish they’d put one over there again.

 

[mwhinva]

Something like 10 years ago, KD accidentally released blueprints for a small theater that would have been built in Safari Village (Jungle X) where the Jungle Market Eatery outdoor patio currently is. Obviously it was never built.

KDFans has a super old article about it:
View attachment 42443

I did notice this season that KD never brought back the tables that are usually in that patio — they removed them for Haunt when the Site X scare zone was moved there last year.

They of course won’t build a theater there now, but I wonder if they’ve considered putting a show there? They could easily install a shade structure over it, and wouldn’t have the crowd flow issue of putting a show in the middle of the path like Let’s Get Wild. And the defined boundaries of the patio would make it feel like a more intentional show venue, even if it has nothing more than a shade structure with a small stage and maybe some benches.

There WAS an amphitheater in that location. Originally, when the park first opened in 1975, it was used for a bird show. Later, there was a series of contemporary music shows there during the 1980's. The Safari amphitheater was removed during the Paramount years along with the Woodlands amphitheater and the Country Music amphitheater. You can find photos of that area and the amphitheater on sites like KD Golden Years and a couple other places. The photo below was when the Safari Amphitheater was under construction. You can see what is the dining area roof for the former Jungle Eatery
/ Hungry Hippo restaurant in the immediate background. Stage on the left half of the photo and the seating areas on the right.
/

 

[Thriller]

There WAS an amphitheater in that location. Originally, when the park first opened in 1975, it was used for a bird show. Later, there was a series of contemporary music shows there during the 1980's. The Safari amphitheater was removed during the Paramount years along with the Woodlands amphitheater and the Country Music amphitheater. You can find photos of that area and the amphitheater on sites like KD Golden Years and a couple other places.

Thats 3 venues Paramount removed plus the Outpost Cafe building was originally a theater. Was it Paramount that trashed it too?

The park did have good live entertainment infrastructure at one time.

 

[guy305]

I was wondering this last year when a drone/firework show was originally planned for the 50th anniversary. There was no way they were going to cut the trees down around iStreet, and I wasn't even sure where they could store/launch drones from (KI uses Vortex's former plot, which is why I still think it'll be a while till a coaster ends up there).

I thought last year that with Anaconda gone, viewing drones/fireworks over Lake Charles would be amazing. They could even cut down a few trees between the lake and Racer 75 (repainted or not) and use colored lights on the wooden supports in time to the music, which could be a cool backdrop.

The hiring call from Windish Entertainment mentions KD's mainstage show occurring right before "Ignite the Night" so I assume, they would use the same crowd space as a viewing point, as opposed to KI's much larger and more open front entry way. With this is mind, they may close off the back part of the parking lot and launch fireworks/drones from there, so you are standing between ET and mainstage but facing the park entrance to view?

It would stink not having the lighted ET as a backdrop, and they probably could have drones off the side above the backstage area behind the HR and first aid, but I'm not really sure what rules are in place flying drones directly over people (I assume you can't).

Any other thoughts? It'll be interesting to see the solution either way.

I was thinking they would launch them near or behind Pantherian. Could utilize Anaconda’s old lift hill plot too. Not sure exactly how much space is needed though, since Vortex’s plot is so big.

KI closes Orion for the duration of the drone show but clears the line out once it’s over. I’m thinking Racer and Pantherian would be closed during the show if that’s where they’re launching from.

 

[mwhinva]

Thats 3 venues Paramount removed plus the Outpost Cafe building was originally a theater. Was it Paramount that trashed it too?

The park did have good live entertainment infrastructure at one time.

Yes sir. During the Paramount era they removed all three venues and eliminated the Park Chain Entertainment division Kings Productions

 

[Thriller]

Plus the railroad, the cable Skyway, the lost world rides the monorail.

Paramount did so much damage to this park that never has been undone. That’s the main reason it is a second tier park these days.

 

[MusicEnlightens]

I was thinking they would launch them near or behind Pantherian. Could utilize Anaconda’s old lift hill plot too. Not sure exactly how much space is needed though, since Vortex’s plot is so big.

If that's what will happen, or was a plan at some point, that would make a lot of sense to have removed Anaconda last year (not that the park really needed a reason). If KD's sister park replaced an aging but popular Arrow with drones, KD certainly could have done the same for an aging UNPOPULAR Arrow.

KI closes Orion for the duration of the drone show but clears the line out once it’s over. I’m thinking Racer and Pantherian would be closed during the show if that’s where they’re launching from.

And the Beast. Closing Pantherian and Racer 75 early would really be a damper of a decision because they both have great night rides and as a whole are largely not the most ridden coasters in the first place.

I stand by using lights on Racer's white supports as a backdrop and adding fountain elements in Lake Charles for a night spectacle that would be incredible, and could give a very immersive show on par with KI's. Heck throw in a burst of fire for good Volcanic measure! I still think having the nighttime spectacular directly after the mainstage show this year indicates it'll be somewhere around the ET and iStreet though.

 

[Haunted River]

If that's what will happen, or was a plan at some point, that would make a lot of sense to have removed Anaconda last year (not that the park really needed a reason). If KD's sister park replaced an aging but popular Arrow with drones, KD certainly could have done the same for an aging UNPOPULAR Arrow.


And the Beast. Closing Pantherian and Racer 75 early would really be a damper of a decision because they both have great night rides and as a whole are largely not the most ridden coasters in the first place.

I stand by using lights on Racer's white supports as a backdrop and adding fountain elements in Lake Charles for a night spectacle that would be incredible, and could give a very immersive show on par with KI's. Heck throw in a burst of fire for good Volcanic measure! I still think having the nighttime spectacular directly after the mainstage show this year indicates it'll be somewhere around the ET and iStreet though.

First you’d need them to remove the front water park and bring Lake Charles back. The water where Anaconda was at is more of a pond than a lake

 

[G-Starr]

Here is the entire press release for this summer’s Entertainment. I’m honestly speechless at the amount of things there are to do this summer! It’s so big that I thought it deserved its own thread. I’ll share my full breakdown later today. More info will be released at 10am through a blog post on the park’s website.

I, for one, am super excited for this. I’m old enough now to appreciate a good show. I plan to experience them all! I live very close to the park. So, I’ll check them out and respond in this forum.

KI’s drone show was a really great way to end the night. I’m just curious where they’ll direct guests to view it. At KI, the majority of guests were huddled right in front of the main entrance and the Eiffel Tower even had lights that were implemented into the show itself. Very cool but with all the trees at KD it’s not viable.

Victoria’s new patio bar would be a fantastic viewing point though. The entire section in front of the lake, too. I think I’ve just answered my own question…

They did a nice job with fireworks at the Eiffel Tower last year. And, they have the stage their too. They have done a lot in the area when they were hosting Winterfest. So, this isn’t their first rodeo. But, Lake Charles would be cool. No doubt.

I think it’s great. They’re going full bore with live entertainment. There needs to be attractions at the park for people that don’t like thrill rides.


However, it’s a shame they’re investing in a strong entertainment lineup without investing in some decent entertainment venues first.

The live entertainment at Kings Dominion usually fails because people are forced to watch most of it in the heat and standing up. Lets Get Wild was a great production, but the venue was absolutely terrible for the audience and the performers.

I don’t understand why they dont utilize the stadium. But even with that the park needs more sit down entertainment venues.
Busch has 5.

Yet, Busch Gardens Williamsburg doesn’t use their stadium either. There’s undoubtedly a reason for both parks to make the same decision. My first concert ever was at the Kings Dominion Amphitheater! What a day (and night)!

Here is the entire press release for this summer’s Entertainment. I’m honestly speechless at the amount of things there are to do this summer! It’s so big that I thought it deserved its own thread. I’ll share my full breakdown later today. More info will be released at 10am through a blog post on the park’s website.

Is this why the trees were cut down inside of Pantherian? That would be a good place to launch fireworks and drones over Lake Charles…

 

[Jonesta6]

Yet, Busch Gardens Williamsburg doesn’t use their stadium either. There’s undoubtedly a reason for both parks to make the same decision.

I thought I saw something about the Royal Palace Theater getting a renovation? I can't remember if someone on here or Reddit mentioned seeing Hanson there the other week ago after the venue had been behind construction walls for awhile?

 

[CamisaAnn]

I saw Hanson at the Royal Palace Theater. I also saw a concert at KD 26 years ago. It was the Newsboys I remember because it was a church trip. How long has it been since KD did concerts? Busch Gardens has several this year.

 

[mtorange]

Has anyone gotten pictures of the America 250 decor in Old Virginia that was mentioned in the press release? It was supposed to be up by Memorial Day Weekend.

 

[MusicEnlightens]

The app updated yesterday to include Ignite the Night (previously every other show was listed in map view except for this). Interesting to note that the location on the map it was assigned is in candy apple grove near Victorias.

Could be a placeholder location, or a glitch, but if this is in fact the best viewing area of the show, it could either be that the drones/fireworks are the direction of the waterpark, or more likely the direction of the ET with drones flying over the backstage/employee area behind first aid/Action Theater. Either way it’d be surprising if they didn’t want to gravitate guests towards istreet for the show, especially given the night time show on the main stage and the investment they put into istreet’s lights and speaker system.

In other news, Ignite the Night is now listed on the website as an event (and not just live entertainment, similar to the Splash Parade)