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So wait, is all this talk about 3 projects because you don't think they will do more than those if asked? RMC probably has proposals for 5-10 projects on any given year. Everyone thinks that it takes 3 years or so of design to build a roller coaster. Many times, the designs are done a year and a half in advance, with actual engineering and calculation done in a year or less. It is not unreasonable that at this past IAAPA, RMC only had 3 contracts signed and that another project that they placed a bid on in summer 2014 was given the go ahead since then. I know we won't be certain until an announcement is made, but after the accolades given for Lightning Run designed by Ride Centerline, I think it's a fair jump to make that KK may want to work with Schilke again.

Construction is underway at TT. A small crane is now located in the recently cleared south side of TT. Also, numerous sections of track stack have been cut out and laid aside. either KK is rebuilding the wooden track stack from the structure up, or this is an RMC I-Box renovation. I'm leaning toward the latter of the two. I would expect a teaser sometime soon. Get excited, folks. Crane on site. South Side of Twisted Twins Construction Trailer at Twisted Twins Track Stack Photo 1 Track Stack Photo 2

If they were to demolish TT and build something new, the ride would have a much lower height limit as the height limit has changed since TT was built. I'm pretty sure if they are going to build a new coaster on that site, it's going to be with the current structure. I would like something new to be built there as the view from Crittenden with that steel is really unattractive, but I don't think it's going to happen.

I wouldn't expect it until we see a second train on the tracks, but from that message, I would say that's what the plan is. Probably wanting to get a reliable cycle from 1-train op before putting a second one on the circuit. Just because the second train is there, though, I would not anticipate them running 2-train op very often. KK seems to prefer 1-train op as long as the line isn't exceeding an hour and a half or so, as seen on Lightning Run. From a financial standpoint, it makes sense. The fewer cycles, the less replacement parts are required. I don't like it from a guest experience standpoint, but if it allows them to focus there efforts and finances on future enhancements, I can tolerate it.

The braking system is being upgraded to magnetic braking. This has been the plan all along. I have no doubt that the issue is minor and I have full confidence in the abilities of the staff at KK. All I am saying is that the GP doesn't see the efforts the staff goes through and they are quick to write off the park as inept when they miss an opening date by 2 weeks. This view could hurt a park that is just starting up and trying to shake the stigma of the previous owners.

There is something that is not going according to plan or else T3 would have opened on May 30th as was announced or June 6th as was announced. If you give the GP a reason to doubt your competence, which, not getting things ordered/installed/inspected according to a schedule you originated is a reason, they will doubt your competence on numerous fronts. Sometimes silence is the best way to approach something because as soon as you post something to your wall on Facebook it opens you up criticism on that front that thousands of people, including news stations, will see. News stations want nothing more than to report on how unsafe you are in order to get you to keep tuning back in. Posting anything relating to a matter such as this is probably a bad business practice, especially for this park. On the other hand, advertising a ride will be opening, when you aren't sure if you can meet that date, let alone a month afterwards, probably is a bad business practice as well. I just hope it opens this month or else I have a feeling sharks(WAVE3 and WHAS11) will sense blood in the water and send their investigatory "reporters" to the park for "answers".

I agree that it would be nice to know publicly what was going on, but that's solely because of my curiosity. Kentucky Kingdom doesn't want to say, "We're checking to make sure the brakes are working properly." Because when they do that, the GP is going to say, "Did you hear Ky Kingdom is having to check that their brakes actually work on their new roller coaster?!? It's probably because it crashed when they were testing it!!!" ^ That may be a bit of an over the top example but those are the types of things that I've heard around town when discussing Ky Kingdom. The Hellevator accident really changed the way the park was viewed by the public. That's why it's quite interesting to see how Alton Towers is treated after their accident severely injured a few guests. I think for a few years, Ky Kingdom is going to play everything extremely close to the vest as to not give too many details for the GP to misconstrue.

I am really starting to doubt that opening date as well. There has been no sign of new trains on site, let alone testing. For as much as they've used T3 in their ads, I don't think they can afford to miss that opening day by much. It's not going to get any easier once the park is open the entire week either. I'm hoping, for PR purposes, that they are able to get T3 up and running on May 30th.

Looks like the former SFKK crew or their siblings are back. And with all the basketballs, the same guests as well. That's too bad since I heard good things when they opened last year. SFKK operations were by far the worst in the chain. I guess the new trains will be like these: https://thethemeparkplace.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/arkham_asylum_press_025232e177252812529.jpg I haven't been yet this year, but LR's loading procedure has to be the most finicky of any park I've been to. I would imagine that checking, rechecking, and checking again would be frustrating for ride ops, let alone having to deal with the guests. Running one train only compounds this issue as cycle times take a huge hit and guests get very frustrated. Not to excuse the ride ops for failing to redirect the guests' attention, but I think there other factors driving some of the frustration of the ops. I just hope that once the park becomes more profitable and can afford to staff the right amount of ride ops to handle the guests, they do. In regards to the guests: It's Kentucky. You can't get upset about guests all having basketballs. When choosing a game to play and try to win, most guests are going to try to prove their basketball acumen. It's just what people in this area do, and many grow up with a basketball in their hands, so they aren't "bad" at shooting. The only way to eliminate people from having the basketballs is to remove the game that gives them away. Again, it's still early in the season, and people will improve over time. KK just needs to keep bringing in people that are excited to work for them and the culture will get better.

The video is your property to use how you want. That's the only reason I can come up with.

They were a bit heavy, but manageable. It's hard to predict how the crowd will disperse with all of the new rides opening up across the park, but you aren't going to see anything that's worse than Kings Island. Just anticipate waiting 30-60 minutes for the coasters. If you can get there at opening, you should be able to get a ride in on most of the coasters without problem. The problem KK has with its coasters is that they aren't capacity monsters like Chang. Lightning Run has a slow load procedure and Thunder Run only runs one train due to no brake run. T2 was decent with crowds but still had a slow moving so I would expect T3 to be the same.

I'm not aware of any local resellers that have discounted tickets. Right now, I don't think KK is in the position to be able to offer many big discounts on ticket prices. They do not offer a late entry discount either as they are never open past 9pm. In regards to the many comments about ticket prices and season pass prices, KK is going to survive off locals for the next few years. They aren't going to draw enough people from out of town with their smaller ride selection than most regional parks. The pricing is meant to encourage people to purchase season passes and visit multiple times a year. Right now, I would assess the value of the park at about $25 a day at most unless you can dedicate most of your time to the water park. The pricing really hurts those guests that want to visit from out of town, but it is what it is. I would recommend more people travel to ride Lightning Run because it really is that great of a ride, but as of now, it's hard to sell people on a $30-$40 ticket for a park that they can visit for 3-4 hours and ride much of what they want and leave. Finally, if you are from out of town and you really want to ride Lightning Run as a part of your "Coaster Tour" (which you should) I would recommend using Louisville as a "Rest Day." Go to the park, ride the coasters in the morning and spend the rest of the day at the water park relaxing, if you can. It's the only way, I see, to justify the cost of a daily ticket.

The only place that I know of to get tickets other than at the KY Kingdom gate is at Kroger. A daily ticket is going to run you around $40 there. It's overpriced for a daily visit and is priced to drive people to getting a season pass. Don't forget that if you don't have the season pass, you will have to pay the $8 for parking as well.

FWIW, Carrier Vibrating Equipment is a company in Louisville that makes engineered vibrating conveyance systems. I interviewed with them when in college. Very interesting product and watching something being vibrated up a ramp is really neat to see.

I was going to recommend getting a Hot Brown, so I laughed at the title of this article. http://www.bigjimsrestaurant.com/menu.html Being completely honest, I've lived in Louisville for 8 years and I have never ordered a Hot Brown. It seems to be more of a "tourist" food and on the rich side. One stereotypical Kentucky food to absolutely try is fried chicken at a place like Loop 22 or Sway. Again, so many options for outstanding food in the city of Louisville.

As far as Kentucky Kingdom goes, they will charge you to get back in if you leave, but assuming you said a dinner spot and the park closes at 7pm typically, I don't think that will be a problem for you. Louisville has become a major "food" city. There are tons of places with amazing food, but if you're looking to eat near the park, Grind Burger Kitchen is nearby and serves the best burger in town. They are only open until 10, so keep that in mind if you are going on one of the few days the park is open until 9. If you are staying the night in Louisville and are looking to eat somewhere that is going to take up a bit more of your time, Doc Crow's is in the heart of downtown and a short drive from the park. You could spend an entire trip eating your way around Louisville. If you aren't in the mood for burgers (Grind) or southern food (Doc Crow's), Thrillist.com has a good rundown of some of the other restaurants around Louisville. Being at Kentucky Kingdom, you will be about 15-20 minutes from everywhere in Louisville. Sounds like a heck of a trip! Have fun! Grind Burger Kitchen Doc Crow's Thrillist: Louisville: Where to Eat

The park has always been leased from the Fair Board and Hart and his investors have planned to spend $70M over the term of the lease. Yes KK is between 2 major parks, but that doesn't mean it can't carve out its own Niche. I've said all along that KK needs to install unique rides. People may not choose to go to your park OVER their annual trip to Kings Island or Holiday World, but they may choose to go instead of other local non-amusement park attractions if you offer them something different. The biggest problem that the current staff is fighting against currently is the Six Flags perception of the park. It's not one that is easy to shake, but given time, I think that will change. Kentucky Kingdom is never going to overtake either of the surrounding parks as a "destination," but I do believe it can be a great park that serves the city of Louisville and provides visitors with a fun way to spend a day.

After some more research, that debt number is correct. However, that size debt appears to be normal for a park attracting over 1M guest per year. The only time the debt becomes an issue is when your revenue isn't high enough to cover the cost of your debt payments.(EDIT: Coasterguy06 beat me to it) When he left the park, it was making plenty of money to cover the debt load or else the ownership would never have been deemed as desirable as it was in 1997. The state dodged a HUGE bullet by having Hart around to call out the HW ownership group that wanted to bury Bluegrass Boardwalk and increase HW's profits. KY would have ended up giving the rights to a group that would just turn around and say "It's not possible to reopen this park." So regardless of whether or not the Fair Board was leery of Hart's original plan, the park has opened, and appears to be in the hands of someone that genuinely cares about its success.

Not necessarily, Ed's all about rides. He says that the reason KK was so successful before Six Flags was because they added many rides and coasters. Six Flags just removed, ending in the park's closure. Ed tends to also leave out the fact that KK had over $60 million in debt that his group had racked up that Six Flags became responsible for when they took over. Your the only place I've ever heard this from. Hart didn't sell his rights to Six Flags. He sold to Premier Parks, and I can find no record of there being a $60M debt anywhere. Premier may have acquired $60M in debt in order to purchase the operating rights (which I can't find that number anywhere either) but as far as my research has shown, they didn't acquire debt from Kentucky Kingdom. In fact, Hart, early in his first tenure, made the park profitable and paid off the park's debts accrued by the previous operator. I will keep looking, but I am unable to find anything as of now that points to that large of a debt when he left.

To clarify what was said on the news last night, there will be 3 refurbished rides opening (T3, Rapids, and Enterprise) and 4 new rides (Cyclos, SkyCatcher, and 2 unannounced rides). I believe we won't hear an announcement on what these 2 other rides will be until they wrap up the details of the tax incentives that KK will be receiving. Not necessarily when those are finalized, but when they are told "Yes, you are getting X million dollars in incentives." I think the park may have expected to be told that information yesterday in meetings, but when they didn't get to that point in discussions, they decided to hold off on saying anything yesterday.

I would love to see a Zamperla Air Race at KK. After riding at IAAPA a couple years ago, it has become one of my favorite flat rides. The park needs a lot of these smaller thrill rides to fill the gaps between their major attractions and entice "dry park only" visitors to stay longer than 3-4 hours.

Yeah, not the best of situations with so much land available back there for a great new construction. That land sits right on the glide slope for the main runway at Standiford Field. I would really like to see something like Helix (with one launch instead of 2) or even a Eurofighter (even though I find them incredibly rough) instead of a structure that completely blocks the view of the park from Crittenden Dr. What should be a showcase of the park, mostly looks like a scrap yard for the neighboring auto shops. I truly think this park could develop into one of the more unique parks in America, if it focuses on unique rides. To think that it will ever compete with Kings Island is a bit far-fetched, but I definitely think it can compete with Holiday World's dry park.

They can always add height to the coasters structure. Not in that location. I believe that ride actually exceeds the current height restriction in that part of the park as it was grandfathered into a new restriction.

Thigh murder. I'm 6'-4" and for the past 10 years of going to CP, I have dreaded riding Magnum. The last bunny hops were absolute torture... until I went this past weekend. I discovered a way of riding magnum that significantly reduces the chance of pain on those last hops. What I found is that if I cross my ankles and scoot them back to the back of the floor (towards the seat). The hills still had the ejector airtime, but the impact on my thighs was next to nothing. I actually made a point to ride Magnum again. I was absolutely shocked at how well this "trick" worked.

The funnier part about the "@ the fact that it's a wing coaster" gif is that the jello pictured is typically how I feel when riding a wing coaster.