Kentucky Kingdom (SFKK, KK) Discussion Thread

[mudvayneimn]

For anyone interested, here is the original October 2012 proposal submitted by KKRC that includes the picture I posted earlier. This document contains some of the proposed slide complexes for the water park beginning on page 85 of the printed materials, and the two coaster layouts are on page 100. It is possible that the plan has been changed (especially since in the newest press releases there was no mention of the family wooden coaster going in the front of the park), but this gives you an idea of the expansion plans.

 

KKRC Proposal Document

 

One other interesting bit of info, it appears that there is construction work occuring on the other side of the Batman theatre by T2. It could possibly be for the new technical services building for the park but it appears that Ed will be utilizing the previously untapped land on the second side of the park in this new version of KK.

 

EDIT: Caught this exchange on FB, apparently part of the new coaster will be going in GL's spot....hmmm

From the KK FB page.

[jedimaster1227]

Kentucky Kingdom has posted the full press conference from the day they announced the park would be reopening. Included in the video is confirmation that T2 will receive new trains.

 

http://www.kentuckykingdom.com/kentucky-kingdom-operator-promises-bigger-better-wetter-park-in-2014/

[Midgetman82]

Snippets of water park plans from the submitted proposal mudvayneimn posted on the previous page:

This excites me very much. Didn't see any pictures on the roller coaster other than the ariel view of where it would be placed.

 

Also, this alone was very interesting to see.

[Rollercoaster Rider]

If you read the development, They list Dollywood's 20 Million Dollar Wooden Coaster. I found that really funny.

[ginzo]

I just got caught up on this today. Good for Ed Hart & company. I was definitely among the skeptics that thought he wouldn't come through with the financing. Here's to hoping he can figure out the right balance between wet and dry rides without becoming essentially just a waterpark.

[ernierocker]

They list Dollywood's 20 Million Dollar Wooden Coaster. I found that really funny.

 

Say what???

[Woodie Warrior]

The proposal has changed since Oct. 2012. He has announced the Twisted Twins will be extensively refurbished, but in the proposal it is listed as being removed.

[deathbydinn]

The proposal has changed since Oct. 2012. He has announced the Twisted Twins will be extensively refurbished, but in the proposal it is listed as being removed.

 

The 2012 proposal lists Twisted Twins as being repaired at a cost of 3.5 million with track repairs, new trains and station repairs.

 

They list Dollywood's 20 Million Dollar Wooden Coaster. I found that really funny.

 

Say what???

 

They were talking about the importance of adding signature rides and how Dollywood's new ride increased attendance by 20%. Not sure how they confused Wild Eagle with a wood coaster though.

[Jew]

Maybe the $20 million figure included the surrounding area as well?

 

If those water park additions are what he is planning on adding...that's probably $5-$10 million right there. Doesn't surprise me at all that would be followed up with cheaper rehabs.

[ernierocker]

^^Gotcha. I thought they knew something about the 2014 Dollywood addition that we didn't.

[John Peck]

A link to the parks official Facebook page and some photos of landscaping and a neat shot of a filled and operational wave pool:

 

Mr. Hart and Dave Scharfenberg discuss the new water park expansion. We're wasting no time! This is a recent photo taken from the shores of Hurricane Bay…… you can almost hear the rolling waves of the BIG KAHUNA. Out with the OLD and IN WITH THE NEW!

At last Thursday’s press conference, former park goodwill ambassador King Louie was on the prowl…making new friends, as always. Only time will tell if he eventually returns to the THRONE!

Mr. Hart thanking the team and sharing the vision for the NEW Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay.

Here's a group photo of the team that's been assembled during the accessment period. They all have all done a great job gathering information for Mr. Hart and preparing the park for last week's press conference.

Edited July 2, 2013 by jedimaster1227

[Jew]

More emphasis on the water park...hmmm....

[Midgetman82]

If I remember correctly, it's more the "nicer" part of the park. I don't blame him though, Six Flags left it untouched when they left, while I'm sure the amusement/dry side (while still being up-kept by their team) probably doesn't look so well at the moment. I can only guess the current state of Thunder Run up-close.

[gisco]

I'm guessing the waterpark is the easiest and least expensive to get going and will bring people in. They can bring the rides on the dry side online one at a time to expand the experiance for the waterpark users.

[ernierocker]

More emphasis on the water park...hmmm....

 

I know you are cynical but like Bob just said, it makes the most sense to concentrate on the waterpark side first. The new coaster is certainly not going to be anything mind-blowing that will attract someone that would otherwise be going to Holiday World...Unless it's an aquatrax or megalite.

[Jew]

Oh, I totally get it. I still just think he's going to end up realizing the water park is a lot easier/cheaper to operate and shutter the dry side, so it can become the other development that was discussed earlier.

[jedimaster1227]

I just can't imagine them putting up the capital not only for the new coaster but in bringing Thunder Run, T2 and Twisted Twins all back online just to retire them down the road. I have to imagine they've got some form of master planning in place with their lease being so lengthy, I would be very surprised to see them waste money on things they don't plan to keep long term.

[Jerrykoala2112]

I just can't imagine them putting up the capital not only for the new coaster but in bringing Thunder Run, T2 and Twisted Twins all back online just to retire them down the road. I have to imagine they've got some form of master planning in place with their lease being so lengthy, I would be very surprised to see them waste money on things they don't plan to keep long term.

 

Here's a quote from the proposal posted on page 294.

 

"COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

Although the cost to refurbish the three marquee rides that have been closed since 2007 (the Twisted Twins coasters and the Mile High Falls spill ride) is $4.2 million, it would cost $21 million to purchase these rides new today. In a sense, then, putting these rides back into service would be like adding three new rides worth $21 million for a cost of only $4.2 million. The following photos show several of the park’s marquee attractions and note the estimated costs to refurbish them."

[jedimaster1227]

^I meant that it wouldn't make sense to invest that kind of money, whether it was $4.2 million or $21 million just to latter shut it all down. I guess my major counter to the notion of an eventual transition to water park only would be that if that was the direction the park really wanted to head in, why bother refurbishing the rides at all or even reopening that side of the park as a dry section. If they really wanted to make it only a water park, wouldn't they just invest that money into additional water park expansion?

[lilsam1993]

Hurricane Bay has NEVER been a full sized water park. It wasn't even a full size water park when Six Flags left . The water park only has 5 attractions. There's only ONE body slide in the whole waterpark!!! Compare that to Kings Island and Holiday World. When people talk about this water park they always make it seem soo big when it's actually so small. Expanding it is the right move for Ed Hart. I am positive after this expansion we will not see anything new in this water park for several/many years...Unless its a water coaster.

[Jew]

^^Or the overlays are just the cheapest way to ensure he's meeting the minimum capital outlay...

 

I definitely think he will give it his best shot---I just don't feel that it will be successful in the long term. Not with having to rely on tax credits, financing, and having to deal with the fair board.

Edited July 3, 2013 by Jew

[Midgetman82]

Which reminds me, I don't think he brought up anything about parking recently. If he's keeping the Fairground parking lots, then you can keep expecting $8 parking.

 

^^Deluge is still there. Also, Holiday World doesn't have a standalone body slide at all.

[John Peck]

Oh, I totally get it. I still just think he's going to end up realizing the water park is a lot easier/cheaper to operate and shutter the dry side, so it can become the other development that was discussed earlier.

 

He's wanting 800k the first year and that growing well past 1.2 Million annually. Waterparks rarely do that on their own, at least not in a seasonal midwest location

Source: 2012 Theme Park Attendance

[mudvayneimn]

If he is able to recapture the drive/plan he did with the park originally, it will last at least 10 years lol......I'm sure this first year he should get close to the attendance goal just out of the novelty of having the park back open, but there will have to be some real major changes to T2 or TT if he really wants to keep things going. I just don't see T2 or TT with a refurb as enough to keep the locals coming back.

[Jew]

I have no doubt the first few years will be successful...but I really wonder what the future is once the initial excitement wears off.

 

In a market that was far less competitive when he last owned the park, he had to resort to spending lots of capital on new rides to sustain what he had built. Now he has more competition to worry about and may have to keep taking on debt (or ask for more from the state) to sustain the park.