Kentucky Kingdom (SFKK, KK) Discussion Thread

[Bolliger&Mabillard]

^^Technically you've ridden a relocated coaster, and in it's first home. Sorry.

[Capitalize]

Pretty hard to believe, I remember when Chang first opened and it seemed to be the ride that was supposed to put SFKK on the map, unfortunately then nothing else of note really seemed to ever be added after that and the park just kind of dwindled in mediocrity year after year.

 

I really think that moving this ride to SFGAm seems kind of stupid. Isn't that park pretty land locked as it is? Count me among people that thinks that this ride would be a better addition elsewhere.

[PREMiERdrum]

Well there is a huge difference between GL and SFKK, SFKK is supposed to get a huge expansion. While GL didn't.

 

Depends on who you ask... Wildwater Kingdom was announced in November of 2004 as a "Major, Multi Million Dollar" expansion!

 

Yep. KK is about to get Geauga'd.

[sfkk339]

^I mean after GL was closed. It never got a expansion. SFKK is. GL didn't make money while SFKK is, that is the main difference.

[CoryPa77]

Pretty hard to believe, I remember when Chang first opened and it seemed to be the ride that was supposed to put SFKK on the map, unfortunately then nothing else of note really seemed to ever be added after that and the park just kind of dwindled in mediocrity year after year.

 

That's because the old management had an aggressive 10 year plan that included Chang and "supposedly" another B&M for either '99 or 2000, but Premier bought the park and then moved the 2nd B&M contract to Ohio and basically didn't bother invest anything else into the park after that.

 

Six Flags management was looking out around the outskirts of Louisville about '01 or so (there was even an article about them looking near the Ky Speedway back then) to relocate the park and I think that's why they didn't want to invest much into the current park, but I don't think it was financially feasible for them after 9/11 and poor attendance.

[Dynamic88]

^I mean after GL was closed. It never got a expansion. SFKK is. GL didn't make money while SFKK is, that is the main difference.

 

Making money is going to be a whole lot harder if your main attraction is gone. They better hope that the waterpark expansion is good enough to draw a lot of people.

[PREMiERdrum]

It seems like their main attraction is already the waterpark, much like Geauga Lake.

[CreditCrazy]

^^Technically you've ridden a relocated coaster, and in it's first home. Sorry.

 

I count relocated credits, so I count a relocated coaster that I've ridden in it's first home as a defunct coaster too.

[Jerrykoala2112]

Michigans Adventure is the same story...

 

The park was crowded from 10-11. Then the lines went down 70% when the waterpark opened...and stayed like that. So my opinion watch out for Michigans Adventure.

 

But yea. SFKK is more known for their water park. It is probably far superior then Kings Island's and Holiday Worlds. So its a good thing they can expand that.

[KDCOASTERFAN]

As much as I liked Chang and how it was the park's staple attraction, I think that Kentucky Kingdom is heading in a better direction. Like Robb said, last few times I was there, there was a ton of people in the water park and not that many in the actual 'theme' park, also. And they do get a ton of competition from King's Island and to a lesser extent, Holiday World, so maybe making it into a big water park and a smaller theme park would be a better direction/attract more people.

 

Heck last time I was there I spent most of my time in the water park.

 

Well what can you expect when the ride side of the park is neglected year after year?That is partially what doomed GL in it's final year or two as an SF park after all.

 

This is why I stopped going to SFA a couple years ago,SFI has neglected that place for years just like they have with KK & many of the former parks they've since sold & it'll take quite a bit of work to get me to go back there again as a result.

[Dynamic88]

I just don't see a whole lot of people paying $30 to $40 just to swim. You could go to a public pool for less or just get a pool of your own. Also the waterpark is not open as long as the main park is. It usually opens at the end of May and closes in September and I don't think its open during the fair either.

 

I do hope they get more rides in there though. There hasn't been any major ride since Greezed Lightnin' in 2003. Also this leaves 4 active coasters at the park (Greezed, RRX, T2, and TR) Do you guys think thats enough to draw people there? Perhaps I'm wrong and I kinda hope that I am but I just don't think it looks good for SFKK's future.

 

I like the idea of moving it away from the airport, that way you can add more rides with higher height limits. Although I know that is very expensive and probably won't be feasible for at least a few years or so.

[noahman]

where is it being relocated to

[noahman]

Michigans Adventure is the same story...

 

The park was crowded from 10-11. Then the lines went down 70% when the waterpark opened...and stayed like that. So my opinion watch out for Michigans Adventure.

 

But yea. SFKK is more known for their water park. It is probably far superior then Kings Island's and Holiday Worlds. So its a good thing they can expand that.

No way is there water park better than holiday world

[KDCOASTERFAN]

where is it being relocated to

 

Rumors say SFGRAM,which already has a standup coaster,but after TGE's SLC that came from SFAW showed up at Laronde it wouldn't suprise me if that turned out to be true...SFI just wants to continue spoiling their "favored" parks at the expense of the rest of the chain but since they can no longer afford the big rides they once could they now have to resort to stealing them from other parks in the chain.

[themeparkman25]

I just don't see a whole lot of people paying $30 to $40 just to swim. You could go to a public pool for less or just get a pool of your own. Also the waterpark is not open as long as the main park is. It usually opens at the end of May and closes in September and I don't think its open during the fair either.

 

True you could go to your local pool for a lot less, but I am not aware of many public pools (outside of publicly owned Highland Hills Water Park in Denverish) that have as many unique and thrilling slides. My guess is that by removing Chang they can put one of those new age slides like the one at Holiday World (right? I am pretty sure they are getting a new one) and Schlitterbahn. Those kind of attractions I am sure have a pretty big draw. As much as everyone doesn't get SF's decisions, it is a pretty big business and they wouldn't remove Chang if it wasn't justified somehow.

[DBru]

^Except they already have one of those.

 

Splashwater Kingdom already has a water coaster, a tornado, a bowlslide, 4 other major slides, a lazy river, wave pool, and 2 large children's play areas...I can't think of much more that they could add (that wouldn't be repetitive.)

 

I'm just SO disappointed to hear the news, and there really won't be anything at the park to really draw me there (an hour away) now. While the water park *appears* to be packed when the amusement park isn't, we have to keep in mind that Splashwater Kingdom is a lot more compact, and the slides have much lower capacity than dry rides.

 

This just doesn't seem like a very good move for the park to me...but that's just my opinion.

[sfkk339]

I want these things if it is indeed a waterpark expansion:

 

-New Wavepool

-3 Speed Slides

-Raft Slide

-Inclosed Raft Slide

-Racing Slide

-New Lazy River

-2 New Kids Areas.

 

I know thats ALOT but hey, if they got all that I'll be getting a pass again.

[Cantrip]

SFKK sure likes gambling with their future. Might as well make it a huge big water park. Pretty soon Iroquois park will be a better place for thrill rides than One Flag Kentucky Kingdom if they keep this up. I will not be able to ride on the expressway without enraged feelings for a while. I would have been fine with Chang's removal if they'd replace it with an equally good coaster, but a water park expansion? R.I.P. Dry Park 1987-2010 or later. Hopefully they'll put something awesome in it, but I'd rather have more new rides in the dry park. I'm suffering withdrawal! It doesn't help any that they're not opening Northwest Territory.

[Emiroo]

Though I am saddened to say it, mark my words: The park will be Geagua'd within 3 years.

 

And realistically, it probably is the best thing. SFKK is like a 2-sport athlete who never really excels at either sport. There's too much competition in the area. Their ride side can't compete with Kings Island. Their wet side can't compete with Holiday World. It's obvious that they need to pick their stronger "sport" and go with it. This is the waterpark. If they put the kind of capital they are hinting at towards the Geagua-ing, then they could really give Holiday World a run for the money.

 

With the removal of Chang, the ride side's only real draws are:

 

Twisted Twins: SBNO for 2+ years with little hope

Mile High Falls: SBNO with fate uncertain

T2: Oldest and most painful SLC around.

Thunder Run: Tearing itself apart. Needs major rehab.

Greezed Lightning: Double-Frankensteined shuttle-loop. Won't last forever.

There are no high-end flats to entice prospective quests with

 

A 20 million capital investment could replace one or two of these ailing rides, or it could put in a major waterpark expansion.

 

Geagua-ing is the smart play here. I'd rather see an awesome waterpark thrive than see a once beloved park flounder on life support.

[fakepeecock]

I don't even know if they should bother turning it into a water park. The whole park has been plagued with nothing but problems since it's very first opening in 1987. In fact, every move made at the park has been wrong, save the 1990-1994 era. Every move.

[Cobra Commander]

Pretty hard to believe, I remember when Chang first opened and it seemed to be the ride that was supposed to put SFKK on the map, unfortunately then nothing else of note really seemed to ever be added after that and the park just kind of dwindled in mediocrity year after year.

 

That's because the old management had an aggressive 10 year plan that included Chang and "supposedly" another B&M for either '99 or 2000, but Premier bought the park and then moved the 2nd B&M contract to Ohio and basically didn't bother invest anything else into the park after that.

 

Six Flags management was looking out around the outskirts of Louisville about '01 or so (there was even an article about them looking near the Ky Speedway back then) to relocate the park and I think that's why they didn't want to invest much into the current park, but I don't think it was financially feasible for them after 9/11 and poor attendance.

 

It would proably have been worth it, to move the park to a better area for future projects. Oh well. I still think that Six Flags Great Adventure is the best park in the chain at the moment.

[CoasterNERD502]

Chang will be perfect for SFA! If they send it to SFGAm the question would be WHY. They already have a great line of coasters, why add Chang there when you can put it in a park that could use a new ride or two and has soooo much untouched land.

[Homeboy23]

I doubt SFA gets a coaster for another 2 years atleast.

[CoasterNERD502]

What do you mean another coaster? SFA hasnt had a new coaster since Batwing in 2001. I wouldn't expect it for 2010, but maybe Chang could be SFA's mystery 2011 coaster. Only time will tell where this ends up. It might end up at a park nobody's talking about like SFoG or SFDK...

[Homeboy23]

I meant "a" coaster. Fixed my post.

 

It could also be taken down for good.