Kentucky Kingdom & Hurricane Bay Review, Louisville Amusement & Water Park | Will Herschend Help?
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- čas přidán 6. 09. 2024
- Kentucky Kingdom is an amusement park in Louisville, Kentucky within earshot of the airport. Today the park features 6 roller coasters, including 3 bonafide airtime machines, and the popular Hurricane Bay water park. But this park has had a turbulent history. It was previously owned by Six Flags and after being closed for years, Ed Hart saved and revitalized the park. And just last year, it was purchased by Herschend. But is that a good thing?
Video Credits
Chang (Coaster Jeff)- • Chang at Kentucky King...
Deluge POV (Kentucky Kingdom)- • Official Deluge POV | ...
Hellevator (Menachem Piekarski)- • hellevator six flags k...
Quake (Sean Flaharty)- • The Quake at Kentucky ...
Twisted Sisters (psyclonesteve)- • Twisted Sisters Roller...
Background Music
CRAZY BANJO
royalty free Music by Giorgio Di Campo for @FreeSound Music
freesoundmusic.eu
/ freemusicfor. .
/ freesoundmusic
original video: • Crazy Banjo - no copy...
A family Halloween event and October park operating hours is another new thing that Herschend has given this park. Hopefully they will continue with the events, shows, theming, food, and beautification upgrades to really compete with Holiday World from a quality standpoint. I am ok with no new coasters as long as the park is run well, kept fresh, and taken care of.
New events are welcome ways to spice up different parts of the year.
Kentucky kingdom food is getting alot a better plus they are getting better in slot of ways
If they don’t replace t3, I would love to see them do a complete retract with new trains like Morey’s piers did. The ride has kind of become part of the park’s culture and it being good for a change would be nice.
T3 is perfect the way it is. I rode it 5 times in a row looking for any sort of roughness, and I never felt a hint of roughness
A retrack could help immensely.
It needs vr headsets
@@chrismcgraw5514 Those died 3 years ago
@@chrismcgraw5514 horrific idea
I have family in Louisville, and I remember always passing by the park on the Watterson Expressway. This was still when Six Flags owned the park. I really wanted to ride Chang. Alas, it closed before I could go. I first went in 2015, a year after it reopened. It's a nice little park, and the way that the water park and amusement park is all in one is great feature.
It has a convenient location.
Even though I enjoyed both times I visited during Ed Hart's ownership, I think the park is in good hands being a Herschend park. They understand what kind of park it is, and won't try to change it to look like one of their top 2 parks. Plus, they're bringing a Halloween event this year, and don't be surprised if a Christmas event comes in the next couple of years. Their top 2 is also on par with SDC, it's incredible.
I just hope the investments keep coming.
I'm spending a half day here next month! The other half will be spent at holiday world. Man, am I excited!
Thanks for your review brother!
Have fun!
Deep Water Dive is fantastic. It's my third favorite attraction at the park after Storm Chaser and Lightning Run. The scariest thing in this entire park is the queue line for Deep Water Dive when then stairs go to the outside of the tower and there are no supports beneath the stairs. That messes with me a bit.
It's weird seeing a water slide taller than the coasters.
This is my home park. I love that this video came out close to the opening of the park for the 2022 season.
I only have two issues with the park: We need a roller coaster that’s at least as big as Chang. I also hope Herschend creates a weather based theme that’s as strong as the themes at Dollywood and Silver Dollar City.
Nice video! This made me miss The Quake.
I would love to see a good loop focused coaster here.
@@CanobieCoaster I was thinking something like a massive Gerstlaurer or even a Mr. Freeze esque ride would be perfect.
They have alot of empty lot space and spare space but instead of going with a big coaster Like Chang they went with expansion of the water park, hopefully the new owners will expand on the empty lots and empty parking lots and bring a long coaster
A moment of silence for are fallen comrade had me dying🤣
You're welcome.
I can't wait for this! For a band trip, we're going to Kentucky Kingdom! It's gonna be my first time there and it's gonna be awesome!
Enjoy!
I really enjoy Kentucky Kingdom. It's big, but not overly huge. They have a lot of fun rides, a great water park and good food options. Really glad it came back even better after Six Flags sold it 👍(do they still have the huge ferris wheel? That was one of my favorite things to do honestly)
They do still have the giant wheel.
The ferris wheel hasn't operated since 2019. It looks like they've about finished the repairs on it though. Maybe another month before the big wheel is back.
Yes! It didn’t run for a few years but opened again this season! Then closed again. Like a month later.
It’s my home park and I’m glad to see it reopened. I wish Chang was still here but I’m just glad it’s back.
Storm Chaser and Lightning Run are better than Chang, but I would love to see a good inversion-focused coaster here.
With the pricing, I ended up getting a season pass this year, as I'll probably spend 2 days here. I'm not seeing the ACE deal this year that got us 2 days for $30. I had a feeling that would go away.
I could easily fill 2+ full days here, with all that they offer, and wanting multiple rides on all their elite coasters, especially T3. ;) It's nice to have such a great park that usually doesn't draw monsterous crowds. I do like the quirky layout, even if it can be confusing.
The passes seem shockingly low. I'm surprised Herschend didn't raise them.
Iv been here when it was still owned by Edd Heart and I gotta say, I freaking loved this place. It was managed so well, it was better than a lot of bigger more major parks cause how well I was managed. All the rides are spectacular, I know they can't get anything big cause the height limit but they have amazing airtime machines and a memorable Vekoma SLC that isn't memorable for a good reason lol. But wow, it's like this park was built just dir enthusiasts, I really miss Edd Heart but I wonder what the Hershend version of it is now. I loved how it wasn't super expensive to get in and free drinks is literally just unrealistic how nice that is for an amusement parks. Also easy to get to as it's literally a block away from the airport and near down town Louisville.
They can build tall in specific sections.
One thing I am surprised does not get mentioned on you-tube is the low low price of some of these locations. Holiday world a season pass is $180 or $215 but for this is it is only $95. That is crazy cheap for a season pass... I saw the $75 one at the end of 2021 and figured it was discounted due to being the end of season, but guess not. Will have to consider that in 2023 when I decide whether to get the Holiday World or Kentucky Kingdom season pass. Have not been to KK though.
I agree this park is far cheaper for a pass.
After my visit last June, I'd definitely say it's worth visiting if you're in Louisville or visiting nearby Holiday World or Kings Island. I just hope Herschend doesn't treat this park like how they treat Wild Adventures. Seeing the back side if the park in despair like you mentioned and an abandoned amphitheater behind an abandoned T3 and Deluge is a real eyesore for a park like this.
I hope they get more investment.
My dad worked here when he was young. I love going to this park every now and then, but I wish it would expand its water park, the place is nice but gets really crowded.
I agree.
@@CanobieCoaster by the way, Deluge is permanently closed and set to be replaced with a new water coaster next yeah. You appeared to be unaware of that in the video. It was a fun ride, even if I only got to go on it a handful of times. Funnily enough, on 2 separate occasions it broke down while I was in line for it.
as someone who worked here last year, lightning run only operates one train when school is still in session but when school ends its constantly 2 trains unless one is getting worked on. Also we hurry but safely try to dispatch each train as quickly as we can. But accurate on everything is. So i dont know if you just had bad workers but it was not like that last year.
I think I've only seen Lightning Run operate with 2 trains once and I've only visited during summer. That and the ride's unfriendliness to larger guests is why it has a slower line for me. Neither is the fault of the employees working the ride.
My favorite ride at Kentucky Kingdom is the Musical Carousel 😊 I love the music theme, with music notes on the top and in the center, a piano key platform, and musical instruments to ride on 🎵🎶🥁🎻🎹
I like to ride on the tubas, French horns, and violins on the Musical Carousel, because I can rock myself back and forth as I ride them 🙂
It looks cool.
@@CanobieCoaster The Musical Carousel really is cool 😊 I wish I could go to Kentucky Kingdom more often, because I only went there once, on opening day 2021. There are quite a few rides at Kentucky Kingdom that are gentle, so I can enjoy them. 🙂
"If you enjoyed this review, I'd appreciate it if you gave this video a like, and you consider subscribing, because it'll be a lot more roller coaster and amusement park videos, here at Canobie Coaster. Thanks for watching."
Me: Should I make this a meme? :)
Feel free to meme it.
T3 is the 3rd best ride in the park. I rode it 5 times in a row looking for any sort of roughness, but I found a fun and smooth ride instead! If you guys want to skip t3, perfect, more rides for me!!!!!!!!!
T3 isn't at the top for me.
I actually agree
@@rcky6506 we can marathon it then since no one else wants to ride it lol. No lines for us!!!!
Kentucky kingdom is my home park and I love it. I know it’s gonna keep growing and keep getting better
Hopefully!
@@CanobieCoaster I think they are trying to update the park in differnt aspect
We all are still waiting to see what Herschend will do, and if this park will be Wild Adventured. So far they haven't added any attractions, and are removing their best water one.
One plus though, is they are finally hinting at special events (Halloween), and they decided to let Kentucky Kingdom keep selling alcohol (a first for Herschend). I don't even drink, but even i know how popular KK's beer, bourbon, and tequila are.
To their defense, Deluge had pre-existing issues.
Herschend wouldn't have bought it If they weren't gonna do GREAT things for it. It's a perfect park for them to work their "magic" If you ever went to Stone Mountain, GA (look what they did there) Yes! Kentucky has a long strange history, but has so many interesting things about it. I'm also pretty sure they'll put some fine artisan shops in as well like there other parks. A have a few early "press kits" of this place as well. Great review!
Wild Adventures seems to be the park in the chain that's the outlier for investment.
Deluge Water Coaster will be closing for the 2022 season sadly. And the goldpass day was pretty dissapointing, lightning Run was closed, Kentucky Flyer was closed, T3 was closed, Thunder Run broke down (but it later reopened),and Storm Chaser took 30 minutes after the park opened to open. I'm glad that I live close to Kentucky Kingdom to experience it on better days.
Yikes, that doesn't sound like the best day. Herschend is usually good at having rides open at their other parks.
@@CanobieCoaster interesting
I went to Sat pass holder event, and the only closed coasters were Lightning Run and T3.
The others (besides Roller Skater) did down for maintenance at times, but were back up and running eventually. Which isn't great, but is a common feature of every park opening/previews.
@@TheNinjaDC okay
I went to the park today and asked a worker near the entrance of Lightning Run why it was closed. They said they were waiting for a part to come in and that it may take until the opening of the waterpark (end of may) for it to open.
This park has S tier crossing guard operations for an amusement park.
Yes
It Makes Sense
To Ride Lighting Run First
Slow Dispatches And Low Riders In
A Hour
Yes
Companies plan major ride additions years in advance so for HFE to instantly start adding major new rides to KK just isn't realistic. Here's our signature cinnamon bread. We'll give you a new ride or three in a couple of years.
That's fair. I'm just worried based on what we've seen with Wild Adventures.
I visited on a cloudy day in mid August and it was absolutely packed. I found the layout really frustrating and confusing especially with how many people there were. But the rides were great.
I'm not a fan of the water park's placement.
I need to go here. To the internet, oh wait it’s the off season
The top 2 alone make it worth it.
I visited for the first time last summer, and it overthrew Beech Bend as the weirdest park I'd ever visited (lol). I very much enjoyed it though, and am hoping to make it back there again this summer since it isn't too terribly far! Rides and coasters were very solid, the quirky atmosphere was often pretty fun, but operations were atrocious. That was my main complaint. Sitting on Lightning Run's break run for literally 7 minutes in the hot sun beating down and those lap bars cutting off your circulation while you wait for the train ahead to dispatch is not fun. Also, it should not take 25 minutes after ordering to get a personal-size flatbread, especially since there were a total of only four people other than me and my friend that had ordered that entire time 😂
I wish Lightning Run had better dispatches for sure.
RIP Celebration City ,Silver Dollar City's sister park!
Wish I could have made it there.
Mattel park in Arizona is getting a hyper gtx!!!!
I saw!
Now that T3 is gone, what changes would you make to the plan at park open?
Just skip T3 and get back to Storm Chaser sooner.
Any update on this park? I noticed most of the comments are a year old and mention the ferris wheel closed and the water slide you mentioned being closed since 2019. I was at holdiay world last weekend and it never dissapoints, but this is roughly the same distance from me and want to try something new. Still worth the trip? Any updates on the rides that were closed and any new ones in the works? thanks!
I think the Ferris Wheel reopened, but the water coaster is being retired.
It was fun.. ton of hot rods last weekend
Nice!
Is that Hopkins shoot the shoots back open? When I was there in 2020 it was way closed…I thought they were taking it out. Also I loved my visit. Such a weird fun park. I literally only spend 3 hours here and I rode EVERYTHING. On a Saturday too. It has the same charm as the pre cedar fair/six flags Geauga Lake.
It is open again.
how would you compare the roughness of t3 to condor at walibi? Also, are the trains similarly as unpadded
Both are as shaky. Which you prefer depends on your thoughts on the restraints. I prefer T3 slightly.
The day after holiday world, I'm going here! Can't wait for the ejector airtime machines!
I'm not looking forward to t3 though haha
What day are you going? Depending on when you go it could be the best day of your life or the worst.
The airtime is great.
@@stormingcoasters I will be going on a Tuesday in late july
@@SkyrushFanboy that should be a pretty good day
I live within an hour and 45 from Cedar point, 2 hours and 15 minutes from Kennywood. In Ohio. I have yet to go to Kings Island but was planning this next season. I was thinking of a good way to work my way to holiday world someday. Looks like Kentucky Kingdom might just be the thing I do the morning we drive back from holiday world. Ride some coasters then drive 6 hours home.
That's a good plan.
Chang had like 12 color schemes in its lifetime
It looked great on that skyline.
I guess it looks ok. Don't know if I would visit it. I'm so used to the vastness of Canada's Wonderland. Opens tomorrow. I would try the woodies.
It's good for its size.
The Larson towers - do they have *any* warning at all? A tiny click, or a small noise? Never ridden one but will be riding KK’s next month, and am a bit nervous
Ride on the side with the shadow and you can tell when you're at the top. There is a subtle change in lift speed the instant before you drop, but it would be tricky for a first time rider to identify.
Great review!
Thanks!
Im a big fan of your reviews! My goal is to go to this park soon but are the restraints really that bad for Lightning Run and T3 for bigger people? I might have to reconsider for next year if restraints are not going to work for me.
Lightning Run seems a bit more restrictive than RMCs.
LOVE your reviews
Thank you!
I should at least like KK but I honestly can’t find a reason to visit again. I found LR and SC just too small to really enjoy. After 300 + foot coasters 90’ seems like a kids coaster regardless of the layout.
I don't mind that they're shorter since they're powerful.
Is it me but at 7:40, Lightning Run is really shaking side to side? After train goes over hill
It was doing a shake there.
I will be real here this is my home park , but I have never been to the back also I miss the free drinks, hurricane bay is awesome in my opinion tho me and my mom have gotten a season pass since 2014 .. I was really young back then
Nice!
From what I've heard Deluge is no more. It's not even listed on their website anymore. R.I.P
I'm not too surprised given its downtime.
What would you rate Thunder Run?
6ish
Chang was added under the owner of Six Flags not Ed Hart.
Chang was added at the start of 1997. Premier took over at the end of 1997 from what I could find.
No Ed hart added it before premiere rides took the park I went to when I was younger rode it. Ed hart is the one who got the ride out there.
between that Rockwork and the park insulting T3, Kentucky Kingdom is probably the best park to get a good laugh at. Especially if you're drunk.
Do they still offer beer under Herschend?
@@CanobieCoaster yes I was there yesterday
The final humps on Storm Chaser lifted my shirt up to my chin so I got to flash the camera.....
Wow!
I was surprised to see that the operator left it on the screen lmao 🤣🤣 I tried to buy it but my fiance embarrassingly pulled me away 😭
can you review elitch gardens some people seem to like it but others seem to hate it, It would be interesting to hear your opinion.
I haven't been to Colorado.
I don’t see the new owners investing in this park as it takes away from Dollywood. Already they have the water park not opening until Memorial Day and ending water park operations at Labor Day. Very disappointing. I’m shocked they haven’t stopped liquor sales. Not expecting much. I wish cedar fair had been interested.
A lot of parks operate water parks on a seasonal basis like that.
@@CanobieCoaster correct but Kentucky Kingdom does not. Hurricane bay opens early may and closes either the last week of September or first weekend of October. This year….Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Dollywood is over 4 hours away from this park. I guess it could draw some people from the Nashville area but that's really it
Roasting their own ride. That's a new level of self awareness
Absolutely.
9:21 haha what did they say
They've made comments how many things are better than that ride.
I’m not wrong when I say this: T3 is the best inverted roller coaster in the state of Kentucky.
Can't disagree.
Now just remove best and that's a statement I can get behind
@@starscreamtron um its the only invert in Kentucky lmao
@@coasterland325 Come on just let me hate SLC's. Ur not ma dadddd!!!
@@starscreamtron I was just messing around lol nothing serious
What would you rate t3?
2ish
you should do a video ranking all the river rapids rides in the world
I made one already.
Lol T3 is rough, I had a headache right after
It shakes me up, but it doesn't bang my head.
Man down!!
Poor rock.
Canobie coaster I really can't wait to see what goes in the corkscrew spot I hope it's more water stuff or a new coaster because in the pictures it look like coaster tracks do you agree?
I'd prefer a new coaster, but I think a water park expansion is more likely.
Maybe they will surprised us with a new coaster and a wave pool?
“lightning run is the chance prototype hyper gtx prototype”
Thanks, I just fixed that bit. The edit should be processed later this afternoon.
I have a question for anyone that has gone to Kentucky Kingdom and Holiday World. I know that Kentucky Kingdom is right next to the airport. Can you use Lyft or Uber to Holiday World from there? I was curious if there was a way to get over to Holiday World and back without a car.
Technically yes, but it's up to the driver if they want to travel that far, it would probably be cheaper to rent a car.
@@seanmce8132 Boo! That's what I thought. Once I started using trains, Lyft, etc I've gotten so spoiled I don't like renting cars anymore. Thanks for the response!
You could get an Uber from Louisville, but you would struggle to get one back from Holiday World.
@@CanobieCoaster So what you're saying is I could just live at Holiday World? Humm.🤣No but seriously I appreciate the response. Thank you, that's what I was thinking.
LOT THESE EIGHTY PARKS DONT HAVE DARK RIDES OR VINTAGE MERRY GO ROUND.
I wish they had a dark ride.
@@CanobieCoaster I DIDNT REALIZE YOUR THE GUY FROM CANOBE NH . I LIVE RIGHT NEAR TUFTS UNIVERSITY. MEDFORD MASS MAYBE SOME DAY ILL SAVE UP GO TO ONE OF THESE OLD PARKS .LIKE PLAY LAND OR OCEAN CITY. I DONT DRIVE OR DRINK. BUT I LOVE TO FIND WAY TO GET TO THESE PLACES. I DONT MIND SAVEN UP. YES NO DARK RIDES. CHECK OUT LAKE WINNIE IN GEORGIA THEY GOT THE OLDEST MILL RIDE. ITS SO DARK YOUR IN THERE OVER. 5 MINS NO LIGHTS. DARKEST I EVER SAW
11:06 I'm dead 😅
So isn't that rock formation.
RIP Solar Winds
Cause of death: phallic pile of rocks
This is NOT located in downtown Louisville.
Sorry for mistaking that.
Kentucky Kingdom is not in downtown Louisville
It isn't?
Wrong.. the park is literally like right next to the airport.. and downtown is like 3 miles north of the park
Other than that.. great review!! 👍🏼
I count 1 mile as next to the airport. It's walkable.
Just saying, no hate btw, but its lull-vull not loo-ee-ville its like lule-vule or lull-vull
Ah ok, thanks!
@@CanobieCoaster your welcome
Deluge is being removed from the park.
Has the park officially said that? I saw the ride was removed from the website.
Chang looked very cool before it turned into Green Lantern
It looked great on the skyline.
Why does the first drop look different on T3 compared to the other clones
T3 has the prototype layout like Condor at walibi Holland (the first prototype). The first drop of those two layouts are higher off the ground compared to the standard SLC's. They also do not have the straight track after the first drop.
It was a prototype
Deluge has closed as of 2022
Aw man!
What IF T3 ended up replaced by a B&M Family Invert during Herschend's ownership of Kentucky Kingdom?
That would be a welcome change.
Six Flags rebuy this park
I am optimistic about Herschend.
No
I want to give them more time.
Chang was added under the ownership of Six Flags.
Chang was added at the start of 1997. Premier took over at the end of 1997 from what I could find.
Incorrect added before six flags
not a good thing AT ALL to be purchased by herschend. Brother used to work at their headquaters and they had a reputation for being tightwads. they would squeeze a nickel until thomas jefferson farted.
Oh no! I always have a great time at their two big parks.
this park will close down indefinitely within the next 6 years.. mark my word . this park is garbage look how dead it is 🤣🤣
I think it should last.