Water park needs another family slide and/or water coaster. Likely also refresh/redo the main waterslide complex in the middle of innertube lazy river. Back of the park needs some serious loving as nothing near storm chaser or T3 for non-roller coaster family members to do when roller coaster loving dad wants to hit these rides. This back area has just Raging Rapids (down much of the time) and eye of storm (to intense for those not into that type of ride). I get that most kids rides are together to an extent but it feels like some in these areas would help with flow and getting people to the back of the park.
I think Kentucky Kingdom should add a Zamperla AIR RACE ride and ABC TOURBILLION ride like Six Flags Great Adventures has. Theirs is called CYBORG CYBER SPIN while Six Flags Over Texas is called SPINSANITY.
I feel like they should add a single rail roller coaster near eye of the storm and storm chaser, because it is enough space to fit there and they have worked with RMC so it wouldn't be a stretch. Also the original single rail models are cheap enough for small parks like Kentucky kingdom to invest in. So that could be an offer.
I think the bullet points at 2:05 can be hit by: - giving King Louie some costumed friends to roam around his "playland" all the rides in this section could bare his or his friends names and likeness. i.e. Princess Cheetah's Tea Party. -Harlem Globetrotters in the 5d cinema. I know you don't want to see it but: - I could see the path that winds around the waterparks lazy river from Thunder Run to T3 could be lined with frontier shops as a nod to Daniel Boone and the Kentucky wilderness, maybe even a tunnel/(mammoth) cave portion to get you out of the sun. Possible extensive re-naming and rebranding to the water park. Loosing the Hurricane and toning down the wave action of the wave pool (if possible) to a more family friendly level. The hurricane theme always seemed to me to be a clever way to skip on an fresh coat of paint haha ! -I'd look for special events like dive-in movies, or promo events like Wild Adventures Mother's/Father's Day where the first 500 mom's/grandma's or dad's/grandpa's get a muffin (mom) or donut (dad). plus the season extenders like Harvest Festival in the fall and a Kentucky Christmas through December. -lastly, maybe converting the old aviary amphitheater into an legit 2000+ seat concert venue. This may be something that hits that last bullet point with working with the State and local tourism partners. It's also the piece I think they need to close the $40 gap in pricing for a season pass between Wild Adventures and Kentucky Kingdom. The only problem is there already is an outdoor concert venue not too far away!
Thoughts on what unsaid first I like the King Louie extension idea. Like what six flags has with Looney tunes. Glove troters be cool and have some sort of marketing idea to be like this park has a globe trotters movie. For shops and stuff that’s possible. Now for the water park stuff first dropping the name is possible but that’s a well known name here so I dought they want to get rid of that name. For the waves that’s one thing the parks known for but Maby cut it down to like 2 times a day instead of 3. For events I could see them doing something like a festville or nation type event or something. For spring do a flower snd food or something. Memorial Day bbq and booze or something. Halloween a family type event. Christmas winter wounder land. For coaster I can see something going in T3 place. For a concert venue that be tough. The one they have isn’t that big but if they were able to redo it that be fine.
@@wrestlingandamusementparkl7789 yeah, the concert venue thing may be a matter of bulldozing the current structure and maybe acquiring more land to the south. That what I was thinking in terms of working with the fair board to get it done. Maybe, an indoor dinner theater like Dolly Patton’s (Dixie) Stampede that could operate year round is what they have in mind. I just figure they need to have something that’s going to justify raising the season pass prices. This year Wild Adventures comparable season pass is $99. Kentucky Kingdom to me seems to be the better park, but Wild Adventures has general seating to the summer concert series and dibs on preferred seating sales so that’s why I think they would want to try to add that. The other thing that makes Kentucky Kingdom unique to the other Herschend parks is competition with Holiday World and Kings Island. So advertising will probably be be pretty prevalent. I also think HFE Creative Studios has the ability to create the “escape” without leaning on a ride as the new attraction. Currently I’d say that HoWo and KI are better themed theme parks and Kk is just an amusement park. I look for this to turn around in the next decade. Sure they still will need to add new rides at some point , but it’s not paramount right now. I do think they will upgrade rides like the river rapids rides. And I agree T3 is in a terrible location and it will probably need to be removed. I kinda think they may turn away from the alcohol after this year. Dollywood is doing well without any moonshine sales so I can see Kk surviving without catering to bourbon loving Kentucky crowds. Herschend I believe tries to stay “dry” as business model but may take a few years to ween those who enjoy their spirits while at the park.
@@timk987 first with the concert venu behind T3 that will be interesting what they have in mind for that down the road. As for compition while KI may have more coasters then kk u have to remember to that KI is one of Cedar fair best parks so they get the better rides. Hw is a good park but there mostly known for there water park just like kk is. I don’t see them trying to turn it into a theme park Maby I m wrong. As for alcohol it’s possible but they could see how well it does and keep it who knows. As for the difference between KK and Wild Adventures. One big difference is KK has 2 six flags park plus KI and CP plus HW plus DW all with in a 6 hr drive of the park where both Six flags over Georgia and Universal studios Florida are 3 hrs of them.
@@wrestlingandamusementparkl7789 I'm not sure what your definition of a theme park is, but the slide (2:05 in the video) out right says the name of the park is Kentucky Kingdom Theme Park, LLC. and the intention is to expand it's operations to be consistent with it's (HFE) other properties. I don't think they will try to make the park all one theme like Silver Dollar City sort of has that frontier feel everywhere, but more like Dollywood's themed sections (County Fair, Craftsmen's Alley, Wildwood Grove) to me there are some areas that aren't definitively themed but are a far cry from feeling like an amusement park. I think KK will be the same way. Truth be told, if their doing it right it will always be a work in progress. It'll be fun to see how it develops over the years and how they manage such close competition.
Hopefully Herschend will offer a Platinum Pass, similar to SeaWorld and Cedar Fair. I live in the triangle of SDC, Dollywood and Kentucky Kingdom, I would definitely buy one if it gave me access to all three.
I think currently they only offer 50% off a single day gate ticket with a sister parks highest tier (gold) pass. I honestly think their market studies show that free admission to sister parks doesn’t lead to major increases in revenue and don’t expect that to change :(
@@timk987 I think it's that Herschend just does things weird. Last year Dollywood had all day drink bands and SDC did not. At DW they scan your season pass for food/merch discounts, at SDC they simply asked if you have a season pass. Seaworld, Cedar Fair and 6Flags seem to think it's worth it but who knows.
@@627jace627 Yeah, I think they all have inconsistencies when it comes to fulfilling the perks, so long as they are honoring the perks that you paid for when you bought he pass tht's the important thing.
I dunno about removing T3, it may be crap, it may make you feel like you've been in a literal car crash, but it's the most popular ride at the park. For some reason.
I think if they look at the Aton Tower approach to the Coasters. Heavy theme, Unique layout that aren't cookie cutter and Alton Tower has a height requirement as well so very creative land and Skyway usage. Maybe not the horror theme but a style that makes the Rides become e apart of the kingdom or 1920's town and country feel based around horse racing. Front side of Park, originally park, King Louis Kingdom for kids (Old Kingdom) across the road towards Kentucky Flyer, State Fair, Big wheel and Kentucky Flyer gives off a Classic Fair feeling (Bluegrass Boardwalk), get trademark name from Holiday World please. Hurricane Bay to Ohio Valley bay/Beach (if needing a name change)and everything from the outside of Hurricane bay to Storm Chaser (Storm Ally, My Old Kentucky Home[State and City History or Derby City[Horse Racing]) (the ideas for themed area)
I'm willing to bet that KK's next coaster is probably going to be another family coaster. Although KK just got Kentucky Flier as a family coaster, it is the only true family coaster in the park since Roller Skater is a kiddie coaster and all the other coasters are thrill coasters. Herschend is known for wanting to add attractions that can be marketed for the entire family, hence the reason we are seeing Dollywood spending an exuberant amount of capital on Wildwood Grove and they are also planning to put in their second new family coaster in a row in 2023. Considering KK already has a family woodie, my guess is that we might see a family invert or a coaster similar to firechaser express come to the park next. More family attractions would also help draw crowds from Holiday World to come to KK instead, as Holiday World does not have a notable family coaster in its collection. When we do see KK add in another thrill coaster, my guess is that it's probably going to be a gerstlauer or an RMC raptor.
I think you're being a bit optimistic, but not unreasonably. They really need extensive retheming and a family coaster, which I think will come along with a flat ride/other non-coaster experience. Can't see a major coaster until 2026+
i would say no to taking out t3 bc i live in kentucky and im really close to kentucky kingdom and i have a season pass and that is one of my favorite rides in the park.
Where u from bro u said 4 hrs away I'm from Louisville and live about 45 to 50 mins from kk now was only about 15 to mins before we moved out of Louisville.
I live in Cincinnati so I go there occasionally and the one thing that they should do in terms of roller coasters is no more wooden or hybrid coasters. Storm Chaser, Kentucky Flyer, and Thunder Run are all good coasters but after a while, the same type (or generally the same type) of coasters gets a little old. I hope to see a steel coaster kind of like Lightning Run, only more intense. Great video as always Destination Thrills!
I think they put a lot of effort into the park only because of compition. KK has both Dollywood and Silver dollar as well as Six flags St. Louis and great America and Kings Island As well as HW. With Wild adventure both over Georgia and Universal are all 3 hrs away. Where KK has a 1-4 hr
My thoughts: They announced a 5D Yogi Bear ride for this summer. You might see Yogi, Boo Boo and Cindy Bear walk through the park. I would love to see Smurfs come there too (nearby King’s Island used to have them). Herschend owns Chuggington children’s show so you could see rebranding of King Louie’s playground with that for toddlers. I want to see an indoor coaster and another RMC raptor come there!
This season not a lot is gonna change. It’s mostly gonna be like let’s see how the season goes. Maby new foods. Next year is where I think we see the changes. What that he i m not sure. I m sure they somehow advertise this park at the other parks
Well there goes the Haunt season and the cocktail and beers for those who partake. Herschend is very Christian based. So for tho who enjoy beer and light spirits say goodbye and bring Harvest fest
I would agree that they will remove T3 but they still have an SLC at Wild Adventure, so while I hope that's what they do I'm not sure they will. KK has a better location and probably better attendance numbers than Wild Adventure so hopefully that will nudge them away from keeping T3. (The only SLC I've ridden, I can't believe the SLC's with the old restraints were ever legal)
The theme they need to do is already there, weather themed They already got cyclone storm chaser lighting run thunder run eye of the storm Yada Yada its a good theme because Kentucky gets some wild weather
With Kentucky Kingdom being my home park, based on the title of the rides, I honestly think the best theming Herschend should go for is a beachy or weather based theme. I definitely don’t think a Dollywood or Silver Dollar City vibe would work at Kentucky Kingdom (as far as the type of themes they have). I really hope we get a new coaster that’s at least as tall as Chang.
Herschend owns plenty of properties which are not HEE HAW themed so there is no reason to believe that KK would get rethemed into another HEE HAW themed park.
One of my favorite parts of going to Kk Is how nostalgic and old school it feels. Been going since I was a kid and six flags days.
Your predictions are the literal most accurate predictions and I like that
Thank you! We will see if this one turns out lol! There have been plenty of times I have been wrong hahaha.
Water park needs another family slide and/or water coaster. Likely also refresh/redo the main waterslide complex in the middle of innertube lazy river. Back of the park needs some serious loving as nothing near storm chaser or T3 for non-roller coaster family members to do when roller coaster loving dad wants to hit these rides. This back area has just Raging Rapids (down much of the time) and eye of storm (to intense for those not into that type of ride). I get that most kids rides are together to an extent but it feels like some in these areas would help with flow and getting people to the back of the park.
I think Kentucky Kingdom should add a Zamperla AIR RACE ride and ABC TOURBILLION ride like Six Flags Great Adventures has. Theirs is called CYBORG CYBER SPIN while Six Flags Over Texas is called SPINSANITY.
Air Race for sure it would go with the theming since the airplanes always fly so closed to the park lol
Seen this and getting pumped for the season! I think you are right on T3, that's going to be a sad day :/ lots of hours on that one.
Kentucky Kingdom is getting a winter event this year
I feel like they should add a single rail roller coaster near eye of the storm and storm chaser, because it is enough space to fit there and they have worked with RMC so it wouldn't be a stretch. Also the original single rail models are cheap enough for small parks like Kentucky kingdom to invest in. So that could be an offer.
That’s easy already gonna happen and the lost it. Same spot u said. Look up stunt pilot on Wikipedia. That was KK’s
I think the bullet points at 2:05 can be hit by:
- giving King Louie some costumed friends to roam around his "playland" all the rides in this section could bare his or his friends names and likeness. i.e. Princess Cheetah's Tea Party.
-Harlem Globetrotters in the 5d cinema.
I know you don't want to see it but:
- I could see the path that winds around the waterparks lazy river from Thunder Run to T3 could be lined with frontier shops as a nod to Daniel Boone and the Kentucky wilderness, maybe even a tunnel/(mammoth) cave portion to get you out of the sun.
Possible extensive re-naming and rebranding to the water park. Loosing the Hurricane and toning down the wave action of the wave pool (if possible) to a more family friendly level. The hurricane theme always seemed to me to be a clever way to skip on an fresh coat of paint haha !
-I'd look for special events like dive-in movies, or promo events like Wild Adventures Mother's/Father's Day where the first 500 mom's/grandma's or dad's/grandpa's get a muffin (mom) or donut (dad). plus the season extenders like Harvest Festival in the fall and a Kentucky Christmas through December.
-lastly, maybe converting the old aviary amphitheater into an legit 2000+ seat concert venue. This may be something that hits that last bullet point with working with the State and local tourism partners. It's also the piece I think they need to close the $40 gap in pricing for a season pass between Wild Adventures and Kentucky Kingdom. The only problem is there already is an outdoor concert venue not too far away!
Thoughts on what unsaid first I like the King Louie extension idea. Like what six flags has with Looney tunes. Glove troters be cool and have some sort of marketing idea to be like this park has a globe trotters movie. For shops and stuff that’s possible. Now for the water park stuff first dropping the name is possible but that’s a well known name here so I dought they want to get rid of that name. For the waves that’s one thing the parks known for but Maby cut it down to like 2 times a day instead of 3. For events I could see them doing something like a festville or nation type event or something. For spring do a flower snd food or something. Memorial Day bbq and booze or something. Halloween a family type event. Christmas winter wounder land. For coaster I can see something going in T3 place. For a concert venue that be tough. The one they have isn’t that big but if they were able to redo it that be fine.
@@wrestlingandamusementparkl7789 yeah, the concert venue thing may be a matter of bulldozing the current structure and maybe acquiring more land to the south. That what I was thinking in terms of working with the fair board to get it done. Maybe, an indoor dinner theater like Dolly Patton’s (Dixie) Stampede that could operate year round is what they have in mind. I just figure they need to have something that’s going to justify raising the season pass prices. This year Wild Adventures comparable season pass is $99. Kentucky Kingdom to me seems to be the better park, but Wild Adventures has general seating to the summer concert series and dibs on preferred seating sales so that’s why I think they would want to try to add that. The other thing that makes Kentucky Kingdom unique to the other Herschend parks is competition with Holiday World and Kings Island. So advertising will probably be be pretty prevalent. I also think HFE Creative Studios has the ability to create the “escape” without leaning on a ride as the new attraction. Currently I’d say that HoWo and KI are better themed theme parks and Kk is just an amusement park. I look for this to turn around in the next decade. Sure they still will need to add new rides at some point , but it’s not paramount right now. I do think they will upgrade rides like the river rapids rides. And I agree T3 is in a terrible location and it will probably need to be removed. I kinda think they may turn away from the alcohol after this year. Dollywood is doing well without any moonshine sales so I can see Kk surviving without catering to bourbon loving Kentucky crowds. Herschend I believe tries to stay “dry” as business model but may take a few years to ween those who enjoy their spirits while at the park.
@@timk987 first with the concert venu behind T3 that will be interesting what they have in mind for that down the road. As for compition while KI may have more coasters then kk u have to remember to that KI is one of Cedar fair best parks so they get the better rides. Hw is a good park but there mostly known for there water park just like kk is. I don’t see them trying to turn it into a theme park Maby I m wrong. As for alcohol it’s possible but they could see how well it does and keep it who knows. As for the difference between KK and Wild Adventures. One big difference is KK has 2 six flags park plus KI and CP plus HW plus DW all with in a 6 hr drive of the park where both Six flags over Georgia and Universal studios Florida are 3 hrs of them.
@@wrestlingandamusementparkl7789 I'm not sure what your definition of a theme park is, but the slide (2:05 in the video) out right says the name of the park is Kentucky Kingdom Theme Park, LLC. and the intention is to expand it's operations to be consistent with it's (HFE) other properties. I don't think they will try to make the park all one theme like Silver Dollar City sort of has that frontier feel everywhere, but more like Dollywood's themed sections (County Fair, Craftsmen's Alley, Wildwood Grove) to me there are some areas that aren't definitively themed but are a far cry from feeling like an amusement park. I think KK will be the same way. Truth be told, if their doing it right it will always be a work in progress. It'll be fun to see how it develops over the years and how they manage such close competition.
@@timk987 that’s true it will be interesting what happens. But I can see some good stuff coming. What I don’t know:
Hopefully Herschend will offer a Platinum Pass, similar to SeaWorld and Cedar Fair. I live in the triangle of SDC, Dollywood and Kentucky Kingdom, I would definitely buy one if it gave me access to all three.
Yes! Please Herschend I would buy said pass!
I think currently they only offer 50% off a single day gate ticket with a sister parks highest tier (gold) pass. I honestly think their market studies show that free admission to sister parks doesn’t lead to major increases in revenue and don’t expect that to change :(
@@timk987 I think it's that Herschend just does things weird. Last year Dollywood had all day drink bands and SDC did not. At DW they scan your season pass for food/merch discounts, at SDC they simply asked if you have a season pass. Seaworld, Cedar Fair and 6Flags seem to think it's worth it but who knows.
@@627jace627 Yeah, I think they all have inconsistencies when it comes to fulfilling the perks, so long as they are honoring the perks that you paid for when you bought he pass tht's the important thing.
I dunno about removing T3, it may be crap, it may make you feel like you've been in a literal car crash, but it's the most popular ride at the park. For some reason.
I think if they look at the Aton Tower approach to the Coasters. Heavy theme, Unique layout that aren't cookie cutter and Alton Tower has a height requirement as well so very creative land and Skyway usage. Maybe not the horror theme but a style that makes the Rides become e apart of the kingdom or 1920's town and country feel based around horse racing.
Front side of Park, originally park, King Louis Kingdom for kids (Old Kingdom) across the road towards Kentucky Flyer, State Fair, Big wheel and Kentucky Flyer gives off a Classic Fair feeling (Bluegrass Boardwalk), get trademark name from Holiday World please. Hurricane Bay to Ohio Valley bay/Beach (if needing a name change)and everything from the outside of Hurricane bay to Storm Chaser (Storm Ally, My Old Kentucky Home[State and City History or Derby City[Horse Racing]) (the ideas for themed area)
T3 for life,never going to leave the kingdom
B&M hyper so people can hi five the planes when they land
I'm willing to bet that KK's next coaster is probably going to be another family coaster. Although KK just got Kentucky Flier as a family coaster, it is the only true family coaster in the park since Roller Skater is a kiddie coaster and all the other coasters are thrill coasters. Herschend is known for wanting to add attractions that can be marketed for the entire family, hence the reason we are seeing Dollywood spending an exuberant amount of capital on Wildwood Grove and they are also planning to put in their second new family coaster in a row in 2023. Considering KK already has a family woodie, my guess is that we might see a family invert or a coaster similar to firechaser express come to the park next. More family attractions would also help draw crowds from Holiday World to come to KK instead, as Holiday World does not have a notable family coaster in its collection. When we do see KK add in another thrill coaster, my guess is that it's probably going to be a gerstlauer or an RMC raptor.
I think you're being a bit optimistic, but not unreasonably. They really need extensive retheming and a family coaster, which I think will come along with a flat ride/other non-coaster experience. Can't see a major coaster until 2026+
i would say no to taking out t3 bc i live in kentucky and im really close to kentucky kingdom and i have a season pass and that is one of my favorite rides in the park.
Where u from bro u said 4 hrs away I'm from Louisville and live about 45 to 50 mins from kk now was only about 15 to mins before we moved out of Louisville.
I didn’t know that Kentucky Kingdom has been brought out
For a coaster I think they can replace T3 with a venoms launched coaster similar to Formula at Energylandia.
That would be fun!
@@DestinationThrills it definitely would be. Those rides look great
I live in Cincinnati so I go there occasionally and the one thing that they should do in terms of roller coasters is no more wooden or hybrid coasters. Storm Chaser, Kentucky Flyer, and Thunder Run are all good coasters but after a while, the same type (or generally the same type) of coasters gets a little old. I hope to see a steel coaster kind of like Lightning Run, only more intense. Great video as always Destination Thrills!
I have a gut feeling they will start treating this park like wild adventures
Great video!
YES A LAUNCH MAVERICK!!! That’s my favorite coaster!! I would love that.
I’m optimistic about this move. Hopefully KK is treated like SDC and Dollywood rather than being treated like Wild Adventures.
I think they put a lot of effort into the park only because of compition. KK has both Dollywood and Silver dollar as well as Six flags St. Louis and great America and Kings Island As well as HW. With Wild adventure both over Georgia and Universal are all 3 hrs away. Where KK has a 1-4 hr
This is exactly what I want with it as it is my home park, and I also was predicting the next coaster to be a launch which would be perfect
My thoughts: They announced a 5D Yogi Bear ride for this summer. You might see Yogi, Boo Boo and Cindy Bear walk through the park. I would love to see Smurfs come there too (nearby King’s Island used to have them). Herschend owns Chuggington children’s show so you could see rebranding of King Louie’s playground with that for toddlers. I want to see an indoor coaster and another RMC raptor come there!
This season not a lot is gonna change. It’s mostly gonna be like let’s see how the season goes. Maby new foods. Next year is where I think we see the changes. What that he i m not sure. I m sure they somehow advertise this park at the other parks
I like t3
I've been to all three parks. KK is by far the best value with the best waterpark.
Well there goes the Haunt season and the cocktail and beers for those who partake. Herschend is very Christian based. So for tho who enjoy beer and light spirits say goodbye and bring Harvest fest
Yes, Herschend is Christian and family focused and people can drink beer at home.
Wrong, it's already 2022 now and we are expecting a new coaster already!
The Harlem globetrotters came
I would agree that they will remove T3 but they still have an SLC at Wild Adventure, so while I hope that's what they do I'm not sure they will. KK has a better location and probably better attendance numbers than Wild Adventure so hopefully that will nudge them away from keeping T3. (The only SLC I've ridden, I can't believe the SLC's with the old restraints were ever legal)
The theme they need to do is already there, weather themed
They already got cyclone storm chaser lighting run thunder run eye of the storm Yada Yada its a good theme because Kentucky gets some wild weather
With Kentucky Kingdom being my home park, based on the title of the rides, I honestly think the best theming Herschend should go for is a beachy or weather based theme. I definitely don’t think a Dollywood or Silver Dollar City vibe would work at Kentucky Kingdom (as far as the type of themes they have).
I really hope we get a new coaster that’s at least as tall as Chang.
Herschend owns plenty of properties which are not HEE HAW themed so there is no reason to believe that KK would get rethemed into another HEE HAW themed park.
FIRST!
Honestly I don’t want to have a theme I will stop coming if they do because it was so fun without the theme once they put the themes I am out of there
I would love to see Herschend bring in more live entertainment! I had such a great time dancing for Halloscream.
Make it more fluffy friendly I went there and it was a waste of money