Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Kentucky Kingdom plans for life after Six Flags
Since I have been a roller coaster enthusiast, Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom has had the dubious distinction as the black sheep in the Six Flags chain. In the last decade, there were very few new rides. And, with the exception of one roller coaster which will now be Green Lantern at Great Adventure, there was no real draw for theme park travelers like myself. In addition, park operations and maintenance were subpar. Maintenance becomes glaringly important when horrifying accidents gain national attention. Anyone remember the girl whose feet were severed by the drop ride at the park?
Ed Hart operated Kentucky Kingdom in its pre-Six Flags days of steady growth and has now once again taken the reins in its post-Six Flags era. He puts the blame for the park's attendance and investment decline squarely on Six Flags. A new video charts the park's attendance growth as new rides were opened in nearly every year of Kentucky Kingdom's first 9 years. And then, it details the attendance decline as Six Flags removed rides and added very little.
With $50 million dollars of state-funded bonds going towards rehab and new rides, Hart plans to re-open Kentucky Kingdom in 2012. His plans were recently discussed during an interview with ParkThoughts. They include moving the park's entrance, an expanded water park, and free parking. The most notable announcement for coaster fans was the mention of a new marquee Bolliger & Mabillard-designed roller coaster. Details of the new roller coaster are forthcoming.
With $50 million dollars of state-funded bonds going towards rehab and new rides, Hart plans to re-open Kentucky Kingdom in 2012. His plans were recently discussed during an interview with ParkThoughts. They include moving the park's entrance, an expanded water park, and free parking. The most notable announcement for coaster fans was the mention of a new marquee Bolliger & Mabillard-designed roller coaster. Details of the new roller coaster are forthcoming.
Filed under: United States, Theme Parks
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Doug Dec 31st 2010 11:40AM
It would have been really nice if you would have linked to us at Park Thoughts, as we were the first to break Ed's new plans in our interview.
You can listen to the interview here: http://parkthoughts.com/2010/12/20/interview-kentucky-kingdom-redevelopment-group/
Please remember to help out small sites like ours by properly linking! Thanks!
Joel Bullock Dec 31st 2010 7:40PM
Credit given Doug. Nice interview! I'm excited to see what happens with this park.
If the $30 million is going to be paid out over time, wouldn't that mean that they wouldn't be able to afford a brand spanking new $15 - $20 million B&M coaster for 2012? If they've only got a few million to work with wouldn't the Led Zeppelin/Time Machine B&M that's sitting dormant in Myrtle Beach be the most likely choice?