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I don't think many of us would be on their radar. An industry insider though would absolutely be on their radar, however. Especially if that person says negative things about the park publicly. You can't poke a bear and expect him to be nice to you. I enjoyed my season pass in 2015 and intend on doing the same in 2016!

I'm absolutely shocked.

Yeah Matt Bevin knows the writing is on the wall. He's been particularly nasty this week.

Well, let me correct that statement. I've been visiting this website and other earlier iterations for a long time. This message board isn't silly, but the idea that one expressing their opinion about a park's operations would cause them to be denied entry - THAT is silly. Again, I never doubted your story or your industry connections. This is just really a wild story. Someone came from D.C. to pay to enter your park and you have such a bone to pick you refuse entry. That'll never make sense. I guess Mr. Hart takes any form of criticism very personally! Taco Tico? I live in Lou and am not familiar. I'll have to look into that!

Never doubted this, but what do you do in the industry and why would someone at KK dislike you? Is it really all about posts on a silly message board? Again, not doubting you, but feel there is more to this story than is being said here. Count me in as a third, I'll walk through that gate with you, too!

Very true. I'm surprised the Bevin campgain responded at all to this issue. They have much bigger fish to fry at the present time.

The park was indeed busy today! Nice to see an active project like Storm Chaser happening in the background, too. See you in 2016, KK!

Yeah I don't understand the no Halloween thing. If I'm not mistaken, didn't Hellevator debut during Halloween season in 95? I would love to know why this isn't being done during the second reign so to speak. Rode T3 again yesterday. Those restraints are the key to making that SLC doable. Thunder good as usual. Skipped lightning due to 1 train operation and queue spilling out onto the midway. That was a little after noon. I hope that second train was transferred on at some point.

I visited the park earlier today. Got my first ride on T3 - the trains are such an improvement. Yeah there is still some shuffling, but these new restraints can't beat you to death like the old ones. Definitely re-ridable. Thunder and Lightning both excellent as usual. The park is still looking fresh and clean. It is a beautiful day here in the Bluegrass, so crowds were picking up as I was leaving around 12:30.

Was just watching the Louisville NBC affiliate (WAVE3) and there was a KK commercial that opened with "Why pay $20 or more for rides on the midway at the state fair when you can ride all day at the Kingdom for $9.95....." Only at Kroger.

I know we're not the same age and I don't believe we're from the same part of the state, either. But growing up 2 hours from Louisville I don't recall anyone "hating" Louisville (except for the Cards! Ha!) Democrats, yeah maybe. I'm from the land of Senator Ford though, and in my teens Kentucky sided with a Democrat governor from Arkansas, twice even! I know what you're saying though. Things get very different east of Lexington, and the days of a "Southern Democrat" are pretty much gone. November could be interesting.

Those other parks have always advertised here. Even in KK's former life there was a Holiday World billboard as you exited the fairgrounds parking lot. As a local I've seen my share of KK advertising this year. Not saying it's good or effective. Years ago parks like Holiday World probably felt more need to compete. Today's KK isn't the same one from the 90's. It doesn't have the same quality attractions it did in that era, nor the budget for them. While HW was doing budget friendly attractions KK was installing an impressive record breaking B&M. The tables have certainly turned..... I need to get over the and do T3 before the season is over.

I visited the park again today for a bit with my partner. Did Lightning Run (2 train operations) and Thunder Run. Both a lot of fun as usual. I too witnessed T3 testing. I passed Mr. Hart on the path right at the intersection of wave pool/Giant Wheel/bridge to other side of park. Just as last time, black pants, black polo (Ralph Lauren), black hat and light sunglasses. He made eye contact and smiled. Once again glad to see him walking the park on a weekend showing interest.

I visited the park today. Things were busy. I spent the day in Hurricane Bay, and at one point Mr. Hart was observing the wave pool from the side: black pants, black polo, black hat and sunglasses, arms folded, intently watching. Glad to see him about the park observing. Some things I noted: 2 train operation on Lightning Run While waiting on Deluge I noticed activity in T3's station (maintenance workers scurrying about), definitely at least one train present with water dummies loaded. Raging Rapids operating No trouble with season pass or free parking, and in the heat was enjoying $1 soft drinks immensely. Over at the beach club they were having technical difficulties with one of the registers (IT was on site), so instead of having me wait just gave me my soft drink. I noticed plenty of security. I hope things stay busy and they get T3 running soon!

What would really be nice if they had learned the value of under promising and over delivering. i.e. - We said June 6th but really it is opening 6/4 ahead of schedule. I'm just being optimistic, my hart knows the reality will be different.

I passed the park on I264W today around 520pm and there was a train at the top of T3's lift. On my return trip on I264E around 815pm the train was no longer parked on the lift. It's definitely on site and testing (so it appears).

As a Louisville resident, I would like to see something survive there. I'm so glad the decaying park of the last few years at least has some life to it now. Will it make it? Who knows. Their efforts and planning lead me to wonder, but for now I'm going to enjoy my 2015 season pass that just arrived in the mail. It was a bargain, even if just for a few visits. I'll be sure to post about my experiences.

I'm not doubting it at all. Was just curious as to why that might happen. In poor taste regardless.

I've been following this and I just want to clarify. So he (or someone else at KK) KNEW you were coming and/or knew you were there and intentionally turned you away?? Why??

Bought a season pass a few weeks ago. I will try T3, but I'm not expecting much. Last time I rode it as T2 the shuffling was kind of terrifying. Looking forward to taking my nephews to the water park though. I haven't been in the water park since the summer I graduated high school! (1998)

No evidence even of a new train being on site. They would be showing it off if it were there. What a sad show they are putting on.

I thought the lack of T3 talk or testing videos would be telling. Ridiculous it isn't ready for opening day.

I've been thinking that about most of these new rides. Rather carnivalish. Certainly a departure from the original Vekoma and HUSS installations from the 90s. Good news is, these new rides should pack up rather quickly! Hope I'm wrong.......

Delayed update, but I did Manhattan Express. Ouch. I could see some of the transitions coming and couldn't help but tense up, which probably made it worse. I had a view of High Roller from my room at Bellagio, but never made it over there to do it. Was pretty though!

I work in Eastern Jefferson County, and I encounter young families daily in my profession. The general consensus (I asked many parents about KK specifically) was "let's see how the first year goes before we visit. " The Superman accident, and frankly the general decline and decay in the Six years is still fresh on people's minds. A young girl was horribly injured for life under the watch and management of a very well known theme park chain. It really left a bad taste in people's mouths around here. People weren't ready to trust this year. Will they be ready next year? Who knows, but Hart and company better hope so. I really hate to see this go down this way. I will always remember the park when it was in the glory days prior to Premier and Six. There's no denying Hart was in it to make a buck. However, during that time he brought Kentuckians (and beyond) a nice little regional park with some unique attractions (some prototypes and one record breaking B&M). No, it was no Kings Island or big destination park, but it was our Kentucky Kingdom. I miss that park. Unfortunately I'm not sure we will ever see it in that capacity again, or even at all.