Shaggy

Photo Credit - Nick Lamb via Roller Coaster Enthusiasts Club on FB.

This is exactly right. Herschend is moving the park away from the long-standing/former "Thrill Park" moniker. The idea is to "soften" the image of the park - to become geared to families. Future expansions & additions will reflect that intent. A good example is that two of the more "thrilling" flat rides are quietly being removed this year - Eye of the Storm and Cyclos. With a focus on seasonal events, I look for the park to make even more family-focused changes in the years to come.

Was at the KFEC today and snapped a few KK construction pics. Can’t see much from the perimeter road, but it’s definitely a construction area. BTW - the kids coaster (former Roller Skater) has been painted (except for one bit on the lift hill - as far as I could tell.) Also, the Giant Wheel’s legs are still standing. I know there’s been some enthusiasts questioning its removal, but it appeared to me it’s just disassembled for a refurbishment.

KD is re-theming and refurbishing their FOF for 2025. KI's continually has one of the longest waits in the park, and its a co-anchor of Area '72. I don't think they are going anywhere anytime soon.

I always thought it was called the International Restaurant because its at the end of International Street. ;-) Even back when it opened, it offered more a more "common fare" menu (The same kind of menu I was speaking of... meat and potatoes.) The more diverse/themed entrees were served at the various eateries on the midway based on the country being represented (Sausage at the German/Swiss venue, Beignets at the French Corner etc) IMO, the International Buffet tried a bit to hard to be diverse during its recent Winterfest offerings... and the menu & price kept people away. Sure kept me from going back. Example of an original IR menu:

S&S Screamin Swing in empty plot of land behind International Showplace... oh wait, non ride... darn. A complete re-do of the International Restaurant, open on a permanent basis. No weird menu - no couscous crap... just good old standard meat and potatoes menu.

I'm kind of numb to the sponsor thing. Its been around so long I look past it. Lest we forget KI was, essentially one big Sponsorship... built to capitalize and propagate Taft and Hanna-Barbera Productions. Attraction "Sponsors" are hardly unique to SF.... Heck KI opened several attractions with commercial names plastered all over them. Sherwin Williams, Bank America, Kahn's, Rainbo Bakers, Coke, Marathon Oil, Fotomat etc. KI has had hundreds of them over the years. Remember Kodak Photospots? Or Kenton's Cove Keelboat Canal sponsored by Kayak Pools? How about Landscaping by John Deere? Shows at the American Heritage Music Hall sponsored by Chevrolet? One could go one and on. Granted the ride cars didn't necessarily have the sponsor's names on them - but the signage and park paraphernalia sure did. Finally, let's not discount the Paramount Years... where most every new attraction's theme was essentially a commercial for a dated movie title.

KK is moving the "adult" rides, minus Lightning Run from the front of the park to the newly expanded area between the Thunder Run Plaza and Storm Chaser. I look for everything - including Storm Chaser to be re-themed/re-named. They will close the path that ran from Storm Chaser to the former T2, mostly to remove rides and install a major "attraction" rounding out the two-year $25M plan. I believe the vacancies created by the loss of the rides at the front of the park will be filled with more substantial buildings & infrastructure (over time) that will allow them to flesh out their Halloween and Holiday events. IMO, if they don't seize the opportunity to relocate the carousel to the former location of Helivator, they're nuts. There's ZERO charm/interest to the front entrance plaza. Should the Fairgrounds ever plan to re-route perimeter road, it would obviously benefit the park greatly. But, as I understand, that's still a long-range dream. That having been said, it seems ironic that Hershend is clearing the rides from a side of the park on which a newly-routed road would need to go. The relocation of the rides could be killing two-birds with one stone - should the fairground ever move forward with a re-route. But for now the focus is on building the new Wing/Hall behind the existing West Wing. That's planned for the rear of the fairgrounds - not near or around KK. When that hall is complete, they will then move to the second phase and replace the West Wing & West Wing Pavillion. The WW Pavillion is adjacent to the entrance plaza of KK only. Of note, the renderings I've seen of the Fairgrounds remodel still show the road dissecting KK. (See pic below) One main issue that has always prevented the re-location of the perimeter road is the State Fair Midway. The Midway rides are all placed in the exact area where the new road would need to go - and there's electrical infrastructure placed in the lot that powers the rides and attractions. Not to mention the road would now dissect the SF midway from the park. During the State Fair - they "merge" the park with the Midway. But there's also been a long-standing rumor dating back to the Six Flags days that there's an intention to "flip" the entry of the park. As I understand, both Six and Hart discussed the possibility of pushing the main entrance to the (former) T2 area. With parking being placed in the lot adjacent to Kentucky Flyer. KK is still a mediocre (at best) half-day park. Here's hoping it can grow and improve. However it still fights many of the same battles it always has - mainly perception by the locals. That is, and always will be their greatest challenge.

I’ve been saying there’s more removals to come. And there still are… Re: SFMM.. I have heard there are as many as 4 coasters potentially on the chopping block at SFMM alone. Of course that park is, IMO, over saturated with coasters. So I don’t think the loss of them would prove too detrimental. Im not as sentimental about any of the removals as many. Just kind of the way of the times. I do hope that the SF execs look at a variety of opportunities as their replacements… like more flats and water rides. For years parks have gone coaster heavy. As I age, I’m more attracted to a wider variety of attractions- rather than just coasters.

I'm sure there's a minimal level of care. But they are making decisions from a non-emotional standpoint. Remember, the parks are being overseen by a team led by the very person who, when they were acting GM at KI, sacrificed the original Antiques, KCKC, and Flying Eagles. Sentimentality is not forefront on the current executive teams mind. Cutting maintenance costs and redemption of real-estate within the parks is. As I said in an earlier post - it is what it is.... and there's more to come...

As a Louisville resident, I hope Christmas at the Kingdom grows into a nice local/regional event and finds its niche. I am glad others have had a good time attending, and I hope those planning to attend enjoy themselves. That having been said, I had an overwhelmingly disappointing experience. I would grade it a "D+." I'll keep things semi-short by saying there's a great deal of room for improvement in many areas. The most noteworthy being a terrible layout and confusing flow through the park. Oddly closed off paths, dead ends, very dark unlit paths, a lack of directional signs etc. Obviously being the first attempt, it can't necessarily be a home run. So I'm sure those in charge will spend a great deal of time reviewing what worked, and what didn't. (Here's a couple starter tips KK: Move Santa to the front of the park - no one can find him and he literally has no one waiting to see him. Staff some security in your gift shops so that your revenue stream isn't getting stuffed into the pockets and purses of thieving guests. Also, send some security to those confusing and dark paths to curb pot smoking.)

There's more closures/demo notices yet to come across several other parks. SF Corporate is going hard on high-cost, high maintenance rides. It is what it is. Personally, if/when this comes to fruition - I will not miss Nighthawk. It was a terrible ride and is on my "will never ride again" list.

..available to all through the KI Merch site. https://merch.cedarfair.com/products/trading-cards-ki-series-2?variant=44949615509635

Whenever I think of Vortex, let alone walk by the empty plot, I feel like I lost an old friend. I've mourned the loss of that coaster way more than I thought I would. Knowing what BGW did with Loch Ness for this season, it makes me especially sad to think of Vortex's demise. KI has been on a major nostalgia/history kick for several years now... a re-launch of a refurb'd Vortex could have been a home run for them. While I understand the reasons for its removal, to me the park still seems "off" without it. It was a landmark ride - mostly because it was so many peoples first "big" coaster. As others have said - not only is there a visual void, but also an audio void. When I walk by that area, its weird to not hear the sound of the metal catwalks rattling coupled with the jingling of the lift and the bell as a train was dispatched. I also still stand by my opinion that Vortex's first drop was the best tummy tickler at the park. Whatever goes there MUST be a landmark and visual masterpiece worthy of the hallowed land it will reside on.

Doubt it. For posterity - I believe only the front half of the park will be utilized for the event. At least the first season. It will be a nice event that will draw locals. Louisville needs something like this. But does their pumpkin event hurt KI? Not really.