Shaggy

You know, back in the day, you waited until the park put these out in the spring to find out what the new ride was....

Good grief.... FB, Twitter, Snapchat, blah blah blah... who can keep up with all 10 of the social media outlets the park is using? Us old folks aren't as savvy as you youngins.... LOL ;-)

I'm confused... where were those "Step 1, Step 2.." pics found? I did not see them on the parks' official Twitter, or on their FB page. Are they fake, fan made? Obviously, they are in the employee lot, pulling out of KI etc... but without an actual link it seems false to me.

Because of the vast amount of land that could be purchased at minimal cost. Walt formed a least 3 small false real-estate companies that were used to purchase the land. That way he could purchase hundreds of acres without using the "Disney" name preventing land prices from spiking. He literally bought thousands of acres for mere dollars - some of which had to have in-depth research done to find the descendants of the original owners who didn't even know they had inherited it. The site was chosen for it's remote location, size, adjacency to the interstate, cost, and developmental opportunities. The area was all swampland - and since the land could be purchased so cheap, it meant that more money could be budgeted to developing the land. Also, because the land was undeveloped, and not commercialized or zoned, Disney was able to basically create their own "rules" without the interference of the state government. The only hurdle they really faced - which they still face today - is that a good portion of it had to remain undeveloped as a natural habitat of Florida. Thus Gators trump Disney. Walt Disney was an amazingly smart - and forward thinking man. What he pulled off in Florida (even after his death) is nothing short of genius.

I wouldnt wait 5 hours, I couldnt... I have a bladder the size of a walnut. That having been said, the ride looks terrific! Those animatronics are incredible. This is a MUCH NEEDED addition to EPCOT. I hope more such attractions will follow. EPCOT has always been the "yawner" park for me. Shaggy

Here's a picture of KCKC. Sent from my LG-D851 using Tapatalk For those of you that may be curious about KCKC's removal... here's a few pics, taken by your's truly, shortly after KCKC was closed to make way for Tomb Raider: I have more, but will need to dig them up... KCKC was a hydroflume made by Arrow Corporation. They made several - Cedar Point had one, Six Flags parks had a few etc. Hersheypark still has theirs (it may very well be the only one still in operation - at least the only one with the original "hump" at the base of the drop) but most of these types of flumes have long since been removed. They were, as I understand it, very high maintenance. Several of them had boats jam up on the dual drop - so often (as was the case of KCKC in later years) one side of the drop chute was not operational. I believe KCKC only used the right chute (riders right) from 1992 on. For those that didn't get to ride, some of the "quirks" of KCKC were: the rotating load station (many people would trip or fall when they stepped from the rotating platform onto the non-rotating center), the very "jiggly" lift that rattled constantly, the lift recording "Please remain seated, keep arms and legs inside the boat at all times." Also, little know to the public was the fact that there was a full basement under the station - used for maintenance and employee breaks. Also, the flume was known to have "visitors" from time to time.... turtles, geese and, yes, snakes. As for those curious about it's placement in the park - the base of the 1st drop on Diamondback is essentially where the base of the drop of KCKC was. As far as the original question about a photo booth... KCKC never had an on-ride photo booth. The booth you may be referring to was built for Tomb Raider. It was still present for a number of years after Tomb Raider closed and was visible from the Rivertown midway. The booth has since been demolished afaik. The new WWC entrance path travels in the area of the former TR:TR photo booth location. Trivia: Before The Beast had it's exit re-routed and the on-ride photo booth added, there was a "Beast Tamer Photo" Kodak picture spot located beside the lift of KCKC. Riders from Beast used to exit the coaster from the opposite side of the station, and there was a "hut" where they could stop and have their picture taken in front of The Beast's logo. In addition, there was a "Kodak Picture Spot" located to the right of the KCKC drop.

Here's my best shot from media day... needless to say, I think this is the picture most coaster nerds will try to get... LOL! (Please do not re-post or use this, or any of my pictures without my permission.) Here's a small album I created with most of my shots from the event... Kentucky Kingdom Storm Chaser Media Day

I was fortunate enough to attend media day today and rode Storm Chaser around 20 times. I'm happy to report that KK has a terrific coaster on their hands. I'll post more later, but the barrel roll drop, air hill and corkscrew elements are the highlights. The pacing is great for about 90% of the ride then loses steam at the very end - that will improve with time once the coaster breaks in properly. BTW, UPS was flying in jets directly overhead today - which made for an extra effect. I am very grateful that I was able to attend - the park looked great.

would be pretty cool if a coaster in that area was tall enough that we could see into fort coneyI've always wanted to see what it looks like inside. I've always wanted to GO inside but that'll never happen.Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk I've been in the house-in-the-fort at KI a few times. Last time was well over 10 years ago. I never trespassed - was always with a park employee escort. When I was in there, the house was the exact opposite of interesting. It literally was full of trash, old rotten furniture and abandoned junk. It was no doubt just left as-is when the original owners vacated. There were no secrets to be seen, no hidden ride parts, nothing but an abandoned junk riddled old house. Unless something changed since Cedar Fair took over (which I doubt it has) then there's no real merit to the intrigue of the house in the fort. I always get a kick out of the speculation about it, especially since I know first hand it looked something very similar to this picture: http://www.johnvantine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/wachapreague-island-first-abandoned-house-inside.jpg

Frankly, the fact that Worlds of Fun and Carowinds are getting great flat ride packages makes me jealous! For years I've wanted KI to up it's flat collection - the park is crying out for them. Back when Paramount owned the parks - year after year Canada's Wonderland added glorious flat ride after flat ride. Ultimately, because of that, it became the best park out of the lot. When KI added Delirium a million years ago, I was over the moon. They need more like that. Shaggy

Easily The Beast at KI. Not just because of multiple visits as a guest, but I was on crew for a while. We would "test ride" at least once a day. So needless to say, I've racked up a lot of rides on that one. My record of multiple rides on a coaster in one day was actually on Son of Beast. During it's inaugural year, I was aked by the park to be the on-ride commentator for a Discovery Channel/Travel Channel special. I believe I rode SOB 27 times virtually in a row... from like 8 in the morning until noon or so. Several of those times was with a camera mount both in front and beside me... over and over and over... Also I rode multiple times for off-ride long shots, short shots, lift hill shots, loop shots, rosebowl shots etc etc etc. And I paid for it. I liked the coaster initially, but that day did me in on the ride. I actually attribute my bad back to that infamous day in 2000. I could barely stand up for 2 days afterwards. But even so, it was a great memory that serves as my life's 15 minutes of fame. For that I am completely honored and grateful. True story!

The weather had everything, and I do mean EVERYTHING to do with attendance being up at the Kentucky State Fair this year. In years past, it's been miserably hot... this year, not so much. I will say that typically the musical acts/concerts are the huge draw. This year, I couldn't even tell you who played the fair. There may have been a reduced concert offering/attendance considering half the stands in the former baseball stadium (where concerts are held) have been demolished. I would suspect, had they offered larger acts (as they have in the past...) attendance would likely have skyrocketed.

Apparently on Tuesday night, KK stopped allowing guests into the park by 8:30 saying they were closing early. I know someone that was turned away.

Once upon a time, a kid was throwing rocks at me on the playground. He would throw them, while hiding behind something. I eventually got wise, and stopped letting him come to my house to play or come to my birthday party. But then, he began throwing rocks and being mean to others. Eventually, my friends stopped allowing him to come over and play at their house as well. I wonder if he ever realized why. And if so, I wonder if it was worth it. I mean, throwing rocks isn't nice, and will get you uninvited to play.

Comparing KK press to KI press is futile... apples and oranges. Just like comparing parks... it's the difference of a local park vs regional park. Totally different scale, totally different standards level, totally different talent base, totally different quality. Shaggy

...notice there are no updates on T3 and Cyclos? Gee... I wonder why? ;-)

FYI... Don't expect all *new* rides to be operational by park opening. Heck, don't expect 2 of them to be operational until well into summertime. Also, if what I've *heard* proves true... hang onto your hats for 2016. Even I will give them props if this becomes reality...

The theater housed the Krofft Puppets for a number of seasons.

Uh huh

Mine was a response directed to "Interpreter's" post that I viewed as an unwarranted slight to both Jeff's work and person. I'm hoping my take on his post was incorrect, or mis-interpreted. Surely he didn't purposely intend to negate him. But let me point out that the one negative statement in my post was followed by several paragraphs of positive ones. I always want my KI posts to be read in the way I intend them, with no ill will.

I felt the need to chime in here. First, I don't think it's warranted for any of us to debate ANY employees value or merit, question their intentions, or take "brave" keyboard jabs at how well they *might* have handled a terrible situation. We are not their supervisors, or their judges. I feel it is warranted for me to speak of the type of man Jeff is. Jeff Siebert is, without a doubt, one of the most generous, friendly and enthusiastic persons I've ever known. His positivity is so incredibly contagious, that you cannot help but be friends with him. His "celebrity" within the enthusiast community comes not from a desire to be in the limelight, rather it comes as a side-effect. He warmly embraces those that share his love of coasters, parks and fun. In addition, he is an incredible father and husband to a terrific wife and kids. David Mandt has a heart bigger than you can imagine. David has been in the business since he was a teen working at Carowinds. So he has a deep rooted passion for parks and the guest experience. David helped spearhead the initiative to embrace the enthusiast community at a time when many park officials were annoyed or embarrassed by them. Perhaps that is why this year he was awarded a lifetime honorary membership by ACE? He's a dear man to which many thanks are owed by coaster/park lovers. I owe him a great deal, because he was a deep friend to me at a time of transition in my life. He, as a friend, lifted me up through some common challenges we shared in our lives. For that, I'm deeply indebt. Maureen definitely went to battle late in her tenure at KI. But let's not forget she was right there along side Jeff and David for a good portion of their ride. She is a wonderful friend with a great sense of humor and intellect! But more importantly, she's a very kind hearted, and wise lady, mother and wife. She has beautiful children of whom she loves dearly, and that love her. That speaks volumes. Don Helbig is a great guy. I've actually known him for many years from times as an enthusiast at KI. Actually for many years, I knew *of* him but didn't approach him at KI events because I was intimidated by his incredibly impressive "track" record. As time goes on, you get to know folks, and my intimidation changed to respect and admiration. I was so excited for him when I learned he was taking the reigns of PR/Marketing for KI. I cannot think of anyone else with such a deep-rooted love for, and history with, the park. Don has what I consider a quiet, but strong presence. He has also continued the outreach to the enthusiast community and embraced us at all times, not just when needed for a shoot. Why? Because he remains an impressive enthusiast. I could go on and on about others I know in the industry But I wanted to chime in just to say how high my opinion is of each of these specific folks. Some of my life's most cherished moments include them, and that has nothing to do with KI. Each of them, however, is to be commended on their tenure as "caretakers" of KI. Each of them did (or is doing) a commendable job in ensuring the fun and enjoyment is shared by as many fellow KI attendees as possible. Their stellar reputations with many fellow KI fans comes from a subtext that cannot be falsified... they each love and cherish KI as we do. I'm a better person for knowing all of them. John

I was just at WDW Resort this week. I can tell you firsthand the parks were VERY crowded. On Tuesday Seven Dwarfs Mine Train was maintaining a 2+ hour wait. And it's not even peak season. Shaggy

I attended both the original incarnation of Winterfest and the revival of Winterfest. Although I have good memories of the events (it was always thrilling to see KI decked out for the holidays) I can tell you I don't miss it. Frankly, as others have said, the weather was the biggest issue. Each time I went it was either bitter.... no, EXTREMELY bitter cold... or unseasonably warm. When it was bitter cold, guests were miserable the entire time trying desperately to keep blood flowing. When it was unseasonably warm, it compromised skating and the overall holiday feel. It seemed there was no happy medium, and because of that the park couldn't regulate attendance to the event. I have always said that the coldest I've ever been in my life was at Winterfest riding the train. It was like sitting on a block of ice with -10 degree wind being blown at you. It was horrible! In addition, I always felt there was not enough to hold my attention. It was a 2-3 hour visit max, provided crowds weren't bad. But if they were bad.... lookout! It's my opinion that although I wish others could experience it, I don't think it's a worthwhile venture for the park. Shaggy

If memory serves me properly, there's been at least two complete overhauls of the Monster at KI similar to this. I distinctly recall one season, many years ago, where the Monster disappeared for an extensive amount of time. It returned to the park - completely refurbished. SR&R is a very poplar ride, and it's had a long successful life at KI. There are plenty of others at sister parks which aren't disappearing... but Ki's is the oldest of them all. I would be shocked if it did not return. Oh, and to the person that posted "It's best not to speculate..." That actually made me laugh out loud! (No harm meant) What else do you think these boards are for? And trust me, the park loves it when people speculate... it means their talking about the park... and that's what they want!

The thing I like most about this coaster is probably something many haven't noticed or may have overlooked. It has nothing to do with the track, trains, elements, launch etc. It has everything to do with a man, without whom, none of us would be talking about ANY coaster at Holiday World. Thunderbird has an extremely touching and terribly bittersweet nod to someone taken way too soon.