Aaron88stang

Does the second train on Lightning Run make much of a difference? I would assume it would have to some what but There is no way they are not stacking it terribly.

I made my second trip of the season to Kentucky Kingdom yesterday and like the first, I had a great time. Lightning Run and Thunder Run are both great coasters and give me hope for the future of the park being bright. I did not notice some differences from earlier in the season. The landscaping and a few more finishing touches made it so the park felt more complete and less rough around the edges. I have no complaints in how things looked. I also took a closer look at the carousel. Wow that thing is pretty. It could stand some restoration work but it really is nice and had a fully functioning band organ that sounded great. I did not do the water park but it really does look nice and has a good variety of attractions. It is a worthy competitor to Splashin' Safari. Operations could still improve. The employees all seemed great but dispatch times were still pretty slow. I don't fault those working the rides, they just seemed under staffed. There were a grand total of two people working Thunder Run and I think three on Lightning Run which also was still just one train operation on a Monday. I know they run both trains on the weekends but do they have more ops working too? It would really help... For lunch I tried out the BBQ place this time. To be honest, I liked the food over at Swamp Water Jacks better and was astonished that in the middle of lunch they had ran out of pulled pork...The lady said they were busier than normal for a Monday but it still seemed strange. The good news it the meal with drink only cost me a little less than 7 bucks. Hooray for season pass discounts. I would however be happy to pay a buck or two more if the food was a little better. I think the park layout while confusing, will improve when the back part of the park is open again. They really should also consider letting visitors use the currently employee only crossing as an alternative to the bridge to get to the back half of the park. Sure they would need someone staffed there to direct traffic or possible a light or stop sign but it would make the trip to the area around Thunder Run a lot quicker. Also, I am not sure why they have that crazy way to get to the Drop Tower. A path already exists to get there from the main midway but they have it blocked off with a fence and some roses in order to create a space for a couple tables for a food stand...Considering they have added a bunch more tables just across the path, this does not seem necessary. Maybe it will change in the future. I also noticed that past the swinging ship just beyond it and Lightning Run there is a pretty sizable piece of land for expansion. Not large coaster size but big enough for a smaller one or several flats and buildings. Overall I am still impressed with what has been accomplished with the place in such a short amount of time. They have a long way to go and I hope they are successful but its nice to see improvement. Recent PR problems aside, I think they can still make the place a success.

Back seat, hands up, enjoy the ride .

I wonder what that building out there is for.

Was it ever revealed exactly what happened that allowed Shoot the Rapids to fail in the manner it did?

I rode Sunday and had not yet heard the news it was back. I was very happy to hear it operating

My vote is for Mean Streak. No one will even care.

I watched that as well. I was more surprised that they had a show about the construction of an attraction that had not even opened yet. I was also surprised that they showed the spectacular fails of the boats flying off the slide. I had heard it had happened but figured they would gloss over that. It was pretty cool to watch. It reminded me of many of my early RCT 2 creations.

I did not find Mean Streak terribly rough last time I rode it a couple years ago but it was not very fun either. It is pretty though. I would love to see RMC transform it. A true classic woodie is something different though. They need to stay away from coasters like Blue Streak, The Racer and The Beast.

The location makes more sense with the current name/theme than it did with an aircraft carrier in the woods...

Perhaps those Haunt rumors from awhile back are true.

Stopped does not equal stuck...

They are 69.99 at Kroger still.

something bearlike for sure.

That's what I was thinking. What a great place for that sort of attraction.

at what point do they just start letting people in that have the bracelet on and sort the mess out later? Disney seems to be pretty focused on guest experience. I can not imagine they would leave people standing outside the gate very long.

I would imagine both days would be busy. I stay away on holidays.

It would not be a bad place except for that area is already pretty congested with The Beast and the line spilling out for The Cavern of Terror. Hopefully if this does happen they can make that work. I like it from the standpoint that it is easy to conceal when Haunt is not going on.

I am assuming this would be to lessen wear on the track? I really like when they have the seventh car. It is my favorite seat

I am not trying to put someone in a bad position. Opinions were already stated in the initial comment. I merely asked about an opinion on something not mentioned.

So what are your opinions about the restraints that folks seem to be worried about. comfy?

Yes. Starting with the characters later this summer. when you scan your Magicband, it will alert the character who will then talk to you by name (even the costumed characters are going to be able to do this, much like at Turtle Talk where the CM running the show magicaly sounds like Crush, so whoever is inside Mickey will have his/her voice transformed to sound like Mickey. There are already subtle changes to the costumed characters, whereby Mickey blinks his eyes and moves his mouth). I've heard the first such soft rollout will be at the Pirates experience in Adventureland where you can go around and collect things that will activate elements. The technology is quite amazing and will only get better. That sounds amazing. Hopefully all that is up and working good when we go in December. It will blow my daughter's mind if the characters speak to her and know her name.

Please let us know if you get any good info today!

...and Six Flags over Georgia, a seasonal park operated by a large chain just like KI.

My personal opinion is there is something mechanically wrong with Drop Tower currently. I base this on two observations. Number one: On media day there was briefly a crew of ride ops at the ride and the catch car was moved up and down the tower a few times but it never took the gondola to the top. I watched this from right in front of the ride hoping it was about to open. After 10 minutes or so I decided to go do something else for a while and eventually went back over to the ride about an hour later after riding The Bat to see if it was about to open but no one was there at that point. I believe they had intended to open the ride but for some reason did not. Number Two: I was at the park on Sunday May 4th and noticed the catch car at the top of the tower and leaning at a slight angle as if something was not right with it. It sure does not seem like it is simply waiting to be certified, more likely waiting on a part.