Creed Bratton

I think that'd be best....OSHA couldn't get mad at the risk of other trainers mixing the trainers on duty up for the whales! Great idea! ;-)

I saw that pop up on Facebook and had to laugh! But so despicable...they need to get them at least wet suits.

Better choices as in? Rides or words? I think it's alright that they have a Drop Tower coming in. I think it was good that they made that sort of disclaimer about the ride. We all get it, but the GP does not. People see what they want to see. I'm sure the GP will correlate Thunder Run with our loveable woodie that is no more and that it killed 24 people when it got stuck upside down in the loop in 2010. Telling people that this is an entirely new attraction and that it is safe isn't just some PR spin. It is fact (or should be, we'll see next year). People will always bring up the past (see Winterfest discussions) and talk about the shortcomings. This instance, I believe, is a way for Kentucky Kingdom to separate themselves from Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom. It's time to leave the past in the past and focus on the future and I support the park in that thought!

Thanks for sharing Don!!!

Have you rode Volcano? I've only been on it once a few years ago and from what I remember, the queue is very dodgey, often backed up, how people deal with loose articles, the gates (entrance and exit) are not easily dealt with. I want to say I remember where you got on, wasn't where you got off (that was about 20 feet back) thus making the train have to move forward before anyone could board. I'm not real sure. Hah.

Okay, it's taken me a few days to process and think about it. What I posted earlier, is blah...forget that. Okay? Please? After thinking of it, Sea World is the best place for these Orcas, honestly, I don't think there is any other chain or program that is better for the whales. I'm glad that they have taken care of the Orcas and rehabilitated the various other animals in and out of their facilities.

Then who is it?

Seriously? He did the marketing in 1991? He looks like he is in his late teens/early 20s.

See I don't think I'm saying that the trainers were being netted up and brought into perform. We know that SeaWorld has done that for the first few whales, which should they in the first place? Yes, Dawn did chose to train killer whales, yes she chose to share the spotlight with the whales and send them through their routines. She didn't choose the outfit, she didn't determine the safety precautions when dealing with the whales, she simply was doing her job. I agree, park jobs can be dangerous and know first hand. I find where you say "all management can do is lessen the percentage of these accidents occurring intriguing." It looks like there have been between 40-50 incidents at SeaWorld properties where trainers either have got seriously injured or killed. Honestly, where is the line that says enough is enough? We know SeaWorld makes $ off of the entertainment from the shows, but how many more trainers have to be hurt or killed before the numbers are at a limit? What is that limit? I've not been to SeaWorld since the mid-90s when there was one in Aurora, Ohio so I don't have a strong connection as some of you here may have.

This is a comment I left on a post from a friend earlier, so sorry for the weird formatting. I watched the film today.....it honestly didn't show me much of what I didn't know already. One of my professors met Dawn several times as her daughter also works at Sea World and was friends with Dawn. My professor's family was in shock for quite some time, it shook them up for a good few months. The event that happened caused my professor to really think, what if that happened to my daughter? What is the company doing to keep my daughter safe? And other things. Sea World did claim to the other trainers and to the public, that the event happened because Dawn was at fault. She shouldn't have had her hair in a pony tail, she shouldn't have been in/around the water without others around, etc. Yet, didn't examine anything that they as a company didn't want anyone to know, like Tilikum's history, feeding, etc. Dawn loved Tilikum I know that for a fact. To say that the film isn't proper journalism and doesn't provide truth is laughable. To say that this film is very one sided is also laughable....Sea World had the opportunity to make comments and be a part of the film, but they denied those opportunities. Sea World has the knowledge that these whales are dangerous, hence Killer Whales, since the first recorded incident of an attack on a human in 1967, while in captivity, there have been 114 incidents....yet Sea World continues to press for their trainers to have huge interaction with these whales in-spite of these numerous deaths and injuries. They are fighting to put entertainment over the safety and health of their employees as well as the safety and health of the whales. Now I understand that yes, Sea World as a rescue program and what they do with that is commendable, but is it while they continue to treat their performance animals the way they do? I understand that there isn't a way to undue the damage done by the parks, the whales, etc. I understand that these whales can't be released safely back into the wild. I just don't understand why SeaWorld continues to leave these animals in such poor conditions and pretty much force them to perform for food. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against zoo's and other venues, especially if they take care of the animals. What I struggle with in this instance is that SeaWorld takes care of and rehabilitates animals from the wild and send them out, yet, leaves the animals that perform in poor conditions. I also understand the trainers know the risks of their job, I don't know if they are being evaluated for safety and trained often enough to handle situations. At this point, I think I'm ranting...so the end.

There was a rumor going around at one point that Disney was interested in the King's Parks as well as Carowinds.

I honestly have been hearing all of this bad PR for Seaworld....I'm planning on watching Blackfish when I wake up, to see what it's all about and form an opinion after researching as well.

I honestly can't even remember where the carousel is at KD, but this is good news!

I'm sure...wondering what or if anything will happen at 50.

KD competes with BGW. At the time, KI competed with...a closed KK? (not that an open KK would have mattered much). It matters. I understand that KD competes with BGW, but do they compete in celebrating anniversaries? From what I've seen so far, I hardly count it as competing "material" to one up BGW. Bringing back some of the days of old, 40 years from the first season. KI 40 years from the first season, we got a waterpark upgrade...while I understand an upgrade was necessary, I know several people who would like to see the days of old at KI.

You knew for a fact that people were going to be losing legs and didn't tell anyone you knew for a fact they'd lose legs? In all honesty, people are going to be in a sitting position so unless the person is extremely tall...doubt there will be any issues.

And y'all thought b&m was perfect?, This design flaw is going to cost us a trim brake addition... Note the outer "ring" of the envelope is red...maybe showing that anything to that length away from the train and further is a no-go.

Not gonna lie, I'd prefer this kind of sign/logo instead.

And we got a waterpark upgrade.....

There is a shop in Coney Mall that sells stuff that has Fox, Hurley and other similar brands if I'm not mistaken. I understand that you enjoy that there is a location in the park where you can buy that kind of thing, I'm of the opposite thought of why? What does that stuff have to do with the park? But to each his own. I'm glad you enjoy it!

What if Diamondback didn't have the sensors in the back of the ride? Sensors are another safety system. Not to mention they tell the crew where the trains are at all times. Suppose something bad were to happen.....and the train didn't come back...yeah people would be able to run to see where it was, but to be able to pinpoint the last location is a good idea. Also, a train may not have to be in the brake run before a train could leave the lift. It is possible and has been done on several rides where the train leaves before the last train sent out is back in the station or on another set of blocks at the end. Sensors will also allow for the system to count how many full circuits a train has completed for capacity counting, maintenance needed, etc.

I'm glad someone else posted this, so I wasn't like HEY LOOK AT MY INTERVIEW WITH DON!!! lol. Anyway, to clarify the "gift shop" is in regards to the On Location Store. As that "gift shop will also house Banshee Merchandise. Now I'm not 100% positive that the other non-park merch will be gone next year, but I can figure that there will be more KI merch there with Banshee merch and other items.

Coasting For Kids also has this "restriction." While it may not always be reached, there is a limit. I remember seeing a be within the top 80 for your park to raise $100 to participate or something like that.

Yes they are. Did an interview with Don and he mentioned that they were also doing work on the parking lot. Didn't specify what kind of work though.

However, Hart did ride Thunder Run this year once it was cleared by the state for operation with the media.