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The man likes a monochromatic color scheme. See Chang (in it's original color scheme, prior to Six's Riddle indecision).

I doubt it, too. In fact she would probably be upset to be in the same twitter feed a few images away from THAT.

That tacky shirtless mirror selfie is hysterical. Someone needs to be monitored and reigned in.

That makes sense. I was wondering how the two could both debut the same year and only one be a prototype. At that time if someone had told me one of the two parks would be closed in 2-3 years, I would have automatically assumed KK. The reality was very harsh.

It's true. I was fifteen when T2 debuted, and I had nothing to compare it to so I really liked it. I also rode Hangman at Opryland that year, but don't recall noticing a marked difference at that time. Again though, I was fifteen with limited coaster exposure. Hadn't yet experienced a steel coaster with B&M like smoothness. Fast forward several years later and I revisited T2. You could feel the train shuffling in nearly every direction trying to find its way through the course. I did not ride it again. Anxious to see if new trains help this.

Well I'm relieved to know my eyes didn't decieve me. It is indeed fresh paint.

What portion of the ride was painted? It just seems to quick that the ride has already in the process of being repainted from Sunday imo. But then again, the winter is coming. Definitely part of the lift and part of another element. I was on the Watterson in heavy traffic so I couldn't gawk, but the new paint was certainly enough to catch my eye.***OK, after a little Google research I found some Courier Journal photographs from 9/24/14 that show T3 being "pressure washed" revealing some of the old red paint. If that's all it is then there is a lot of old red paint exposed. Sorry for any confusion!

I just passed the park on the expressway and it appears that T3 is already being repainted in what looks to be the ride's original red color, or something very similar.

I always enjoyed hearing "Fins" by Jimmy Buffett in the late 90s/early 2000s in Action Zone.

In fact, Hellevator debuted at their Halloween event in 1995. The name and the marketing at the time were great.

Ahhh, rides in boxes. Brings back fond childhood memories of Miracle Strip Amusement Park.

Mickey Mouse is Mitch's nick name that some Kentuckians use, or at least where I'm from. I see. I agree that what's happening is not good. I wish it could have been different.

Terp (and I mean absolutely zero offense, just curious) have you had business or personal dealings with Ed Hart? You certainly seem to dislike him and his "cronies." Do you work for Kentucky's own Mickey Mouse in DC?

Thanks for the tips. I'll be coming from San Diego, so hoping to hit Desperado as I pass through.

I'll be travelling through Las Vegas soon and was wondering if anyone had any experiences to share with the coasters there. Particularly Desperado and the coaster at New York, New York. I have read less than stellar reviews elsewhere. Thoughts anyone?

I've never ridden Mantis, but I rode Chang many times (front row far left was my favorite!). I always enjoyed Chang, but have noticed many people don't care for Mantis. The two rides are very similar, but people seem to complain more about roughness/head banging etc. on Mantis. I just always found it interesting that two stand-up coasters with very similar layouts built by the same manufacturer within a year of one another could give such different experiences. Then again, the newer Riddler's Revenge and Georgia Scorcher seem to be rated much higher than Mantis or Chang (Green Lantern). Maybe they just learned to make a better stand-up experience with each new project. My first and favorite was King Cobra - just a really unique, quirky ride, and lots of fun!

After my post this morning I was just feeling it, so I made the roughly 10 minute trek from my house down I-264 West to Kentucky Kingdom. The weather was very overcast after the morning rain so I figured the crowds would be light - I was correct! Overall, the park was very clean and I saw plenty of security personnel as I made my way around. I even strolled through Hurricane Bay to check it out, because I had acutally not physically been in the water park since 1998. Hurricane Bay looks great! The old flows into the new nicely. I watched a few brave souls tackle Deep Water Dive, which looks like a lot of fun! Lightning Run: This little coaster really packs a punch. I rode twice, once in front and once in back (with only a 1-2 train wait). There is a reason these restraints staple you in. I've never experienced so much up and down, forceful air time. The bunny hops at the end are a riot. Larger riders will definitely have difficulties with these restraints. There is a test seat though with an illuminating light to let you know if you will fit. I wouldn't be surprised to see these installed at other smaller parks. Got several laps in on Thunder Run, too. They did an AMAZING job with the rehab. I cannot believe how great it is running. This is undoubtedly the best it has ever felt to me. It was nice to see Mile High Falls up and running too, I didn't ride but stood in the glass enclosure and watched a few boats go. Overall I had a fun little visit. They have a lot more to do with the dry side to keep drawing crowds. I hope it survives long enough to see the return of T3, Twisted Twins, and the river raft ride (can't recall the proposed name).

It may well have been about a park I adored and went to 33 times in 1998.A big year for that park. Conversion year. What park? Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom. It had these new wood coasters I adored, and miss still. Twisted Sisters. I still remember the excitement of June 20, 1998. It was a three and a half hour drive each way. I was even known to go to Kings Island for opening, then leave to ride Thunder Run, Twisted Sisters, Chang...and the Dragsters! I love this! Kentucky Kingdom was the closest park to me growing up (Western KY), so I have fond memories of the early years. I remember lots of good TV ads etc. that played in the Owensboro/Evansville market, particularly the T2 ads. I remember the T2 ad playing some sort of lullaby music that showed images of inverted riders and said something like "Put your feet up, lay your head back, close your eyes....and PRAY!" For a small park it had some firsts that I was always proud of. Maybe knowing what I know now some of it wasn't so impressive, but the marketing machine made it seem like it. The first SLC in North America, the first Giant Drop (the Hellevator name and graphics I always loved), Thunder Run was/is spectacular, and I remember being absolutely blown away that our little local park pulled off an installation as big as CHANG. I always found it to be rideable and fun, and I'm SO happy I went to the State Fair in 2009 and got my last ride on it. The park had some fun flats in the early years too: HUSS Ranger, Enterprise, Giant Wheel, and my personal favorite the Vekoma Waikiki Wave (The Quake). Not a particularly exciting ride, but an interesting experience. It was probably more fun to watch and listen to than anything (when it wasn't down). I've yet to visit the New Kentucky Kingdom, and I don't like what I've heard so far. I was hopeful that Mr. Hart could pull off what he did in the 90's, but times have changed and I'm not so sure. I'll get there before the end of the season for sure though to check out Lightning Run and revisit Thunder Run. Thanks for the fun trip down memory lane!

I actually considered going today, too. I hate that things aren't going so well. I've been itching to try Lightning Run and revisit Thunder Run. Did you buy your ticket at the gate or are their discounted tickets to be had?

I took my sister and nephews to the park yesterday as the boys had never been. I had been following the weather all week, and it had been a horribly hot and humid week in the area. We got very lucky yesterday as the high was around 84 or so and we saw the sun maybe twice for brief periods. There was one instance where a storm rolled through briefly and coasters went down for a few minutes, but the rain was light and passed quickly. Crowds were very light!!! I'm so glad I didn't pre purchase Fast Lane as it would have been a horrible waste. The longest we waited for anything was 15 minutes. Most attractions were near walk ons. Firehawk: hit this first and only waited 10 minutes or so. I knew the boys would dig the flying part. It was fun, but wouldn't wait long for that one. Flight of Fear was still closed. Diamondback: I've ridden this many times, but I can't say enough good things about this ride. We rode twice in the front car each time. Spectacular. The floater air is amazing. Beast: Nothing new here, just the same old classic we've known and loved for years. The boys liked that it was in the woods. Vortex: I can usually tolerate it, but it did all four of us in. My neck and shoulders really took a beating. That may have been my last ride on Vortex - getting too old! The Bat: New paint looks great. A walk on and easy front row ride. The boys loved seeing Great Wolf from the lift. Amazon Falls: Probably the first time I've ridden in 14 years, but young boys want to have fun and get wet! Delirium: Fun as usual. Fresh paint looks good. The 13 year old was afraid the spinning would make him sick, but left the ride with a smile! White Water Canyon: Again, probably haven't done this in 14 years or so, but it was fun and we got SOAKED. I went once, the boys went two more times. Banshee: This area of the park and the attraction itself are beautiful. The attention to detail and the level of theming was quite impressive. The four of us easily got a front row ride with a 5 minute wait. As for the ride itself: WOW. It is INTENSE. Relentless, glued to the seat most of the ride. The park has a winner that guests will enjoy for years to come. Food: I had La Rosas and everyone else had Skyline. It was fine, exactly what I expected. Of course the day wasn't complete without blue soft serve and a brick of fudge to go on the way out of the park! Overall we had a fantastic day at the park. I really like the new direction management is taking. This was my sister's first time since we last went together in 1994, so of course she hardly recognized the place, but was really impressed. While I loved Banshee and it's a fantastic, much needed addition, for this bunch Diamondback is still the star of the show.

Thanks for the response. I've spoken with two different customer service people at the park and both said that the day passes with free drinks are indeed a special pass and that the free drinks language is printed clearly on the front of them. Bummer.

I'm planning to go this Friday and take my nephews - they're first timers! A couple of questions: Loose articles on Banshee: does this include hats and sunglasses? Those items have to be stored as well or can you wear them on the ride? Has anyone purchased Fast Lane on a weekday? I'm contemplating upgrading since I'm going on a Friday and it is supposed to be pretty hot. I want them to have a good first experience at the park. And just a rant: I'm super annoyed with the Kroger stores in the Louisville area. They have been advertising for weeks that they have day passes that include free unlimited soft drinks if you purchase and use before June 30th. They even have promotional freestanding cardboard kiosks that advertise this - but not one store in the area has those passes and they all claim they haven't seen any of them. They only have the regular day passes. So frustrating.

Looks like it really moves through the course. I need to get over there and check out out. Taking my nephews for their first trip to KI in a couple weeks, so KK will have to wait.

I remember the automated spiels at Son of Beast mainly becuase they were awkward in the sense that the returning train of people who had just been beaten to death were OVER IT. I always found some comedy in that situation. That being said, I enjoyed the automated spiels from the Paramount days. Just seemed more professional.

I will definitely pop over one afternoon after work and check it out. Thunder Run, too!