BeeastFarmer

But the question is this: Did USA Today independently come up with that ranking, or did it come from a sponsored story written for the newspaper by Ed Hart himself? There have been several of the latter, including two in the Indianapolis Star, which is owned by the same company. At this point, I would not put it past Mr. Hart to claim superlatives in advertising based on his own vanity puffery piece. I have not seen USA Today's article, but the important thing to determine would be if were an independent ranking, or a press release issued by the park. Press releases by companies usually are just public relations tools. That would explain the advertisement in Nashville and Indy. I don't think they were "news" stories but paid advertisements. Whereas the claims about USA Today is being used by the park as an adversisement.

As a citizen of the Commonwealth, I get that. But, season passes in Louisville area Kroger stores were $59.95, now $79.95 and in Lexington area Kroger stores, they are still $59.95. Great value for the money. I think the way the tax incentive is set up, a certain number of out of state visitors must visit an attraction, this incentive is not unique to KK, it is available to any tourist attraction that wants to apply. So it makes logical sense to target low hanging fruit like Indy and Nashville with very good admission rates. I can see why they would not target Cincy since KI is such a formidable competitor. Not that this explaination makes it easier to swallow for citizens of The Commonwealth; but KK clearly had low priced season tickets for much of the off season, and continues to have this option now. I doubt this will be much of an election issue because KK is following the rules for the tax incentive. As far as the fate of the park, it will be interesting. I don't think a conservative or liberal government would want to see the park closed as the sales and income tax the park generates is fairly significant I'm sure-which of course is a voluntary tax. They want that revenue generated and an open park will do that, a closed park will not.

In an ideal world, yes. But remember, this is the Commonwealth and the Dept of Ag is being run by a person who ran for the Republican spot in the primary for governor. Also, regulators, regardless of party affiliation, are often more concerned with protecting the status quo than that of businesses. (I am speaking in a generality here, not specific to this instance because in all reality, I only can see KK's side of the story via Facebook.)

My interpretation was that the inspector was to show up the Friday before, not the day before. I agree with your second paragraph, but if you take that approach, folks will assume the worse of the park. Doomed if you do, doomed if you don't.

KK indeed does need better PR. However, it seems if in this situation, they are doomed if they do and doomed if they don't. To make such a bold statement in a public forum; I would imagine it's true. However, it may alienate them in the future, as the Dept. Of Ag is on the polar opposite end of the political spectrum. Regulatory officials rarely are concerned about the timelines of business (in my experience) but more about bureaucracy. But had I been on the Facebook page, I probably would have thought long and hard before posting that.

I'm not even sure what to think of this. Also, is anybody else seeing a Kentucky Kingdom ad on KIC, and this very topic? Irony at it's finest... "Indy's new play place?" Ha. This is a copy/paste from the KK Facebook page: "The Raging River Rapids Ride is ready to go. However, we can only open the ride after the Kentucky Department of Agriculture conducts its routine intitial inspection. The State’s ride inspector was scheduled to visit last Friday but never showed up. We have notified the individuals in charge at the Department of Agriculture but have not heard back from them. Once they arrive and complete their inspection, the Raging River Rapids ride can open. We regret the delay but it is out of our control."

Great one, The Interpreter!

I went for a second visit to KK yesterday, after attending Holiwood nights. T3-I know I won't ride this coaster, so the delay really doesn't concern me. I did, however, see a train in the station. Raging Rapids was closed, and the KK FB page stated that the state inspector had failed to make the required inspection. Park was crowded, which again, is a good thing for the taxpayers. Problems I saw: Ride ops were less than professional. Using slang on the speakers, letting frustrations show (Wizard of Oz 5-D). Ineffcient use of time in the stations. Food service-run out of ice, then cups? How does THAT happen? Burger meals under heat lamps. Great things: Thunder Run, Lightning Run. Two great coasters. Various flats I rode and did not ride-great operations and great scale for this park. Landscaping, cleanliness, and security-I mentioned these in a previous post. I am new to the "enthusiast world." My park experience is limited-KI, HW and KK are it with me, with the majority of the visits to KI. I won't decrease my visits to KI because of my pass to KK, rather it gives me an option closer to home. I have talked to many enthusiasts over the weekend, many who had experienced KK this year. They are impressed with it, and I think they know parks. I am not a fanboy, I just like having a smaller option much closer to home. KI has had some missteps this year too--food service and breakfast with Superheros. I agree with underpromise and overdeliver. I hope KK will learn this. I am also grateful for a member of this forum who gave me advice to visit KK this year instead of waiting for Twisted Twins next year. As someone who loves coasters, I am glad I am able to experience the two great coasters and put my personal feelings about management missteps in the background.

I know most of you are not from Kentucky. As a Kentuckian and a taxpayer, I want this park to make it because we need a smaller park and it fits that niche perfectly. If the park thrives, the loans will be paid off and the taxpayers will recoup the investment. It is not the perfect set-up but it works. Also, when I visited on Sunday, I personally did not see Band-Aid type solutions, I was pleasantly surprised. I actually hope that the management does not try to compete with Kings Island; Kentucky Kingdom is not in the same league and never will be unless it is moved off the fairgrounds property and has a huge influx of capital. Based off one visit, I give it a thumbs up. But of course, this is in comparison to the Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom experience I had in 2009. I vowed I would not go back. It was nothing like the former park. Kings Island will always be my "home park" but for a short drive, Kentucky Kingdom is fun, especially with Thunder Run being such a great coaster. If they actually make over Twisted Twins (never rode the original, was closed under Six Flags), that would be a great thing. Not The Beast or Diamondback, but for a coaster enthusiast, having more coasters is usually not a bad thing. Edited for spelling errors and to expound on the original post.

I made my trek to KK yesterday. It was a very short one, a friend wanted to go and let's just say there were many delays, like the loss of the Kroger voucher. My impressions: 1. Very nice grounds. My former career was in the landscape industry, so I pay close attention. There were a few areas that need attention, lke bedding areas with prickly lettuce and nutsedge weeds. However, the labeling of plant specimens was really a nice bonus. And the landscaping--can't believe it looks so great after the park was left to decay for several years. 2. Very nice staff. As mentioned, my friend left her Kroger voucher at home, about 2.5 hours away. Her daughter took a picture and sent it, and the staff were able to scan it with no problems. And they had no hassles with that. 3. Thunder Run. Oh.My.Gosh. Smoothest wooden coaster I have ever experienced. 4. Lines moved well, even though only one train were on the coasters. 5. "Security" present everywhere, unlike the gangland of SFKK 6. Good food prices, but only had soft drinks because of arrival time 7. Rides seemed well maintained, in spit of weekly checks 8. Some attention to detail with paint, landscaping andsignage could enhance the experience. In fairness, KI could do the same with paint on The Racer, Eiffel Tower, etc. 9. The carousel needs a deep scrubbing. Looks like the years of closure did a number with mildew. But it ran well. 10. The park has a confusing layout; but maybe that is because I'm not familiar with it.new 11. The new flats look fun and are an appropriate scale for the park. 12. Why load a Ferris Wheel with only 4 tubs? 13. They close the lines before the park closes, so I was not able to ride Lightning Run. This is unfortnate, especially since they close early in the day. It was a crowded day, but everything was managed well it seemed. As a taxpayer, I hope for crowded days so that the park will operate and pay the loans and not have to end in disaster, as Terp has explained the collateral issue. Also, with people in the park and spending money, it creates sales tax and income tax from employees. So hopefully the cycle continues and revenues will support further debt repayment and investment into the park.

I think Super8 has shuttles.

I don't know all the behind the scenes tax incentives, but I don't see much wrong about using existing tax laws to recoup capital investments, over a period of time. Of course, I am taking the article that was presented at face value; and I paraphrase: KK spends $15M this year, and will get some or all of that investment back over a course of time, if certain criteria are met. Does FUN take advantage of these opportunties if they are available in the states they are located in? On a different note: I actually like the Lexington, KY market run of Kroger/KK TV spot about the $59.95 season pass. It's a decent commercial. Kings Island's "Banshee's Back" spot, however is not impressive. The narrator is monotone, the artwork is blase' and it just does not "hype" the park.

I smelled an illegal drug that is smoked in a que line for Kenton's Cove Keelboat Canal. I was in 6th grade. My parents told me to hush up and not ask questions in a que line. I guess they were fearing high teenagers. This past Sunday in The Beast que, I witnessed a five year old use the most horrible racist and sexist language while his mother just laughed.

I really enjoyed my stay at The Shaker Inn. As expected, the staff were extremely nice. Both nights, I came back to the room very late after being at KI for ERT, and it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. This is in contrast to the freeway noise and people noise of the Super8 in Mason. The room was quirkly--there was about one foot between the bed and the entertainment center, there was no desk, and the bathroom was very tight. As I mentioned earlier, the only single room they had available was smoking permitted. So, the room smelled of smoke. I am sure the smell permeated my clothes, but was replaced in short order in the park with "park smells." The place was very clean, well maintained, and had a nice charm to it. It is about 10-15 minutes from KI, but that is not problematic for me. All in all, a great place for me and I will try stay there for my next trip.

I am so looking forward to my first enthusiast event! Hopefully I'll get to meet more new people and get to know others better. Everyone was so nice on Opening Day!

I just try to plan my visits to KI when lines should be short. However, if a friend can only go on busy days, I would not be opposed to doing legal line jumping. I have done it once, and it was fun. Now, if they would just fix the food lines....haha

"Local" referring to what market? Louisville or somewhere else? Sorry, it was the Lexington market. Interesting in that, as far as I know, Louisville area Kroger stores sell the season pass for $79.95.

I just saw a KK commercial on the local CBS affiliate. It was advertising the season pass for $59.95 at Lexington area Kroger stores. It was actually a pretty decent commercial, piqued my interest away from online bill paying. They featured T3, but it was obviously old footage because the coaster was not painted red. I'm glad to see some advertising somewhere beside social media.

Just booked a room at the Shaker Inn for Coasterstock. They ony had one single bed room left, and it is a smoking permitted room, but I think I can handle that. The lady I spoke with was really nice and we talked about how it is a family run business. I'm looking forward to it!

I have stayed at the Super8 three times. The first time was good, as expected for a Super8. That was in 2009. I stayed there last year and for opening day this year. I'm just looking for a place to stay, nothing fancy and it serves that purpose. The mattress is terrible, but most anything would do after walking around the park all day. The staff is friendly, the breakfast is ok. I prefer Comfort Inn and Holiday Inn Express, but those can be pricey on a nurse's budget during the summer travel season. However, I may check into (get it?) the Shaker Inn sometime.

I appreciate this! I was going to wait until next year when TT was back in operation. But now I have my $59.95 plus tax Kroger pass. I do really want the park to work though.

Thanks for your report! I echo the others posting here,you have my sympathies. Hospice is a wonderful organization-as a RN, I have worked with our local chapter quite a bit. I have also had several family members utilize the service and know first hand the benefits they offer to both to the patient and the loved ones. If you ever want to hang out in the park, let me know. It is a great way to escape reality for a while.

I will let you know when I make it to the Kingdom. I am fluffier than you, but I can still fit in The Racer and Woodstock Express, so hopefully LR will not be an issue.

What would it take to make Kentucky Kingdom work? The competition is fierce. I lived in Kentucky until 1996 and never went before I moved. I went once when I moved back here (I moved back in '07, went to KK in 2009) and was not impressed. I chalked that up to SIX. I have to admit that I do not care for SIX after having this one experience, so I was hoping that the "new" KK would be an improvement. I know it's very complicated in that it lies on the fair board's property. Didn't SIX own about 20 acres? What happened to this real estate? I really want this park to work. KI will always have my business, but it would be nice to have a park to just drive to for the day, or stay in the Ville and do both it and HW.

I'm no so impressed with Raising Canes. Food is ok, service is ok, but nothing to make me WANT to eat there. If only we had In-N-Out Burger locations here...Maybe they will come to Kentucky Kingdom!