BeeastFarmer

The only Kentucky Kingdom tickets I have seen in my Kroger market were the $59.95 season passes until Monday. Since this "sale" was to end at midnight, they were placing the signs for the "discounted" day tickets. Interestingly enough, the Kings Island display had been put up since I had visited earlier; the only tickets marketed were for Holiday World and Kentucky Kingdom. I can't speak for other Kroger markets, only my area Kroger stores.

There is probably a different pricing strategy for discounted day passes sold at Kroger stores than the strategies involving out of state markets. As a part of the tax incentive, they applicant MUST draw residents from out of state. This incentive is available to any tourist attraction, not just KK.

So does this mean that Kings Island's reduced pricing ($38 for a $62 ticket) indicates KI is not meeting goals? I would think that once you get people in the park, many will spend money. For example, I have a gold pass to KI. Yesterday in the park, I splurged for premium parking, a funnel cake, and an overpriced ice cream cone.

I'm at Kings Island today and I have gotten several Facebook notifications about it. Lexington and Louisville stations are reporting it. Usual drama. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

These are things I enjoying hearing about. My visits so far this year have had excellent interactions with park employees. Last year was over the top. Kourtney and Austin at The Beast are the best! I make it a point to stop by Guest Services and compliment the general employee population as well as specific employees. There is a tall guy who is excellent on Diamondback, but I have never got his name.

I got a banner on The Lexington Herald-Leader website (kentucky.com) that states that the $59.95 Kroger sale on season tickets ends Monday 6-8-15.

want me to pick one up for you? I'm in the Lexington area. If you're willing to do that, that might work. I could send you payment through PayPal or even mail a check. However, let me think about it a little more first. I'll send you a PM in a few days if I decide to go that route. I'm willing to do it, and call me stupid, but trust you for the repayment. We could meet up and ride TR and LR! No pressure, but I think the 59.95 deal ends something this coming up week. I heard it on the radio today, but didn't pay much attention since I already had mine. Great. If there's a risk of it ending soon, then I'll probably have a decision by Monday at the latest, possibly tomorrow. And if you're willing to handle it that way, then cash in person would probably be easiest (though we'd need to meet outside the fairgrounds first, since I'd need the pass to avoid the parking fee.) I'll let you know very soon. Just let me know, and I will get it done. I can get you the code on the voucher and you can handle the processing online and they mail your pass to you. It took about 4 days for my pass to arrive by snail mail. And I'm not sure about the parking fee, if it can be reimbursed at season pass processing or if the voucher will let you past the state fairgrounds attendent. I have to say that I was impressed with season pass processing. At last minute, a friend went with me a couple of weeks ago. She lives 2 hours away from KK, drove up and met me close to the park. She had left her voucher at home. So she asked her daugher to send an MMS with the voucher pictured, and they were able to process it that way. And they were happy to do it. On another note, I would be curious to know if you have to be a TN or IN resident to get the $30 rate. I may contact them tomorrow and ask that, meaning can you come from somewhere like Columbus or Missouri and still get the discount with the internet ticket from the newspaper's website.

want me to pick one up for you? I'm in the Lexington area. If you're willing to do that, that might work. I could send you payment through PayPal or even mail a check. However, let me think about it a little more first. I'll send you a PM in a few days if I decide to go that route. I'm willing to do it, and call me stupid, but trust you for the repayment. We could meet up and ride TR and LR! No pressure, but I think the 59.95 deal ends something this coming up week. I heard it on the radio today, but didn't pay much attention since I already had mine.

want me to pick one up for you? I'm in the Lexington area.

In Lexington area Kroger stores, the season passes are still only $59.95. I don't know if they sell discounted daily passes or not. If you live in the Indianapolis or Nashville "areas", you can get 2 days for $30.00 plus parking.

I did a quick Google search for USA Today Kentucky Kingdom review and the search returned articles from The Louisville Courier-Journal that did not appear to be press releases, but rather a news story about how the first year went, what expectations are for the second year, and the new attractions for 2015. I'll dig a little deeper this weekend, unless you have a hyperlink available. As for USA Today, I haven't read a copy since college and that was a loooooong time ago!

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.The Indy and Nashville ads were exactly that, even linking directly to the2/$29.99 promo hosted directly by the respective papers. I believe at least one of the "articles" explicitly started this. Ok, so what is the problem with this? It is a paid advertisement and businesses do this all the time. The problem is that stating they have a highly regarded water park according to USA Today when in fact USA Today actually never wrote it. It is deceiving advertising and has been a disputed tactic in more than just this instance. USA Today has been criticized for allowing entities to do this kind of advertising for a while now. Kentucky Kingdom's claim that the paper named their water park one of the best is not accurate at all. My reference was directed at the Indiana and Tennessee newspapers, not the USA Today piece.

What a great discussion! I think if it was done right, a dark ride in Rivertown would be great...I don't think you have to "reveal" The Beast, but stick with the claws.

I sure hope they will! Nothing seems to be happening with it at this point, so I hope an announcement will be made this summer. But I don't see an intriguing teaser campaign like KI did with Banshee or HW did with Thunderbird. I have never ridden this ride, so I have no nostalgic connection, so I can *dream* of a RMC conversion into something awesome. The closest RMC coaster is 6 hours away from me, (unless you count the rehab they did on Thunder Run, which is totally impressive to me!) so having one an hour or so away would be great. I am not sure about the incentive amounts they get, but the contract requires them to invest a minimum of around $2.5 million each year into the park for the next 70 years? That's not a lot of money, I would assume this would barely cover preventative maintenance.

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. If a park were afraid to target an area where another park is already dominant, there would arguably have been no "coaster wars", let alone the parks that co-exist along with the Mouse in Orlando. The ads in the Star feature pictures of different flat rides "new" for 2015-balooon ride, sky screamer, etc. No mention of T3. An article in the USA Today yesterday mentioned that this quarter generates the vast majority of a regional park chain's revenue (no surprise there). If Hart cant generate the $ he needs right now, the chances of him doing so after Labor Day are slim, esp if KK doesn't have a Halloween/fall season like KI/HW/CP do. I agree. But you generally have to crawl before you walk. If KK matures into a true regional park, it may have more resources in the future, then it can compete against KI and HW. But you start small to get big. Sell tickets as a loss leader and the make 80% markup on thousands upon thousands of $1.00 soft drink sales. And the same with other merchandise in the park. I would imagine the reason the out of state stipulation is in place is to encourage hotel stays, which rake in so much money in taxes and fees for the governments. So, hit the low hanging fruit of Nashville and Indy area, sell cheap season tickets and expand on your core base. Then go after more difficult markets like Cincy. They are already competing with KI in the Lexington/Louisville and Indy markets. As far as T3, yes they should have underpromised and overdelivered. With other lessons they have to learn, hopefully things will change in the future. They really need a new PR person though. The brand is so undefined.

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. The Indy and Nashville ads were exactly that, even linking directly to the 2/$29.99 promo hosted directly by the respective papers. I believe at least one of the "articles" explicitly started this. Ok, so what is the problem with this? It is a paid advertisement and businesses do this all the time.

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.