Kentucky Kingdom commits to major capital in the next two years

[BoddaH1994]

Kentucky Kingdom announced on a live feed that Herschend, the parent company, had committed to $25 million in capital over the next two years. 

That likely eclipses the total investment that Kings Island has had since 2021.

Silver Passes on sale now. 

[BeeastFarmer]

Yet Kings Island " laughs" at the thought of competition from Kentucky Kingdom!

[BoddaH1994]

2 hours ago, BeeastFarmer said:

Yet Kings Island " laughs" at the thought of competition from Kentucky Kingdom!

I suppose that's kind of like when you pick on that kid in high school, then they come back to school 50lbs heavier, all muscle. Got into CrossFit over the summer. 

But let's be honest, that park is in capable hands with deep pockets now. If they didn't pay attention before, they should now. Kings Island's offerings have been complacent at best for half of a decade. A good percentage of their market is in KY and IN. Those people may look for alternatives if Kings Island doesn't make any waves in the near future.

[Rivertown Rider]

I think KI is concerned with both Kentucky Kingdom and Holiday World.  Which I believe is the reason why KI is doing more attractions with Winterfest this year. 

Also there is part of me that thinks they are holding the family thrill attraction piece close to the vest until they get confirmation on what Herschend is doing.  I don't think it was a coincidence that we have gotten many of the same flats (in the case of Kentucky Kingdom) and a coaster (in the case of Holiday World).  I just need one of those parks to put in a Screamin' Swing so they'll add one to KI.

[BeeastFarmer]

I'll put it this way...I've bought a 2025 KK .  I have not bought a Six Flags pass.

Part of it is that the park is getting stale and absence makes the heart grow stronger. Part of it has been all this bickering about the park's communication ( I was guilty too, but there's enough division in the world today outside of KI fandom).

I wasn't going to do KK either, but with their Christmas event and that pass will get me 50% off other Herschend properties, it's a no brainer. Getting back to KK, HW, Dollywood will be great next year.  And maybe this will be the kick I need to get to silver dollar city.

I think it works at Newport aquarium as well. 

[Rivertown Rider]

It does work at the Aquarium and SDC is fantastic.

[DonHelbig]

6 hours ago, BeeastFarmer said:

Yet Kings Island " laughs" at the thought of competition from Kentucky Kingdom!

Kentucky Kingdom, Holiday World, Dollywood, and Kennywood are very much what Kings Island considers as competition. 

[BeeastFarmer]

29 minutes ago, DonHelbig said:

Kentucky Kingdom, Holiday World, Dollywood, and Kennywood are very much what Kings Island considers as competition. 

For context, when Kentucky Kingdom was reopening in 2014-15, I was very active in the KK thread here.  I was excited that a park could be brought back from the dead and I was a new enthusiast.  Most on KIC said the park would never open, never stay open, etc.  I was "educated" that Kings Island does not consider the smaller parks as competition and they laugh at the efforts to reopen in their offices.  

To me, even in 10 people bought a KK pass and didn't renew their SF pass, SF looses revenue.  I consider that competition.  

[DonHelbig]

2 hours ago, BeeastFarmer said:

For context, when Kentucky Kingdom was reopening in 2014-15, I was very active in the KK thread here.  I was excited that a park could be brought back from the dead and I was a new enthusiast.  Most on KIC said the park would never open, never stay open, etc.  I was "educated" that Kings Island does not consider the smaller parks as competition and they laugh at the efforts to reopen in their offices.  

To me, even in 10 people bought a KK pass and didn't renew their SF pass, SF looses revenue.  I consider that competition.  

On the outside, I can see where people would think it's not competition. Having been on the inside, it is.