How is Kentucky Kingdom Since Herschend Took Over?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 มิ.ย. 2024
- It's our yearly visit to Kentucky Kingdom, and we're taking a look around the park to see what's new! We'll spend some time in Hurricane Bay, pay our respects to T3, and of course, hop on our favorite rides like Storm Chaser and Lightning Run!
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My biggest issue is there still seems to be no direction. The only Herschend thing after several years of ownership is the worst cinnamon bread restaurant in the chain.
They have yet to invest anything into the park that isn't portable (can be packed up and moved to another park), and are on a cost cutting crusade.
It seems like Herschend isn't sure they want to invest in KK until it is a park worth investing in, but it can't get there without investments.
The one good thing about the buy out is apparently Herschend liked the alcohol sales numbers as they are opening the chain up more and more to alcohol.
The T3 closure represents an opportunity to do something splashy, or something dull
RIP T3 you will never missed
Lightning Run looks like a mini Phantom’s Revenge
Rides similarly to an RMC Raptor
@@lightningboat it's apparently designed by the guy that now designs for RMC
@@casuallystalledthats why the trains are so similar, ride centerline works with RMC and chance rides
@@jaredbumbis makes sense
@@jaredbumbis the train is exactly just RMC 2nd Gen with different wheel set and shell body.
The park honestly seems so much worse since Hershend took over. Hart ran it so well. It was managed better than several parks ive been to and very clean and you can't forget about those free drinks.
I know, so sad
I think it’s better under herchand but with that being said. I think it hasent quite recovered from stuff like Covid and such
@@wrestlingandamusementparkl7789 true. Though the ride operations are a lot slower, I tracked 8 minutes dispatches for one group of staff on Storm Chaser. It has gotten down to three minutes, but nothing better. 3 minutes is alright, but a line is going to build up at that slow.
@@stormingcoasters It may not be specifically Herschend, but this year on SC the ride ops are encouraging you not to pull down your own lap bar, which only has lengthened dispatches
@@brclouz true. And they’re also stapling
Lightning Run was designed by Joe Draves, who also designed ArieForce One.
I need that T4 shirt and I’m definitely bringing flowers.
When I was a kid, I heard a man let out an absolutely perfect “YEEEEEHAAAW” during the double corkscrew that had me in tears laughing. I did it every time since.
I hope T3 hasn’t YEE’d it’s last HAW. Was always my favorite ride in the park.
In my three seasons working there, I always made sure to scream something about how jank T3 was. I'd always say "something something VEKOMAAAAAA" and I was literally THE guy who got Zen rides on it. No one else was gonna ride the deathmobile lol
The tribute to T3 was heartwarming. Seeing Sarah mock the ride so hard made my day 🤣
Because Herschend runs it, Roller Skater must be world-class.
The GP absolutely believe that.
Seems like Herschend doesn’t really pour a lot of investment into their parks aside from Dollywood and Silver Dollar City. Really hoping the chain can do better with this park alongside Wild Adventures. The latter has been seeing a lot of growth in everything aside from rides at least.
When Herschend operated Darien Lake for the short time they were there, they revitalized 2 sections of the park that needed it before CNL kicked them out.
The kid with the red arm floaties (1:01) is such a mood
We visited for the first time last weekend and are going back this Saturday! What a great little park! Storm Chaser and Lightning Run are some of our favorites now. They really pack a punch for how small they are! If someone reading this is visiting Kings Island, take the 2 hour drive and hit up Kentucky Kingdom! Its worth it. Some coasters had 1 trains ops, but all the lines were under 15 minute's.
I worked for the 2022 season as a ride op (concessions in 2020 and food in 2021). I'm glad I got to operate Lightning Run! However, last year was a taxing year on me and fellow employees. I did not return in any capacity, and several co-workers did not return. Any who did, I wish the best of luck to you. 2022 was a bad transition year, and also hard on the park. I swear the mental health of anyone who was 18+ that year went out the roof. Maintenance kept having to revive several attractions (which is common for other parks too but there was more downtime than not) The enthusiasts there do believe things will get better. This video clearly proved Herschend only does what they absolutely need to. They'll cut corners on theming. Leave looks down. HOWEVER the saving grace of this park is its employees: they are the life of the place.
Also yeah guests have never been super enthusiastic. Except the last ride on Lightning Run of the 2022 season. That was the best. If anyone on that train sees this, YOU ROCK.
I hope 2023 is better! I sincerely hope.
EDIT: PS, if the guy who promised me a track piece of T3 sees this, PLEASE let me know. I require that lol
Thunder Run might be the most slept on wooden coaster.
enjoyed seeing jefferson again and his love for t3! him and the rest of the coaster studio friends are always awesome to see in vlogs!
Thank you for pronouncing Louisville right. I hope KK allows us to see T3 getting torn down. It's like watching your school bully getting his ass kicked. Also MHF has my favorite disclaimer: "Warning, you may get wet. YOU WILL GET DRENCHED"
Pronouncing Louisville right is not hard...
@@sideeswipeyou would think so, but as a local, the 7 different ways you hear it pronounced is astounding
I love the over reacting on T3 being removed 😂😂😂
Made it to HersheyPark for the first time ever this year. Got on Wildcat’s Revenge and loved it.
And of course I’ll be spending lots of time at my home park Holiday World!!
Herschend knows how to do theming when they want to. I think that the long term plan for KK ought to be playing up the early 20th century vibe similar to Main Street at Disneyland but emphasize the Kentucky Derby theme and style. They wouldn't need to recreate SDC or Dollywood but they could theme the park well in a way that reflects the local community.
But I doubt they'll bother.
Your vlogs are like a sneak peak into the future of Coaster 365’s channel
I was there 2 weeks ago for a day. Storm Chaser again was running so much better towards the front of the train than the back. I still like Twisted Timbers more, riding it on the same trip, but both are in my top 10. I put those 2 with Skyrush for the strongest airtime I've ever experienced. Lightning Run's operations were quite slow, and the line built, but Storm Chaser's crew were crushing the operations. Both were on 2 trains, which I've never seen before.
Went this weekend, never waited more than 8 minutes on any of the coasters. Had a good day. Multiple rides on lightning run and storm chaser.
Honestly I feel like parks should just stop the "how was that ride?" spiel. Even at some of the best rides, people come back and barely react to it and it just feels sad.
Right? I always cheer when I love it, but others won't. I've been on Intimidator 305 and not a peep from the train, then went on Flight of Fear and the whole train (except for me) errupted in cheers
Yeah it just feels like needless baggage and trying to force something down the guest throat. That kind of forced excitement can easily get extremely tiring. Even more so now when so many companies are doing similar crap at workplaces trying to force fake positivity down workers throats.
Tbh I never realized how much I appreciated the little spiels ride ops do until I went to Buschgardens Williamsburg. When I went there the ride ops had little to no guest interaction and overall didn’t seem to care about the the guest experience.
yeah. That’s so true. I mean… personally, six flags NE’s attendees do a decent job of cheering, but when people don’t on an amazing ride like wicked cyclone or el toro, then it’s just kinda sad
Oh
My
God
I have never seen Storm Chaser run that fast before in my life.
Over the past few years it has been hauling
I enjoyed the afternoon I spent there! It was so great! The day, 'before,' school started at that!
When t3 gets bulldozed i think they would really need something like either a b&m invert or a intamin launch coaster, who agrees?
A Vekoma Tilt coaster would be a one of a kind addition to either Kentucky Kingdom or Holiday World.
@@MrSRArterA shockwave would be amazing
Gonna add more water attractions , gonna be a while for a coaster
@@benjprince True, probably
Lightning Run's Trains were designed by Ride Centerline, who also designed RMC's trains
Interesting! For some reason I thought RMC had their own design for their trains. I do remember the first RMC having trains from I think Gerstlauer (? I’m probably wrong here) or some other big coaster producer
@@jtbowman132 Yeah Gerstlauer designed and manufactured the trains for New Texas Giant and Iron Rattler. Does RMC not make their own trains still?
It makes sense lightning run feel like a rmc considering it was designed by joe draves, who is now RMCs new designer.
You’re correct, the water coaster had an announced closure last year
As my home park and now an operator of Storm Chaser, they have done a bit but there’s still lots of potential. The future is bright!
Agree just takes time
Are you the James who was working Storm Chaser today? Because if so, I was the guy in the Lightning Rod shirt. Thanks for not stapling me!
I've seen plenty of people act like a company spends money researching and planning future development for a few years for a park they don't own prior to purchasing it. New owners get to either convert pre-existing staff to the new company's mindset or run them off and find suitable new staff who are on board with the new mindset. As part of the Herschend Family, Kentucky Kingdom is still an infant. It is going to take a moment or three to see what direction HFE is going to take.
I’ll go there this summer, along with Holiday World and Kings Island!
I just went for the first time in like 20 years. I enjoyed it, not crowded but slow moving lines. I went because an annual pass is only about 90 dollars, comes with free bring-a-friend tickets and free soft drinks. A pretty good deal for an upscale State Fair. I'd go again.
The best food at KK is the Bourbon bar.
Surprisingly great food that is made to order.
I went the Friday afternoon right before Holiwood Nights and ran into a lot of the same issues. Drink stations closed, food stands closed, one train ops on most rides. As a first timer, wasn't crazy impressed, but also didn't get a chance to do the water park.
1:40 *Random hair metal interrupts Coaster Studios video*
This was highly entertaining. The T4 t-shirt is absolute gold
Keys to the Kingdom 2020 had a joke "announcement" to the attendees that T4 was coming, with that logo, and that it would be a mirror of T3 right next to it. I would laugh so much if we hear that the current T3 structure will become T4, same track, but with the vest restraints.
I hope that they replace T3 with a single rail coaster (like Wonder Woman at Six Flags) I think that would be a good addition to the park 👍
We don't need that. They got 2 RMC's. Lightning Run is a RMC. They need an inversion focused ride now.
@@jaredstivers Lightning Run is from Chance Rides, but just happens to designed by Joe Dravis who now works for RMC
@THICCA380 Agree, but something along the lines of an inversion machine from Vakoma, B&M, or even Chance would do Wonders at the Park. Or my personal favorites, a Mach Big Dipper with 4 to five Inversions or a clone/Replica of the Fury from Bobbejaanland. It would give the park a launched/Multi launched coaster with a Gimmick, the ability to ride the Corse forwards or backward. Something like that would make Kentucky Kingdom have something else unique since the space and height restrictions and something to make the park feel different than the competition of Holiday World or King's Island. Or even the basic outline if the Intamin Single Rail would work. Personally I like the one with the Wall Ride Flip or the racing one.
Just went this week, I think this season has a few problems ironed out but we still need some hope of a new coaster!!
It's interesting to see how staffing is at various parks these days. I'd love to be able to more thoroughly compare it to something like the minimum wage in each state, as (without hard research) it seems like the states in the midwest with lower minimum wages and less breaks are having more issues staffing, based just on what I see in videos. When I was at Six Flags St Louis a couple of weeks ago they actually had signs up blaming school for the low staffing (this was mid-June, when all schools are out...).
Looks like Kentucky Kingdom made some big changes after Herschend took over. Too bad that T3 got removed from the park.
Great video ❤
The food at the park has gotten better. Still a work in progress. I am curious what they are gonna do witj around T3 area. Now the pumpkins event is Awsome. U guys should try it. It’s gonna take time
I love my home park!
Yooooo, I'll be riding a Larsen Loop at the local Carnival this weekend. I will honor the late great T4 by booing the Hell out of that ride when the cyle ends. This is a new tradition that we must begin, now. Also, the T4 Logo is deadass the Houston Rockets logo.
Hey Coaster Studios, the staffing issues you ran into are likely because your visit may have been before our local school district not let out in June, keeping teen employees from working week days. Also we need something soon, with Holiday World getting a new coaster to stay in our regional race.
As a twisted Timbers fanboy hearing 9:56 made my day 😌
I highly recommend trying a grilled chicken sandwich at Swampwater Jack’s! It’s one of the best foods I’ve had anywhere, though it can be a little spicy.
Last time I went, Deep Water Dive and Wave Runner were also closed.
okay, why does the footage look warm as hell
at least for the waterpark
Herschend needs to stick to Dollywood and SDC if they can't maintain and update all their parks properly. They'll eventually become a slightly nicer Six Flags at this rate 😂
Have you guys ever done the raft ride at Dorney??
That’s the wettest ride ever! Amazing theming also!
🤘
I haven’t been there since KEYS 2020 for the youtube meetup. That was a day.
I completely agree with your reviews.
I miss Jefferson.
a little sad to see. Starting to feel like Ed Hart is the only way Kentucky Kingdom will not only exist, but truly thrive haha
They had great pizza outside thunderrun in 2016.. I hope Herschend simply needed to take some time to get ready for some moves, but I hope they eventually prioritize KK at least half as much as their icon parks.. but hey, still looks a good time overall.
Huge oof not having Deep water dive opened though
It was my first job in 1996 when it was operated by the original owners. They did an amazing job developing the park. Six Flags ran it in the ground and removed key rides when they closed it. I have no hope for Herschend because there has been little to no investment.
2:45 WELL the burger looks good LMAO
Double dogs is great was just there the other day
Didn't Kentucky Kingdom's own social media team make fun of how rough T3 was?
And did you think it was worse than the Mind Eraser triplets or Kong?
Ed Hart wouldve added a coaster by now
Read a news article from KK's new general manager Sarah Worrell who called Kentucky Kingdom a "legacy park" and said they wanted to focus on the "preservation" of the park, which I read as a carefully worded acknowledgement that they're not going to bring major changes like those we saw during the Ed Hart years. Ironically enough, Kentucky Kingdom's legacy was in its tagline as "The Thrill Park," opening record-breaking thrill rides year after year, and in turn becoming the fastest growing amusement park in the U.S.
When it comes to the future of Kentucky Kingdom, Herschend has about four choices. They can continue adding new rides year after year like was done in the 1990s and 2010s; They could overhaul Kentucky Kingdom and transform it into a theme park (offering a similar experience to Dollywood, SDC, or Holiday World); They could eliminate all/most of the rides and operate solely as a water park; or they could decide that operating this park was a poor investment and end their lease with the Fair Board.
I've always hoped for one of the first two options, but I worry that Herschend is going to take the easy way out (like they did with Wild Adventures or Cedar Fair with Geauga Lake). Kentucky Kingdom's 2021 attendance was about 200k less than 2019, and I assume its been lower in the following seasons. So ultimately, this comes down to an issue of profitability. But if Herschend has the money, and is willing to spend it, returning Kentucky Kingdom to its "Thrill Park" roots or transforming it to a themed experience could pay dividends for years. The Ohio River Valley is very competitive for amusement parks, and having an experience like that in the heart of Louisville would entice a lot of visitors who currently ignore Kentucky Kingdom. But unfortunately, this park is no stranger to neglect, so who knows what the future holds.
(Side Note: Whatever they do, they should definitely take out the slide complex and lazy river near Thunder Run and replace that area with a couple of flat rides. They would probably want to do this in tandem with opening a new attraction or two for Hurricane Bay. Its a bold move, but it would open up the back area of the park around T3 and the Raging Rapids River Ride which is completely dead. I think it would make the layout much more inviting.
With the T3 plot of land (if they even have the money to spend) they should construct either flat rides/a small theater/a restaurant, and then where the old amphitheater is they should construct a new roller coaster. This is for the same reason that they should demolish the old slide complex, because as it stands currently, the second half of the park is almost unnavigable for the general public.)
Anything Herschend Touches turns to gold!
Wild Adventures?
@@JustinCoastersthat’s what i was gonna say 💀 💀 💀
Others turn into steel. Like Lightning Rod.
Yeah, only if you're SDC and Dollywood....
Quick question. Are you on the cover picture of Apple
Zapple at Kings Dominion??? I just looked at it and it looks like young Taylor
Yes that is me!
We got evacuated from Congo Falls at Kings Island.
Every vlog I watch of yours I notice your sunglasses (Taylors) and feel like an idiot because I have those same ones and I love them, but cannot find them unfortunately. However, fun vlog; keep them up!
Omg omg tanner just fixed lightning rod for tonight he pushed it out of the station!
This video makes me wish I had friends :(
It wasn’t great when I went. The new fast passes go through the exits, so groups would just lap us constantly. We would wait for front row, and people kept taking front row almost every train. The ride ops just didn’t care. All of the coasters were also running one train, which made no sense for a busy weekend. I expected something more like Dollywood quality and was very disappointed.
How is the Koaster Kids poster at Kentucky Flyer holding up, sad to hear if it was faded.
It’s been gone for a while
@@CoasterStudios I do not understand why the poster was taken down, very sad to hear its gone.
9:07 How is this a "clear"
I was just about to post the same thing. Dude’s literally asleep with his thumb in the air. “Safety is our number one priority…” 🙄. Crazy!
12:19 This place has never been open. I have come at least once or twice a week since last year and have never seen that drink station open...
I live in Louisville. Nobody goes here, everyone just drives the hour and a half to Holiday World instead.
If Kentucky Kingdom ended up getting better, Herschend will heavy invest into this park including T3 replacement just named it T4 with a collaboration with Owl City.
the real question is, did your shins smash into those RMC-like restraints on Lightning Run
And I wish that we could ride some roller coasters together and to meet up but who knows (I’m the only one in my family that loves roller coasters 😅)
I ran into them on Storm Chaser. I’m the guy in the back row at 9:05
I went summer 2022 and it was so disappointing. it was lacking in many ways primarily due to funding. i felt it didnt really have enough charm to outweigh those things. storm chaser line was empty though which was great
At least it isn't being run as bad as it was when Six Flags owned it ;)
Man, they saved the park and sold again only for it to seemingly go way downhill again. That’s depressing, hope they don’t close again…
Bro I live in Louisville and I love double dogs and I’ve seen peter there before
I visited the park a couple of weeks ago on a Saturday, and personally, I did not care for this park. If Herschend invest more into this park, especially upgrading the atmosphere and food, Id would revisit the park. But as it stands, I'm skipping this park whenever I comeback for Kings Island and Holiday Park.
Patrick Holland woops you're right, I was just thinking about their European trips lmao
I love how now that he does not know the owners anymore he all of the sudden cant stand the park lmao. Its the same park it was a year ago.
Not like that at all. I still know people at the park. And it’s not that I can’t stand it; that’s not true at all. There were just problems that were more apparent this time around.
Bold prediction, T3 will transform into T4
I hope it doesn't end up like what Six Flags did to it.
I've always wanted to go to this park, but seems a little underwhelming. Storm Chaser looks cool though.
Did Sarah loser her voice because of holiwood nights? or was it something else?
i lose my voice so easily all the time! it definitely happened during hwn :(
I feel like they will tear down T3 and the water coaster at the same time.
The water park closes at Labor Day now vs the end of September. No major ride announcements. All we got was cinnamon bread and the Harlem globetrotters oh and a corny Halloween event. Herschend sucks….they aren’t going to invest because it would be competition for Dollywood
ONE TUBE OPS
Dang I wanted to see Taylor without his shirt on… ❤😂
Double dogs is goated to bad it’s only in like 5 city’s
Does Jefferson no longer work at the park?
he does not
For better, because it’s open now.
What's ur record for most rides in a day? Mine is 23 on Fury 325
I think it was like 26 on Stunt Pilot at Silverwood
@@CoasterStudios Cool!
I went here the last year six flags had it and it was terrible. I see it's not any better. It's like a carnival.
Went the day before you all went, and I was really disappointed. Seems like there slowly shutting it down or something I don’t know. Sad
The big question for Herschend is will Kentucky Kingdom get treated like Dollywood and Silver Dollar City or more like Wild Adventures? It's not looking promising.
I have a bit more hope for Kentucky Kingdom due to it's location, remember that Kentucky Kingdom is the largest amusement park in the state, Wild Adventures on the other hand, while it absolutely deserves to be treated better, isn't in a good place with SFoG and now Fun Spot Atlanta being big.
Kentucky Kingdom is in a pretty hot market area (Holiday World, Beech Bend etc.) and Herschend would be making a TERRIBLE decision to neglect the park like they do with Wild Adventures. Would give Beech Bend a big opportunity to surpass them.
Didn't a guy and a small company take it over after Six Flags? Herschend bought it?
Yes Ed hart
What are you predicting for the replacement for t3
Water park expansion
It seems Herschend hasn't done anything yet like they did with another park they managed in the past. 😒🙄
Same question as yesterday: how come in your review of Superman the ride at six flags New England you gave it a 9/10 but now you don't think it's a good hyper coaster? You said it's not a good hyper coaster in your overrated coasters video
Because it’s painful
@@evanchee8545 it’s not at all