Kentucky Kingdom: Louisville, KY
Admission Costs: 34.99 full cost, 17.99 with AAA discount
Kids are 1/2 cost
Parking: $4.00 - but you can't leave and return, you must pay each time


One Tuesday morning, my friend and I woke up and made the 2 and 1/2 hour drive from Nashville to Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom. I visited this park a couple of years ago, and not much has changed. In fact, putting aside the upcharge attracions, the park hasn't added a single ride since my last visit. Arriving at the park, we noticed a decent amount of cars in the parking lot. The lines at the front gate stretched for what seemed to be forever. There were only two gates open. We headed to the Hellevator, a fun Intamin drop tower. However, only 2 out of the 5 towers were operating. This means only 8 people rode per ride, and it created a ridiculously long line.

After that, we walked across the narrow bridge over the road which seperates the two sections of the park. The first coaster we rode was Chang. Since they were only running one train on this B&M stand-up, the short line lasted over 30 minutes. Overall, this ride gets a 3/5.

We continued around the spread-out, poorly designed park and rode more rides.

Twisted Twins (Sisters) - When CCI designed this coaster, they build two tracks so they could duel. Not once have I ridden these excellent coasters when both sides were running. Despite this, it is still an awesome ride. It is fast, fun, and has great airtime. Overall - 5/5

Thunder Run - This is not the tallest, fastest, or steepest wooden coaster built. However, it is one of the more fun coasters. The seats are comfortable for average sized adults, and the ride is fast. Even though its over quickly, it has lots of speed and airtime through the ride. Overall - 5/5

Blizzard River - A giant tube water ride that got everyone wet. It had good themeing, and was fun. 4/5

After this, it was time for lunch. While expensive, over 8.00 for fries, chicken fingers, and a drink, the food at Swapwater Jack's was decent. After eating, we crossed the narrow bridge to get to the front of the park.
The narrow pathways were beginning to feel congested, and this is on a weekday. We checked the line on the Hellevator, and it was still very long. We decided to buy one Fastlane card. This cost us 5.00, and allowed us both to skip the lines of 3 rides.

Using it, we rode the Hellevator, and enjoyed it. It isn't the tallest drop tower, but it is still fast and fun. We then rode some of the many rides on the front side of the park. Breakdance was a fun rotating ride, thrill park theater was a good motion simulator, and Himilaya was the world's longest ride. We also hit Road Runner Express, a rough wild mouse (2/5).

Armed with another fastlane, we headed to the other side of the park to try T2. Because of one train operation, the short line would have taken us 45 to 60 minutes. This coaster was aweful. It caused me pain, and I found myself dreading every element and anticipating the ending. Not only did it bang my head, it violently shoved me into the restraint on the drop and first heart-shaped inversion. I will generously give this coaster a 1/5.

At only 4:30, we were running out of things to do. We re-rode Thunder Run and Twisted Sisters multiple times, and used our last Fastlane on Hellevator again. While this park is seriously lacking in the thrill ride department, it does have a good variety of family attractions. There are many flat, carnival type rides like a Himilaya, Rainbow, a spinning ride called Chaos, and a swinging ship. Kids can hang out in Bugs Bunny World behind Hellevator. Overall with a couple major new attractions, improved navigation, and better management, Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom could be a much better park.

New As of January 2003, Kentucky Kingdom announced the addition of a new roller coaster. This "new" ride is simply the now defunct Viper from Six Flags Over Georgia. Renamed Greezed Lightin', this coaster will launch you through a vertical loop and up a spike and then fall in reverse. I had the chance to ride this ride at Six Flags Over Georgia a few years back, and I found it to be short and rather boring. Even though a new coaster is being added, it is no where near enough of an improvement.


Recommended: Yes