Theme Park Report

  Holiday World officially kicked off another season of Holidays in the Sky , and once again it proved why this has become one of my favorite summer traditions at the park. I make it a point to attend opening night every year, and even though I know to expect a fun evening, there is always something special about seeing how Holiday World changes things up from season to season. This year’s opening night had a lot going on all at once. It was the final weekend of Rubber Duck Days , it was Father’s Day Weekend , and it was also the first night of Holidays in the Sky for the season. Because of that, the park was very, very busy. Crowds were heavy throughout the day, and lines for attractions were long at different points, though they did become a bit more manageable at times. With the heat and humidity added in, you could definitely tell it had been a long day for some families by the time evening rolled around. Still, even with the crowds, the park had that unmistakable summer event...

  There are some events you just know you cannot miss, and for me, Rubber Duck Days at Holiday World was one of them. As someone who is a big fan of both Holiday World and rubber ducks, I knew this was going to be a fun visit from the moment it was announced. Holiday World always does a great job hosting themed events, so I had a feeling this one would be something special. When I first arrived, I honestly did not notice a huge amount of event décor right at the front of the park. But the farther I got into the park, especially around the Christmas section, the more the event started to reveal itself. That is when I began spotting the holiday-themed inflatable rubber ducks placed throughout different areas of the park. I thought that was such a fun and creative touch. Each holiday section had its own duck that matched the theme, and even Splashin’ Safari had smaller inflatables placed around as well. The overall atmosphere of Rubber Duck Days felt light, cheerful, and family-friend...

Sometimes a change of plans can turn into a really good park day, and that was the case for me on June 7 when I made a visit to Kentucky Kingdom Theme & Water Park . Since the park is local and close to my house, it made for an easy day trip when my original plans changed. Even though it was a hot and muggy day, the visit ended up being a nice chance to check in on the park, enjoy some favorite rides, and see how things are continuing to progress as the summer season gets underway. This visit had a very relaxed but active feel to it. The park seemed busy, but calm. There was still plenty of room to walk around, take in the atmosphere, and enjoy the sights and sounds of everyone having a fun day. One thing that stood out right away was that the lines were short, which made a big difference in the overall experience. It meant I could enjoy the rides I wanted without standing out in the heat for too long. One of the first things that really stood out to me on this visit was just how ...

There are some days as a theme park fan that just feel special from the moment you arrive, and Flying Fox opening day at Kentucky Kingdom was one of those days. From the second I walked up to the park, I could already feel the excitement in the air. Seeing other influencers, coaster enthusiasts, and content creators arriving for the media event made it clear that this was a big day not only for Kentucky Kingdom, but for everyone who had been following this project from the beginning. What made the atmosphere different from a normal visit was the mix of excitement, nerves, and anticipation. You could tell the park team was in those final moments of making sure everything was ready. Some employees seemed a little stressed, others looked confident and excited, but overall it felt like everyone understood just how important this day was. Flying Fox had been pushed to the very end before opening, so there was definitely a feeling of, “This is it.” Once things started moving, though, that n...

  Flying Fox brings a whole new energy to the front of Kentucky Kingdom. Kentucky Kingdom is getting ready to open Flying Fox on May 28, and in my opinion, this new coaster feels like more than just another ride addition. It feels like a statement about where the park is headed next. Flying Fox may not be the biggest or most extreme coaster in the park, but that is exactly why it matters. It adds something Kentucky Kingdom truly needed: another family-friendly coaster that still looks fun, exciting, and full of energy. As someone who has followed this project from concept art to construction and now to the finished ride, it has been really exciting to watch it all come together. One of the things I like most about Flying Fox is how compact the layout is while still looking full of movement. The ride twists through the area with lots of turns, close interactions with the pathways, and multiple moments where guests can watch the coaster flying overhead. That alone makes it feel live...