Theme Park Report

Holiday World has meant a lot to me for many years, but I would say it truly became special to me back in 2006 when my mom first introduced me to the park. We visited in the spring that year, and after that first trip, we kept going back again and again throughout the season. What started as a visit quickly turned into something much bigger. It became a place filled with memories, excitement, and quality time with family. My very first season visiting Holiday World in 2006 I had already been a theme park and roller coaster fan before that, but Holiday World felt different from anything I had experienced before. There was just something special about it. From the rides to the atmosphere, it immediately stood out to me as a place that was not only exciting, but also welcoming and full of heart. A huge part of that came from experiencing it for the first time with my mom, who quickly turned me into a Holiday World fan for life. The person who gave me the Holiday World bug — my Mom. Some o...

Well....YES! This Summer Holiday World & Splashin' Safari will be introducing a new Event... Rubber Duck Days runs June 8th - June 21st, 2026. The Star of the Event known as The World's Largest Rubber Duck also know as "Mama Duck" to Holiday World Staff will be located inside Splashin' Safari (Location TBD, but I have heard she may possibly be over near the Bahari Wave Pool). Standing...I mean nesting at over 60 feet tall this "Mama Duck" is MASIVE, and will truly be a sight to see!  "Mama Duck" will be for viewers eyes only, but she is bringing along a side kick know as Timmy who stands at 10 feet tall, which guests will be able to get up close, give Timmy a gentle pat, and take as many Duck-Tastic photos you would like.  Holiday World states on their website that during the event there will also be Event Exclusive Fun Food Options to try as well throughout the Parks.  During the Rubber Duck Days Holiday World & Splashin' Safari wi...

  On June 29th, 2024 Kentucky Kingdom hosted participants during their first-ever Floral Frenzy 5K Run during their New Petal Palooza Event in Louisville, KY. This "Color Run" was so much fun! This one-of-a-kind event allowed participants to run throughout the Park as well as even outside the Park while being doused with colorful powders at different locations during he route. Below shows a map of the routes that participants could take. One being only 1.5 Miles (Kid's Fun Run), and the other being 3.1 Miles (Floral Frenzy 5K).  A decent amount of participants showed up to take on this new 5K that Kentucky Kingdom hosted. This was a great event for people of all ages as well. Everyone who participated seemed to really enjoy this special event. Participants were given light refreshments before and after the race, as well as a Floral Frenzy 5K T-Shirt and Completion Medal. We were also led in a stretch session before we took off and while we waited for the race to start the...

Holiday World brought back their Holidays in the Sky Drone & Fireworks show for 2024, and this year's show has 500 Drones! Holidays in the Sky is always a crowd-pleaser every Summer at Holiday World. For the past three Summers, Holiday World has put on the Drone and Fireworks show and has added more and more drones every year. The show is put on by Firefly Drone Shows  and they do an awesome job choreographing it with the Holiday World Team, bringing something new every Summer.  Also returning before the Drone and Fireworks show is the Light the Night DJ & Dance Party. This year the bubble machines were on full blast, as shown in the video below. The Kids and Parents also love this portion of the night before the Main Event begins! The dance floor area is always very crowded, but crowded in a good way, Families having fun dancing and singing along and having a great time. I also love to join in on the group dancing songs!  What I love about seeing a drone show ...

 CONGRATULATIONS to Dollywood for being Named Favorite Amusement Park by National Amusement Park Historical Association The following press release was provided by  Dollywood Parks & Resorts  on June 3, 2024.   DOLLYWOOD NAMED FAVORITE AMUSEMENT PARK BY NATIONAL AMUSEMENT PARK HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION Pigeon Forge theme park earns another “Nation’s Best” award just as summer in the Smokies begins   PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (Monday, June 3, 2024) — Fresh off the opening of the highly acclaimed Dolly Parton Experience, Dollywood theme park earned yet another award that points directly at the quality experience guests can expect when they visit the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, theme park.   The National Amusement Park Historical Association (NAPHA) recently released the results of its 38 th  annual NAPHA Amusement Park and Attractions Survey, and for Dollywood fans, the news sounded very familiar. Dollywood was named the favorite theme park in the country b...

  Each Season and throughout the year the Horticulture Team at Kentucky Kingdom is always hard at work growing and maintaining thousands of plants, flowers, trees, grasses, and more to ensure the Park looks beautiful around every corner for their guests during every visit. The flowers throughout the Theme and Water Park guests encounter have such vibrant colors and look beautiful all season long.  Having much appreciation for the Horticulture Team's hard work and dedication we were curious as to what all goes into getting the plants, flowers, and more ready for guests each season, so we reached out to the head of the Horticulture Department Jason Anderson to get some answers:    Q: Can you tell me about your experience in horticulture and what was your inspiration and reason you joined the Kentucky Kingdom Horticulture Team, and how long have you worked with the Park?   A: I have over 20 years experience in the horticulture field,...