Kentucky Kingdom could open by 2012

[B-mac]

Workman says he’ll ask the legislature for approximately $20 million in January. He thinks Kentucky Kingdom could draw as many as 750,000 visitors next year and provide employment for many people.

For the hilarious typo

He says it will take a total investment of about $50 to bring the park back to life.

http://www.wfpl.org/2011/06/21/workman-says-deal-close-to-reopen-kentucky-kingdom/

In all honesty I'm ecstatic that the park could be opening again.

[nitrorox1414]

This would be good for Six Flags. I hope this could happen.

Edit: I didn't know that. whoops.

[Bubba Z]

^ Six ? As in Six Flags. They want nothing to do with this park anymore. They grabbed up Chang and split.   

 Ed Hart has an agreement with the fair board to operate the park if funding is secured. This never happened last year.  He wanted to open the park in two phases. First by opening the water park, then adding another coaster to replace Chang the following year.  There are several  videos on you tube about his plans to reopen the park. .  Hopefully this year they will give him the 50mil. 

[dkny6363]

Is anyone else happy that HW backed out of this?

[AV Matt]

I don't think it matters too much. I think Holiday World would have continued to outgrow and overshadow Kentucky Boardwalk (whatever it was going to be called). The Louisville thrill seekers go to Kings Island already. Holiday World will never be able to get a majority on that market. I don't see how it could ever exceed Kings Island, at least in the next 20 years anyway.

[Blackhand1001]

It does exceed kings island in atmosphere. The atmosphere of kings island has gone a little downhill since cedar fair took over. Its much more generic and corporate.

[dkny6363]

I was just worried the likely failings of KK would affect the growth of HW.

[B-mac]

I knew the Koch's would get run out of the deal. The fair board is THAT bad. They should seriously look into Hard Rock Park, hopefully the bank isn't asking for too much.

[WadeJ]

I guess this thread should really be renamed.  I'm kinda glad they dropped out of this.  As Canada mentions, it probably would have only hurt the future growth of Holiday World.

[dkny6363]

I've heard people say they wish HW would take a go at Hard Rock Park. Not down with this either.

Just make Holiday World the best Park by far. Don't add steel coasters, don't add giant flat rides, and don't start charging for parking, soda, or lotion.. Just do what you do and do it 10 times better than the next guy. Wooden coasters, waterpark, family rides. Add that to good prices, good food, friendly people. Perfect

[AV Matt]

They need a good steel looper to keep the attendance growing. There's an untapped market of thrill seekers who don't get wooden coasters. All you have to do is read their guest blog to realize there's a huge demand for a looper.

[dkny6363]

I agree, and I would be the first one to have a bieber attack if they announced a steel coaster. BUT it would be tragic in a way. I bet the first steel coaster there will be very small. Like a spinning mouse, or maybe a skyrocket (kennywoood) type ride.