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'''Kentucky Kingdom''', formerly known as '''Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom''', is an [[amusement park]] in [[Louisville, Kentucky]], United States. The {{convert|67|acre|adj=on}} park<ref>{{cite web |title=Partnership Opportunities |url=https://www.kentuckykingdom.com/sponsors |website=kentuckykingdom.com |publisher=Kentucky Kingdom |access-date=May 26, 2020 |archive-date=August 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804031834/https://www.kentuckykingdom.com/sponsors |url-status=dead }}</ref> includes a collection of [[amusement ride]]s and the Hurricane Bay [[water park]]. Kentucky Kingdom is located at the intersection of [[Interstate 65]] and [[Interstate 264 (Kentucky)|Interstate 264]], sharing a parking lot with the [[Kentucky Exposition Center]].
 
In 1977, the Kentucky State Fair Board announced plans to build a theme park on the grounds of the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center. The park's construction, overseen by Kentucky Entertainment Limited, began in 1986 and cost $12 million in total.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Tompor|first1=Susan|date=January 3, 1986|title=Kentucky Kingdom stands good chance of beating the odds|work=[[The Courier-Journal]]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/109809168/|url-access=subscription|access-date=May 5, 2020|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|archive-date=August 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805212634/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/109809168/|url-status=live}}</ref> Kentucky Kingdom opened to the public on May 23, 1987. The park went bankrupt after one season, and was reopened in 1990 by businessman Ed Hart. Due to loan payment challenges, Kentucky Kingdom was sold in 1998 to [[Six Flags]], inwhich 1998operated whoit operateduntil theclosing parkit untilin 2009. Five years after Kentucky Kingdom closed, Ed Hart reopened the park in May 2014. Seven years after Kentucky Kingdom reopenedlater, the park's operating rights were sold to [[Herschend Family Entertainment]]. Kentucky Kingdom is owned by the Kentucky State Fair Board, and operated by Herschend Family Entertainment.
 
Kentucky Kingdom has five roller coasters: [[Kentucky Flyer]], [[Lightning Run]], [[Roller Skater (roller coaster)|Roller Skater]], [[Storm Chaser (roller coaster)|Storm Chaser]], and [[Thunder Run (Kentucky Kingdom)|Thunder Run]]. The park has opened many first-of-its-kind roller coasters. [[T3 (roller coaster)|T3T2]] was the first [[Vekoma]] [[Suspended Looping Coaster]] in North America. Lightning Run was the first [[Chance Rides]] Hyper GT-X Coaster in the world. Storm Chaser was the first roller coaster in the United States toU.S. featurewith a barrel roll drop.
 
==History==
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In June 1997, [[Bank One Corporation|Banc One Corporation]] completed its acquisition of Liberty National Bank and Trust Company, which held a major loan in Kentucky Kingdom.<ref>{{cite news |title=Banc One completes purchase of Liberty |url=https://journalrecord.com/1997/06/banc-one-completes-purchase-of-liberty/ |access-date=November 18, 2023 |work=[[The Journal Record]] |publisher=[[Gannett]] |date=June 3, 1997 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118073632/https://journalrecord.com/1997/06/banc-one-completes-purchase-of-liberty/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Although the park had never missed a payment, Banc One called the loan, forcing Hart to either raise more capital or sell the park's operating rights.<ref name="mojo"/> Hart announced on September 26, 1997, that the rights to operate Kentucky Kingdom would be sold to [[Six Flags#History of Premier Parks|Premier Parks]] for $64 million; the deal was finalized on November 7.<ref name=start /> As part of the agreement, Premier Parks agreed to continue opening new attractions at the park through at least 1999.<ref>{{cite news|last=Redding|first=Rick|date=November 24, 1997|title=Whew! What a wild ride for Kentucky Kingdom|work=[[American City Business Journals]]|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/1997/11/24/story4.html|url-status=live|access-date=April 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611092823/https://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/1997/11/24/story4.html|archive-date=June 11, 2021}}</ref> At the time, Kentucky Kingdom was one of the most popular tourism attractions in Louisville, receiving more visitors than [[Churchill Downs]].<ref name=start />
 
During the offseason, Premier Parks acquired [[Six Flags]] from [[Time Warner]], and as such, on June 2221, 1998, the park reopened as Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom.<ref>{{cite news |title=The New Monster Of The Midway; Premier Parks Thrives by Not Being Disney |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/21/business/the-new-monster-of-the-midway-premier-parks-thrives-by-not-being-disney.html |accessdate=November 17, 2023 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=June 21, 1998 |archive-date=July 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720170029/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/21/business/the-new-monster-of-the-midway-premier-parks-thrives-by-not-being-disney.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Also on June 2221, 1998, [[Twisted Twins|Twisted Sisters]], a wooden dueling roller coaster, officially opened to the public. The roller coaster cost $5 million, and had been planned by Thememparks LLC, who originally wanted to name it "Double Trouble." Hook's Lagoon, an interactive tree house with water activities, was also added that year to Hurricane Bay.<ref>{{cite news|date=May 11, 1998|title=The science of fun|work=[[The Courier-Journal]]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/110510253/|url-access=subscription|access-date=May 18, 2020|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|archive-date=November 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124023145/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/110510253/|url-status=live}}</ref> Six Flags then transformed King Louie's Playground into Looney Tunes Movie Town and added the Batman Stunt Show Spectacular in 1999.<ref name="start"/> It became the ninth amusement park to use the [[Six Flags]] name.<ref name="RCDB Kentucky Kingdom">{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Kentucky Kingdom|rcdb_number=4563|access-date=November 15, 2010}}</ref>
 
[[File:Greezed Lightnin' (Kentucky Kingdom).JPG|left|thumb|200px|[[Shuttle Loop|Greezed Lightnin']] opened in 2003, after it was relocated from [[Six Flags Over Georgia]].]]
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After the first month of operation, over 100,000 season passes were sold, and by the end of the season, 600,000 guests had visited the park.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kentucky Kingdom drew 600,000 in first year of re-opening |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2014/09/25/kentucky-kingdom-drew-first-year-re-opening/16179885/ |access-date=April 24, 2020 |work=[[The Courier-Journal]] |date=September 25, 2014 |archive-date=January 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128072650/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2014/09/25/kentucky-kingdom-drew-first-year-re-opening/16179885/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Kentucky Kingdom announced plans to open a renovated amphitheater and roller coaster [[T3 (roller coaster)|T3]] (formerly known as T2) in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|last=Shafer|first=Sheldon S.|date=July 7, 2014|title=Kentucky Kingdom operators confident after 1st month|work=[[The Courier-Journal]]|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2014/07/03/kentucky-kingdom-operators-confident-st-month/12155567/|url-status=live|url-access=limited|access-date=March 27, 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210611085042/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2014/07/03/kentucky-kingdom-operators-confident-st-month/12155567/|archive-date=June 11, 2021}}</ref> On September 25, 2014, Cyclos and Skycatcher were announced for 2015, along with three refurbished attractions: Enterprise, Raging Rapids River Ride, and T3.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kentucky Kingdom to add 5 rides in 2015 |url=https://www.wave3.com/story/26629856/kentucky-kingdom-to-add-5-rides-in-2015/ |access-date=November 7, 2023 |work=[[WAVE (TV)|WAVE]] |date=September 25, 2014 |archive-date=November 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107160323/https://www.wave3.com/story/26629856/kentucky-kingdom-to-add-5-rides-in-2015/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 16, 2015, Kentucky Kingdom announced the park would add three other rides, calling the total group of eight new rides the Kingdom Eight. Added were Up Up and Away, Flutterfly and The Wizard of Oz.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hughes|first1=Diana|date=May 11, 2015|title=Enjoy thrills and spills at Kentucky Kingdom|work=[[The Tennessean]]|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/travel/2015/05/11/enjoy-thrills-and-spills-at-kentucky-kingdom/27118383/|url-status=live|access-date=May 2, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210611084907/https://www.tennessean.com/story/travel/2015/05/11/enjoy-thrills-and-spills-at-kentucky-kingdom/27118383/|archive-date=June 11, 2021}}</ref>
 
[[File:StormChaser_Corkscrew.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[Storm Chaser (roller coaster)|Storm Chaser]], added in 2016, useduses the support structure from Twisted Twins.]]
On July 20, 2015, Kentucky Kingdom officials announced that the park would be adding their fifth roller coaster, [[Storm Chaser (roller coaster)|Storm Chaser]], for the 2016 season. Storm Chaser is a [[Rocky Mountain Construction]] roller coaster which used part of Twisted Twins' existing structure, which has sat standing but not operating since the end of the 2007 season.<ref>{{cite news|date=July 20, 2015|title=Kentucky Kingdom announces plans for 5th roller coaster|publisher=[[WHAS-TV]]|url=http://www.whas11.com/story/life/2015/07/20/new-coaster-announcement-for-ky-kingdom/30418807/|url-status=dead|access-date=July 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123003524/http://www.whas11.com/story/life/2015/07/20/new-coaster-announcement-for-ky-kingdom/30418807/|archive-date=January 23, 2016}}</ref> Storm Chaser opened to the public on April 30, 2016.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kentucky Kingdom opens April 30 with new Storm Chaser coaster |url=https://attractionsmagazine.com/kentucky-kingdom-opens-april-30-new-storm-chaser-coaster/ |access-date=May 5, 2020 |work=attractionsmagazine.com |date=April 29, 2016 |archive-date=September 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925071915/https://attractionsmagazine.com/kentucky-kingdom-opens-april-30-new-storm-chaser-coaster/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
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|[[The Gravity Group]]
|[[Wooden coaster|Family Wooden Coaster]]
|A family roller coaster constructed by The Gravity Group.<ref>{{cite web |title=COMING IN 2019: KENTUCKY FLYER |url=https://thegravitygroup.com/coming-in-2019-kentucky-flyer/ |website=thegravitygroup.com |date=November 14, 2018 |access-date=May 6, 2020 |archive-date=December 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223050709/http://thegravitygroup.com/coming-in-2019-kentucky-flyer/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The ride features a 44-foot drop(13 meters) and reaches a top speed of 35 miles per hour(56 kilometers per hour).
|-
|[[Lightning Run]]
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|Wooddesign Amusement-Rides
| [[Carousel]]
|The park's main Carousel. Formerly called International Carousel.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bella Musica |url=https://www.kentuckykingdom.com/explore-the-park/attractions/kentucky-kingdom/bella-musica/ |publisher=Kentucky Kingdom |access-date=May 12, 2024}}</ref> Formerly called International Carousel.<ref>[http://www.sixflags.com/kentuckyKingdom/rides/FamilyRides.aspx Family Rides: Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom] (accessed May 14, 2024) {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412213135/http://www.sixflags.com/kentuckyKingdom/rides/FamilyRides.aspx |date=April 12, 2008 }}</ref>
|-
|Bluebeard's Bounty
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|[[Intamin]]
|Flying Dutchman
|A [[swing ride]] where you sit in shoes. It has 20 shoe-shaped swings that rotate around a tower, approximately {{convert|10 feet (3.0 |ft|m)|abbr=on}} off the ground. The ride was previously located at [[Kings Island]] from 1973 to 1990.<ref>{{cite web |title=Flying Dutchman |url=https://www.kentuckykingdom.com/explore-the-park/attractions/kentucky-kingdom/flying-dutchman/ |publisher=Kentucky Kingdom |access-date=May 12, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|Giant Wheel
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|Antique cars, based on the design of the [[Ford Model A (1927–1931)|Ford Model A]], that run along a track. Originally located at [[Opryland USA|Opryland Themepark]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Tin Lizzies |url=https://www.kentuckykingdom.com/explore-the-park/attractions/kentucky-kingdom/tin-lizzies/ |publisher=Kentucky Kingdom |access-date=May 12, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|5D5-D Cinema – Movies You Ride
|2014
|[[SimEx-Iwerks]]
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|Larson International
| Super Shot
|A {{convert|129-foot tall(39.32 |ft|m)|abbr=on}} [[drop tower]] ride<ref>{{cite web |title=This park is the only place in the U.S. you can do a barrel roll on a ride |url=http://www.thelouisianaweekend.com/this-park-is-the-only-place-in-the-u-s-you-can-do-a-barrel-roll-on-a-ride/ |website=thelouisianaweekend.com |access-date=May 6, 2020 |archive-date=June 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611075755/http://www.thelouisianaweekend.com/this-park-is-the-only-place-in-the-u-s-you-can-do-a-barrel-roll-on-a-ride/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|[[Music Express|Himalaya]]
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|[[Reverchon Industries]]
| Superbob/Musik Express
|Spinning ride that goes over slopes and flat area in a circular direction.<ref>{{cite web |title=Himalaya |url=https://www.kentuckykingdom.com/explore-the-park/attractions/kentucky-kingdom/himalaya/ |publisher=Kentucky Kingdom |access-date=May 14, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|Scream Xtreme
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|[[ARM Rides]]
|Star Flyer
| {{convert|130-foot(39.624 |ft|m)|abbr=on}} swing ride. Starts on the ground and lifts into the air where it swings riders.<ref>{{cite web|date=May 27, 2015|title=Kentucky Kingdom: For the thrill of it|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sponsor-story/kentucky-kingdom/2015/05/27/kentuckykingdom/27973713/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201130648/https://www.indystar.com/story/sponsor-story/kentucky-kingdom/2015/05/27/kentuckykingdom/27973713/|archive-date=December 1, 2020|access-date=May 6, 2020|publisher=Kentucky Kingdom|type=sponsored|via=[[The Indianapolis Star]]}}</ref>
|}
 
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|1994
|[[Hopkins Rides]]
|[[Shoot the Chuteschute]]
|Opened A [[shootas the tallest shoot-the-chute]] ride in the world with a drop of {{convert|90|ft|m|abbr=off}}.<ref>{{cite news |title=13 evacuated from Kentucky Kingdom water ride after incident |url=https://www.whas11.com/article/news/local/13-evacuated-from-kentucky-kingdom-water-ride-after-incident/417-578345017 |access-date=November 7, 2023 |work=[[WHAS-TV]] |date=July 28, 2018 |archive-date=October 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005001306/https://www.whas11.com/article/news/local/13-evacuated-from-kentucky-kingdom-water-ride-after-incident/417-578345017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Mile High Falls |url=https://www.kentuckykingdom.com/explore-the-park/attractions/kentucky-kingdom/mile-high-falls/ |publisher=Kentucky Kingdom |access-date=May 13, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|Raging Rapids River Ride
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|Zamperla
|Convoy
|Kids battery powered monster trucks.<ref>{{cite Formerly known asweb |title=Big Foot, RoadrunnerTrucks Express,|url=https://www.kentuckykingdom.com/explore-the-park/attractions/kentucky-kingdom/big-foot-trucks/ and|publisher=Kentucky DukesKingdom of|access-date=May the12, Road.2024}}</ref>
|-
|FlutterFly
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