Holiday World owners approved to take over former Kentucky Kingdom theme park

February 23, 2012 at 7:11 PM · Love the move, the name, and the potential!

February 23, 2012 at 8:11 PM · I'm sure the Koch family will do a great job with the park. I worry about how dealing with the Kentucky State Fair Board will affect things. They and the state government pretty much derailed another potential operator (who once owned KY Kingdom) from re-opening the park. I will also be interested to see how the Kochs deal with operating the park during the state fair and being integrated with the midway.

February 24, 2012 at 7:05 AM · I've been following this story more closely than I should, considering these are parks quite a distance from me that I've only been to once each. But it's an important story in the industry, so attention must be paid.

I had a great experience at Holiday World and an OK one at Kentucky Kingdom under the Six Flags banner. I do hope this deal works out well for both parties. I don't know all the details, but I'd be willing to bet HW's free parking and drinks will not come to KY. I think the fair board will balk at that.

And I really like the new name, as I may have said here before.

February 24, 2012 at 9:00 AM · Good for Louisville. There's a lot that needs done to get that park back in good shape, and Holiday World ownership is perfect for the job. I hope they can fix the coaster that runs along Crittenden Drive that has been down for quite a while. If I remember correctly it was called Twisted Twins.

Notice they said nothing about free parking. That's the fair board, not Holiday World. On the bright side though the parking was always still a lot cheaper than other parks. Hopefully the relationship between Holiday World and the fair board will be a long and prosperous one for everyone.

February 24, 2012 at 10:28 AM · Wonderful news! I hope to finally be able to visit this park. Even though it'll be different, I wasn't able to visit Kentucky Kingdom so this will be a great experience! Now, if only someone will re-open Celebration City in Branson...shame to let Ozark Wildcat sit there & go to waste. The park was being developed when I was there last time & never got to go experience the park nor Ozark Wildcat.

February 24, 2012 at 10:35 AM · Derek, Twisted Twins is correct...their names are Lola and Stella. I always wished they had been able to keep the original name, Twisted Sisters, without facing a lawsuit from the "We're Not Gonna Take It" band. I feel the same way about the coaster(s) and the band..okay at best. Thunder Run was the best coaster there, IMO.

February 24, 2012 at 8:28 PM · This is really such exciting news. Kentucky Kingdom had been so run down and so trashy for so long. If anyone can turn that park around, it's the Koch family!

February 25, 2012 at 11:00 PM · Was Twisted Twins actually down, or did Six Flags just decide to quit operating it? Remember, in the last year or two of operation they just decided to close down that entire section of the park (which also included their shoot the chutes ride). I always thought it was funny that you could see a Holiday World billboard at the top of the Twins' lift hill.