Kentucky Kingdom Klean-Up Trip Report!

HEY YOU GUYS!!!

I was just hanging around in Louisville. It was fun. 

Did you know that KENTUCKY KINGDOM IS RE-OPENING IN 2014???

You probably did, but I'm really excited, so I needed to tell you again. :}

I spent the first Saturday of this month with several ACErs helping Kentucky Kingdom get ready for its grand re-opening. We weeded, tilled, and mulched gardens all day! I don't have any pictures of that for you, but I'll do my best to describe what went down. I'll just preface this report by saying that Kentucky Kingdom's associates are AMAZING. 

Hoo! After 3.5 hours in the car, I reached my destination in Louisville. Nice view from the room, no? :}

Kentucky Kingdom has made a great deal of changes since my last visit in 2003-ish. 

As I was admiring the view from the hotel, I glanced at the foreground and noticed this residence wedged between Kentucky Kingdom and the hotel's parking lot. I feel like this must be an awkward place to live...

I had to run around outside for a bit. This right here is what I'm here to see. 

I imagine this view was much different when Chang was still around. As much as the ride is missed, the water park expansion is starting to look quite impressive!

This tower here will be part of a body slide complex. Nearby T2 is still dormant for this season, but will be ready for the 2015 season with brand new trains!

Meanwhile, Lightning Run is getting ready for its highly-anticipated debut next month!

This new Bullet Bowl/Tantrum complex from ProSlide is almost ready to go!

Deluge, the original magnetic uphill water slide, will be making its triumphant return alongside its new neighbors. 

Also from ProSlide is this new family raft slide. Kentucky Kingdom seems poised to challenge Holiday World for water park dominance! ProSlide, the company behind all of the watersides for both parks, is probably quite thrilled with this feud. :}

Okay, okay. Enough about water parks. Back to Lightning Run!

I really cannot wait to ride this. It's going to be a contender for best new ride of 2014.

At this point, my Coaster Crew pals Dustin and Jacob (who you may remember from my Chase Fire with Dolly update) met me at the hotel. We decided to spend the evening in Louisville before resting up for our Klean-Up day.

On our way to downtown, we passed by the very dormant Twisted Twins.

Fortunately, we'll see these beauties restored for the 2016 season!

WOO! Hard Rock Cafe credit! :D

Actually, we just stopped at Hard Rock so I could get a keychain. We're actually having dinner at Joe's Crab Shack, which according to Apple Maps, is directly under the interstate. lol

Inside, we have a lovely view of the Ohio River.

Everybody wave to Indiana!

My dinner wasn't terribly remarkable (more peel-n'-eat shrimp and fries, like at the Bubba Gump's in Gatlinburg), but the dessert was very special indeed! Chocolate S'mores Cake Skillet!

Fourth Street Live, home to Louisville's Hard Rock Cafe, is quite the lively spot!
We passed it again on our way back to the car.

I'm a sucker for neon. :}

Before sun-up, the other ACErs and I reported to Kentucky Kingdom to embark on our Klean-Up! It was a bit chilly, but we were warmly received by the park. :}

Kentucky Kingdom was represented by the park's PR/Advertising representative, who has been with the park since the 80s. He spoke to us not as volunteers or as workers, but as people. No corporate banter. No grinning car salesman BS. Just really honest, friendly words form a typical guy who just happens to be part of the crew responsible for the most miraculous amusement park resurrection in recent history. 

This attitude will serve Kentucky Kingdom well in the long run. Cut the corporate BS and the fake smiles, and you've got kind, normal people joining together for a great cause. This attitude was shared by all of the Kentucky Kingdom horticultural representatives that we worked with that day, all of whom got down and dirty right along with us.

Our job was to weed, till and mulch several plant beds inside Kentucky Kingdom's Hurricane Bay water park. As the day went on, new friendships were made, not just between volunteers, but with the park associates as well. Each Kentucky Kingdom employee we met is an honest, kind individual that loves their job, loves working with people, and loves who they work for. Kentucky Kingdom is a breeding ground for happy employees, positive morale, and lively atmosphere. The joy was infectious. The 9 hours flew by!

After saying our goodbyes and thanking the wonderful new friends we'd made, it was time for me to get my camera out and take some pictures of the park from the parking lot. Get ready for an onslaught of Lightning Run porn!

I've got a lot of Lightning Run pictures here. Let's see if I can actually make captions for all of them.

I guess I can start off by saying that this is the view of Lightning Run from the very front of the parking lot.

I decided to walk the park's perimeter to get as close to the ride as possible. 

You can just feel the sick airtime that's going to be right here!

Also visible from the parking lot is Breakdance, which has received a fresh coat of paint.

Kentucky Kingdom's Pirate Ship has been alone for so long, but now it sits next to the coolest kid at the Kingdom!

Pirate Ship's new colors complement Lightning Run nicely.

Dat turn.

*o*

Here's an overview of the situation near the south edge of the parking lot. 

These curves are too much to handle.

Lightning Run's first drop is absolutely perfect. The sharp transitions are really going to pack a punch!

Here's an idea of the obstacles I face taking outside-park photos. lol

Now we're across the street from Lightning Run!

Kentucky Kingdom reps have spoken of the highly-advanced rolling stock designed to navigate these wild curves with ease. I can't WAIT for testing to start!

*drool*

You getting sick of Lightning Run photos yet? Yeah, me either. 

Dis drop, you guys. Look at this. This masterpiece. 

Oh, but we can't forget about the Ferris Wheel, which will also be ready for the grand re-opening!

This is how Lightning Run make me feel. :}

Another layout overview!

And finally, here are some shots from over by the Kentucky Expo Center.

Thunder Run is also looking quite lovely these days. :}

Alright, y'all! Time for me to hop back in the Yaris and head home! I need a shower.

I cannot thank Kentucky Kingdom enough for their amazing hospitality, and Paul Blick for organizing this amazing event. Lightning Run will be a shining star attraction for this region, and Kentucky Kingdom will be a force to be reckoned with! I can't wait to see the park again this year at Spring Con and the ACE Storm event in September!! :D

Stay tuned, Thrillography readers. The season has only just begun! We've got a VERY busy summer ahead! :}