Oasis - Construction Update

 

The larger of the two coasters has gone vertical.  This is Dragon Run.

The coaster gets its name for the Lake's "Missouri Dragon" nickname.

The coaster is a Vekoma Family Suspended 453m model.  This will be the 14th version of this particular layout, but only the 2nd in the States (with Dragonflier at Dollywood being the other)

The installation will feature a single train that features 10 rows of 2 across seating.  The max height is 63.3 feet with a top speed of 41.6 mph.  Dragon Run will feature a sub-terrain tunnel (with a walkway over), a helix, a station flyover and a then final larger bunny hop helix into the brakes.

Kings Island

 

Welcome to Kings Island

We were excited to tryout the new Phantom Theater

The additions of No-Legs Larry

and The Maestro to the queue area are great additions that really add to the storyline

You board your Opera Box and use flashlights to catch "ghost notes" to score points

The ride is fantastic

We're proud to report that Swoosh was able to max out his flashlight on our second ride through

While our other crew member made Head Usher status, Swoosh is apparently a Theater Owner

Diamondback - our favorite ride in the park

Mystic Timbers - don't go in the shed

Soap Box Racers

Air Rail

Woodstock's Express

The Beast - Row 17 for the win

Queen City Stunt Coaster - the mid course show scene is pointless now

Shake Rattle and Roll

WindSeeker

Zephyr

The Racer - apparently the Blue side wins all the time now

The Monster - somehow it is back against all odds

Flight of Fear - Swoosh still has to ride in the even rows because he's so tall.

Orion - it's starting to grow on us, but still not better than Diamondback

Sol Spin

This is probably the best looking area in the park other than the main fountain area

Adventure Express beat us up today.  The grouper forced us in the back seat of our cart.  Never again

Cargo Loco - why don't more parks have this ride?

The Bat - boy was this crew not in any hurry today

Congo Falls - surprise it still works

Invertigo - how is this still here?

Delirium

Banshee

Drop Zone

We were serenaded while we ate our pizza in Festahaus

The floral calendar looked amazing

When at Kings Island you have to go up in the Eiffel Tower

One last thing before we depart - Happy Century Birthday to the Grand Carousel

Kentucky Kingdom

 

Welcome to Kentucky Kingdom

The reason for our visit is the new Flying Fox rollercoaster

This is a Vekoma Family Suspended Coaster, much like Dragonflier at Dollywood (which is coincidentally also green)

Vekoma is knocking it out of the park with their new coasters.  While this ride might not be overly intense it is a lot of fun and everyone was exiting with smiles on their faces

Next door is Lightning Run - a rare Chance Hyper GT-X Coaster

Basically a mini-hypercoaster, this ride features diabolical airtime moments

The park is currently celebrating their Floral Frenzy festival.  However, other than this canopy and a few signs, I'm not exactly sure what the festival is

and here is the sign.  Maybe it will grow (pun intended) over the next few seasons

Scream Extreme

Himalaya supporting a new look without its normal top

Let's check out their show

Wheels in the Wild was definitely designed for a younger crowd, but the sports bikes did do a few neat tricks.  Maybe this park needs to take a page from its sister parks and have some Bluegrass acts?

In the kiddie section they had this group performing

Again this was definitely designed for the youngest of young park guests

In the weird ride area inside of the waterpark, you can find the Giant Wheel

Skycatcher

and the star of this section - Kentucky Flyer

This from Gravity Group family wooden coaster really makes the most of its short layout.

It is weird that the park now has two airplane themed rides

Last year, Herschend decided it was time to actually put some effort into the park and they created Discovery Meadow

Honestly, if their long term goal is to have fully flushed out lands like this area in the entire park - Kentucky Kingdom is definitely headed in the right direction

Hollyhock and Roll

Garden Carousel

Treetop Drop

The former Thunder Run is now Woodland Run - and I thought it was running really good

Spring Fling

Mile High Falls

Again, they did a great job with this area

Seed Spinner

Nature's Bounty

Honeybee Buzzers

and Storm Chaser is now Wind Chaser

No matter the name, it is still the star attraction of the park.

We had a great day and are looking forward to seeing what Herschend has in store for the next chapters of placemaking as they reinvent Kentucky Kingdom