Amusement Park News

Kentucky Kingdom is preparing to introduce a new family roller coaster in 2026 called Flying Fox. The suspended family coaster, manufactured by Dutch company Vekoma, is part of what the park describes as the boldest expansion in its history. The addition represents one phase of a multi-year development plan now in progress.

Vekoma describes the suspended coaster as delivering exceptional smoothness through every twist and turn. The ride is designed to appeal to both younger enthusiasts and older guests who enjoy moderate thrills and airtime hills.

The custom coaster represents a significant investment for the park, which is part of the Herschend family of attractions. Flying Fox carries a price tag of approximately $14 million.

According to Kentucky Kingdom, the ride's theme centers on a crop-dusting pilot named Jeb Fox. Riders will soar over a colorful Kentucky farmland setting as part of the character's adventurous storyline.

Flying Fox will become the park's sixth roller coaster and the first new coaster addition since 2019. The park describes it as offering “a blend of approachable thrills, immersive theming and story-driven design inspired by Kentucky's agricultural heritage.”

The queue continues the theme, welcoming guests into a red barn-inspired waiting area.

All elements of the attraction were developed by Herschend's in-house creative team. From the barn queue to whimsical audio featuring Jeb Fox and a series of hand-painted murals, the experience highlights Kentucky's agricultural roots with a lighthearted, family-friendly tone.

“The addition of the Flying Fox is a significant milestone in our multi-year growth strategy,” said Sarah Worrell, General Manager of Kentucky Kingdom. “We've worked closely with Vekoma to design a coaster that meets the highest standards for safety and fun while bringing an original story to life that resonates with our region.”

The park's recent investments underscore its momentum. In 2024, Kentucky Kingdom debuted Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom with an $8 million investment. Discovery Meadow, a family-focused attraction area that opened in 2025, required an $11 million investment. Including Flying Fox, the park's multi-year expansion totals $33 million.

“With the debut of Discovery Meadow in 2025, we set a new standard for immersive, family-friendly experiences, and Flying Fox builds on that momentum,” Worrell said. She described the new coaster as both a continued investment in the park and a commitment to transforming Kentucky Kingdom into a place where families can return year after year and always find something new to discover.

Logan Sanderson, the park's Marketing Manager, said the suspended coaster format and its family-friendly design make it an exciting addition.

“It has appeal to all ages,” he said.

On a suspended coaster, the train hangs beneath the track. Flying Fox will reach a maximum height of 65 feet along approximately 1,380 feet of track. The ride will top out at 37 miles per hour and last 63 seconds. Riders must be at least 38 inches tall to experience what the park describes as soaring over a vibrant Kentucky farmland setting.

While guests await the coaster's debut next season, they recently experienced the return of Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom, which concluded its second season earlier this winter. The holiday event featured more than 1.5 million lights and 300 Christmas trees throughout the park, transforming the property into a seasonal destination.

Blizzard Bluff, billed as the largest snow tubing hill in Kentucky, was once again a highlight. The 175-foot-long, eight-lane attraction featured real snow, with snowmaking machines capable of producing 100 tons every 24 hours.

The event also included a Santa meet-and-greet, holiday-themed food and beverages, and costumed seasonal characters. Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom was divided into four immersive areas: Classic Christmas, Holly Jolly Junction, Santa's Village and The Snow Zone.

“We've put so much love into creating a family-friendly day-to-night experience that celebrates the season with something for everyone,” Worrell said ahead of the event.

Earlier in the fall, the park hosted its Halloween-themed Pumpkins at Kentucky Kingdom event, further reinforcing its growing calendar of seasonal programming designed to extend the operating year.

Worrell noted that the park's mission is to create memories worth repeating and said the addition of Flying Fox represents the next exciting chapter in that journey. She added that the new coaster reflects both continued investment and a commitment to making Kentucky Kingdom a destination families can revisit year after year.

Kentucky Kingdom is the state's largest amusement and water park, offering more than 70 rides and attractions, including five major roller coasters. Season passes for 2026 start at $64.99.