Last Minute Trip Advice: PKI, HW and SFKK

I just got a nice coaster trip dumped into my lap. Me and a friend are going to PKI where I am renewing my gold pass and utilizing the free ticket they are giving away for his admission. From there we will be stopping by SFKK and Holiday World, both are places that we have never been. At the moment we are debating on whether we should leave Michigan after The Cure concert(!) on Wednesday and drive all night to make the big announcement at PKI. That isn't reallly the issue because we will be there that day regardless. I would appreciate any recent info on SFKK and Holiday World or any other tips anyone might have. Thanks!

I could be wrong, but isn't that free PKI ticket you get for renewing only good on August 29th?

DragonRider it's good through September 26th 2004.

I was blown away by The Cure and Curiosa Festival. You should try to catch Interpol and Muse too. The Cure was SUPER loud but crystal clear. Enjoy!

HW has pepsi can discounts. Go here for more info on that.

I'd say definitely hit PKI in time for the announcement even if it means a drive all night. You will probably be so pumped after The Cure show that you won't want to go to bed immediately afterwards anyway. PKI really knows how to do up events like that and make them once in a lifetime memorable events. BeastBuzz this year was certainly like that.

SFKK has a good collection of coasters. Be sure to ride Thunder Run in both back and front. Both seats offer a surprising amount of airtime. While you're in Louisville and since you're into The Cure, you might want to check out a great independent record store called Ear X-tacy. It's located off Bardstown Road in the coolest section of town.

Dragon rider is correct macho. I have the mailer in front of me and it states: Hurry and buy your pass by august 28th and receive one free ticket for each pass purchased to bring a friend to the park on sunday august 29th 2004. Unless their is another special going on i would check to make sure.

My friend and wife got last minute passes to Curiosa which also allowed them backstage. They got to meet everyone out of The Cure except for Robert Smith, Interpol, and Mogwai. He also got The Cure to sign one of his LPs. That bastard! The interesting thing is that they played past 11:00, which is a big no-no at Merriweather Post Pavilliion in Columbia, MD. At least I still have the "Trilogy" DVD (which is super loud and super clear) and "In Orange" videocasette to keep me happy, as well as seeing the Prayer Tour in 89'.

The Cure also played past the curfew of 11 pm in Nashville. Who cares...it's The Cure, and we were VERY lucky to get them here. I'm sure if the amphitheater told them to never come back because of that The Cure could give a bleep. We won't ever see them again here anyway. It was nice seeing Robert Smith smile and hearing him say "QUE!!!!" after every song.

I was @ SFKK this week, you can read my TR (titled "A Quickie in Kentucky"). It has some nice coasters, but I don't know if I could have stayed at the park all day. I could have stayed longer if I weren't so tired, had such a long drive home, and if it didn't start a torrental down pour, but I had a good time.

Oh man I would LOVE to see The Cure! Sweet!

Macho Nachos.....Holiday World is a must-do. SFKK won't hurt either. You will have the time of your life at all of the parks.

Just DO IT! :-D

-Tina

*** Edited 8/9/2004 12:10:28 AM UTC by coasterqueenTRN***

I'm a big Cure Fan as well. Here are a few tips for HW. First off this is their last week of regular operation. After Friday it's weekends only (except for Labor Day). Get to the park at opening and do not hit the coasters first off because everyone does that, instead walk strainght ahead towards the back of the park. You'll have several rides on the way inclusing a monster (Paul Revere's Midnight Ride), The Thunder Bumpers (Bumper Boats), The Rough Riders (Bumper Cars), Liberty Launch (S&S Double Shot) and the Freedom Train. Do not miss the Freedom train because it's a nice ride and the park's 1st ride. From there head down into Haloween and the Raven and Legend. If you like Round Ups try the Round House because rumors are that it's going to be gone next year.

Bring your swim suits and head into Splashin' Safari because Zinga, Jungle Racer and Ottorongo are a must (Ottorongo's slides are named Otto, Ron and Go, Ron and Go are the ones to try, one of them is a double down and gives wicked air). Zinga is a blast and Jungle Racer also gives a bit of air on the second double down, just remember to pull up a bit on the front of your mat or you'll end up with a gallon of water up your nose.

For the best seat on the Legend sit on 1.2 and for the best seat on the Raven go for the back seat.

The shows are fun and don't forget to tell Santa what you want for Christmas. They have fantastic Pizza up at Kringles Kafe and get some fudge next door at Mrs. Claus Kitchen, it's some of the best in the world.

In between the Raven and the Legend is Frightful Falls, HW's log flume. Give it a try because it's pretty fun and goes through part of the Legend. Also the rapids ride is fun. Also remember to hit Hallowswings because it's fun and is also a great way to cool off when it's hot out.

Have Fun and if you see me there because I'm probably going to go every day this week for a bit be sure to say hi.

Have Fun!

Paul Drabek

Here's some advice: Go to Kentucky Kingdom, ride Greazed Lightnin' (aka Viper), and get the hell out of there!

OK guys I'm looking at the email I received on 8/6 and it says "and one free ticket valid on any public operating day through September 26 2004" plus free parking the remainder of this season and all of next season. What a deal!
I kind of figured we would spend all day Friday at HW and maybe a partial day Saturday at SFKK before we start to head back home. I know that no one has a crystal ball, but do you think that makes sense doing the parks in that order?
Thanks for all the tips guys. Which should we ride first, Legend or Raven? I am really excited to get on those coasters, as well as Chang(yes I love stand ups).
Intamin Fan, you can't even imagine how close I was to seeing the Trilogy show in person, bought the passport and everything. An ugly online break-up stopped that plan cold(she had the tickets). I can't make it through that DVD without my eyes misting up several times. I have been a Cure fan for 20 years and this will be the third time that I've seen them live. I met Robert Smith in 1987 during The Kiss Tour! Darn I'm old! :) They are routinely breaking the 11pm curfew by an encore or two. I remember reading somewhere that x amount of their shows are null and void money wise because of the fines they must pay for doing that. I can't wait to see Mogwai as well, they melt my brain in the most delicious way! My buddy called a few hours ago and we are getting even better tickets. We had row LL and now we have row W! 15 rows closer, so nice.
Thanks for the replies everyone, and please keep them coming if you think of anything else. It makes me smile knowing that there are some Cure fans around here!

Yeah, I have a reply.

Don't listen to SFoGswim.

A depressing bunch of CBers! :-) Moping to Cure songs! I, by the way am a big fan and am glad to see the US fan base is picking back up!

Ride all the wood coasters (you can skip SOB unless excessive shaking is your thing) and you'll be a happy person.

P.S. I thought the Racer forward was running very nicely a few weeks ago. I actually prefered that to Beast on that day.

P.S. Finish with Legend and Raven and then debate all day about which is better!

My personal advice is never, ever, ever skip a coaster based on another person's opinion. I just rode SoB for the first time. Many told me not to, but I did anyhow. Though its true, its rough and shakey, I rode it 4 times. You may not want to, and as always, YRMV, but don't skip anything. And as for SFKK, as of this week, all the coasters were running well, Greeze is blissful, and Thunder Run was incredible.

But above all, have a good time. As long as SFKK isn't crowded I'd say half a day on Sat is plenty, unless you decide you want more re-rides. But dosen't the fair start this week? Or is it next?

BE SURE TO CHECK THEIR WEBSITE FOR THE KENTUCKY STATE FAIR'S SITE TO SEE IF THE FAIR IS GOING ON THIS WEEK!:)

the fair starts the 19th and runs through the 29th

Tekno, no way would I ever skip a coaster! I have to admit that I am dreading SoB. My last few laps on it were not fun and painful/scary but I just can't resist, it looms over everything else there like Everest. :) We'll make sure and save it for towards the end of the night. I've got my fingers crossed hoping for a night ride on The Beast. Our last time there we never got to do that because of rain and man was I disappointed. Is the fried Twinkie stand still there? That was closed our last trip as well.

Hopefully you are planning to go on a weekday. At SFKK, there are very small lines on weekdays and you can ride many rides, such as TR, over and over again at times.

Hope you have fun!

Macho, definitly try for a non-wheel seat. Then SoB will just feel like a rough woodie instead of having a pile of bricks fall on you;).

Seriously, its a shame that a coaster that could be in my top 5 is so rough. WE NEED NEW TRAINS!!

But I found that Bufferin at least an hour before you rides dosen't make the ride itself less painful, but does stop the lasting pain and headache after you get off...

But you are a young lad, Clint. You should not be feeling coaster-related pain until you are my age. ;-)

I usually pop a pill before I go to a park as well, just in case.

BTW, the Kentucky State Fair August 19-29th.

-Tina