Going the Extra “Miles”

Remember the first time you saw a huge rollercoaster and wanted to hide rather than get in line? That was the case for my son, Miles, when we first visited Kentucky Kingdom three years ago.

In the summer of 2021, Miles was only three years old, so it wasn’t unusual for him to feel a bit nervous; I know adults who still get anxious about theme park rides. However, as we continued our visits to Kentucky Kingdom, Miles overcame his fears, taking on new challenges and has learned to love the thrills that await him behind the gates of Kentucky Kingdom.

We’ve returned for our fourth season now as a family, and with each visit, Miles musters up the courage to try a new, bigger ride. What once seemed scary and impossible has now become one of Miles’ favorite summer activities. This year, his favorite ride in the park has been Zeppelin. It’s crazy to think about how the rides that bring him joy and excitement have changed so much since his journey began in King Louie’s Playland at the mere age of 3.

We love to bring friends along with us, and when they don’t share my son’s affinity for all the rides, we love to visit Hurricane Bay, where we can cool off in the pools, relax in the cabanas, and hit up all the water slides. It means the world to me that we can have these fun summer days out where everyone is able to easily find something that they enjoy.

And when holidays come around, we’ve loved the ease of having somewhere to go that’s ready for us to celebrate. We were all surprised by how much fun we had visiting Pumpkins at Kentucky Kingdom and can’t wait to come back this year! Unlike so many fall festivities, Pumpkins is suitable for all ages, making it the perfect day out for kids and families.

When we learned about Kentucky Kingdom extending its season and adding a Christmas experience, we could not contain our excitement! Christmas is my family’s favorite holiday to celebrate, so I can’t wait for us to create memories with this new tradition. Miles is eager to try out the snow tubing hill, and honestly, so am I!

As a mom, I also really appreciate the perks that I get as a season passholder - parking is simple and the free drinks are a huge plus, and I love that my family is worn out after a full day!

I’m so proud of the growth we’ve seen from Miles since we began visiting Kentucky Kingdom. My risk-averse kiddo now takes on a new challenge every time we visit the park. Now, Miles can’t wait to grow up to be tall enough to ride the “Big Kid” roller coasters! So far, he’s conquered Roller Skater. Next up – Kentucky Flyer!

My advice for all others out there who are a little timid... don’t be. Kentucky Kingdom has options for every age and comfort level. Miles is the perfect example of how you can face fears and leave having the biggest smile from experiencing the unexpected. I can’t wait to enjoy more days out as a family watching my kids make memories that will last a lifetime.