Tips for New Guests at Kentucky Kingdom Theme & Water Park

“What day should I visit?”

If you are looking for the best day to beat the crowds, I would suggest that you come on a Thursday. Thursdays are our least busy days, meaning that you can avoid waiting in long lines. Plus, you can do everything that you would want in one visit, which you may not be able to do with a large crowd in the park. We also have Plan Ahead Pricing. Depending on demand, our ticket prices will either remain the same or increase. So, by purchasing your tickets early, you can lock in the most affordable price for the date you choose to visit. To view our pricing, select your visit date under our “Tickets and Passes” tab on our website.

“What part of the park should I do first?”

Both Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay are amazing parks, and they’re both included in one ticket or season pass!

Tip: do some of the dry park first, next go to the water park for several hours, and then finish the dry park to end the day. This allows you to enjoy some of the rides in Kentucky Kingdom in the morning and then cool off in Hurricane Bay when the sun comes out. Finishing the rest of the rides in Kentucky Kingdom at the end of the day is always a great option because most of the other guests will be in Hurricane Bay, meaning lines for these rides will be much shorter. The weather will be much cooler in the evening compared to the afternoon as well.

“Which ride should I ride first?”

Ride Lightning Run either first thing in the morning or in the afternoon. It is in the front of the park, so it is the first roller coaster everyone sees. Meaning, the line may get longer in the middle of the day. This is also a great way to start your day at Kentucky Kingdom, as Lightning Run is a thrill machine. It is one of a kind, throwing you over a 100-foot drop at an eighty-degree angle, rolling at speeds of 55 miles per hour.

“How can I get the best value?”

The best way to get the most value out of your visit to Kentucky Kingdom is to purchase a season pass. The value of a season pass pays for itself in less than two visits! Season passes have benefits such as free parking, special discounts on food and merchandise, free soft drinks, early access to Hurricane Bay, free Bring-A-Friend tickets, and much more.

To compare pass benefits and to purchase a season pass, click here. Our season passes are more valuable now than ever because of our brand-new Christmas event! A season pass will grant you admission now, through Pumpkins at Kentucky Kingdom in the fall AND through Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom this winter.

Another way to get great value out of your visit is to take advantage of free parking days. On free parking days, all guests save $12 per car! This is a great option to consider when inviting your Bring-A-Friend guests to the park. To view our remaining eligible dates, click here.

"Where can I eat with my family? What should we eat?”

Every dining option at Kentucky Kingdom offers great food options, but I recommend the following locations as they allow families to sit down and take a break inside during the day:

• Swampwater Jack’s is a phenomenal restaurant, and it is located right by the entrance to Hurricane Bay, so it is easily accessible from the dry park or water park. There are many food options there for all ages such as flatbread pizzas, specialty fries, various kinds of burgers, and chicken tenders. For our youngest guests, Swampwater Jack’s offers kid’s meals such as Smucker's® PB+J sandwiches, flatbread pizzas, and chicken tenders. The kid’s meals also come with apple sauce, apple juice, and Goldfish. Plus, this food location is air conditioned, which is beneficial on hot summer days.
• My next recommendation is Casa Mia. This restaurant has four kinds of pizza, three kinds of chicken sandwiches, and even a BBQ pulled pork sandwich. It also has the same kid’s meal offerings as Swampwater Jack’s, plus it is located right by the entrance gates. This means your group can eat here when you get to the park or right before you leave. The outside deck is a beautiful place to sit and enjoy food while looking over the park entrance.
• My last recommendation is a great spot for treats: Bluegrass Bakery. This location has our famous cinnamon bread along with sweets like fudge, gourmet cookies, and Starbucks® beverages. It is located right next to Lightning Run and has a dining area inside to eat our amazing menu items. Our freshly made cinnamon bread is so good that it won first place in the Palate Pleaser category in the 2024 Taste of Derby Festival!