Kentucky Kingdom has officially opened its newest roller coaster, Flying Fox, expanding the park’s coaster lineup to six. The addition solidifies the park's position as hosting the highest number of roller coasters in the state of Kentucky.
Manufactured by Vekoma, Flying Fox features 1,380 feet of track, reaching a maximum height of 65 feet and top speeds of 37 mph. The £11.2 million ($14 million) ride is engineered to deliver family-friendly thrills, welcoming younger riders with an accessible minimum height requirement of 38 inches.
The new coaster is based on a local narrative designed by Herschend Creative Studios. Guests follow the story of Jeb Fox, a legendary local crop-dusting pilot, as the ride simulates soaring over vibrant Kentucky farmland before diving underground and back again. The agricultural heritage of the region is celebrated throughout the attraction, featuring a red barn-inspired queue line, hand-painted murals, and custom audio components.
“Today is another exciting milestone in Kentucky Kingdom's story and a reflection of what we believe at Herschend,” said Andrew Wexler, CEO of Herschend. “When we became stewards of this park in 2021, we made a promise to invest in Kentucky Kingdom and in Louisville. Flying Fox is the latest example of that promise in action.”
The opening represents the culmination of a three-year, £26.4 million ($33 million) capital investment strategy by parent company Herschend. This multi-year development phase previously introduced the Pumpkins at Kentucky Kingdom autumn event in 2022, a £6.4 million ($8 million) Christmas event in 2024, and the £8.8 million ($11 million) reimagined Discovery Meadow family land in 2025.
To celebrate the launch, the park hosted a First Riders Auction, allowing enthusiasts to bid on the inaugural seats. The initiative raised £1,340 ($1,675) to benefit the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, a youth development organisation supporting more than 200,000 young people across the state in agricultural and leadership programming.
Alongside the new ride, Kentucky Kingdom’s 2026 season introduces five new live entertainment productions, updated dining options, parkwide cashless payments, and mobile ordering capabilities at select locations. Season passes are now available through June 14, starting at $89.99, which include entry to the upcoming autumn and winter seasonal events.
