Thunder Run is a very underrated coaster! It has awesome airtime in the first half! I did grow up riding it, both during the new era and the Six Flags era, and I always really enjoyed it!
T3 was operating in 2022. Herschend just sort of botched maintenance early in the season, so T3 and Lightning Run didn’t start operating till right before Memorial Day( a month after the park opened). However, T3 was operating during the Summer Season, just not for the Halloween event. So Herschend’s first full year of ownership started with removing the park’s (water) coaster, and having 1/3 of the park’s coasters completely inoperable during opening month. GOOD OMENS 😢
Didn't get to do T3 since I made my first visit this year but *mostly* agree with your rankings! I loved Kentucky Flyer and Thunder Run was surprisingly fun as well! I got one slow ride on Lightning Run in the morning so I need to get back on it on a less crowded day. Storm Chaser on the other hand blew me away when I visited, and out of the 4 RMC hybrids I've ridden, I have it second behind Iron Rattler and ahead of Twisted Colossus and Joker. I was there on a very hot, very crowded day, and it was absolutely hauling.
I first visited Kentucky Kingdom in July this year and got to ride all 6 coasters, here's how I'd rank them (it was a very hot and dry day in the 90s.) 6. Roller Skater (smooth, kinda forceless, decent layout.) 5. Kentucky Flyer (Not the best Jr wooden coaster but it has a few good airtime pops - it's no wooden warrior that's for sure.) 4. T3 (Actually quite enjoyable, not really painful but it is so comically bumpy that I was laughing hysterically throughout the whole ride, it was open on my visit but I heard it was down a bit this season.) 3. Thunder Run (Those high-speed turns were fun and it has some surprising airtime but not the smoothest.) 2. Lightning Run (Probably the best layout in the park, and airtime strong enough that it's painful. It feels like a Steel RMC coaster with its elements and trains.) 1. Storm Chaser (I wish it had a regular 1st drop but the inversions are good and the double-up felt like it was trying to saw my body in half.)
Here's my opinion/ranking 1. Storm Chaser: I think this is a pretty good RMC (I prefer it to Twisted Cyclone) obviously it can't compete with the large scale RMCs like New TX Giant and Steel Vengeance but I definitely think this is a great coaster that delivers ejector airtime whenever I've ever ridden it. Never had a bad ride here. 2. Lightning Run: I've come to appreciate this more in recent years for it's good airtime and smooth twisted layout. I hate that it often has a long line with one train ops. However, definitely my #2 in the park 3. Thunder Run: Not the best woodie and not the worst either. I personally think it's getting a bit rough and the back half as Marc pointed out is lacking but it's not a bad ride. 4. KY Flyer: This was definitely a kiddy coaster in my opinion. It's super short, has a bit of airtime, but isn't that enjoyable to me personally. For example the Woodstock Express clones would crush this every time. 5. Roller skater: I actually enjoyed this one more than I thought I would. I didn't think it was as rough as other Vekoma kiddy coasters I've ridden and it has a nice layout in the trees. 6. T3: One of the worst coasters I've ever ridden and surprisingly the only SLC out of 166 credits. Not sure how the restraints are on the others but this one has a weird lap bar with race car straps that is kin to the lap bars on skyrush at Hersheypark. Your feet/legs are nearly numb by the end of this ride from being crushed by the restraints. Terrible terrible terrible coaster. There's only about 3 coasters I hate and this is one of them.
I absolutely agree with you about Storm Chaser. I rode it multiple times on a very hot day. I think it would have been a better coaster if it had a traditional drop. Lightning Run blew my mind and Storm Chaser is low on my RMC list and I only have 2 RMC’s left to ride but they will be ridden soon
I am part of that few that really enjoyed T3. I rode it in the same conditions you did. In the 40s, rainy, and when I rode it I did not have any sort of pain. I rode it 3 times in a row and started roasting people who thought it was rough. If I go back, and it's open, I'm fine with riding it again. More people that hate it, less lines for me!!!
Also, when I went, I had the same conditions as you, yet all of the roller coasters were open. I rank the coasters as: 6. Roller Skater 5. Kentucky Flyer 4. Thunder Run 3. T3 2. Lightning Run 1. Storm Chaser (by far)
Good list, I respect your opinion but Lightning Run and Storm Chaser are in 2 different worlds for me. Lightning run was fun, but Storm chaser is so much crazier. In comparison LR felt like a family-thrill level ride.
I've been to KK in 2018 & 2020. Actually stayed down the road in 2022 but didn't go to the park. For me, Storm Chaser is an above average RMC (#16 overall roller coaster). I actually have it right ahead of Iron Rattler and Twisted Colossus in my rankings. Lightning Run is a solid #2, and is barely in my Top 50 overall (#46). I think Kentucky Flyer is not as good as other smaller Gravity Group coasters but I agree that it is #3 in the park. I also agree with Thunder Run being #4. I was a little underwhelmed with it. I think you hit the nail on the head that it really feels that way especially after riding Holiday World's woodies and Mystic Timbers. I would put Roller Skater 5th and T3 is my #444 out of 444 coasters ridden. It is by far and away the worst coaster I've been on. Be glad you missed it.
Thunder run is better than Kentucky flyer, and storm chaser yes is very overrated. I rode it this year in a hot summer in june and it was ok. Also roller skater is the best coaster there🤣 My number one there lightning run though
Finally! Someone else that thinks Storm Chaser is a weaker RMC. Again, still an RMC so it's a great ride, but nowhere near an elite experience. Just misses my top 50 as well. I've visited the park in two separate season so it wasn't a fluke either. Lightning Run on the other hand manages to make it into my top 25. Such a great ride! T3 is my literal last place ranking of 276 credits it's that painful so you're not missing anything. And Kentucky Flyer is better than many adult coasters. Lots of great air. Now they have to make Mine Blower that smooth and who knows how good that ride could be?!
Thunder Run is a very underrated coaster! It has awesome airtime in the first half! I did grow up riding it, both during the new era and the Six Flags era, and I always really enjoyed it!
When we visited Kentucky Kingdom T3 was open for about… 5 minutes, and then closed down again. I did not get to experience this SLC either.
T3 was operating in 2022. Herschend just sort of botched maintenance early in the season, so T3 and Lightning Run didn’t start operating till right before Memorial Day( a month after the park opened). However, T3 was operating during the Summer Season, just not for the Halloween event.
So Herschend’s first full year of ownership started with removing the park’s (water) coaster, and having 1/3 of the park’s coasters completely inoperable during opening month. GOOD OMENS 😢
Good to know, thanks. Not the best look for Herschend so far.
Didn't get to do T3 since I made my first visit this year but *mostly* agree with your rankings! I loved Kentucky Flyer and Thunder Run was surprisingly fun as well! I got one slow ride on Lightning Run in the morning so I need to get back on it on a less crowded day. Storm Chaser on the other hand blew me away when I visited, and out of the 4 RMC hybrids I've ridden, I have it second behind Iron Rattler and ahead of Twisted Colossus and Joker. I was there on a very hot, very crowded day, and it was absolutely hauling.
I first visited Kentucky Kingdom in July this year and got to ride all 6 coasters, here's how I'd rank them (it was a very hot and dry day in the 90s.)
6. Roller Skater (smooth, kinda forceless, decent layout.)
5. Kentucky Flyer (Not the best Jr wooden coaster but it has a few good airtime pops - it's no wooden warrior that's for sure.)
4. T3 (Actually quite enjoyable, not really painful but it is so comically bumpy that I was laughing hysterically throughout the whole ride, it was open on my visit but I heard it was down a bit this season.)
3. Thunder Run (Those high-speed turns were fun and it has some surprising airtime but not the smoothest.)
2. Lightning Run (Probably the best layout in the park, and airtime strong enough that it's painful. It feels like a Steel RMC coaster with its elements and trains.)
1. Storm Chaser (I wish it had a regular 1st drop but the inversions are good and the double-up felt like it was trying to saw my body in half.)
I have only ridden a few but one of my favorite rmc's is Storm Chaser. It's small but punchy and when it hits it hits great!
I have drove by this park so many times going to Nashville,TN and I have not gone, and hearing you rave about it makes me want to go so bad. LOL
My favorite roller coaster there was Storm Chaser, followed by Lightning Run, Thunder Run, and Kentucky Flyer.
I want to go there to experience all the great rides
Somehow, I keep forgetting they have another woodie than Kentucky Flyer. And Storm Chaser's airtime looks completely unreal
Storm Chaser has some sick airtime!
Going to kentucky kingdom in a few months for the first time! I'm excited to go
Here's my opinion/ranking
1. Storm Chaser: I think this is a pretty good RMC (I prefer it to Twisted Cyclone) obviously it can't compete with the large scale RMCs like New TX Giant and Steel Vengeance but I definitely think this is a great coaster that delivers ejector airtime whenever I've ever ridden it. Never had a bad ride here.
2. Lightning Run: I've come to appreciate this more in recent years for it's good airtime and smooth twisted layout. I hate that it often has a long line with one train ops. However, definitely my #2 in the park
3. Thunder Run: Not the best woodie and not the worst either. I personally think it's getting a bit rough and the back half as Marc pointed out is lacking but it's not a bad ride.
4. KY Flyer: This was definitely a kiddy coaster in my opinion. It's super short, has a bit of airtime, but isn't that enjoyable to me personally. For example the Woodstock Express clones would crush this every time.
5. Roller skater: I actually enjoyed this one more than I thought I would. I didn't think it was as rough as other Vekoma kiddy coasters I've ridden and it has a nice layout in the trees.
6. T3: One of the worst coasters I've ever ridden and surprisingly the only SLC out of 166 credits. Not sure how the restraints are on the others but this one has a weird lap bar with race car straps that is kin to the lap bars on skyrush at Hersheypark. Your feet/legs are nearly numb by the end of this ride from being crushed by the restraints. Terrible terrible terrible coaster. There's only about 3 coasters I hate and this is one of them.
Great video! I enjoyed watching!
I absolutely agree with you about Storm Chaser. I rode it multiple times on a very hot day. I think it would have been a better coaster if it had a traditional drop. Lightning Run blew my mind and Storm Chaser is low on my RMC list and I only have 2 RMC’s left to ride but they will be ridden soon
Im hittin this and holiday world same week
Two super fun parks!
I love storm chaser. Definitely not a lower tier one if you like airtime. I honestly thought it was better than Iron Rattler.
I am part of that few that really enjoyed T3. I rode it in the same conditions you did. In the 40s, rainy, and when I rode it I did not have any sort of pain. I rode it 3 times in a row and started roasting people who thought it was rough. If I go back, and it's open, I'm fine with riding it again. More people that hate it, less lines for me!!!
Also, when I went, I had the same conditions as you, yet all of the roller coasters were open. I rank the coasters as:
6. Roller Skater
5. Kentucky Flyer
4. Thunder Run
3. T3
2. Lightning Run
1. Storm Chaser (by far)
My favorite is lightning run
Same 🙌🏻
Good list, I respect your opinion but Lightning Run and Storm Chaser are in 2 different worlds for me. Lightning run was fun, but Storm chaser is so much crazier. In comparison LR felt like a family-thrill level ride.
Thanks! Glad to hear you enjoyed Storm Chaser that much.
I've been to KK in 2018 & 2020. Actually stayed down the road in 2022 but didn't go to the park. For me, Storm Chaser is an above average RMC (#16 overall roller coaster). I actually have it right ahead of Iron Rattler and Twisted Colossus in my rankings. Lightning Run is a solid #2, and is barely in my Top 50 overall (#46). I think Kentucky Flyer is not as good as other smaller Gravity Group coasters but I agree that it is #3 in the park. I also agree with Thunder Run being #4. I was a little underwhelmed with it. I think you hit the nail on the head that it really feels that way especially after riding Holiday World's woodies and Mystic Timbers. I would put Roller Skater 5th and T3 is my #444 out of 444 coasters ridden. It is by far and away the worst coaster I've been on. Be glad you missed it.
Thunder run is better than Kentucky flyer, and storm chaser yes is very overrated. I rode it this year in a hot summer in june and it was ok. Also roller skater is the best coaster there🤣 My number one there lightning run though
How do you feel about Top Thrill Dragster being retired "as we know it"?
the sound bit “baby i’m ready to go” at the end of the announcement video gave me the chills, I won’t lie
The top 2 here looks incredible! I am curios about Lightning Runs restraints? Does it use RMC seat and labbar or is it just really similar?
It’s fantastic! LRun’s restraints are very similar but it doesn’t bother my thighs like it does for other people
I went to KK in may 2022 and T3 was operating
Interesting, thanks for sharing
Same here
It was operating when I visited in 2022....I remember getting crushed by those restraints
“ranking every roller coasters”
Finally! Someone else that thinks Storm Chaser is a weaker RMC. Again, still an RMC so it's a great ride, but nowhere near an elite experience. Just misses my top 50 as well. I've visited the park in two separate season so it wasn't a fluke either. Lightning Run on the other hand manages to make it into my top 25. Such a great ride! T3 is my literal last place ranking of 276 credits it's that painful so you're not missing anything. And Kentucky Flyer is better than many adult coasters. Lots of great air. Now they have to make Mine Blower that smooth and who knows how good that ride could be?!
Early
one guy said "T3 SUX" while riding t3
watch airtime thrills' video on the roughest coasters he has ridden