Lounge Renovations
Source: jconline.com

As a first-time visitor to Indiana Beach, Julian Hall admits that he may have undersold the Monticello amusement park on his way down from his hometown of Portage.

In his opinion, a “true” amusement park needs to have a sprawling parking lot, a long line at every ride and a high admission price.

Much to his surprise, the laid back atmosphere Hall found Tuesday afternoon in White County provided the perfect backdrop for a memorable first trip to the park.

Read more: Upgrades Keep Indiana Beach Running Smoothly

Thunder Run
Source: courier-journal.com

All the rides and buildings at Kentucky Kingdom have “significantly deteriorated” and need to be “completely refurbished” to ensure their safety, the group planning to reopen the park says.

The analysis is contained in a development plan for the park attached as an exhibit to an ordinance being considered by the Louisville Metro Council. The council intends to authorize a taxing district in and around the park at the state-owned Kentucky Exposition Center, with occupational taxes paid by park employees to be rebated to Ed Hart’s Kentucky Kingdom LLLP as an incentive.

Hart said in an interview Thursday that the assessment “accurately reflects” Kentucky Kingdom’s condition, but he expressed full confidence that his group will reopen the park on the target date of May 24.

Read more: Kentucky Kingdom "Significantly Deteriorated"

Kentucky Kingdom Overhead
Source: courier-journal.com

The Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority on Wednesday unanimously approved up to $10 million in sales tax credits sought by Kentucky Kingdom LLLP.

“Now that we have secured this important component of our financing package, we can continue to wrap up some other remaining details of this exacting process,” said Ed Hart, of the Kentucky Kingdom partnership.

Hart said in a news release that he is confident the partnership can meet its planned reopening date of May 24, 2014.

Read more: Tax Credits Approved for Kentucky Kingdom

ACE members with a valid membership card receive discounts at many of our regional parks.

Beech Bend Park & Splash Lagoon

$10 off Rides & Slides admission with valid ACE membership card.

Holiday World

Show your unexpired membership card for the following prices:

  • Season Pass, General Admission: $114.95
  • Season Pass, Guests-under-54" and Seniors (60+): $104.95
  • One-day General Admission: $31.95
  • One-day Guests-under-54" and Seniors (60+): $27.95

If you arrive past 3:00 pm CDT, take another $3 off the one-day discounted prices.

Indiana Beach

ACE members with a valid membership card may purchase a Funday (Rides & Water Park) admission ticket for only $19.95.

Read more: 2013 Member Discounts

Vortex
Source: BeechBend.com

After two months of contemplation, we have finally chosen the name "VORTEX" for our new ride.  We got a little help from our friends at ACE (American Coaster Enthusiasts).  We asked for ideas and they came up with some great ones and some pretty funny ones as well.  We thought we'd share a few of our favorite unchosen ones:  "Spin Dry", "The Claw", "The Spin Cycle", "Beech Blender" and "'The Duke of Hurl!".  Mr. Bill Denekamp submitted the name close to the one we chose, "Spinning Vortex of Terror".  We shortened it up just a bit and settled on "VORTEX" which means a whirling mass of air.  You will definitely feel some airtime on VORTEX.  The revolving swing will take riders 60 feet into the air reaching a maximum swing angle of 240 degrees!  Riders will sit facing each other to maximize the interactive experience, and at the max height of the swing, the riders will be suspended upside down!  The ride is scheduled for an opening date of May 18, 2013.  The ride will be unlike anything else in the park and in the region.   This new attraction will surely become the premier thrill ride at Beech Bend Park!  Look for updates in the near future.

Read more: ACEmidwest Member Bill Denekamp Names Vortex