Kentucky Kingdom in Louisville is set to open the world's largest indoor wooden roller coaster as part of a multi-year investment programme by operator Herschend.
Named Midnight Showdown, the family-friendly, horse-racing-themed wooden roller coaster is due to open in spring 2027.
It will be Kentucky Kingdom's seventh roller coaster, giving the park the highest coaster count of any theme park in Kentucky.
The attraction will serve as the centrepiece of Bluegrass Downs, a new land inspired by Kentucky’s horse-racing heritage.
Bluegrass Downs brings Kentucky's horse-racing heritage to life through new theming and reimagined rides at Kentucky KingdomKentucky Kingdom
Standing more than three storeys tall, the ride will feature 1,130 feet of wooden track and two trains, each seating 10 riders.
The indoor coaster will combine 11 airtime moments with twists and turns, while lighting, audio and visual effects will recreate the atmosphere of a night-time horse race.
Bluegrass Downs will also see five existing rides reimagined to fit the new theme. The former Mad Hatter will become Jolly Juleps, a spinning teacup ride, while the Musical Carousel will become My Old Kentucky Carousel, retaining its musical instrument-themed vehicles.
The former Zeppelin ride will become Soaring Silks, while Scream Extreme will be rethemed as Whirlwind. Bumper Cars will become Bumper Derby, featuring horse-themed vehicles.
Kentucky Kingdom's My Old Kentucky Carousel will receive new horse-racing-inspired theming as part of Bluegrass DownsKentucky Kingdom
Happy Valley Farm, a new themed land featuring eight reimagined rides, will also open in spring 2027, with eight rethemed rides, including Friendly Frogs, Loopy Lambs and Country Cruiser.
The area will also be home to Flying Fox, the park's suspended family coaster, which debuted in May 2026.
"We've been building toward this for years, and 2027 is the moment guests will see just how far Kentucky Kingdom has come,” said Carly Uglow, director of sales and marketing at Kentucky Kingdom.
She continued: "From two brand-new roller coasters and reimagined lands to refreshed rides and new theming throughout the park, this is a very different Kentucky Kingdom than guests may remember from years past."
