Photo: Doug Perry. View full-sized image.
There’s a new reason for coaster fans to flock to Louisville and visit Kentucky Kingdom, and it’s called Flying Fox.
As the park’s sixth roller coaster and its first new coaster in seven years, Flying Fox has quickly captured the attention of members of American Coaster Enthusiasts. The last coaster to debut at the park was Kentucky Flyer, The Gravity Group wooden family coaster that opened in 2019. Since then, ACE members have been watching closely to see what would come next. In 2026, Kentucky Kingdom delivered a custom-built suspended coaster that adds a new dimension to the lineup.
Photo: Derek Perry. View full-sized image.
Flying Fox is an all-new family suspended coaster from Vekoma, featuring a layout designed specifically for the park according to Ricardo Tonding Etges, vice president of sales in America for Vekoma. Kentucky Kingdom worked with Vekoma to create a ride that interacts with pathways, terrain and theming while still offering the kind of snappy transitions and lively swing that enthusiasts appreciate.
Photo: Derek Perry. View full-sized image.
Photo: Doug Perry. View full-sized image.
The experience begins with a left-hand U-turn out of the station before climbing a 65-foot lift hill that rises toward Lightning Run. From the crest, the train swoops down to the right, crossing over the entrance pathway into the ride entrance area. A quick succession of banked directional switches on its bright green track follows, snapping riders side to side as the suspended cars soar beneath the rails.
Photo: Derek Perry. View full-sized image.
The layout maintains its momentum. A forceful left-hand helix builds speed before the train makes its way back toward the station. A sharp turn delivers a surprising burst of laterals, which has quickly become a favorite element, right before diving into an underground tunnel. The train then bursts back into daylight and soars through a final left-hand turn, racing into the station with speed. The single train has lap-bar restraints, which enhances the sensation of flight.
Bursts of speed cause the cars to fly out at an angle.
Photo: Doug Perry. View full-sized image.
Standing 65 feet tall and reaching 37 mph across 1,380 feet of track, Flying Fox may look modest by major coaster standards. On the track, however, it rides with more personality than many expect. The transitions are quick and decisive, giving the suspended train a lively swing sensation that creates genuine whip, particularly toward the back row. The pacing remains tight from start to finish, with no drawn-out sections.
With a height requirement of just 38 inches, Flying Fox makes suspended coaster thrills accessible to younger riders while still delivering enough snap, swing and subtle airtime to keep seasoned enthusiasts engaged. It fills a key role in the lineup, bridging the gap between entry-level attractions and the park’s more intense offerings.
Guests enter the barn to take part in a crop dusting expedition on Flying Fox.
Photo: Derek Perry. View full-sized image.
After leaving the barn, riders quickly ascend the lift hill.
Photo: Derek Perry. View full-sized image.
The theming further strengthens the experience. Flying Fox was custom-designed not only in layout but also in storytelling. The attraction leans into Kentucky’s agricultural heritage, beginning inside a towering barn that anchors the entrance and queue. Weathered wood textures and farm equipment props immerse riders in a rural setting inspired by the region’s farmland. Guests are cast as recruits for local crop-dusting pilot Jeb Fox before boarding their suspended aircraft for takeoff.
The grand opening celebration on May 28, 2026, featured welcome remarks by members of Herschend, including CEO Andrew Wexler and Kentucky Kingdom General Manager Sarah Worrell, highlighting the company’s continued investment in the park and its long-term growth strategy.
The $14 million Flying Fox is part of Kentucky Kingdom’s continued evolution following additions such as Discovery Meadow. After seven years without a new coaster, the park delivered a custom Vekoma suspended layout that rides smoothly and is energetic and highly re-rideable. Riders may work up an appetite with all that flying, so the attraction is conveniently located next to Bluegrass Bakery, home to the park’s popular fresh-baked cinnamon bread.
As the 2013 EDM hit “The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)” asks, what would the fox say? It would say, come out to Kentucky Kingdom in Louisville and take flight on Flying Fox.
— Derek Perry, ACE Communications Director
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