Lightning Run at Kentucky Kingdom has been in operation since 2014. Designed and manufactured by Chance Rides from their Chance Hyper GTX line. This coaster isn’t the tallest or fastest around but that doesn’t stop it from being one of the most aggressive coasters ever built. One of the signature rides at the park and one of the best reasons to visit.
Lightning Run Experience
Lightning Run is located very close to the entrance to the park. While that is great for convenience it does come at a cost. The line for this coaster is almost always longer than any other in the park. You would be wise to prioritize this one early before the park gets too crowded.
You will need to be at least 48 inches in order to ride. Pick whichever seat suits you best. This coaster is so aggressive that it is pretty great no matter what seat you choose. You will be kept safe by a lap bar that also has a shin guard and a seat belt.
Once the Ride attendants have checked everyone’s restraint they will dispatch the train. A 100-foot lift hill will meet you. It is on this first hill you will realize that this isn’t a standard coaster. The violent way it tries to fling you out of your seat sets the mood perfectly. From here it is one intense element to the next. Airtime and intensity are in no short supply on this coaster. Once the ride comes back into the station they will unlock your restraint. Once you push that bar up and unbuckle the belt you can exit the ride safely.
Lightning Run: The Good
This has got to be the most aggressive smaller coaster ever built. Actually, it would be in good competition with Storm Chaser, also in this park for that title. Looking at it off the ride it may look pretty standard but looks can be deceiving. If you are sitting in the back when the train goes down the first hill is one of the most intense pops of ejector airtime to be found. But that is just the beginning. Just about every element here will have you out of your seat.
While airtime is the name of the game here the variety of elements makes sure that it doesn’t get repetitive. Over banked turns, into bunny hills. All of which are taken at different angles, speeds, and sizes. This is a great layout from an impressive coaster that only cost the park 7 million to build. That is about a third of the price a major coaster would cost.
This is the perfect coaster for a park like Kentucky Kingdom. Not all parks can afford to build a B&M Giga for 30 million dollars. This coaster packs all the thrills you could ever want but doesn’t break the bank. Most importantly it pleases all who ride it. This is one that coaster enthusiasts like us enjoy just as much as those who visit a theme park once a year.
The Bad
We have two issues with Lightning Run. The first is because the ride is so popular that it can be hard to ride it without waiting in a big line. Everyone knows how great it is so the line gets packed. It’s a complaint, but it is only a complaint because the ride is so good.
The second complaint is about the restraints. They are the classic RMC restraints. We have never had serious issues with them on RMC roller coasters. Maybe it is the shape of the trains, or that with no inversions this focuses more on airtime than their coasters. Thus making it harder and harder on your lap. The force that is exerted on your upper legs can actually be quite painful. One ride you will likely not notice much or care. But on the subsequent rides, it becomes noticeable and actually prevented us from marathoning this. This is the only coaster we can ever remember that was painful to the point where we had to not ride as many times as we wanted.
Final Verdict
Lightning Run at Kentucky Kingdom is an outstanding addition to the park. A budget coaster that packs as many thrills as coasters that cost three times as much. Pretty to look at to boot! The restraints are rough but some of that can be attributed to just how aggressive and therefore fun this one is. Because of these reasons Lightning Run gets an eight and a half out of ten. This would have been a nine and a half if not for the pain of the restraint.
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