Bluebeard’s Bounty at Kentucky Kingdom has been in operation since 1990. Designed and manufactured by HUSS from their swinging pirate ship line. Sure to please thrill-seekers who haven’t eaten recently.
Bluebeard’s Bounty Experience
The ride can be a little hard to find. If you see Lightning Run you are close. It’s sandwiched in between Lightning Run and the main parking lot. On our first trip through the park, we completely missed it. It was only when riding the park’s Drop Tower FreeFall that we noticed this. Probably because of this we don’t see big lines for this most of the time.
You must be at least 54 inches to ride alone. However, 48 inches if you are accompanied by an adult supervisor. Those are some of the toughest restrictions we have ever seen on a swinging pirate ship ride. Once it is your turn you are free to choose any open row. Just like all rides like this, the back of either side is the best. You will be kept safe by a lap bar. Once the ride attendants have checked all restraints the swinging can begin!
The ride will swing back and forth picking up more momentum each time. After about 40 seconds it will start to slow down the ride. All together Bluebeard’s Bounty will last a little over a minute long. Once the restraints have been unlocked, you are okay to exit the ride safely.
Bluebeard’s Bounty: The Good
We have never ridden a swinging pirate ship we didn’t like. Some of them have narrower seating at the back. So the best seats are the least available. Thankfully not the case with Bluebeard’s Bounty.
Another thing that can make a difference between models is the comfort of the restraint. These are actually the most comfortable restraints on this type of ride we have ever found! They keep you safe but also provide extra room for airtime. More airtime means better stomach drop feelings.
These models are in just about every theme park you will ever go to. We think for a good reason. The ride experience is just awesome. The feeling you get when your side hits the highest point and is about to swing back the other way isn’t found in any other type of ride. Truly great stuff. Also, theme park rides are just better when you can interact with people. The fun interactions you will have with the other side of the boat make these so much more fun.
The Bad
The views at the top of these are great for seeing Lightning Run, but on the other side is just a view of the parking lot. Maybe blocking that and putting up some theming banners for this ride would have been a good idea. It’s a very minor thing obviously but this does have the smallest amount of theming which we think does hurt the ride.
The ship itself is just too basic. It looks like an amusement park ride that is for sure. But it really bears no resemblance to an actual pirate ship. There is nothing that looks hand-carved here. Thankfully non of this affects the actual ride experience. Just basic nitpicky things.
Final Verdict
Bluebeard’s Bounty at Kentucky Kingdom is a great addition. This is probably the best riding of any swinging pirate ship we have ever ridden. The only thing holding it back is the next to no theming this ride got. The whole family will enjoy this one. It offers a great and somewhat intense ride experience. Because of these reasons, Bluebeard’s Bounty gets an eight out of ten.
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