The T3 roller coaster at Kentucky Kingdom is being “retired,” the Louisville park announced in an email Thursday.
“After nearly 30 years of thrilling riders,” we regret to announce that the T3 roller coaster at Kentucky Kingdom has been retired,” the park said in a message to passholders. “While it is always difficult to say goodbye to a beloved ride, we are excited to share some exciting news about 2023 that will enhance the overall guest experience, especially for you, our valued season passholders.”
The Vekoma-made Suspended Looping Coaster first opened in 1995 under the name T2. It survived the park’s 2009 to 2014 hiatus following Six Flags’ departure and reopened in 2015 as T3 to reflect its new trains.
Sporting five inversion and a top speed of 49 miles per hour, the 101-foot-tall T3 was never beloved by riders; like most SLCs, it was criticized for being a rougher and cheaper knock-off of the inverted coasters made by Bolliger & Mabillard, such as the many Batman: The Ride clones in Six Flags parks. An article published last June by Theme Park Tourist named T3 one of the four most painful coasters.
Kentucky Kingdom did not say if or when the coaster will be replaced. The park’s last new coaster, Kentucky Flyer, opened in 2019. Fans have been anticipating a major new thrill ride ever since the park was acquired by Dollywood and Silver Dollar City owner Herschend Family Entertainment in 2021.