Family Kingdom - 05/24/2008

Our first stop on the road trip (we don't count Pedroland Park at South of the Border because the coaster has been SBNO for a long time). It's black bike week in Myrtle Beach this weekend. There were an estimated 350,000 bikers in attendance last year, so traffic was horrible. It took over an hour to move 5 miles on US501.

We arrived at the park around 7pm. The park had been open since around 1pm and when we got there it was pretty empty. All of the traffic and bikers may have scared away any families from attending.

As you can see, it was still early and there were a ton of bikers already:

Here is the price list, we got a POP bracelet for $22.75 plus tax.

Speedy Gonzalez has a maximum height limit of 50". Asking the operators if we could ride got us a very stern "NO". This credit is nearly impossible to get:

Swamp Fox from across the "swamp". The ride was really fun and I can see why it once ranked really highly. It looks like there has been some retracking done on the first two dips. I would suggest front seat on this ride:

They have a Hopkins log flume with an "airtime" hill:

If you eat at Friendly's, this can be your view from the window next to your table. While we ate, we saw a girl put her hand in the trough, scoop some water out, and then drink it. They also re-rode and did it again. I can't imagine what the motivation to do this would be.

We rode the Sally dark ride. Very low scores compared to others I have been on. The targets are really hard to hit/many don't work.

The launch tower. The launch is awesome...followed by an ok drop:

Their new advertising campaign jabs at Hard Rock Park:

And some night shots of myrtle:

If you visit, I would suggest the POP bracelet even if you only want to ride Swamp Fox. It is a very enjoyable and re-ridable coaster.

Nice TR! I had not heard of this park before. I am sure they are hurting a bit with the opening of Hard Rock Park! Thanks again.

I don't think it will hurt this park that much. Family Kingdom is a free admission park that for the most part is for smaller kids who's parents will continue to take them to rather than paying $50 to take them to HRP.

Our family will be heading down in 2 weeks and we will get our annual Swamp Fox credit, I agree it is not a bad coaster especially in the front. We will ride the Swamp Fox several times along with the log flume, yo-yo swings, and slingshot.