TR: Paramount's King's Dominion 5/15/05 (with photos)

[Rob562]

Well, here it is, my first Trip Report on TPR... Hope I do OK. It's been a month, but I thought I'd drop one in here anyway. Decided to do PKD first, because I remember the day better, though we went to BGW the day before (and PKD had better pics to attach).

(Careful, I get long-winded sometimes, you might just want to scroll down to the pics instead)

 

Paramount's King's Dominion

Sunday, May 15, 2005

 

This trip was made up of me, and my friends Erik, Scott and Brian. We all live in different states, and this trip was our first true road-trip since everyone moved away. I was the only one who's ever been to PKD: once as a kid, and again the year Volcano opened, though I missed it by about 2 weeks.

 

After waking up around 8:30AM, we departed from the Rodeway Inn of Williamsburg by 9:30. After a quick stop for breakfast items off the highway somewhere, we were on our way to PKD. Weather was overcast, with a forecast of scattered showers.

 

We arrived at 11, half an hour after opening. The first coaster we would ride today would be Erik's 75th coaster credit, so we let him choose the coaster (after looking at the park map, and him knowing absolutely nothing, he chose Rebel Yell. So, we trooped to the back of the park. They were only operating the forward-facing side at that point, so we got that credit with a 2-train wait.

 

Then over to Ricochet with no wait (tight fit, but we all fit in one car), and then Hurler (1-train wait). After confirming that Hypersonic wouldn't be open at all that day, we headed for Grizzly. Of course, what do we see before that, but their Flying Scooters, so we HAVE to hop on. Of course, we end up doing three rides in a row without even having to get off, getting some good swings and swoops, but little-to-no snapping of the cables. We'd be back later, though.

 

After a wrong turn trying to get to Grizzly's entrance, we eventually found our way and rode in the back with more than a half-empty train. I'm not sure what so many people see (saw?) in this, but Grizzly just doesn't do it for me. Of course, I was half expecting to get smacked in the face by the head or other body parts of the guy two rows in front of us, who decided he'd unbuckle his belt and stand up during the ride... (Middle-aged guy by himself, and he was a good foot above his seat the entire ride, judging from how little of his back I saw after he sat down again on the brake run...)

 

From here, we went over to Shockwave where we encountered one of the longest lines of the day. The queue was full out to the midway, but the ride ops were just SOOOOOO slow. Also had a pair of line jumpers with attitude push in front of just about everyone in the line...

 

Erik wasn't sure if he wanted to do Drop Zone, but we talked him into it. So we joined the line, and waited about 3 ride cycles. While we were boarding, Erik made some off-hand comment about how it'd be cool to be on it when it was raining, and fall down with the rain drops hovering in front of you. Would you know it, but we're halfway up the damn tower when [plop plop] some giant raindrops start pelting us. When the ride was over, we all gave Erik a smack for that one...

 

With it raining, we decided to take the opportunity and grab some lunch. So into Country Kitchen we went. Decent pizza, but not enough for the price, I think.

 

With the sprinkle of rain stopped, we headed to Volcano, stopped to watch one ride cycle of the new Tomb Raider Firefall. The theming was very well done, and it was hilarious to watch two women shriek at the first water "explosion" amid the flames... Into the Volcano queue for about a 20-25 minute wait. I knew how it launches, but none of the others had ever been on a launched coaster that didn't stop and sit before its launch. And Erik gets very apprehensive waiting for the launches. (you should have seen hum when Storm Runner broke down as we were sitting on the launch track, not knowing if it would launch at any moment or not) So I decided to mess with them, telling them that the wait for launch takes forever, and there's no real cue like on Storm Runner or RnRC. It also helped that my friends aren't as observant as I am, otherwise they would have heard the launch right after the coaster went around the corner.

So, we ride in the last two rows and as we complete the turn, *BAM* we launch, totally catching Erik off-guard. After we get off, Erik hit me for messing with his head like that.

 

From here it was over to Outer Limits with very little wait (SOOOO much more comfortable without the OTSRs). THe first half I was just so messed up as to which way is up and which way is down. But the almost dead stop on the mid-course brake ruins that for you. Then onto Anaconda with a 1-train wait (yay, Arrow...) :?

 

Brian and I get into the Firefall line, while Erik and Scott wait outside. As we're in line, it starts to sprinkle, and they start to make announcements that severe weather is entering the area, and they may need to shut rides down if it approaches the park. Brian and I stick it out, and get on the back side of Firefall as it starts to rain a little more. (Of course, leave it to me to get the full brunt of one of the water explosions...) Let me jsut say, they need to work a little more on theming and effects for people riding on the back side of this ride. While the front is amazing to look at, there's not a whole lot for the other half. Plus, you can see backstage areas with tanks and other equipment for the ride.

 

It's starting to rain heavier as we get off, and we can't find Erik and Scott anywhere. After a couple minutes of searching, we hear them calling from the platform of Avalanche. So we run over there. Due to the grouping of other people, we decide to ride separate trains, all int he back seat. First Brian goes, then Scott and Erik share the back seat, and lastly me. Turns out, I got out on the next-to-last train before they shut it down due to the "severe weather".

 

It's now about 4:15 and raining pretty steadily. I know that Scooby Doo Haunted Mansion is an indoor ride and probably not affected, so I lead the group over there. Sure enough, it operating, and the crowds of families apparently haven't made it here yet, as we have only a couple minutes' wait. This is essentially the exact same ride as Ghost Hunt at Compounce, jsut with the Scooby Doo characters thrown in every now and then. But I like the 4-person ride vehicles better, even though I didn't get as great of a score as I usually do.

 

Over the next half hour, it began utterly pouring. I know we rode Ghoster Coaster three times in a row without getting off (the ride op thought we were nuts). We were denied by the ride op on the other kiddie coaster, said we needed a kid, and there were none in sight. And then we went over to Outer Limits, assuming it would be running in the rain. Well, it wasn't. Apparently they were worried about power fluctuations of lightning strikes. So, we passed some time inside the Tomb Raider Grill (where Erik and Scott proceeded to hit on the cute girl passing out guest feedback cards).

 

With the rain not really clearing up, we headed for the only other attraction that I knew of that was indoors, the Spongebob Squarepants ride simulator. By the time we came back out, it was almost done raining, so we went right for the Flying Scooters again. Three more rides in a row, but this time we had to get off and run around again. On one of the cycles I learned that you get a very crappy ride if you're in exact sychronization with the person in front of you. Scott and I were doing the exact same things at the same time, but it's like his wind currents were throwing me off or something. Also on the last cycle, Erik got high enough to clip a tree with the bottom of his tub that was surrounding the ride (he took great pride in that).

 

We stopped by Rebel Yell to hit the backwards facing side, now that we saw it was open. Then trekked across the park again for one more Volcano ride towards the front, and then to Outer Limits for back to back rides to close out the park. (I passed on the second ride).

 

All in all, it was a great day, despite the rain. Crowds were low, and wait times were short for most rides. And any park where you can get some decent Flyer rides can't be all that bad.

We were lucky we had dry clothing in the car to change into, though. Wet, wet, wet....

 

Got on the road up to Erik's place outside DC, where Scott hopped on the road to PA. Brian and I stayed with Erik overnight, and then flew home to New England from BWI.

 

There! Whew! See, I warned you I get long-winded sometimes. (You should see some of my Disney World trip reports....)

 

Now to see if I can get some pics in here... (To be on the safe side, I'll post the pics in a follow-up to this post)

 

-Rob Steere

[USRoadTripper]

Great TR Rob! You are so mean to Erik, tricking him like that with the launch. Has he never ridden Hulk? That's one of those launches when you don't expect it rides...Dr. Doom too. Can't wait to see what photos you decide to share

So did you write a TR for your Disney trip in December? I think TPR needs to see those pics too, towel issues and all!

(By the way, if you couldn't tell, Rob and I have been friends for years hehe)

 

-Julie

[Rob562]

OK, after a couple false-starts, here's the pics....

And of course, the sky just HAD to start to clear as the park was closing. :-\

...though has to admit that the "Eiffel Tower Hat" is kinda funny.

...wonders how many freakin' times people have done this pose at the park...

A contemplative Rob...

Scott forgot to set the parking brake.

Yeah, it was raining just a little bit that day

Erik surveying his path of destruction...

Erik decided the trees around the Flyers needed trimming.

Careful, or the Reptar Police will get you for breaking the rules

Whee...

Abbey Road..... Sorta...

This is what the aftermath of a Dippin' Dots Stand explosion looks like... (Erik, Scott and Brian maintain their innocence)

Erik, the camera's over here... Erik... Eri---- Aww, nevermind...

The Dippin' Dots Guy dishes out some awesome park rumors...

Sayyyyy "Jinkies!"

Erik's looking a little TOO happy being in that position

This is why you should get rid of your gum *before* you get to Volcano's launch...

Scott demonstrates his talents on a breadstick

The guys are excited to be on the Flyers

Brian and his "Pet Milk"

[Lenaapple1974]

A bit late, but that last sky pic is amazing! The rest of your pics were fun to look at as well. And I do not mind the long winded story. I love hearing about everyone elses excursions!