NEWS: Be the first to ride Dominator at Kings Dominion!

[robbalvey]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 

THE FIRST TO EXPERIENCE DOMINATOR

 

First Rider Auction to Benefit Challenge Discovery Projects on May 24th

 

Have you ever wanted to be able to lay claim to being the first person to ride a new rollercoaster? Well here is your chance!

 

Kings Dominion is thrilled to announce the First Ride Auction to benefit Challenge Discovery Projects. The park will be auctioning off the first 32 seats on their newest coaster, Dominator, for its first public flight on May 24th!

 

This is your chance to be the first to experience the world’s longest floorless coaster! Bidding began on May 6th and will end on May 15th. Be sure to check www.kingsdominion.com for more information.

 

The top 32 bids for the seats will receive:

 

- Two (2) complimentary tickets for May 24 ($103.90 value) – Rider can bring a friend, however the friend WILL NOT get to ride on the first train

- One (1) complimentary parking pass ($10.00 value)

- Early admission to the park at about 9:30am

- Dominator T-Shirt ($24.95 value)

- Complimentary Ride Photo from first flight

 

Seating will be determined by the highest bidder selecting their first seat and the second highest bidder choosing their seat until all 32 seats are full. A minimum bid of $50 is required to participate. Each rider must be a minimum of 54 inches tall in order to ride.

 

All proceeds from the auction will be donated to Challenge Discovery Projects, Inc. Challenge Discovery Projects’ mission is to improve the quality of life and livelihood of at-risk youth and families throughout Greater Richmond. Challenge Discovery Projects supports this mission by providing three programs that address violence, substance abuse and emotional/mental health issues. Services are provided regardless of a clients’ ability to pay. For more information on Challenge Discovery Projects, Inc. visit their website at www.challengediscoveryprojects.org

 

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be the first to experience Dominator!

 

For more information on these events, visit our website at kingsdominion.com.

[Noxegon]

Have you ever wanted to be able to lay claim to being the first person to ride a new rollercoaster? Well here is your chance!

 

I call false advertising on that one. A relocated coaster, perhaps, but Batman: Knight Flight took its first riders many years ago

[NINCUB]

Thanks Robb for posting this, I am sure many would be interested.

 

I myself would just like the pleasure of going to KD and to ride Dominator for the first time.

[BeemerBoy]

In actuality it is a new coaster b/c of the work it took to dismantle and rebuild it.

So, by that rationale, if they were to break it down, and build it in another section of the same park, it would still be a "new" coaster?

 

 

Not a new coaster, but new credit. Right, Rich?

[coaster05]

New park, new credit.

[SharkTums]

I like this idea a lot, I'd rather see SFMM do something like this with Charity involved then the X2 Campout.

 

It seems like Cedar Fair always does the charity auctions and Six Flags is moving towards the camp out direction. I wonder if we'll see any interesting new events come up.

 

I guess Hershey's was a bit different with the Natami 11 or whatever they're called!

[pkdcoaster]

I think it is great that they are doing this, but IMO if you want much more bids then it really should be 1st rides at media day and not 5 mins before everyone else on the 1st public day.

 

An extra 64 people at media day is not much especially when most media types ride once.

I might do it anyway but my wallet would be much more open if it was four days earlier.

 

(not to mention it also advertises that CF is charitable)

 

JEFF

[NINCUB]

^ Ah I guess my rationale could be a bit off then! Good point. I can see how the new park/new credit debate could go on forever! :0)

[sfne2005]

Not a new coaster, but new credit. Right, Rich?

 

Absolute truth for once. This cannot be counted as a new credit. If you took your car and got it painted a different color and changed the model label to something else, it is still the same car. Same car with same amount of miles and same amount of wear and tear. Just because you drive it in a new place DOES NOT MAKE IT A NEW CAR!

 

So not a new credit IMO.

[KGA29]

Let's just hope that they can get it running by that date and not have to turn away bidders who paid for an "opening weekend" seat.

 

:cough:CGA's Firefall:cough:

[KD4me]

Let's just hope that they can get it running by that date and not have to turn away bidders who paid for an "opening weekend" seat.

 

:cough:CGA's Firefall:cough:

 

KD has been cycling trains since May 1st. They were running trains last Saturday when I visited the park.

 

The biggest thing thing KD has to do is to finish painting the track and finish the queue lines and entrance plaza. The landscaping as well. With the "monsoon season" we have been having over the last month, it is putting pressure on KD as far as their timeline is concerned.

 

KD did have posters inside the park stating that Dominator would open May 24th (Memorial Day weekend). My quess is that the ride will be operational and open to the public that day. Maybe KD will still have mainly cosmetic finishing touches left to do, but my quess is those outstanding tasks will not impact the operation of the ride or the safety of the general public.

 

The technicality of the "used/new" coaster debate will go on with the coaster enthusiast groups ad nauseum. But, for the majority of the general public, this ride is a NEW coaster at KD. Most of the GP that visits KD probably never heard of Geauga Lake and the fact that Dominator was located there. No matter where this coaster was or is now, Dominator is one of the top floorless coasters out there. KD is lucky to get such a great coaster in such a short amount of time.

 

I think within the next 2-3 years Cedar Fair will give KD its own custom designed coaster. Look at Kings Island, a "used" flying coaster from GL in 2007 and a high probability of a "new" hyper coaster in 2009.

 

The bidding for seats for the first ride of the GENERAL PUBLIC on Dominator is a nice community builder for KD and the metro region it serves. If you love coasters, and giving money toward a good cause, this is a nice way to donate to a charity and have some fun.