griffon Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 I made it up to KD on Sunday morning knowing that the crowds would be light, and also heard that the giant refurbished wheel was supposed to be ready to roll. Here is some scenery: Last, a little bit of photoshop for an otherwise crappy picture. Thanks for checking out the photos. It's really hard to find things to say about this ride for every picture. But it photographs well Still amazes me that a ride this size could be relocated 400 miles and put back together perfectly in a few months I can't resist throwing in a few new shots of Dominator, even though most people have an idea of what it looks like by now Thank you Ohio A couple more area shots Dominator towers over the trees and tempts us with empty rows in the middle of the day. Even more reason to love the location You can really get a great view of Volcano from the wheel, although it's a little far away Some anaconda Yell was also running very fast and had some much needed track work before the turn around. The coolest view from Americana has to be Rebel Yell Another new look for Drop Tower Which lift hill would you rather be on? Take a ride on Americana, and suddenly you will be compelled to take pictures of a Togo that's painted purple green and orange A general overview of the midway in front of the wheel It's the only ride in the park with a ride cycle time longer than an Offspring album Wheels are pretty awesome and I had plenty of time for photos. Our ride cycle was about 25 minutes - seriously Americana looks great The main reason it doesn't stand out is because there is nothing but pavement around it. I hope they eventually do something with this area. A football field would fit nicely. I don't like El Dorado's location at all. It kind of hides behind the Skyflyer next to the tree line and doesn't stand out. On the plus side it was operational and has some cool views of the Grizzly First, El Dorado, which has a cool logo and some props near the restaurant but not much else going for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
netdvn Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 The park looks almost incredible... They just need to add some scenery around the old HS:XLC area, take out the concrete waterpark, and re-expand the lake. Amazing pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tbcoasterfan Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 I miss Batman Knight Flight.... *cough* Dominator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tanthonyam Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Nice pics! Why does this park still have SHockwave? People still ride it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattnz Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Beautiful photos, I especially enjoyed those taken from Americana - you get GREAT new views! - really showcases the park well. Big parks adding flats is always a good thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingbooba Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Nice pics! Why does this park still have SHockwave? People still ride it? Yes! I, for one, love the Shockwave! If anyrides at KD are to be removed it should be Anaconda or Hurler! Now THOSE are back-breaking rides. Anyway, nice TR! I can't wait to go soon and ride El Dorado and Americana! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLIPDUDE Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 I don't know why but I always had a soft spot in my heart for TOGO. So I do love shockwave. Anaconda is also a great coaster in my opinion(granted, I last rode it in 2002, and it may ride differently now, but still). many times I'd pick a TOGO or a vekoma over a B&M. to me B&Ms tend to be way too similar to each other and forceless. Intamin, on the other hand, can combine smoothness and lack in sudden force shifts with a fun, original layout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homeboy23 Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Nice pics! Why does this park still have SHockwave? People still ride it? Yes! I, for one, love the Shockwave! If anyrides at KD are to be removed it should be Anaconda or Hurler! Now THOSE are back-breaking rides. Shockwave was the roughest I encountered last week when I went. I didn't want to go near it after. For some reason I don't remember it being that rough last year, so maybe I just got unlucky last week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hydra Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 I can not get over how amazing that new paint job on Dominator looks. Wow. I think that may be the best color scheme on any B&M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STR8FXXXINEDGE Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Very nice photos! Thanks for sharing. I'm heading over there soon, but seeing those photos just makes me want to get there even sooner! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Nice pics! Why does this park still have SHockwave? People still ride it? Yes! I, for one, love the Shockwave! If anyrides at KD are to be removed it should be Anaconda or Hurler! Now THOSE are back-breaking rides. Shockwave was the roughest I encountered last week when I went. I didn't want to go near it after. For some reason I don't remember it being that rough last year, so maybe I just got unlucky last week. I think the right question regarding Shockwave is not "Prople still ride it?" but "How long is the wait for the people who do?" This is one of the slowest-loading rides I've ever been on. From the front it's OK (the loop is actually fun), but from anywhere else it rates a "meh" to an "ouch." Nice shots from the Ferris wheel. I like the spot where the park placed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoasterWarriors Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Very nice photos! Thanks for sharing.I'm heading over there soon, but seeing those photos just makes me want to get there even sooner! I agreed! Amazing photos and Americana just gave the patrons a whole new view of KD! Rebel Yells is one of my favorite photos from this trip report. Question... How does Rebel Yells at KD compare to Racer at Kings Island? Is there any similarity or there is a lot of difference? The layout looks the same to me but I may be wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homeboy23 Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 I think the right question regarding Shockwave is not "Prople still ride it?" but "How long is the wait for the people who do?" This is one of the slowest-loading rides I've ever been on. From the front it's OK (the loop is actually fun), but from anywhere else it rates a "meh" to an "ouch." Nice shots from the Ferris wheel. I like the spot where the park placed it. Speaking of the loading time, I think you were there the same day I was (April 5th). Each train had a row taped off and made the line go even slower. I think one train had the front taped off and the 4th or 5th row on the other. I wonder if they have fixed that problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesdillaman Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Chuck: Julia and I looooooooooooove Shockwave. Don't say anything bad about it. You don't know what you have until it's gone (sob, King Cobra, sob) -James Dillaman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-RadG Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Shockwave is definitely one of my favorites. It's not that rough. It's a rare breed, and it's still fun. You get quite a bit of airtime on those bunny hills after the helix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Peck Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 The only time I visited Kings Dominion was in late 2000 (the fall before Hypersonic opened) and they had begun to work on the area. I can't believe of how much open space they have there. I wonder where the Spider was "Supposed" to go. There is still a rumor of a temporary attraction for this year according to kdfansite, but I wouldn't expect it to show up until around Memorial Day when the crowds get bigger. It will be neat to see what they do with that area in a few years. A Giant Frisbee would work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvercrew1 Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 WOW Your pictures are outstanding! Very nice! Thanks for sharing. And when you said "Thank You Ohio", you are very welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gisco Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Very nice pictures. It looks like light crowds and a nice day. What were people thinking not going to the park? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike541x Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Wow! Great shots. I like the views you get with Americana. Especially the Rebel Yell shots! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoasterNERD502 Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Awesome TR! That closeup pic of Volcano from Americana is Beautiful! You also made Shockwave look good! lol. I really need to get back out to KD, I havent been since 07 so I have yet to ride Dominator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gldude Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Americana actually looks better at KD than it did at GL. I still wish it was back at home though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHILLERLC1 Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 Is all that blacktop where El Dorado is large enough to fit a hyper lift hill diagonally from the Shockwave area if you take that out? Americana is not huge compared to the wheel that is Big Wheel @ SFGADV which is almost finished its refurbishment with LEDs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KDCOASTERFAN Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 Nice pics! Why does this park still have SHockwave? People still ride it? Yes! I, for one, love the Shockwave! If anyrides at KD are to be removed it should be Anaconda or Hurler! Now THOSE are back-breaking rides. Anyway, nice TR! I can't wait to go soon and ride El Dorado and Americana! I actually found hurler to be gasp!! smooth & enjoyable back on opening day,unfortunately I don't expect that to last to long before the ride returns to it's usual painful self. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
griffon Posted April 15, 2009 Author Share Posted April 15, 2009 Americana actually looks better at KD than it did at GL. I still wish it was back at home though... I loved the location at GL by the lake and wish we had a similar setup here, but it does look nice. Is all that blacktop where El Dorado is large enough to fit a hyper lift hill diagonally from the Shockwave area if you take that out? very unlikely that would work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dj snow Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 A bit of trivia: Before it was at Geauga Lake, the Americana wheel was part of Old Indiana Fun Park. For the sake of Kings Dominion, I hope this ride doesn't carry some sort of park-dooming curse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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