Kings Dominion 5-27-2009

[willh51]

Kings Dominion is technically my home park along with Carowinds, since they are virtually the same distance from my house. I had a Cedar Fair pass two seasons ago when you could get into all the parks for about $70 but didn't get one last year and never made it to the park to ride Dominator after its reconstruction.

 

Although the weather forecast tried to scare us off, a couple of friends and I hit the park Wednesday to find no lines, sunny skies and a good operations. I've done Kings Dominion trip reports before so I'll spare some of the details (though the opening plaza looked great!) and talk mainly about the rides.

 

Volcano: Ran right to Volcano to see a short line but realized after only hearing a train launch every five minutes or so that only one train was on the circuit. Fortunately, a mechanic walked by and soon it was announced that the second train was being added. It was pretty cool seeing the transfer track work but the angle still doesn't allow you to see the bay when the curtain is pulled back. There also are lights indicating (I presume) which trains are on the track, which is a neat touch. No sign of the third train. Ultimately we waited almost an hour at first, which was kind of annoying, but more than excusable in the grand scheme of things. The ride was still running great, one of my favorite Intamins through and through because it's always so much fun. We came back later in the day to find it a WALK-ON, which I've never seen, and scored front and back rides without leaving the train. Props to KD for allowing this all day and not pulling that "walk-around" crap that I've seen at some parks.

 

Anaconda: I've always enjoyed this and today was no exception. Rode in the back row, pretty smooth except for the jolt after the butterfly turn. Looks like it'll be needing a paint job soon (maybe to go along with a new hyper for next season...they should hire me for planning).

 

Flight of Fear: Nice to see the operators having fun with the minuscule line, asking people if they knew how many inversions there were. Funny range of answers, but I just shut up so I didn't spoil the fun. Running really fast, even with the midcourse on full-out stop mode.

 

Drop Tower: The operators on this ride always seem kind of clueless. Today they had the height-check bar blocking off where to stop in the queue but never came and moved it. I got told "not to do that" by one operator even though two guys had walked around me and moved it. I seem to always take the fall. I'm not sure why they load this ride the way they do, I suppose it has something to do with balancing the weight. Rode twice in a row, great as usual.

 

Grizzly: This has become one of my favorite wooden coasters. Despite getting track grease (I assume) all over my shorts, this ride was kicking ass today. Running fast with great air, and the retracking (mostly the second run-out toward the woods) made a huge difference. The badass tunnel always gets me. Rode twice without leaving the train.

 

White Water Canyon (I think): Fun, no wait, long ride. The operator drenched us multiple times with water cannons. Thanks.

 

Dominator: Very striking color scheme on this baby, looks great from the parking lot. There was no wait and the main operator was doing a fun spiel, asking people how their ride was, etc. The ride itself is solid and a lot more forceful than some B&M coasters. I rode front, back, and middle multiple times, but I think I prefer the back. The B&M rattle is there but not really felt until the flatspins and final helix. The drop is great, nice hangtime in the loops, great g's on the turnaround, nice smooth cobra roll. The trim before the cobra roll was not on at all, and the midcourse grabbed a bit but still let you get airtime in the back row. The flatspins are intense, as is the final low helix. All in all a great addition to KD. Props again to the crew for really fast dispatches and great enthusiasm.

 

Some notes:

- Skipped Shockwave, it's still there

- Skipped Hurler/Ricochet

- Skipped Rebel Yell (my friends aren't as gung-ho about marathoning coasters as i am) - running one side, they were working on the brake-run roof of the other

- The Tornado slide is amazing over at the water park

- Mostly friendly/enthusiastic staff minus Drop Tower

- Most food places closed

- Hypersonic's station is still there

- Effects working on The Crypt

- Back Lot Stunt Coaster's effects seemed to be off/partially working

- Please build a hyper by the lake

 

So that's it. Kings Dominion has always been a good time and Wednesday's visit didn't disappoint. It's hard to complain when you could walk-on Volcano, Dominator, Drop Tower and Grizzly. Thanks for the multiple train operations, too!

[Homeboy23]

Good TR. I have walked on to Volcano maybe once or twice out of all the times I have been to KD.

[BuschSchoe]

- Skipped Shockwave, it's still there

Yeah, thats always a bummer to find out every visit to the park.

[FeelTheFORCE]

The trim before the cobra roll was not on at all,

 

If I remember correctly, that's not a trim, but a brake in case it valleys.

 

Awesome trip report by the way! As of now, I'm going to KD next year for the first time...can't wait!

[Movieguy]

Glad to hear that the Dominator seems to be doing well in its new home. Ever since Geagua Lake closed down, I'd been hoping some of the coasters would find new life.

 

I've never been to KD (passed it up for a shot at BGE instead a few years ago), but it sounds like its still got a lot of great rides, and that the coasters are receiving the best care that they can.

 

Also, is Rolling Thunder the Rebel Yell? I wasn't aware of a name change, for some reason.

[KDCOASTERFAN]

Glad to hear that the Dominator seems to be doing well in its new home. Ever since Geagua Lake closed down, I'd been hoping some of the coasters would find new life.

 

I've never been to KD (passed it up for a shot at BGE instead a few years ago), but it sounds like its still got a lot of great rides, and that the coasters are receiving the best care that they can.

 

Also, is Rolling Thunder the Rebel Yell? I wasn't aware of a name change, for some reason.

 

Yes,rebel yell is the name & it's actually running much smoother than last season with no jackhammering on the hill just before the turnaround.

[Thelegendarymatthew]

Yeah, Rebel Yell has been running pretty smooth.

I have a question for you, where both sides running?

-Matthew K.

[willh51]

Oops, must have had Great Adventure on my mind.

 

No, Rebel Yell was only running the right side. They were working on the roof of the brake shed all day on the left side, though I know they sometimes don't run both on weekdays.

[raptor6]

I went to Kings Dominion for the first time on Sunday May 24. I really enjoyed the park. I'll post a photo TR sometime in the near future.