Kings Dominion (KD) Discussion Thread

[mike541x]

^I don't hate Anaconda either, there's only one bad transition on the ride, for me at least. I'd love to see the Anaconda get new trains too as someone mentioned, it would definitely improve the ride.

[imawesome1124]

I rode Anaconda back in July and didn't bang my head once. Granted I was riding very defensively, but it wasn't painful at all. Doesn't make it a good coaster because it's still fairly boring, but it wasn't miserable like I remembered it being.

[GwaziBSRider1]

I remember Anaconda being pretty bad several years ago, but now it's pretty good. I noticed in 2011 that the MCBR was a lot stronger than it was in 2006.

[cfc]

I had to ride Anaconda several times for Coasting for Kids this year, and it was, let's say, not good.

[Philrad71]

Never got a chance to ride one of these, but it looks kind of cool.

 

I highly doubt it would be their final announcement because of it's past checkered history at their (then) sister park in Ohio, but I have to admit that it would be nice if they could get some unique, crazy flat ride like this.

 

I found it interesting that Intamin never made any more of these...anyone know if it was because the death at KI scared off other parks from purchasing one, the ride was a total maintenance nightmare, too many G-forces, or all of the above?

Sky Pilot at KD.

[Coaster_Fanatic]

I didn't hate Anaconda but I'm a pretty tall guy and for some reason I never get much headbanging on arrows. About 10 years ago when I was still growing I hated them so I think my height plays a role.

 

I'm the same way. I'm 6 feet tall and I don't experience headbanging on Arrow coasters since my head is above the restraints. Anaconda is a fun ride in my opinion, and it could definitely use some TLC.

[megametal]

The 12th Day of Christmas surprise was the already mentioned blue ice cream. It's only going to be sold at Sweet Tooth also, supposedly. They hardly saved the best for last. However, it's good enough for me.

[Jon Sabo]

Never got a chance to ride one of these, but it looks kind of cool.

 

I highly doubt it would be their final announcement because of it's past checkered history at their (then) sister park in Ohio, but I have to admit that it would be nice if they could get some unique, crazy flat ride like this.

 

I found it interesting that Intamin never made any more of these...anyone know if it was because the death at KI scared off other parks from purchasing one, the ride was a total maintenance nightmare, too many G-forces, or all of the above?

 

I had the chance to ride this back in the day. If I recall, they had a lever you could control the spinning motion of the car as the ride spins around. It did have ALOT of downtime, but I was fortunate to ride it each time I visited the park. MANY people just stood by to watch the ride, so the lines were never that bad at all. It was a fun ride-I actually missed it.

[mhuffva]

The 12th Day of Christmas surprise was the already mentioned blue ice cream. It's only going to be sold at Sweet Tooth also, supposedly. They hardly saved the best for last. However, it's good enough for me.

 

Well, there could be a few disappointed folks out there who thought the 12th day announcement would be the blockbuster climax.

 

But, you did leave out the 2nd paragraph from today's Facebook announcement from Kings Dominion.

 

"Continue to watch our Facebook page this winter for "First on Facebook" news updates, surprise annoucements and special content related to the start of our 40th Celebration in April 2014!"

 

It looks like Kings Dominion is not quite finished with declaring all the 40th anniversary stuff for next year. Seems the public relations/marketing department will be teasing/baiting us for the next 3 months!

[netdvn]

I was at least hoping the park would announce a Christmas dvent to wrap up the season. Those events are becoming increasingly popular. If Knotts has a Christmas hit on their hands, I can definitely see more CF parks in good climates getting Christmas events to capitalize on their popularity.

[Garet]

Never got a chance to ride one of these, but it looks kind of cool.

 

I highly doubt it would be their final announcement because of it's past checkered history at their (then) sister park in Ohio, but I have to admit that it would be nice if they could get some unique, crazy flat ride like this.

 

I found it interesting that Intamin never made any more of these...anyone know if it was because the death at KI scared off other parks from purchasing one, the ride was a total maintenance nightmare, too many G-forces, or all of the above?

 

Wasn't there another at Flamingo Land, UK?

[Mrlittle]

I had no KD was announcing all these cool little announcements to go with the 40th announcements. Curious to see how the new line will work on Volcano. I also want to eat some blue ice cream. I really like the direction the park is heading. That goes for all cedar fair parks next season. Bringing back the charm.

[triggernel]

So if this was really an "off year" for KD like that article about the Annual Report seems to say, I hope more Cedar Fair parks have off years, lol. What a great line up of small announcements. Not going to draw as many as a new coaster, but going to bring in a lot more people than not doing anything.

[mhuffva]

So if this was really an "off year" for KD like that article about the Annual Report seems to say, I hope more Cedar Fair parks have off years, lol. What a great line up of small announcements. Not going to draw as many as a new coaster, but going to bring in a lot more people than not doing anything.

 

Ironically, the park probably will draw as many people in 2014 without a new coaster as a year where the park does install a new one. I'm sure there is a "little" spike in attendance when a new coaster premiers. But, my guess would be around 3% or less in total yearly attendance.

 

Most of that increase are folks who are not regular visitors or season pass holders. They visit when it is a major new ride or attraction that interests them enough to make the trek to the park that season. That spike in attendance will drop by more than half during the 2nd year of operations for the new ride/attraction. By the 3rd year of operations, the park attendance level is almost back to normal. I assume they might get a few thousand new regular visitors or new season pass holders from that spike. But, that would be like a .50% - .75% increase in total yearly attendance.

 

I'm sure any increase in attendance, at any of their parks, would make Cedar Fair happy. But, it would not be enough to install a major attraction in the park every other year or dump a dozen flat rides into a park in one season. It certainly did not work for the Six Flags chain.

 

Sources have stated that Cedar Fair's current operational philosophy is getting away from "chasing that coaster rabbit down the hole" in hopes of getting significant gains in attendance. Cedar Fair wants to hold on to and maintain their current market share and find ways to promote more spending from the guests they already have. And this is a trend that is happening across the U.S. Theme Park industry; SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment has stated the same thing.

 

To me, that translates making places like Kings Dominion into more well rounded parks. Bringing back some of the theme elements and charm the park once had. Increasing and improving the live entertainment options at the park. Working on food quality and variety.

 

Don't get me wrong, rides & attractions, are still going to be the bread & butter for Cedar Fair. Major new coasters are still coming to Kings Dominion. I just don't think they will be installed every 3-4 years like they used to be; more like every 5-7 years. And Cedar Fair will fill in the gap with installations of medium-large flat rides, water park stuff, and maybe a mature dark ride like Canada's Wonderland's "Guardian"; and, yes, there will be "Off-Years" as well.

 

Your view on increasing attendance would be more appropriate during the 1970's and 1980's when there was explosive growth in Theme Parks in the U.S. That same explosive growth is what is now happening in China and other Asian countries as well as in some parts of the Middle East. The U.S. Theme Park industry is now mature and been stable for about 20 years. Currently, most major growth spurts have been the big players like Disney and Universal as they expand or makeover existing areas.

[triggernel]

Hmm, never really thought about it that way. Thanks for the info.

 

And as far as raising per cap spending, I am all for that. I think Universal has been a pioneer of this the last few years with Hogsmeade and Fast Food Boulevard. I would totally be behind the CF parks figuring out ways to add in well themed lands with themed food, drink, and retail opportunities. Obviously they aren't going to bring in the huge IP's like Universal, but neither did Disney back in the 50s and 60s.

[tarheel1231]

And speaking of theme, I am still bewildered as to why the hell is I-305, BLSC, Flight of Fear, and Avalanche are in the Congo/safari village section.

[cfc]

^That is one of the park's great mysteries.

[TyRush]

They really should re-theme the areas appropriately

[fraroc]

That entire Congo area is a huge mess. I LOVE the park, don't get me wrong, but it just always annoyed me how there is so much disarray with the theming of that area.

 

Also, I still can't believe how many people are so quick to say how bad Shockwave is. I rode it a few times and it really is NOT that bad. It ain't smooth in the least amount, but I found it to be at least tolerable.

[eddie200330]

That entire Congo area is a huge mess. I LOVE the park, don't get me wrong, but it just always annoyed me how there is so much disarray with the theming of that area.

 

When it was first designed and opened I think it was all coherent, but as old attractions left and new ones were built it kinda ended up how it is today.

[smallpox]

i really don't think the congo theme mishmash is a big deal. it's Paramount's fault mostly -- Outer Limits, Itallian Job, etc, but who cares? "Congo" is just a name of a section of the park at this point -- the area is not actively promoted as being African-themed as far as i know. Anyway, what is Cedar Fair supposed to do about it? spend $100 million to move a bunch of roller coasters to elsewhere in the same park? Re-theme a half-dozen aging attractions? Pointing out the theming incongruity is a fun conversation piece for theme park enthusiasts but it doesn't actually bother a significant number of people or impact park enjoyment or attendance.

[GigaG]

^That is one of the park's great mysteries.

 

Like what the fox says!

[GigaG]

Did they ever say what would be done to Anaconda?

[cfc]

About the only time the Congo's "African theming" is played up is during Haunt, when they use the area in front of Volcano as a "cannibal jungle" scare zone.

Edited January 1, 2014 by cfc

[eddie200330]

How many GP actually refer to a themed area by it's name anyway?

 

Hey dad where is the inside loopy coaster....

It is over by the big red racecar thing son.....