Kings Dominion (KD) Discussion Thread

[tndank]

Yesterday, Sunday, was great.  They had everything open and most running 2 trains.  Never really saw any lines.  

Haunt was fun.  They do a good job on the houses.  Much better than BGW.  The scare actors were also more personable and interactive, inside houses and in the zones.  Light sprinkles off and on all night probably kept many away.  The park kept everything running.  Small crowd but they stayed open til 11.  We rode a lot more than we normally do now days because everything was a walk on and the ride ops were doing great.  Very leisurely pace with a few meals and we still rode 25-30 rides on the coasters and drop tower.

I'm told Haunt gets fairly crowded as October progresses.  That's good.  It's a solid event. 

If their current park development plans pan out, this place is going to be one of the best in the chain.  The new wing coaster looks great.  The park has said the plan is a 200+ coaster in the next couple years on the other side of the park and will not be a B&M.

[CaptainUnknown]

4 hours ago, tndank said:

The park has said the plan is a 200+ coaster in the next couple years on the other side of the park and will not be a B&M

Is this confirmed? I know the popular speculation is a hyper that uses the Dinos plot at least in part. When was this said? And if not B&M, do they go with Mack or Vekoma?

[tndank]

Park management has discussed their plans a bit with regulars at the park and events.  Nothing is official until it happens, but the plans included moving the burrito place to a new building (nearly done), redo P305 theme, possibly an animal theme, to fit the area, and an International street refurb.  Pizza place will move to the current burrito stand front of park.  New ride and section on the right near Dinos.  Dominator is being repainted with same colors this fall.  Intimidator painting has started.  Racer repaint next year. Sure this is always the case, but current management would like to go year round in the coming years.

Rapterra looks cool.  They have a nice display with the POV running all day at the front and near the ride showing it off to visitors.  Looks really good in that area.

[prozach626]

Hopefully they give Kings Dominion a quick boost like they did with Kings Island.

[A.J.]

Kings Dominion has formally announced that Project 305's new name and theme will be Pantherian!

https://www.kingsdominion.com/rides-experiences/pantherian

Kings Dominion announced the new name for the park’s tallest roller coaster will be Pantherian starting in the 2025 season. The name comes from the legend of the jungle cat and fully incorporates the ride into the theming of the Jungle X-Pedition area of the park.

"We've been eagerly anticipating revealing Pantherian as it joins the highly anticipated, record-breaking roller coaster Rapterra in filling out the adventures of our Jungle X-Pedition area of the park,” said Bridgette Bywater vice president and general manager of Kings Dominion. "The 2025 season promises to be a 50th anniversary celebration filled with new thrills, and unforgettable experiences.”

The Jungle X-Pedition area was introduced in 2022 and each ride in the area represents a temple to Jungle animals from an ancient culture. For Pantherian, the intense speed, rapid shifts, and raw power mimic a large panther on the hunt. The ride's transformation comes with a new logo that shows an image of the jungle cat and new paint colors for the ride's support columns and track.

Pantherian was originally opened in 2010 and is one of the tallest and fastest coasters on the East Coast, with a first drop of 305 feet and a top speed approaching 95 mph. The ride operated under the placeholder name Project 305 during the 2024 season. Guests can enjoy unlimited rides on Pantherian during 2025 with the purchase of a 2025 Gold Pass.

[prozach626]

I think this is a good move. The prior themeing, whether i305 or p305, just seemed unfitting. I think its identity in that area will be more organic. 

[thepoint4life23]

As long as they make it look less like a random coaster in a field. 

[Zand]

1 hour ago, thepoint4life23 said:

As long as they make it look less like a random coaster in a field. 

If it contains the letters P A N T H E and N and it's located in Virginia, then it's only right to make damn sure you know you're on a random coaster in a field.

As long as it's the same great ride they can theme it to Hefty and have it race around a landfill for all I care.

[FaithPlus1]

Im slightly disappointed in this announcement because I heard a rumor that, along with the new theme and colors, there would be a zero G stall, floorless trains, and a drop track added. Oh well, hopefully the rumor I heard regarding KI's coaster for the following year comes to fruition.  An extremely reliable source told me the worlds tallest drop track is just one of the record breaking elements of Steel Beast coming in 2026. Hoping for a high 5 element, zero G stall and a Jojo roll out od the station as well. More information, as I receive it, over in the KI thread. 

Note: My reliable source has never given an accurate prediction 

[thrillseeker4552]

This looks great (and much needed). I don't hate the name but it is funny how similar it is to Pantheon. I'm mostly relieved the coaster will be the same and it's just a repaint/retheme. Part of me was worried they were going to "TT2-ify" it or something like that but it seemingly will be the same kick-ass coaster we all know and love. 2025 will be a great year for KD.

[cfc]

 

Holiday Magic Returns to Kings Dominion Winterfest November 29

DOSWELL, VA－Kings Dominion announced the details of its 2024 Winterfest event. The annual event features more than six million lights, ice skating, seasonal food items, and the return of everyone’s favorite merriment characters.

Beginning Friday, November 29, winter’s seasonal magic will blanket Kings Dominion as the theme park transforms itself into a light-filled holiday village for one of Virginia’s best holiday experiences.

Highlights include:

 

Live Shows and Entertainment－Everyone’s favorite holiday characters will be roaming the park and interacting with guests. Sounds of the Nativity, featuring live animals, returns to the Jungle X-Pedition area, and Tinker’s Toy Factory will have multiple shows in the Kings Dominion Theater. Cool Yule Christmas takes place at the Grand Bandstand at the foot of the Eiffel Tower with regular nightly shows. The festivities kick off every evening with the ‘Tis the Season Tree Lighting Ceremony and shows start every 15 minutes around the park.

Seasonal Treats－All of the favorite seasonal sweets return this year, including fried and regular cinnamon pull-apart bread; candy cane funnel cakes; holiday crepes; vanilla-frosted holiday pretzels and churros; Christmas cake; and Christmas cookie ice cream sandwiches.

The savory holiday menu includes smoked turkey, Virginia ham, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes with turkey gravy, a hot brown sandwich, and a chicken alfredo pizza.

Seasonal Beverages－Guests can cozy up with a mix of hot and cold cocktails and mocktails such as the Holly Jolly Hot Cocoa, Fireplace Cider, the Icy Winter Breeze, and Gingerbread Hot Chocolate. Regular hot chocolate will also be available throughout the park.

Holiday Lights & Trees－More than six million lights glimmer for guests, along with over 450 decorated trees, including a 315-foot Eiffel Tower that becomes an enormous light-up tree.

 

Ice Skating－Skate over the iconic fountains in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower on Snowflake Lake－one of North America’s largest outdoor skating rinks.

Cookie Decorating－Mrs. Claus will host guests in her kitchen for decorating cookies.

Letter Writing to Santa－Stop by the special post office and write a letter to Santa. Every letter sent receives a stamp certifying it was read at the North Pole.

Pictures with Santa－Take pictures with the jolly old elf himself.

Private Igloos－If relaxing in a personal heated lounge with an exclusive menu sounds appealing, private igloos underneath the lights of the Eiffel Tower return for that cozy holiday experience.

Rides－Up to 25 rides will be operating during Winterfest, depending on the weather, including Twisted Timbers and the historic carousel.

New Year’s Eve Celebration－Join us for a night of celebration as we ring in the new year. Kings Dominion opens at 5 p.m. on December 31 and closes at 1 a.m. on January 1. The night will feature live entertainment on the Grand Bandstand underneath the Eiffel Tower, along with a midnight countdown and a booming fireworks display.

Winterfest runs from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. on select days starting November 29 and continuing through January 4. Please check https://www.kingsdominion.com/events/winterfest for the full calendar of events and ticket information. Guests can enjoy multiple entries to Winterfest for the 2024 and 2025 seasons with purchase of a Gold Season Pass.

[Zand]

RIP in pieces Anaconda.

Also, has anyone seen the test videos of Rapterra's launch? Thing bounces like crazy. What's up with the new B&Ms being so janky lately?

[prozach626]

Which ones are janky?

 

 

The elements look pretty snappy for a wing coaster. The track looks great. This should be a great addition.

[Zand]

18 minutes ago, prozach626 said:

Which ones are janky?

 

 

The elements look pretty snappy for a wing coaster. The track looks great. This should be a great addition.

Iron Menace has been largely bitched about all year. It didn't really bother me but plenty of people have been pissing and moaning about how rough it is.

[prozach626]

Hmmmmm. I hope B&M doesn't find difficulty making their recent somewhat more aggressive layouts smooth with their modern trains.