Kings Dominion (KD) Discussion Thread

[Intimidator305]

Volcano, Flight of Fear, Intimidator 305 then whatever you want in whatever order. Hit Dominator in the late afternoon as that line gets shorter as the crowds move further back in the park (and WaterWorks) as the day goes on.

[Mr Komar]

You think it will be crowded then? Is it worth a fast lane pass??

[Intimidator305]

^ Nah no need for it at Kings Dominion. If you ride Volcano first at opening, you'll be fine throughout the rest of the day. Even with a full queue Volcano's line is just a little more than an hour thanks to the reconfigured station and line.

[smallpox]

I feel like "head to volcano first" should be part of the thread title or something. I wonder how many times that (good) advice has been given over the course of this thread.

 

but yeah - ride volcano first. its line will only get longer and longer throughout the day. i305 is the better ride, but its line stays short because it moves so many more people per hour.

[Bmanscool]

I'm going to kings dominion next Friday. I want to ride everything to make sure I do what do you guys recommended that have been to the park to go on first and so on??

 

Mr Komar wrote:

I'm going to kings dominion next Friday. I want to ride everything to make sure I do what do you guys recommended that have been to the park to go on first and so on??

 

 

I'm a local near Kings Dominion, and you can do almost everything at Kings Dominon (not including Water Works) in about 4-5-6 hours on a Friday. I would definitely reccomend riding the Volcano first and avoid riding Dominator first, even though it's the closest ride to the entrance, because it is always a much shorter line later in the day. Intiminator 305 is usually a walk on or a very short line during Fridays in the afternoon (usually a bit longer at night). But other than Volcano, the other ride with a long line are usually Flight Of Fear, Andaconda, Backlot Stunt Coaster, Shenandoah Lumber Company during the summer, and the Flying Eagles isn't a long line, it just takes a long time because of the capacity. The most busiest section of the park is Safari Village. The rest of the park such as Candy Apple Grove, and Old Virginia is usually not very busy at all. I would say the MOST line waits for rides in Candy Apple Grove and Old Virginia would be 15-20 minutes. I wouldn't reccomend a Fast Lane Pass on a Friday, because I have seen some of the Fast Pass rides at Kings Dominion with a line with about the same amount of people in it as the regular line. (Of course not for all the Fast Lane Pass rides).

[Paladin7485]

Went to the park again today (Sunday July 13) and there was hardly any wait on any ride. We rode Dominator front seat twice at 1030am and when we left at 4pm there was still no line on it visible from the parking lot. Definately a good day to go. 95 degrees and spent 3 hours at the water park after 12 and rode nearly every ride in the park from 10am to 12pm.

[Schwarzillard]

Does anybody suspect at all that the unused trademark from Carowinds (either fury... or centurion) could be coming to kings dominion as either a mid sized coaster or a dark ride?

[Intimidator305]

^ Unfortunately no. I really believe 2015 will be a continuation of sprucing up the park for year 2 of the 40th Celebration along with a complete renovation of WaterWorks. I'd love to be surprised though!

[XYZ]

Does anybody suspect at all that the unused trademark from Carowinds (either fury... or centurion) could be coming to kings dominion as either a mid sized coaster or a dark ride?

 

...or it could be not used at all.

 

Anyone remember Stratosoar?

[Schwarzillard]

Good point, this could just be like "white lightning" from carowinds.

[Bmanscool]

Since Carowinds has the "Eight wonders of the world" advertisement for their new coaster, I think the new coaster their will be Centurion. But if Centurion is for Carowinds, what if Fury 325 is for Kings Dominion? It would be something if Kings Dominion received a 325 foot coaster.

[Bmanscool]

Since Carowinds has the "Eight wonders of the world" advertisement for their new coaster, I think the new coaster their will be Centurion. But if Centurion is for Carowinds, what if Fury 325 is for Kings Dominion? It would be something if Kings Dominion received a 325 foot coaster.

[VF15]

Since Carowinds has the "Eight wonders of the world" advertisement for their new coaster, I think the new coaster their will be Centurion. But if Centurion is for Carowinds, what if Fury 325 is for Kings Dominion? It would be something if Kings Dominion received a 325 foot coaster.

 

Why would Kings Dominion need another Gigacoaster when they have Intimidator 305?

[ScreaminNewEngland]

I'd rather see a big face lift done to both grizzly and hurler. Anaconda would be nice too...

[cfc]

Since Carowinds has the "Eight wonders of the world" advertisement for their new coaster, I think the new coaster their will be Centurion. But if Centurion is for Carowinds, what if Fury 325 is for Kings Dominion? It would be something if Kings Dominion received a 325 foot coaster.

 

Why would Kings Dominion need another Gigacoaster when they have Intimidator 305?

 

Yeah, I don't see this happening, either. However, Canada's Wonderland has both Behemoth and Leviathan, so I guess anything's possible (just unlikely).

Edited July 18, 2014 by cfc

[CPSFMMCW]

I'd rather see a big face lift done to both grizzly and hurler. Anaconda would be nice too...

Something tells me that KD is done messing with Anaconda. The paint job and fountain splurt up is about it. I think they won't be doing anything else to it. Personally, I wish they would've just torn it down rather than try to spruce it up. Grizzly and Hurler though, I get. Hurler seems to be running a bit rougher this year and Grizzly seems to be running normal.

[Canobie Coaster]

I'd rather see a big face lift done to both grizzly and hurler. Anaconda would be nice too...

 

Hurler was amazing in 2006 when I rode it for the first time. It had just been retracked and was flying through the course. A few years ago was a different story.

[ScreaminNewEngland]

Hurler seems like a complicated coaster, lol.

 

I could see them do some sprucing up on both, the return of apple turnover would be nice..

[Schwarzillard]

Personally I would like to see shockwave go and a small family coaster or dark ride or even a few flat rides to be put in shock waves old spot.

[cfc]

I'd rather see a big face lift done to both grizzly and hurler. Anaconda would be nice too...

 

Hurler was amazing in 2006 when I rode it for the first time. It had just been retracked and was flying through the course. A few years ago was a different story.

 

It was a great ride the first year it opened, too. But it tends to beat itself to death.

[coasterchitchat]

I'd rather see a big face lift done to both grizzly and hurler. Anaconda would be nice too...

Something tells me that KD is done messing with Anaconda. The paint job and fountain splurt up is about it. I think they won't be doing anything else to it. Personally, I wish they would've just torn it down rather than try to spruce it up. Grizzly and Hurler though, I get. Hurler seems to be running a bit rougher this year and Grizzly seems to be running normal.

 

Cedar Point's corkscrew is a hot mess. No one really rides it these days. Same think as Kings Dominion.

 

I think that KD will get a water park expansion next year. If they go with RMC in 2016, I could see them doing an I-Box on Grizzly or Hurler. They already have an invert so a wing rider would fit well (if you ride in the back like I'm about to do on GateKeeper.)

[chargersmichael]

Personally I would like to see shockwave go and a small family coaster or dark ride or even a few flat rides to be put in shock waves old spot.

 

This. I also believe Shockwave needs to go. Something better should replace it

[djcoastermark]

shockwave isn't really that bad, just kinda bland imo. Way back when, it was one of the IT coasters. However, when we go there now we only ride it once if the line is really short as it takes forever to get on. Just like king cobra when KI had it. I've never had a problem with the seats as long as you know how to work it, etc etc. It might be around for a while as it still pulls them in (gp wise) and is reliable as far as up time goes. I can only see it going once it reaches its end of life. I do like where its placed in the park tho. Good use of a very narrow space with good visability.

[Schwarzillard]

shockwave isn't really that bad, just kinda bland imo. Way back when, it was one of the IT coasters. However, when we go there now we only ride it once if the line is really short as it takes forever to get on. Just like king cobra when KI had it. I've never had a problem with the seats as long as you know how to work it, etc etc. It might be around for a while as it still pulls them in (gp wise) and is reliable as far as up time goes. I can only see it going once it reaches its end of life. I do like where its placed in the park tho. Good use of a very narrow space with good visability.

 

 

I do agree with the load times, my friend and I were waiting for 40+ minutes with a line that didn't really go far past the station. As for the GP, there is always a line. However, when I went on it, the bunny hops hurt even with a low seat height. Also, the restraints felt like death contraptions. I'd imagine it's the same on all Togo stand ups. But yes, it gives KD a stand up, which many parks don't have. Overall, I think the only thing keeping it is the space it takes up and the reliability.

[Propeller Factory]

I find some compelling evidence KD is getting a new roller coaster next year:

1. Hypersonic station is still standing, and can easily be converted.

2. "Centurion" trademark still out there, and obviously "Fury 325:

" is for Carowinds

3. KD has never gotten a new B&M coaster

4. KD tends to follow KI and vice-versa, which would point to a B&M Invert.

5. "Centurion" could have a double meaning relating to the park's 40th Anniversary.

6. They spent relatively nothing this year on the 40th celebration except for the fountains and changing Volcano's station (total cost: about $1 million). KD is known for spending nothing one year, then splurging the next on a big coaster.

7. Hurler and/or Grizzly are on the chopping block - this is not a secret by any means. Removing one or both would easily clear up room for a GCI woodie, B&M invert, or possibly a Wing Rider (though not likely).

8. One day recently, while riding the Grizzly, I spotted some red track in storage, and it did not appear to be track for the Intimidator. It was B&M track. This is the biggest news yet!

 

So in conclusion...

Be on the lookout and please let me know about any conferences or details about developments on the new roller coaster next year. I live 5 miles from the park and cannot wait for a new coaster. ☺

 

*EDIT*:

I found a Google Earth picture to share of the track and supports:

Again:

THIS IS NOT INTIMIDATOR TRACK.

THIS IS B&M TRACK.

 

Sorry I'm reporting an old post but I've been thinking is too. It has been 5 YEARS since kd's last coaster, and the HXLC station is still back there. I think it would be really cool if they built something that intertwines with the grizzly and the rapids. And I don't think they would demolish hurler since they JUST retracked it this year.