Kings Dominion (KD) Discussion Thread

[redfoot12]

^Robb--

On the IntimidaTour trip, were you able to gauge which version of Intimidator people liked more?

[KDcoasterMAN]

^^ Yeah, I would bet that many of those who have the advantage of having I305 within a reasonable distance and visit the park often would have the opinion that the coaster is less exciting to them. I personally, cannot wait until I ride again in May or June. I could make the judgement of how this coaster ranks in the national nor world aspect, but regionally (Mid-Atlantic), It IS the BEST coaster none the less. Some may argue Apollo's Chariot, Nitro or El Toro may be better but I would disagree.

[robbalvey]

^Robb--

On the IntimidaTour trip, were you able to gauge which version of Intimidator people liked more?

Well, I think I was only one of two or three that had ridden it in both configurations. I don't think I heard a single person on the tour that was disappointed by the ride. I can't remember anyone else other than Chuck (cfc) and myself that rode it pre and post trims and I believe we share the same opinion that either way, it still kicks lots of ass.

 

I mean, our night ERT was amazing. No one looked "bummed" out by the ride at all.

 

--Robb

[redfoot12]

^Agreed. That was probably my favorite ERT on a ride (not that I've had too much). Everyone seemed pretty happy and jazzed up about the ride. Just wasn't sure about the reception of I-232.

I'm really excited to try this next configuration out next spring. Could it be enough to topple my current #1 El Toro?

[robbalvey]

^Agreed. That was probably my favorite ERT on a ride (not that I've had too much). Everyone seemed pretty happy and jazzed up about the ride. Just wasn't sure about the reception of I-232.

Oh! Sorry, I misread your original question. I thought you meant between different versions of i305. I mean, there were probably a handful of people in the group that prefered Carowind's ride, just because it's the type of ride they like better, but I'd say the majority of the group "liked" the Carowinds ride, but "loved" i305.

 

I don't think anyone was disappointed with either coaster.

 

--Robb

[coasterfreak101]

I mean, our night ERT was amazing. No one looked "bummed" out by the ride at all.

 

--Robb

 

On that note, my friend (the girl who was the fastest to give up her bra during TPR Quest!) thanked me profusely for taking her to Kings Dominion and making her ride I305, and claimed the ability to fight a bear after riding for the first time. And she (and I and the other two people we were with) loved every second of ERT. So thanks again for that!

 

And I305 certainly craps all over a lot of other rides. At the moment, I prefer Maverick and El Toro, but I'm excited to see how they fare after they're done with the modifications this winter!

[dragonskeep]

I am planning to go early in the summer and hope it means no trims when I ride. The folks from the park have all said that hopefully we will be able to remove the trims, that isn't assuring at all. I hope I am wrong but this doesn't seem like enough of a fix to remove the trims. Less G's but longer duration. That's what I see anyway.

Even with the trims it's in my top 5 steel coasters. I rode it before and after the trims, and I didn't feel like the trims made that much of a difference. If someone who didn't like the ride with the trims, they probably wouldn't like the ride without them either.

 

Well that's encouraging to here, I am looking forward to riding. It would be easy to like that ride with or without trims. But in a perfect world roller coasters would get brought to there highest point and let go. I firmly belive the final version will have a trimmed drop and I am glad to here you liked it both ways. Surely worth a day driving to check it out.

[shivtim]

I rode I-305 with the trims and it was good, but not great. I know mine is a minority opinion, but the trims killed the first drop and the overhead restraints limit airtime and were too restrictive. Still, it was a fairly fun ride, and probably sits somewhere just outside of my top 30 steel coasters. I still prefer Millennium Force by a long shot - the two rides aren't even comparable in my book. I'll be very interested to see how the re-profiling/re-triming on I-305 goes.

 

Also, for what it's worth, I like I-305 better than Carowind's Intimidator.

[bill_s]

^^ Yeah, I would bet that many of those who have the advantage of having I305 within a reasonable distance and visit the park often would have the opinion that the coaster is less exciting to them. I personally, cannot wait until I ride again in May or June. I could make the judgement of how this coaster ranks in the national nor world aspect, but regionally (Mid-Atlantic), It IS the BEST coaster none the less. Some may argue Apollo's Chariot, Nitro or El Toro may be better but I would disagree.

 

Well 305 is local to me and I do love it, maybe it's that I presume a lot of coasters I haven't ridden are better than they are? What I disagree with is that the 2nd version of I305, was as good as the first. I also just have trouble with the idea that a coaster could be one of the best in the world that has a brake that yanks you out of airtime before it even reaches its peak. It just makes it a lot more likely your itch will be about as effectively scratched closer to home. What it takes away is the MARGIN of superiority which made 305's status almost a no-brainer. And that first version will probably be the only one where it seemed obvious it was too intense to be allowed to remain unchanged.

 

I have a lot of trouble rating coasters, in some ways FoF and Volcano are better rides but for different reasons. Apollo is always going to be better for floater air, that's what it does. I think the high-speed curvey thing of 305 is awesome and I'm so glad someone finally did it. But I also loved the amount of ejector air and that has really been cut back. It is possible the new version will be the best for air yet, even with some braking, by improving how and when the braking occurs.

 

I firmly belive the final version will have a trimmed drop and I am glad to here you liked it both ways. Surely worth a day driving to check it out.

 

Sure seems like a lot of trouble to go to, to still have a trimmed drop. I would prefer that they not be needed, or 2nd that they be put elsewhere especially later (it's not the drop itself that needs them). But I can see a scenario of that: the first turn is made enough bigger to allow the speed to get air over the hill and be a bit faster through the rest. ~Half the trims are moved back to the 75' hill. Each trim is far less obtrusive.

[coasternut]

I rode I-305 with the trims and it was good, but not great. I know mine is a minority opinion, but the trims killed the first drop and the overhead restraints limit airtime and were too restrictive. Still, it was a fairly fun ride, and probably sits somewhere just outside of my top 30 steel coasters. I still prefer Millennium Force by a long shot - the two rides aren't even comparable in my book. I'll be very interested to see how the re-profiling/re-triming on I-305 goes.

 

Also, for what it's worth, I like I-305 better than Carowind's Intimidator.

 

I agree with your thoughts on "In-trim-adator 305". I'd rank it higher than "top 30," but it's not in my top 10 list . I didn't ride it pre-trims before it became "In-trim-adator", but the new restraints (softer) made it more ride-able. I prefer the Carowinds Intimidator (B&M) to the Virginia version. I guess my problem with the ride (Maverick as well at C.P) is the abrupt change of directions for no reason what so ever. That seems to be the element that Intamin features these days. Other than that, I feel I got a lot more airtime on the B&M.

[willh51]

Dear Lord riding Intimidator nonstop at night at East Coast Bash was awesome. After six rides in a row I couldn't breathe.

[palmerleeberry]

Upon hearing that the INTIMIDATOR305's track was going to be widen so the trim brakes can be removed, I had to post a reply and say the Kings Dominion now has given me two reasons to visit that park (Snoopy's Starlight Experience is the other - does anyone else besides me have a pair of special glasses in which to see the lights as stars, hearts, or snowflakes?). Of course I was going to revisit Kings Dominion again because I have renewed my Platinum Pass, but now I have some good reasons too.

 

" And I do hope you have plans on revisiting me; I miss you in bed!"

[Wood Dragon 1988]

I've got to say that if the first turn is widened and trims are removed, I will be very excited to ride this coaster in 2011! I only rode last year after the trims on the first hill and new restraints were put on, and still really liked it but didn't quite feel it was top 10 worthy. I thought the blackout was a bit too much for me (while riding about 10 times during TPR ERT, I blacked out until almost the end of the second hill a few times). I expect to have a bit more comfortable ride and even more speed and airtime if these changes are made.

 

Now looking back at it, I feel KD and Cedar Fair did about the best they could given the hand they were dealt last year. They were able to keep the ride open almost exclusively throughout last season (and a new ride actually opened on opening day for once). As Robb keeps saying the insane snow fall the east coast had last January and February made opening on time and pre-ride testing almost impossible, but they found a way to do it. Most of my non coaster friends loved the ride as did most of my enthusiast friends. I do know a few people who thought the ride was way too intense to ever ride again, but that's really what you should expect from a coaster of this magnitude. And if they are able to market it in 2011 as being maybe "longer, higher speed throughout" or something like that they may be able to win a few more people back to the ride.

 

I said this after the TPR Bash and I'll say it again now, KD had lost me for a few seasons, but they have me back now for sure!

[Gigalyte]

KD posted to their facebook page a nolimits video of the wider turn coming to I305.

 

That Giga layout posted above is what the Westcoast needs, that thing looks like it will have amazing airtime.

[KDFAN]

That page is not official it is fan run. The only official KD Facebook is facebook.com/KingsDominionVA

[angryemobeaver]

KD posted to their facebook page a nolimits video of the wider turn coming to I305.

 

That Giga layout posted above is what the Westcoast needs, that thing looks like it will have amazing airtime.

Even though it's not official and it's not on the real facebook, what facebook is it on? I checked all the Kings Dominion facebooks and I can't find the NL POV.

[Gigalyte]

It not official my bad it is a fan made page and video the link is Fan made I305

[phantomfan93]

Not Bad, I'm fine if it will just take the trims away.

[KDCOASTERFAN]

That page is not official it is fan run. The only official KD Facebook is facebook.com/KingsDominionVA

 

I tried searching for it but came up empty handed.

[T-BONDIcoasterkid]

I hope that I will be able to visit KD next year. I rode I305 post trim and it is my favorite coaster! I love bothe Timmies but : 232

[KDCOASTERFAN]

I hope that I will be able to visit KD next year. I rode I305 post trim and it is my favorite coaster! I love bothe Timmies but : 232

 

Should've ridden it pre-trims,man the air on that 2nd hill was so intense I had a pain in both legs from getting thrown into the lapbar.

 

I'l love to see the park repaint rebel yell's trains to match the theme a litle better,perhaps they should retire the two red trains & repaint the blue ones in union blue on northside while repainting the southside trains in confederate gray?

[braztaz]

I think KD needs to do something with the connector pathway between Dominator and Ghoster Coaster. I know there isn't much space, but some food stands or games or something would fit... I just think it feels a little empty.

[imawesome1124]

I think KD needs to do something with the connector pathway between Dominator and Ghoster Coaster. I know there isn't much space, but some food stands or games or something would fit... I just think it feels a little empty.

I know, we left ECB early because I wasn't feeling good, and walking down that path it felt so... weird. Almost creepy since we were alone. In upcoming years I would actually like to see a giant Huss Frisbee or another big flat ride like that. But in the meantime get at least something to fill that empty spot. I totally agree with you.

[Mechanic]

I'l love to see the park repaint rebel yell's trains to match the theme a litle better,perhaps they should retire the two red trains & repaint the blue ones in union blue on northside while repainting the southside trains in confederate gray?

 

Or maybe just ditch the confederacy theme altogether and finally move on from a horribly bloody and divisive stain on our nation's history. I mean, it's been almost 150 years since the civil war ended. Why would we want to continue to glorify it? Just a thought...

[T-BONDIcoasterkid]

Because it is a cool theme for a coaster.