Kings Dominion (KD) Discussion Thread

[CoasterGuy06]

How often does KD use multiple trains on their coasters? I remember back in 01/02 their GM at the time said they would not run multiple trains on most of their coasters during the week, regardless of how long the line was.

[Skycoastin Steve]

^Pretty much on weekends only. FoF and Volcano usually run two every day, but even rides like Backlot only use one train on weekdays.

[Coaster_Fanatic]

How often does KD use multiple trains on their coasters? I remember back in 01/02 their GM at the time said they would not run multiple trains on most of their coasters during the week, regardless of how long the line was.

 

I think all of the time they run Dominator with at least two trains, I-305 with 2 trains only on weekends and 1 train on weekdays. And they usually run 2 trains on Volcano (I think?). 1 or two on Backlot, and 1 or 2 on Flight of Fear. And for the rest of the coasters they most of the time run 1 train.

[CoasterGuy06]

Steve for comparison, how many trains does Carowinds usually run during the week? KD blows my mind when other CF parks run all trains even when the park is dead on weekdays (like KI).

[Geauga Dog]

Based on my Carowinds visit last year, and not sure if it's normal operation but this is how they operated their coasters on a Tuesday and Wednesday visit in mid-June:

 

Intimidator - 2 trains

Afterburn - 2 trains

Thunder Road - 1 train on each side

Carolina Cyclone - 1 train

Nighthawk - 1 train on Tuesday and 2 trains on Wednesday

Richochet - I want to say three cars

Carolina Goldrusher - 2 trains

Hurler - 2 trains on Tuesday and 1 train on Wednesday

Vortex - 2 trains

 

Is this similar to KD's operations?

[KDCOASTERFAN]

KD could eliminate the need for a Fast Pass on 305 if they would actually run both trains on weekdays. However, I understand that from a business standpoint, running one train = less staff, less wear and tear, lower maintenance costs, and people will buy Fast Passes. Still, it's annoying as hell when everything in the park except Volcano is a walk on and you still have to wait 20 minutes for 305 when there's a three train wait in the station.

 

This what I hated about the SF version of the system,in the years that I went before I stopped going in 08 they would be running one train on some rides just to increase the length of the wait in line making the average consumer see the line jumping system as a percieved value.I mean if there's hardly a wait at most of the rides then there's no need for guests to use the system after all.

 

I don't know how KD plans to "merge" FL users with the regular lines though....are they only gonna allow a certain number of people into the line,then close the line to wait for FL users to show up at a particular ride before allowing regular guests into the line again? sounds like that's what they're gonna have to do,especially at the older rides which can't easily have their queue lines rebuilt to create a seperate entrance with a merge point for FL users.

[Intimidator305]

I don't know how KD plans to "merge" FL users with the regular lines though....are they only gonna allow a certain number of people into the line,then close the line to wait for FL users to show up at a particular ride before allowing regular guests into the line again? sounds like that's what they're gonna have to do,especially at the older rides which can't easily have their queue lines rebuilt to create a seperate entrance with a merge point for FL users.

 

That would be rediculously stupid... They could just have the Fast Lane users walk up the exit...

[Skycoastin Steve]

Based on my Carowinds visit last year, and not sure if it's normal operation but this is how they operated their coasters on a Tuesday and Wednesday visit in mid-June:

 

Intimidator - 2 trains

Afterburn - 2 trains

Thunder Road - 1 train on each side

Carolina Cyclone - 1 train

Nighthawk - 1 train on Tuesday and 2 trains on Wednesday

Richochet - I want to say three cars

Carolina Goldrusher - 2 trains

Hurler - 2 trains on Tuesday and 1 train on Wednesday

Vortex - 2 trains

 

Is this similar to KD's operations?

This is pretty much correct across the board for Carowinds' operations during the week, except Nighthawk is always two trains as long as both are operational and have no mechanical issues. If they had one train running on a day you were there, then it was probably an issue with the 2nd train that kept it off the track. The only time they purposely go down to one train on Nighthawk without mechanical problems is when it rains. Hurler typically has one train (and is still a walk on), so I guess you caught a rare weekday with two trains.

[cal1br3tto]

This what I hated about the SF version of the system,in the years that I went before I stopped going in 08 they would be running one train on some rides just to increase the length of the wait in line making the average consumer see the line jumping system as a percieved value.I mean if there's hardly a wait at most of the rides then there's no need for guests to use the system after all.

That's silly, since it seems like no matter the cost of these systems, there are always some people using them on days when most wouldn't consider it warranted. Besides, with the way people are so obsessive over costs and value these days, I'd assume a lot of people would see right through that tactic (as has been shown, at least in enthusiast circles). I'm glad I haven't heard of that happening lately, and I hope it truly isn't going on anywhere.

[Synshine]

 

That would be rediculously stupid... They could just have the Fast Lane users walk up the exit...

 

That wouldn't work on ride with separate loading and unloading areas (Like Volcano, FoF, Boo Blasters..). They would probably need space to separate fastlane users from exiting guests to better distinguish the two apart and staff an attendant to manage them*. BGW's Quick Queue does it similarly in most cases, users enter on the exit or unloading side, but most or all had some form of a separate entrance or small queue to manage Quick Queue guest and keep them out of the way of exiting guests and vice-versa.

 

 

*I'm pretty sure it just another duty for the ride op on the unload side of the station at BGW rather than someone's specific task, so having a queue are for FL/QQ guests just makes there job a little easier.

[cfc]

I wonder if they'll be using designated rows just for Fast Lane people BGW does for Quick Queue.

[Synshine]

Now that I think of it, I wonder how BGW will handle QQ on Verbolten, the first big ride built since they started did the program. There last big coaster is a bit of oddball too- Griffon just gives you an express lane past most of the queue right into the station and no designated row (although I suppose that's just because it's a three-row, 10 seat-across anomaly..ugh, never mind, thinking out loud.)

[KDCOASTERFAN]

I don't know how KD plans to "merge" FL users with the regular lines though....are they only gonna allow a certain number of people into the line,then close the line to wait for FL users to show up at a particular ride before allowing regular guests into the line again? sounds like that's what they're gonna have to do,especially at the older rides which can't easily have their queue lines rebuilt to create a seperate entrance with a merge point for FL users.

 

That would be rediculously stupid... They could just have the Fast Lane users walk up the exit...

 

According to KI's facebook response they indicated that KD will probably do it the way KI does which is to merge guests in the regular line.

 

CFC: According to KI's page they don't have designated rows unlike the SF parks,hence the reason for merging guests at the entrance.

Edited March 4, 2012 by KDCOASTERFAN

[cfc]

Now that I think of it, I wonder how BGW will handle QQ on Verbolten, the first big ride built since they started did the program. There last big coaster is a bit of oddball too- Griffon just gives you an express lane past most of the queue right into the station and no designated row (although I suppose that's just because it's a three-row, 10 seat-across anomaly..ugh, never mind, thinking out loud.)

 

BGW is offering one "front-of-the-line" pass per day for Verbolten as part of Quick Queue Unlimited Plus.

 

We now return you to the Kings Dominion thread, which is already in progress.

Edited March 4, 2012 by cfc

[Synshine]

Right!

 

Anyway, however it's implemented it's welcome. Lines at KD have to be among the worst in the Mid Atlantic.

[molemaster43]

I went to KD in late June/early July 2010, lines were fairly short. The three woodies didn't have a line whatsoever. Ricochet had a somewhat long line, but they have low capacity so. Backlot Stunt Coaster, Volcano, Avalanche, and Intimidator 305 are the only coasters I think you'd have to wait for. Water rides weren't very crowded, but the log flume did have a bit of a wait.

[Intimidator305]

I go to the park many times a year. This is a park where the lines vary quite often and it just depends on the day... One thing you can bet on though is Volcano having a very long line all day long. It is still the most popular ride in the park and the capaicty isn't ideal, so get to the park at opening and go ride it several times in the morning.

[Nozzy]

I don't know if I just have really good luck, but both weekdays I went last summer had at least 2 trains on everything except Hurler (I305 started with 1, got a huge line, then ran as a walk-on the rest of the day with 2).

 

I've always felt lines at KD were always of acceptable length, except Volcano and Shockwave. Until I went to Haunt (which is a completely different beast) I had never had wait times more than 30 minutes for anything other than those 2. I'm a bit nervous how much waits will increase, mainly for Flight of Fear- I feel like Volcano can't get much worse and Intimidator won't really be affected if there's 2 trains (one train is a problem though).

[Intimidator305]

It's a wintry morning at Kings Dominion this morning!

 

http://www.facebook.com/kingsdominionva

http://www.facebook.com/intimidator305

"Doswell's very own winter wonderland! Who would come enjoy a magical, snowy day at Kings Dominion?"

"I-305 so peaceful in the snow...oh how things will change in just 30 days!!! Who's ready to ride??"

[PennStater]

If only we could ride I305 in the snow!

[cfc]

I rode the Big Bad wolf during a snowstorm once. Came off with the worst case of brain freeze ever thanks to being showered with freezing water during the entire ride.

 

I imagine I305 could bring on frost bite.

[Skycoastin Steve]

^That must have been before they had restrictions for running roller coasters in the cold.

[cfc]

^Alpengeist wasn't running that day because it was two cold, and I don't think Apollo's Chariot was either. But those old Arrows were made of sterner stuff, so you could ride both BBW and the Loch Ness Monster that day.

 

We now return you to the KD thread, which is already in progress.

[KDCOASTERFAN]

If only we could ride I305 in the snow!

 

Talk about a major brain freeze,during haunt at night I'm usually so cold from riding(even with a jacket & gloves on) that I could only go for about two laps before calling it quits.

[Intimidator305]

Thanks to mild winter weather — despite's Monday's snow — Kings Dominion is on time to complete construction of two major attractions for its 2012 season.

 

The Hanover County theme park expects to have its new WindSeeker swing ride and the Dinosaurs Alive! interactive exhibit ready to open April 6.

 

"So far, knock on wood, we are on schedule," Pat Jones, Kings Dominion's vice president and general manager, said in a statement.

Read the full article here: http://www2.timesdispatch.com/business/2012/mar/06/tdbiz03-biz-to-go-kings-dominions-new-attractions--ar-1742785/

 

Also, KDFansite's Facebook status today was:

Windseeker was spotted testing from 95 today! Testing is in full force! Who will be at opening day to seek some wind?!

 

So basically full testing has begun and both attractions are scheduled to open on opening day (Good Friday, April 6th).