Kings Dominion (KD) Discussion Thread

[Philrad71]

Dear Kings Dominion:

Please add this in place of Anaconda.

 

Thanks.

Photo courtesy of Paul and Kelly - whoever they are.

[Mrlittle]

^ They already have a bigger version of that at the park.

[Intaman]

Dear Kings Dominion:

Please add this in place of Anaconda.

 

Thanks.

 

If only...

[XYZ]

I'm just wondering of what would be a good replacement for Anaconda and I thought something very similar to Divertical would work very well on Lake Charles. Unlike Anaconda, it would actually use the lake as a function.

[BigDipper 80]

^The thing is, all of the Intamin flumes use filtered lagoons. Unless the lake is filtered and chlorinated, I doubt we'd see a Divertical-type ride there.

[cfc]

Technical Rescue Day at Kings Dominion

Fire fighters and over rescue workers from the Central Virginia Technical Rescue Team came to Kings Dominion for Technical Rescue Days last Thursday and Friday (November 8-9). Kings Dominion has sponsored this event for 18 years, which involves fire and rescue workers from Richmond, Chesterfield, Henrico, and Hanover performing simulated rescues using the park's roller coasters. The park also hosted a larger, similar competition for rescue workers last spring.

 

This year's exercise involved two different scenarios:

 

1. Non-critical: A "catastrophic power failure" has stranded a maintenance worker (who is uninjured) in a crane 70 feet up in the air inside Flight of Fear. Rescue workers need to bring him safely to the ground.

 

2. Critical: A victim has fallen down a "shaft," and a rescue worker has to be lowered to reach him, then bring him up and out safely. This took place at Grizzly, and the same scenario was used during the competition last spring.

 

This is a great way for rescue workers to sharpen their skills, and Kings Dominion certainly provides a unique environment for training. TPR thanks the park for this opportunity to observe the exercise--and for the valuable public service the park provides by hosting it.

 

These training exercises are held quarterly.

 

Here are two brief videos showing rescue workers in action at Flight of Fear and Grizzly.

 

Inside Flight of Fear

[coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=Tech_Rescue_Day_KD_078_oq7v[/coastertube]

 

At Grizzly

[coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=Tech_Rescue_Day_KD_157_v866[/coastertube]

Good morning, Volcano. Sorry, but this report is not about you today.

Never, ever block the BIG DOOR to Flight of Fear!

It's about 80 feet to the top of Flight of Fear.

Yes, it's a long way down.

Lt. Stacey Harris, a Richmond fire fighter, explains how they're going to rescue the trapped worker.

One of the rescue workers mentioned that the ride was "an angle man's dream" because it was "anchor rich" for rigging.

The poor guy is trapped about ten feet below us.

He's dangling from this crane.

"Help me!"

"Don't worry--we're on our way. And we won't be sending . . .

. . . this guy!"

"Good! I don't want to be saved by some chunky coaster enthusiast!"

Help has arrived!

It took some time to set everything up, but the actual "rescue" took only a few minutes.

It was all quite interesting to watch.

Almost there.

Safe on the ground.

Matt Newell (Henrico Fire and EMS) describes today's training to a reporter from a Richmond TV station.

This poor dope fell down this same "shaft" at Grizzly last spring. You think he would've learned to be more careful.

He's in a pretty bad way.

Working on some rigging on one side of Grizzly.

The rescue worker will be lowered from this point.

And there she is.

Both sides have act as a team to make this work.

Almost ready.

Making adjustments while you're dangling so high up in the air can be tricky. The rescue worker can't use the railings lining the track below her, either--they're out-of-bounds for the scenario.

Ready to go.

Lower away.

I hope that guy is double- or triple-jointed. Otherwise, he's a wreck! That's all.

[rollin_n_coastin]

Very intersting and cool that the park continues to sponsor an important training exercise like this. Thanks for sharing some great pics Chuck!

[Voxelmatic]

Not everyday you get to climb around Flight of Fear! Thanks for the entertaining report.

[QueerRudie]

Incredible shots, Chuck. OL:FOF has been one of those great mysterious wonders of steel for me since 1995 (Scary, no?) when it was announced. Those angles are simply not covered by anybody- anywhere, and are astounding in every way.

 

And that poor schmuck on Grizzly... "DO NOT STAND UP" apparently doesn't apply to him!

 

R.D.

[ernierocker]

Really cool look at the inside Flight of Fear. Thanks for the update, Chuck!

[sspaz1000]

Great pictures Chuck! Glad Kings Dominion sponsors something like this!

[11slataus]

Is there a reason why FOF's corkscrew is yellow? Or is that just the light reflection?

[cfc]

It's yellow. Dominator's loop is yellow, too. I have no idea why.

[larrygator]

It's yellow. Dominator's loop is yellow, too. I have no idea why.

 

This was discussed at great length amongst the group I was hanging with at East Coast Bash. Verdict: It makes the coaster go faster.

[Philrad71]

Neat report, Chuck...thanks for sharing!

[coasterkyle]

Does anyone know why the last corkscrew on FOF yellow? just curious.

[cfc]

^It is a riddle wrapped in an enigma--perhaps one of those great mysteries that man was never meant to solve.

[thestripedtaco]

^ Or maybe they just ran out of black paint.

[simaticable]

Does anyone know why the last corkscrew on FOF yellow? just curious.

 

Does it really matter? You never see it anyway. The thing could be pink with spots, and no one could care less.

[Jew]

Very cool. Parks don't usually invite the press to these sort of things.

[coasterkyle]

Does anyone know why the last corkscrew on FOF yellow? just curious.

 

Does it really matter? You never see it anyway. The thing could be pink with spots, and no one could care less.

 

Calm down, I was just asking a question, it's not like I'm losing sleep over it. And sorry for asking the same question that was asked a few posts earlier.

[jray21]

Great report Chuck. I put on some similar training exercises at our water park, but nothing near this scale. Really cool to see how they figured it all out.

[Meteornotes]

Cool report. Nice to see the interior of FOF.

 

dt

[cfc]

Kings Dominion Raises More Than $40,000 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure

August “Pink Days” helps to raise funds to aid in cancer research and awareness

 

DOSWELL, VA. — Kings Dominion teamed up with the Central Virginia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for Kings Dominion for the Cure 2012. The special fundraiser was held at the park from August 1 through September 3 and raised $41,319.97 to assist in the fight against breast cancer.

 

“It is quite inspiring to see the support from our guests and employees during the month of August,” said Kings Dominion Vice President and General Manager Pat Jones. “Together, we all helped the Central Virginia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure , to raise awareness and funds toward finding a cure for breast cancer.”

 

During the month-long promotion, guests were able to purchase special “Pink Day” tickets online, with $1.00 from each ticket sold donated to the Central Virginia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure . Park guests and employees were also able to purchase a pink Snoopy, Kings Dominion for the Cure t-shirts, water bottles and drawstring bags during “Pink Days” at Kings Dominion.

 

Along with the pink Snoopy’s, International Street transformed into a “PINK” celebration. The International flags were replaced with pink flags and four large cancer survivor walls were located near the front gate, each with a personal story from a breast cancer survivor.

 

“We are so appreciative of the work of the Kings Dominion Pink Days campaign,” said Linda Tiller, executive director of the Central Virginia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure . “Their communications throughout the park raised awareness with the public about breast health and their donation will help to fund a community organization which provides screening, treatment and education to uninsured members of our area.”

 

Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: “FUN”) is a publicly traded partnership headquartered in Sandusky, Ohio. The Company, which owns and operates 11 amusement parks, six outdoor water parks, one indoor water park and five hotels, is one of the largest regional amusement park operators in the world. Its parks are located in Ohio, California, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Missouri, Michigan, and Toronto, Ontario. Cedar Fair also operates the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in Gilroy, California under a management contract.

 

Gene Petriello, Communications/PR Manager of Kings Dominion, presents a big check to Linda Tiller of the Central Virginia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure .

[Intimidator305]

I love that the park does this. Hope they do it again (for a 3rd year) next season!