Kings Dominion (KD) Discussion Thread

[kickflipbacktail]

Why has Intimidator 305 been closed for so long? My friend Joey just went last week with a big group of people at it was still closed!

[i<3coasters]

Why has Intimidator 305 been closed for so long? My friend Joey just went last week with a big group of people at it was still closed!

Per Screamcape:

 

(7/25/13) More bad news for those hoping to ride Intimidator 305 at Kings Dominion. According to Screamscape sources the train has finally been removed from the lift hill so the repairs can begin, but we shouldn’t expect to see the ride reopen until late August or early September at this point.

(7/14/13) More bad news for the while Intimidator 305 problem… word has it that the ride is closed while they wait for some kind of custom gear box part to be made to repair the cable lift hill system.

 

I think that's the most we have right now...

[TunaSled]

Well, we are here in Doswell at the Days Inn right across from the KD parking lot. My first visit ever will be tomorrow and we will be crashing the gate nice and early. I know we are hosed for I305. Can anyone offer advice on how to best attack this park? I do know from this thread that Volcano's line gets long quick. How should we approach? We have 2 park days.

[cfc]

Definitely hit Volcano first thing, and get in a couple of rides (save Dominator for later in the day). I don't imagine crowds will be much of a problem on a weekday, though.

Edited August 5, 2013 by cfc

[TunaSled]

Definitely hit Volcano first thing, and get in a couple of rides (save Dominator for later in the day). I don't imagine crowds will be much of a problem on a weekday, though.

Thanks for the advice. As for saving Dominator, is it a fast loader? Lines don't get bad even with I305 unavailable?

[Sir Clinksalot]

Just realized that a year ago right now we were enjoying some kick ass ERT at KD and some incredible night rides on I305.

[cfc]

Definitely hit Volcano first thing, and get in a couple of rides (save Dominator for later in the day). I don't imagine crowds will be much of a problem on a weekday, though.

Thanks for the advice. As for saving Dominator, is it a fast loader? Lines don't get bad even with I305 unavailable?

 

People tend to hit Dominator first because it's the first big ride they see (it's near the park entrance); so, it can get a bit mobbed at opening, but the crowd gets smaller later in the day.

 

But, as I said, a weekday shouldn't be too busy.

[TunaSled]

Awesome, thanks again. Really looking forward to this, despite our star being down.

[Woodie Warrior]

Who manufactured Grizzly? I thought it was PTC, but I checked their website and it doesn't list it.

[willh51]

Grizzly was designed by Curtis D. Summers and made by Taft Broadcasting/Taft Attractions. PTC made the trains.

[Spideyfreak]

^Good times.

[TunaSled]

Just got back from day 1. A few thoughts:

 

Richmond/DC locals, you have a nice park. Be proud. So many trees! The whole layout is remarkably similar to Kings Island, and just as clean. We can't wait to do the whole thing again tomorrow but we did nail almost every single ride today, save i305 and a couple flats.

 

We did Volcano first as prescribed. What a blast (haha see what I did there). As much as I already knew about this coaster coming in, the launch still kicked my a$$! We got on what I think was the second train of the day. So much fun.

 

Then we couldn't resist the draw of a two-sided Topspin in the way of Crypt, with the water and fire effects fully working! We were only exposed to KI Crypt while it was still around, you guys are spoiled! It was a blast and we swore this would be one of our night rides but alas, within a half hour of our ride it went down. It came back up a couple times throughout the day we are told, but any time we came back around that way it was still down. So, no night ride.

 

Next was Avalanche, very cool that this is still here to experience. My home park Cedar Point as you all know neutered Avalanche Run by enclosing it and including some terrible effects and now removed it so this was a nostalgia trip for me. Thanks for this, KD.

 

Up to FoF. I have a hard time discerning the nuances between this and KI's version. I want to believe that they are identical but somehow I feel slight differences. The first half seems more intense, like maybe the launch is slightly faster? You know how perception is day to day, I'm probably wrong. No photo on the launch, likely there used to be when it was profitable. KI still has ride photos. The second half, after the mid brake, seemed sluggish in comparison. But the corkscrew finish was strong.

 

Checked Anaconda. 20 more minutes until it will be available. We shall return.

 

Backlot... I love this thing, this I know. Fun little Premier launcher. Short line, we got right on. Fun as expected, but the water, fire and copter effects were all not working. This was unexpected after our positive experiences with Crypt, Volcano and FoF (theming and effects). Bummer since our last visit to KI had at least the copter and fire. Water has been gone for years (I'm speaking of the "gas leak" effect, not water in the trough at the end. KD still has it, KI does not).

 

We then grabbed some really fresh fries from Chicken Shack, they were brilliant. Normally I would call them average park fries, but they just opened the stand and they so perfectly hit the spot, and a future comparison made them really shine. More on that later.

 

Anaconda is ready. A very satisfying ride! I expected a routine Arrow headache but we were rewarded with a fun ride. I'll hit this again tomorrow. The mid course brake (almost to a dead stop) was disappointing but the arrow jerk-and-curves right after probably justified it. Good finish to a fun jaunt.

 

We pass the Scrambler. The wife and I love these to death, casting back to childhood carnival days, so we ride them at every park that has one. Not yet, we vow for later.

 

Boo Blasters: Charming and cool queue area! KI's has very little outside line then a cool holding room with spooky effects. Not sure which one wins here. But the ride itself, 4 man vehicles and all guns (and interactive scenery) working perfectly, KD edges here. What a fun dark ride. I do wish it was still Scooby-Do themed, but oh well... I pulled a sweet 1620. Lead my car.

 

Over to Dominator: again, thank you wise forum gurus and KD pros, our wait at this time was a mere 20 minutes (compared to a 1 hour initial wait as reported by other guests). What a hoot! I love this thing. For a first timer, this completely saved the day for i305 being down. Well the combo of this and Volcano and great weather and good company. The speed. The sheer unexpected speed. I pray that this never gets overtrimmed like so many other good coasters do. This made history for us, our first floorless. Tomorrow we crash the gate and try to get an early 1st row ride!

 

Lunchtime: Bubba Gump's - Er, Outer Hanks. Ok shrimp, Ok fish, terrible slaw and fries. This is where we deemed our earlier Chicken Shack fries AMAZING. these were that bad. Old, overfried. I doused mine with malt vinegar and still didn't eat half of them. I never do that, I'm a naked-and-salt guy. I couldn't even mask it, they were that bad.

 

Starbucks is Starbucks. We got coffee. Much needed, soul-satisfying caffeine. Re-invigorated.

 

Flying Eagles: Never did this before. Kind of neat in principle. We liked it.

 

Hurler... ouch! Nobody warned me about this kidney killer. At least we scratched it off our dance card but wow... will not repeat.

 

I think it's natural at this point to ride Ricochet. It's right here, and there is no way Hurler is going to draw me back to this corner again. Great mouse! What a cool layout, I have to wonder if the wedge of cheese shape was designed for the space given or the ride was designed first. Totally neat.

 

Grizzly: Now this is how a medium-small woodie should ride. Fun ride, couple good airtimes, didn't murder my spine. I'd repeat this.

 

Tried to board Rebel Yell, folks coming out the in door saying it was down. went up anyway, we were told "soon".

 

Shock Wave: I (we) hate stand-ups. Not the comedians, the coasters. But despite the awkward "cars" and restraints, this was a gigglefest. I'm not in a hurry to repeat, but I didn't hate it the way I used to hate Iron Wolf and still to this day Mantis (Mantis has a great layout, please Cedar Fair put someregular trains on it).

 

Triple play. Drop Tower (not me but half of my party, I have problem with these things).

 

Rebel Yell! Standard wooden racer, but not too rough and really fun. slightly forceless though, I guess that's the price you pay for not having an impacted disk.

 

Berserker: What the ever loving fukk just happened to me

 

Dominator again: OMG what a good coaster. At the exit we happened upon a fallen sign: "WARNING: During the fall season, this attraction contains bees and wasps at elevated areas. Those allergic to these insects should not ride." What the hell?!? Yikes. This ride has a mile drop, this ride has seventeen inversions, this one has keyholes over water, but this coaster features BEES

 

Return to Volcano: We got to actually witness line jumpers being punished! How cool. Not ejected-from-the-park punished as always promised, but at least ejected from the ride AT THE BOARDING STATION! Nice. They were allowed to wait the whole (reduced by cheating) time, then NOPE. Sweet justice. B-but our friends are up there... even with protests they made it really far ahead. See ya.

 

Dusky time, we got wet. We hit White Water Canyon, the log flume (forget the name) then WWC again. Soaked. Who cares though, it's almost closing time and we don't have to walk around all wet the rest of the day. WWC is a really good rafter. The flume is average but fun.

 

Shopping, fireworks, hotel. So here I sit, showered, exhausted and satisfied. We do it all again tomorrow.

[cfc]

^The effects on Stunt Coaster are, at best, hit or miss. Sometimes the fire works, sometimes not. Sometimes the copter works, sometimes not. The water-squirting effects during the copter scene haven't worked in years.

 

Glad you had fun at KD.

[boughtontroy]

From Screamscape:

Screamscape sources tell us that Toxic Plague and CornsStalkers will be removed from this year’s Halloween Haunt line up. Toxic will be replaced by Zombie High and CornStalkers will be replaced by Miner’s Revenge.

[cfc]

It's about time they retired "Toxic Plague," but "Cornstalkers" isn't that old; still, it'll be good to see new mazes at the event.

[palmerleeberry]

^Or as they would say at CLUB BLOOD:

 

"We can always use some new blood inside this establishment!"

 

And speaking about new blood: any word about The Intimidator 305 being brought back to life?

 

"I think somebody better call Doctor Frankenstein!!!"

 

35 YEARS OF GOING TO kINGS dOMINION - AND COUNTING!!!

[cfc]

^Come to think of it, Club Blood is pretty old, too.

[alilstronger]

From Screamscape:

Screamscape sources tell us that Toxic Plague and CornsStalkers will be removed from this year’s Halloween Haunt line up. Toxic will be replaced by Zombie High and CornStalkers will be replaced by Miner’s Revenge.

 

Good Cornstalkers was terrible.

 

Club Blood has the best theming of all the haunted attractions.

 

Now if only they were scary.

[cfc]

I'm not usually "scared" as much as amused at Haunt and Howl-o-Scream. I like the Halloween atmosphere.

[stricklandCC]

^Same here. I go to haunt by myself typically and have a great time, not from the scares but the Halloween environment.

[alilstronger]

I am weird. If I go to a advertised scary event I want to be scared and/or terrified. The sad thing I scare so easily but never at amusement park haunted attractions. Well minus Knoebels Haunted Antique Cars - they were pretty scary to me.

[cfc]

^Eh--nothing "weird" about that. It is pretty startling when the "monsters" jump on the cars at Knoebels.

[Aceattack52]

I'm not usually "scared" as much as amused at Haunt and Howl-o-Scream. I like the Halloween atmosphere.

Yeah these ScreamScape posts are feeling like rumors for new rides.

[Intimidator305]

Apparently Miner's Revenge is replacing Camp Killauee and Zombie High is replacing Toxic Plague.

 

I'm interested to see how these turn out! I'm happy Camp Killauee is getting replaced as that was one of the weaker mazes.

[mhuffva]

^Come to think of it, Club Blood is pretty old, too.

 

I agree Chuck. "Club Blood" is getting a little old. Don't get me wrong, the park has tweaked the maze a couple of times over the years it has existed; but, I think it is time to retire this one and go for a totally different theme. Plus, you can always bring it back in 4-5 years. Because of its elaborate themeing/detail, I assume the park is trying to milk it for all its worth.

 

Matter of fact "Club Blood" and "Toxic Plague" are the oldest running indoor mazes. Followed by "Doll Factory", "Medieval Macabre", and "The Dominion Meat Factory". I would not be surprised to see a couple of those mazes retired in 2014.

 

Most scare-zones in 2012 received major upgrades or were new. So, I don't see any changes there. The only scare-zone that I thought needed to be upgraded or replaced was "Feary Tales" (on the path running from the Eiffel Tower to the Dogem building). It appeared to me that Kings Dominion was understaffed in scare-actors for 2012 and that was reflected in the fewer number of folks in the scare-zones. Hopefully, the park can get more positions filled this year.

 

I believe that we should be getting at least 2 new live shows for this year (replacing the shows on the International Street Bandstand and the Kings Dominion Theater). Not sure if Blood Drums is returning. The park stated that there will be 5 shows for Haunt. I assume at least one of those shows will be for kiddies. I guess the 3D Haunted House movie will be back in the Action Theater.

 

I