Kings Dominion (KD) Discussion Thread

[gerstlaueringvar]

This is a strange question. Premier LIM launch coasters like Mr. Freeze use a huge amount of electricity, how is Volcano's electricity use compare to theirs?

[Coaster_Fanatic]

To add on about Rebel Yell, my ride on it last month was simply amazing. The amount of airtime in the front row was fantastic! Extremely smooth for a 40 year old coaster as well.

[smallpox]

This is a strange question. Premier LIM launch coasters like Mr. Freeze use a huge amount of electricity, how is Volcano's electricity use compare to theirs?

 

no idea, but it's also right next to two other launched coasters -- Flight of Fear and Backlot Stunt Coaster (aka The Italian Job). they must have one heck of a power infrastructure. glad i'm not paying KD's electric bill.

[agerikson]

* Park employees & ride op's - most need to be trained by the Cedar Point staff. While I went back to the car to unload the backpack from the water park, my partner waited 15 minutes for a drink at the Starbucks at the front of the park while six employees were standing around looking clueless - he was not a happy camper. I will give a shout out to the older gent ride op (Bill?) at I-305. Guy has to be in his 70's and still does his job (in the scorching heat, no less) full of vim and vigor...other employees at the park should learn by shadowing this guy for a day to see what a model employee looks like.

 

That ride op is the best! His name is Dale too which is so appropriate for Intimidator plus his voice sounds like that of a race announcer. It is almost like KD went out of their way to headhunt the perfect person to operate I305!

[smallpox]

* Park employees & ride op's - most need to be trained by the Cedar Point staff. While I went back to the car to unload the backpack from the water park, my partner waited 15 minutes for a drink at the Starbucks at the front of the park while six employees were standing around looking clueless - he was not a happy camper. I will give a shout out to the older gent ride op (Bill?) at I-305. Guy has to be in his 70's and still does his job (in the scorching heat, no less) full of vim and vigor...other employees at the park should learn by shadowing this guy for a day to see what a model employee looks like.

 

That ride op is the best! His name is Dale too which is so appropriate for Intimidator plus his voice sounds like that of a race announcer. It is almost like KD went out of their way to headhunt the perfect person to operate I305!

 

i want to give props to Dale as well - on my recent trip there, he was telling jokes and interacting with the riders in line, it was great.

[Ccron10]

* Park employees & ride op's - most need to be trained by the Cedar Point staff. While I went back to the car to unload the backpack from the water park, my partner waited 15 minutes for a drink at the Starbucks at the front of the park while six employees were standing around looking clueless - he was not a happy camper. I will give a shout out to the older gent ride op (Bill?) at I-305. Guy has to be in his 70's and still does his job (in the scorching heat, no less) full of vim and vigor...other employees at the park should learn by shadowing this guy for a day to see what a model employee looks like.

 

That ride op is the best! His name is Dale too which is so appropriate for Intimidator plus his voice sounds like that of a race announcer. It is almost like KD went out of their way to headhunt the perfect person to operate I305!

 

i want to give props to Dale as well - on my recent trip there, he was telling jokes and interacting with the riders in line, it was great.

I think I remember him from last year. He seemed to be a pretty awesome guy and was doing an great job.

[mike541x]

Yes, Dale is awesome. I remember him being there when i305 first opened and I couldn't help but appreciate his enthusiasm and how much he enjoys his job. To be honest he's one of the best ride ops I've seen at any park.

[Barge84]

That guy is awesome! The first time we were in line on Saturday, I wasn't really paying attention. I thought that they'd changed part of the spiel before the "Gentlemen, start your engines" bit, because he sounded just like the recording. I-305 always has a solid crew.

[CPSFMMCW]

I see him there all the time. On one train operations, he'll tell stories while the ride is going. He'll also just be fun and always be super positive.

[3Mutts]

I remember him from our trip last year, he is really great with the spiel, he sounds just like a professional recording.

[Philrad71]

Dale...that's the name!

 

I couldn't remember the name for sure, but knew that he had been working I-305 for a few years because I remembered him from my last trip there and how enthusiastic & energetic he was for an older guy working at an amusement park. I sure hope that I am that way when I am his age and not just wanting to slap stupid, unruly people upside the head!

 

Oh wait...I already want to do that!

[Intimidator305]

I agree, Dale is the best. He definitely brings a smile and enthusiasm to riders every time I ride 305 while he is working. I've gotten to know him quite well and he'll let you snag a front seat ride if there's no single-riders in the front row line.

[Yamez]

Dale is a fantastic guy, and a great ride op. I hope he sticks around for some time, I don't think the park would be quite the same if he wasn't there smiling and hyping up the crowds.

[Mr Komar]

Question.. What rides have a on ride photo? And where is each camera located at? I'm going to Kings Dominion for the first time in June and wanted to get some on ride photos.

[Diamondbacker27]

Most, if not all coasters will have an on ride photo. They are pretty expensive if you buy more than 3. As for the cameras, it depends on where the park wants to place them.

[coasterbill]

Most, if not all coasters will have an on ride photo. They are pretty expensive if you buy more than 3. As for the cameras, it depends on where the park wants to place them.

 

What the hell are you talking about?

 

The cameras are always in the same place, they don't move around from day to day... and why is 3 the magic number of how many photos you can buy before they become expensive?

 

The camera on i305 is right before the brake run. I don't know where the others are off the top of my head.

[cfc]

Dominator takes your picture right after you finish the cobra roll. I think Volano's camera is located at the first launch. There's also a camera on Boo Blasters at the end of the ride. I don't recall if the log ride has one.

[Mr Komar]

OK thanks guys!

[mike541x]

I'm pretty sure the log flume still has it's on-ride camera but I didn't pay attention last time I was there. Anaconda used to have one at the bottom of the tunnel but that has been removed recently. I remember the camera would still take your picture but the photo booth wouldn't be open. Ricochet has one if it's still there (Haven't ridden it ride in a while).

[cfc]

^I'd forgotten about Ricochet's--it's on the first drop.

[Philrad71]

Yep, the one for the flume camera is still there on the final drop. I didn't see a camera on Anaconda and didn't see a booth at the exit, so assume that it's gone.

 

Besides, who would want to have a photo of them holding their spleen or grimacing in immense pain!

[Intimidator305]

Don't forget... Woodstock Express (Scooby-Doo) also has an on-ride photo. Everyone needs one of those!

[CPSFMMCW]

What do you guys think of Lance's post on screamscape today?

 

2015 - New Attraction(s) - Speculation Only - (5/30/14) Based on a fun discussion on Facebook about what Kings Dominion may have planned for 2015, I’ll share my own thoughts on the matter. Keep in mind that at this point, I’ve received ZERO rumors about any 2015 projects at Kings Dominion, so what you will read below is purely my speculation, based entirely on what Cedar Fair has been doing at some of their other parks.

And to cover this first… don’t expect a new coaster. Or at least not the big kind you are probably hoping for. I do wonder if something that uses coaster style track could be in the works however. I’ve never really been inside the mountain structure that serves as the home to Volcano: The Blast Coaster, but in the old days I know it used to house a few different smaller attractions, so I have to wonder if there may be room for one more today. Could Kings Dominion follow the lead from Canada’s Wonderland and build their own version of Wonder Mountain’s Guardian inside the same structure? Even if there really isn’t a lot of room, the park could build a separate and hidden structure behind the mountain, and simply run the new ride (or part of the queue) into the structure to make it look like the new ride takes place within.

Another idea may be to focus on the waterpark for 2015. It has been a few years since anything of significance was added to it and this may be the time.

One more idea comes to mind… perhaps following in the footsteps of Cedar Point and Valleyfair’s 2014 additions with a small collection of new flat rides, anchored by a Zamperla Disk’o Coaster. They are all good ideas, but I think I’d prefer to see the “Guardian” clone myself, as it is just a new and unique new concept and KD could use another themed dark ride.

 

I personally can't really see a Disk-O at this park, but I could definately see a WMG style attraction next year. The main reason I say that is cause the park has talked about how they have plans to renovate the mountain in the coming years. This would do it, alright! My only thing about that is that KD already has a shooting dark ride, while other parks like CP do not, so I don't think that KD might necessarily be the next park that would get it. I think other parks deserve it more. But don't get me wrong! I would love this at my home park.

[eddie200330]

After going to Hershey this week and riding the RXCC again, I have little desire for any kind of shooting ride. I personally don't care for them, and we were the only 4 people that went in and rode the stupid thing. Anytime we passed there wasn't a single person going in or coming out. I just don't find them exciting even in the least amount. I know kids may eat them up, but I just don't get the point. My 2 cents so take it for what it's worth.

[Fooz]

I was thinking that KD could use a ride like DiVertical. They'll be hard pressed to market a coaster, but a big modern water ride like that fits the park's image, can be easily advertised, and fills the need for a prominent water/splash ride in the park.