Kings Dominion (KD) Discussion Thread

[CPSFMMCW]

I'd rather see a big face lift done to both grizzly and hurler. Anaconda would be nice too...

Something tells me that KD is done messing with Anaconda. The paint job and fountain splurt up is about it. I think they won't be doing anything else to it. Personally, I wish they would've just torn it down rather than try to spruce it up. Grizzly and Hurler though, I get. Hurler seems to be running a bit rougher this year and Grizzly seems to be running normal.

[Canobie Coaster]

I'd rather see a big face lift done to both grizzly and hurler. Anaconda would be nice too...

 

Hurler was amazing in 2006 when I rode it for the first time. It had just been retracked and was flying through the course. A few years ago was a different story.

[ScreaminNewEngland]

Hurler seems like a complicated coaster, lol.

 

I could see them do some sprucing up on both, the return of apple turnover would be nice..

[Schwarzillard]

Personally I would like to see shockwave go and a small family coaster or dark ride or even a few flat rides to be put in shock waves old spot.

[cfc]

I'd rather see a big face lift done to both grizzly and hurler. Anaconda would be nice too...

 

Hurler was amazing in 2006 when I rode it for the first time. It had just been retracked and was flying through the course. A few years ago was a different story.

 

It was a great ride the first year it opened, too. But it tends to beat itself to death.

[coasterchitchat]

I'd rather see a big face lift done to both grizzly and hurler. Anaconda would be nice too...

Something tells me that KD is done messing with Anaconda. The paint job and fountain splurt up is about it. I think they won't be doing anything else to it. Personally, I wish they would've just torn it down rather than try to spruce it up. Grizzly and Hurler though, I get. Hurler seems to be running a bit rougher this year and Grizzly seems to be running normal.

 

Cedar Point's corkscrew is a hot mess. No one really rides it these days. Same think as Kings Dominion.

 

I think that KD will get a water park expansion next year. If they go with RMC in 2016, I could see them doing an I-Box on Grizzly or Hurler. They already have an invert so a wing rider would fit well (if you ride in the back like I'm about to do on GateKeeper.)

[chargersmichael]

Personally I would like to see shockwave go and a small family coaster or dark ride or even a few flat rides to be put in shock waves old spot.

 

This. I also believe Shockwave needs to go. Something better should replace it

[djcoastermark]

shockwave isn't really that bad, just kinda bland imo. Way back when, it was one of the IT coasters. However, when we go there now we only ride it once if the line is really short as it takes forever to get on. Just like king cobra when KI had it. I've never had a problem with the seats as long as you know how to work it, etc etc. It might be around for a while as it still pulls them in (gp wise) and is reliable as far as up time goes. I can only see it going once it reaches its end of life. I do like where its placed in the park tho. Good use of a very narrow space with good visability.

[Schwarzillard]

shockwave isn't really that bad, just kinda bland imo. Way back when, it was one of the IT coasters. However, when we go there now we only ride it once if the line is really short as it takes forever to get on. Just like king cobra when KI had it. I've never had a problem with the seats as long as you know how to work it, etc etc. It might be around for a while as it still pulls them in (gp wise) and is reliable as far as up time goes. I can only see it going once it reaches its end of life. I do like where its placed in the park tho. Good use of a very narrow space with good visability.

 

 

I do agree with the load times, my friend and I were waiting for 40+ minutes with a line that didn't really go far past the station. As for the GP, there is always a line. However, when I went on it, the bunny hops hurt even with a low seat height. Also, the restraints felt like death contraptions. I'd imagine it's the same on all Togo stand ups. But yes, it gives KD a stand up, which many parks don't have. Overall, I think the only thing keeping it is the space it takes up and the reliability.

[Propeller Factory]

I find some compelling evidence KD is getting a new roller coaster next year:

1. Hypersonic station is still standing, and can easily be converted.

2. "Centurion" trademark still out there, and obviously "Fury 325:

" is for Carowinds

3. KD has never gotten a new B&M coaster

4. KD tends to follow KI and vice-versa, which would point to a B&M Invert.

5. "Centurion" could have a double meaning relating to the park's 40th Anniversary.

6. They spent relatively nothing this year on the 40th celebration except for the fountains and changing Volcano's station (total cost: about $1 million). KD is known for spending nothing one year, then splurging the next on a big coaster.

7. Hurler and/or Grizzly are on the chopping block - this is not a secret by any means. Removing one or both would easily clear up room for a GCI woodie, B&M invert, or possibly a Wing Rider (though not likely).

8. One day recently, while riding the Grizzly, I spotted some red track in storage, and it did not appear to be track for the Intimidator. It was B&M track. This is the biggest news yet!

 

So in conclusion...

Be on the lookout and please let me know about any conferences or details about developments on the new roller coaster next year. I live 5 miles from the park and cannot wait for a new coaster. ☺

 

*EDIT*:

I found a Google Earth picture to share of the track and supports:

Again:

THIS IS NOT INTIMIDATOR TRACK.

THIS IS B&M TRACK.

 

Sorry I'm reporting an old post but I've been thinking is too. It has been 5 YEARS since kd's last coaster, and the HXLC station is still back there. I think it would be really cool if they built something that intertwines with the grizzly and the rapids. And I don't think they would demolish hurler since they JUST retracked it this year.

[Propeller Factory]

I would really love for Kings Dominion to build a B&M hyper coaster like Apollo's Chariot at Bush Gardens Williamsburg for 2015 or 2016. That's just me.

 

YAAAAAAAAAAAAHS

[Propeller Factory]

I'm not a fan of Shockwave, but I'd rather ride it than many of the B&M stand ups. The first drop and loop are fun in the front row, but the rest of the ride is pretty shaky, and the restraints are very uncomfortable.

 

I rode apocalypse at sfa and I liked it much better then shockwave.

[Propeller Factory]

I'm not a fan of Shockwave, but I'd rather ride it than many of the B&M stand ups. The first drop and loop are fun in the front row, but the rest of the ride is pretty shaky, and the restraints are very uncomfortable.

 

Agreed. Shockwave is better than both, Vortex @ CGA and Mantis. I'm a CP fanboy but Mantis is crap.

 

I like the restraints much better on all b&m coasters because u don't have to mess around with a lot of buckles and stuff so, yeah. It's just get in, stand up, pull down the restraint, buckle in, and go.

[Propeller Factory]

Dale the ride op is a very nice gentleman and i see him every time i visit. He is a credit to KD and great with the riders. Watching riders come back from a ride is amusing. The ride OP says "How was your ride?" and everyone is silent and looks disoriented. AWESOME!

 

Dale is probably the best ride op I have ever had. He does a routine during long lines where he tells jokes.He's awesome!

 

Is that the old guy that does the voice? Cause if so, he's cool.

[Propeller Factory]

I'd rather see a big face lift done to both grizzly and hurler. Anaconda would be nice too...

 

Yes PLZ thank you

[neil009]

While we're on the subject of speculation, am I the only one that thinks Backlot Stunt Coaster is the coaster that most badly needs to be replaced? It doesn't make any sense since there are no other movie-themed rides in the park. It's ugly, outdated, takes up a lot of land, it's redundant (right by two other launch coasters), I'm sure it must be pretty expensive to run with multiple launches and the effects. Makes that whole area feel closed off, the ride experience itself is "meh"... need I go on?

 

I know between the aliens and NASCAR that end of the park is mixed-up theming-wise anyway, but Backlot *particularly* feels out of place, like a wannabe Disney Hollywood Studios ride.

[djcoastermark]

Backlot seems to be popular as a family coaster. It usually has a line waiting for it. The first time I rode it, I was a bit confused as none of the effects were working. I got what it was supposed to be doing, but it did take a lot away from the ride. Yes, it may be out of place, but it is a fun little ride, just wish they would get ALL the effects working and maybe even try to make it fit in appearance wise with the area a bit more. It seems a bit stark. I really dont see it going away anytime soon.

[Propeller Factory]

I love backlot it's a really good reride coaster. And it's like a stepping stone up to volcano and flight of fear.

[CPSFMMCW]

backlot isn't going anywhere. Its one of the coasters in the park that everyone in the family will like. Its pretty much Backlot and Avalanche, so if you remove one, you will get complaints. Plus it gets popular, and it can get a long line.

[Schwarzillard]

Backlot stunt coaster also is launched, so if KD removed it they would have a much harder time getting the "launch capital of the world" title. Avalanche is just unique, and is from Mack rides. I would like to see hurler go, not because it is rough but because I find it one of the more boring coasters in the park. I could see them remove any of the following:

 

1. Anaconda- unlikely - because of the minor renovations this year. Also it is in a challenging location.

 

2. Hurler- unlikely - low ridership and rough, even with the retracking. However, KD keeps sprucing it up.

 

3. Shockwave - maybe - it is in a tough location, but a family coaster or anything with a small footprint could go there.

 

4. Grizzly- likely - rough, low ridership, in an unpopular area of the park, could be taken down with hurler for a GCI woodie.

 

These are the possible coasters that could be taken down for a new coaster or dark ride. I think KD needs either an invert, new water park, family coaster, woodie, or B&M hyper.

[Jcoaster]

I can't see King's Dominion getting a hyper at this stage in the game. The GP would look at it as a down grade, "OH we already have one taller then 230 feet, it can't possibly be as good." I could see the park getting a nice new B&M though, perhaps an Invert or Wing-Rider.

[smallpox]

i think some kind of huge modern woodie would be perfect, especially if it replaced Hurler. i love Grizzly, but it has been dealt an awful hand with its entrance back behind the Dinosaurs Alive gift shop, and having its unique "through the woods" feel partially destroyed by Hurler's construction. maybe tearing down Hurler and Grizzly for one mega woodie does make sense (i doubt this would be happening next year though).

[Schwarzillard]

I definitely think KD's next coaster will be a B&M or a GCI, as those are two companies KD has no NEW coasters in. Dominator is an above average floor less, but it was relocated. As for the hyper idea, I would like to see them put in a "step down i305", as that would be very marketable as an option for people who don't want to experience the height/ g-forces of i305 but also want a good thrill. Any style of hyper (wing, invert, etc.) would not only be a good fit but may possibly break records.

[Geauga Dog]

With Busch Gardens only an hour away they need something different and the only thing I can think of would be CF's next wing coaster. They don't need an invert with Volcano nor a hyper since they have Intimidator.

 

Grizzly, IMO, is a signature ride despite it not having a high ridership. You can blame that on it being hidden behind the Dinosaurs Alive entrance and gift shop. I'd rather keep it than Hurler.

[Schwarzillard]

Grizzly, IMO, is a signature ride despite it not having a high ridership. You can blame that on it being hidden behind the Dinosaurs Alive entrance and gift shop. I'd rather keep it than Hurler.

 

I agree completely! The Grizzly offers the 2nd best night ride in the state (besides i305), IMO. I really like the tunnel and the turn inside. Sadly, most of the GP doesn't feel the same about keeping it (at least the GP that I've been around).