Kings Dominion (KD) Discussion Thread

[coasterkid124]

I second Skyrush. That coaster was built for pure intensity at all aspects. I don't think it gets the amount of credit that it should. The whole course was fast and the ejector hills and turns caught me by surprise.

[DILinator]

You guys are definitely right about Skyrush! Intense is a very apt description for that coaster! Definitely my fave at HP, and solidly in my Top 15 as well! I think if I got a chance to ride it more than once (went to HP for Twilight special only that particular time), it would likely climb in my rankings. As it stands, I loved it, but my most vivid memory of it is the infamous "thigh crush", which I think hurt my evaluation of it a little, in my estimation.

[kcurry11]

Lets be honest. Is KD really going to build another extremely intense coaster? They already have arguably the most intense in the world, so why would they build another.

[DonkeysWaffles]

Lets be honest. Is KD really going to build another extremely intense coaster? They already have arguably the most intense in the world, so why would they build another.

 

I think the next coaster will be on the intense side, but not I305 intense. Intamin is out of the question. Maybe Mack Rides. Probably a B&M wing or invert.

[DonkeysWaffles]

I enjoyed Fury, but much like Millennium Force, it seems more about speed (particularly in the first half) than about intensity and airtime (although there are some decent airtime hills on the way back to the station). This isn't a "bad" thing at all. For me, I305 has it all: speed, intensity, and airtime.

 

I305 has close to no airtime: KD's only coaster with good airtime really is Rebel Yell. That's why the next coaster needs to be some sort of B&M.

 

I found Fury 325 to have almost-Intimidator (not 305) like airtime on its hills.

[grsupercity]

I enjoyed Fury, but much like Millennium Force, it seems more about speed (particularly in the first half) than about intensity and airtime (although there are some decent airtime hills on the way back to the station). This isn't a "bad" thing at all. For me, I305 has it all: speed, intensity, and airtime.

 

I305 has close to no airtime: KD's only coaster with good airtime really is Rebel Yell. That's why the next coaster needs to be some sort of B&M.

 

I found Fury 325 to have almost-Intimidator (not 305) like airtime on its hills.

 

^ I know the first thing I say when I get of a B&M invert is wow that was amazing airtime

[kcurry11]

^ I know the first thing I say when I get of a B&M invert is wow that was amazing airtime

Seriously though, imagine a Invert with airtime. It would feel like your head is getting shoved up into the track above you. That would be freaky.

[Intimidator305]

I enjoyed Fury, but much like Millennium Force, it seems more about speed (particularly in the first half) than about intensity and airtime (although there are some decent airtime hills on the way back to the station). This isn't a "bad" thing at all. For me, I305 has it all: speed, intensity, and airtime.

 

This is exactly how I feel. All 3 are some of the best rides in the world, but Intimidator 305 still takes the prize for my favorite by a favorable margin.

 

I305 has close to no airtime

 

Intimidator 305 has some of the best ejector air I've experienced. It has close to no floater airtime.

[cfc]

I enjoyed Fury, but much like Millennium Force, it seems more about speed (particularly in the first half) than about intensity and airtime (although there are some decent airtime hills on the way back to the station). This isn't a "bad" thing at all. For me, I305 has it all: speed, intensity, and airtime.

 

I305 has close to no airtime: KD's only coaster with good airtime really is Rebel Yell. That's why the next coaster needs to be some sort of B&M.

 

I found Fury 325 to have almost-Intimidator (not 305) like airtime on its hills.

 

Hmm--have to disagree with your "I305 has close to no airtime" statement, as I've found that it has a few good pops of ejector air. And when I rode Carowinds' Intimidator last April, it had absolutely no air at all (Fury beat it in that department).

[Intimidator305]

^ I swear the trims hit harder and harder each and every season down on Carowinds' Intimidator. It's still a fun ride don't get me wrong, but it's definitely the weakest of the Cedar Fair hyper trifecta (Behemoth, Diamondback, Intimidator).

 

Cedar Fair isn't quite as predictable now with Matt Ouimet as head and the new direction the company is going - which is a great thing! Next year's addition definitely will not be a Triotech dark ride, so the question remains is 2016 or 2017 KD's coaster year? If 2017 is KD's coaster year then I'm expecting flats and a SlingShot for 2016.

[JonnyRCT3]

^ I know the first thing I say when I get of a B&M invert is wow that was amazing airtime

Seriously though, imagine a Invert with airtime. It would feel like your head is getting shoved up into the track above you. That would be freaky.

 

Pyrenees has an airtime-like hill before the breaks. And so does Talon and Patriot immediately before the breaks.

 

And Chinese Fireball has an actual camelback.

Link

 

I've never ridden one, but I assume there is some airtime during these parts of the pretzel loops on flying coasters.

Can anyone verify this?

[DILinator]

Hmm--have to disagree with your "I305 has close to no airtime" statement, as I've found that it has a few good pops of ejector air. And when I rode Carowinds' Intimidator last April, it had absolutely no air at all (Fury beat it in that department).

 

Wow! That's surprising to hear! I rode Intimidator (not 305) last month, and it had tons of airtime for me!

 

Speaking broadly again (not to a specific poster), I think a lot of this debate centers around somebody's personal definition of airtime. From what I've seen, there is a faction of enthusiast that does not seem to consider "floater" air, airtime - only "ejector" air. Personally, I enjoy them both, and (I feel rightly) acknowledge both as actual airtime. While a pop of ejector air is certainly fun, I have to confess: I think I actually prefer sustained floater air myself! Again, to each their own... I just think a lot of this dispute about intensity and coasters, boils down to people's opinions on whether floater air is "legit" airtime or not.

[cfc]

^Apollo's Chariot at BGW has much more "floater" airtime that Carowinds' Intimidator, which was braked to death when I was at the park last April.

[RollerManic]

I rode i305 for the first time yesterday, and it has some nice twisty ejector time. The floater hill was somewhat hard to enjoy as you flew through it so quickly and the hydralic restraints would lock further right before in the first turn. My problem in enjoying i305's airtime was surprisingly because of the sustained speed. When the entire ride feels like beig slammed like a semi truck, it is hard to appreciate the pops of ejector.

 

To be fair, I was pretty dehydrated in the morning (during both of my rides). So I am not going to rank i305.

 

I am not bashing on i305. It was pretty crazy. I just dont know what to say.

[DILinator]

^Apollo's Chariot at BGW has much more "floater" airtime that Carowinds' Intimidator, which was braked to death when I was at the park last April.

 

That stinks that your ride was trimmed so much! I don't recall that being a huge issue on my ride, though I did notice that in a few spots. I haven't been on Apollo's Chariot in FOREVER, but I loved it back then, so I wouldn't be surprised if it still was better than Intimidator. Sometimes, it's hard for me to rank two similar coasters, that I have ridden so far apart. Obviously, the more recently ridden coaster is more fresh in my mind, and seems better. But that is certainly not always the case!

[JonnyRCT3]

I rode i305 for the first time yesterday, and it has some nice twisty ejector time. The floater hill was somewhat hard to enjoy as you flew through it so quickly and the hydralic restraints would lock further right before in the first turn. My problem in enjoying i305's airtime was surprisingly because of the sustained speed. When the entire ride feels like beig slammed like a semi truck, it is hard to appreciate the pops of ejector.

 

To be fair, I was pretty dehydrated in the morning (during both of my rides). So I am not going to rank i305.

 

I am not bashing on i305. It was pretty crazy. I just dont know what to say.

 

I rode Intimidator 305 a few time back in April (8 or 9 times I believe), never once felt anything beyond slight floater. The backseat during the first drop is the best airtime this coaster has to offer. Which isn't saying much since the backseat on any coaster can do this. I was expecting more out of those three hills design specifically for airtime.

It was a very fun experience, and still ranks pretty high on my list. It's just that the airtime could of been better given the design.

[I305isadrug]

I rode i305 for the first time yesterday, and it has some nice twisty ejector time. The floater hill was somewhat hard to enjoy as you flew through it so quickly and the hydralic restraints would lock further right before in the first turn. My problem in enjoying i305's airtime was surprisingly because of the sustained speed. When the entire ride feels like beig slammed like a semi truck, it is hard to appreciate the pops of ejector.

 

To be fair, I was pretty dehydrated in the morning (during both of my rides). So I am not going to rank i305.

 

I am not bashing on i305. It was pretty crazy. I just dont know what to say.

 

I rode Intimidator 305 a few time back in April (8 or 9 times I believe), never once felt anything beyond slight floater. The backseat during the first drop is the best airtime this coaster has to offer. Which isn't saying much since the backseat on any coaster can do this. I was expecting more out of those three hills design specifically for airtime.

It was a very fun experience, and still ranks pretty high on my list. It's just that the airtime could of been better given the design.

 

Slammed like a semi truck??? How much do you weigh??? it's possible your body couldn't handle it.... But lets face it, there is no other full circuit coaster that intense and probably never will be, or at least for a long time

[Password121]

My preferred seat on I305 is the last row because of the ejector air on the drop. The drop isn't as strong as the same row on El Toro, but it lasts a good half second longer. The main camelback, for me, provided floater the entire way through, hinting at ejector by the crest in the last row. The transitions for me were more about intensity than airtime, though there was still some to note, as well as the (insanely heavily trimmed) camelback on the final stretch. I took ten rides on I305--once in row 1, the other nine in the last car, and greyed out every single time.

[I305isadrug]

My preferred seat on I305 is the last row because of the ejector air on the drop. The drop isn't as strong as the same row on El Toro, but it lasts a good half second longer. The main camelback, for me, provided floater the entire way through, hinting at ejector by the crest in the last row. The transitions for me were more about intensity than airtime, though there was still some to note, as well as the (insanely heavily trimmed) camelback on the final stretch. I took ten rides on I305--once in row 1, the other nine in the last car, and greyed out every single time.

 

Ive never greyed out on the ride but the drop into the first turn is pure bliss. Never gets old

[I305isadrug]

My preferred seat on I305 is the last row because of the ejector air on the drop. The drop isn't as strong as the same row on El Toro, but it lasts a good half second longer. The main camelback, for me, provided floater the entire way through, hinting at ejector by the crest in the last row. The transitions for me were more about intensity than airtime, though there was still some to note, as well as the (insanely heavily trimmed) camelback on the final stretch. I took ten rides on I305--once in row 1, the other nine in the last car, and greyed out every single time.

 

Ive never greyed out on the ride but the drop into the first turn is pure bliss. Never gets old

Probably helps that I've never been close to being dehydrated haha

[RollerManic]

Slammed like a semi truck??? How much do you weigh??? it's possible your body couldn't handle it.... But lets face it, there is no other full circuit coaster that intense and probably never will be, or at least for a long time

 

Ok, yes, I was exaggerating a but for fun. Its just a line I like. And, no, there probably wont be another coaster like i305 (or Skyrush) for a while.

 

For those loving AP:

 

AP was trimmed to death. It is my least favorite of the B&M hypers I have been on. It has so much potential, but they have ruined it. Second hill, almost to the top, coming in with great speed, and *BAM* , a trim nearly as dramatic as i305's. (This was the part of the ride I looked most forward to; that dive into the turnaround, nearly missing Brewery Lake. The return had some fair ejector time, but it was just *meh* compared to Nitro. That Stengel like dive under the lift was also pretty trimmed, and instead of a snap through it, it floated pretty blandly past. And that "surprise" finale drop wasn't nearly as epic as it is made out to be. Above the average airtime for this coaster, but nothing to rave upon.

 

Such wasted potential.

 

I haven't been on Intimidator 232 to judge that one. But a hyper like Nitro would be the best at KD.

 

EDIT: v I was talking just in terms of a B&M hyper - which inspired layout would be best.

Edited July 17, 2015 by RollerManic

[I305isadrug]

Slammed like a semi truck??? How much do you weigh??? it's possible your body couldn't handle it.... But lets face it, there is no other full circuit coaster that intense and probably never will be, or at least for a long time

 

Ok, yes, I was exaggerating a but for fun. Its just a line I like. And, no, there probably wont be another coaster like i305 (or Skyrush) for a while.

 

For those loving AP:

 

AP was trimmed to death. It is my least favorite of the B&M hypers I have been on. It has so much potential, but they have ruined it. Second hill, almost to the top, coming in with great speed, and *BAM* , a trim nearly as dramatic as i305's. (This was the part of the ride I looked most forward to; that dive into the turnaround, nearly missing Brewery Lake. The return had some fair ejector time, but it was just *meh* compared to Nitro. That Stengel like dive under the lift was also pretty trimmed, and instead of a snap through it, it floated pretty blandly past. And that "surprise" finale drop wasn't nearly as epic as it is made out to be. Above the average airtime for this coaster, but nothing to rave upon.

 

Such wasted potential.

 

I haven't been on Intimidator 232 to judge that one. But a hyper like Nitro would be the best at KD.

I disagree, I think a ride like El Toro would be the best fit for KD. Or an Intamin Hyper

[alpengeist04]

^^Honestly, you're not missing much with Intimidator 232. Not to bash the coaster too much, but I found it to be somewhat boring in my 2 visits since it opened. I would rank it last out of all the B&M hypers in the US and I've been on all of them in the last couple years. If we are talking about which kind of B&M hyper would be best for KD, my vote goes to one similar to Goliath at SFOG.

 

^Of course, getting an Intamin Prefab would trump all B&Ms.

[grsupercity]

^ Or like an untrimmed raging bull

[alpengeist04]

^ I really did like the layout of Raging Bull, but the trims did kill a good amount of the fun factor. As is, I still have it ranked ahead of Intimidator 232.