Kings Dominion (KD) Discussion Thread

[Password121]

^Umm... how is preferring Kings Dominion to Kings Island "trolling"?

 

As a general rule I follow, if it's really had to tell if someone's trolling, they're probably not. It's just an unpopular or stupid (or in this case, not in your exact line of thinking) opinion.

[DILinator]

Granted, I'm not a local, and yes, as a person who feels the nearest CF park to him is constantly getting the shaft (but legitimately, at least), I get it... Still, I'm always surprised in this thread at the attitudes of some KD fans who feel their park is neglected! I have very positive memories of KD from the only time I visited it, way back in 2002, and to my eyes, it only seems to have been improved by leaps and bounds since then! So I'm unsure as to why so many KD fans think CF doesn't care about KD, when clearly, it's a very nice Amusement Park!

[madmax]

Granted, I'm not a local, and yes, as a person who feels the nearest CF park to him is constantly getting the shaft (but legitimately, at least), I get it... Still, I'm always surprised in this thread at the attitudes of some KD fans who feel their park is neglected! I have very positive memories of KD from the only time I visited it, way back in 2002, and to my eyes, it only seems to have been improved by leaps and bounds since then! So I'm unsure as to why so many KD fans think CF doesn't care about KD, when clearly, it's a very nice Amusement Park!

 

Nobody thinks it's neglected. We're just ticked off we're getting the coaster shaft in favor of the same parks.

[madmax]

With KI getting a GCI and not a giga this year, there's hope for KD getting a good attraction this year and not getting screwed in the a** again.

 

I'll take "Rebuilt Hurler" for 2017, Alex

 

Unfortunately I won't. Hurler is just a terrible ride. It's layout is too boring for GCI to do anything to it (unless they re-imagine the entire layout). RMC might make work their magic...

 

But quite honesty I'd rather they just burn the thing to the ground. Even the ashes would make a better attraction.

[I Like Theme Parks.]

I was at the park Tuesday. I don't know if the Flyers have gotten better or if people saying they're "unsnappable" just don't know what they're doing. I find the KD flyers to be very easily snapped, to the point of being told to stop by the operator. Give them another shot.

 

Also has anyone been on the Carowinds Hurler since the GCI refurb? It's hard to imagine it was worth it, the layout just isn't that great.

I'm pretty sure that they're Bisch-Rocco Flyers that had some work on it done by Larson. But it's not a Larson entirely, so I could see how it could snap. I mean, the "unsnappable" flyers at Lake Compounce were snapping like crazy and was the best flat ride in the park. So I follow the rule that it's not a Larson, it can snap. Even when other people don't agree, that rule always seems to work for me no matter what.

[njcoasterguy34]

Is it considered snapping when one of the cables attached to the flyer becomes slack and then tightens back up again? If so, then I think I snapped the ones at Knoebels without even trying to.

[DILinator]

Granted, I'm not a local, and yes, as a person who feels the nearest CF park to him is constantly getting the shaft (but legitimately, at least), I get it... Still, I'm always surprised in this thread at the attitudes of some KD fans who feel their park is neglected! I have very positive memories of KD from the only time I visited it, way back in 2002, and to my eyes, it only seems to have been improved by leaps and bounds since then! So I'm unsure as to why so many KD fans think CF doesn't care about KD, when clearly, it's a very nice Amusement Park!

 

Nobody thinks it's neglected. We're just ticked off we're getting the coaster shaft in favor of the same parks.

 

Um... So what you're saying is that you're getting neglected in the coaster department? Because that's exactly what I was referring to in my original post - KD fans feel their park isn't getting the attention from CF when it comes to coasters, that they deserve. That's exactly what you just acknowledged feeling, so...

 

My point still stands... KD has a fantastic collection of coasters as is, better than when I was there, and yet, you're unhappy because Cedar Point gets more coasters? Did you ever seriously think Cedar Fair wasn't going to put the most coasters in their crown jewel park, the place that started the entire company, and is known as "The Roller Coaster Capital of the world"? You have a Giga coaster... One of only four such coasters in the entire world! You also have Volcano, which is awesome, and one of the most unique coasters in the world! And then you have arguably the best Floorless coaster in the world! So I'm just not seeing neglect there, even in the coaster department... Again, feel free to check out MiA's virtually barren timeline of coaster additions since the 90's, if you want to see what neglect looks like!

 

With KI getting a GCI and not a giga this year, there's hope for KD getting a good attraction this year and not getting screwed in the a** again.

 

I'll take "Rebuilt Hurler" for 2017, Alex

 

Unfortunately I won't. Hurler is just a terrible ride. It's layout is too boring for GCI to do anything to it (unless they re-imagine the entire layout). RMC might make work their magic...

 

I do agree with you here, however! I just don't see a GCI refurb of a coaster that has been mediocre from its inception, doing a whole lot for the ride experience, unless it's massively rebuilt. That's why I feel like the only way to "save" Hurler, is to RMC it. Can you imagine getting an RMC Hurler next season? All these years of "neglect" will feel like a distant memory, when you're riding that baby!

[The Geek Mojo]

KD is definitely not neglected in the coaster department. They have the best coaster in the whole CF chain. imo.

[jarmor]

KD is definitely not neglected in the coaster department. They have the best coaster in the whole CF chain. imo.

They do? Did cedar fair lose some parks?

[DILinator]

KD is definitely not neglected in the coaster department. They have the best coaster in the whole CF chain. imo.

They do? Did cedar fair lose some parks?

 

[VACoasterdude]

I was talking with some ACE members at a SFA a few days ago. One of them mentioned he spoke with KD official who told him a new coaster was not in KD's future. He was also told Hurler was shut done because it did not pass a structural inspection. It's fate is uncertain as they are trying to determine how they are going to proceed. It was mentioned that Pat Jones wanted the ride saved and possibly retracked, but now that she is moving on to Carrowinds, who knows. It was also mentioned in jest that Hurler, Richochet and Rebel Yell will all be removed and replaced with a record breaking coaster in 2018.

[Sythe]

I was talking with some ACE members at a SFA a few days ago. One of them mentioned he spoke with KD official who told him a new coaster was not in KD's future. He was also told Hurler was shut done because it did not pass a structural inspection. It's fate is uncertain as they are trying to determine how they are going to proceed. It was mentioned that Pat Jones wanted the ride saved and possibly retracked, but now that she is moving on to Carrowinds, who knows. It was also mentioned in jest that Hurler, Richochet and Rebel Yell will all be removed and replaced with a record breaking coaster in 2018.

There is no way they are removing rebel yell AND hurler. Rebel yell is a classic. Plus those two coasters are the only real airtime focused coasters in the park...

[coasterbill]

I was talking with some ACE members at a SFA a few days ago. One of them mentioned he spoke with KD official who told him a new coaster was not in KD's future. He was also told Hurler was shut done because it did not pass a structural inspection. It's fate is uncertain as they are trying to determine how they are going to proceed. It was mentioned that Pat Jones wanted the ride saved and possibly retracked, but now that she is moving on to Carrowinds, who knows. It was also mentioned in jest that Hurler, Richochet and Rebel Yell will all be removed and replaced with a record breaking coaster in 2018.

There is no way they are removing rebel yell AND hurler. Rebel yell is a classic. Plus those two coasters are the only real airtime focused coasters in the park...

 

in jest

 

in jest

 

in jest

 

Oh and

 

Plus those two coasters are the only real airtime focused coasters in the park...

 

Also not only is this wrong but the park wouldn't care even if it wasn't. I also just wanted to give you a friendly reminder that I305 and Grizzly exist. I've never gotten any airtime on Rebel Yell or Hurler ever. I get more airtime on Dominator coming out of the midcourse.

[DILinator]

I get more airtime on Dominator coming out of the midcourse.

 

This is so true! That airtime coming off the midcourse, especially in the back, was quite good, actually!

[Sythe]

I was talking with some ACE members at a SFA a few days ago. One of them mentioned he spoke with KD official who told him a new coaster was not in KD's future. He was also told Hurler was shut done because it did not pass a structural inspection. It's fate is uncertain as they are trying to determine how they are going to proceed. It was mentioned that Pat Jones wanted the ride saved and possibly retracked, but now that she is moving on to Carrowinds, who knows. It was also mentioned in jest that Hurler, Richochet and Rebel Yell will all be removed and replaced with a record breaking coaster in 2018.

There is no way they are removing rebel yell AND hurler. Rebel yell is a classic. Plus those two coasters are the only real airtime focused coasters in the park...

 

in jest

 

in jest

 

in jest

 

Oh and

 

Plus those two coasters are the only real airtime focused coasters in the park...

 

Also not only is this wrong but the park wouldn't care even if it wasn't. I also just wanted to give you a friendly reminder that I305 and Grizzly exist. I've never gotten any airtime on Rebel Yell or Hurler ever. I get more airtime on Dominator coming out of the midcourse.

I said airtime focused... I305, Grizzly, and dominator are focused more on other things (like intensity or inversions) and hurler has some actual ejector air if you sit in the front seat. (Which surprised me) Rebel Yell also does get some airtime, especially in the back seat. Although it's not anything like the racer or something, it's still some good airtime.

[coasterbill]

Fine, I don't agree but it's up for debate. My main point is that I don't think you understand what "in jest" means.

 

Is it considered snapping when one of the cables attached to the flyer becomes slack and then tightens back up again? If so, then I think I snapped the ones at Knoebels without even trying to.

 

That tends to happen at Knoebels. Those flyers are the cream of the crop.

 

With KI getting a GCI and not a giga this year, there's hope for KD getting a good attraction this year and not getting screwed in the a** again.

If you ask me, Kings Dominion is still a better park than Kings Island even after Banshee, so just give KI some time to catch up.

 

Only 3 posts total?

Signs point to this being a troll post

 

I don't think it's a troll post. And actually I agree with it. Kings Island may have a better coaster collection (though KD has the best coaster overall) but KD's is quite good too. More importantly though Kings Dominion is a very, very nice park. It's much more heavily wooded on the main midway and over by Shenandoah Lumber Company and the car ride and it has a really nice feel to it. When I was on the main midway at KI I legitimately felt like it was just a crappy imitation of the one at Kings Dominion (I don't believe that's the case but that's how it felt).

 

From a personal standpoint (even though I know I'm in the minority) if the KI rumors are true it would probably put Kings Dominion even further ahead of Kings Island for me as it would mean even less trees in a park that gets very hot and to add insult to injury no log flume to cool you off. If I had to pick between a log flume and a GCI I'd pick the flume 100% of the time. I know most people don't agree and that's okay... but it's my personal opinion of the 2 parks.

 

Overall though I just come back to the fact that Kings Dominion is nicer. Kings Island feels like an asphalt park out in the hot sun. Kings Dominion is very wooded and has a great "Old Virginia" vibe. Aesthetically I've always thought that KD was underrated. Probably because Busch Gardens is right up the road but KD really holds it's own.

Edited June 10, 2016 by coasterbill

[Sythe]

Fine, I don't agree but it's up for debate. My main point is that I don't think you understand what "in jest" means.

Ah. I was a little confused about that but I was too lazy to look it up. (I'm not smart so expect that kind of stuff from me.)

Anyways I really do hope KD doesn't take down Rebel Yell . Was Thunder Road an ACE coaster landmark? If it was then Rebel Yell's days really could be numbered... Then what if Racer is next??? Oh the horror!!!

[ImNotOneOfYou]

With KI getting a GCI and not a giga this year, there's hope for KD getting a good attraction this year and not getting screwed in the a** again.

 

I'll take "Rebuilt Hurler" for 2017, Alex

 

Unfortunately I won't.

 

I wasn't the only one that saw this, right? The epitome of coaster enthusiast complaints. "My home park got something but I won't accept it."

[coasterbill]

With KI getting a GCI and not a giga this year, there's hope for KD getting a good attraction this year and not getting screwed in the a** again.

 

I'll take "Rebuilt Hurler" for 2017, Alex

 

Unfortunately I won't.

 

I wasn't the only one that saw this, right? The epitome of coaster enthusiast complaints. "My home park got something but I won't accept it."

 

I don't know how I missed that.

[DILinator]

Where's Luke Skywalker when you need to go buy some power converters?!?

[madmax]

Why would they remove Rebel Yell and Ricochet? Hurler is enough. So basically we would go from 14 to 10 coasters in two years.

 

And where did he get the record breaking coaster thing from?

 

EDIT: Just saw the "in jest" part.

 

Anyways if Hurler does get removed, why wouldn't they put in a coaster?

[Vonni]

I was talking with some ACE members at a SFA a few days ago. One of them mentioned he spoke with KD official who told him a new coaster was not in KD's future. He was also told Hurler was shut done because it did not pass a structural inspection. It's fate is uncertain as they are trying to determine how they are going to proceed. It was mentioned that Pat Jones wanted the ride saved and possibly retracked, but now that she is moving on to Carrowinds, who knows. It was also mentioned in jest that Hurler, Richochet and Rebel Yell will all be removed and replaced with a record breaking coaster in 2018.

There is no way they are removing rebel yell AND hurler. Rebel yell is a classic. Plus those two coasters are the only real airtime focused coasters in the park...

 

 

Carrowinds removed Thunder Run, also a classic and very similar to Rebel Yell. It is not impossible.

[BeansproutMidget]

If Rebel Yell is torn down, I would be super upset. After Carowinds did the same last year, the opportunity to lose our racing woodie is pretty plausible. I try to ride it as much as possible nowadays; I would hate to see it go. If anything, something else gets chopped before Rebel Yell, imo.

[ImNotOneOfYou]

Why would they remove Rebel Yell and Ricochet? Hurler is enough. So basically we would go from 14 to 10 coasters in two years.

 

And where did he get the record breaking coaster thing from?

 

EDIT: Just saw the "in jest" part.

 

Anyways if Hurler does get removed, why wouldn't they put in a coaster?

 

If they received 10 of these they would have 24 roller coasters, the most in the world. Remembering the removal and replacement of Shockwave, you're all about quantity.

[cfc]

It was mentioned that Pat Jones wanted the ride saved and possibly retracked, but now that she is moving on to Carrowinds, who knows.

 

Speaking of Pat Jones, here's the official press release regarding her replacement.

 

Kings Dominion Announces New Vice President and General Manager

Doswell, VA. (June 7, 2016) - Kings Dominion announces Gary Chadwick as the new Vice President and

General Manager of the amusement park.

 

Chadwick joins the Kings Dominion team with 13 years of leadership experience in the amusement park

industry. Most recently, he has spent the past nine years at Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina

where he served as the Vice President of Food and Retail Operations. He previously worked at Kings

Dominion as the Department Manager of Retail Operations from 2003 to 2007.

 

Chadwick began his career in the theme park industry in 1999. That summer, he traveled from England

to the United States as a participant in Kings Dominion’s inaugural season hosting international students

as part of the Work and Travel USA program, which continues to this day.

 

“I am very excited to be back where I started my career,” Chadwick said. “I love being able to work in an

environment that is dynamic and constantly changing. Kings Dominion is a fantastic park. I look forward

to the future and continuing to provide family fun to the region.”

 

Chadwick replaces Pat Jones, who served as Kings Dominion’s Vice President and General Manager from

2007 to 2016. She will be relocating to Charlotte to oversee operations as the Vice President and

General Manager of Carowinds.