Kings Dominion (KD) Discussion Thread

[boldikus]

You'll be there opening weekend? When are you going? I am tentatively planning on going Sunday. Is there a chance we may run into you?

 

If the weather is good we'll be there, though it'll be a last minute decision, not to mention our plans are up in the air as to which day we're doing KD and which we're doing BGW.

[steamedturtle]

I'm definitely going to go on the 23rd, TT or not, although I think it'll be ready. Would be nice to say hi to some of you guys.

[bgtlover]

Keetz, Anonymouscactus, and steamedturtle...thank you for the help. This absolutely answers my question. Platinum pass is a better deal than I thought. Looking forward to purchasing it.

 

You could go to Dorney Park with your platinum pass if you wanted to as well. It's about 3 hours north of DC. From my understanding, you wouldn't need a full day there unless you wanted to go to the waterpark. It could easily be a day trip.

 

Better yet: You can also go to Kings Island while you're in OH. It's about 3-3.5 hours from Cedar Point.

[Superbatboy]

I was going to say there's a high chance of TT opening with the park considering it's RMC's like gazillionth iron horse re-do at this point. Then I remembered the problems they had with Joker opening year and also the fact that TT has all new trains. So yeah, nothing is certain for sure.

[DaMarkSta]

Here's my thoughts on TT opening with the park,, it's looking pretty good. I'm going to media day for the ride and have already received 2 emails about details and times, with one of those emails coming this morning. I know a media event can still be canceled last minute, but I would assume if they were foreseeing any issues within the next 2 weeks they wouldn't be sending these confirmations. So as of right not everything looks on track for a day one opening.

[anonymouscactus]

Pass holders get 30 min early TT privledges on weekends. https://www.kingsdominion.com/tickets-passes/season-pass-exclusive-ride-times

 

Includes opening Saturday, so get there even earlier!

[steamedturtle]

Don't forget Apple Zapple! One could get a whole marathon done in 30mins!!

[Keetz]

Is this the first time Kings Dominion is getting regular morning ERT for pass holders? This is really exciting, should give plenty of time to get a bunch of rides in.

 

Has there been any news where the Fastlane merge point is going to be on TT?

[Satans Hockey]

Is this the first time Kings Dominion is getting regular morning ERT for pass holders? This is really exciting, should give plenty of time to get a bunch of rides in.

 

Has there been any news where the Fastlane merge point is going to be on TT?

 

I'm really curious to find out where the merge point is as well. I got the all season fastlane pass last year and loved it so I got it again this year. The price went up quite a bit but with twisted timbers being added I figure I'll get my moneys worth out of it.

[CedarFanboy]

If I'm looking at this right, it looks like no more ERT for Volcano. I really hope this isn't the case.

[CoasterAuditor]

I saw somebody on another forum say without ERT for Volcano they might not ride Volcano at all this season. It's a pretty tough sell to wait in an hour plus line for that ride for me as well.

[Afterburner]

I saw somebody on another forum say without ERT for Volcano they might not ride Volcano at all this season. It's a pretty tough sell to wait in an hour plus line for that ride for me as well.

 

You can still just get there at opening and get in a couple rides before the line builds up.

[CoasterAuditor]

^yeah that may be the only way I ride Volcano

[coasterbill]

I saw somebody on another forum say without ERT for Volcano they might not ride Volcano at all this season. It's a pretty tough sell to wait in an hour plus line for that ride for me as well.

 

You can still just get there at opening and get in a couple rides before the line builds up.

 

Yup... easily.

[certifiedcoastergeek]

Is this the first time Kings Dominion is getting regular morning ERT for pass holders?

Actually, this is the least regular morning ERT KD passholders have had in years (not complaining, just stating a fact). In the past (at least the past year or two as I recall), generally ERT was available almost every operating morning, with Volcano every day and a rotating second coaster (Intimidator on weekends, FoF on Tuesdays, etc.). I haven't heard anything about the FL+ merge point. However, I understand the change given TT's distance from the previous ERT rides, and from experience there was a fair chance that testing (especially with Volcano) would require the park to delay ride openings to regular opening anyway, so this may actually result more ERT on average than that available in the past ( ).

Has there been any news where the Fastlane merge point is going to be on TT?

Not that I'm aware of. I would assume that there will be a new one built, as I believe the old Hurler FL entrance was just the exit given the low ridership. If so, it will probably meet up somewhere with the old queue that is being rebuilt according to photos released.

I saw somebody on another forum say without ERT for Volcano they might not ride Volcano at all this season. It's a pretty tough sell to wait in an hour plus line for that ride for me as well.

There's actually still a strategy to beat the Volcano line even if it isn't offered. ERT means that passholders can enter the areas past Int'l Street 30 minutes before opening, meaning after a quick TT ride you can easily shoot over to Safari Village and be the first to queue at Volcano before non-passholders can get there. Not quite "ERT", but you can still take advantage of the ERT time window to guarantee a spot at the front of the line. No need to despair!

[bluestreak]

Quick planning question, we'll be there the Friday and Saturday at the end of spring break April 6th and 7th. Am I right in assuming above average crowds Friday and a fairly packed park on Saturday?

Friday we'll be coming in from a credit stop at Six Flags America so we won't be there till the evening. Then Saturday all day. Any strategic advice for either day? Any lines tend to die at the end of the night?

Thanks in advance for any advice! Can't wait to get my first coaster rides of the season!

[coasterbill]

Traffic on a Friday after 5:00 on I-95 South between DC and Kings Dominion is going to be hilariously miserable. Get out of SFA as soon as possible.

[bluestreak]

Traffic on a Friday after 5:00 on I-95 South between DC and Kings Dominion is going to be hilariously miserable. Get out of SFA as soon as possible.

 

LOL we plan on it. Probably gonna get to SFA at about noon and leave at about 3.

Edit* And if we somehow need more time at Six Flags we'll take SR301 to Kings Dominion. Stay off the highway

[steamedturtle]

Earlier than 3 would be even better. I can't overstate how miserable traffic can be in that stretch.

[CoasterAuditor]

Yes as somebody who lives in Stafford County right before Fredericksburg you want to not be on 95 as much as possible between the hours of 2pm-7pm between DC and Fredericksburg. It could take 2 hours just to go 30 miles.

[bill_s]

Rush hour on Friday starts at noon. You might even consider taking 301, only time I've seen it terrible is Sunday afternoon northbound but it is always tedious and Google tends to underestimate delays more than on the interstates. As Saturdays, my strategy is to not go before twilight on Saturdays. Don't have any more than that because last time I went Saturday daytime was April 2010.

[prozach626]

Not that I'm aware of. I would assume that there will be a new one built, as I believe the old Hurler FL entrance was just the exit given the low ridership. If so, it will probably meet up somewhere with the old queue that is being rebuilt according to photos released.

 

Maybe. Mystic Timbers, Banshee, and Valravn are some of the rides I can think of that were newly constructed and the FL entrance goes right to the ride exit. I think it really helps sell the passes. I haven't seen the pictures you reference, though.

[VACoasterdude]

Quick planning question, we'll be there the Friday and Saturday at the end of spring break April 6th and 7th. Am I right in assuming above average crowds Friday and a fairly packed park on Saturday?

Friday we'll be coming in from a credit stop at Six Flags America so we won't be there till the evening. Then Saturday all day. Any strategic advice for either day? Any lines tend to die at the end of the night?

Thanks in advance for any advice! Can't wait to get my first coaster rides of the season!

 

 

You might want to double check as SFA's calendar on its website does not show operating hours for Friday April 6. Kind of unusual as they are open 10:30 - 7:00p on Thursday April 5 and 10:30 - 8:00pm on Saturday April 7.

 

That being said, getting to KD via the Beltway over the Wilson Bridge and on down I-95 on Fridays is terrible and will start backing up before Noon and won't let up until close to 8:00pm. The Friday after Spring Break will be even worse, so plan accordingly!

[bluestreak]

Quick planning question, we'll be there the Friday and Saturday at the end of spring break April 6th and 7th. Am I right in assuming above average crowds Friday and a fairly packed park on Saturday?

Friday we'll be coming in from a credit stop at Six Flags America so we won't be there till the evening. Then Saturday all day. Any strategic advice for either day? Any lines tend to die at the end of the night?

Thanks in advance for any advice! Can't wait to get my first coaster rides of the season!

 

 

You might want to double check as SFA's calendar on its website does not show operating hours for Friday April 6. Kind of unusual as they are open 10:30 - 7:00p on Thursday April 5 and 10:30 - 8:00pm on Saturday April 7.

 

That being said, getting to KD via the Beltway over the Wilson Bridge and on down I-95 on Fridays is terrible and will start backing up before Noon and won't let up until close to 8:00pm. The Friday after Spring Break will be even worse, so plan accordingly!

 

Crap thanks for the heads up... I guess now we will drive straight to KD from home on Friday and spend the rest of the night and Saturday there then go to Six Flags on Sunday on the way home.

[RobertWord]

Has anyone ever stayed at the centerstone inn located right next to the park? I will be at KD Monday April 2 and that's the night of the national championship game. So I'm looking for a nice comfortable room to watch the game in after I visit the park.