Kings Dominion (KD) Discussion Thread

[hoppedup]

We got to KD at around 7 p.m. on a Saturday recently and a storm had just rolled through. There was a mass exodus of people. Sweet! So I checked the app and TT was not running, but Racer 75 was, with no wait, so we headed that way. While we were waiting to enter the station, we saw TT was running, so we boogied over.

 

There was only one train running, but we were at the bottom of the steps anticipating a short wait. The train was not getting out very fast so I timed a few cycles. From complete stop to departure was 3.5-4 minutes at first. I kept timing and the times were steadily dropping. They got really close to a one-minute cycle, but a walk of shame changed that to 2:16 after two attendants pushing couldn't get the restraint to green-light. We waited 45 minutes or so.

 

I explained to my daughter what an RMC conversion was. After TT she was excited that we had at least three more to ride this summer.

[Jpizzle]

I’m officially headed to Kings Dominion for the first time in about three weeks . Have a few questions...

 

1) How busy does the park usually get on weekdays in July? Would it be worth getting Fast Lane (Plus)?

2) Where are the best seats on the major coasters?

3) Since I’m doing the trip without renting a car, I pretty much have to stay in one of the hotels acros the street from the park. Which one would you guys recommend?

4) Anything else I should know?

 

 

I wouldn't rely on Volcano being open, but if it is it usually has the longest line. Flight of Fear and Twisted Timbers can get long as well. Unless you want to get quite a few rides on every coaster, I don't think Fast Lane will be necessary. Get there right at park opening and do the ones mentioned above first and you should be good to go. I can't really give any advice on hotels and such.

 

As far as favorite seats, mine are:

Back: TT, I305, Anaconda, Grizzly, Racer, Avalanche, Dominator

Front: All others

 

If you get multiple rides, I would recommend doing TT and I305 in the front too.

Good luck and have fun!

[cal1br3tto]

I believe that Kings Dominion's Volcano is dormant right now.

I see what you did there.

[VF15]

Thanks for all of the advice. That’ll be a bummer if Volcano is closed, but i305 and Twisted Timbers are the main rides I’m going for so as long as I can get on those two I’ll be happy. If it helps, I’ll be at the park for two full days and a few hours in the morning on day three, so hopefully it’ll open sometime within that timeframe.

[defrocker]

If you are going to be there for that long and for those reasons, I most likely would not get Fast Lane. Volcano will not be open, and that's the biggest reason for doing FL. I305 will be a station wait at its worst. TT will have a decent wait, but in all likelihood it will be less than 30 min, especially if it's during the week. The only reason for doing FL would be if you want to marathon TT. Crazier things have happened, and KD has been busier this year than in the past, but I don't see it being worth the money.

 

2 1/2 days is a lot of time to spend at KD. If it's an option I would certainly spend some of that time at BGW if that interests you.

[thrillrider]

If you are going to be there for that long and for those reasons, I most likely would not get Fast Lane. Volcano will not be open, and that's the biggest reason for doing FL. I305 will be a station wait at its worst. TT will have a decent wait, but in all likelihood it will be less than 30 min, especially if it's during the week. The only reason for doing FL would be if you want to marathon TT. Crazier things have happened, and KD has been busier this year than in the past, but I don't see it being worth the money.

 

2 1/2 days is a lot of time to spend at KD. If it's an option I would certainly spend some of that time at BGW if that interests you.

 

This!!!!

[CoasterAuditor]

If you're considering Fast Lane Plus for 2 days I recommend spending less money on that and spending some time at Busch Gardens!

[VF15]

I’d love to visit BGW but since I’m making this trip without a car, getting from KD to BGW doesn’t really seem feasible unless someone here knows a reliable way to get there.

[The Great Zo]

OK, potentially stupid question, maybe it's a known thing, but...

 

...what's up with the house in the middle of the parking lot?

[KIJester]

I don't know the back story of why the house was never razed in the 70's when KD was being built, but I believe KD uses it now for a dog kennel because you can see what appears to be shaded dog runs from Google Earth/street view from 2015.

[thrillrider]

There is actually a small graveyard in that parking lot as well.

[cal1br3tto]

^Ancestors of mine are in both of the graveyards on Kings Dominion property. Their house was burned by the fire department after the land was sold to the park.

[SkyToro]

At the park in line for Twisted Timbers. They're only running one train and it looks to be about a 45 minute wait. Someone with an RMC shirt is walking around the maintenance areas and on the transfer track. There's also 2 sets of brake fins on a workbench next to the transfer track. My guess is they're in the process of installing more agressive brakes.

[Vonni]

I tried looking up the graveyards on the property but couldn't find anything. I find this incredibly fascinating! Could someone please provide me with more information/pictures? Cemetery enthusiasm is second to my roller coaster enthusiasm lol!

[cal1br3tto]

^The more hidden graveyard is called Cedar Hill Cemetery, and I believe there are other graves in the parking lot. Here's a site that shows Cedar Hill Cemetery on a map with some pics. Here is some more information, including directions.

[Whodey]

Slightly off topic but if your into grave sites you should look into the two graves in the middle of the Savannah airport runway.

 

Also I went to the park last Friday and the workers were saying they were doing a wheel change on the trains is why they were on single train ops.

[Rayj]

Any update on Volcano reopening? I plan on going in August and hope that it’s open by then.

[Whodey]

Ride Ops on I305 said they were told mid July.

[Skittles]

Hi TPR,

 

As a stop on my summer trip, I'll be visiting Kings Dominion on Tuesday, July 17th. How should crowds be? Is there a good itinerary for how to get each credit, and are there any notable non-coaster rides that I should check out?

 

Thanks!

[cfc]

I think I'd hit Twisted Timbers first. Normally, I'd recommend Volcano, due to its capacity, but I think it's currently down for the count. You shouldn't have any big problems on a weekday. The park has a shooting dark ride, too (Boo Blasters) and a decent log ride.

Edited July 8, 2018 by cfc

[TBpony414]

^^ I agree with Chuck, Boo Blasters is a lot of fun (it's kind of hidden near Snoopyville) and also air conditioned. The Shenandoah log flume is really nice and won't get you soaked. Rebel Yell (Racer 75) is running fantastically well this year so don't skip it and if you are looking for another AC break the show by the Cirque Dreams Origins show by the antique cars/Grizzly is pretty good. The Eiffel Tower has great views. Make sure to stay super hydrated, the park is really hot and especially in areas where it's pavement and just reflects the heat back up at you.

[boldikus]

The Shenandoah log flume is really nice and won't get you soaked.

 

That's what they all say! Don't listen to them!!! You're gonna drown!

[Jason Maier]

How come Volcano has been down a LOT this season?

[bobbie68]

Hi just wanted to do a quick trip report from two weeks ago. My family of four went on Monday the 25th for the day. We got there for opening and went to wait for Twisted Timbers. Dominator and the Drop Tower were open for ERT and the boys did that. My DD and I were talking to a security guard while waiting at the rope. I was asking her about Volcano and she gave us some information. She said Volcano will be down the rest of the season. They were thinking about whether they were going to fix it or take it down. It seems some expensive part isn't working on it. They have decided to fix it. It can be taken at face value and it could be just another guess on an employee's part but I felt like she knew what she was talking about.

 

The park was empty today. We went right to Twisted Timbers and got on in about 15 minutes. They were only running one train the entire day. The ride was really good, it was so different from Wicked Cyclone. We had the last car and we had good air time. My DD and I can't marathon rides so we took a break after we rode. We went on Apple Zapple. This had about a 10 minute wait. I had to drag the teens on they didn't want to go. I really enjoyed this mouse coaster. It was different from the ones at 6 flags. We then went to the antique cars, I have nostalgia for them and they were nice ones. The boys did Flight of Fear, my DD and I skipped it. I was concerned the elements were to close together for me. This was a little longer wait. I would say about 20 minutes.

 

We took a break for lunch and went to the mac and cheese restaurant. We all got mac and cheese but I split a salad bowl with someone too. I thought the food was good but a little more money than I normally spend on food. We do have a dining plan with six flags. However, I would eat there again. Yes, I can confirm still only one protein unless you want to pay more.

 

After lunch we went on Avalanche. We had about a 10 minute wait. What a fun coaster this is. I have not been on one in years. We then decided to hit I305, the ride I have been waiting for. There was nobody in line or the station house. We got on the first train when we walked up. We picked the last car, we tend to ride in the back of coasters we like the speed. We went up the hill and came down then right after I felt weird. I saw like grey cloud. I felt dizzy and out of it the rest of the ride. When we got to the break run and were waiting to go into the station I talked with my family. It seems DD had a couple of second black out. The boys had a grey out like me. We were sitting there for a few minutes when we noticed they were emptying the train ahead in the station. They closed the queue and we sat in the sun on the track for about 20 minutes. It was close to 90 degrees. Once we got into the station they gave us cups of water and were checking us out for heat exhaustion or dehydration. Everyone was fine and we exited. I was upset about the grey out. I didn't expect it. I have ridden all the tallest, fastest coasters and never have had a problem. It must have been the way the track went and the speed just got us. We didn't ride again we just didn't feel right after that.

 

We met some real nice employees. I had one offer to take some pictures of us. He really got into it. He had us posing in funny poses.

 

We walked around a bit and the boys did the Drop Tower. I stayed off and normally I enjoy them. We took some pics in the park did some shopping then left about 4:00. We have season passes for Cedar point so this did cost us anything. We did this stop on our way to Florida.

 

Overall I enjoyed the park. We will visit again. I thought Twisted Timbers was great and I can't wait to go on Steel Vengeance in August.

[TBpony414]

Glad you had such a nice visit to the park, bobbie68! Kings Dominion has a really nice wild mouse and it's great to see it getting a lot of attention this season. Their antique cars are pretty nice and Avalanche bobsled is a lot of fun. If you were concerned about Flight of Fear having elements too close together then it's good you skipped it because they are one on top of the other.

 

I am curious as to whether you were aware ahead of time that people more often than not grey out on Intimidator305? Or did you know about it and it just surprised you that it happened? I rode it 11x on opening day - this was before they reprofiled the first turn at the bottom of the big drop - and while it was intense, I did not grey out. Ever since they reprofiled the turn that first year I grey out no matter what silly fighter pilot technique I use to try to keep my blood flowing normally. They tried to make it so the G forces were less intense in that turn and in the process drew out how long the turn is and made it even more intense, in my opinion. I am no old fogey but the ride takes a lot out of me so is often one-and-done especially when it's so hot out. Anyway, it is not just you and I'm sorry to hear it was a shock to your system. Hopefully you're all recovered now! Will you be visiting any other parks on your way down to Florida?