Kings Dominion (KD) Discussion Thread

[JJLehto]

It was a cool coaster in concept, and the launches were really great! That said, the entire rest of the ride after you popped out of the volcano was kind of...plodding? It seemed to just lazily roll through the inversions, and what seemed like should have been a really cool finale or even second half turns into a brake run.

 

Yeah, I liked Volcano. It was fun, but I didn't get the hype. I probably just didn't ride it enough. Emily really liked it. I actually hope they get rid of the volcano. I think it looks ugly.

 

Agreed all around. When I was younger it was like top 10 omg amazing, with more experience I grew to feel it was fun but not anything great. Launches and fly out the top were A+ but all the slow rolls and turns, meh. It was plodding and I always found the end disappointing, a great dive...into the breaks. I get space was limited but it kinda just built me up just to kill it.

And yeah the Volcano is kind of ugly. I imagine they'd also have alot more freedom to do stuff without it there. I hope it goes as well. Besides, IDK if I want the reminder there, just have a clean break and start totally fresh

[drummermattk]

I was fortunate to ride the ride on opening weekend last year i think 3 times. It was fun, it was a headbanger and it was unique. Im sad to see it go but also excited for the future of the spot where the ride stood.

 

I also think the mountain will go with the ride since the ride's supports are intertwined with it. Please enjoy an off-ride video I made on Saturday of the ride:

[Too Fast For Comfort]

It was a cool coaster in concept, and the launches were really great! That said, the entire rest of the ride after you popped out of the volcano was kind of...plodding? It seemed to just lazily roll through the inversions, and what seemed like should have been a really cool finale or even second half turns into a brake run.

 

Yeah, I liked Volcano. It was fun, but I didn't get the hype. I probably just didn't ride it enough. Emily really liked it. I actually hope they get rid of the volcano. I think it looks ugly.

 

Agreed all around. When I was younger it was like top 10 omg amazing, with more experience I grew to feel it was fun but not anything great. Launches and fly out the top were A+ but all the slow rolls and turns, meh. It was plodding and I always found the end disappointing, a great dive...into the breaks. I get space was limited but it kinda just built me up just to kill it.

And yeah the Volcano is kind of ugly. I imagine they'd also have alot more freedom to do stuff without it there. I hope it goes as well. Besides, IDK if I want the reminder there, just have a clean break and start totally fresh

 

Its a rare coaster that combines thrills with Disney/Universal style theming. Those kinds of coasters are more common in Europe, but in America they seem pretty rare. So even the though Volcano was old and surpassed by other thrill rides, it was still the #1 drawing attraction at the park when it was actually running.

[Phant0mF1re]

Well poop. Made our first ever trip down there this past summer for a few days, and was pretty bummed to find that Volcano was and had been closed for quite a while. Kinda told ourselves it was no big deal, and we could make the trip again in another year or two. I love Intamin launches and this always looked crazy different to me, but oh well.

[coasterbill]

I've got my popcorn popped waiting on Coasterbill to stir the pot...

 

Yeah,we were walking around Disneyland when I got a message about this so I'm late to the party but I don't exactly have a groundbreaking take.

 

It sucks. It really sucks. I understand it but it sucks. I don't think people are wrong for being really disappointed about this news. There are tons of idiots overreacting in hilarious fashion on social media but at this point I've come to expect that.

[PKI Jizzman]

I knew months in advance that Volcano was going to be closed during my 2018 visit and honestly didn't expect it to open again. Sad I never got a chance to ride it since I love all of the Intamin impulse-type coasters but I'm confident that they will replace it with something great.

[grsupercity]

Sadly my guess is a couple years down the road this unique one of a kind attraction gets replaced with a B&M invert. Plus side capacity would be soooo much better

[Dombot]

Well, this blows. It makes sense, and the writing's been on the wall for some time now, but it blows. This was a huge bucket list ride for me. It was closed when I visited the park in July (shameless plug), and while I was dissapointed, I knew how much of a maintenance nightmare it was and I was pretty confident when I returned to the park it'd be open. Guess not. I'm optimistic for what the future holds, but this is a huge kick to the face for the entire coaster community. Rest in peace, Volcano. We never really formally met, but you meant so much to so many, and for good reason. Godspeed.

 

[Too Fast For Comfort]

Sadly my guess is a couple years down the road this unique one of a kind attraction gets replaced with a B&M invert. Plus side capacity would be soooo much better

 

If they could re-use the mountain, it would great to use the mountain for a dark ride, but from what I've heard the problem was mostly the mountain itself, so the mountain will probably be coming down with the ride.

 

Its anybody's guess as to what KD will add next. B&M inverts aren't that common to build anymore. Only one has been built in America in the last 10 years. Source:

 

https://rcdb.com/r.htm?ot=2&ml=6717&page=1&order=-8

 

I think that the better money would be on a dive coaster, traditional B&M hyper, or wing coaster.

 

Or they'll just add some kind of kiddie area.

[michaellynn4]

This is definitely disappointing news, and I'm annoyed with myself that I put off revisiting Kings Dominion these last few years. Last time I was there was 2011, I believe.

[bert425]

Sadly my guess is a couple years down the road this unique one of a kind attraction gets replaced with a B&M invert. Plus side capacity would be soooo much better

 

If they could re-use the mountain, it would great to use the mountain for a dark ride, but from what I've heard the problem was mostly the mountain itself, so the mountain will probably be coming down with the ride.

 

Its anybody's guess as to what KD will add next. B&M inverts aren't that common to build anymore. Only one has been built in America in the last 10 years. Source:

 

https://rcdb.com/r.htm?ot=2&ml=6717&page=1&order=-8

 

I think that the better money would be on a dive coaster, traditional B&M hyper, or wing coaster.

 

Or they'll just add some kind of kiddie area.

 

sincerely doubt they would put a Hyper *right next to* I305.

 

and would be genuinely shocked if they installed a Dive Coaster (not that it woudln't be a good fit for the park, as they don't have a coaster of that style. . but because it's so close to Griffon at BGW just up the street).

 

at this point, I think many would be happy if they just put a bathroom over there.. but I really think it's likely gonna be a flat / flats going in that spot, as that area of the park is pretty coaster heavy.

 

 

but hey, what do I know? Sorry to see Volcano go, but I understand why . . and I'm just glad i got a chance to ride it a few years ago.

[thrillrider]

Why not bring in a water/dark ride attraction? The volcano would be perfect for something like this.

[michaellynn4]

I'm of the belief that the volcano won't last, either. TBH, I'm of the opinion that they SHOULD remove it alongside the coaster, rather than try to shoehorn yet another attraction into it. Just start from scratch. Personally, I could see a launch coaster similar to Copperhead Strike over there, but at this point it's all just pure speculation.

[coasterbill]

^^Better yet why not get rid of the existing, already-successful and well established water park and make a new giant volcano themed water park in a totally different spot.

 

... just kidding, the thought of anyone doing something like that would just be ridiculous.

[Canobie Coaster]

[ripleybl]

Richmond's local news station, Channel 8 News, just came by my work to interview me on my thoughts of the closing and removal of Volcano. Kristin Smith Dunlop interviewed me and she said that story will be on the 6pm news tonight. After the interview, she told me she also interviewed the "Head of Maintenance" of the ride and he gave a more detailed description, reason, and problems that were involved with the closing and removal of the coaster.

 

I have never uploaded a photo or video before on this website, so I'll do my best to record the interview/story tonight and upload it to this thread. Anyone else in the Richmond area can film it or upload it too. I'm pretty sure I'll mess it up somehow when trying to post it.

 

I must admit a was a little nervous during the interview so don't judge me too much!

[prozach626]

Don't worry. They'll cut out any awkward parts and make you look composed. When I was on the news I had to drive a car with a camera pointed 2 feet away from my face, while doing my job... I like public speaking, but felt that it was going to turn out much worse than it did. My point is, don't worry about it. Don't underestimate the power of professional editing. I'm sure you're happy you had the opportunity. I'm looking forward to your video.

 

[youtu_be]

[/youtu_be]

 

Sorry for MY plug. Now, back to the eruption of enthusiast tears.

Edited February 11, 2019 by prozach626

[Too Fast For Comfort]

Sadly my guess is a couple years down the road this unique one of a kind attraction gets replaced with a B&M invert. Plus side capacity would be soooo much better

 

If they could re-use the mountain, it would great to use the mountain for a dark ride, but from what I've heard the problem was mostly the mountain itself, so the mountain will probably be coming down with the ride.

 

Its anybody's guess as to what KD will add next. B&M inverts aren't that common to build anymore. Only one has been built in America in the last 10 years. Source:

 

https://rcdb.com/r.htm?ot=2&ml=6717&page=1&order=-8

 

I think that the better money would be on a dive coaster, traditional B&M hyper, or wing coaster.

 

Or they'll just add some kind of kiddie area.

 

sincerely doubt they would put a Hyper *right next to* I305.

 

and would be genuinely shocked if they installed a Dive Coaster (not that it woudln't be a good fit for the park, as they don't have a coaster of that style. . but because it's so close to Griffon at BGW just up the street).

 

at this point, I think many would be happy if they just put a bathroom over there.. but I really think it's likely gonna be a flat / flats going in that spot, as that area of the park is pretty coaster heavy.

 

 

but hey, what do I know? Sorry to see Volcano go, but I understand why . . and I'm just glad i got a chance to ride it a few years ago.

 

I wasn't saying that they would put it right next to i305. Did I say that? In my suggestion, they put somewhere in the park that's not right next to i305. And there's precedent: every other Cedar Fair park that has a giga also has a hyper... for whatever that's worth.

 

And even if they didn't find any room other than i305, a traditional B&M hyper would be a totally different ride than i305. I305 is all G-force and tight banks/turns, while a more traditional B&M hyper would be about bunny hills, floater air, and getting to have a clambar.

[bert425]

Sadly my guess is a couple years down the road this unique one of a kind attraction gets replaced with a B&M invert. Plus side capacity would be soooo much better

 

If they could re-use the mountain, it would great to use the mountain for a dark ride, but from what I've heard the problem was mostly the mountain itself, so the mountain will probably be coming down with the ride.

 

Its anybody's guess as to what KD will add next. B&M inverts aren't that common to build anymore. Only one has been built in America in the last 10 years. Source:

 

https://rcdb.com/r.htm?ot=2&ml=6717&page=1&order=-8

 

I think that the better money would be on a dive coaster, traditional B&M hyper, or wing coaster.

 

Or they'll just add some kind of kiddie area.

 

sincerely doubt they would put a Hyper *right next to* I305.

 

and would be genuinely shocked if they installed a Dive Coaster (not that it woudln't be a good fit for the park, as they don't have a coaster of that style. . but because it's so close to Griffon at BGW just up the street).

 

at this point, I think many would be happy if they just put a bathroom over there.. but I really think it's likely gonna be a flat / flats going in that spot, as that area of the park is pretty coaster heavy.

 

 

but hey, what do I know? Sorry to see Volcano go, but I understand why . . and I'm just glad i got a chance to ride it a few years ago.

 

I wasn't saying that they would put it right next to i305. Did I say that? In my suggestion, they put somewhere in the park that's not right next to i305. And there's precedent: every other Cedar Fair park that has a giga also has a hyper... for whatever that's worth.

 

And even if they didn't find any room other than i305, a traditional B&M hyper would be a totally different ride than i305. I305 is all G-force and tight banks/turns, while a more traditional B&M hyper would be about bunny hills, floater air, and getting to have a clambar.

 

Volcano is right next to I305

 

the conversation is what was going to go in place of Volcano -- implied by your talk of what they would do with the Mountain.

 

and Kings Dominion has a huge kids area already (including a Jr. woodie in Woodstock Express).

 

have you not been to this park?

[AmyUD06]

 

have you not been to this park?

 

Based on almost every one of his posts, I'd be surprised if he's been to any parks outside of Tampa, and even that one is pushing it. His title says it all.

[bert425]

adding a photo reference:

 

here's a pic I took of Volcano while walking next to I305's track in July 2018. .they are literally right next to each other

by I305's track

turning around for a pic of SBNO Volcano

[PKI Jizzman]

So I guess everyone is too lazy to use google maps? They're in the area but definitely not next to each other.

 

They should use this opportunity to clean up the racing/sci fi/tribal/snowy mountain mish-mash going on at that side of the park. That area was kind of a shocker compared to how charming the other side of the park was, in my opinion.

Flight of Fear says don't forget about me, fam.

[bert425]

^ LOL.. it IS pretty forgetful, tho, with the MCBR bringing the ride almost to a full stop!

 

but good point.

[coasterbill]

Unpopular opinion: The Flight of Fear coasters are awesome. The trains are dumb and annoying to get into but the ride itself is smooth, insanely disorienting and awesome. Yes, it's a clone but I sincerely don't care. The Flight of Fear rides are criminally underrated.

[bert425]

Unpopular opinion: The Flight of Fear coasters are awesome. The trains are dumb and annoying to get into but the ride itself is smooth, insanely disorienting and awesome. Yes, it's a clone but I sincerely don't care. The Flight of Fear rides are criminally underrated.

 

if they were run the same way the outdoor versions were? (Poltergeist & Jokers Jinx), I'd love it and agree with you.

 

but having those to compare it to - and Poltergeist being at my "home" park, so getting to ride that a lot?

 

it pales in comparison.

 

but don't think your opinion on it is unpopular. . hell, if anything my not liking it much is the unpopular opinion. both times I've been to KD, it had long ass lines, and the GP seems to really like it.