Kings Dominion (KD) Discussion Thread

[Canobie Coaster]

The main reason to get FastLane Plus was Volcano and now that's out of the equation.

[Married a Canadian]

The main reason to get FastLane Plus was Volcano and now that's out of the equation

 

Don't remind me!! My son has already asked me to confirm whether Volcano really is done for good!! My fault for not getting to KD earlier!! We are both consoled with I305 and Twisted Timbers though...which are the two rides we are most looking forward to.

 

Thanks for the advice, appreciate it....and I will take the wait and see approach. I pretty much figured that it would be similar to Canada when the kids are still in school, but always good to get the local and expert opinion.

[boldikus]

Kings Dominion is still completely f*cking awesome even without Volcano. No question its one of the best parks on the east coast. You're gonna love it.

[Philrad71]

How was the beer selection, Boldy?

[prozach626]

The main reason to get FastLane Plus was Volcano and now that's out of the equation

 

Don't remind me!! My son has already asked me to confirm whether Volcano really is done for good!! My fault for not getting to KD earlier!! We are both consoled with I305 and Twisted Timbers though...which are the two rides we are most looking forward to.

 

Thanks for the advice, appreciate it....and I will take the wait and see approach. I pretty much figured that it would be similar to Canada when the kids are still in school, but always good to get the local and expert opinion.

 

When I'm really skeptical of crowds, I usually try to give it until noon to make my decision, which almost always... well... always... ends up in favor of FL+. If you're like me, shaving 10-20 minutes off of queues to parks I rarely visit is worth it. It will probably be worth it for TT, alone if RMC hybrids are your thing.

[BDD27]

Here's a quick little trip report from Saturday. Since this weekend was mainly about Busch Gardens I only spent about 4 hours at Kings Dominion before the rain came in, but I managed to get on everything.

 

At opening I went right to Avalanche since it has such a low capacity and the line tends to move slow. It worked out as I managed to be front row on the first train of the day! I'm glad this ride is still around as it is a fun little ride, although the view from the lift has changed a bit.

 

From here I hit Anaconda and of course, it had no line, but I love this ride so I can't complain. STILL NO WATER EFFECTS THOUGH. Following this was Timmy which never gets old. It was already warmed up really early in the morning and running incredibly fast you can't deny the love for the twistyness!

 

Next up was twisted timbers, which was hauling as usual. The metal detector system was interesting and now uses green and red cards instead of stamps. Regardless of this system the ride ops didn't seem to actually check at all if people actually put phones and keys in the pouches, so while I hope this policy works out I cannot be certain

 

From here I hit Apple Zapple and Grizzly. Apple Zapple always seems to have a bit of a line so I normally pass on it, but my girlfriend had never been on it so we took the wait. On the other hand Grizzly was hauling and running much better than it was during my last rides in the beginning of April.

 

At this point it was time for Flight of Fear which is a personal favorite of mine. Flight of Fear seems to run very consistently and always well, but I definitely recommend the front over the back. The 15 minute wait was made shorter through meeting another coaster nerd who understands the language my girlfriend doesn't . We then went to hit Dominator, but it had a bit of a line so Rebel Racer 75 Yell it was. I must say this ride has become.... let's just say interesting. The ride is about half retracked at this point so you get moments of super smooth sailing followed by jarring bumping and then back to smoothness. I'm glad it is being maintained though as I would hate to see it go the way of Thunder Road.

 

The final ride of the day was Dominator which in the front row is actually pretty good! and I didn't get as much rattling as I did in the back last month, which is definitely a plus. At this point it started raining a bit so I hit the shops to appease my pin collecting habit.

What was once a horrid sight has become a thing of beauty

Definitely a front row ride

It looks like the eiffel tower repaint is almost complete

And finally since this is a short report here are the remains of the extinct volcano, there really isn't much left anymore basically just the station

[Canobie Coaster]

Nice report! RIP Volcano.

[prozach626]

Thanks for sharing.

[BDD27]

^ Anytime guys I enjoy doing trip reports I try to get out to a park at least once every 2 weeks it's just a little tough being the only coaster nerd in my friend group I need to branch out

[Married a Canadian]

When I'm really skeptical of crowds, I usually try to give it until noon to make my decision, which almost always... well... always... ends up in favor of FL+. If you're like me, shaving 10-20 minutes off of queues to parks I rarely visit is worth it. It will probably be worth it for TT, alone if RMC hybrids are your thing.

 

I'm with you on that, and I think this will be the way we approach it.

 

I have only been on Iron Rattler on the RMC front and LOVED it, so very much looking forward to TT. It will be my son's first time on an RMC coaster (he wasn't quite ready when we were in Texas) but now is super excited! He wants to go to Dollywood next year to ride Lightning Rod! I better start planning!

 

I agree that for the big rides Fastlane plus is the way to go..especially if it means re-rides later in the day. We always budget for it anyway. Will let you know how it works out. Thankyou for the advice.

[bert425]

The main reason to get FastLane Plus was Volcano and now that's out of the equation

 

Don't remind me!! My son has already asked me to confirm whether Volcano really is done for good!! My fault for not getting to KD earlier!! We are both consoled with I305 and Twisted Timbers though...which are the two rides we are most looking forward to.

 

Thanks for the advice, appreciate it....and I will take the wait and see approach. I pretty much figured that it would be similar to Canada when the kids are still in school, but always good to get the local and expert opinion.

 

don't forget "Apple Zapple". . it really is a very fun wild mouse.

 

and racer 75 was running awesome when we were there last summer. . . smooth as glass.

[ZombiePope]

It’s been a couple weeks since I walked down near Volcano but it’s completely gone now. Only part the remains is the mountain bit over Avalanche’s exit and the main queue building/gift shop.

 

There was a sign teasing a “new expedition” on the fence in front of the old entrance. Otherwise it’s just a big, empty gravel lot with a few, big concrete slabs left.

RIP

[coasterbill]

Does it look like they're keeping the station and queue at this point? I wouldn't blame them.

[palmerleeberry]

Many years ago I once wrote that the only thing Volcano needs right now is some kind of scenery when the coaster hits the final brake run, something like a lava river the train passes over before entering the station other than the boring, empty area.

 

Sadly, that whole area is now boring and empty - for now. The next speculation game we will all be playing is . . . WHAT'S GOING IN THERE NEXT?. If they took everything except the station, the queue, and the gift shop, then it has to be logical that they are going to add something in that area, and I don't think it would be a flat ride. Methinks it will be a coaster just like Kennywood's Sky Rocket. Three reasons methinks so: 1) No other park nearby has that type of coaster, 2) That coaster can fit in such a small footprint, and 3) Kings Dominion could use another launch coaster to replace the old launch coaster it had taken out. Allow me to add reason #4: I think that type of coaster would be so cool for Kings Dominion to have.

[Canobie Coaster]

^ Busch Gardens has Tempesto just an hour down the road so I don't think they'd go with a Sky Rocket II clone. They still have two launch coasters in Flight of Fear and Backlot so I don't think they're hurting in that department.

[thrillseeker4552]

^^Interesting idea, but Volcano's footprint is NOT small. The volcano alone took up tons of room, along with the giant curve outside the volcano and the land behind it, Kings Dominion can pretty much fit anything they want in that spot.

 

I really would like to see a record-breaking B&M Flyer themed to some African bird / safari themed. There's nothing like it in the area, it is extremely marketable, and it can break records pretty easily since there aren't too many large-scale flyers out there. A Wing Coaster would be great as well, and could work with this theme too.

[palmerleeberry]

^Hey, a wing coaster is a good idea. If Kings Dominion builds and opens a wing coaster next year, then not only I'd come by for the visit, but also buy their CEDAR FAIR PLATINUM PASS so I can enjoy their other parks as well ( which will be significant for I haven't done that route in a few years). What do you say, KD: are you going to make me happy?

[cparkes92]

I'm going to be in northern Virginia for a wedding this weekend. My Friday is wide open until the evening. Would it be worth it to run down to KD from the Winchester area on Friday for the day? I have a Platinum Pass, so parking and entry would be free. I have looked at Google Maps and it is about a 2 hour drive from Winchester to Doswell.

[bill_s]

^^-- Of course it would! One of the best amusement parks there is. Unless it's too hot for you that day and you can only go the hottest and most (often, only) crowded part of the day, which are similar.

[boldikus]

I'm sorry what is the question here? You're a roller coaster enthusiast on a roller coaster enthusiast messageboard asking other roller coaster enthusiasts if we think you should go to a great amusement park containing some of the best roller coasters on earth only two hours from you on a day - a weekday no less - when you have nothing else going on and it would cost you nothing but gas money and lunch? What do you think we're going to say?

[coasterbill]

You would be insane not to go. Get there early, since this Friday they open Twisted Timbers and Apple Zapple for passholders 30 minutes early.

 

Honestly you might not even need a skip-the-line pass if you hit Twisted Timbers for early entry and Flight of Fear early on. Getting one would allow you to re-ride the crap out of Twisted Timbers though so I wouldn't argue if you went that route.

 

PS: Ride the flume.

[disownedpear]

I don't see another ride focused on inversions going in there, we already have FoF, Anaconda and Dominator.

[Canobie Coaster]

I'm sorry what is the question here? You're a roller coaster enthusiast on a roller coaster enthusiast messageboard asking other roller coaster enthusiasts if we think you should go to a great amusement park containing some of the best roller coasters on earth only two hours from you on a day - a weekday no less - when you have nothing else going on and it would cost you nothing but gas money and lunch? What do you think we're going to say?

 

I think the only debate would be if it were Busch Gardens or Kings Dominion. I far prefer Busch Gardens, but both are great parks and since they have a Platinum Pass, I think Kings Dominion is the no-brainer.

[cfc]

Kings Dominion's Early Summer Party: Grand Carnivale

 

TPR was invited to the opening day of Grand Carnivale--the park's combination of a food-and-wine festival with Mardi Gras. While this isn't the first time the park has hosted an event based on international cuisine, this year they've thrown in a dance party, a parade, fireworks, and entertainment (as well as food) from five countries: China, France, Germany, India, and Italy.

 

And what's on the menu? (I've tried the boldfaced items.)

 

China: Szechuan Beef Bao Bun (steamed bun, with Gochujang-glazed beef short rib and pickled cabbage), Emperor's Chinese Spare Ribs (slow cooked, chili-rubbed pork ribs glazed with sweet, sticky sauce)

 

France: Crepe Monsieur (ham and Gruyere crepe, topped with Bechamel sauce), Crepe Franchaise and Chocolate (filled with Nutella and strawberries)

 

Germany: Bratwurst with Kraut, Bier Kase Spatzle (Bavarian noodles in a creamy beer sauce topped with crispy onions)

 

India: Vegetable Samosas (crispy pastry filled with potato and peas served with mango chutney), Tandoori Chicken Tacos (spiced chicken over toaster naan with cilantro, radish, and yogurt sauce)

 

Italy: Mama Meatballs (marinara, served on garlic toast with shaved Parmesan), Roman Suppli (fried rice balls stuffed with cheese and pepper in marinara sauce)

 

I had Apple Strudel for dessert.

 

All the festivities take place, appropriately enough, on International Street, with a special focus on the plaza around the Eiffel Tower, which is where you'll find the food booths and mini-entertainment stages, with the exception of Germany, which is halfway between the park entrance and the tower. There are songs and dances from the different nations, and quite a few street performers (most of whom participate in the nightly parade and dance party). The parade circles the Eiffel Tower, and some of the floats add more atmosphere to the dance party afterward.

 

Here's a look at KD's Grand Carnivale, along with a pause to pay our respects to the late Volcano: The Blast Coaster.

 

Then it's party time--at least until July 7. My thanks to Kings Dominion for the invitation.

Welcome to Grand Carnivale! The king on the left looks a bit shifty. Maybe he's already a bit tipsy.

Even Starbucks is wearing Mardi Gras beads.

Need a tasting card? Get it here. You get six samples for $30. Or you buy food samples for $6.99/each. There's a special cocktail, too.

The action centers on the Eiffel Tower, or so says Capt. Obvious.

There was a brief opening ceremony at the main stage across from the tower.

"Welcome to Grand Carnivale, my loyal subjects! As your king, I must warn you . . .

. . . there are mimes about!"

We'll get back to the festivities later, but it's time to pay our respects. You can still make out "Blast Coaster" on this sign--barely.

The station and gift shop are all that is left.

But you do get a new view of Avalanche.

Why, hello there, Flight of Fear building.

The future awaits.

Stay seated! I'm watching you!

At least the waterfall is still here.

Meanwhile, what's happening on International Street?

I have my complimentary tasting card. Hmm--where should I go first?

"You follow me, ja?

Challenge accepted--beer and spatzle for me!

Of course, there's music. It's Oktoberfest!

Yes, there are mimes! And artists! You have been warned!

Uh oh! Giant chefs and mimes are natural enemies! More food and fun to come.

Edited June 16, 2019 by cfc

[cfc]

The party goes on at Kings Dominion!

The facial expressions (left to right) are Interesting: "Oh, I am so into this"; "I never noticed how fascinating my hand is"; "Oh, snap!"

Does Buddha approve of our dancing?

"Why, yes. I do."

OK, I pulled a groin muscle just watching this guy.

This was my favorite of the food samples--the spare ribs. A little messy, but tasty (as ribs should be).

Let's not forget the Grand Carnivale merchandise.

Coolest of the shirts.

Time for the "Spectacle of Color" parade.

Vive la France . . .

. . ."But we have beer, ja?"

Best float of the parade!

I liked this Indian elephant float, too.

The China float stopped in front of us, there was a brief dance party, then . . .

. . . streamers everywhere.

And, yes, beads were thrown.

This is the Apple Strudel. The cinnamon apples and whipped cream were good, but the "crispy strudel crown" seemed more like shredded wheat.

They left some of the floats around the Eiffel Tower to add some atmosphere to the post-parade dance party.

The tower is well lit for the evening. Perhaps it had a Cocktail Carnivale (vodka, blue curacao, and melon midori).

The party featured a DJ and a live show with a band. Hope you like Gloria Estefan and Buster Poindexter.

I just noticed this little puppet show as I was leaving.

One last look a KD's festive fountains.

Good night from Grand Carnivale! Thanks for the invitation, Kings Dominion!