Kings Dominion (KD) Discussion Thread

[Canobie Coaster]

These seasonal events really seem to be catching on at regional parks now too. Great report!

[AmyUD06]

Great review Chuck!

 

I was at the park on Saturday too, and caught the parade show down in Candy Apple Grove. It really impressed me, especially how long the parade route is, though the same song blaring over and over must get on employee's nerves. At least it was a catchy song.

 

Also, Tomb Raider/The Crypt's fire effects were working. Can't remember the last time I'd seen that. It looks like the whole pool at the bottom is full of some sort of flammable liquid the way the flames were dancing on it.

 

EDIT: YouTube is being a pain in the ass with rotating the video. Any thoughts?

[Satans Hockey]

I was at the park today, Carnivale is a great addition, we really enjoyed it and I hope they make this a yearly thing.

 

Twisted Timbers is just so much damn fun. My first time experiencing the new metal detector system they have running and the pouches on the ride fit my keys and phone no problem.

 

My only complaint is that it takes them so long to get out a train because of the way they have to check everything that I wished they built a what's in the shed for this like mystic Timbers since it would beat roasting in the sun.

 

It's really weird being at the park without seeing Volcano. Riding the bobsled ride gives a great look at into all the open space they have there now. I'm really curious to see what they end up doing with it.

[cfc]

Great review Chuck!

 

I was at the park on Saturday too, and caught the parade show down in Candy Apple Grove. It really impressed me, especially how long the parade route is, though the same song blaring over and over must get on employee's nerves. At least it was a catchy song.

 

I went to the Eiffel Tower because I guessed the parade would end up there eventually. But I think they need to make sure that guests know the parade route. Even just an announcement saying that it starts in Candy Apple Grove and ends up by the Eiffel Tower would've helped.

[coneyislandchris]

This looks amazing and definitely what I was hoping for. Since it's only running until the 7th, the family and I booked a trip down there for this upcoming weekend, since we have prior commitments next weekend and the following as well-- only to find out that it's the same weekend as KingsFest (not again!?!). Here's hoping it's not too crazy and crowded like the last time I was there on KingsFest weekend...

[coneyislandchris]

Well, don't have to worry about that^ now -- 3 out of 4 of us falling ill has caused us to postpone our plans for this weekend. So I guess the KingsFest crowd won't have to be a factor in our plans for when we visit.

 

That being said, the only other time we have free in our upcoming schedule is across the 4th of July break, so it looks like we get to brave the crowds from the 3rd to the 5th (before driving back up north for a close friend's wedding on Saturday, the 6th). So I guess we're just trading in on one set of craziness for another. Where's that dang Fast Lane money I've set aside...

[AmyUD06]

In my experience, parks don't get too crazy for 4th of July when its in the middle of the week (like it is this year). You may luck out and not need FL.

[coneyislandchris]

In my experience, parks don't get too crazy for 4th of July when its in the middle of the week (like it is this year). You may luck out and not need FL.

That's what I'm hoping at least. It was surprisingly easy to book a hotel room (and considerably cheaper than it was for this weekend, no less). Keeping those fingers crossed though.

[CoasterAuditor]

 

Looks like KD has a waterpark expansion in the works for next year. That's exciting definitely needed after Tornado was removed. (*ducks under table for inevitable irrational people complaining about Volcano not being replaced immediately*)

[AmyUD06]

That wave pool (they have two) has been closed all year; now we know why. It's also located at the very back of the water park, with absolutely nothing but trees behind it, so the possibilities are endless.

[T1020]

Anyone know, what is all of this in red? Old Lion Country Safari? I'm assuming the park doesn't own the area in yellow?

[RollerManic]

Yes, that’s the former Lion Country area. No idea who owns the part in yellow.

 

Wasn’t Intimidator’s/X-Sector’s plot part of the safari too?

[jarmor]

Hummm, with big wave bay leaving I wonder if they will expand back in that area or keep it blocked off with a new attraction in the same spot?

[Vonni]

I'm not familiar with KD water park (or KD as a whole for that matter). Is Big Wave Bay a wave pool, or a slide?

[AmyUD06]

It's their original wave pool, located at the very back of the water park. They also have a newer wave pool located midway through the water park.

[The username]

Went and battled the heat yesterday. Barley anyone at the park, was able to make several laps. Rode I-305 21 times(several of those at night). On Twisted Timbers, the first half is awesome but after the 3 big air time hills, the ride kills its re-rideability with all the jerky ejector air. Fantastic day, glad I was able to get back to this amazing park.

[C.O.]

I'm a DC college student looking to take a trip down to KD soon, maybe tomorrow. I've never been before and I don't have a season pass - that combined with a ZipCar rental can make the trip there a little pricey for me. I'd like to be able to ride all the coasters in a day when I go, will it be possible to do that on a Sunday?

[AmyUD06]

Maybe. It'll depend on the weather.

 

I'm guessing you can't budget for a FL+. I have a Platinum Pass and all-season FL+, so I normally don't follow this routine, but here you go:

 

If you are there from open to close, you should be able to hit all of the adult coasters at least once, even with having to wait in lines. I recommend the following course:

 

1. Detour into Camp Snoopy for Woodstock Express. Will definitely get more of a line later due to the height restriction.

2. Beeline to the back of the park for Apple Zapple. Can get a line later in the day due to low height restriction, and low capacity.

3. Twisted Timbers. Will be right there, and WILL get a substantial line later.

4. Now start a counter-clockwise rotation around the park. Rebel Yell/Racer 75.

5. Backlot Stunt Coaster

6. Anaconda

7. Flight of Fear. The AC'd queue will feel pretty good around this point in the day.

8. Intimidator

9. Avalanche

10. Dominator

11. Grizzly

 

At this point, if you have any time left in the day, I recommend getting a few more rides on Twisted Timbers or marathoning Intimidator

[C.O.]

Thank you!

[bill_s]

You could probably do that in the last 3-4 hours of the day, or 2.5 hours on Monday. If you're leaving early though, I suggest going TT and then to FoF. Only the last 15-20 minutes of its queue is fully air conditioned and you're outside if over 30 min.

[CoasterNerd87]

Everyone else trying not to get their hopes up about the August 15th announcement?

[AmyUD06]

I think we already know it's going to be some sort of water park expansion/addition, based on the closing of the rear wave pool and previous statements indicating that something new is going there.

[JG-77]

I'll be heading down to KD for the first time this Friday! We're going on a deal that lets us into the park from 4pm to 10pm. I know that this is too short of a time to experience the park properly, but we live close enough that I'll probably by back within the next few years, so I'm not terribly concerned about getting every single thing in.

 

My main priorities are

-Multiple rides on I305

-Multiple rides on TT

-Grizzly night ride

-Dominator

-Drop Tower

-Avalanche

-Rebel Yell (I like that name better)

-The crypt

-Anything else is gravy

 

Is this reasonable? What sort of crowds should I expect for the rides? I know I305 is often dead, but IDK about any of the other rides. Are there any other must-rides that I should try and fit in?

 

In addition, anyone have recommendations for how to get the best experience on all these rides (i.e. which seat to sit in, riding positions, etc). I generally have a pretty high tolerance for roughness.

 

Thanks for all the help!

[AmyUD06]

Your plan might be doable without a FL+, it will all depend on crowds. My friend and I went on Friday 7/12 which had similar weather forecast to this coming Friday, and found crowds to be pretty light; we didn't need to get the Fast Lane passes and we did everything in the park even with taking several hours in the waterpark and and two hour break at the hotel in the middle of the day. As for particular ride tips:

 

-TT in the very front or very back. You should be able to try both.

-Same for I305.

-Grizzly in the very front.

-Dominator in the very back. I prefer the inner seats, they seem to have less of that B&M rattle.

-Rebel Yell on a non-wheel seat (the middle row of any car). It's pretty smooth though since all of the retracking that's been done.

-Avalanche in the very front. I'd knock this out first upon arrival since the line tends to move slow due to only holding 7-14 people per train.

 

I'd also not skip Flight of Fear (very back row) if you have time. Delirium is a pretty good frisbee if you're into those kinda rides.

 

Have fun. I consider KD my home park even though I've got SFA, SFGAdv, and Hershey closer to me.

[thrillseeker4552]

I'll be heading down to KD for the first time this Friday! We're going on a deal that lets us into the park from 4pm to 10pm. I know that this is too short of a time to experience the park properly, but we live close enough that I'll probably by back within the next few years, so I'm not terribly concerned about getting every single thing in.

 

My main priorities are

-Multiple rides on I305

-Multiple rides on TT

-Grizzly night ride

-Dominator

-Drop Tower

-Avalanche

-Rebel Yell (I like that name better)

-The crypt

-Anything else is gravy

 

Is this reasonable? What sort of crowds should I expect for the rides? I know I305 is often dead, but IDK about any of the other rides. Are there any other must-rides that I should try and fit in?

 

In addition, anyone have recommendations for how to get the best experience on all these rides (i.e. which seat to sit in, riding positions, etc). I generally have a pretty high tolerance for roughness.

 

Thanks for all the help!

 

You should have no issues getting in plenty of rides on I305, assuming it is running without breakdowns. When I was there a couple months ago, there was never a line, but it was down for almost a whole day on one of the days.

 

Intimidator is definitely a back row ride for me. The first drop and turn is fantastic in the back row, and the ride is just so intense from top to bottom. It is my all time favorite roller coaster. If you are prone to blacking/greying out, make sure to clench your butt cheeks on the first turn. It sounds silly but I promise it helps! Sometimes it's unavoidable though. That coaster is bonkers.

 

Twisted Timbers will likely have a line, and unfortunately the operations are terrible (or at least they were in June). The whole red/green card system is completely stupid and the operations are so slow they may as well have bins in the station. But the good news is (based on my visit in June) it seems to run pretty consistently with no big breakdowns. I like RMCs pretty equally in the front and back rows. Both have incredible airtime and have their pros and cons. Try both!

 

Dominator is always quite popular since it is in the front of the park, but since you are there in the evening you shouldn't have an issue. Make sure to ride in the front row. That is always the best seat on Floorless coasters.

 

As for the rest, just ride them as you see them. I can't imagine there being any massive lines when you're going, unless the weather is just absolutely beautifully perfect, then they might be a half hour at most lol

 

That's just my initial advice based on my 2017 and 2019 visits. I'm sure a local could tell you more.