Kings Dominion (KD) Discussion Thread

[thrillseeker4552]

While part of me is relieved it likely won't be a Wing Coaster, I still hope we see a coaster soon. Volcano was a huge loss and I'm sure the park is well aware of that. And with BGW significantly upping their coaster game (as well as being a gorgeous park in general), I hope Kings Dominion does something great in the next few years. I think the chances of them going another 8 years without a new coaster is pretty low.

 

The next few years will be interesting for Cedar Fair. Given how much love and attention Kings Island gets, I'm willing to bet the Vortex plot won't stay empty for too many years. Cedar Point will probably get a new coaster in the next 2-3 years. You know Carowinds will too. I wonder if another 2018 will happen where we see several coasters in a year, or perhaps they will play it more conservatively like they usually do with 1-2 coasters per year. You never know. What a fun time to be an enthusiast!

[palmerleeberry]

There is another point to speculate on the old Volcano site as to what to put into its place - it doesn't have to be a coaster, but how about the return of the new "Haunted River"? Before you all decide to tar and feather me for even suggesting such a thing (like I stated before - it's just something else to speculate upon), just think about Knotts Berry Farm "Knott's Bear-y Tales", a newfangled attraction based on a defunct attraction - could Kings Dominion do the same thing to bring back the Haunted River? I checked out a ride concept from Mack Rides - mack-rides.com/products/water-rides/supersplash - and I would like to see Cedar Fair put something like that in the Volcano old spot and call it "The Haunted River's Revenge". I think that would be too cool.

[prozach626]

While part of me is relieved it likely won't be a Wing Coaster

 

I think it's too early to count out a wing coaster as the replacement, with a different layout and theme. I wish the Grave Digger coaster would have come to fruition, because of the cheesy hilarity of it. I wonder if that meant that they would have started to offer Nadi' light on tap.

[tndank]

Rumors are pointing to an S&S 4D free spin now. The hits keep coming.

[coasterbill]

Also, 2022 is KI's 50th anniversary, so a new coaster could be possible. This is pure speculation on my part...

 

No. Will enthusiasts ever learn? Anniversaries sell themselves.

 

You guys already got singing mushrooms yet you just want more more more...

[WolfBobs]

Rumors are pointing to an S&S 4D free spin now. The hits keep coming.

 

I was curious if CF would jump on one of these for a smaller park, I assumed Valleyfair or *cough cough* MIA. It'll be interesting to see if this happens. Even though I just commented how much I hate these things in another thread.

 

If I start a rumor about a Vekoma Bermuda Blitz model coming to KD, think it can gain enough steam and good juju to convince CF to make it happen?

[coasterbill]

If they replace a Top Spin with a Free Spin and then eventually put something else in the Volcano pad then that's great. I think most people would agree that a Free Spin is an improvement over the Crypt.

[thrillseeker4552]

I actually really enjoy the Free Spins. I don’t know why people suddenly started disliking them once they got cloned. They’re fun rides and make good additions at any park without a 4D/wing coaster.

 

With that being said, I do think Volcano deserves a much better replacement, but if the Free Spin simply replaces the Crypt and something larger/custom comes down the line to replace Volcano, count me in.

[WolfBobs]

I don't dislike them cause they're clones. I dislike flipping uncontrollably lol, which is the whole point of the ride. Just a personal preference. I think they're are great, probably economical coasters for parks. I am honestly surprised we haven't seen any smaller parks install any. Is the one in Japan the only install outside of the SF chain to date?

[hoppedup]

^Yup. I looked that up a while back. I was kind of thinking it would be a good coaster for Carowinds. Of course I would prefer an RMC Raptor or RMC treatment of Hurler. I noticed that there weren't any in the US other than SF parks.

 

I think they are fun and don't flip excessively, IME. And there aren't any of these in the Southeast US.

[WolfBobs]

I rode Batman at SFFT and hated it.. like really hated it.

 

Then I tried Joker at both SFGAdv and SFGAm (for the credit lol) and they were both much more tolerable but not something I would ride more than once a trip. So maybe I need to give each one a shot.

[southpuddle]

Or maybe each individual lap on each ride is different and sometimes it’s gonna suck and sometimes it’ll be fun.

[AmyUD06]

Meh...I never rode the Crypt and I won't ride a 4D, so net change of zero for me.

[grsupercity]

I love the idea of Cedar Fair working with some more companies

[Canobie Coaster]

If a park in the mid-Atlantic got one of these, I figured it would have been Six Flags America. This is definitely a step up from a top spin and a very marketable coaster.

[bert425]

I rode Batman at SFFT and hated it.. like really hated it.

 

Then I tried Joker at both SFGAdv and SFGAm (for the credit lol) and they were both much more tolerable but not something I would ride more than once a trip. So maybe I need to give each one a shot.

 

 

Batman at SFFT is the first one they installed, and flips more than many of the others.

 

You have to ride it aggressively: Restraint as tight as you can get it, and pushed back into the seat (arms pushing you back from the restraint bars). if you flip WITH the seats? it's a fantastic ride. If you go in "loose"?. . it will toss you like being inside a dryer with every flip and knock the crap out of you.

 

 

Arashi at Nagashima Spaland flips more than any S&S Freespin I've EVER been on. seriously. but I really liked it. among my faves in the park - hell, bought both a T-shirt and a magnet featuring it.

[Superbatboy]

Free Spins arent for everyone, but they're still a decent addition for any park. Cheap to build, dont take up much room, and maintenance doesnt seem bad since Six Flags is able to keep theirs running reliably. I wonder if this is a one off, or if we'll start seeing them at multiple CF parks.

[WolfBobs]

I definitely don't see it as a negative for any small to medium park. Will one of these show up at Point? Probably not. But for KD I think it would be an awesome addition even tho personally I dont really enjoy the flipping.

 

I also wouldn't mind at all if CF took a page from the SF book and added these to multiple parks, maybe Valleyfair and/or MIA (haha who am I kidding right?) and WoF could all be candidates for one of these if it goes over well at KD or if there is one of those mythical package deals where they get a discount to buy more than one.

[Eyebrows]

Happy would-be opening day to all those (myself included) who would have gone today if the park were open!

[pianojohn]

Some pics from the park in April 2010.

 

Intimidator 305 had only been open about a week.

 

This was I believe a week or so after Easter, but the park was dead. I ended up getting about 7 rides on I-305 and greyed out on each and every one!

 

Enjoy!

[tanthonyam]

was that que ever completely full?

[DBru]

Ugh, I love this ride so much. And it’s non-existent lines. Does the trim still bite as hard as it did in 2015?

[CoasterNerd87]

was that que ever completely full?

 

I've seen it full and backed all the way up to the tunnel on Saturdays during Haunt and Holiday weekends (which is why I avoid those).

[CoasterNerd87]

Well this is most unfortunate.

 

https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/williamsburg/despite-requests-gov-northam-isnt-changing-guest-limits-for-busch-gardens-and-kings-dominion-likely-keeping-them-closed/

[AmyUD06]

CF should file a lawsuit to force his hand like they did in Ohio. I'd say get SEAS to join in for BGW, but we all know they're not in the best financial position right now...