Kings Dominion (KD) Discussion Thread

[boldikus]

The trick with free-spins is to staple yourself so you can't move around too much. Once I started doing that I began to enjoy them. I don't love them but I'll ride them if I'm in the mood. The good thing about them is they're all really short. The missus, who is iffy on a lot of rides/coasters absolutely loves them. The one @ SFNE is my favorite so far, it just ran well and I was in the mood for it when we rode. I generally skip ours @ GreatAdv, for the same reason I skip Superman most of the time - we just have better coasters. 

[Invertalon]

Well, for what it's worth, I was stapled both times. My experience with the ride also had nothing to do with me sliding around a seat or anything, it's being spun in random positions and just the awkwardness of the entire thing. I don't mind this on a top spin or something controlled like X2, but the nature of what these freespins do with the magnetics to 'kick things off' isn't for me. The train/restraint itself is fine, no issue there with comfort. It's just what the thing does that sucks. 

[AmyUD06]

3 minutes ago, Invertalon said:

Well, for what it's worth, I was stapled both times. My experience with the ride also had nothing to do with me sliding around a seat or anything, it's being spun in random positions and just the awkwardness of the entire thing. I don't mind this on a top spin or something controlled like X2, but the nature of what these freespins do with the magnetics to 'kick things off' isn't for me. The train/restraint itself is fine, no issue there with comfort. It's just what the thing does that sucks. 

I thoroughly agree.

[bert425]

22 hours ago, boldikus said:

The trick with free-spins is to staple yourself so you can't move around too much. Once I started doing that I began to enjoy them. I don't love them but I'll ride them if I'm in the mood. The good thing about them is they're all really short. The missus, who is iffy on a lot of rides/coasters absolutely loves them. The one @ SFNE is my favorite so far, it just ran well and I was in the mood for it when we rode. I generally skip ours @ GreatAdv, for the same reason I skip Superman most of the time - we just have better coasters. 

Yup. . I not only Staple myself, but then I push back on the restraints to force myself into the seat during the ride.

the "trick" is to flip WITH the seats, instead of being batted around like a ragdoll in the dryer.

[KBrylczyk]

13 minutes ago, bert425 said:

the "trick" is to flip WITH the seats, instead of being batted around like a ragdoll in the dryer.

Don't kink shame.

[VegasBaby]

We are headed to the park on Sunday and it looks a little chilly (high of 58), so I'm guessing it won't be too crowded.  I was planning on purchasing FL+, but I certainly don't want to spend the money if it's not needed.  My thought is to hit up Tumbili/Reptilian first then head to Twisted Timbers.  Are there any other rides that tend to get long lines that we should hit next?  Also, any food recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

[bert425]

1 hour ago, KBrylczyk said:

Don't kink shame.

 

[coneyislandchris]

15 minutes ago, VegasBaby said:

We are headed to the park on Sunday and it looks a little chilly (high of 58), so I'm guessing it won't be too crowded.  I was planning on purchasing FL+, but I certainly don't want to spend the money if it's not needed.  My thought is to hit up Tumbili/Reptilian first then head to Twisted Timbers.  Are there any other rides that tend to get long lines that we should hit next?

I mean, honestly, if this upcoming Sunday is anything like last Sunday was, you'll be good to go without FL+. Take a look on the previous page for my trip report from this past Sunday, and that was on a day where it was in the high 60's. You'll be fine.

[teacherkim]

47 minutes ago, VegasBaby said:

We are headed to the park on Sunday and it looks a little chilly (high of 58), so I'm guessing it won't be too crowded.  I was planning on purchasing FL+, but I certainly don't want to spend the money if it's not needed.  My thought is to hit up Tumbili/Reptilian first then head to Twisted Timbers.  Are there any other rides that tend to get long lines that we should hit next?  Also, any food recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

I'm one that often just buys it ahead of time figuring I will get my use out of it. BUT it was not bad at all last weekend and I definitely think you can wait until you get to the park and decide then, they won't sell out. The only thing that had any sort of line more than 15 min was Tumbili and you can't use FL+ on that anyway, plus the water rides are not yet open for the season.

[VegasBaby]

9 minutes ago, teacherkim said:

I'm one that often just buys it ahead of time figuring I will get my use out of it. BUT it was not bad at all last weekend and I definitely think you can wait until you get to the park and decide then, they won't sell out. The only thing that had any sort of line more than 15 min was Tumbili and you can't use FL+ on that anyway, plus the water rides are not yet open for the season.

Thanks for the advice, I will hold off purchasing it and just see how the lines are.  I think we'll get there early and hit Tumbili first.

[AmyUD06]

2 hours ago, VegasBaby said:

Thanks for the advice, I will hold off purchasing it and just see how the lines are.  I think we'll get there early and hit Tumbili first.

Yeah, what everyone else said.  You shouldn't need FL.  Is this your first trip to the park?  If so, I would hit Reptilian first, since its capacity is HORRIBLE, then Tumbili, then duck back up into the kids area for Woodstock Express (I always feel less weird in the morning when there's not a full queue of kids), then Flight of Fear (not the greatest capacity, and always gets a longer line than most everything else), then Apple Zapple (another horrible throughput ride, if you care about getting the credit), and then Twisted Timbers.  Then go about the day as you see fit.

Let me know if you want row recommendations or any other tips; KD isn't the closest park to me but I consider it my "home" park.

[CP_RULES]

Am I the only one that gets rocked like a baby to sleep on these rides?

[JJLehto]

On 4/10/2022 at 5:39 PM, CP_RULES said:

Am I the only one that gets rocked like a baby to sleep on these rides?

I quite like the rides, though I totally get why some wouldn't. 

Unrelated, going to KD today, realized that when I checked my Platinum Pass renewal email I had nothing to print, not even a bar code to scan just "its active" I do see no date is on the pass itself. Do I simply just provide the pass at the park and all is good? (with photo ID ofc)

[AmyUD06]

3 hours ago, JJLehto said:

I quite like the rides, though I totally get why some wouldn't. 

Unrelated, going to KD today, realized that when I checked my Platinum Pass renewal email I had nothing to print, not even a bar code to scan just "its active" I do see no date is on the pass itself. Do I simply just provide the pass at the park and all is good? (with photo ID ofc)

Yeah, if you renewed a previously existing season pass, it is automatically activated for this year (along with any season add-ons you purchased for 2022).  You won't even need photo ID, just the card (or scan from the your phone) will suffice.

[JJLehto]

Yup, was super easy!

There was a surprisingly small crowd at gate open, got to Twisted Timbers for the 2nd train of day, 4 rides in 40 minutes. Hopped over to Racer then I305, did 4 in a row before I had my fill. Grabbed Tumbili for the credit, though I do like the ride, a spin on Dominator and called it a day. I was so beat from the sun and cumulative walking from these days, so got an early start on heading to DC. Also platinum pass I don't feel quite the same urge to do everything. 

God TT is amazing. I think it's gunna end up being #2 just behind SV, the airtime, pace, layout is all just perfect. And I305 finally after 9 years and a lift hill breakdown got back on this beast. Wow, I forgot just how truly insane this ride is. I love it but holy hell that thing is the upper limit. 

[CP_RULES]

23 hours ago, JJLehto said:

There was a surprisingly small crowd at gate open, got to Twisted Timbers for the 2nd train of day, 4 rides in 40 minutes. Hopped over to Racer then I305, did 4 in a row before I had my fill. Grabbed Tumbili for the credit, though I do like the ride, a spin on Dominator and called it a day.  

So to be clear: the new ride is good… BUT, you went to their second, third, and second-to-last newest coasters first and got the new one “for the credit.” Noted.

[AmyUD06]

22 minutes ago, CP_RULES said:

So to be clear: the new ride is good… BUT, you went to their second, third, and second-to-last newest coasters first and got the new one “for the credit.” Noted.

I stand by their assessment.  S&S 4Ds are not for me, and I too only rode it for the credit, though mine was the third of the day (preceded by Dominator and Woodstock Express).

[PKI Jizzman]

Anyone else talking about the thicker tougher over the shoulder pads on i305? They're not like Maverick and even lil ol me at 5'9" thought they were rough on the shoulders vs the previous softer kind. Last visit was 2018 so I'm wondering when the change was made. It's still incredible but if you're 6ft or over I'd think the experience is really uncomfortable. 

[JJLehto]

On 4/17/2022 at 9:41 PM, CP_RULES said:

So to be clear: the new ride is good… BUT, you went to their second, third, and second-to-last newest coasters first and got the new one “for the credit.” Noted.

....Yes? Not sure the intention here, feels weirdly aggressive/judgy/sounding like a did something weird/wrong? Not quite sure what you're getting at, but yes, I do like those S&S free spins but ya know they are clones...done one (which I have multiple times) you've done em all. 

Twisted Timbers, I305, Dominator are unique and obviously better. Those are priority, Tumbili was there so I did it but I don't think it's weird to say I prefer/prioritize the RMC, IntaGiga and big B&M over it lol You do you but is there some rule you are supposed to do the newest first and go in order or something? lmao  

 

 

[CP_RULES]

^I guess I just wonder why parks keep building these when they don’t even attract guests when they’re brand new. It sounds to me like you would have found yourself at the park this year regardless of Tumbili. Not every ride is going to be a huge magnet ride, I get that, but in my opinion the free-spin fad needs to die as soon as possible. For those that like them, there’s plenty already built!

[VegasBaby]

15 minutes ago, CP_RULES said:

^I guess I just wonder why parks keep building these when they don’t even attract guests when they’re brand new. It sounds to me like you would have found yourself at the park this year regardless of Tumbili. Not every ride is going to be a huge magnet ride, I get that, but in my opinion the free-spin fad needs to die as soon as possible. For those that like them, there’s plenty already built!

I wouldn't say that these rides aren't attracting guests, Tumbili had the longest line in the park.  Part of that is due to the capacity but it's also new and different.  Parks keep building these coasters because they are cheap and it gives them a new coaster to promote, they are the Vekoma Boomerangs of the 2020's.  As enthusiasts, we aren't that impressed but it seems like the GP really likes them.    

[njcoasterguy34]

Also, not everyone can afford to travel the country to ride specific kinds of roller coasters.

[JJLehto]

7 hours ago, CP_RULES said:

^I guess I just wonder why parks keep building these when they don’t even attract guests when they’re brand new. It sounds to me like you would have found yourself at the park this year regardless of Tumbili. Not every ride is going to be a huge magnet ride, I get that, but in my opinion the free-spin fad needs to die as soon as possible. For those that like them, there’s plenty already built!

Oh well I can't vouch for the crowds they draw, just bc I don't know, I got on early as noted but the line did get quite long and stayed long (perhaps it was not great capacity more for that?) until I left. So it had quite a crowd least that day. But oh yeah I'd have been there if Tumbili never existed lol 

I guess the parks have stats on these things, (which always beat observations) I dont know how "worth it" the free spins are. I assume parks build em though for the reasons they built boomerangs and SLCs and others....cheap, easy, ya know what you get, why use time and $ to always make something new when ya can plop something down? We don't like it....but from a business POV I get it. Do they draw enough riders to pull it off? No idea, though I'd think parks wouldn't bother if they were flops? Also much as we wish, and I do, parks don't cater to enthusiasts, so they don't really care much I'm sure what I'd do...as you said I'd have gone regardless, but locals won't really care so yeah I'm sure it makes sense to plop the free spins down.

[AmyUD06]

Like other's have said, it's not that 4D's don't attract guests - anything new will do that.  The GP seems to eat it up, and this is the first one in a four hour radius for KD locals, so it's going to get some attention.  The only Six Flags park that many of them have experience with is America, which somehow dodged the massive SF 4D-dump they took on most of their parks over the past few years.

They just don't garner the immediate attention of the kind of folks that visit this site.

[CoasterNerd87]

I believe the change of theming in the area to Jungle Expedition is the bigger draw. Sure a new coaster, but everyone was calling it for what it was at the time, The Crypt replacement. Feels like everyone is beating a dead horse at this point about Tumbili. I for one am very excited so see all of the changes happening to the area as a whole. They are definitely investing in theming and a cohesive story across the whole area. Very excited to see where it goes.

 

Insert dislike for Tumbili as a ride here, but it looks pretty in the space and it's great to the ride as a whole be interactive in the space. Not as much of a wow factor as the Crypt was with the fire effects, but definitely nice to see scenery not stop at the curb of the ride.