PTR: Josh and Snow Andy visit Kings Dominion

[Josh Linn]

I love doing spontaneous stuff...one minute thinking "hey, I want to go to __________" and then actually leaving to go to said place moments later. This time, I really got the itch to go to Kings Dominion. I've wanted to go since the day I305 was announced, and I finally had a day off and sufficient funds to do so. It was a pretty dumb decision considering I didn't sleep at all the night before, but I wasn't letting that get in the way of me and I305. The forecast called for scattered thunderstorms around 2 PM, so I left Bloomsburg at 5 AM to make sure I got there around opening. That would give me more than enough time to at least get my I305 credit. I got stuck in some hellacious DC traffic which put me a little behind schedule, but I still got there around 11:30 (and I must say, what a freaking boring drive).

 

Before I continue, you may be wondering..."what/who in god's name is Snow Andy?" You have questions, I got answers:

 

This is Snow Andy. Basically, my aunts got into this phase of secretly stealing things from one another, and this poor snowman was a casualty. He's been missing from his rightful owner since Christmas. It's become sort of a family meme that whenever one of us goes on vacation, we take Snow with us. So far he's been to Cancun, Georgia, New York, Las Vegas, and now Kings Dominion. Back to your regularly scheduled programming.

 

It was ridiculously hot when I got there. I loathe water, but I drank 2 bottles on the way there to get somewhat hydrated. The parking lot was pretty empty, so before I headed back to Intimidator, I decided to get a quick ride on Dominator.

 

DOMINATOR (#69): I narrowly missed riding this at Geauga Lake (then SF Worlds of Adventure) when our bus trip there was cancelled, so I was pretty excited to ride this. I've heard reports that the ride was starting to get "B&M Rough", but it really wasn't bad at all. I loved the low turn after the loop/turnaround/cobra roll sequence, and the ending was very good as well. Out of the 3 floorless coasters I've ridden, I'd put this one at the top of the list, followed by Bizarro and Hydra, respectively.

 

I was starting to get a little tired considering I was working off of no sleep, but I was so pumped up to ride Intimidator. I was geeking out like a little kid...and that multiplied when I saw the line was literally non-existent. It was finally time.

 

INTIMIDATOR 305 (#70): Sorry El Toro, you've been replaced. Even with the trim, this ride was freaking nuts. Greyed out big time in the turnaround, and quite frankly I had tunnel vision nearly the whole ride, it was that intense (plus, the heat and lack of much water). The new restraints were really comfortable and didn't limit the airtime I got at all. Just an overall insane ride that slides right into my #1 spot.

 

As much as I wanted to run around and ride again, I was wiped out from the first ride. I was starting to get really sluggish and was developing a headache. But the credit whoring had to go on, so I headed over to Flight of Fear.

 

FLIGHT OF FEAR (#71): This was my first spaghetti bowl coaster, and despite my headache, I liked it a lot. Very disorienting and pretty intense. I forgot about the corkscrew at the end of these, and that really caught me off guard

 

After FoF, I really should've stopped to take a break and get some water, but I was still afraid of the weather even though there wasn't a cloud in the sky. I headed over to Volcano since it was right there. I heard that this almost always has a long line, but it was only 20 minutes tops.

 

VOLCANO (#72): Pretty fun ride. A little bit of a rattle (probably accentuated by my headache), but I still enjoyed it. I love any ride that has low, sweeping, high speed turns. What can I say, I'm a sucker. The "inline twist, turn, rinse, repeat" section was taken a lot faster than I thought as well.

 

After Volcano I finally stopped to get some water and sit in the shade for a little. It helped a little, but the fact that I hadn't slept in 20 hours was too much to get over. I had to get my credits though, so on to Avalanche, another walk on.

 

AVALANCHE (#73): I hadn't been on a bobsled since I rode Disaster Transport in 2000, and this was my first outdoor one. It was a little rough, but still more fun than I thought it was going to be. Although if Flying Turns ever opens, I hope it's not as rough.

 

After Avalanche the fatigue/heat was really setting in...it was a struggle for me to even walk for long periods at a time (and no I'm not morbidly obese, just out of shape, sleep deprived, and poorly hydrated). Nevertheless, I kept on trucking. Next up: The Italian Stunt Job Coaster.

 

BACKLOT STUNT COASTER (#74): For a family ride, it was pretty intense (greyed out a little in the helix). The one complaint I had was that the helicopter scene was uncomfortably loud. I had to put my hands over my ears it got so bad. Fun ride though.

 

After BSC I realized that if I wanted to get home tonight and not fall asleep at the wheel, I had to leave ASAP. I really didn't want to, but my body was done. The credit whore in me prevailed one last time, though.

 

REBEL YELL (#75): At this point I was way too out of it and had too much of a headache to possibly enjoy a ride, but for an old woodie, it was pretty smooth. Got a decent amount of air on the way out, not much on the way back though. I was amazed at how close to I305 you get during the turnaround...damn that ride is massive.

 

I really, really wanted to ride Grizzly, but I didn't feel like spending the energy to go find it, so I just peaced out around 2:45. I started driving on I-95 for about 25 miles when my eyes started to get really heavy and my headache got worse. Luckily there was a cheap Ramada Inn at the next exit, so I pulled off and slept for a few hours.

 

Overall I was very impressed with the park. I got a crapload done in the 4 hours I was there thanks to the short lines and surely would've knocked out all possible credits in the park had I been able to stay. I'm definitely going to go back soon when I actually slept and hydrated well.

 

40's in a gas station...we're not in Pennsylvania anymore.

 

Dominator loop photo quota: met

 

Snow approves of Dominator. Ironically enough, that's what the snow-women call him.

 

Yessssss, finally. There it is. Getting closer.

 

Jackpot! But really, KD struck gold with this one.

 

My chariot awaits.

 

Snow was intimidated. So much so that he hid in my pocket the whole ride. What a loser.

 

I was very anti-Earnhardt growing up, but after he died I've grown to appreciate him and his accomplishments. And his roller coaster.

 

Lines? What lines?

 

Snow had a weird phobia of aliens/spaceships, but he sucked it up and got on Flight of Fear.

 

On to Volcano. Really cool entrance/surrounding area.

 

Despite being hesitant of going on a ride named Volcano that was located in and around a freaking volcano, Snow gave his stamp of approval.

 

Avalanche...now THAT'S more like it.

 

Snow was chilling on the trash can trying to hitch a ride from one of BSC's Mini Coo...er...stunt cars.

[fatdaddy]

I can't decide between a Steel Reserve and a Guiness, so just get me both. Cool report, but you don't gotta lie, it's ok if you carry a snowman around in your pocket all the time, just as long is it doesn't start talking to you.

[Josh Linn]

I can't decide between a Steel Reserve and a Guiness, so just get me both. Cool report, but you don't gotta lie, it's ok if you carry a snowman around in your pocket all the time, just as long is it doesn't start talking to you.

 

That was the only negative about it...the center part of it is actually a metal ball, so it didn't really conform to my pocket well and was really freaking uncomfortable.

 

It was really embarrassing walking through the metal detector at the front gate. Everyone is putting normal stuff in the basket while I throw in my cell phone, my keys, and a snowman.

[rckrazy06]

OMG Kinzel has his own fort now!?!?! haha great Trip Report!

[triggernel]

^ Actually he's got two.

[KDcoasterMAN]

I'm sorry that you missed out on Grizzly. This week it has been giving incredible rides on Yellow train!

[Josh Linn]

I'm sorry that you missed out on Grizzly. This week it has been giving incredible rides on Yellow train!

 

In hindsight I don't know why I just didn't skip Rebel Yell and ride Grizzly, but I was so out of it at that point I just wanted one last credit so I could go home.

[Intimidator305]

Glad you enjoyed Intimidator 305 so much. In my opinion it is still a world-class coaster despite being slowed down a little. Thanks for the awesome trip report!