East Coast Bash - Kings Dominion - August 22nd!

[robbalvey]

I also noticed those parts of FoF were painted yellow too! The things you notice going 50MPH!!!!

 

--Robb

[B-RadG]

I noticed the huge pyramid of wheels and the Premier test dummies that look like they're getting raped but not the yellow Corkscrew. Weeeird.

[redfoot12]

Can someone explain to me why 'Drop Zone' had to go? This makes me feel like I'm at Knott's riding 'Log Ride.'

 

Because "Drop Zone" was a movie made by Paramount.

 

 

Awesome pics! Glad to hear everyone had fun!

 

I guess the next question would be why would Paramount decide to name a ride after a movie that bombed?

[imawesome1124]

Robb, that was seriously one of the best times of my life! I cannot thank you enough for putting this together! Everything, the lunch was great, the quest game was awesome, the backstage tour was awesome, and ERT rules! Also I promised a trip report and will get it up as soon as I get the pictures off of my camera. Since it's a full trip report and not just photos do I post them here or start my own report? Again thank you.

[FeelTheFORCE]

Can someone explain to me why 'Drop Zone' had to go? This makes me feel like I'm at Knott's riding 'Log Ride.'

 

Because "Drop Zone" was a movie made by Paramount.

 

 

Awesome pics! Glad to hear everyone had fun!

 

I guess the next question would be why would Paramount decide to name a ride after a movie that bombed?

 

Meh, I bought it a while ago for 5 or 10 bucks on Blu-Ray, so it's not bad for that price. Snipes is the man.

[Hhappy]

Robb, that was seriously one of the best times of my life! I cannot thank you enough for putting this together! Everything, the lunch was great, the quest game was awesome, the backstage tour was awesome, and ERT rules! Also I promised a trip report and will get it up as soon as I get the pictures off of my camera. Since it's a full trip report and not just photos do I post them here or start my own report? Again thank you.

 

If you do full report.. i would say to go ahead and post your own.. you could then post a few pictures in here as a "teaser" to your report..

[willh51]

East Coast Bash was amazing. Thanks again to Robb and Kings Dominion for putting this on. It was my first enthusiast event, and my friend and I had a blast! I enjoyed meeting a lot of you guys, especially the UNC fans. ERT/backstage tour/Q&A/games/food = all great. Thanks also to all the park staff and management who were there, especially John Pagel, who is a cool guy and was nice enough to chat with me for a few minutes.

 

I've written about Kings Dominion before so I didn't want to do a trip report, but I'll at least comment on...

 

INTIMIDATOR 305!

The height, the twisties, the controversy! Intimidator 305 is big and it is incredible. I wasn't sure what to expect, but Intamin delivered yet another winner. I305 definitely pulls some Geeeeeeez, and I even saw stars a couple of times. There's nothing like coming back into the station with tingling legs. Whipping through the twister section was my favorite part, especially the one right before the return camelbacks. I thought the ride was incredibly smooth and, although wild, the "throws" into the turns were never painful. This might have something to do with the restraints, which are great. They fit a wide variety of body types and are really comfortable. The lift was a lot faster and steeper than I'd imagined, too. Both trains were running after noon, and the ride seemed to be running really well. The view from the front is great and the back is fun, but the middle actually seemed the most intense. Maybe that's just because I got to keep riding there during ERT? I haven't quite decided, but I think that I305 is my new #3 (right behind Bizarro at SFNE and Maverick and right in front of Millennium Force). And I have to say it at least once more...how the hell did we get a giga at KD?!?

The morning began with ERT on Dominator!

This sort of puts in perspective how big that loop is.

Wooo.

Golden rays from above.

This was funny.

It's der new Dale Sr. coaster.

Oooooh tall.

For the cable lift.

The silver train liked to trick riders by flashing one of the buttons too slowly.

Apparently KD's landscaping department works incredibly hard. There are only four of them!

Don't be stupid or we are moving 305 to Great America.

Attempting to unscrew this falls into the "stupid" I warned you about.

Who is this jackass in my photo?

Intamin's new levitating track design.

What g's?

TPR exclusive angle.

This apparently has something to do with the ride.

Pronto.

Sexy wheels.

[coasterfreak101]

Hey, willh51, you're definitely the guy who was standing next to me when I took a picture in front of the I305 train coming off the third hill. You're actually in one of my pictures! But I don't think I posted that one. Small world!

 

And I also noticed the stuff on the ground, like the box full of dozens of those obnoxious ankle-guard-pad things (those big round things that are part of the Premier restraints). And the giant crane built into the building was definitely something to check out!

[willh51]

Hey, willh51, you're definitely the guy who was standing next to me when I took a picture in front of the I305 train coming off the third hill. You're actually in one of my pictures! But I don't think I posted that one. Small world!

 

And I also noticed the stuff on the ground, like the box full of dozens of those obnoxious ankle-guard-pad things (those big round things that are part of the Premier restraints). And the giant crane built into the building was definitely something to check out!

 

 

Yep, that was me acting foolish! I actually had to crop people out of several of the pictures (I missed a hand in one of those). Not enough real estate for us to get that shot!

[WillMontu]

I took a ton of pictures that day, so I will post a few of the highlights here, as well as a quick video from that night. A proper PTR of some form is in the works.

 

[coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=StartYourEngines_huyf[/coastertube]

ERT on Dominator

This was my second "Geauga-Lake-coaster-ridden-in-two-locations". Not a new credit

First riders of the day on I305

Happy TPR members

The Q&A session with park management

The TPR Quest game

It got aggressive

Finding foreign currency was an easy quest

As for a bra - that took skill

There were prizes to be won

The photo walkback

Many people, myself included, grayed out slightly on this section even with the trim brakes

There was ERT on Volcano and Flight of Fear

...as well as I305

Gentlemen! Start your engines!

That lift is fast.

 

I am probably in the minority by being partial to the Carowinds ride, but that is because I like the floater airtime and the more comfortable restraints.

[robbalvey]

I am probably in the minority by being partial to the Carowinds ride

Yup. But for some reason that doesn't surprise me.

[coasterquazi]

I305 from the tower!

[coasterdude28]

ECB was absolutely awesome! Thank you Robb, Elissa, and the entire KD staff for putting this on. Your hard work was truly appreciated.

 

I'll put some pictures from the day up later one.

[coasterdude28]

Here are some pictures from the day.

Dominator is definitely my favorite floorless. The sky doesn't look promising though.

Finally! The lift hill is so impressive.

Twisty!

Massive lift hill.

Anaconda

The long sections of truss supported track were really awesome. The minimalistic look it gives the ride is very cool.

So much track, so little support.

The walk back provided some incredible views of the ride.

Big, fast turn.

Grey out. Holy sh*t grey out.

There's some other coaster back here too.

Levitating train.

Such and awesome looking ride.

Twisty...through the trees! These turns were incredible.

Through the supports!

Nighttime ERT on Intimidator. Need I say more?

[imawesome1124]

That was a great day and I finally have some pictures posted. Thank you again everyone who put this event together.

This thing is seriously massive.

Evil Togo Death Machine.

Again, massive.

From this close up it looks taller than Millenium Force.

This is just to show how dark it was during ERT

 

 

Remember to check out my full trip report from that day.

[larrygator]

^Wow based on that last picture, it's like they turned off the Sun or something!

[let1gre]

Am I the only one who thinks Shockwave isn't terrible (excluding the second to last turn)?

[robbalvey]

Am I the only one who thinks Shockwave isn't terrible (excluding the second to last turn)?

Shockwave is a coaster that people "Love to Hate." I actually don't think it's that bad either, but I love to rip on it!

[FeelTheFORCE]

Am I the only one who thinks Shockwave isn't terrible (excluding the second to last turn)?

 

The transitions are the only part I didn't like. The airtime, loop, and straight bits were really fun! Shockwave really took me back, because King Cobra at KI was my first ever looping coaster over 10 years ago. The transitions from straight to turn were pretty brutal, though.

[cfc]

I think the first drop and loop are fun, but, oh, the rest of it . . .

[thrillrider]

Yea, just look how cozy the ride looks...

Here is your first sign of a great ride.

Togo trains deliver the finest ride experiance.

[Skycoastin Steve]

I rode Shockwave for the first time in like 12 or 13 years back in June. I wanted it to kill me before it was over so I would stop suffering. That's how bad I thought it was.

[mjblizza]

I just have to say that although my friend and I couldn't stay for the entire day, this was one of the coolest experiences I've ever had. Thanks Robb, John, Ed and the rest of the KD crew for putting this all together. Everything from the ERT to the entire lunch was fantastic. Here are some of the pictures I took on the walkback (all were taken on my phone since I forgot a real camera, so I apologize for the quality.)

Wheeeeeee............

Airtime?

The lift dominates the Virginia sky.

Up the lift they go.

Everybody had to get a closeup shot.

Rebel Yell (not racing)

305 vertical feet of red track, and little support

Anaconda transfer track.

[let1gre]

Am I the only one who thinks Shockwave isn't terrible (excluding the second to last turn)?

Shockwave is a coaster that people "Love to Hate." I actually don't think it's that bad either, but I love to rip on it!

 

Good to know! I guess it's better to hop on the bandwagon than get run over by it.

[PhantomNick]

Wow, this event looks like it was an incredible time! I'm really enjoying seeing all the photos/reports from it. It amazes me when I see how much effort is obviously poured into these events by Robb and Elissa....you guys are awesome! I really need to get myself to a TPR event and join in on all the fun!!