TR: Kings Dominion 8/11

[xVicesAndVirtues]

After making my first visit to Kings Dominion during Haunt last year and, of course, knowing what was on the way for 2010, Kings Dominion was on the top of my list to visit for 2010. At the beginning/middle of the summer, I was starting to become skeptical of whether I'd make it there or not, but, with just a few days notice, decided to make on on-the-fly visit on August 11th.

 

There are so many things I have to say about this park. I LOVE this park, and it has SO much potential, and is definitely one of my favorite parks. I hope that Intimidator305 is only the beginning of the future for Kings Dominion.

 

I'd have to say, though, some things about the park annoyed me quite a bit. We arrived 15-20 minutes past opening, to find that every path to the back of the park was blocked off by security. I really don't get why a park would open at 10am, let people into the entrance plaza/Dominator area, then restrict access past the back side of Ghoster Coaster and past the back side paths behind the Eiffel Tower. I've seen Six Flags parks contain everyone for opening...but not PAST the posted park opening time.

 

The next thing I'd have to say is that operations were pretty inconsistent. The worst operations of the day were on Dominator. The coaster would run two trains on that HUGE layout, yet the 2nd train would stack for 1-3 minutes EVERY time. This made for a 45 minute wait on what would be a one train or walk-on at any other park.

 

On the other hand, it was as though they took all their best operations team members and all their resources and threw them at Intimidator305. With a one-train operation and full queue, the wait was barely over 20-25 minutes. I don't even know how they managed to pull that off.

 

Overall, though, the park had a great atmosphere, amazing assortment of flats and coasters alike, above-average food at a decent price, and plenty of ways to cool off on what was a 105-degree, humid, sunny day. Now, onto the coaster reviews:

 

 

Intimidator305: The reason I came. This coaster was NUTS. Crazy fast elevator lift, followed by a perfect drop. The trims were definitely noticeable, but the parabolic curve over the top gave a great thrill. The turnaround was ridiculous...I'm glad I didn't experience it at 92mph, because I blacked out the entire second half just going 79.5mph. The hill after that gave a nice moment of relief, followed by a crazy mass of twists, directional changes, and airtime. The 90-degree-left to 90-degree-right transitions were crazy intense, and made me VERY thankful for the shoulder straps. Maverick should REALLY get those. Overall, this is my new #3 coaster, edging out Millennium Force by just a hair. My top 5 steel now looks like this:

1. Bizarro - Six Flags New England

2. El Toro - Six Flags Great Adventure

3. Intimidator 305 - Kings Dominion

4. Millennium Force - Cedar Point

5. Maverick - Cedar Point

 

Dominator: I loved this just as much this year as I did last year. Dominator is CRAZY huge for a B&M Floorless. I'm a really big fan of Hydra the Revenge, and tend to prefer the smaller, tighter B&M floorlesses, but Dominator is SO large, fast, and intense that it makes a great case. I'd probably have to call it my favorite floorless...or possibly tie with Hydra.

 

Volcano The Blast Coaster: This coaster feels like your typical dose of Intamin awesomeness. The intensity is there, especially in the beginning with the launches. I really wish that more of these were built. I like Impulses, but why not build a full-length creation with the LIMs instead? The only thing I slightly dislike about this coaster are some of the slower barrel rolls at the top of the mountain.

 

Hypersonic XL...oh wait, nevermind...

 

Anaconda: I have to admit my appreciation for these older Arrow multi-loopers. It's sad that they're starting to bite the dust, with Great American Scream Machine going away just recently. Anaconda isn't quite a Loch Ness Monster or Viper(DL) as far as smoothness goes, but it's still thrilling and intense. The over-water location is very picturesque and thrilling, too. I just wish that they'd skipped on the coat-hanger turn of hell in the middle of the ride, and some of the transitions before/after the MCBR. But overall, I really enjoy riding in the back car and getting pulled smoothly through classic Arrow double-corkscrews. Oh, and awesome overviews of Intimidator305's layout from the lift hill.

 

Hurler: I LOVE this woodie. It seems like every older wooden coaster you ride does some series of drop, airtime hill, high-turnaround with anti-rollbacks, out, back, whatever. I LOVE how much time this coaster spends zooming along on the ground, and the huge banked 180s are refreshing. This coaster reminds me of Wild One at SFA in how under-rated, yet fantastic, it is.

 

Grizzly: Average woodie, cool tunnels, thrilling ride. Kind of blends in with the rest of the woodies out there, though.

 

Avalanche: I love Bobsleds. I prefer the Intamin ones, but I believe this is the only Mack bobsled in the United States. It's definitely thrilling, and it feels odd the way the floor of the cars can flex on the track. Definitely a relaxing ride with a short wait.

 

Flight of Fear: For some reason, this is a lot less thrilling than Joker's Jinx at Six Flags America, even though they're the same. It's a shame, because Flight of Fear is in the dark and Joker's Jinx is in a field. Every park should have a Premier launched coaster, though. They're just as smooth as Intamin and B&M coasters for the most part, and they're very thrilling.

 

Shockwave: Thrilling, but feels like it was designed by somebody in their backyard. The restraints/trains are frightening to look at...my friend said "what the hell is this contraption?" when we were getting on. These are the types of coasters that I enjoy because they truly scare me. Definitely a true Togo Death Machine.

 

We skipped on Back Lot Stunt Coaster (rode it last year, it was fun), Ghoster Coaster, and Ricochet. Rebel Yell was down and appeared to be getting some much-needed TLC and track work. Aside from the coasters, Drop Tower is terrifying and The Crypt is an awesome flat. I wish all top spins were floorless. Overall, it was a fantastic day at Kings Dominion, and I want to make a point to visit this park every year.

 

I'll post pictures soon, just need to do some re-sizing.

[tiger01]

Hypersonic XL...oh wait, nevermind...

[KDCOASTERFAN]

Made the mistake of riding hurler over the weekend hoping that the trims would at least dull the pain of that first curve but alas was disappointed....when a coaster is that rough just going into the pre-drop curve then you know it's gonna be bad all the way through.

[FeelTheFORCE]

My top 5 steel now looks like this:

1. Bizarro - Six Flags New England

2. El Toro - Six Flags Great Adventure

3. Intimidator 305 - Kings Dominion

4. Millennium Force - Cedar Point

5. Maverick - Cedar Point

 

I know it has prefabricated track, but a steel? Not so sure about that one. To each his own I guess, though.

 

 

Nice trip report!

[Lenaapple1974]

OH MY! You can keep the Crypt! OUCHIE!! lol. Very odd that they blocked everything off. I was there almost two weeks later at the same time, and we walked straight from Dominator (after riding it 3x in a row - definitely an awesome coaster!!) back through to Volcano no problem. I have to say, the park was sooo empty, and they were cycling the trains very fast. We never waited more than two trains for any ride other than Volcano. We were done by 3pm, riding everything more than once each. Downside is that it was super hot. OH, and the girls at the food place by Intimidator would not sell us the red cup! They said they were not allowed, but then I saw loads of people with one! So we got stuck with yellow. (Would you know why by chance?) Oh well.

 

I agree, CP should definitely invest in the same restraints that i305 has for Maverick. i305 was great though, although I think I prefer MF's layout more. I need to ride them again, and again.... and again... One day I may figure it all out!

Your top is also the same as mine, not in that particular order, since I have yet to ride Superman, eh, uh...I mean Bizarro...but hopefully soon.

 

Can't wait for the pics!!

[alilstronger]

I was there a few weeks ago on a Thursday and the operations were pretty good. I do not understand why they use only one train on Intimidator and 2 on Anaconda when it did not have any line. It was always a walk on. I had the same thing happen when the park opened they blocked the walk ways to the back of the park in the kiddie section, by the tower, and on the other side. A lot of guest kept saying why open a park and then not actually 'open' it. If they are going to do that then just wait to let everyone in.

 

I agree the Crypt is an awesome ride! Just wish it flipped more and you actually got wet by the water shooting up.

 

I also see a lot of potential for this park. They have a lot of open space in the park still which means lots of space for new rides in the future.