TR: Virginia Trip May 2010

[CNYCoasterguy11]

So just want to give everyone a heads up, my name is Eric and this is my first ever Trip Report. I'm new to the Forums but have followed the site for awhile now. I'm a Coaster Lover (duh) and I love checking out the pictures and reports everyone does. This is easily my favorite coaster site. I figured I would join the forums and post a trip report of my own from my 2010 trip to Virginia.

 

Along the Way I visited two major parks and a small Go-Kart park among other visits to historical Williamsburg and a day at Virginia Beach. I have to say I've been to Kings Dominion when it was a Paramount Park and a Cedar Fair park and I have to say it was a better experience as a Cedar Fair Park. I did however miss the movie references and themes but the service was actually pretty good on my trip. Intimidator was brand new when I visited and it certainly impressed me, it was unlike anything I have ever ridden before, easily a top ten of mine. We also visited Go-Karts Plus for a little credit whoring on the kiddie coaster : ) since we staying right in Williamsburg, on a side note it was also my first Disk-O ride.

 

Among the amusement parks we also had a great day at Water Country USA which is by far one of the best waterparks I've ever been too. It certainly was a Busch Gardens owned park as even on opening day the gardens looked amazing. I was a little disappointed however by Meltdown, so much potential but it was pretty slow.

 

The main reason aside from intimidator was to visit Busch Gardens Europe, my favorite non-disney park, a park I hadn't been to since 2003. I was sad that the Big Bad wolf was gone but Griffon certainly helped ease my pain : ), and Curse of DarKastle was pretty good, and very well themed. Busch Gardens was amazing as it always is and even though we ran into a bit of spotty weather it didn't dampen our day, we were able to ride Escape from Pompeii 4 times in a row after the storm rolled thru, needless to say we were pretty drenced.

 

So i will now let the pictures do the talking and add some descriptions along the way. Please comment and let me know how I did on my first TR, and hopefully next time I can do even better next time.

Here we are Kings Dominion with the obligatory Eiffel Tower shot.

Volcano-a great ride that is too short and has a bad loading speed

But still a great ride

Back-lot Stunt Coaster was an ok ride, the finish was the best part but they only had two trains running which meant long lines

Intimidator 305, my first giga coaster

I was surprised how fast the lift hill was for such a tall coaster

Over the top we go.......!!!!!

Shot from the Eiffel Tower

I love shooting dark rides and Boo Blasters was pretty darn good

Very Well themed and no line : )

Dominator, it was a little rougher than I had expected but the loop was really good nonetheless.

Mandatory Sign Shot

Massive Loop

Spongebob Squarepants, an ok 4-D ride, the 3-D could have been better

Whats that I see?

Oh it's just Shockwave : (

I love spinning rides....my wife not so much

A nice looking Carousel

Americana

El Dorado

Why not just name this part of the park Geauga Lake

Skycoaster, still have yet to ride one

Drop Tower, the most creative name ever!

What Goes Up.......

Must Come Dowwwwwwwnnnnnnn!!!!!!

Volcano from the Eiffel Tower

Dominator

So long Kings Dominion Till Next Time

Go-Karts Plus for credit Whoring!

Didn't get a pick of the coaster but here's the Disk-O, my first ever

Kiddieland, I worked at Sylvan Beach for four summers and we too had a kiddieland

Busch Gardens...Yay!!!

I have always loved the themeing here

Scotland from the Skyride

Griffon from the Skyride

Amazing Coaster and my first Dive coaster too

Love the first drop hang from the front row

It's nice to see an Theme Park give back especially when it's to help protect wildlife

Sesame Street Forest of Fun a great addition to the park for families

Im glad they didn't have to remove land of the Dragons like Tampa had too.

Credit Whoring credit #2 (I have my hands up lol)

Grover was pretty fun for a kid coaster might be better with a second circuit.

Best Shoot the Chute Ride Ever

This is the only one I will ride and not mind getting wet

SPLASH!!!!!

Once again incredible themeing and the inside is awesome

Tea-Cup Ride

Little Balloons

Italy

Like no one has ever taken this shot before

Or this one

Rhine River Cruise

One Loop....

.....Two Loop

I miss you Big Bad Wolf : ' (

Rhinefield

Land of the Dragons, so many memories of when I was a kid here

Daytime

Nighttime

Kiddie Wheel

The Kinder Carousel...not to be confused with the meaner carousel

Curse of DarKastle entrance

Love this statue, that's all for me, I hope to have an even better TR next time, and sorry for not having any Alpengeist or Apollo's Chariot Photos, next time I will take more pictures. Thanks For reading

[live2tell75]

Great first trip report! BGW is one of my favorite parks of all time. Just a gorgeous setting with a great mix of attractions. Thanks for posting!

[cfc]

I'd say that Meltdown is the weakest slide at Water Country, but having a full "toboggan" helps. Glad you had fun in Virginia.

[Jerrykoala2112]

I went to Kings Dominion in 2009 and pretty much had the same experience as you! Although I hate to wait about 20 minutes for Boo Blasters... But I'm pretty sure it was Scooby Doo back then, I don't remember. One thing I don't like about Kings Dominion is that the water park is inside the theme park, just like Hershey Park, I just was they were more separate. Other than that, KD is great!

 

Same thing goes for Busch Gardens Europe, I went in 2009 and was lucky enough to ride Big Bad Wolf a few weeks before it closed. I loved it, and it's a bummer they had to remove it. But I agree with you too, Griffon and DarKastle are fantastic rides!

 

And for your first PTR, you did a great job! Can't wait to see more