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Photo TR: Kings Dominion Preview Day 3/30/14


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Yesterday was Kings Dominion's Preview Day for family and friends. A very nice event despite the cold, rainy weather. It was from 11:30a-4p, and of course the crowds were very low because of the forecast.

 

Majority of all attractions were open including coasters, shops, and restaurants (pretty much a normal operating day). Surprisingly to see Grizzly running both trains and Rebel Yell racing! I must say, for the park to open this weekend, they have out-did themselves with an awesome job and the staff were very energetic and friendly.

 

Of course, nothing is perfect and a lot still is in preparation for opening weekend/'14 season, but I'm sure there's going to be a lot of smiles on the younger and older generations with this season's additions. Many "Golden Years" memories, charm, theming, and character has been restored from seasons back!

 

Kings Dominion has gone all out for their 40th Anniversary! Here's my report below...

Also, for more "Golden Years" memories of the park, you may follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/KD-Golden-Years/229513350522757

 

 

"The Singing Mushrooms" in action..

 

"Welcome to Candy Apple Grove"

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"One of Those Songs"

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Kings Dominion Clown Band

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The Floral Clock

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The Floral Clock is back in Candy Apple Grove, since years ago!

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New 40th logo with flowers/planters

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Happy 40th Kings Dominion!

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Crowds were starting to draw in...

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KD40 Souvenir Shop. Showcasing the original staffing uniforms from the 70's.

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Do I smell "Smurf Mountain??" :)

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Volcano's new painted water pool.

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Chasers running the whole course back to 305.

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305 and Anaconda lifts together.

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The new entrance stairway to Volcano's station.

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You can spot out Rebel Yell's chasers here.

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1990s "Walk of Memories"

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1990s "Walk of Memories"

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1990s "Walk of Memories"

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1990s "Walk of Memories"

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1980s "Walk of Memories"

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1980s "Walk of Memories"

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1980s "Walk of Memories"

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1980s "Walk of Memories"

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1970s "Walk of Memories"

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1970's "Walk of Memories"

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2000s "Walk of Memories"

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2000s "Walk of Memories"

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2000s "Walk of Memories"

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Volcano's new Q system. The entrance is now on the side of the Q going down steps leading you to the station. The load and unload station combined into one vs the past. As you can see the photo, the operating board has be removed to where we use to load the back/middle of the train. And exiting, you'll walk up steps that's beside the operating board. This process is a lot quicker, they train dispatches to the launch area vs unloading, then loading. It took no time!

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It's been 14 years...The life-size CANDY APPLES scattered around the area, with the return of the infamous Floral Clock, along with the renaming of Triple Spin to Bad Apple. And we cannot forgot about the beloved Singing Mushrooms. Candy Apple Grove is back, and here to stay!

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Safari Village has replaced Congo with the return of The Hungry Hippo since 1996. Also, Anaconda with its vibrant re-paint job(not perfect but, smoother ride with the new wheels and paint job, also the tunnel splash effect was working a few times) Volcano's new constructed load/unload station, which has improved the capacity level. (the mountain is still under a multi-year project). 305 was firing up the track, along with all the coasters running good. I'm not sure if Crypt will be open this weekend, as the gondola was missing/under repair. According to Kings Dominion's website, opening mid-May

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Showing Dominator's new colored restraints/seats up close. Photo Credit: KDFansite

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The large candy apples has nothing on Drop Tower thought! ;)

BTW, was closed due to weather.

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Side of the Floral Clock

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More 40th banners.

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20 or so candy life-size candy apples scattered throughout Candy Apple Grove, taking it back to the roots!

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New exit ramp from Volcano.

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Exiting Volcano.

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Candy apples and 40th banners along the midway.

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Shockwave off-setting the candy appples

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They're such a beauty!

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Candy apple, meet Eiffel Tower.

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Spring and Festive!

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International Street's new paint job!

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Original staffing uniform from the 70's.

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New 40th banners on International Street

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New 40th postcard.

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KD40 Souvenir Shop.

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"The Singing Mushrooms" shirt

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New 40 "Fallen Kings Dominion Rides" shirts sold at KD40.

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305 and Anaconda off in the distance.

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1970s "Walk of Memories"

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2000s "Walk of Memories"

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New "Fountain and Floats" restaurant.

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The old walkover ramp of Volcano has been gated off.

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The launch pulsing lights are back on for FOF!

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New position of Volcano's operating booth.."All clear means you're out of here!"

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Volcano's new exit steps.

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The old water wheel has been added back to Shenandoah Lumber Company/Log Flume

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Old Virginia, not much here has changed.

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DINOSAURS: Giants of Patagonia

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"Walk of Memories" guides around Eiffel Tower.

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Anaconda's new vibrant paint job!

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New Safari Village logo/sign.

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Volcano's 1st roll-back of the season! ;)

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New paint job on the new "Pizza Parlor" of International Street! Many Golden Years fans maybe remember it as "Tower of Pizza."

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1970s "Walk of Memories"

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HAPPY 40TH KINGS DOMINION!

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With Anaconda's new wheels and paint job, it wasn't perfect but definitely a smoother ride from before.

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Kings Dominion's Clown Band is back and are crazy as before! This talented group of musicians roam throughout the park as they interact with guest with pure entertainment!

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The new and improved International Street for the 40th Anniversary, opening this Saturday! New enhancements with the Royal Fountain, the new 40th Anniversary Kings Dominion logo/planters while you enter the main gate, new paint jobs in numerous locations, and the new KD40 merchandise shop where you'll be able to purchase the the anniversary pins. Along with the remarkable "Walk of Memories" surrounding the Eiffel Tower, new 40th Anniversary banners and much more!

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Dominator's new black and orange, colored restraints. (It's still the original OTSR, just a change color along with brand new black seats)

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Rebel Yell has received its original red, white, and blue color scheme. Along with the same colored chaser lights, which runs the whole course like it did back it the Golden Years! Also, they were racing quite frequently throughout the day.

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Back by popular demand and cherished by many since 1975 are "The Singing Mushrooms." They were removed in the early 90's, but they are back and for GOOD! Bopping up and down to catchy tunes as "Welcome to Candy Apple Grove."

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Drop Tower was down but 305 was running great, front seat+rain does not mix though! lol

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"Fallen Rides of Kings Dominion" Sad but cool shirt sold in the new KD40 Souvenir Shop on International Street.

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This image of 305 will look a lot better opening weekend!

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Not sure of The Crypt will be in operation this weekend s the gondola was missing, according to Kings Dominion's website..opening mid-May.

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Triple Spin renamed to Bad Apple.

Edited by KDGY75
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Looking at all of this is getting me really pumped for Kings Dominion this year. At the time last fall when I planned our trip my sister & I had no clue about all the improvements that were going to get made, plus we've never been to the KD before so it's shaping up to be a blast when we go in June!

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I've only been to KD twice, and both trips were within the last 2 years. I've always thought the park was pretty sterile, but had some great rides. With that said, I love what they've done! It's amazing what an investment in paint, theming and just giving the park some love has done! I can't wait to get back there in May to see all of this.

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Thanks everyone, the park has really out did themseleves with the 40th! (I'll have better pics this weekend, the weather is suppose to be great.

As myself, KD is my home park and been going to since I was 4(1984). To see them bring so much charm and character from what Paramount has taken away from us, says a lot about CF! I'm so grateful to see us going back towards theming...Happy 40th, KINGS DOMINION!

*SIDENOTE* I just added more pics from the weekend!

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... to see them bring so much charm and character from what Paramount has taken away from us, says a lot about CF! I'm so grateful to see us going back towards theming...

 

The Quimet era for CF seems to get it with moves like this. The Boardwalk at Knott's and Route 76 at Valleyfair are just two more examples of bringing back classic attractions and theming them well. Thanks for the pictures, it really looks good with all the love the park received this off season in sprucing it up. And how can you not like the Singing Mushrooms making a comeback?

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That looks awesome. I'm going on Saturday the 12th, and cant wait. Just wondering are they offering Fast lane this year because its not on the website.

 

Thanks! Yes, here's the link https://www.kingsdominion.com/ticket-category/Fast-Lane-Fright-Lane

 

great photos! can't wait to be there opening day!

Thanks! I'll be there also!

 

I understand that Candy Apple Grove will be staying, but will all the ride names, paint jobs, singing mushrooms, and such stay as are for a couple years at least?

 

Yes, all the re-themeing, mushrooms, names..are here to stay.

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Interesting to finally see how the improvements impact the look and feel of the park. Really looks like the right moves; thanks for updating us on the updates! Sounds like the season is off to a good start--not sure if that's typical for them or more notable, but it's a nice contrast from the lackluster experiences we expect from some other parks.

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Wow I wish I could go... It's looks awesome! Great trip report!

Thanks!

 

I noticed they have Rebel Yell on the 'fallen rides' shirt - R.I.P. backwards side?

Yes, that's for backwards.

 

Interesting to finally see how the improvements impact the look and feel of the park. Really looks like the right moves; thanks for updating us on the updates! Sounds like the season is off to a good start--not sure if that's typical for them or more notable, but it's a nice contrast from the lackluster experiences we expect from some other parks.

No problem!

 

Had no idea KD had a monorail. Thanks for posting.

No Problem!

Yes, Monorail Safari is one of the most major attraction missed by many KD fans. Truly, a lot of history behind it. 1974 was the preview year of Kings Dominion with only Lion Country Safari, which at the time was a drive-thru safari and Scooby-Doo (only 2 attractions were open). 1975 was the grand opening of the park, and the drive-thru was rebuilt into a monorail, "Monorail Safari." 1993 was its last season. (pics below of the drive-thru and Monorail Safari, photo credit: Kings Dominion). 1974 & 1975 explains the reason why they park is having the 40th Anniversary over a 2 year period (2014 & 2015).

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I'm impressed by the park's improvements! Wish that Anaconda had gotten the new Vekoma trains, but at least it is running smoother (according to KDGY75). Since this anniversary is apparently lasting through next year as well, I wonder what we'll see then.

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Great Preview Day TR! I love all the different rides at KD and have been going there since they had the safari but this definitely brings a new sparkle to the park. The paint and upgraded signs, flowers, etc. really make a big difference. Do you know if all the rides are expected to be open this weekend? Minus Tomb Raider and possibly Drop Tower. I wasn't planning to go until the end of the summer but all these additions make me want to get back there ASAP. Super excited about Rebel Yell's new/old look!!!

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I'm impressed by the park's improvements! Wish that Anaconda had gotten the new Vekoma trains, but at least it is running smoother (according to KDGY75). Since this anniversary is apparently lasting through next year as well, I wonder what we'll see then.

 

Only time may tell!

Let's be glad no one got out of their car! People weren't idiots then, I'm guessing.

 

Now, they would get out of their car. Thinking its funny.

Well, I'm not sure..Great Adventure has there going for many years, but not sure about any incidents.

 

Great Preview Day TR! I love all the different rides at KD and have been going there since they had the safari but this definitely brings a new sparkle to the park. The paint and upgraded signs, flowers, etc. really make a big difference. Do you know if all the rides are expected to be open this weekend? Minus Tomb Raider and possibly Drop Tower. I wasn't planning to go until the end of the summer but all these additions make me want to get back there ASAP. Super excited about Rebel Yell's new/old look!!!

 

Thanks! I'm not sure, I hope majority of the attractions are up this weekend..*fingers crossed*

 

So how did you get invited to the park preview? You mentioned being friends with them or something, so I was just curious how you got to attend it or how anyone got to attend it for that matter.

 

A friends of mine, presented me with a ticket. Employees of park received tickets to give out to family/friends for the event.

 

Thanks for posting the pictures of the historical markers. Always fun to read about the history of a place. Although I do sincerely doubt that Dominator is in fact 4,210 feet tall.

No problem! i also love history about parks, especially abandoned ones. Sad but cool!

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