40th Anniversary Celebration & Park Revitalization
- Thread starter Zachary
- Start date
So far so good! Having great time today with lukemcnuggets and Nora!
Not much that I can really post on social media today... But some general improvements such as sign replacements and the like. Expect another update!
Not much that I can really post on social media today... But some general improvements such as sign replacements and the like. Expect another update!
ex·traor·di·nar·y
/ikˈstrôrdnˌerē,ˌekstrəˈôrdn-/
adjective
1. very unusual or remarkable
[instagram=http://instagram.com/p/mbY7jSI-3E/]
And this isn't even the real light show, that plays to music....
/ikˈstrôrdnˌerē,ˌekstrəˈôrdn-/
adjective
1. very unusual or remarkable
[instagram=http://instagram.com/p/mbY7jSI-3E/]
And this isn't even the real light show, that plays to music....
UGH! My phone has been acting up all day as you can see in that video. I thought it was just on my end... guess I really need a new phone...
It's possible I may just start going to KD more this year, especially since it's an hour closer to my house than BGW. A main reason right now that I don't go more often is the food choices, I have a hard time finding anything there that I want to eat other than chicken tenders... but maybe that's just me. But the park is looking great and I'll definitely have to make it there when we get back from CP.
ZJhauler said:
It's not just you. The fact that BGW continues to churn out world-class dining is a huge burden on KD, I'm sure. Obviously KD doesn't have as good of food as BGW, but in the past few seasons I have noticed an increase in food quality, and a greater variety of options. However, with the hiring of an executive chef and the many culinary improvements the park is making this year, I hope dining will too be part of the experience of visiting Kings Dominion.
So far they haven't done anything to help make the music fit in to the designated areas. Except for Old Virginia which doesn't have any music and International Street, which I love.
Working on a opening day report. I may not have it up tonight, but I sure will have it up by tomorrow. My goal is to have it up tonight though. This update will consist of some menus, new signage, close-ups, and more!
Working on a opening day report. I may not have it up tonight, but I sure will have it up by tomorrow. My goal is to have it up tonight though. This update will consist of some menus, new signage, close-ups, and more!
Nice short article on wric Channel 8 about opening day and the 40th anniversary. Does the quoted guest from Maryland post here, I wonder??
http://www.wric.com/story/25173024/kings-dominion-brings-back-park-originals-to-celebrate-40th-anniversary
http://www.wric.com/story/25173024/kings-dominion-brings-back-park-originals-to-celebrate-40th-anniversary
Was a bit busy today, so not much was done. All of the pictures are being uploaded to the site and I will be making it look good with formatting and commentary for that matter tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully I will have it up around 6 or so tomorrow.
This is going to be another 100+ photos post.
This is going to be another 100+ photos post.
Just got back from KD; first time going in years. All I can say is, wow - this park has got a soul. I implore all who wrote this place off to rethink their stance. I never thought I'd ever want to go back to KD, and now I'm debating on getting a season pass.
We had a Great time on Saturday at KD! Crowds were light.(for what I was expecting) I was feeling VERY under the weather and stayed only 4 hours, but it was long enough to take in many sights and improvements. Only ride that I rode was Drop tower. Rest of the Fam rode all kinds of stuff. The park looks great so far! Cant wait to visit again when I am well.
The whole experience is pretty remarkable.
Just to give readers some insight, here's my story. I started going to KD back 97/98 when I was stationed in Norfolk via the Navy. Even though I love rollercoasters (I consider Magic Mountain to be my 'home' park), I was never impressed with the overall KD experience. When I moved to Northern Virginia (from San Diego; 7 years ago) I hit up KD a few times and the state of the park was dismal. The last time I went was for the I305 opening - and I vowed not to go back. As great as that ride may be (and it is) I just couldn't see going back due to all the other issues I had with the park. Now that I'm in front of a console, I'd like to detail some of the more positive experiences I witnessed yesterday.
1. The staff. Very friendly and helpful. There seems to be a sense of pride in what their doing.
2. The renovations are spectacular. Everything from the fountains to the singing mushrooms. The park is clean; scenic. The "Theme Gustapo" who inhabit this board might even be impressed. One word that comes to mind: polished.
3. The food. It's still not great but it has improved. They're on the right track.
4. Kings Dominion has great rides. This is easy to overlook when everything else has gone wrong for the park in past years. With the recent improvements, the rides can really shine and, dare I say, the park is on the cusp of being a destination park. I feel like the only thing missing (and this is highly subjective) may be a good dark ride or two.
5. Street entertainment. Yes. Please. More. Though the trombone player in me can't take seriously a trumpet player with a plastic trumpet. JUST SAYIN'
Two things I'd change if I were King for a day:
1. Dinosaurs. Don't get it. Seems like a decent museum add-on but out of place as a premium fee attraction at a theme park.
2. Dark rides. Can haz more plz.
Also, a break down wouldn't be complete without doing a BGW comparison so here it is: this is the first year I didn't buy a BGW season pass in five years. And I stated above, I was very tempted to buy a KD season pass. In short, I find BGW dipping in quality. Big time. And the extra 1-1.5 hour drive from DC isn't worth it to me anymore. At KD, the improvements are brimming (staggering, even) and, if it hasn't happened already, there will be a greater return on investment for those who go to KD vs BGW, dollar for dollar.
Just to give readers some insight, here's my story. I started going to KD back 97/98 when I was stationed in Norfolk via the Navy. Even though I love rollercoasters (I consider Magic Mountain to be my 'home' park), I was never impressed with the overall KD experience. When I moved to Northern Virginia (from San Diego; 7 years ago) I hit up KD a few times and the state of the park was dismal. The last time I went was for the I305 opening - and I vowed not to go back. As great as that ride may be (and it is) I just couldn't see going back due to all the other issues I had with the park. Now that I'm in front of a console, I'd like to detail some of the more positive experiences I witnessed yesterday.
1. The staff. Very friendly and helpful. There seems to be a sense of pride in what their doing.
2. The renovations are spectacular. Everything from the fountains to the singing mushrooms. The park is clean; scenic. The "Theme Gustapo" who inhabit this board might even be impressed. One word that comes to mind: polished.
3. The food. It's still not great but it has improved. They're on the right track.
4. Kings Dominion has great rides. This is easy to overlook when everything else has gone wrong for the park in past years. With the recent improvements, the rides can really shine and, dare I say, the park is on the cusp of being a destination park. I feel like the only thing missing (and this is highly subjective) may be a good dark ride or two.
5. Street entertainment. Yes. Please. More. Though the trombone player in me can't take seriously a trumpet player with a plastic trumpet. JUST SAYIN'
Two things I'd change if I were King for a day:
1. Dinosaurs. Don't get it. Seems like a decent museum add-on but out of place as a premium fee attraction at a theme park.
2. Dark rides. Can haz more plz.
Also, a break down wouldn't be complete without doing a BGW comparison so here it is: this is the first year I didn't buy a BGW season pass in five years. And I stated above, I was very tempted to buy a KD season pass. In short, I find BGW dipping in quality. Big time. And the extra 1-1.5 hour drive from DC isn't worth it to me anymore. At KD, the improvements are brimming (staggering, even) and, if it hasn't happened already, there will be a greater return on investment for those who go to KD vs BGW, dollar for dollar.
ReggaeInMyJeggae said:
Wow, great recap!
May I ask for a bit more on point #2 -- when you say clean, did that include the restrooms? Give me a clean bathroom and I'm yours for as long as you'll have me! hahaha
Seriously, I'm ready to look into a season pass. What are the best deals?? [off to investigate pricing]
The more I think about it, this will probably be my 'on' year for KD while I put BGW on hold. I'm an avid (NOT RABID) BGW fan but my last few trips left me saying, 'meh' a lot. Time to explore alternatives; I want to get in a trip to Hershey Park and SFA, both of which I've never visited. Y'know, see what's doing and spread my jelly (as the kids say).
I feel like telling BGW, it's not you - it's me. But really, it's mostly you
I feel like telling BGW, it's not you - it's me. But really, it's mostly you
For the record, for the first time ever, I now hold a Kings Dominion season pass. It's happening. The BGW loyalists are actually going elsewhere.
For the record, I'll let them come forward, but I'm far from the only one...
For the record, I'll let them come forward, but I'm far from the only one...