40th Anniversary Celebration & Park Revitalization

[Nora]

I was very touched that they responded so soon and thrilled that there will be singing mushroom merchandise.  I have a soft spot for those little guys.  They are just that slice of Americana Amusement that you just do not see often.  

I am a sucker for anything cute and fluffy.

 

[Nicole]

Me too! I buy several stuffed animals at various parks every year. I have all of the roller coaster-associated plush toys. My Griffon is especially awesome.

 

[mwhinva]

Kings Dominion's 2014 Map is on their web site.

http://tinyurl.com/p6b6re3

 

[Zachary]

That new map is splendid- a ton more useful than the cartoon-styled nonsense they've used previously.

 

[MAZ]

I like it too. Except there's no Apple Turnover on it!

 

[mwhinva]

I agree about the map. The older style map had the coasters way out of proportion to the rest of the rides, attractions, and facilities. Everything else was squished together.

Few interesting things on the map.

Sorry, No former rides making a comeback in 2014. In the Future, ????, stay tuned.

Grove:

   Map shows the "Singing Mushrooms & Frog".
   Refreshment Stand between Drop Tower and Victoria's Pizza has been renamed "Apple Ida's"
   Triple Spin has been renamed "Bad Apple".
   Auntie Anne's Pretzels makes its debut at the refreshment stand in the Dodgem building   (bump cars).
   Map shows the Candy Apples scattered throughout the midway.

Congo:

   "Trail's End Grill" has its old name back "Hungry Hippo".
   Not much else that caught my eye.

Planet Snoopy:

   Nothing that I noticed.

Old Virginia:

   Nothing that I noticed.

International Street:

   New Ice Cream facility, serving such stuff as malts and floats.

   The one thing I had not heard mentioned in any of the park's PR news was the new food place taking over what was the former scoop ice cream facility attached to Tower Pizza. It is called Panino e Dolce & Tower Pretzel serving Pretzels, Sandwiches (Panini's?), Cakes, Pastries, and drinks. Sounds like a sandwich/bakery shop. I don't remember the park ever having bakery goods for sale (not including Starbucks).

 

[glaze700]

OK- I know that Kings Dominion does not accept submissions for ideas... and i understand the reasons why.  However, I am hoping by posting it here, someone will read it and take it under consideration.  

I would like to see a "singing mushroom" plush and perhaps even replica garden figures of the mushrooms for the Spring Fest.  I know this is short notice, but perhaps next year.  or if by chance, someone has thought of that already at the park and they are already in the works to be sold this year- kudos.  I will buy them all.

Yeah I was really hoping theyd make figures

 

[glaze700]

Going back to merch, I wanted to point out the mushroom pin. I love the idea of a mushroom pin, but I think the colors are way off. I went in Photoshop and added colors that they should be.

And on another note on the map, do you think "The Lost World 3D" is about the original Lost World? or is it the same Dinosaur movie that I cant remember the name of.

 

[b.mac]

That's what a map is supposed to look like, maybe KD sent some people to Hershey and Knoebels for reference.

 

[MAZ]

And on another note on the map, do you think "The Lost World 3D" is about the original Lost World? or is it the same Dinosaur movie that I cant remember the name of.

I sure hope so! I'd love to see a documentary on the construction of that iconic mountain!

 

[I305Evan]

New post including details of the dining plan is live!

http://kdfans.com/2014/2014-park-map/

 

[I305Evan]

http://www.nwave.com/films/3d-4d-attraction-films/15-films-cat/attractions/97-the-lost-world-3d-4d
This was brought to my attention as the possible new show in the Action Theater.

 

[Jrbgwfan06]

That looks pretty cool...

 

[mwhinva]

Haha, whoops! I found that image right after seeing the new planter. Completely forgot to post it here. I was a bit more focused on getting that update out in a timely fashion.

But yes, the front is going to look really nice. I am still wondering how and if Overlord's Ressurection will fit with the planter in place.

Sorry, I forgot to respond to this earlier. The front entrance plaza has changed 2-3 times since the park initially remodeled International Street for the 1981 season.

The landscape area in front of the fountains has been modified over the years by having
1) a narrow border fronting the fountain pool at one point;
2) then having a landscape island in front (with a walkway behind it to view the fountains behind the landscape island and the original border);
3) then it was modified once more shifting the landscape area back to eliminate the pathway behind the landscape island;
4) change once again happened when they eliminated the large landscape area and went back to a narrow border.

Now the park is placing a large landscape area back in the front of the fountains. From the construction photo, it looks like number 3 above - larger landscape area. As others have stated, probably going to have the park's 40th anniversary logo in it.

 

[mwhinva]

New post including details of the dining plan is live!

http://kdfans.com/2014/2014-park-map/

I might look at trying the new $29.99 meal plan sometime this year. KD kept the single meal plan from previous years. I never took up on the original single meal plan because I already had the souvenir cup for 99 cent refills. It seemed I would pay more for a single meal plan than just paying for the meal and getting a 99 cent refill.

I guess you have to weigh in on whether or not the meal plan is worthwhile for you and for that particular visit at the park. If you are only staying 3-4 hours, then the $29.99 meal plan is not a good deal. Also, only one side is included with the meal plan. At the Country Kitchen, for example, regular meals there come with TWO sides. You have to take that into consideration.

I have some questions I need to ask the park about the $29.99 meal plan:

1) What sides, other than french fries, are available at the places that sell burgers, chicken sandwiches, and/or hot dogs?
2) What sides are available at places like the Border Cafe (Mexican) or Outer Hanks (Seafood)?
2) What sides are available at the places that sell pizza? I know they sell large salads in many places that are more like full meals in themselves; but I am sure they would not consider that as being as a side. Will there be smaller portion salads as a side item? (Like 1/3 the size of a full size salad)?
3) Are the large salads considered an entree?

None-the-less, it would appear that the park is being generous allowing you to get a meal every 90 minutes. I think you would break even with 2 meals (warning: I think you might fall short a couple dollars if you get a certain combination of meals).

That being said, if you get a 3rd meal or more that day, then those meals are on the park's tab. I think it would be fun to mix and match meals. Hopefully, you can have meals that are mostly healthy and maybe get one "bad" meal with fried whatever.

I will hold off on getting the $29.99 meal plan until I have visited the park and checked out the menus and prices for this year.

 

[Mushroom]

Another wave of construction pics are now live!

Looks like Rebel Yell is getting those chaser lights after all! I can't tell, but it looks the rails have been painted red and blue. Oooooh...

The flower clock looks almost ready for planting to begin!

Like Canada's Wonderland, it looks like KD will be painting the fountain pool black to hide the pipes for their new fountains. Not sure how I feel about this one...

Work continues on sprucing up the look what will be the new Fountains and Floats shop, which looks to be going next to Border Cafe.

Work on the new floral planter continues. Note the new pavers in front. Also, the park has confirmed that the park's logo will be written in flowers.

I didn't really notice them needing it, but the buildings on International Street have received fresh coats of paint and new lights. The area sure will look nice this season!

That's all for now, but it looks like everything is coming together very nicely!

 

[wombat96]

I wonder what the logo will look like for the flower planter.

 

[MAZ]

"Work on the new floral planter continues. Note the new pavers in front. Also, the park has confirmed that the park's logo will be written in flowers."
This was written under the photo of the planter Connor.

 

[wombat96]

Okay. I'm sorry that I didn't explain my question. I meant by what park logo Old Logo, New Logo ,KD40 logo, ETC... Anyway I knew that it was the park logo but didn't know what park logo.

 

[Jrbgwfan06]

They said another time on Facebook that the KD40 logo would go there.