40th Anniversary Celebration & Park Revitalization

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On a serious note, like mwhinva said, they're more than likely not going to tell us everything. We weren't informed on a lot of changes over the past few years and as Matthew points out for the Volcano restoration, they're very broad when they tell us about that. So far they have stated that they will work on a way to improve the amount of riders per hour and restore the concrete and paint on the mountain over the next couple of years. We also don't know what is exactly happening to the Carousel besides the horses being restored.
 
Joe said:
mwhinva said:
Joe, there is no rule, that Kings Dominion has to abide by, to have to publicly state anything beforehand about they are doing within the park concerning improvements.
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That's definitely true, and there is no argument there. However, considering the park announced Anaconda being repainted as "improvements to the ride" I would imagine they would try to similarly market the repainting of one of their most signature rides. One possibility, though, would be that they are repainting the ride in portions (it is rather massive, and I'm sure wooden coasters are a pain to paint) so perhaps we will see some fresh white being shown off in certain areas? I don't know. You can definitely tell in the picture that the ride wasn't completely repainted.
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This massive 2014 capital improvement project is worthy of promotion and Kings Dominion is marketing it as part of the 40th anniversary celebration. The improvements for this year are spread across 3 areas of the park. International Street appears to top the list of improvements, followed closely behind, (or even tied with IT), by Candy Apple Grove. Bringing up the rear is the Safari Village area (old Congo). The major improvements in SV are the Volcano changes/upgrades. Maybe the park felt they needed to make note of the re-painting of Anaconda because they don't have as much going on in Safari Village as they have happening in the other 2 areas.

Again, this is an "Off Year" for Kings Dominion; therefore, no new rides/attractions/coasters. Originally, I was hoping for the return of up to 2 former flat rides to make a comeback for 2014. I figured that one could be placed back in Candy Apple Grove and one back in Safari Village. That would have given the park something to market for Safari Village for 2014. But, that is not happening. So, the park had to come up with something to market to the public for this area. Therefore the park brought up the re-painting of Anaconda.

My original post speculated that the Rebel Yell might be getting a complete re-paint as part of its 2014 improvements. The ride is getting a new sign, it is getting LED running lights, and at least the handrails appear to be in the process of being repainted.

That photo is what the Rebel Yell looks like at that point and time. We don't know if this what the ride is going to look like on opening day or later this summer. The park, other than spring break week, is closed Mon-Fri in April and Mon-Thur in May. There is still time to finish painting the ride before the park goes to 7 days a week operations.

Whether or not the whole ride is getting a paint job for 2014 is TBD. Hence, the speculation.
 
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Dont give up hope on that flat ride! There is still the 'possibility' of a completely un-mentioned surprise.
 
Mazakman said:
Dont give up hope on that flat ride! There is still the 'possibility' of a completely un-mentioned surprise.
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Well, anything is a possibility. But, the park has already posted the 2014 map on their web site.

I guess they could swap out the 2014 map at the last minute with one showing the new ride(s). Course, the web site attraction list and height requirement section would need to be updated as well. I assume they could swap out everything on the web site the Friday before or on opening day.

For right now, I am not expecting any new ride(s) for 2014.
 
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The map issue you speak of does take a little hope away from me. Changing a digital picture or website is nothing, but if they've printed thousands of maps already, the hope all but vanishes. Does KD print their own maps? Do they have the capability to make last minute changes before mass production of map copies?
 
Mazakman said:
The map issue you speak of does take a little hope away from me. Changing a digital picture or website is nothing, but if they've printed thousands of maps already, the hope all but vanishes. Does KD print their own maps? Do they have the capability to make last minute changes before mass production of map copies?
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Well, the park may have had an early 2014 version of the map, that they posted on the web site, without the new ride on it. Regardless of who prints the maps, the printed versions could have the new ride on it and the park pulls a fast one by replacing the original digital map with the new updated one. Heck, the park could have added a ride or two for 2014 and purposely did not place them on the map. The surprise is finding a new ride or two without them being on the map. What are people going to do, boycott the ride because it was not listed on the map? Course, my concern would be for not having the height Requirements posted on the map and web site.

Again, I just feel all of this is just too far fetched to actually happen. Fun to speculate how far you could go with this though! ;-)
 
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I can't speak for KD, but as for BGW their park maps are printed daily. They print off an original X thousand copies, and then throughout the day depending on how fast maps disappear they print more and then recycle the leftovers. The maps aren't printed on property though. They are done by an outside company somewhere in Williamsburg.

I can only assume all other parks print their maps daily, especially since things like showtimes change daily.
 
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Wow, no one posted these images:

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Link​

These uniforms are reproductions from the 70's. These will be placed in Starlight Gifts which will have all of the #KD40 merchandise.
 
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Well, in the top photo, the pink uniform with polka-dots were for the ladies who accompanied the H-B characters when they were out and about. The tan uniform/apron/hat with the blue blouse was for the food service folks on International Street (don't remember if they were used anywhere else in the park). I thought the blouses came in that shade blue as well as yellow and pink.

Course, the safari uniform for the Safari Village section. Note: The "Lost World" ride folks had their own uniform (1st one was light blue knickers [pants that ended at the knee] with a matching light/dark blue shirt with a hoodie - 2nd uniform was more like the German/Swiss style with shirt with suspenders and shorts and/or long pants).

I am not sure who wore the plaid vest/hat combo. I want to say admissions/the front gate/guest services folks. Just don't remember.

They did not show/have the uniforms for Candy Apple Grove: (1st uniform was medium blue "sailor" shirt with dark blue pants. 2nd uniform appeared around 1981-1982. That was a medium blue pants with a red/white tiny checkered shirt for the guys. The girls had the reverse: red jumper with a blouse that had tiny blue/white checks).

Hanna-Barberra land had safari style jackets in a dark forest green color with matching long/short pants. I am not sure if those changed in the early 1980's.

Old Virginia had blue/green plaid shirts with dark blue pants. I don't recall those changing in the early 1980's either.

I do remember the usherettes at the Mason-Dixon Music Hall (Kings Dominion Theater) wearing short style tux jackets with the lapels in pink, blue, or yellow. They wore white blouses with a narrow (almost ribbon) style black "tie", black shorts, and ballet-dance style black shoes.
 
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Evan said:
Well. If there would be 3 trains (and there used to be trains a few years ago) the train would be held on the transfer track. So it wouldn't be complete darkness as you could look forward into the station if the stations got held.

I'm guessing here and saying that the train in the load station can't be dispatched until after it clears the final brakes (inside the mountain before the turn). It would have to be constant moving and no stopping, but I'm sure it can be done with a bit more effort in pushing the guests through the gates.

Also, is there any reason that the train in unload takes forever to advance into the load station? Almost every time I ride, the train in unload just sits there for a solid 30-45 seconds after the train in the load station has been dispatched which eats up a good amount of time.

All of this confuses me on how they are going to improve the RPH next season. As so far all we have seen is work being done on the queue house.
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Sorry for replying to you super late, got consumed with some other things. Most of the time, issues are due to guests. Even with arrows on the ground and yelling directions, people somehow find a way to go in the wrong direction xD. There's a hierarchy of actions that need to go into effect before the train can leave unload.

Although more enthusiastic people may not mind waiting in order of have a possible higher rph, you also have to think of the casual theme park visitors.
 
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