40th Anniversary Celebration & Park Revitalization
- Thread starter Zachary
- Start date
Zach isn't releasing the update, so it should come within the next 24 hours.
I'm almost done with the 3 main sections. International Street, Candy Apple Grove, and i'm putting Safari Village together as we speak. Just finished editing those photos.
All I have to do next is Walk of Memories which i'm not sure I'm going to include or not. A few clown band photos and I think that's it. Then of course basic editing.
All I have to do next is Walk of Memories which i'm not sure I'm going to include or not. A few clown band photos and I think that's it. Then of course basic editing.
Here's another sweet tune, sung by yours truly The Singing Mushrooms! And guess what, this sweet melody is all about The Candy Apple Grove!
Video provided by KDGYfans.
Video provided by KDGYfans.
115 photos are in this update. All that is left is a quick edit and it will be done!
Now I sleep.
http://kdfans.com/2014/exclusive-kd40-celebration-preview-day/
http://kdfans.com/2014/exclusive-kd40-celebration-preview-day/
WoW! What a great display of dedication Evan(for braving the weather). A simple 'Thankyou' seems completely inappropriate here for all of this information, photography, insight, and enthusiasm. You should receive some kind recognition here, other than a thankyou. The park looks great even on a poor day for pictures! Just a couple comments and I'll go to sleep myself.
The picture of the clock from the tower at ground level, really shows the massiveness of it with the people in the photo. It's a great picture! I for one, remember the size of this clock, and it looks to be done up VERY well.
Lets hope they dont paint I305 black and white checker to offset Anaconda
While pavers in CAG will most certainly be welcomed, I look forward to visiting the re-themed area with its original asphalt for nostalgic reasons.
Thanks again for the larger than life write-up!
The picture of the clock from the tower at ground level, really shows the massiveness of it with the people in the photo. It's a great picture! I for one, remember the size of this clock, and it looks to be done up VERY well.
Lets hope they dont paint I305 black and white checker to offset Anaconda
While pavers in CAG will most certainly be welcomed, I look forward to visiting the re-themed area with its original asphalt for nostalgic reasons.
Thanks again for the larger than life write-up!
Garner-Holt did an AMAZING job with the Singing Mushrooms. Very impressed. As for everything else, it all looks incredible. Not sure how I feel about the newly painted Volcano pool- think it's a tad bright. But i'm glad the foundation from Haunted River are still there. Can't wait for opening day!!!
Nice report Evan. Its looking very nice in so many of the areas.
International Street is in top form for 2014. With the new landscaping, fountains, paint, and new/upgraded food options, that area is leading the pack.
Candy Apple Grove is right behind with its new landscaping, Singing Mushrooms, Flower Clock, Apples, and ride lighting packages and signage.
The Rebel Yell is looking better with its partial paint job. Course, still not sure if the park is done with the ride for this year or if the painting continues into April and May.
The Carousel is looking great. It appears from your pictures Evan that the Carousel wooden floor has been refinished. As of this year, 30 of the 66 horses have been restored. A couple more years to finish that project. I have heard from other channels that the park is looking into restoring the Carousel Band Organ. They could have it playing again within the next year or 2.
Not too much change to the Safari section other than the new signs and the Volcano / Anaconda work-paint.
My only disappointment was the park not being further along with the asphalt replacement project with paving blocks. It does appear that the path from Planet Snoopy to the Dodgem building did get paving blocks installed. I assume that was due to the Singing Mushrooms making a comeback. Those paving blocks look like the same color used around the Wind-Seeker plaza. Maybe that is the color bricks that the whole area will eventually end up with.
If the park has to do the paving brick project in smaller sections, I hope they will finish International Street around and under the Eiffel Tower and maybe the paths around the Carousel.
Anyway, great trip report and photos; especially in the crappy weather they had.
International Street is in top form for 2014. With the new landscaping, fountains, paint, and new/upgraded food options, that area is leading the pack.
Candy Apple Grove is right behind with its new landscaping, Singing Mushrooms, Flower Clock, Apples, and ride lighting packages and signage.
The Rebel Yell is looking better with its partial paint job. Course, still not sure if the park is done with the ride for this year or if the painting continues into April and May.
The Carousel is looking great. It appears from your pictures Evan that the Carousel wooden floor has been refinished. As of this year, 30 of the 66 horses have been restored. A couple more years to finish that project. I have heard from other channels that the park is looking into restoring the Carousel Band Organ. They could have it playing again within the next year or 2.
Not too much change to the Safari section other than the new signs and the Volcano / Anaconda work-paint.
My only disappointment was the park not being further along with the asphalt replacement project with paving blocks. It does appear that the path from Planet Snoopy to the Dodgem building did get paving blocks installed. I assume that was due to the Singing Mushrooms making a comeback. Those paving blocks look like the same color used around the Wind-Seeker plaza. Maybe that is the color bricks that the whole area will eventually end up with.
If the park has to do the paving brick project in smaller sections, I hope they will finish International Street around and under the Eiffel Tower and maybe the paths around the Carousel.
Anyway, great trip report and photos; especially in the crappy weather they had.
Great article Evan, thanks for dealing with the unfavorable weather in order to bring a sneak peak to us before the park opens to the public!
I'll preface my comments below by saying I've never had the opportunity to visit KD (or BGW for that matter), so I can only go by what I see in pictures and video. Feel free to disregard my comments if visiting first is required to have any sort of opinion in your book.
Overall, it seems like they did a remarkable job. It's nice to see a park (and its parent company) take the time and expense needed to invest in the park's theme and atmosphere. There are a hundred different ways they could have saved money and still kind of got what they were going for. For example, the renaming and new sign for one of the rides on Candy Apple Grove. Helps tie the theme together, but definitely an investment that could have easily been cut "to save money".
Are the big apples and the Singing Mushrooms a little "tacky" or "too much"? Yes, to a point, I can agree with that statement. But, they are part of the park's history, and from what I've seen here and from the more general public on KD's facebook page, they are both pretty well loved.
As for some of the "new" food options - I'm less impressed. Auntie Anne's pretzels are pretty darn tasty, but I get those when I go the mall. Some of the other food options at KD are those types of mall food court/chain places. I get why the parks do it - it's profitable for them, and some guests will prefer being able to dine at a "familiar" place. But I prefer to keep outside companies/chains to a minimum inside the parks. I want to eat and experience something different there, not the same I can get at my local mall.
I also think the fake vegetable tops around the Spring sign is a bit much when you take into account he big ole apples and singing mushrooms. That money could have been better spent on foliage, topiary, something real.
I'll preface my comments below by saying I've never had the opportunity to visit KD (or BGW for that matter), so I can only go by what I see in pictures and video. Feel free to disregard my comments if visiting first is required to have any sort of opinion in your book.
Overall, it seems like they did a remarkable job. It's nice to see a park (and its parent company) take the time and expense needed to invest in the park's theme and atmosphere. There are a hundred different ways they could have saved money and still kind of got what they were going for. For example, the renaming and new sign for one of the rides on Candy Apple Grove. Helps tie the theme together, but definitely an investment that could have easily been cut "to save money".
Are the big apples and the Singing Mushrooms a little "tacky" or "too much"? Yes, to a point, I can agree with that statement. But, they are part of the park's history, and from what I've seen here and from the more general public on KD's facebook page, they are both pretty well loved.
As for some of the "new" food options - I'm less impressed. Auntie Anne's pretzels are pretty darn tasty, but I get those when I go the mall. Some of the other food options at KD are those types of mall food court/chain places. I get why the parks do it - it's profitable for them, and some guests will prefer being able to dine at a "familiar" place. But I prefer to keep outside companies/chains to a minimum inside the parks. I want to eat and experience something different there, not the same I can get at my local mall.
I also think the fake vegetable tops around the Spring sign is a bit much when you take into account he big ole apples and singing mushrooms. That money could have been better spent on foliage, topiary, something real.
The only external food chain added for 2014 is Auntie Anne's pretzels. The other new (Italian Deli) and enhanced options (Pizza Parlor & Border Cafe are "in-house").
My current Kings Dominion food chain list is as follows:
Cinnabon - Cinnamon Rolls (Intl. Street)
Starbucks - Coffee (Intl. Street)
Panda Express - Chinese (Intl. Street)
Rita's - Ice Cream (Intl. Street)
Sweet Frog - Frozen Yogurt (Planet Snoopy)
Auntie Anne's - Pretzels (Candy Apple Grove)
Subway - subs/sandwiches (Water park & Candy Apple Grove)
Chick-Fil-A - chicken sandwiches (Water park & Planet Snoopy)
Out of those 8 food chains in KD, only 3 serve entree type of foods. All the other places are snack/dessert places.
My current Kings Dominion food chain list is as follows:
Cinnabon - Cinnamon Rolls (Intl. Street)
Starbucks - Coffee (Intl. Street)
Panda Express - Chinese (Intl. Street)
Rita's - Ice Cream (Intl. Street)
Sweet Frog - Frozen Yogurt (Planet Snoopy)
Auntie Anne's - Pretzels (Candy Apple Grove)
Subway - subs/sandwiches (Water park & Candy Apple Grove)
Chick-Fil-A - chicken sandwiches (Water park & Planet Snoopy)
Out of those 8 food chains in KD, only 3 serve entree type of foods. All the other places are snack/dessert places.
I won't be able to get the second video up tonight. Some personal matters came up. I'm now back at my house and dropbox is estimating 17 hours to complete. I'll keep it up so it will be ready whenever it finishes. Sorry guys.