Concepts Think Tank

Register or Login to Hide This Ad for Free!
Kings Quarters is indeed the "official" hotel of Kings Dominion and is partnered with the park. It's located right beside the employee parking lot, and neighbors Denny's. However, the hotel looks like an absolute dump from the outside and quite honestly I am surprised KD would partner with something as gross-looking as that. I hear the inside is pretty nice, but it could really use some exterior work, starting with a power washer.

Truck stop went up for auction a few years ago, and the park apparently wasn't even interested in it. Cedar Fair for some reason wanted nothing to do with that space. It would be the perfect place for a TGI Friday's since Cedar Fair is partnered with them.

That's an interesting idea you have, Zimmy, and one I'd never really thought of. Really thinking about it, KD's biggest issue with expansion is having to move guests over the train tracks, but I'll bet guests wouldn't even notice the train tracks if they passed over them while on a parking lot tram. The parking lot obviously takes up a lot of land and would be great for park expansion. I don't think the water park should move just for the lake, but the vacated space could be great for future park hamlets/additions.

Smart thinking!
 
  • Like
Reactions: wombat96
Personally I believe the train tracks are much ado about nothing. Bridges and underpasses can be built.
 
The idea of adding more restaurants and attractions as part of a psuedo-resort area nearby isn't really that bad eithr. The only options that really are avaliable are that Denny's and a grossly overpriced Burger King.
 
I've been thinking about just how much I hate the Action Theater, and I may have come up with a decent long-term solution. I'm thinking of demolishing the Action Theater and in its place putting in a stunt arena, much like the one at Six Flags America. (Look it up, they have had lots of stunt shows.) The stunt show I saw at SFA had a gladiator theme, and involved a simple show of four actors, fighting for their lovers. There was lots of ziplining, falling off buildings, diving onto mats, sword fights, explosions, gunshots, and splashing into wells. It was filled to the max with cheesy dialogue and puns, but like Blood Banquet it was so cheesy it was enjoyable.

I honestly loved SFA's stunt show. It was staged in a simple arena, with wooden building facades surrounding the area. The beauty of it was that simple signage and decoration changes could easily change the show theme from pirates, to gladiators, to whatever else you could think of. It seemed to be fairly inexpensive, and really drew a crowd. It was simple, entertaining, and exciting. I would totally advocate a stunt arena going in Action Theater's space. Its location by Old Virginia would be perfect for a Jamestown/colonial theme, an old-fashioned gunslinger theme, a pirate theme for Haunt, and so on. There would be so many possibilities for a venue like this, and given KD's current audience it would be the perfect show for KD.


The biggest downside would be the loss of a space for a Haunt maze with the Action Theater, but they could at least have a Haunt show there, and I feel like a main season attraction should come before Haunt in priorities. I'm sure if the Action Theater is ever removed, it will be replaced with a ride and not a stunt show arena. This is just a dream, and I would honestly be so, so, so happy if it ever happened.

Thoughts?
 
Keep the existing building and give us a higher quality WMG. Heck, let's see what Knotts is doing with KOD then decide. Considering BGW has Datkastle KD needs a heavy hitter dark ride. Boo Blasters isn't enough.
 
I just can't see another stage. We already have the Safari Village stage going in for Halloween Haunt. I think they need to improve the existing stages before even thinking of another. I think the theater should be gutted completely on the right hand side, and a nice indoor flat ride could go in there. There could be a small pre-show to go with it as well. If we really want it to be far stretched, then you could add a second "more intense" version of it (depending on the flat ride). No Vacancy would need to altered, but I think it's something plausible.

If anyone can tell, I'm thinking of Mission Space at Epcot in Orlando.
 
  • Like
Reactions: wombat96
In the past, people have brought up the idea of bringing an animal encounter back to Kings Dominion. To that, my response was usually, "Cedar Fair has no experience or business in zoology. Not happening." That viewpoint changed when Kings Island announced a permanent petting farm that would be added as part of their 2015 renovations, proving that Cedar Fair may be taking initiative in adding smaller animal encounters. Just for fun, I decided to play with a silly little concept for a somewhat practical animal encounter at KD.

petting_farm.png


This is a quick little concept-art design I whipped up for my mini-concept. As you can see here, the animal habitat would be located where the Peanuts Turnpike attraction is currently located. There is already the extremely similar Peanuts Road Rally attraction located directly beside this attraction, so the removal of one of Planet Snoopy's many car rides would not be a significant loss. The large, flat, grassy area left behind could easily be re-developed to make it hospitable for the animals.

In the diagram, notice the building labeled "Shelter." This building is the former Kidz Construction Company structure, which currently only houses the Doll Factory maze for Haunt. The building could easily be re-purposed as a shelter for the animals, when/if necessary. Heck, if planned properly, they could design it so a Haunt attraction could still weave its way through the building.

Note the "Photo Op/Food Kiosk" label. A small little stand, located where the Planet Snoopy photo op banner is currently, could be constructed to sell food for the animals, and from time to time host photo ops with some of the animals.

Finally, note the "New Themed Area Border" label. My idea is to extend the borders of Safari Village up to the Boo Blasters entrance, using simple thematic elements (rope nets, crates, etc.) to support this. Why? I doing so, the animal enclosure could be given an African safari theme, tying the animal enclosure back to the park's roots. Although the animals would still be traditional "petting zoo" critters and not actual African animals, most "traditional" petting zoo animals actually have cousins indigenous to Africa. The enclosure could be landscaped to look like a beautiful African veldt.

And boom, there you have it, a simple little animal enclosure which would please children, animal lovers, and the "Theme Gestapo" all at once. I know this is far out there, but what do you guys think?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zachary, b.mac, MAZ and 2 others
Wow, that was impressive. I could see the petting zoo concept come to life but bringing Safari Village all the way over here and theming the petting zoo to Africa might be stretching it. I imagine KI is hiring an out of park company to do this so it depends on who they contact to as how far theming can go.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zachary and Mushroom
Actually the path located on the right of the area Joe has pointed out leads directly into Safari Village, and the building on the right of that path is Outer Hanks, so no, it really wouldn't be that hard, they'd just have to put a sign up near where Red Baron is, saying people are now entering Safari Village. I think Joe's idea of landscaping the area could be just enough theme for it, with potentially theming the exterior of the shelter, and perhaps a thematic fence around it of some sort, none of that would really interfere with the animals or their living space.

Anyways, I think it's an interesting concept, Joe!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zachary and Mushroom
I think it's a great concept Joe! The removal of the turnpike is very highly unlikely though. It has been there since day 1. There are other places that would be chosen before this spot. Just for the simple fact that it's an original ride.
 
In 2018 I think KD should do a revamp of the back of Candy Apple Grove. Not only should Hurler be RMC'd or have a new woodie in its place, but completely replace the gravel with new pavement as well as remodel the area.
 
I like that idea, madmax. I've thought the same thing myself. What would your proposed remodel of the area entail?

Personally, I would keep and expand upon the 50's American city theme. I would bring back the two old-fashioned cars, expand the Grove Stage to accommodate a 50's-60's doo-wrop/rock-n-roll revue, and fill the Rock Shop with memorabilia from famous rock icons like Elvis Presley and The Beatles. I would also re-pave the asphalt, repaint the road markings on the ground, and add some humorous city street signs throughout the area. That's how I'd do it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nicole and RollyCoaster
Joe said:
I like that idea, madmax. I've thought the same thing myself. What would your proposed remodel of the area entail?

Personally, I would keep and expand upon the 50's American city theme. I would bring back the two old-fashioned cars, expand the Grove Stage to accommodate a 50's-60's doo-wrop/rock-n-roll revue, and fill the Rock Shop with memorabilia from famous rock icons like Elvis Presley and The Beatles. I would also re-pave the asphalt, repaint the road markings on the ground, and add some humorous city street signs throughout the area. That's how I'd do it.
Click to expand...

I agree. Also theme RMC Hurler (or whatever coaster goes in the spot) to the 50s too. And like above, car themed trains. Possible blue track with red stripe for Aramaic Hurler.
 
RollyCoaster said:
This is a strange concept idea but bare with me. I think, to improve the park, we could see that section of Candy Apple Grove around Hurler blocked up for redevelopment. Give Ricochet a new temporary entrance/ exit over by Rebel Yell or maybe Rock Shop. Juke Box Diner to be converted into a Steak-N-Shake/Johny Rockets type restaurant. After redevelopment is finished, the newly named area (havn't decided yet) would have some type of new attraction on the farthest end of the walkway (the fence next to Hurlers first turnaround) and a retrofitted Hurler including a Retrack, Retheme, and GCI trains looking like classic cars.

 Next to that new attraction would be a new shadded walkway leading to Soak City. This walkway would enable a new area of expansion. Ricochet would have a new paint scheme, name, and logo. My concept is a rather low cost compared to the alternative. If done correctly this could easily become the most well themed section of the park.

 I don't think this concept is to far fetched. Thoughts, suggestions?
Click to expand...

Oooh ooh ! Here's your name.. The DooWop Stop! The 50's theming is a great idea since Jukebox is already there. That whole area felt weird when we were there. It was a dead end with people just sitting there smoking it seemed. Ricochet is oddly placed if you ask me and those queue lines seemed way too long to begin with for exiting the ride area.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RollyCoaster and Mushroom
Personally I am not sure we need 3 woodies lined up next to each other. As much as I like all three I can't recall ever haven ridden all three in a row. I usually end up riding 1 maybe 2 and then needing to take a break and do something else for a while before riding again. I have also noticed Grizzly getting more riders this year with Hurler closed So maybe being down Hurler is not such a bad idea.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mushroom
I dunno, I think the whole 1950's theme is played out. Also it is kind of depressing for a large percentage of the people coming to the park. Frankly the more I think out it, the less I like it.

Early 1940s American industry. That could be fun, complete with WWII propaganda. Or perhaps the eastern front. Either one is fine.
 
Zimmy said:
Early 1940s American industry.  That could be fun, complete with WWII propaganda.
Click to expand...

I always thought that would be a fun thematic overlay for Dominator. As the coaster stands right now, it's a totally unthemed ride that sits along side a massive pop music-filled midway.

Maybe theme the station to a WWII airplane hangar by stamping words on the building's siding and throw some signs up around the entrance. The idea would be that riders are flying some American fighter plane while battling with Nazis or some other enemy.

They could even put a replica of an American fighter plane in the grassy field near the ride. (Small, nonfunctioning aircrafts can cost less than $20,000.) Then, line the fence along the coaster with alternating signs- one a WWII propaganda poster, then the next a passage with facts about WWII, with this pattern continuing all the way down the fence.

Play some epic battle music in the area, and maybe operate a few fog machines near the interlocking corkscrews (like Kings Island does with Banshee at night), and suddenly you have an educational and excitingly-themed attraction at a relatively low cost.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zimmy
IMHO, the more WWII the better. Honestly you can't lose! Look how many great WWII movies there are, just turn on Turner Classic Movies sometime.
 
Here's something if that launched flyer really does come true:

Height: 140 feet
Launch: 0-70 mph
Length: 3,500-4,000 ft
Inversions: 5-6

Replacing Hurler, it could provide a new enterance to the waterpark by having the first ever flyer keyholes go over it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Consider Donating to Hide This Ad