COVID-19 Impacts on Kings Dominion
- Thread starter belsaas
- Start date
It really just depends on how much they want to open. BGW is restricted based on how much they are able to open and staff currently. It's likely that under the same guidelines we could see a March opening in the 8,000-10,000 person range.
What we don’t know right now is the degree to which the choices BGW and KD make in regards to what they open are shaped by their desire to reach a capacity number that the state/visitors are comfortable with. Is there some kind of “soft cap” that they feel they need to avoid crossing at which point either the state will start to reconsider or guests will start to optically experience the park as more unsafe?
This is what makes me feel like the 4000 number is a target that was met by BGW, versus the end math of abstract ride/attraction choices.
I definitely think that at least from the BGW side they didn't want it to look like they were just rushing into an expanded offering. Instead they wanted to continue to show that they are committed to creating a safe environment to both the state and guests. This means a slower reopening.
I want to be optimistic.
It's already January; and the Spring is only 3 months away. I'd predict the park will probably select a mid-April or early-May opening date. If Virginia still allows theme parks to operate at fifty percent of their normal capacity; I'd say that waiting for a consistent warm weather would be the ideal mindset for the park. However, how do you think reservations will work? Should the park use time slots or arrival times, via stay as long as you want?
Also, do you think the park will limit attractions or will we have a full coaster lineup to enjoy?
It's already January; and the Spring is only 3 months away. I'd predict the park will probably select a mid-April or early-May opening date. If Virginia still allows theme parks to operate at fifty percent of their normal capacity; I'd say that waiting for a consistent warm weather would be the ideal mindset for the park. However, how do you think reservations will work? Should the park use time slots or arrival times, via stay as long as you want?
Also, do you think the park will limit attractions or will we have a full coaster lineup to enjoy?
Limiting attractions will limit capacity. The current guidelines allow them 50% capacity for the shops, restaurant and attractions they have open.
Let's pretend the park opens in April.
I'm hoping that there is a high enough attendance and that people feel comfortable visiting a theme park. That in turn might determine whether or not we have all attractions open for the start of 2021. I'm predicting that there will still be a reservation system, given the current conditions our country is in. Select an arrival time and stay until close; is what we are hoping for.
If the park does not receive a large amount of reservations for the month of April; would it make sense mathematically for them to limit attractions to save operation cost? Not to mention, how many employees they have available to work. Remember, many of them probably got new jobs, due to the long period of time the park was closed. But let's just pretend it's the month of April for opening and the park decides to operate with limited attractions; do you think this list would entertain everyone, for the start?
April Ride List:
- Dominator
- Berserker
- Planet Snoopy
- Anaconda
- Stunt Coaster
- Delirium
- Twisted Timbers
- Flight of Fear
I'm hoping that there is a high enough attendance and that people feel comfortable visiting a theme park. That in turn might determine whether or not we have all attractions open for the start of 2021. I'm predicting that there will still be a reservation system, given the current conditions our country is in. Select an arrival time and stay until close; is what we are hoping for.
If the park does not receive a large amount of reservations for the month of April; would it make sense mathematically for them to limit attractions to save operation cost? Not to mention, how many employees they have available to work. Remember, many of them probably got new jobs, due to the long period of time the park was closed. But let's just pretend it's the month of April for opening and the park decides to operate with limited attractions; do you think this list would entertain everyone, for the start?
April Ride List:
- Dominator
- Berserker
- Planet Snoopy
- Anaconda
- Stunt Coaster
- Delirium
- Twisted Timbers
- Flight of Fear
If KD doesn't open in April or is only partially open with 40 minute waits for kids rides again, I'm demanding a refund on my family's season passes. BGW and Hershey's are both open and have made the experience good enough to justify the expense despite the same operating conditions.
Take this for what you will, but in an interview a couple of weeks ago, Richard Zimmerman (CEO of Cedar Fair) said that he anticipates that the parks will open later in the season than they normally do. Whether that means a couple of weeks later or a couple of months later, who knows.
I could see KD waiting until closer to the summer and opening more around mid-may. Especially since there won't really be a Spring break and school groups this year. The financial incentive to open before Memorial day isn't really there.
Now there is a chance that they look at what BGW is doing and go "Oh, crap!" And decide that they have to do something or they risk losing a lot of passholders
Now there is a chance that they look at what BGW is doing and go "Oh, crap!" And decide that they have to do something or they risk losing a lot of passholders
2021 season passes were literally selling for $60 during Taste of the Season - less than a single-day visit to BGW's Christmas Celebration - so it's possible they've factored the shortened season into the unusually cheap pass price.
This raises an interesting question: IF Kings Dominion is expecting a shorter 2021 season, how on earth will they compensate their 2020 pass holders who were given 2021 as 2020 compensation for the new, reduced value 2021 season. I could see a lot of people dropping their KD passes if they don't have a really compelling plan in place for this—especially with the pastures over at BGW looking so green this season.
I'm curious how many 2020 passholders will care that they're getting the same operating days as they signed up for?
My thought is some will, but also a larger group would be more interested in getting anything out of having the passes vs. having to write up their pass as a complete loss.
My thought is some will, but also a larger group would be more interested in getting anything out of having the passes vs. having to write up their pass as a complete loss.
My guess would be that that's part of the intended purpose of the $50 bonus the park is giving 2020 passholders. In my view, giving every 2020 passholder basically a free $50 credit for in-park spending is a way to close the gap between the 2020 and 2021 prices.
The $50 credit is a decent gesture, but its not that meaningful if you already have dining and/or drink passes. In that case its only useful for shops and maybe special event food.
I'm praying they open by May at the latest. If it's mid or late June; I'm just going to cry.
The only thing I am crossing my fingers for is the 10 o'clock closing hour. I miss arriving at the park after 12 noon, doing a couple of rides, eating and then waiting in line for a few more rides. Before you know it; your finishing he day on night rides. I'm really looking forward to being able to ride Twisted Timbers at night. But this all depends on how many people are able to visit the park. If they aren't pulling in the revenue; it's possible that 8:00pm will be the latest they stay open. Maybe they could close at 8:00pm on weekdays and then Saturdays and Sundays they close at 10:00pm.
What I'd like to know is how this effects HAUNT. If they are forced to change their focus; maybe they could spend more time decorating the rides to spooky themes. This would be rather cool to walk into a spooky environment that compliments rides like Flight of Fear, Twisted Timbers, Grizzly and Intimidator. If we can't do mazes; why not add some cool night time effects for the rides.
