So far this season has been particularly hot. Candy Apple Grove has been especially brutal. As someone who likes hot weather and generally shuns air conditioning, I was shocked when I actually started sweating (glowing?) at KD over the past two weekends.
It seemed to me that if I find the heat nearly unbearable, it is probably killing a lot of other people. So, I thought I could start a list of ways to escape the heat at KD. Please feel free to respond with other ideas.
1. Water Rides. The most obvious way to cool off in any amusement park is to go on the water rides. I personally don't enjoy walking around in wet street clothes, but I'm sure Shenandoah Lumber Company and Whitewater Canyon are good options for many people. Along similar lines, Soak City is another easy way to get wet, as long as you bring a bathing suit.
2. Theaters. Another solution is to attend a show in an air conditioned theater. Since I don't actually go to theme park shows if I can avoid it, I can't swear to the temperatures in the Kings Dominion Theater and Action Theater, but they might be a way to escape the heat.
3. Arcades. We discovered quite by accident the most air conditioned building in the park (we think): the Grove Arcade. If like us you have never noticed this anonymous building next to Subway in the Candy Apple Grove, then you may not know about its excellent air conditioning either. It was easily the coolest place we have been at KD this summer.
4. Restaurants. Some of the restaurants (Border Café, Victoria's Pizza, Country Kitchen, etc) have indoor seating and air conditioning. While they do not seem to be kept as cool at the arcade, they do have tables and chairs.
5. Shops. Many of the shops have air conditioning. Since they do not have doors, however, they are generally still fairly warm. Regardless, there is shade and slightly cooler air.
6. Frozen treats. I have long advocated frozen food and beverages as a way to keep your body cool in the Summer. KD actually has a wide variety of options from Icees to Dole Whip to ice cream to frozen bananas. None of these are a replacement for water, which is an absolute must on a hot day, but they can help cool you down, when you are outside. My observation over the years is that frozen drinks especially cool me down from the inside, which is a surprising effective way to combat the heat.
One final thought: regardless of how you cool off, it is essential that you stay hydrated in the Summer. I know I sound like ForumMom right now, but I have seen a lot of people drinking alcohol and Cokes in lieu of water. Dehydration is really dangerous and will also give you headaches and make you black out on rides. You can get free water at most places, so there is really no excuse for not staying hydrated all day. (Sorry. Stepping off my soapbox now.)
Please feel free to add to or correct my list.
It seemed to me that if I find the heat nearly unbearable, it is probably killing a lot of other people. So, I thought I could start a list of ways to escape the heat at KD. Please feel free to respond with other ideas.
1. Water Rides. The most obvious way to cool off in any amusement park is to go on the water rides. I personally don't enjoy walking around in wet street clothes, but I'm sure Shenandoah Lumber Company and Whitewater Canyon are good options for many people. Along similar lines, Soak City is another easy way to get wet, as long as you bring a bathing suit.
2. Theaters. Another solution is to attend a show in an air conditioned theater. Since I don't actually go to theme park shows if I can avoid it, I can't swear to the temperatures in the Kings Dominion Theater and Action Theater, but they might be a way to escape the heat.
3. Arcades. We discovered quite by accident the most air conditioned building in the park (we think): the Grove Arcade. If like us you have never noticed this anonymous building next to Subway in the Candy Apple Grove, then you may not know about its excellent air conditioning either. It was easily the coolest place we have been at KD this summer.
4. Restaurants. Some of the restaurants (Border Café, Victoria's Pizza, Country Kitchen, etc) have indoor seating and air conditioning. While they do not seem to be kept as cool at the arcade, they do have tables and chairs.
5. Shops. Many of the shops have air conditioning. Since they do not have doors, however, they are generally still fairly warm. Regardless, there is shade and slightly cooler air.
6. Frozen treats. I have long advocated frozen food and beverages as a way to keep your body cool in the Summer. KD actually has a wide variety of options from Icees to Dole Whip to ice cream to frozen bananas. None of these are a replacement for water, which is an absolute must on a hot day, but they can help cool you down, when you are outside. My observation over the years is that frozen drinks especially cool me down from the inside, which is a surprising effective way to combat the heat.
One final thought: regardless of how you cool off, it is essential that you stay hydrated in the Summer. I know I sound like ForumMom right now, but I have seen a lot of people drinking alcohol and Cokes in lieu of water. Dehydration is really dangerous and will also give you headaches and make you black out on rides. You can get free water at most places, so there is really no excuse for not staying hydrated all day. (Sorry. Stepping off my soapbox now.)
Please feel free to add to or correct my list.
