Fond Memories of Kings Dominion
- Thread starter CoolDrMoney
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RE: Fond memories of King's Dominion
For whatever reason I went looking for a write-up of the Time Shaft and found this post. It is totally taking me back. I loved the Time Shaft and the monorail. And I remember being terrified of the Haunted River and refusing to go on it with Daddy and my brother. My poor mother had stay with me, while they waited in that really long line.
Unagi said:
For whatever reason I went looking for a write-up of the Time Shaft and found this post. It is totally taking me back. I loved the Time Shaft and the monorail. And I remember being terrified of the Haunted River and refusing to go on it with Daddy and my brother. My poor mother had stay with me, while they waited in that really long line.
RE: Fond memories of King's Dominion
The Time Shaft was a lot of fun. The queue from the outside entrance to the ride's boarding area seemed like you were going on a cave exploration as it incline underground. And then there was the maze-like meandering part that circled the ride itself right before you boarded. The lighting effects were great and of course everyone's favorite part was the floor dropping mid-ride!
Nic said:
The Time Shaft was a lot of fun. The queue from the outside entrance to the ride's boarding area seemed like you were going on a cave exploration as it incline underground. And then there was the maze-like meandering part that circled the ride itself right before you boarded. The lighting effects were great and of course everyone's favorite part was the floor dropping mid-ride!
RE: Fond memories of King's Dominion
Yes!
I remember thinking the dance music (was it disco?) was the height of cool. And I recall the walls had gold speckles in them that appealed to me.
But I think centrifugal force rides are underrated, anyway. I love the Gs and the floor drop. Just cool. I actually found and rode one at Redstone Arsenal, of all places. Actually, they had an accelerated drop tower too. Space Camp uses them, I think.
Unagi said:
Yes!
I remember thinking the dance music (was it disco?) was the height of cool. And I recall the walls had gold speckles in them that appealed to me.
But I think centrifugal force rides are underrated, anyway. I love the Gs and the floor drop. Just cool. I actually found and rode one at Redstone Arsenal, of all places. Actually, they had an accelerated drop tower too. Space Camp uses them, I think.
RE: Fond memories of King's Dominion
There is no such thing as the centrifugal force, it is only a figment of your imagination.
Nic said:
There is no such thing as the centrifugal force, it is only a figment of your imagination.
RE: Fond memories of King's Dominion
Disco was played a lot but there was also a mix of pop and rock songs from the late-70s/early-80s. You'd be in line listening to something from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack and right after that you would hear "Don't Stop" by Fleetwood Mac.
Nic said:
Disco was played a lot but there was also a mix of pop and rock songs from the late-70s/early-80s. You'd be in line listening to something from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack and right after that you would hear "Don't Stop" by Fleetwood Mac.
RE: Fond memories of King's Dominion
I'd thought I would contribute a picture here or there concerning Kings Dominion's history. All of these pictures I have passed on to KD Golden Year's Facebook site and I just sent that same bunch of photos to Kings Dominion for their 40th anniversary celebration. I gave KD permission to use any of them in the "Walk of History" next year and to keep them in their park archives if they want [I still retain the rights to the originals].
Here is a photo of an interior scene from the Haunted River. The picture depicts the main Egypt scene. (Unfortunately, too many of my Haunted River photos had a "washed out" look. I guess it is the combination of a cheap camera and flash back then). [What the heck, here is the Pirate Banquet scene as well]
I'd thought I would contribute a picture here or there concerning Kings Dominion's history. All of these pictures I have passed on to KD Golden Year's Facebook site and I just sent that same bunch of photos to Kings Dominion for their 40th anniversary celebration. I gave KD permission to use any of them in the "Walk of History" next year and to keep them in their park archives if they want [I still retain the rights to the originals].
Here is a photo of an interior scene from the Haunted River. The picture depicts the main Egypt scene. (Unfortunately, too many of my Haunted River photos had a "washed out" look. I guess it is the combination of a cheap camera and flash back then). [What the heck, here is the Pirate Banquet scene as well]
Attachments
RE: Fond memories of King's Dominion
I was not intending to ask for any compensation nor restricting anyone's right to use the photos. They are just personal photos of mine that I took myself. I am pretty sure that I am not coming after anyone for using 33 year old amateur pictures.
Shane said:
I was not intending to ask for any compensation nor restricting anyone's right to use the photos. They are just personal photos of mine that I took myself. I am pretty sure that I am not coming after anyone for using 33 year old amateur pictures.
RE: Fond memories of King's Dominion
mwhinva~ I think the policy is there in case they want to use a photo (which may be the only one in existence as of that moment) to document the Wiki pages of past rides and histories. It keeps from having to filter through hundreds of photos posted- which ones they can use and not. Unfortunately in today's age of technology- policies need to be implemented to keep people from fighting over everything.
For example- there are images of the park's floating everywhere that no one remembers where they got it- who it was posted by and so forth. I think it is nice to have a record of who captured that moment and time and took the effort to share it with everyone.
For your photos- my personal thanks. I love historical pictures that capture a time when photography cost tons of money. People forget that you could have only 24 pictures and you had to be super stingy with what pictures you took. Then- you sent a prayer that those photos would be good.
~~~~~~~~~
To get back on topic- My favorite memories of Kings Dominion as a kid was riding the Scooby Doo coaster for the first time. It was and always be a fun coaster. I LOVED the Yogi Bear fun house! I recall my brother and I running through the house with the gem stones and tilted floors as if it was the greatest thing in the world. I loved the Apple Turnover as it was one of my first "Big Kid" rides.
I know this is an odd fond memory- but i slipped and fell on some water near the log flume and really slammed my hip hard on a rail. The park took me to the medical facility and I cannot recall a moment where everyone was so kind. They gave me passes to ride everything without a wait all day and a wheel chair- which I needed as walking was out of the question. Our meals were free and they called me at home the next day to check up.
I know the parks worry about people getting upset and taking legal action; however, the medics concern was 100% genuine. They went above and beyond to make sure my day was great and it was. I was very young, and for this to stand out so clearly meant that they deserved some praise on how it was handled.
This was Pre-Paramount by the way.
mwhinva~ I think the policy is there in case they want to use a photo (which may be the only one in existence as of that moment) to document the Wiki pages of past rides and histories. It keeps from having to filter through hundreds of photos posted- which ones they can use and not. Unfortunately in today's age of technology- policies need to be implemented to keep people from fighting over everything.
For example- there are images of the park's floating everywhere that no one remembers where they got it- who it was posted by and so forth. I think it is nice to have a record of who captured that moment and time and took the effort to share it with everyone.
For your photos- my personal thanks.
I love historical pictures that capture a time when photography cost tons of money. People forget that you could have only 24 pictures and you had to be super stingy with what pictures you took. Then- you sent a prayer that those photos would be good.~~~~~~~~~
To get back on topic- My favorite memories of Kings Dominion as a kid was riding the Scooby Doo coaster for the first time. It was and always be a fun coaster. I LOVED the Yogi Bear fun house! I recall my brother and I running through the house with the gem stones and tilted floors as if it was the greatest thing in the world. I loved the Apple Turnover as it was one of my first "Big Kid" rides.
I know this is an odd fond memory- but i slipped and fell on some water near the log flume and really slammed my hip hard on a rail. The park took me to the medical facility and I cannot recall a moment where everyone was so kind. They gave me passes to ride everything without a wait all day and a wheel chair- which I needed as walking was out of the question. Our meals were free and they called me at home the next day to check up.
I know the parks worry about people getting upset and taking legal action; however, the medics concern was 100% genuine. They went above and beyond to make sure my day was great and it was. I was very young, and for this to stand out so clearly meant that they deserved some praise on how it was handled.
This was Pre-Paramount by the way.
RE: Fond memories of King's Dominion
Thanks for the insight with the photos and your experience at the park.
I don't have any problem with people using the photos. I was being up front that these photos were shared with KD Golden Year's Facebook site and others. When I sent them to KD, I stated the same thing. If anyone was expecting "exclusive" use of the photos, that is not possible. [And the site here states "Non-Exclusive" rights; so, the folks here don't care if the photos are elsewhere].
I am happy to be able to share these photos with everyone in the hope that it preserves and tells the history of some of the great former attractions the park has had. When you are taking photos, you don't always realize that you are preserving history; but, that is exactly what you are doing!
Just think of all that is being done on this site to preserve what is currently going on at both parks [especially BGW] with photos and videos of the park's rides & attractions, shows, restaurants, and shops. I am sure there will be those folks 25-30 years in the future who will appreciate everyone's efforts in preserving the parks as they are today.
I wish the technology was further along when Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens opened in 1975. For most people, it was taking still photos using film or an 8mm motion picture camera [producing a 3-4 minute silent movie]. I would love to see some of the show productions from the 1970's and early 1980's on video. I assume the parks might have hired a professional cameraman to tape the shows back then for their archives. But, if the park did that, I have never seen any of those videos show up on places like YouTube.
Video cameras with sound [VHS & BETA] did not become available to most of the general public until the early to mid 1980's. Even then, the video cameras were very expensive and they were big and bulky. Many people did not take them to places like BGW or KD because they were afraid of loosing or damaging them.
So, it is a real treat to me to see and remember the way the parks were back in the 1970's and early 1980's by looking at the photos or 8mm films from back then.
Nora, do you run the BGW-Memories Facebook site? If so, I have some BGW photos from June 1981 I could sent you.
Nora said:mwhinva~ I think the policy is there in case they want to use a photo (which may be the only one in existence as of that moment) to document the Wiki pages of past rides and histories. It keeps from having to filter through hundreds of photos posted- which ones they can use and not. Unfortunately in today's age of technology- policies need to be implemented to keep people from fighting over everything.
For example- there are images of the park's floating everywhere that no one remembers where they got it- who it was posted by and so forth. I think it is nice to have a record of who captured that moment and time and took the effort to share it with everyone.
For your photos- my personal thanks.
~~~~~~~~~
To get back on topic- My favorite memories of Kings Dominion as a kid was riding the Scooby Doo coaster for the first time. It was and always be a fun coaster. I LOVED the Yogi Bear fun house! I recall my brother and I running through the house with the gem stones and tilted floors as if it was the greatest thing in the world. I loved the Apple Turnover as it was one of my first "Big Kid" rides.
I know this is an odd fond memory- but i slipped and fell on some water near the log flume and really slammed my hip hard on a rail. The park took me to the medical facility and I cannot recall a moment where everyone was so kind. They gave me passes to ride everything without a wait all day and a wheel chair- which I needed as walking was out of the question. Our meals were free and they called me at home the next day to check up.
I know the parks worry about people getting upset and taking legal action; however, the medics concern was 100% genuine. They went above and beyond to make sure my day was great and it was. I was very young, and for this to stand out so clearly meant that they deserved some praise on how it was handled.
This was Pre-Paramount by the way.
Thanks for the insight with the photos and your experience at the park.
I don't have any problem with people using the photos. I was being up front that these photos were shared with KD Golden Year's Facebook site and others. When I sent them to KD, I stated the same thing. If anyone was expecting "exclusive" use of the photos, that is not possible. [And the site here states "Non-Exclusive" rights; so, the folks here don't care if the photos are elsewhere].
I am happy to be able to share these photos with everyone in the hope that it preserves and tells the history of some of the great former attractions the park has had. When you are taking photos, you don't always realize that you are preserving history; but, that is exactly what you are doing!
Just think of all that is being done on this site to preserve what is currently going on at both parks [especially BGW] with photos and videos of the park's rides & attractions, shows, restaurants, and shops. I am sure there will be those folks 25-30 years in the future who will appreciate everyone's efforts in preserving the parks as they are today.
I wish the technology was further along when Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens opened in 1975. For most people, it was taking still photos using film or an 8mm motion picture camera [producing a 3-4 minute silent movie]. I would love to see some of the show productions from the 1970's and early 1980's on video. I assume the parks might have hired a professional cameraman to tape the shows back then for their archives. But, if the park did that, I have never seen any of those videos show up on places like YouTube.
Video cameras with sound [VHS & BETA] did not become available to most of the general public until the early to mid 1980's. Even then, the video cameras were very expensive and they were big and bulky. Many people did not take them to places like BGW or KD because they were afraid of loosing or damaging them.
So, it is a real treat to me to see and remember the way the parks were back in the 1970's and early 1980's by looking at the photos or 8mm films from back then.
Nora, do you run the BGW-Memories Facebook site? If so, I have some BGW photos from June 1981 I could sent you.
RE: Fond memories of King's Dominion
Yep that is me. If you have any photos you can send them my way. I can arrange them in the corresponding albums. I'm excited to see them!
1981.. wow ~ those were the days. Ghosts of the Globe, Hastings, The indoor Catapult, monorail trips, and Glissade rides. Good times.
When I visit my mom this Christmas, I'll dig through her photo albums to see if I can find some Kings Dominion early year pictures. I'm sure we have some.
Yep that is me. If you have any photos you can send them my way. I can arrange them in the corresponding albums. I'm excited to see them!
1981.. wow ~ those were the days. Ghosts of the Globe, Hastings, The indoor Catapult, monorail trips, and Glissade rides. Good times.
When I visit my mom this Christmas, I'll dig through her photo albums to see if I can find some Kings Dominion early year pictures. I'm sure we have some.
RE: Fond memories of King's Dominion
I will see what I can scan over the next couple weeks. My Scanner and software is ancient. I wish I had the ability to scan multiple photos at one time and then break them into individual objects. But, my old software does not have that capability.
One set of photos is from June 1981. I have another set, that I will need to find, that were taken when Drachen Fire existed [1st or 2nd season of operation]. Is there a contact email on your Facebook site?
Nora said:
I will see what I can scan over the next couple weeks. My Scanner and software is ancient. I wish I had the ability to scan multiple photos at one time and then break them into individual objects. But, my old software does not have that capability.
One set of photos is from June 1981. I have another set, that I will need to find, that were taken when Drachen Fire existed [1st or 2nd season of operation]. Is there a contact email on your Facebook site?
RE: Fond memories of King's Dominion
I threw up at KD once, probably the most fun I've ever had there.
I threw up at KD once, probably the most fun I've ever had there.
