Kings Dominion Project 2024: Victoria's Pizza Renovation

[Mushroom]

If they can pull it off right, I think a more vibrant and colorful take on the original Victorian style would be a great starting point for how all of CAG should be updated. Short of a totally reimagined setting and time period like with Jungle X, I think CAG would feel great if they extended a “modern” take on the Victorian style throughout the area. You can see elements of CAG’s original Victorian style throughout CAG, including in the lattice and ornamentation of the smaller arcade building, in some of the game booths, the old Sweet Tooth building, and in the ornamentation of Waveswinger and the Carousel. It’s there, but underemphasized.

Personally, I like the glimpses we’ve seen of Victoria’s colorful take on this old Victorian design, though I’ll reserve final judgement for the finished product. But just imagine if CAG had that consistent, colorful, sort of turn-of-the-century feel with a modern twist. I think it would do wonders for the area.

 

[bwick29]

If they can pull it off right, I think a more vibrant and colorful take on the original Victorian style would be a great starting point for how all of CAG should be updated. Short of a totally reimagined setting and time period like with Jungle X, I think CAG would feel great if they extended a “modern” take on the Victorian style throughout the area. You can see elements of CAG’s original Victorian style throughout CAG, including in the lattice and ornamentation of the smaller arcade building, in some of the game booths, the old Sweet Tooth building, and in the ornamentation of Waveswinger and the Carousel. It’s there, but underemphasized.

Personally, I like the glimpses we’ve seen of Victoria’s colorful take on this old Victorian design, though I’ll reserve final judgement for the finished product. But just imagine if CAG had that consistent, colorful, sort of turn-of-the-century feel with a modern twist. I think it would do wonders for the area.

I was just thinking this. Bad apple and Delerium could benefit from the Victorian steampunk treatment. The Carousel already fits. Keep it up with the rest and you can update an area with a theme that isn't used anywhere nearby.

 

[SLC Headache]

I was just thinking this. Bad apple and Delerium could benefit from the Victorian steampunk treatment. The Carousel already fits. Keep it up with the rest and you can update an area with a theme that isn't used anywhere nearby.

Uh...Six Flags America is already doing that: https://www.sixflags.com/america/si...lans-for-a-transformed-realm-called-steamtown

 

[bwick29]

Well we'll just build our own steampunk area... with blackjack... and hookers.

 

[CoasterAuditor]

I think for Blackjack we’d have to get the General Assembly to let Kings Dominion offer it. So I guess forget the Blackjack?

 

[WrierSiamang152]

I was just thinking this. Bad apple and Delerium could benefit from the Victorian steampunk treatment. The Carousel already fits. Keep it up with the rest and you can update an area with a theme that isn't used anywhere nearby.

I would 100% be on board with this retheme IF we get IronWorx back as a zone for Haunt OR a new maze based entirely on steampunk asthetics.

 

[Nicole]

I like steampunk as much the next person, but I don’t think it suits CAG at all. It is a very turn of the century midway with whimsical and colorful touches and a classic carousel, none of which suit an industrial, steampunk tone. I, personally, think they need to lean more into what they already have, and hopefully this facelift of Victoria’s is a step in that direction.

 

[warfelg]

I like steampunk as much the next person, but I don’t think it suits CAG at all. It is a very turn of the century midway with whimsical and colorful touches and a classic carousel, none of which suit an industrial, steampunk tone. I, personally, think they need to lean more into what they already have, and hopefully this facelift of Victoria’s is a step in that direction.

Not the place to go too in depth but I would like to see the TT plaza be the “town” of CAG, and the midway be the “fair” of CAG.

 

[bwick29]

Possibly slightly off topic, but not sure if there's a better thread for this. Edit: There is a better one. Please move if desired/convenient.

I don't disagree, except they haven't really maintained that "whimsical and colorful" note and it no longer has a distinctly cohesive feel to it like other park sections (JungleX, OldVA, Intnl St) all do. It's become a soft and faded version of it's former glory. I love the idea of them doubling down on the classic feel to make it bright and vibrant again, but I think they should go above and beyond if they do. I worry that the enjoyment of a traditional midway theme is starting to fade a bit. The generations that have the nostalgia and fond feelings toward the classic midways of the mid 1900's are starting to age and much of the younger generation has been exposed to such high production value and modern media licensing in nearly everything. I worry that a budget-driven, half-hearted effort would make it feel more like a lowbrow traveling fair than a quality amusement park. That said, if the overhaul is to the quality caliber that JungleX was, KD could properly revitalize that and make that area a textbook thematic example that carries the wonder of a classic midway through generations to come.

The other thought is to change it to something that can evolve the existing scenery/theme in a new way like a Bioshock-Infinite-esque Victorian steampunk would. I should clarify that my thoughts aren't dark and murky steampunk, but more of a bright and vibrant one as seen when image searching "Bioshock Infinite" (but not looking for any licensing, just thematic inspiration) or as the renders for the new Gröna Lund project are. Still colorful, welcoming, vibrant, and can leverage everything that exists in the section, some even better than a traditional midway theme can. Heck, you can even keep the 50's diner and AZ/TT theming intact down on the end too. That's always felt like a bit of a split as it is.

Either way, don't half-ass it. Whole-ass it.


Edited for grammar because I suck and am trying to actually get some work done today

 

[WrierSiamang152]

Possibly slightly off topic, but not sure if there's a better thread for this. Edit: There is a better one. Please move if desired/convenient.

I don't disagree, except they haven't really maintained that "whimsical and colorful" note and it no longer has a distinctly cohesive feel to it like other park sections (JungleX, OldVA, Intnl St) all do. It's become a soft and faded version of it's former glory. I love the idea of them doubling down on the classic feel to make it bright and vibrant again, but I think they should go above and beyond if they do. I worry that the enjoyment of a traditional midway theme is starting to fade a bit. The generations that have the nostalgia and fond feelings toward the classic midways of the mid 1900's are starting to age and much of the younger generation has been exposed to such high production value and modern media licensing in nearly everything. I worry that a budget-driven, half-hearted effort would make it feel more like a lowbrow traveling fair than a quality amusement park. That said, if the overhaul is to the quality caliber that JungleX was, KD could properly revitalize that and make that area a textbook thematic example that carries the wonder of a classic midway through generations to come.

The other thought is to change it to something that can evolve the existing scenery/theme in a new way like a Bioshock-Infinite-esque Victorian steampunk would. I should clarify that my thoughts aren't dark and murky steampunk, but more of a bright and vibrant one as seen when image searching "Bioshock Infinite" (but not looking for any licensing, just thematic inspiration) or as the renders for the new Gröna Lund project are. Still colorful, welcoming, vibrant, and can leverage everything that exists in the section, some even better than a traditional midway theme can. Heck, you can even keep the 50's diner and AZ/TT theming intact down on the end too. That's always felt like a bit of a split as it is.

Either way, don't half-ass it. Whole-ass it.


Edited for grammar because I suck and am trying to actually get some work done today

YES! Bioshock Infinite is exactly the kind of steampunk I was thinking, especially around the TT/AZ plaza.

 

[CoasterSkinny]

Anyone aware if VP is going to be open for the event tonight? If so, you better know I'm heading over there to grab a slice.

 

[Nicole]

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[Nicole]

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[Mushroom]

Not only is the pizza unchanged, but now you only get one slice and a pair of breadsticks. I swear you used to get two slices. So it’s actually a downgrade. I didn’t even pay for my meal thanks to the dining plan, and I still felt ripped off. I did hear that the piadina is good (and Bridgette Bywater personally recommended the peanut butter cannoli).

That said, this place looks amazing. It legitimately feels like a Disney restaurant. The floor tiles, the stained glass, the new decorations (including some Easter eggs referring CAG’s past), the subtle Victorian architecture touches… it’s beautiful. Unbelievable how they turned what felt like a sticky, crappy pizzeria into an absolutely gorgeous building.

Even the exterior, with new wrought-iron signage, a new Victorian-style font, and little Victorian-style spires, looks great. I love that the park really leaned in to CAG’s original style with this upgrade, rather than going for a more generic modern approach.

 

[horsesboy]

Stopped back in later in the night with a friend that had the pasta the serving size was drastically bigger then what was seen earlier in the night. No idea if that was simply that it was the end of the night and they figured heck it will get thrown away anyhow or if there is an actual consistency issue. But I saw several other reports of portion size reduction at other restaurants as well so definitely something to watch this season.

 

[Mike541x]

Not only is the pizza unchanged, but now you only get one slice and a pair of breadsticks. I swear you used to get two slices. So it’s actually a downgrade.

I'm glad you pointed this out because I thought I was going crazy when I walked in and didn't see an option for two slices. I remember buying two slices of pizza and a breadstick in the past. Opted to go to Outpost Cafe instead. The new renovation looks great I will say. I'll have to try out the new menu later this year.

 

[warfelg]

I'm glad you pointed this out because I thought I was going crazy when I walked in and didn't see an option for two slices. I remember buying two slices of pizza and a breadstick in the past. Opted to go to Outpost Cafe instead. The new renovation looks great I will say. I'll have to try out the new menu later this year.

I wasn't there but maybe you or @Mushroom can shed some light on this: One of my friends there also swear that the slice was smaller and the breadsticks were significantly smaller.

Stopped back in later in the night with a friend that had the pasta the serving size was drastically bigger then what was seen earlier in the night. No idea if that was simply that it was the end of the night and they figured heck it will get thrown away anyhow or if there is an actual consistency issue. But I saw several other reports of portion size reduction at other restaurants as well so definitely something to watch this season.

That same friend referenced above was heated over that. He has two teen kids who eat a lot and ended up having to use his meal plan for everyone to get a meal then had to pay out of pocket for more. His claim was that the pasta was about the amount of a side mac and cheese from Mission BBQ. If that's true got to wonder what happened. Did they think there wasn't enough as the night started like you suggest or was there something else to it.

 

[Nicole]

My impression when I was eating there was that there are two likely explanations for the amount of pasta I was served:

1. They are reducing portion sizes across the board for obvious budgetary reasons. Hopefully, if this is the case, they will adjust as the season moves forward.

2. It wasn’t even the first day of operations; it was a preview day. There were a lot of new (in some cases very confused) staff, who were clearly still figuring things out. I am always hesitant to make any major judgements based on a dress rehearsal. It is entirely possible that the people serving us were simply still leaning how much to put on the plate.

That said, I am intrigued that there is so much focus on portion size, when (in my opinion) these were the worse tasting new dishes to be introduced in ages. Hopefully they will improve, before we do a comprehensive review of the restaurant later in the season.

 

[Mushroom]

1. They are reducing portion sizes across the board for obvious budgetary reasons. Hopefully, if this is the case, they will adjust as the season moves forward.

I’m actually not sure if this is true. I got a second meal at Grain & Grill last night and the portions were as generous as they always have been.

I actually submitted a comment to guest services about the pizza meal needing to have two slices. @warfelg, I think you’re right that the pizza seemed smaller too. I was disappointed in it through and through, and unless they at least start serving two slices of pizza in a meal, there’s no way I’ll take my friends there if they want pizza. It’s a shame, since the restaurant is beautiful.

One note, it’s important to keep in mind that last night was preview night. There are always jitters on preview night. It was the staff’s first time in that restaurant and serving that food to that many people. I remember on Grain & Grill’s opening day in 2021, the steak I was served was almost raw. So while the single-slice pizza meal is a systemic problem, I’m willing to see if the other issues with quality and portions will be smoothed out over time.

 

[bwick29]

Still a single slice of pizza for $16.99

I can get half a chicken, a side, dipping sauce, and some delightfully tasty bread for $5ish more by walking 200 yards to Outpost.

I would chew on a downed branch in Old VA for sustenance before paying that slice price.