Kings Dominion Project 2024: Victoria's Pizza Renovation

[CoasterAuditor]

Yeah I think the renovation looks great but honestly I would have loved to seen it demoed and a new larger restaurant like Brewhouse at KI, Grand Pavillion at CP, or a smaller Harmony Hall go in. Was hoping they’d expand out into that back section with a deck and bar or something.

But okay. It will look nicer to walk past at the transition point between the coaster clusters of my visits I guess. As a passholder that’s aware of the other food options in the park it’s difficult to justify going here over so many other options.

 

[Crunchewy]

Seems like maybe they should have spent less on the renovation and more on improving the food

 

[bwick29]

Was hoping they’d expand out into that back section with a deck and bar or something.

This would've been amazing. Such a great view of the park from there. Do a little sightline cleanup, add a big deck with outdoor bar and seating, maybe some speakers or continue last year's live music on an outside "stage".

It does look fresh and clean in there though.

Seems like maybe they should have spent less on the renovation and more on improving the food

They did add a new offering that did look decent. Baked penne with red sauce and a hefty meatball. Even the last portion in the tray looked reasonably appetizing.

All they needed to do was not charge me damn near $20 bucks for a single slice of cheese pizza.

 

[Nicole]

I tried the baked pasta and did not enjoy it. That said, I am not making any final judgements based on a preview day.

The back section is not yet complete. We were told that there are longer term plans to expand it out and create a patio. I think it would be a great venue for small events like last year's wine tasting.

 

[jscll]

Dorney Park tried reducing the pizza from two slices to one last season. It only lasted until halfway through the season. I fail to understand why they are trying to portion control one of the cheapest food items.

 

[Mushroom]

For anyone unhappy with the pizza situation, I recommend emailing the park. Knowing how these things work behind the scenes, I can tell you that enough guest feedback like this really does get escalated to park leadership and often does lead to change.

 

[Crunchewy]

No one is saying the pizza is good, so getting more of it doesn't really seem like a win to me. Maybe complain that the pizza is sub par instead?

 

[Mushroom]

It was… fine. Certainly a step above greasy, cheap pizza like you’d get from Papa John’s or Dominos, but definitely not five-star pizza either. Contrary to some reports I’ve heard, I watched a video where Executive Chef Maurice said the pizza has a new sauce and crust recipe this year.

So with two slices, I think it’s a satisfactory meal by theme park standards. Not on par with the park’s other meals that have debuted since Grain & Grill opened in 2021, but acceptable.

I will say that Chef Maurice also said in the video I watched that every order is supposed to come with marinara sauce. Mine didn’t come with any and neither did anyone else’s that I saw, which seems to confirm my suspicion that the staff was still working out the kinks on preview day.

 

[horsesboy]

Dorney Park tried reducing the pizza from two slices to one last season. It only lasted until halfway through the season. I fail to understand why they are trying to portion control one of the cheapest food items.

Inflation and quantity are your answer. I say what I have said several times about Victoria's it is the busiest restaurant in the park. The cost of the pizza as an individual item might be low but when you expand that across the volume sold it adds up quick. Making that change in the pizza offsets higher cost other places and controls the over all price point for the park.

For anyone unhappy with the pizza situation, I recommend emailing the park. Knowing how these things work behind the scenes, I can tell you that enough guest feedback like this really does get escalated to park leadership and often does lead to change.

I received an email servey about my visit and raised the point there. I strongly suggest that others that get them do that as well.

 

[bwick29]

For anyone unhappy with the pizza situation, I recommend emailing the park. Knowing how these things work behind the scenes, I can tell you that enough guest feedback like this really does get escalated to park leadership and often does lead to change.

I got a survey request today and made sure to include it.

No one is saying the pizza is good, so getting more of it doesn't really seem like a win to me. Maybe complain that the pizza is sub par instead?

It's a price to performance ratio for me. If the pizza is low price (Little Caesar's, Dominos, etc.), I can be perfectly happy with lower quality. If the pizza is loaded with toppings, piping fresh, piled with cheese, and overall just higher-tier (Mellow Mushroom, gourmet pizza joints, etc.), I'm fine with paying more money. When it comes to theme parks, I know I'm going to get raked over the coals for food prices either way so if I'm going pizza, I'd rather have more of it to fill my kids up than paying out the ass for a tiny increase in quality. As parents, we have all-season dining so it matters slightly less, but why the hell would I get one measly slice instead of BBQ/half chicken/etc.?

Also, I don't care if it's sprinkled with gold flake. There is no single slice of cheese pizza worth $17, amusement park or not.

 

[Crunchewy]

Also, I don't care if it's sprinkled with gold flake. There is no single slice of cheese pizza worth $17, amusement park or not.

I think that would depend on exactly how much gold flake is sprinkled on.

 

[RollyCoaster]

You can buy 3 little Caesars pizzas and can trade those in for 1 slice at Victorias

 

[rswashdc]

Finally got to see this and wouldn't even have noticed the exterior paint job if it wasn't noted. Inside is good, but the exterior paint job just doesn't compare to what they did with Outpost or Firehouse. That look is just so dated and not enticing to visit.