Kings Dominion Survey Polls Potential New Attraction Concepts

[mtorange]

It looks as if KD is also sending out the attraction concepts survey. One note: if you get the chance to fill out the survey, PLEASE consider writing that you want WinterFest to return. If enough people do it, corporate may notice and consider a return of the beloved event.

Below are the five concepts I was given in my survey.

 

[RollyCoaster]

Attached below are the attractions sent in a survey for potential future attractions at the park.

I gave high remarks for the dark ride and family coaster. I thought the raging lazy river concept seemed interesting as well.



I'm also attaching below the 3 descriptions to the attractions that I felt were the most interesting.

Interactive Dark Ride


Action River


Family Thrill Launch Coaster

 

[Zachary]

We already have a "family thrill launch coaster"—it's called Backlot. Just retheme Backlot and make it desirable. The bones are good. We don't need to spend major cap-ex on something similar when the current one needs renovation money regardless.

Meanwhile, pump that darkride concept right into my veins. Even if it's just a new iteration of the same theme of KI's 2026 Boo Blasters retheme, I'm fine with it. We don't have KI's Phantom Theater legacy, but we're sister parks, it's valid-enough.

That said, ideally, I'd love to see the rerouting of the Boo Blasters queue around the back of Tumbili and have the attraction added to Jungle X. The lore opportunities are enormous and it would MASSIVELY increase the attraction's ridership.

Another alternative I can imagine is just cutting the losses on the current, super problematic location of Boo Blasters all together and moving the ride system into the arcade in Candy Apple Grove or Action Theater in Old Virginia. Both lands could house neat original-story, interactive darkrides and both locations would see VASTLY increased ridership over Boo Blasters' current home.

 

[Thriller]

The park doesn’t need more coasters to attract the same people. They need more moderate rides to attract new people.

The dark ride fits that category. But it still wouldn’t be enough to attract new people because of the total lack of attractions for this kind of people. And unfortunately, the company doesn’t want to invest in enough tractions long-term to attract these people.

 

[cschnizer]

Give me the Mat Racer. Nuff said.

On a more serious note, seeing three out of the five concepts are water park related, could this mean the park is looking at Soak City for their next addition?

Also noticing the description for the dark ride concept said it’s “being considered.” Does that hold any weight or is this reading into it too much? None of the other concept descriptions here said that, nor do I remember anything in the surveys for other parks saying that.

 

[MrBradferd]

All soak city needs is the water coaster thing from six flags america. Soak city is pretty damn nice and updated

 

[A_Sad_Squirrel]

I don't know if I'd really call Backlot a family coaster especially with the 48 inch height requirement. A new Vekoma family coaster would definitely have a lower height requirement and would be better for families.

I'd take the Dark Ride though. If the theming is going to fall apart after a few years than don't bother.

 

[rswashdc]

KD has a lot of family coasters already, so adding another wouldn't really change things.

Adding an adults pool area would fit well with the direction the park has taken on food and lounge type areas.

More water park rides would be great, but they have a hard time staffing the water park already, so not sure how this adds real capacity.

 

[AmyUD06]

Swim-up bar pretty please!

 

[Mike541x]

Honestly, I'd probably visit Soak City more in the summer time if they add a Mat Racer. Not that there's anything wrong with Soak City's current line up, but I think it would round up their slide collection nicely. I know people would hate to see it go, but I wonder if they could utilize the area of the lake and add it there now that Anaconda is gone. I also would love to see an adult pool or lagoon area.

As much as I like Boo Blasters, it does feel like it's in a desire need of an upgrade so I wouldn't be against the dark ride idea either.

 

[MrBradferd]

KD has a proper kiddie coaster? Besides backlot, I don't see what they have. Rapterra is way to thrilling and big for alot I would guess. Wooden coasters are janky as hell and not re ridable for the average park person. Backlot is their only 1 in my eyes. They need a big bear mountain or a snoopy racing railway.

 

[joed5263]

I think all three water attractions would be a nice well rounded addition to southside water park and finally retire northside.

 

[paintervision]

If they build the dark ride, it should be a 100% new build replacing the Arcade next to Racer 75 or the old Go-Kart track, or in general a much more visible section of the park.

Waterpark attractions are cheap and are more likely the way forward for now.

 

[richmondrider]

We already have a "family thrill launch coaster"—it's called Backlot. Just retheme Backlot and make it desirable. The bones are good. We don't need to spend major cap-ex on something similar when the current one needs renovation money regardless.

Meanwhile, pump that darkride concept right into my veins. Even if it's just a new iteration of the same theme of KI's 2026 Boo Blasters retheme, I'm fine with it. We don't have KI's Phantom Theater legacy, but we're sister parks, it's valid-enough.

That said, ideally, I'd love to see the rerouting of the Boo Blasters queue around the back of Tumbili and have the attraction added to Jungle X. The lore opportunities are enormous and it would MASSIVELY increase the attraction's ridership.

Another alternative I can imagine is just cutting the losses on the current, super problematic location of Boo Blasters all together and moving the ride system into the arcade in Candy Apple Grove or Action Theater in Old Virginia. Both lands could house neat original-story, interactive darkrides and both locations would see VASTLY increased ridership over Boo Blasters' current home.

I almost always agree with your opinions Zachary but hard disagree here regarding Kings Dominion having a family coaster. Having visited the park with kids and adults of all different ages and ride preferences, Woodstock Express and Backlot definitely turn many away. When my large group visited Dollywood everyone emphatically wanted to ride it and loved it.

When they closed the Peanuts Raceway and I walked through Planet Snoopy, all I can imagine is a Big Bear-like coaster weaving though the hamlet. It would be a huge draw for adults and kids alike, and also bridge some of the space between Dominator and even the berserker spot.

Unfortunately the water park isn’t a huge draw for my family. While I know it needs attention, I’d rather see a family coaster and/or a revamped dark ride.

 

[rswashdc]

KD has a proper kiddie coaster? Besides backlot, I don't see what they have. Rapterra is way to thrilling and big for alot I would guess. Wooden coasters are janky as hell and not re ridable for the average park person. Backlot is their only 1 in my eyes. They need a big bear mountain or a snoopy racing railway.

Reptilian, Apple Zapple, and Woodstock are all rideable for young kids. My kids went on all the 48" rides once they were tall enough, including Twisted Timbers when it came out. KD is one of the better parks out there in general for growing kids and definitely the best in the mid Atlantic.

 

[Jonesta6]

I'm guessing the water park attractions would be expensive enough per project they wouldn't be interested in bundling them as a new mini-land within Soak City.

I'm also in agreement with @joed5263 on removing the water park north of R75, but the infrastructure changes needed to support that would probably be it's own set of capex and challenges so would be highly unlikely to happen anytime soon.

Personally, I'd be ok with them spending their time and money on developing more indoor attractions.

 

[Mushroom]

More water park rides would be great, but they have a hard time staffing the water park already, so not sure how this adds real capacity.

This was in the Cedar Fair days, but I asked a high up (whom I trusted) a question about staffing when they added Coconut Shores with the huge new play structure, which I knew would require a lot of staff. Their response was that Cedar Fair’s philosophy was that staffing issues shouldn’t get in the way of giving the park the product it needed — staffing was a secondary challenge that they could figure out. I have no idea if Six Flags has the same philosophy now, but I really respected that their goal at the time was to optimize the park with the best product, not to make long-term decisions based on immediate staffing shortages and costs.

Regarding the survey, my take is that all of the options would probably be a big benefit to the park. Soak City is nice, but it’s by no means a full-day water park, and it certainly isn’t comparable to WCUSA; investing in a few unique attractions could really make Soak City a compelling offer for folks deciding between visiting BGW and KD. I agree with the post above that KD has a nice collection of family coasters, but a big, shiny new one would definitely help round out the park’s offerings for that demographic.

Personally, I find the Boo Blasters replacement the most enticing. I like Boo Blasters, but I still think most guests don’t know it exists, and many of those that do probably mistakenly think it’s just a kiddie ride. A new theme with modern effects that draws renewed attention to the ride would effectively give the park a new ride for many guests. I still think moving the entrance between Tumbili and Reptilian and giving the ride a Jungle X theme would be a slam dunk.

 

[MrBradferd]

Reptilian, Apple Zapple, and Woodstock are all rideable for young kids. My kids went on all the 48" rides once they were tall enough, including Twisted Timbers when it came out. KD is one of the better parks out there in general for growing kids and definitely the best in the mid Atlantic.

Reptillian i agree with but apple zapple is not thrilling nor a stepping stone coaster in the way the big bad wolf is, fire chaser express, big bear ect. And woodstock is a janky piece of trash. When i was a kid i literally cried on it and the shakyness ruins it as a solid all around famimy coaster. Kids might like it but adults arnt keen to it

 

[GASM]

I actually had the exact opposite experience with Woodstock Express when I went last month. Was completely caught off guard by how smooth it felt compared to the other two Woodstock PTCs.

 

[cschnizer]

I concur a family launch coaster isn’t needed currently. But a family boomerang coaster I’d say yes to.