Minor Changes 2018

[CastleOSullivan]

This seriously might be my pretense for not renewing this year. I might revisit the idea if they implement a system like BGW's traveling locker.

I understand the need for item security. I used to have items lost or stolen during just about every visit. I also understand how the park needs money, and free lockers would be a huge missed opportunity for them to make money. That said, I think it is appalling for them to charge me in a roundabout way for each ride, including the ones which had cubbies that didn't delay the operations. This is even worse than BGW's completely unholy PhotoKey system, in my opinion. Ridiculous.

 

[Ghost of Pretzel Kaiser]

I noticed a lot of things that I’ll probably expand on tomorrow when I’m at the park, but a couple things I noticed about the locker issue.

A) FoF still had sinage for loose articles up. TT actually had bin numbers painted onto the station.

B) The locker system is the same used at BGW. Which means they can turn on locker transfers, but don’t.

This tells me that the new loose article policy was decided on with in a very rushed manner and tells me it’s less about safety (don’t get me wrong, that is important) and more about milking guests.

 

[horsesboy]

The wood carver by action theater appears to have been changed to a snack dealer.

Not really pleased with the lockers. I ended up paying 3 dollars for my ride on TT because it took 2 hrs 5 minutes to get through the ride and Back to the locker and the only item I had that had to go in the locker was my drink cup. I pay for a locker at BGW every time I go so the act of paying for it doesn't bug me but the execution of it is poorly done.

 

[Ghost of Pretzel Kaiser]

The Wood Carver shop has merch for Coke as well as items made in Virginia.

 

[horsesboy]

The Wood Carver shop has merch for Coke as well as items made in Virginia.

Thanks I only pasted walking out and it only looked like coke and snacks at that point but was closed.

 

[----------------------]

do you need to buy a locker if you have a hat?

 

[Ghost of Pretzel Kaiser]

do you need to buy a locker if you have a hat?

Yes, they won't allow them. They go so far as perscription glasses without a band.

 

[----------------------]

do you need to buy a locker if you have a hat?

Yes, they won't allow them.  They go so far as perscription glasses without a band.

That's nuts and insanely agressive.

 

[jeffh]

do you need to buy a locker if you have a hat?

Last night as I walked into the entrance of Twisted Timbers I noticed probably a dozen hats hanging on the fence, so I guess that may become a common thing to see.

 

[horsesboy]

do you need to buy a locker if you have a hat?

Yes, they won't allow them.  They go so far as perscription glasses without a band.

That's nuts and insanely agressive.

Yep I had two different staff people stop me and ask me about glasses each Tim I had to show them that I had a zipper pocket on my jacket that they fit into. I see why they are caution between the rolls and the pop on the airtime hills its going to force loose items free. I just wish they would find a better less costly and less confrentaional way of handling it.

 

[MAZ]

do you need to buy a locker if you have a hat?

Yes, they won't allow them. They go so far as perscription glasses without a band.

I'm going to say no. I walked through the entrance with a hat and security told me I had to put it in my pocket for the ride, which I later did.

 

[horsesboy]

Then it is not an even across the board policy as I saw multiple people told that hats could not be taken pass the entrence.

On another note I saw reported on TH that if you lose your season long cup they will replace it one time for $2.50 and will flag the old one so it can't be reused if true that is really generous of the park to offerr.

 

[Ghost of Pretzel Kaiser]

do you need to buy a locker if you have a hat?

Yes, they won't allow them.  They go so far as perscription glasses without a band.

I'm going to say no. I walked through the entrance with a hat and security told me I had to put it in my pocket for the ride, which I later did.

Not saying your wrong, but that's what they told us at the station. Lots of inconsistency it seems.

 

[Nicole]

Our experience was that we could bring anything that fit in our zipper pockets. We just zipped them in before we got to the entrance. Our group had hats, glasses, wallets, and keys in our pockets.

Additionally, they said that glasses with safety straps are fine.

 

[James]

Kings Dominion is going to bring cargo shorts back into style.

 

[Ghost of Pretzel Kaiser]

Like Cargo pants every went out of fashion.

 

[Unagi]

Like Cargo pants every went out of fashion.

Exactly.  They were really never "in-fashion" to begin with as they were originally created for military use.

And it's no worse than seeing that many people still wear fanny packs to parks!

 

[Mushroom]

I found some answers to questions that have been posted here, which I picked up from the park map.

The third Coke station will be in Soak City adjacent to Sun & Surf Supplies, across from Sharkey's. For what it's worth, the new ones in Safari Village and Candy Apple Grove both look excellent.

Timbers Jam Band will be on the new "Candy Apple Grove Stage" located between Twist & Shop and Racer 75's entrance. It looks like the stage will be constructed in the alcove that used to house the "power tower" game.

The small shop that has taken up residence in the old wood carving building is called "Virginia Market."

The stage for Snoopy's Symphony of Water is designated as an entertainment location on the front of the map but not the back; I am not sure if the fountain show is returning.

The Dino Store is labeled "Grizzly Entrance" on the map, which might help make the ride easier to find.

"Center Walkway" is designated as its own sub-area on the map, although it is stylized differently from the other themed areas and is presumably still considered part of International Street.

The Action Theater is designated as "operating on a rotating feature schedule." Oddly enough, the "Toy Racer" movie marquee had been removed from the attractions entrance- with the former Robinson Crusoe signage in its place. The center of the theater's queue is filled with WinterFest decorations.

Surprisingly, there is no designated show for the Peanuts Showplace this year. Like the Action Theater, it is "operating on a rotating feature schedule." I think it is a bit of a shame that this large venue will sit mostly dark for 2018.

Grove Lemonade by Waveswinger is now a Rita's.

"Deep End Dance Party" will happen in Soak City in "Sharkey's Plaza." I am not sure if any sort of performance venue will be built here or if the "party" will just happen in the pavilion between Sharkey's and Sun & Surf Supplies.

"Soak City Soakers" will perform at the new "Tidal Wave Bay Beach" venue. I assume this will go in the grassy lawn at the back of Tidal Wave Bay's beach area.

Lots of changes at the park this season, and most for the better!

 

[jeffh]

Lots of changes at the park this season, and most for the better!

When we were there Friday night we walked past the KD Theater and wondered what show (if any?) was going to be in there - and then of course we had to start with the "hey taco" voices...

 

[jeffh]

OK I was wrong in my post in the Mac Bowl thread where I said that every entree should be covered on the dining plan since it was that way in every restaurant that I visited last year.

Apparently that is so last year, as I walked around today and took pics of many of the new menus and will post them here and in respective restaurant threads (admins can edit as needed). Personally, I think that having some entrees covered and some not will cause confusion and perhaps some customers being unhappy and changing orders at the register, who knows...

A few observations -

Mac Bowl - as noted above, only the Mac Bowl is covered; Tots Bowl or Salad is not.

Victoria Pizza (near Soak City entrance) - 2 slices pizza not on dining plan, in fact looks like the only way you can get pizza with dining plan at that location is to get gluten free with a salad. They do have a 1 slice of pizza entree on the menu, but it's not covered.

Boardwalk Fries - I took pics of the 2 locations (I think there are only 2) that have chicken tenders on the dining plan; the one near the bowling game also has corn dogs (not on dining plan) but the one near KD theater does not list corn dogs.

Border Burrito - I guess they changed the name to "Burrito" as no more tacos on the menu.

Coca Cola Pizza (near Eiffel Tower) - both 2-slice and 1-slice options covered on dining plan.

Country Kitchen - chicken tenders are still there but no longer covered by dining plan, have to walk over to Boardwalk Fries I guess.

Hungry Hippo and Juke Box - no longer have the grilled chicken that I used to get quite often, but at least all entrees at Hungry Hippo are on dining plan; a couple at Juke Box are not.

There are minor changes at just about each restaurant, so be sure to check the menu carefully if you plan to get something from the dining plan.