Project 2017: Planet Snoopy Expansion & More

Register or Login to Hide This Ad for Free!
I must be backwards from everybody else. I am familiar with the park's image, but not so much with the 'L's....do I not spend enough time on the Internet?
 
People keep spamming the park's social media comment sections with "L", which is lingo for "loss" or failure.

Yeah, I don't get it either...
 
  • Like
Reactions: RollyCoaster and MAZ
Joe said:
Many of you are saying that, despite the disappointing announcement, the Planet Snoopy expansion is a good idea. I disagree.

Planet Snoopy was hugely expanded only three years ago. Only three years ago, the park added eight children's rides. Only three years ago, Planet Snoopy expanded in size by 14 acres.

Last year, a large new children's area was added to Soak City. Not only was a children's area added, but it replaced three adult-oriented speed slides.

As someone who visits the park with smaller children, since 2013 I have never felt that the children's offerings at KD were too few. Nobody has ever told me that there wasn't enough to do in Planet Snoopy. Kings Dominion already has twenty children's rides; to compare, Busch Gardens only identifies fourteen rides as "kidsiderate." It just seems like KD has enough.

What upsets me even more is that there's no need to revitalize the area. Since 2012, the park's new additions have been placed in especially weak or rundown areas, to improve the park's infrastructure. That's why I defended the 2013 expansion of Planet Snoopy: it transformed the backwoods and rundown KidZville area into a beautiful, modern children's area.

2012's addition of Windseeker brought pizzazz (and a swath of brick pavers) to the deserted area left behind by Hypersonic XLC's removal. 2013 revitalized a disgusting children's area. 2014 brought brick pavers, theming, and new landscaping wherever the KD40 celebration touched. 2015 transformed a rundown, aging water park into the fresh and modern Soak City. 2016 purged Candy Apple Grove of its craggly, univiting walkways and brought new amenities and a bright, inviting atmosphere.

What does 2017 bring? Three children's rides in already the most beautiful part of the park?* Unless the park breaks an almost decade-long tradition, Hurler's area will continue to crumble, Old Virginia will continue to become rundown, and the asphalt throughout the park will continue to crack even more, all while lush gardens and brick pavers are being torn up to add these new rides.

*Yes, I called Planet Snoopy the most beautiful part of the park. Even more than on than International Street, I love relaxing near the fountain and gardens of the original Planet Snoopy. I understand that relaxing gardens don't bring in guests like new rides do, but for me, it's a shame that one of the park's nicest areas will go by the wayside.

My Suggestion
I would have been happier if KD did something like Busch Gardens has done for 40 years, and sprinkle these children's rides elsewhere in the park. Why not put Sally's Sea Plane in the empty lot next to The Crypt and theme it to a safari plane? Or put Peanuts 500 in the gaping space next to WindSeeker and give the cars a hot-rod theme to fit the 50's theme of the area? Or put the Kite-Eating Tree in Old Virginia to fit the woodsy theme? Space in all these areas is abundant.

I think this would be a better solution. This way, children could experience the new rides without being corralled in Planet Snoopy, enthusiasts would benefit from new energy being brought to some of the park's most dead areas, and parents could allow children to ride something while other parents and older siblings enjoy bigger rides.

Frankly, I'm not opposed to the rides. I'm opposed to another Planet Snoopy expansion.
Click to expand...
I'm still catching up in this thread so i know this is old, but this is brilliant. Good idea!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mushroom
For 2018 they BADLY need to revamp that back area of Candy Apple Grove, starting with giving Hurler the axe.
 
Time to replace Hurler with something new and time to take down Xtreme Skyflyer. That area is taking up a ton of room where you can easily put a decent flat in.
 
TheMeowMeoow said:
Time to replace Hurler with something new and time to take down Xtreme Skyflyer.  That area is taking up a ton of room where you can easily put a decent flat in.
Click to expand...

A wingrider would go nice in the area that Hurler currently occupies.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wooemwoemeht
RollyCoaster said:
I don't think the Skyflyer will be going anywhere anytime soon. I always see sombody on the darn thing and for price they charge, im sure the Skyflyer makes big bucks for the park.
Click to expand...

I think, like Dino's Skyflyer is contracted. I could be wrong.
 
Bringing this thread back to Planet Snoopy, I took a walk though the area where the expansion will occur. I guess I never realized how dead the area was, since I rarely venture past the fountain area. There's a surprisingly large stretch of empty space between the fountain garden and Flying Ace, which could definitely use the new attractions. I still question the timing of the expansion, but I'm not so bummed about the location of the rides anymore.

Also, be on the lookout for a comprehensive photo update from Busch Dominion in the coming days. ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: BlackWeird, horsesboy and RollyCoaster
Joe said:
Bringing this thread back to Planet Snoopy, I took a walk though the area where the expansion will occur. I guess I never realized how dead the area was, since I rarely venture past the fountain area. There's a surprisingly large stretch of empty space between the fountain garden and Flying Ace, which could definitely use the new attractions. I still question the timing of the expansion, but I'm not so bummed about the location of the rides anymore.

Also, be on the lookout for a comprehensive photo update from Busch Dominion in the coming days. ;)
Click to expand...

I thought this observation was brought up when the main Planet Snoopy area overhaul happened for 2013. It looks like the "orphan" fountain area and "Flying Ace" will be getting "sibling" attractions to make that section a more cohesive part of Planet Snoopy. (Maybe there's hope for the western end of CAG afterall). ^.^
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mushroom and MAZ
Busch Dominion's latest article features a photo update of the Planet Snoopy area! In this article, you'll get a look at what parts of Planet Snoopy will change, what's going away, and where the new rides will go. We also share some of our thoughts the "upgraded dining" coming to Planet Snoopy in 2017. Take a look!

Halloween Haunt & #KD2017 Update - BuschDominion.com
 
  • Like
Reactions: RollyCoaster, Nicole and Luke
RollyCoaster said:
Wasn't sure if Busch always did free passes for kidos. If not, looks like Busch followed after KD in the kid's department. Free Water Country and Busch Gardens ages 3-5.
Click to expand...

Busch has been doing it for along time it seems like KD is more or less copying their model.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jornor, SWStevo and RollyCoaster
More specifically, when we were chatting with the KD marketing exec who recently moved over from BGW, our impression was that he specifically brought several BGW initiatives to KD. The Pre-school Pass is just one of a handful of ideas that originated at BGW and are now being implemented at KD, as well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jornor, jeffh, horsesboy and 2 others
Kite Eating Tree is vertical! Plus, Peanuts 500 (the miniature whip) looks mostly assembled in the background.

[facebook=https://www.facebook.com/kingsdominionva/photos/rpp.32237381874/10154176341531875/?type=3&theater]
 
  • Like
Reactions: jornor, wombat96 and RollyCoaster
^The good thing about these junior drop-tower style rides is that the ride cycle is fairly short, the seating arrangement makes it quick to load, and the single lap bar makes checking restraints a breeze.

I'm curious about what the yellow building behind it still serve for. Hopefully they'll decorate its face with a full-sized comic strip, like they've done with other buildings in Planet Snoopy.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SWStevo, jornor and tigercoaster
Nicole said:
MAZ said:
Just curious Nicole, how do the things you mentioned indicate park wide adult beverage licensing?
Click to expand...

For starters, we know they've been trying to get one.

Specifically, most of these announcements looked very reminiscent of Busch Gardens. Once parents have gotten their children into the park for free and the kids are entertained in the newly expanded peanuts area, as we know from BGW, the next step is to grab a beer or a glass of wine.
Click to expand...

So, the park wide ABC license is officially true.  Was at the park last weekend and it was nice to walk around with the beer a-la BGW.  Alcohol is off limits in Planet Snoopy, but I'm only assuming the enforcement will be as strict as in BGW-Land of the Dragons...which is just looking the other way.  No more drinking in Beer Playpens at KD.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jornor, Jesy, Zachary and 4 others
You must log in or register to reply here.
Consider Donating to Hide This Ad