Project 2025/305: Pantherian (Intimidator 305 Retheme)

[CoasterSkinny]

Is the spiel gone?

Yep! The ride ops were saying "Enjoy your ride on 305!" Sometimes they referred to it as "Project 305." In addition to all the pics above, obviously, all the Dale stuff in the midway is gone. The steel supports that held up the signs with the coaster layout and Dale's wins have been removed as well.

 

[Zachary]

Logo and sign are higher quality than I expected to be honest. Definitely all temporary, but I'm happy with it for this season.

 

[Fenrihr]

Definitely getting "This will be Jungle X soon" vibes from that sign.

 

[zachclarke]

View attachment project.mp4

Just a suggestion if anyone at the park is reading this!

 

[cschnizer]

Wait a minute, isn’t Jungle X set in the Amazon? Last I checked leopards don’t actually live there, so the leopard prints wouldn’t make sense. Jaguars live there though.

 

[CoasterMac]

Probably reading way too far into a temporary, quickly-created entrance sign, but... what if......



Insanely interested to see what color scheme our beloved McGiga Coaster gets converted to...

 

[mtorange]

Wait a minute, isn’t Jungle X set in the Amazon? Last I checked leopards don’t actually live there, so the leopard prints wouldn’t make sense. Jaguars live there though.

Yes, this would 100% be themed to a jaguar so they could keep the South American jungle theme. Lots of people mix up cheetahs, leopards, and jaguars.

 

[CoasterAuditor]

Imagine the trains with jaguar patterns on them like Reptillian has with its theme.

 

[cschnizer]

Lots of people mix up cheetahs, leopards, and jaguars.

Ye that’s what I thought. It happens I guess.

 

[Nicole]

People may be reading into it too much.

It may be that a leopard print design (which is clearly what is on the sign) is easier to obtain and use than a jaguar print (which isn’t very commonly used to decorate things). That said, it is likely meant as a hint about the future theme, not a straightforward guarantee. They may have simply been trying to indicate that Project 305 will be a cat temple.

 

[Mushroom]

As has been discussed in another thread, I’m not 100% sure if Jungle X is still officially set in South America, or if they walked away from that initial setting. Remember, “Tumbili” is Swahili, and there are details in the area showing other animals (zebras, lions) that only live in Africa, not South America.

 

[CoasterAuditor]

People may be reading into it too much.

 

[Chungulatron]

Was Pepe Silvia just Pennsylvania?

 

[Zachary]

As has been discussed in another thread, I’m not 100% sure if Jungle X is still officially set in South America, or if they walked away from that initial setting. Remember, “Tumbili” is Swahili, and there are details in the area showing other animals (zebras, lions) that only live in Africa, not South America.

I agree that Jungle X probably isn't actually (nor should it actually be) tied to a physical, real-world location. I've always been on team "this is Kings Dominion's Adventureland and it's exclusively about the spirit and vibes of the elements presented."

That said, to play devil's advocate, the now-deleted Jungle X-Pedition announcement page on KD's website back in 2021 opened with this:

After a decade of searching in the Amazon jungle for a place he called “X”, in 1935 Professor Gerald Winston Whey found his prize – ancient ruins of temples built by humans to worship animal spirits.

I'm very happy to ignore that bit of the lore, but there is, unfortunately, some evidence that, at least at once point, the Amazon was involved somehow.

 

[Mushroom]

That said, to play devil's advocate, the now-deleted Jungle X-Pedition announcement page on KD's website back in 2021 opened with this:

You’re 100% right that the original announcement placed Jungle X in the Amazon. But, I recall them later replacing all references to the Amazon with more generic copy like “the deep, dark jungle.” I suspect that someone pointed out that a Swahili name makes no sense in the Amazon and they quickly retconned their own story. Do you happen to have any archives of the pages with that language?

 

[Zachary]

You’re 100% right that the original announcement placed Jungle X in the Amazon. But, I recall them later replacing all references to the Amazon with more generic copy like “the deep, dark jungle.” I suspect that someone pointed out that a Swahili name makes no sense in the Amazon and they quickly retconned their own story. Do you happen to have any archives of the pages with that language?

Yeah, they massively simplified the webpage later on to just say:

The new area, Jungle X-Pedition, is set in the deep dark jungle

Jungle X-Pedition | New in 2022 | Kings Dominion & Soak City

There are fun & exciting things coming to Kings Dominion in 2022, including a new ride, restaurant & themed area! Learn more & buy your season pass today!

web.archive.org

 

[guy305]

Could be wrong but does the cable lift look slower this year?

 

[the_pantsmith]

People may be reading into it too much.

Theme park enthusiasts overthinking tiny details? Nooooooo...

Speaking of overthinking, a few weeks ago I was REALLY trying to figure out how the temples would tie into rethemes. I definitely over thought it and convinced myself I305 would have a snake theme for some reason. If they go the way of a jaguar/panther/leopard, that would make more sense and honestly be preferable for me, with it being a fast coaster in a big ass open field and all.

I'm so happy it looks like this'll actually be themed to Jungle X. Backlot and FoF next!

 

[horsesboy]

Theme park enthusiasts overthinking tiny details? Nooooooo...

Speaking of overthinking, a few weeks ago I was REALLY trying to figure out how the temples would tie into rethemes. I definitely over thought it and convinced myself I305 would have a snake theme for some reason. If they go the way of a jaguar/panther/leopard, that would make more sense and honestly be preferable for me, with it being a fast coaster in a big ass open field and all.

I'm so happy it looks like this'll actually be themed to Jungle X. Backlot and FoF next!

Um there is already a snaked themed coaster right next to it a second one would be odd.

 

[the_pantsmith]

Um there is already a snaked themed coaster right next to it a second one would be odd.

I was assuming Anaconda wasn't long for this world and they'd wanna bring back the King Kobra name for the 50th Anniversary

Side note: what kind of theming are we expecting with a potential I305 retheme? My heart wants a new station and landscaping but my brain just says new paint and train decals