Project 2025/305: Pantherian (Intimidator 305 Retheme)

[CoasterBroCam]

Someone is gonna have to cite where the park said the coaster is currently closed for thematic work. Need a quote and a link.

“The two passenger trains will flesh out all-new sleek decals resembling a black panther on the prowl.”

Kings Dominion - Virginia Amusement Park & Water Park

There are so many fun things to do at Kings Dominion, Virginia's premier amusement park! With so much to do & see, you'll need more than one day here!

www.kingsdominion.com

 

[Zachary]

How on earth is that quote responsive to what I said at all?

Quote the park—with a link to the source—stating that Pantherian is currently down due to thematic work. All these claims of "KINGS DOMINION IS LYING!" are predicated on such a quote existing. If the park is trying to lie to guests, this quote should be easy to find, yes?

 

[CoasterBroCam]

How on earth is that quote responsive to what I said at all?

Quote the park—with a link to the source—stating that Pantherian is currently down due to thematic work. All these claims of "KINGS DOMINION IS LYING!" are predicated on such a quote existing. It should be easy to find, yes?

It was very obvious that they were using pictures of things being worked on in the blog post that were already done. They never specifically said theming, but they never specifically said an issue with the ride itself. Once again, they are being about as transparent as a brick wall about this.

 

[dsdl]

It was very obvious that they were using pictures of things being worked on in the blog post that were already done. They never specifically said theming, but they never specifically said an issue with the ride itself. Once again, they are being about as transparent as a brick wall about this.

you should start a blog about this....

 

[Zachary]

It was very obvious that they were using pictures of things being worked on in the blog post that were already done. They never specifically said theming, but they never specifically said an issue with the ride itself. Once again, they are being about as transparent as a brick wall about this.

...

Whatever. I'll take the concession. Kings Dominion isn't lying.

honestly I’m done with this shit

Don't threaten me with a good time.

 

[warfelg]

How on earth is that quote responsive to what I said at all?

Quote the park—with a link to the source—stating that Pantherian is currently down due to thematic work. All these claims of "KINGS DOMINION IS LYING!" are predicated on such a quote existing. It should be easy to find, yes?

I need to say this, I think you are being unfair to my stance, as my reasoning is for pushback is really different from @CoasterBroCam

 

[Zachary]

I sincerely didn't understand what this meant unless you believe the park has claimed the coaster is down due to thematic work. To be clear, I don't think you're trying to misrepresent the park—I just think your response seems to accept a fundamentally untrue premise as fact.

The “lie” to me is that they have it down to do theme work, because Rapterra is open. I say “lie” like that because they could be working on things that could hurt guests while they are there.

And I think you're putting "lie" in quotes because it's unsubstantiated? Also not sure about that though.

I definitely don't lump you in with the insane obsession that @CoasterBroCam has bombarded this thread with for weeks now, but some clarification on your post would definitely be helpful in my opinion. I could be totally misunderstanding you.

 

[CoasterBroCam]

I sincerely didn't understand what this meant unless you believe the park has claimed the coaster is down due to thematic work. To be clear, I don't think you're trying to misrepresent the park—I just think your response seems to accept a fundamentally untrue premise as fact.



And I think you're putting "lie" in quotes because it's unsubstantiated? Also not sure about that though.

I definitely don't lump you in with the insane obsession that @CoasterBroCam has bombarded this thread with for weeks now, but some clarification on your post would definitely be helpful in my opinion. I could be totally misunderstanding you.

Ok

 

[warfelg]

I sincerely didn't understand what this meant unless you believe the park has claimed the coaster is down due to thematic work. To be clear, I don't think you're trying to misrepresent the park—I just think your response seems to accept a fundamentally untrue premise as fact.



And I think you're putting "lie" in quotes because it's unsubstantiated? Also not sure about that though.

I definitely don't lump you in with the insane obsession that @CoasterBroCam has bombarded this thread with for weeks now, but some clarification on your post would definitely be helpful in my opinion. I could be totally misunderstanding you.

I used "lie" because someone else did.

The bold is why I feel like you aren't getting what my stance is. I think they are overly emphasizing the face that theme work is going on, and at this point, it seems near completed and what they are doing is similar to what posters are reporting as going on with Rapterra. I don't believe that are lying about anything. The ride is down, they are doing work around it. I just feel they should also say that the ride itself is being refurbished for a better guest experience and they will not open it until it is ready to their high standards.

My point is, they can stop way short of saying exactly what's wrong while vaguely pointing to the face that the ride isn't operational at the moment.

 

[Zachary]

I think they are overly emphasizing the face that theme work is going on

I just don't think this is true though. Neither of the evergreen pages that mention the closure say anything about theming work.

Kings Dominion - Pantherian

Challenge one of the East Coast's tallest, fastest & most thrilling roller coasters. Experience Pantherian at Kings Dominion this season!

www.kingsdominion.com

Scheduled Ride & Roller Coaster Closures | Kings Dominion

Stay tuned for the latest updates on Kings Dominion's scheduled ride closures. Learn more and begin planning your trip to Kings Dominion today!

www.kingsdominion.com

The only place that does is a KD blog post from March that guests would have to go digging for—and that is a post where you'd expect the theming to be emphasized as the article is explicitly about the thematic work.

Kings Dominion - Virginia Amusement Park & Water Park

There are so many fun things to do at Kings Dominion, Virginia's premier amusement park! With so much to do & see, you'll need more than one day here!

www.kingsdominion.com

My point is, they can stop way short of saying exactly what's wrong while vaguely pointing to the face that the ride isn't operational at the moment.

I certainly agree—but it looks to me like that's what they've done?

 

[warfelg]

I just don't think this is true though. Neither of the evergreen pages that mention the closure say anything about theming work.

So, I'll say I don't consider those pages when I am talking about communications about the ride.

The only place that does is a KD blog post from March that guests would have to go digging for—and that is a post where you'd expect the theming to be emphasized as the article is explicitly about the thematic work.

This is what I'm referencing when I say they overly emphasized it. When they highlighted the ride they only talked about thematic work, which has lead people (friends that know I follow this stuff but they don't as my source) that it is still closed for that. They saw that post in March, and have asked me about every two weeks if it is still closed because it it getting themed.

I certainly agree—but it looks to me like that's what they've done?

I don't feel like they have done that. Where does it say the ride itself is being refurbished/worked on?

I think your three pages linked highlight my issue perfectly. The two pages just say opening Summer 2025 and Temporarily Closed, then a blog post exclusively about theme elements. Again, I don't need every little detail, but if this ride didn't get a new theme this offseason, was still Project 305, and was down, the easy assumption would be that it was under repair. But when you do any digging and all you come up with is that blog post, people will make assumptions that that's the reason.

I guess the best way I can try to communicate my position is that this offseason the ride got a new theme, the blog post and as far as I can find on Twitter/X the posts only being about the theme work, would lead people who care enough to look ahead but don't get into the weeds (like we do on here) that it is still down because of that work.

Edit:
My wife just gave me the words I’ve been looking for -
The retheme along with the blog post and tweets make it read like an unintentionally misleading reason for the extended closure.

 

[ControlsEE]

Me the last few weeks on this thread...

 

[CoasterAuditor]

Pantherian is very very orange. The largest orange coaster out there.

 

[warfelg]

Honestly a new blog post and tweet that started “As maintenance and refurbishment on Pantherian continues, here’s an update on the plaza,” would be enough for me.

 

[Mushroom]

Where does it say the ride itself is being refurbished/worked on?

There is literally a big sign blocking the entrance to the ride plaza that says “Refurbishment in progress” in large letters.

 

[cackylack]

I've never seen a subject sliced and diced here to this extent. It's certainly a tightrope walk for their PR people. If they're reading this thread, they'll need a lorazepam, I know I do

 

[Zachary]

So, I'll say I don't consider those pages when I am talking about communications about the ride.

Not considering what the ride's webpage or the temporary closures list says about a temporarily closed ride is bizarre. My belief is that this approach is likely very out of step with the average guest's but I can't argue with your personal opinion so

I guess the best way I can try to communicate my position is that this offseason the ride got a new theme, the blog post and as far as I can find on Twitter/X the posts only being about the theme work, would lead people who care enough to look ahead but don't get into the weeds (like we do on here) that it is still down because of that work.

I am happy to agree with you that people think a thematic overhaul is keeping the ride closed and KD isn't volunteering to burst that bubble by highlighting that what was happening back in March when they talked about thematic work is not why the ride is still closed now.

I also don't know why I should think that's a problem though.

I believe businesses need to tell the truth (read: not lie). I think we both agree that they're not lying. Hence, we're in market confusion territory. I do believe businesses have a responsibility to correct widespread market confusion when that market confusion could reasonably lead to notable consumer harm. In my assessment, there is no chance of increased consumer harm here. The harm—the ride being unavailable to guests—is being inflicted regardless of the reason for the ride's closure. As long as consumers know the ride is closed (as is communicated by the two evergreen pages I posted earlier and the blog post from March), I do not know why Kings Dominion has any responsibility to remove the market confusion about why specifically that is the case.

It's reasonable to not be a fan of the silence—I think that, when played smartly, parks can gain a lot with more transparency—but that's a very different argument. I may not like that the park is playing their hand this way personally, but I don't see how their approach could be considered wrong, immoral, dishonest, etc. either. They're playing it ultra safe—silence until they absolutely have to say something. Not what I like to see, but it's easy to see why they're approaching it that way and I don't think their approach is wrong, just different than my preference.

 

[warfelg]

It's reasonable to not be a fan of the silence—I think that, when played smartly, parks can gain a lot with more transparency—but that's a very different argument. I may not like that the park is playing their hand this way personally, but I don't see how their approach could be considered wrong, immoral, dishonest, etc. either. They're playing it ultra safe—silence until they absolutely have to say something. Not what I like to see, but it's easy to see why they're approaching it that way and I don't think their approach is wrong, just different than my preference.

Agreed. I think this is why I felt my point got lost in the other conversation going on. I don’t think what they are doing is wrong per se, it’s just something I wish they weren’t doing with the silence.

 

[RocketChk]

Some guy on TikTok with 70k followers just told me it was reopening in July after they finish rethemeing, so.
Dippin Dots have been calling themselves the ice cream of the future for 30 years, I'm not trustin that guy anymore.

End of the day, when and why doesn't matter as long as it does.

 

[JordanGalhanth]

Not me walking into this thread and reading drama...

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