Project 2026: Nothing (Probably)
- Thread starter RCoasterDawg
- Start date
This statue will be placed at the entrance next season.
looks like I have a competitor in asking pointless questions
I just want more dippin dot stands open. Last 3 visits the only 1 open seems to be the stand next to racer
In an attempt to make this a serious discussion, I expect either one of three things:
1. Backlot being revamped/rethemed to fit in to the Jungle Xpedition theme.
2. Backlot being removed. When I rode it this year, the initial launch was weaker, and the only functional effect was the soundtrack at the "helicopter" pause. No flashing lights or siren sounds with the police cars, no animation on the helicopter, no fire effects....nothing. Just put it out of its misery.
3. No substantial additions or removals, just minor updates to various things.
1. Backlot being revamped/rethemed to fit in to the Jungle Xpedition theme.
2. Backlot being removed. When I rode it this year, the initial launch was weaker, and the only functional effect was the soundtrack at the "helicopter" pause. No flashing lights or siren sounds with the police cars, no animation on the helicopter, no fire effects....nothing. Just put it out of its misery.
3. No substantial additions or removals, just minor updates to various things.
It can be easy to forget given all the merger-induced challenges the park faced this year (ride removals, layoffs, seasonal event impacts, etc.), but 2025 was an enormous year for capex at KD. Not only did we get a massive new coaster with Rapterra, we also got the extensive theming and area regrading that came with the coaster, Pantherian’s retheme, and a handful of small improvements for the 50th (new show lighting on I-Street and the fountains, new Americana light package, etc). We got a lot.
Historically, ever since Cedar Fair bought the park, KD has never added anything substantial in the year after adding a major new attraction. The years after adding I305, TT, and Tumbili/JX were all off-years. I can’t imagine 2026 would be any different.
Here are some small changes that I think we realistically could expect next year:
Historically, ever since Cedar Fair bought the park, KD has never added anything substantial in the year after adding a major new attraction. The years after adding I305, TT, and Tumbili/JX were all off-years. I can’t imagine 2026 would be any different.
Here are some small changes that I think we realistically could expect next year:
- Removal of Xtreme Skyflyer, probably leaving that area as just a grassy fenced-in plot for next year
- Removal of Joe Cool Driving School, which was left standing despite being closed this year. I remember someone reporting earlier this year that removal would probably happen over the off-season.
- Restaurant changes. Jungle Market Eatery and Dogwood’s Grille were both taken off the map this year. Maybe one or both could reopen with a new menu? (I think turning Jungle Market into a coffee shop or something could be a good fit and print money.)
- Beautification projects. A few dead trees were removed around the park this year (most notably in Old Virginia) and there’s precedent for the park planting new trees in the off-season. They’ve also occasionally replaced patches of asphalt with pavers in off-years. Maybe CAG or Old VA’s paths could get some love?
A little off topic, but I’m convinced that this is where the next coaster is going (probably a Racing Railway clone). Considering nothing is likely to be added next year, I’d look for this as soon as 2027.
Once could also argue that getting a clear, almost tranquil view of Lake Charles is an improvement as well. I'm sure Anaconda's removal in this manner wasn't cheap.
They should get something from SFA. All the parks in the region should. A flat ride or two, most likely.
Backlot was running fire starting around 9/7, may be out now. I didn't notice any change in the launch, physically the ride can't run with much less.
I could see them getting a swim up bar like Carowinds and Cedar Point got this year, but I do think that most likely they won't receive anything for 2026.
That practically new Zamperla NebulaZ would look great where Berserker was.
Cedar Point Shore's swim-up bar has existed for close to a decade now, but yeah, more swim-up bars are always welcome!
I've seen people clamor for that to every other Six Flags park. Whatever they do, that should be saved... I guess SFA didn't have enough unique flats that Kings Dominion lacked, aside from the Round-Up.
Nothing needs to go there in my opinion. Maybe MAYBE a nice built up seating area like sirens curse/valravn area has.
This. Open green space is never a bad idea. Maybe a shaded canopy like they put in at Kings Island this year to make the "Carousel Stage" area?
Attachments
My realistic predictions:
Six Flags America closing:
The SFA rides are so hard to predict. I'd be shocked if KD doesn't get something out of it, as it is its closest neighbor. The newer Nebulaz (SteamWhirler) would be great, but makes an even better thematic fit at Dorney. The new water coaster (RipCurl) is also a great fit at KD, but I just don't have the faith we'll get that lucky. Perhaps Jamestown Landing returns to it's home, but my most realistic expectation is the Tea Cups, added to Candy Apple Grove, either next to Delirium, or in a small portion of Xtreme Skyflyer's plot. It's a classic ride KD doesn't have, that fits perfectly at CAG.
Aside from SFA options, my most realistic prediction:
Candy Apple Grove update:
Racer 75 will either get more Gravity Group retracking, repainted finally, or both. GG has had smaller projects at KD the last several years. I'm sure KD wanted to repaint Racer 75 this year, as part of that ride's 50th, but they were still retracking the lift hill. Perhaps they new there was still a year or two left to finish what they were hoping to achieve with the retracking before they repaint it, but that should come this year. Added chasing lights would be an added bonus too.
General repaints in CAG. All of the games buildings, and carousal roof have been in dire need of repaints for years. I don't expect anything along the lines of this year's i-street repaints, but fresh paint would be a welcome addition. It's obvious to me that the VIP lounge was painted the same shade as the carousel's roof, so it's only a matter of time before that is repainted and not faded. Maybe a less dated Arcade facade with a new sign and lights (the reno of the interior two years ago looked really great).
Maybe a spruce up of the bumper cars. I don't expect a full retheme of them like at SFA or at Carowinds recently, but updated lights inside and a new facade would be nice.
I expect Xtreme Skyflyer to come down, with nothing it its place, saved for a flat ride from SFA. KD will take more time to figure out how to utilize this large plot. I could Xtreme Skyflyer's old ticket window/current soda station to get a refreshed theme, alongside a rethemed Grove Bar. Both look so metallic and tied into Xtreme Skyflyer, but even then just reminded me of cheap 90s Six Flags (before it was even a Six Flags Park).
I could see JukeBox Diner be changed over to Johnny Rockets. Heard rumors that since SFA's contract with JR hasn't run out, that it would cost the same to utilize the franchise in a different park or just break contract. Probably heading to KD.
Berserker's plot remains empty. Either Dogwood or Jungle Market Eatery reopen with some new food offerings, but not both. Excavator Taters remains closed. Joe Cool remains in tact and not demolished. I don't think it'll be replaced just yet, and for how well Trick or Treating worked out there, they'll keep the roads there in place until there is a finalized plan for that plot.
KD gets a new summer festival. All of the major parks have hard boardwalk-esque or Viva La Fiesta festivals replace Carnival. KD didn't get that because of it's 50th celebration. Clearly there's a void to fill over the summer. Will it be extensive? Most likely not, but it will be something. There's a possibility of an indoor show coming to the Theater too, seeing success over the summer. We may not be as lucky with the shows this year, but I hope corporate saw the high attendance and are willing to put something in there, perhaps tied to the new summer festival.
Nothing new or rethemed in Jungle X. Nothing closing, at least until future plans are in place.
Six Flags America closing:
The SFA rides are so hard to predict. I'd be shocked if KD doesn't get something out of it, as it is its closest neighbor. The newer Nebulaz (SteamWhirler) would be great, but makes an even better thematic fit at Dorney. The new water coaster (RipCurl) is also a great fit at KD, but I just don't have the faith we'll get that lucky. Perhaps Jamestown Landing returns to it's home, but my most realistic expectation is the Tea Cups, added to Candy Apple Grove, either next to Delirium, or in a small portion of Xtreme Skyflyer's plot. It's a classic ride KD doesn't have, that fits perfectly at CAG.
Aside from SFA options, my most realistic prediction:
Candy Apple Grove update:
Racer 75 will either get more Gravity Group retracking, repainted finally, or both. GG has had smaller projects at KD the last several years. I'm sure KD wanted to repaint Racer 75 this year, as part of that ride's 50th, but they were still retracking the lift hill. Perhaps they new there was still a year or two left to finish what they were hoping to achieve with the retracking before they repaint it, but that should come this year. Added chasing lights would be an added bonus too.
General repaints in CAG. All of the games buildings, and carousal roof have been in dire need of repaints for years. I don't expect anything along the lines of this year's i-street repaints, but fresh paint would be a welcome addition. It's obvious to me that the VIP lounge was painted the same shade as the carousel's roof, so it's only a matter of time before that is repainted and not faded. Maybe a less dated Arcade facade with a new sign and lights (the reno of the interior two years ago looked really great).
Maybe a spruce up of the bumper cars. I don't expect a full retheme of them like at SFA or at Carowinds recently, but updated lights inside and a new facade would be nice.
I expect Xtreme Skyflyer to come down, with nothing it its place, saved for a flat ride from SFA. KD will take more time to figure out how to utilize this large plot. I could Xtreme Skyflyer's old ticket window/current soda station to get a refreshed theme, alongside a rethemed Grove Bar. Both look so metallic and tied into Xtreme Skyflyer, but even then just reminded me of cheap 90s Six Flags (before it was even a Six Flags Park).
I could see JukeBox Diner be changed over to Johnny Rockets. Heard rumors that since SFA's contract with JR hasn't run out, that it would cost the same to utilize the franchise in a different park or just break contract. Probably heading to KD.
Berserker's plot remains empty. Either Dogwood or Jungle Market Eatery reopen with some new food offerings, but not both. Excavator Taters remains closed. Joe Cool remains in tact and not demolished. I don't think it'll be replaced just yet, and for how well Trick or Treating worked out there, they'll keep the roads there in place until there is a finalized plan for that plot.
KD gets a new summer festival. All of the major parks have hard boardwalk-esque or Viva La Fiesta festivals replace Carnival. KD didn't get that because of it's 50th celebration. Clearly there's a void to fill over the summer. Will it be extensive? Most likely not, but it will be something. There's a possibility of an indoor show coming to the Theater too, seeing success over the summer. We may not be as lucky with the shows this year, but I hope corporate saw the high attendance and are willing to put something in there, perhaps tied to the new summer festival.
Nothing new or rethemed in Jungle X. Nothing closing, at least until future plans are in place.