Tips from Park Regulars

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Jwanger93

Jwanger93

Oct 14, 2023
200
645
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Harrisonburg, Va
Been a Virginia resident my whole life, but I have never been to KD before, I’m a diehard bgw member and that might be part of the appeal I know the ends in out of bgw, I know the secrets I’m in my element. So I’m here asking the KD pros how to I get the most out of my first visit this spring/summer.

Things I’m wondering about in particular
•Best way to get in/pay for parking (for me and my wife) day tickets? a membership?
•where to eat in the park/how to eat
•ideal dates to visit
•which coaster is best to rope drop
•most underrated things to do/experience
•what should I avoid
And anything else you think is important.

If this should be in trips in planning my apologies please move if need be.
 
if you think you are going to want to visit more then once get a pass two visits and it basically pays for it's self. Like BGW you can upgrade your day ticket to a pass at the park if you go and decide you want to come back.

Crowd wise busy days are fairly compatible to BGW so if it's a day that BGW would be to busy to go don't go to KD. if you are planning on rope drop consider use the back parking gate entrance it's usually quicker.

Where to eat in park Outpost, Firehouse, or Grain and Grill are the best food.

Rope drop Twisted Timbers it's the worst backup ride in the park. If it's a short enough ride try to do it twice once front once back.

If you are a fan of water rides be sure to check out White Water Canyon it's a great ride and really put Roman Rapids to shame. Boo Blasters is another great gem even for adults.
 
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You can pretty much visit the park at any time. I'd suggest going on a weekday in summer, but the park doesn't really get crazy crowds at all.

If you're at the park entrance at first rope drop, the only coaster you can ride is Dominator because that opens first. Run there and ride it a few times before the rest of the park opens. Then you can choose to head to Timbers because the operations move at a glacial pace for that or FOF because of the same reason but inside. After you've made your second decision, the rest of the park is really easy to clear. Most of the other rides shouldn't have super long waits.

I'd suggest getting a silver pass and doing two visits in summer. If you like the park enough, upgrade to gold so you have more dates. Haunt and Winterfest are great events to attend. Passes also include parking as well.

Most underrated experience? I love Woodstock Express. Not only is it a super fun little jr. wooden coaster, but its also the oldest coaster in VA, so it has a lot of historical significance. The line tends to move fairly quick for it, so get a ride in. All the other wooden coasters in the park are hits IMO.

Avoid eating at the Burger King across the street. That place is notorious for charging more and not taking coupons. You can find better food options in Ashland one exit away. If you have to eat inside the park, most of the newly refurbished restaurants like Outpost and Grain & Grill are pretty solid.
 
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I also recommend the flume. Actually I've only ridden White Water Canyon once, because that rides gets you drenched and I'm not a fan of that. The flume is just right for me, Is a lot of fun, and goes through woods.
 
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horsesboy said:
consider use the back parking gate entrance it's usually quicker.
Click to expand...
Ummm... I've been a bunch of times, never knew about a back parking gate entrance?

I know there's the main parking gate at the north end of the lots, and a secondary gate for those coming in directly from I-95 S (funky interchange). Is this what you're referring to?

Otherwise, there's only one main gate to the park entrance itself - rarely have they used the group gate to the side (haven't seen it open since I was a kid but that's anecdotal), and even more rare is the amphitheatre used/it's gate used.
 
Jonesta6 said:
Ummm... I've been a bunch of times, never knew about a back parking gate entrance?

I know there's the main parking gate at the north end of the lots, and a secondary gate for those coming in directly from I-95 S (funky interchange). Is this what you're referring to?

Otherwise, there's only one main gate to the park entrance itself - rarely have they used the group gate to the side (haven't seen it open since I was a kid but that's anecdotal), and even more rare is the amphitheatre used/it's gate used.
Click to expand...
I am taking about the parking entrance by the motel not an entrance to the park it's self. It's usually significantly faster then the main parking entrance by the Burger King.
 
Wait on Dominator unless you can ride it before official opening time, or just come in late.
Longest waits most of the day are Timbers, FoF, Backlot, Tumbili.
Pass and meal plan are the best deals if you can get enough use.
Closing hours are often better than rope dropping, more than more crowded parks.
 
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horsesboy said:
I am taking about the parking entrance by the motel not an entrance to the park it's self. It's usually significantly faster then the main parking entrance by the Burger King.
Click to expand...

I could never figure out how to use it coming from Richmond instead of south from Fredericksburg
 
Thanks for all the input so far, I know the ridiculousness of theme park food prices but having heard about how much better it is the bgw I want to try it. Didn’t know if there anything thing that stood out food wise. When are all the coaster up and operating for the year ?
 
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