Asked to submit a trip report for Kings Dominion, sorry this won't have any good pictures, video or anything, and be a tad more brief. This park honestly could be the most disappointing park along my trip, and was quite a bummer to end on this park for the trip I took (CWinds, BGW, and then this) for a week.
We went to the park and got there right at opening considering this park doesn't do ERT like the some others in the chain (Kings Island, CP, etc.). I will say in a 2015 Ford Taurus though, don't listen to the GPS though as it has you turn off on the road prior to the park that has a few small hotels next to it, not the actual admissions road.
Once inside, one of our friends purchased the all day dining deal for $30. This allowed us to get main meals when we needed them and snacks along the way. The other two and myself included had passes with the meal plan on them for the season, great deals.
First up was Dominator. I haven't ridden this since the Geauga Lake days. Being a Northeast Ohio native, that park was my stomping ground for many years. That park hosted my father's corporate picnics many a time, and many small vacations were there. Then when I was a bit older and ventured there with friends, it served it's purpose there. Hell Dominator even got me my first kiss, imagine that! It's about as good as I remember. The vertical loop is as great as ever and the foot chopper elements are still the best in class. Even after the MCBR it holds up and does everything right. It does ride a bit rougher now a days though, which is an absolute shame, but it's getting up there in age. I will say the worst is seeing that ride and layout and not seeing it halfway into the lake and Raging Wolf Bobs just a bit up the way. I really do miss that park.
Then over to Volcano as it usually has a horrendeous line through the day and a really poorly setup queue. Thankfully we only had to go through the first queue house, the line wasn't long enough to force us to go through all of it. Once we waited our time in line, it was time to ride a neat little Intamin invert. The two sets of launches are fantastic, it really makes for a hyped up ride. However, it has very long drawn out inversions and after the launches to me it loses much of it's luster. It's a downright shame that everything great is in the first half of the ride and afterwards it's just, mediocre.
Once we finished that, we went over to Avalanche nextdoor. This is a neat little coaster for what it is meant to do. Not many bobsled style coasters exist, it's a dying breed, but unfortunately if it doesn't stick around I won't be offended. It is neat seeing one not enclosed (I'm looking at you Disaster Transport) for once in my life. One note though, do not choose the same car if you're in line with another male friend. It makes for an...interesting ride..
One thing here worth noting too is The Crypt here is becoming a joke. After the Paramount days ended, this Crypt was the best of the Tomb Raiders built. The theming was intact as I know it for many years and if memory serves correct even last year. I could be wrong, but regardless this season, music, flames, etc. it's all off. It's just quiet minus the ride brakes and riders squealing. No theming, nothing. I think it may possibly be next to go, unless all the spare parts from the one cut from KI will keep it running for quite some time.
Afterwards it was over to FoF (Flight of Fear..not sure if you guys are as acronym crazy as us Ohio coaster fans). I chose to sit out, being close to KI, I don't care to ride clones. The only other "clone" of this type I care to ride is Poltergeist at SFFT as it's not enclosed and contains no MCBR. Half of the group went while I sat on a bench enjoying a drink and the sun. What I did find funny though is seeing half of the queue cut away for a haunt. The indoor section of this ride is now butchered IMO. For those wanting the real deal see KI. They recently got new TV's and an updated video, and the theming still looks halfway decent. KD seems to not care anymore in this department.
After that, onto I-305. This ride now that it's running good is so superb. It may be one of the coolest coasters built. Fury takes the cake for me, but wow does this come as a very close second. Those restraints, those positive g's, the airtime. It's Millie at CP combined with Maverick. It's such a great combination. I really don't care for it's NASCAR theme. Apparently..no offense to you guys over there..but apparently it's a big deal to y'all. Why naming a coaster after a race car driver makes little to no sense to me, especially the guy it's named after. Again, no offense, but...doesn't do anything for me, or make me respect or care for it anymore. If anything at least it does provide some new park merch though instead of seeing ride logos and KD 40 plastered everywhere.
We decided to stop by Anaconda next. I have and always will love Arrow coasters. This one is quite good, especially in the very last car. Great pull, great layout, and the interaction on the water is really enjoyable. Not my favorite arrow looper, but it is a great one.
From there we ventured all the way over to Grizzly. And wow was I impressed. Even if this is a Wildcat clone (I thought it was a Shooting Star clone at first) it's really really good. I rode it in the very last car front row and had a blast. It was a tad jerky but nothing too terrible. The head chopper effect in the tunnel actually got me quite good, and those usually never do anything for me. I'm 5'5 I'm not tall, I know I'm not ganna get hit. Great, great wooden coaster. I love that out of control, rampaging, we're ganna die kind of feeling on old coasters, it's what makes them way better than many new coasters sometimes.
Next up, the terrible Hurler. Oh boy...I think I need to call the park, I left my back somewhere out there amongst the ride. It's such a shame after riding the one at Carowinds that's been retracked and is amazingly comfortable that this one isn't even close to on par. It just hurt, it absolutely hurt. The drop was fantastic, everything after..ouch. Thunder Run at Kentucky Kingdom is still the best out of the three similar rides, but...I won't be riding Hurler at KD again (if I go back).
Rebel Yell was next. I didn't care to ride this, I have Racer one hour from me, and for what I hear, it's way better than this one at KD in terms of being able to enjoy the ride. I think after getting almost destroyed by Hurler, this was the nail in the coffin for me deciding not to ride. I regret it a bit, but at the time I didn't. Maybe next time, ride the other way around.
Next was Ricochet. It's a sweet Wild Mouse, I love these things. So many enthusiasts I hear knock these rides or disregard them, but why? They're a load of fun. Hairpin turns, and quick spurts of air, it works, and it does it's job. I will give the KD one points, for some reason somehow the CWinds version decided I no longer needed testicles and slammed them together on a small hill, KD's didn't do that, thank you KD.
From there the group wanted to do Shockwave. I sat out, I know better. My chest doesn't needed crushed. They came back to let me know it was a regrettable decision. TOGO standups need...wait for it..TO GO...everyone laugh with me. Riding the defunct one at KI was enough. While sitting out though, I realized the MOST FATAL AMUSEMENT PARK FLAW EVER. This seriously irked me beyond belief. See that Carousel on Candy Apple Grove? It's pretty, and it looks like it's in pretty good shape. WHY though does the park feel it's ok to put a bunch of fake rock speakers 15-20 feet away from the ride and play Band Organ style music that I doubt was ever on the original organs that came with the carousel? I was just shocked, and just outright offended someone in the park felt that was ok. Whoever you are, seriously, you're wrong, just know that. I hope your influence doesn't go far in that park, because this is dreadful.
Then onto the Antique Cars (Blue Ridge). For some reason these are so fun. I can never explain why, they just are. I think also being with other 22+ year olds like myself, we just screwed around the whole time. Plus I think it made it more enjoyable that my friend who can pull off an Elmo voice decided to drive one of the cars going off to everyone while driving that "Elmo had a few too many to drink" and "Elmo likes Jagerbombs" while driving erratically. I'm surprised I didn't die myself from laughing so hard. I'm sure the ride ops thought we were out of our minds, ah well.
Next, giant flaw number two, Flying Eagles. This set of Eagles is fantastic. They ride well, they look well, and being in the middle of Old Virginia they look really good actually! However, why is KD the only park I know that snapping isn't allowed? I say I probably would have been able to go to town snapping them too. It was windy as hell that day, I mean we even got told we couldn't snap them and were fighting to try and not snap them to give a good ride. About 10 seconds into the cycle mine inevitably snapped and the ride ended, and everyone has to get off, the cycle is done. It's such a bullshit rule and robs a whole cycle worth of riders their fun, and seriously does no harm. KI lets it happen, CWinds lets it happen and PROMOTES IT, CP lets it happen...KD...why? Did the same person with the carousel speakers let this happen too?
From there it was a few rerides at night and then we decided to take the trip back to our comfy hotel. Good ish day, but having two world class parks, most notably BGW the day before, I was quite underwhelmed. Here's some final thoughts aside from the ride list for the day.
Food here just sucks. The rest of the CF chain is getting really good in this area finally. KD still feels like Kinzel era food, which is surprising given the KD 40 deal going on in the park. The Country Kitchen deal sounds great, but the food is far from anything edible. Seriously, their Fried Chicken was close to just getting thrown away. The fish at Outer Hanks was a joke, the hush puppies were alright, but whoever cooks the fish..wow..When a fish fast food chain outdoes you, we have a problem. We used the all day dining to get a few other snacks, and again, all underwhelmed. Next time I go to KD, I'll pack food or eat outside. Take note KD..CP has Quaker Steak & Lube, Chickies & Petes, Pinks Hotdogs...Carowinds has Festhaus..er Harmony Hall...Chickies & Petes..Wings..Common guys step up the game
The park layout is confusing and annoying. I thought old Geauga Lake being as big as it was took the cake for badly laid out, but the mini pathways, only one way to the ride, and weird layout really made it quite difficult to get around and find what we needed. I mean hell even the Soak City layout is so bad they have to point out where it is on the park map with a huge blue star.
Last problem I have, and it's really kind of null & void except for people like me, is I have Kings Island nextdoor. Sure this park has a beautiful forest around the tower, and some nice areas, and a pretty good ride selection. However, when I see clones everywhere, it loses it's identity to me. It has a FoF, a Backlot, a Drop Tower, etc. It feels like a KI little brother, not it's own park. When I got off the Eiffel Tower I even had to take a double take because it seemed so different. I know they're seperate, but in my mind they aren't. It reminds me of the cookie cutter suburbs. They're all different houses, but drive by them and check them out, and guess what they're all practically the same, and it seems boring.
I will say one one last note though, KD does currently have a better International Street than KI. I will give praise where due. Once past the ridiculously bad chokepoint that is the turnstiles, the street is fantastic. I thought for awhile the black bottomed pool looked great but never really got a chance to see the KD one in person until this year. It looks great, and feels and looks so much more natural. Then at night the "Bellagio" style fountain show with the music looks great. I've wanted a fountain upgrade at KI for years, and this reaffirms it as long as we keep the center pedestals for our fountains. However, I want the lights, black bottom, and dancing fountains for our park. Another good thing on I Street is it still has a bit more international flair. Not much, but it's there, which to me is a plus. The last good thing is themed music. Why oh why oh why did KI decide pop music on I Street was a must? I enjoyed hearing classical almost BGW Hamlet style music around the fountains, it felt perfectly right. Hearing Katy Perry at KI next to a Starbucks..not so much.
So with all that in order, I leave it at a close. It was a good park trip, but I will say I left underwhelmed and unimpressed. I'll go again, but I won't go out of my way to do it, if it happens great, if it doesn't, I won't be upset, which is a shame in my book I have to say that about a CF amusement park.
So that's my consencus
We went to the park and got there right at opening considering this park doesn't do ERT like the some others in the chain (Kings Island, CP, etc.). I will say in a 2015 Ford Taurus though, don't listen to the GPS though as it has you turn off on the road prior to the park that has a few small hotels next to it, not the actual admissions road.
Once inside, one of our friends purchased the all day dining deal for $30. This allowed us to get main meals when we needed them and snacks along the way. The other two and myself included had passes with the meal plan on them for the season, great deals.
First up was Dominator. I haven't ridden this since the Geauga Lake days. Being a Northeast Ohio native, that park was my stomping ground for many years. That park hosted my father's corporate picnics many a time, and many small vacations were there. Then when I was a bit older and ventured there with friends, it served it's purpose there. Hell Dominator even got me my first kiss, imagine that! It's about as good as I remember. The vertical loop is as great as ever and the foot chopper elements are still the best in class. Even after the MCBR it holds up and does everything right. It does ride a bit rougher now a days though, which is an absolute shame, but it's getting up there in age. I will say the worst is seeing that ride and layout and not seeing it halfway into the lake and Raging Wolf Bobs just a bit up the way. I really do miss that park.
Then over to Volcano as it usually has a horrendeous line through the day and a really poorly setup queue. Thankfully we only had to go through the first queue house, the line wasn't long enough to force us to go through all of it. Once we waited our time in line, it was time to ride a neat little Intamin invert. The two sets of launches are fantastic, it really makes for a hyped up ride. However, it has very long drawn out inversions and after the launches to me it loses much of it's luster. It's a downright shame that everything great is in the first half of the ride and afterwards it's just, mediocre.
Once we finished that, we went over to Avalanche nextdoor. This is a neat little coaster for what it is meant to do. Not many bobsled style coasters exist, it's a dying breed, but unfortunately if it doesn't stick around I won't be offended. It is neat seeing one not enclosed (I'm looking at you Disaster Transport) for once in my life. One note though, do not choose the same car if you're in line with another male friend. It makes for an...interesting ride..
One thing here worth noting too is The Crypt here is becoming a joke. After the Paramount days ended, this Crypt was the best of the Tomb Raiders built. The theming was intact as I know it for many years and if memory serves correct even last year. I could be wrong, but regardless this season, music, flames, etc. it's all off. It's just quiet minus the ride brakes and riders squealing. No theming, nothing. I think it may possibly be next to go, unless all the spare parts from the one cut from KI will keep it running for quite some time.
Afterwards it was over to FoF (Flight of Fear..not sure if you guys are as acronym crazy as us Ohio coaster fans). I chose to sit out, being close to KI, I don't care to ride clones. The only other "clone" of this type I care to ride is Poltergeist at SFFT as it's not enclosed and contains no MCBR. Half of the group went while I sat on a bench enjoying a drink and the sun. What I did find funny though is seeing half of the queue cut away for a haunt. The indoor section of this ride is now butchered IMO. For those wanting the real deal see KI. They recently got new TV's and an updated video, and the theming still looks halfway decent. KD seems to not care anymore in this department.
After that, onto I-305. This ride now that it's running good is so superb. It may be one of the coolest coasters built. Fury takes the cake for me, but wow does this come as a very close second. Those restraints, those positive g's, the airtime. It's Millie at CP combined with Maverick. It's such a great combination. I really don't care for it's NASCAR theme. Apparently..no offense to you guys over there..but apparently it's a big deal to y'all. Why naming a coaster after a race car driver makes little to no sense to me, especially the guy it's named after. Again, no offense, but...doesn't do anything for me, or make me respect or care for it anymore. If anything at least it does provide some new park merch though instead of seeing ride logos and KD 40 plastered everywhere.
We decided to stop by Anaconda next. I have and always will love Arrow coasters. This one is quite good, especially in the very last car. Great pull, great layout, and the interaction on the water is really enjoyable. Not my favorite arrow looper, but it is a great one.
From there we ventured all the way over to Grizzly. And wow was I impressed. Even if this is a Wildcat clone (I thought it was a Shooting Star clone at first) it's really really good. I rode it in the very last car front row and had a blast. It was a tad jerky but nothing too terrible. The head chopper effect in the tunnel actually got me quite good, and those usually never do anything for me. I'm 5'5 I'm not tall, I know I'm not ganna get hit. Great, great wooden coaster. I love that out of control, rampaging, we're ganna die kind of feeling on old coasters, it's what makes them way better than many new coasters sometimes.
Next up, the terrible Hurler. Oh boy...I think I need to call the park, I left my back somewhere out there amongst the ride. It's such a shame after riding the one at Carowinds that's been retracked and is amazingly comfortable that this one isn't even close to on par. It just hurt, it absolutely hurt. The drop was fantastic, everything after..ouch. Thunder Run at Kentucky Kingdom is still the best out of the three similar rides, but...I won't be riding Hurler at KD again (if I go back).
Rebel Yell was next. I didn't care to ride this, I have Racer one hour from me, and for what I hear, it's way better than this one at KD in terms of being able to enjoy the ride. I think after getting almost destroyed by Hurler, this was the nail in the coffin for me deciding not to ride. I regret it a bit, but at the time I didn't. Maybe next time, ride the other way around.
Next was Ricochet. It's a sweet Wild Mouse, I love these things. So many enthusiasts I hear knock these rides or disregard them, but why? They're a load of fun. Hairpin turns, and quick spurts of air, it works, and it does it's job. I will give the KD one points, for some reason somehow the CWinds version decided I no longer needed testicles and slammed them together on a small hill, KD's didn't do that, thank you KD.
From there the group wanted to do Shockwave. I sat out, I know better. My chest doesn't needed crushed. They came back to let me know it was a regrettable decision. TOGO standups need...wait for it..TO GO...everyone laugh with me. Riding the defunct one at KI was enough. While sitting out though, I realized the MOST FATAL AMUSEMENT PARK FLAW EVER. This seriously irked me beyond belief. See that Carousel on Candy Apple Grove? It's pretty, and it looks like it's in pretty good shape. WHY though does the park feel it's ok to put a bunch of fake rock speakers 15-20 feet away from the ride and play Band Organ style music that I doubt was ever on the original organs that came with the carousel? I was just shocked, and just outright offended someone in the park felt that was ok. Whoever you are, seriously, you're wrong, just know that. I hope your influence doesn't go far in that park, because this is dreadful.
Then onto the Antique Cars (Blue Ridge). For some reason these are so fun. I can never explain why, they just are. I think also being with other 22+ year olds like myself, we just screwed around the whole time. Plus I think it made it more enjoyable that my friend who can pull off an Elmo voice decided to drive one of the cars going off to everyone while driving that "Elmo had a few too many to drink" and "Elmo likes Jagerbombs" while driving erratically. I'm surprised I didn't die myself from laughing so hard. I'm sure the ride ops thought we were out of our minds, ah well.
Next, giant flaw number two, Flying Eagles. This set of Eagles is fantastic. They ride well, they look well, and being in the middle of Old Virginia they look really good actually! However, why is KD the only park I know that snapping isn't allowed? I say I probably would have been able to go to town snapping them too. It was windy as hell that day, I mean we even got told we couldn't snap them and were fighting to try and not snap them to give a good ride. About 10 seconds into the cycle mine inevitably snapped and the ride ended, and everyone has to get off, the cycle is done. It's such a bullshit rule and robs a whole cycle worth of riders their fun, and seriously does no harm. KI lets it happen, CWinds lets it happen and PROMOTES IT, CP lets it happen...KD...why? Did the same person with the carousel speakers let this happen too?
From there it was a few rerides at night and then we decided to take the trip back to our comfy hotel. Good ish day, but having two world class parks, most notably BGW the day before, I was quite underwhelmed. Here's some final thoughts aside from the ride list for the day.
Food here just sucks. The rest of the CF chain is getting really good in this area finally. KD still feels like Kinzel era food, which is surprising given the KD 40 deal going on in the park. The Country Kitchen deal sounds great, but the food is far from anything edible. Seriously, their Fried Chicken was close to just getting thrown away. The fish at Outer Hanks was a joke, the hush puppies were alright, but whoever cooks the fish..wow..When a fish fast food chain outdoes you, we have a problem. We used the all day dining to get a few other snacks, and again, all underwhelmed. Next time I go to KD, I'll pack food or eat outside. Take note KD..CP has Quaker Steak & Lube, Chickies & Petes, Pinks Hotdogs...Carowinds has Festhaus..er Harmony Hall...Chickies & Petes..Wings..Common guys step up the game
The park layout is confusing and annoying. I thought old Geauga Lake being as big as it was took the cake for badly laid out, but the mini pathways, only one way to the ride, and weird layout really made it quite difficult to get around and find what we needed. I mean hell even the Soak City layout is so bad they have to point out where it is on the park map with a huge blue star.
Last problem I have, and it's really kind of null & void except for people like me, is I have Kings Island nextdoor. Sure this park has a beautiful forest around the tower, and some nice areas, and a pretty good ride selection. However, when I see clones everywhere, it loses it's identity to me. It has a FoF, a Backlot, a Drop Tower, etc. It feels like a KI little brother, not it's own park. When I got off the Eiffel Tower I even had to take a double take because it seemed so different. I know they're seperate, but in my mind they aren't. It reminds me of the cookie cutter suburbs. They're all different houses, but drive by them and check them out, and guess what they're all practically the same, and it seems boring.
I will say one one last note though, KD does currently have a better International Street than KI. I will give praise where due. Once past the ridiculously bad chokepoint that is the turnstiles, the street is fantastic. I thought for awhile the black bottomed pool looked great but never really got a chance to see the KD one in person until this year. It looks great, and feels and looks so much more natural. Then at night the "Bellagio" style fountain show with the music looks great. I've wanted a fountain upgrade at KI for years, and this reaffirms it as long as we keep the center pedestals for our fountains. However, I want the lights, black bottom, and dancing fountains for our park. Another good thing on I Street is it still has a bit more international flair. Not much, but it's there, which to me is a plus. The last good thing is themed music. Why oh why oh why did KI decide pop music on I Street was a must? I enjoyed hearing classical almost BGW Hamlet style music around the fountains, it felt perfectly right. Hearing Katy Perry at KI next to a Starbucks..not so much.
So with all that in order, I leave it at a close. It was a good park trip, but I will say I left underwhelmed and unimpressed. I'll go again, but I won't go out of my way to do it, if it happens great, if it doesn't, I won't be upset, which is a shame in my book I have to say that about a CF amusement park.
So that's my consencus
