Need help planning Kings Dominion trip

Kings Dominion: I am visiting Kings Dominion on Friday, July 25. I need some help!

From Ian Kampert
Posted May 20, 2008 at 4:11 PM
I'm going to Kings Dominion on July 25. It's a Friday. I need to know-
1. Which rides get the longest queues, and when to hit them
2. Where and when to eat
3. If any of the rides are a waste of time
Any and all help is apprecated!

From Lawrence Smith
Posted May 21, 2008 at 5:07 AM
Hello Ian, I would recommend getting there as soon as the park opens. Hit up Dominator first (since this is the new coaster I'm sure it will have a long wait) followed by Volcano & then Flight of Fear. After that, I would do the woody coasters (rebel yell, grizzly, & hurler.) You may want to ride Shockwave but the line can be quite long at times for that. Anaconda never has a long wait so you can hit that one anytime. After that complete your day by riding The Crypt, Drop Zone, & anything else you may want to try.

As for the eating spots, I would recommend Bubba Gump seafood. The food is delicious & they give you nice size portions.

For rides to avoid, I would not be too eager to get on Avalanche, Italian Job, Berzerker.

Hope this helps.

From Christy Shuman
Posted May 21, 2008 at 5:17 AM
Ian, you must try all the coasters, judge them yourself dont go off what we say. I would actually hit Volcano first since it has a lower capacity and breaks down alot. Then hit FOF. Dominator is new, yes, but has an awesome capacity so the line should move fast. Food-good luck on that one -KD IMO has the worst food I have ever eaten, I always eat before going into the park.

From Eli Katzman
Posted May 21, 2008 at 4:07 PM
Yeah, the food isn't too good at KD, and try to avoid all fast food if you have a family. Even if you don't, try to avoid unless you can't find anything else. Christy and Lawrence already covered everything about the coasters, but a few tips (from me):

It's okay if you want to go on Italian Job, but it's really boring and the boost is way slower than you expect (40 mph.). The only "okay" part about it is the ending where you tear through the wall (a bit o' airtime).

Anaconda is a little rough, but the ending for an arrow is normal, 2 corkscrews, but these are better because they are over water and they are slower. I like to think of it as they make up for the whiplash. Don't over rate anything on the first drop even if it goes through the tunnel in the water, it's barely angled, about 50%.

Grizzly starts off slow, but seems to get better as it goes on. It goes through the woods, so there ya go. Hurler stands for it's name, it's a little rough. On Rebel Yell, go on the BACKWARDS. The front is just a simple out-and-back with decent airtime (not very fast going over the hills). But the BACK- hit the front or back, either way. Awesome no matter what. It feels like the first drop is 90% instead of 65 or something.

Definately hit Volcano, Dominator, and FoF, like Lawrence said. Volcano, well, it's just plain AWESOME, no matter how slow the lines are. If it's your first time riding it and you know you're going to ride it again, don't ride in the front. SAVE THE FRONT FOR YOUR LAST RIDE OR YOU HAVE TO DO IT EVERYTIME. Domintaor, I haven't been on yet, but I know it's going to be awesome. FoF startles you, and if you have a long line, try to pay attention. It seems to be closed alot, though.

Yes, hit the Crypt, maybe Ricocet if you like wild mouse coasters, Bobsleds aren't that fun, but it sorta feels like you're gonna fall off (too slow though). I only like the boost-up-down Drop rides, not the slowly-up--fast-down, or the suspence ones, so I can't give you anything on that.... Oh, I only ride Shockwave because it's the only standup I've ridden (not B&M, though), and it's only got 1 loop.

I'm just saying, the BEST WEATHER POSSIBLE is light rain; enough to keep others out, but not enough to close the rides. The only problem with rain, though, is that they slow IJ's boost EVEN MORE and they take off the fire for Volcano. Take Volcano for granted no matter what, because it's by Intamin AG and is the only launched full-circut inverted (impulse coasters don't count!).:)

From Ian Kampert
Posted May 22, 2008 at 2:47 PM
Thanks a lot guys! this really helps.
By the way, does the italian job really have a 'power slide effect' like they say it does? or is that untrue?

From Donna Tolliver-Walker
Posted May 22, 2008 at 6:24 PM
Geez, I don't even know what a power slide effect is, but I've ridden Backlot Stunt Coaster/ Italian Job and I think it's a fun, well-themed ride. Big thrills? Nah, but smooth and very enjoyable. Just plain fun.

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