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Dominator worth Hypersonic?

Kings Dominion: I know there 'relationship' in KD has nothing to do with anything, but is Dominator worth kicking Hypersonic out?

From Eli Katzman
Posted June 8, 2008 at 12:54 PM
Alright, the 'relationship' I was talking about is between Dominator and Hypersonic. This is what I know, or what I think is fact, and correct me if I'm wrong:

So, Cedar Fair didn't want Hypersonic XLC because it had a short ride time, with a very small amount of capacity per hour. It didn't exactly hog up space, but some people didn't want to go near it because of how loud it was.

From Dominator's side; Cedar Fair has decided to take away all of Geauga lake's amusement rides, and make it a full water park instead of a half-'n'-half theme park of a water park and a theme park. They had to export all of their rides to other places, like the impulse ride that went to dorney, or that flying coaster that went to... um.... I think it's now Firehawk.... but anyway, they sent Dominator over to Kings Dominon.

What didn't seem like coincidence, Dominator happens to be coming in when Hypersonic leaves. What does that seem like to you?


Comments in chronological order. Most recent at the bottom. Scroll down to respond.

From steve lee
Posted June 8, 2008 at 4:36 PM
Well, Dominator had to go somewhere. I think it's a pretty good trade-off. If Geauga Lake was still open, maybe Hypersonic would have lasted a little longer. Having a solid coaster to replace it with may have been the catalyst...

From Eli Katzman
Posted June 8, 2008 at 5:29 PM
Yeah, I think so too, steve.

From Jake Rivers
Posted June 8, 2008 at 6:48 PM
Dominator is the best coaster in VA by far!!!

From jim boyadjis
Posted June 8, 2008 at 8:15 PM
Why get rid of hypersonic. I felt that it was a very unique coaster. Dominator is a great ride but hypersonic didnt have to go. Theres nothing else the park can build in that spot in my opinion. when a park has NO TALL RIDES TO THINK OF, taking away the tallest one isnt a good sign

From DV M
Posted June 9, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Hypersonic was for sale for over a year. Perhaps Dominator was slated to go to King's Dominion to replace Hypersonic, but I believe the answer lies to the east...Griffon! Dominator is one of the best floorless coasters in existance and compares well with Griffon. Griffon boosted BGE attendance through the roof last year. CF is hoping Dominator will bring some guests back to KD.

From Eli Katzman
Posted June 9, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Well, I think that they took away Hypersonic (like I already said) because of the very low people per hour ratio. Also, Jim, I understand what you mean, but they also brought in a taller coaster than Hypersonic. I think.... How tall was Hypersonic again? It slipped my mind....

From Peter Stephens
Posted June 9, 2008 at 1:23 PM
It is my understanding that XLC experienced a lot of down-time and was expensive to maintain. Being a prototype/one-of-a-kind, I can see where this would be the case. However, it will be missed, as a horizontal launch of 0 to >80 in <2.0 is still only surpassed by a very exclusive group and it's always sad to witness the extinction of a one-of-a-kind ride. Dominator is a very good ride. I've ridden the front row three times and the back row four and I actually prefer the back row due to awesome acceleration forces in various locations. Dominator is a high-capacity modern coaster (and a B&M, to boot) which was just what KD needed. D moves a lot of (very happy) people.

From Derek Potter
Posted June 11, 2008 at 3:41 PM
Hypersonic XLC- Low capacity, high maintenance, short ride, losing popularity equals taking up space

Dominator- High capacity, lower maintenance, longer ride, underused @ Geauga, great design equals a hit for Kings Dominion.

In one short word....yes

From Jake Countiss
Posted June 17, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Dominator was put in the front of the park instead of in Hypersonic's old spot. This brings a much needed ride to the front of the park, so that you don't have to walk all the way to Volcano for a big-time ride.

From Christy Shuman
Posted June 17, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Eli the answer to your question- Yes and no XLC was 165ft tall with a 133ft drop/ Dominator is 157ft tall with a 148ft drop. So in actualality Dominator IS taller than XLC - drop wise.

From Eli Katzman
Posted June 17, 2008 at 8:32 PM
Christy, I look at height more than drop, but if you look at speeds on non-boost coasters, then you go for the drop. Thanks, though.

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