Kings Dominion 2009 -- Question 2
Kings Dominion: KD's Halloween events vs. the State Fair of Virginia
I was interested to hear of the new flat rides planned for 2009 for KD in a recent thread. What I'm really wondering about for KD next year, though, is how will the park be affected by the new state fairgrounds location (The Meadow Event Park) opening up right next door.
The Virginia State Fair is held the last week in Sept/first week in October. Right at Halloween event time. Will this draw more folks to KD, or keep them away for the two weekends of the Fair?
Also, will the Doswell exit be more of a nightmare, I wonder? Perhaps the scariest part of the experience ...
I haven't kept up with the exact plans for The Meadow as I should, since I burned out on the topic when a former proposed new location for the fairgrounds in Henrico Co. stalled after years of hype. But The Meadow is set to open.
Blip on the radar for KD, or a boost to their Halloween attendance, or perhaps a negative influence?
The State Fair will be good for KD. The area has had almost no development for many years, but you may notice, that has begun to change (two new motels in 2008). The actual State Fair, itself, will probably work out some sort of arrangement with KD (maybe a combined two-day pass? There are definitely marketing opportunities of a mutual nature.) But, the real benefit to KD will be the general influx of tourism $'s as a result of OTHER events. The State Fair Grounds will be hosting year-round events. That will provide a more steady flow of $'s into the Doswell area. As the Doswell area becomes a destination, so will KD (when the park is open, obviously, which may be more often, if all goes well.) This is what KD has been missing. For example, BGE has the whole "Historic Triangle" thing keeping a steady flow of tourists visiting the park. Until now, KD has been the ONLY attraction in the Doswell area. The general interchange area has been depressed (and depressing, with a trashy truck plaza as the major business - lot lizards and the smell of diesel - not exactly the family atmosphere KD would like nearby. I think great times are just ahead for KD with their new neighbor, the State Fair of VA. Now, they just need that one new super-coaster like Kings Island is getting next year! A new B&M hyper or other high-end coaster would put KD over the top!
Has anyone heard about this college nights thing thats going down at KD? How do you think it will boost the crowds? I was planning on going Oct 3rd but didnt want to run into mobs of crowds.
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