Kings Dominion (in VA) tips ?

[twinnersmama]

We are heading to Kings Dominion in VA the end of July for a few days on our way to the beach. We bought a hotel/park ticket package for 2 park days. Plan to hit the water park for a part of one of the days. Not sure if we will need the Fast Lane passes (or if its worth it) for the non-water park day.

I bought a small Vera purse (the Lizzy) that I think I can make look like a fanny pack when entering rides (Disney has me soo spoiled by being able to take bags on rides)

Any tips would be appreciated... like where to head first ... anywhere better to eat? I know it's all amusement park food, but sometimes theres someplace with better food/better value.

 

[aprilchem]

I live less than 5 miles from there and I am NO help - I haven't been there in 15 years! But I will say that if you have small kids, I've heard that the new kids area is very nice and very well laid-out. I've also heard that they've gotten better about enforcing the dress code and curbing bad behaviors in the park, so some of my mom friends have started to go there again in the summer (most of us have been driving the 1.5 hours to Busch Gardens instead).

Also, you should plan to eat in the park rather than leave the park to eat. There's nothing in Doswell except for a truck stop, a Denny's, and a Burger King. After you leave, if you go up the highway to exit 92 there are all kinds of places to eat.

 

[havaneselover]

I live less than 5 miles from there and I am NO help - I haven't been there in 15 years! But I will say that if you have small kids, I've heard that the new kids area is very nice and very well laid-out. I've also heard that they've gotten better about enforcing the dress code and curbing bad behaviors in the park, so some of my mom friends have started to go there again in the summer (most of us have been driving the 1.5 hours to Busch Gardens instead).

Also, you should plan to eat in the park rather than leave the park to eat. There's nothing in Doswell except for a truck stop, a Denny's, and a Burger King. After you leave, if you go up the highway to exit 92 there are all kinds of places to eat.

Yeah, I live 25 minutes from KD and an hour from BG and KD doesn't appeal to me. We're in our 5th year with BG season passes.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

We live in Richmond and we HATE King's Dominion! It's dirty looking, run down, the rides are old and jerky.....

and the people.... ......

We are HUGE fans of BG, Its in Williamsburg. If you are going to Virginia Beach, then I would HIGHLY recommend making your stop there. The park is beautiful, clean and very family friendly!!! Plus the roller coasters rock!

We have seasons passes to BG and go a few times a month. The other upside, is that Williamsburg has a billion cool things to do, you could spend a day walking around colonial Williamsburg or Jamestown... the list is endless.

Oh, and Water Country USA is 100 times better than the KD waterpark!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[havaneselover]

We live in Richmond and we HATE King's Dominion! It's dirty looking, run down, the rides are old and jerky.....

and the people.... ......

We are HUGE fans of BG, Its in Williamsburg. If you are going to Virginia Beach, then I would HIGHLY recommend making your stop there. The park is beautiful, clean and very family friendly!!! Plus the roller coasters rock!

We have seasons passes to BG and go a few times a month. The other upside, is that Williamsburg has a billion cool things to do, you could spend a day walking around colonial Williamsburg or Jamestown... the list is endless.

Oh, and Water Country USA is 100 times better than the KD waterpark!!!!!!!!!!!!

Water Country is fantastic. We were there Sunday. Beautifully maintained. The slides are great.

 

[Princess_Meghan <3]

I was just at King's Dominion a few days ago. During the summer, it is very crowded. My friends and I have never purchased the fast lane bands, but we were fine waiting in long lines since it was cheaper. At each ride, they do have deep set tables that you put your bags in- once you leave, they cover the table with a top. I've always put my bag in there and never had a problem with it disappearing. I've always felt King's Dominion was nice, and feel like it's been a little nicer since Paramount sold it. I haven't been to the water park portion of the park, though.

The rides are all usually the same crowd wise. I think the Volcano and Intimidator tend to have the longest lines, though.

As for food, I believe there's a Chick-Fil-A, and we ate at Panda Express when we were there. I don't normally eat at panda express, but it was $10 for a panda bowl (rice and an entree). Not sure how on par that is with typical pricing. My friend said the pizza parlor has good pizza, but I don't know about pricing. I usually pack food and leave it in a cooler in the car and go out of the park to eat.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Um, get your Tetanus shot? I'm kidding! While KD is certainly not as nice and up-to-date as it was when Paramount owned it (or as viewed by my wide-eyed-I'm-on-vacation-so-everything-is-wonderful 8-11 year-old self), it's cheaper than BG with many more rides (and I've had a BG season pass my whole life). It definitely attracts more of a teenager/young adult crowd and I've never had great service from anyone that worked there, but the rides are fun (especially the newer coasters).

The last hour or so of park opening tends to have much lower crowds so I'd go one the less crowded things during the peak part of the day (the cars you drive, wooden rollercoasters, etc.). I don't tend to eat much at the park (except for Chickfila), but I have had a few meals at the Denny's attached to the Best Western (you can even take a shuttle from the front of the park over there) that weren't bad.

The water park is pretty small (as far as waterparks go) and can be very crowded during the summer. I would hit that right at opening if you plan on going there.

Volcano is such a fun ride, but doesn't seat very many people per coaster so the line literally takes forever. FOREVER. And it feels like you're waiting on the surface of the sun if you're waiting in line on anything warmer than an 80 degree day. Be sure to get a drink and maybe a cup of ice before getting into line!

We went last summer and it felt like a lot of shops/restaurants were cutting way back on using A/C. There wasn't much relief to be had inside (but maybe they've fixed that now? I remember when I was a kid that the stores were always freezing!).

I think if you go with the right attitude, it will be a fun day! Oh, and keep a close eye on your belongings. We've been in lines for rides before (that overlook some of the park) and have seen people stealing things from other people's backpacks and strollers .

 

[cheerky]

Haven't been to KD in a while but went to Carowinds (its sister park in Charlotte) in April. We had to go through metal detectors to get into the park...


Like others have said, BG Williamsburg is a beautiful park. We've been passholders for two years and love it!

 

[imhereforthedolewhip]

On a trip to KD right now. It's no disney! I agree with PP that it is run down but we are enjoying it. We bought season passes this year and live fairly close so this has been an inexpensive trip. Getting there early is the way to go. As for food, nothing spectacular.

 

[wellesleyprincess]

Heading there on Saturday!

Has anyone done the meal plan? Is it a good deal?

 

[imhereforthedolewhip]

I haven't done the meal plan but I don't think it's a good deal. Isn't it $29? You would have to eat a lot! Not sure what all is included either. We split two chicken strip baskets between the three of us for lunch then hit Rita's on the way out. We bought the refillable cup a few days ago and have been refilling it for free ever since. We only do one or two cokes a day and the rest we get ice water but I love souvenir cups.

Whatever you do, hit the rides early. The park really fills up in the afternoon. We have been leaving by about 4 each day and the entrance seems to be a madhouse at that time.

 

[imhereforthedolewhip]

Also seems like dominator is open at 1000 every morning rest of rides at 1030. We are season pass holders but didn't have to show season pass to get on the ride

 

[imhereforthedolewhip]

One more thing. The AC at chickfila is really good. They do not accept dining plan so that would be a strike against dp in my book

 

[vikkil70]

We live 20 minutes from KD and have passes to both KD and Busch Gardens. While it is not a pretty as BG, we still have a great time. If you have little ones the Planet Snoopy area is fun. If you are into thrill rides, definitely hit Intimadator 305 and Volcano first thing in the morning. The lines for Volcano can build pretty quickly. I bring a small bad with me and have never had a problem leaving it in their bins. Most of the rides have bins that the attendants close with a sliding top and a seatbelt like latch when the ride pulls out.
We do not usually eat in the park, the prices are pretty high even for theme park food and not very good. We usually pack a cooler and head out to the car and have a tailgate lunch.
We usually get there when the park opens and are able to hit the rides we want without too many lines, especially mid week. We also go at night sometimes when DH gets off work. We get there around 5:00 and stay til close at 10:00, we find the lines are not too bad then either, a lot of the families who got there early are leaving and also some people are in the waterpark. Have a great trip.