King's Dominion trip report (per requests)

[bubba's mom]

So here I am ....FINALLY getting around to the KD trip report (nevermind I haven't done the UO trip report yet )
First, DH, DS7.5 and myself went to Orange, VA to visit friends Sat. 8/11 and stayed there the night. Lesson learned: stay OFF I-95 on weekends!!! Stand still traffic...I mean, we could put the car in park on I-95 because of the delays....all traffic (no accidents or construction).... So, we have a very nice stay at our friends and left there about 2pm-ish on Sunday 8/12. No problem on I-95 (southbound) or finding the Best Western at the edge of KD park. Now, I think by reading these boards, I'm "looking" for stuff to be wrong with the room. We had room 407 (parking lot view--NOT pool view--which, turns out, was a great idea!!!---too noisy!) First DH noticed, the room smelled "funny"....not gross or bad, but "funny". Luckily, we carry spray air freshener w/ us, and went about spraying (this helped, as we didn't notice a "funny" smell after that). We arrived check-in time and had the room and park tickets package. After unloading the car, we went around the corner from the lobby, to the window you pick up your park tickets at. After getting our tickets, we went to the on-site Denny's for some dinner (hadn't had lunch)..turns out, this was a good thing because apparently the ticket window closes at 5 or 6pm. Had sandwiches and bill was reasonable and okay. (Altho, DH noticed a pattern of dirty silverwear and DS had a dirty glass once....so, check that silverwear!) After dinner, we retired to the room, where I noticed: a dirty towel hanging on the back of the bathroom door , crumbs on the vanity near the coffee maker--and when I wiped them away w/ a washcloth, makeup wiped out of the crease of the vanity! Now, I'm feeling like I'm sleeping in a dump (compared to RPR ) There was almost enough water pressure to take a shower (a challenge for thick or long haired peeps) and the water temperature kept fluctuating. While at the park our first day, we had a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the doorknob so housekeeping would not come in while we were gone (we don't like that). Well, after we returned from our day, guess who was in our room? Yep, housekeeping. Well, DH called the front desk and requested NOT to have housekeeping make up our room. We said we had a sign on the doorknob, but we couldn't guarantee someone didn't flip it over. Also, our 2nd and 3rd nights there, no ice. Apparently, the second night, DH went to get ice and found out some kids (of "teen" age) were having an "ice" fight and throwing it at each other. He stopped someone ("Habib" he says ) and asked where he could get ice. He directed him to the ice machines, and DH said "no...they're empty...NOW, where can I get ice?" "Habib" says, "Uh, uh, uh....I dunno...the kids, they throw it" Now, if he KNEW what they were doing, why didn't he stop them?? So, DH got smart and asked the take-out Chicago Uno on-site if they had ice he could have...they obliged. (Not sure of the reason for no ice the second nite, but, as he was walking away, he turned back because he heard the ice "drop" in the machine.) The only other thing I can think of (cuz I can't find my "list") wrong with the room was the everytime you closed the bathroom door over the bathmat in front of the tub/hopper, it caught on the bathmat (not enuf clearance over mat) and wrinkled it up... which, got old real fast.....and the other thing was the delay w/ the bathroom light coming on w/ the fan....it was loud and obnoxious and "blinked" (like a fluorescent) coming on. If I find my list, or recall anything else w/ the room, I'll edit this report.
Now, on to the park---- It's been 10 years easy since we were there. Tell me this makes sense: the park opens at 10am, but they won't let you thru to the rides till 10:30. How dumb! Lines and lines of people, for nothing. The Flight of Fear is still there, but closed. They built Volcano in front of it. Luckily, our strategy the first day was, eat breakfast early and then walk over to the park (it was only a 5-10minute walk across the parking lot--rather comparable to walking to CW from RPR). We started in the back corner where Scooby and the "newer" coasters are. We went on the new Italian Job Turbo Coaster...which, IMHO, was a disappointment. No rolls or loops, BUT, being it was the first thing we did, we literally walked right onto it...DH & DS in first car! It was an okay coaster (mild) and actually stopped mid-ride for a "scene" of police cars and "fire"...almost like a 15-20 second show...right in the middle of the ride. Next, it was on to Volcano (newest coaster) which is an inverted coaster with TWO, I repeat 2, launches. The first one is after you pull out of the station, you stop, start to go and launch. The second launch is during the beginning of ride, so you are already moving when you're launched. It "shoots" you out of the top of the volcano....and has a lot of barrell rolls. Then, onto Avalanche....but, IT doesn't open till 12noon! (There are a few rides that don't open till noon....have NO idea why!) So, we go over to Anaconda, walk right on again. A better ride than volcano (more rolls and loops), but a bit rougher. I also felt as if the barrell rolls and loops were "slow" on this ride...,.but, no line, so, whadda ya want?? After that we started around the park hitting all the older, wooden coasters. Rebel Yell (forward & backwards--backwards didn't open till 12noon, but forward was open), Hurler, Grizzly (never wanted off a coaster as bad as I did this one--too rough! ), Richoccet (Wild Mouse-type coaster) and Hypersonic....straight up and straight down....about a 15 second ride! Interesting story here: while in line for Hypersonic, a, ahem, "gentleman & teenager" excused themselves by us. Well, being the next 2 in line at the loading dock, they make an announcement there will be a delay in the ride...unknown for how long. So, we stay put, after waiting 20 minutes or so, we are not leaving. Apparently, the next car had the "line jumper" on it, and instead of pulling him and his party out of line, they just stop the entire ride. Now, IMHO, this is dumb! Why do we all have to suffer for following the rules and waiting patiently?? Pull HIM out of line and figure it out.....So, about 10 minutes later, we were riding again (because after having the cars sit idle for "x" amount of time, the computer system mandates they run "x" number of test runs before allowing peeps back on). Well, let me just say...what a ride! It's not as big as Kingda Ka, but WOW!!! It was awesome! Another awesome ride was the Scooby's Haunted Mansion...another MIB/Buzz Lightyear "shoot 'em" game. You ride your Mystery Machine thru a "haunted house" and shoot at the targets and earn points. We all did really well each time, and DH & I actually eased off so DS could accumulate more points because our reflexes are faster than his. Anyway, we all posed for the picture at the end of the ride and even decided to buy it. So, I paid and was talking to DH while it was printing and she put it in the nice, little "paper" frame and put it in the bag w/ my receipt and handed it to me. Well, good thing I'm a little impatient and had to look at our picture. There was a huge line running down the center of it. So, DH takes it back and complains...either refund my money, or more preferably, gimmie some money off. Well, the gal says she can't do that and that the printer has had a problem "all day"....ALL DAY?!?! The park (at this time) has only been open for 1.5 hours! So, after DH getting louder and louder with statements such as, "If you have a problem with the printer that it's printing huge lines down the middle of the picture, you should inform people, or post a sign, before they buy it." (Which, they wouldn't, cuz then they wouldn't get your money!) So, she offers to call her supervisor and DH says, "either that, or I could stand here and yell at you at little more". Well, said Supervisor comes over, doesn't say ONE word to either of us, just refunds my money. No offer of money off so we can keep the picture.... (too bad, cuz we really liked that pic too!) DH & I talked *loudly* to each other saying, "At Universal, they show you the picture before putting it in the bag...etc....)...it was a real "deceit" thing w/ these people.
Another thing w/ this park: no "restaurants". A lot of cafeteria style and counter service....we ate at Bubba Gump's there--4 selections! I noticed the selections were all burgers, pizza, chicken, etc....(altho, they did have a Subway in the park) and no "table service" places (glad we were only there 2 days!) All theme-park food....and that gets old fast too. One pizza joint we were going to eat at, closed early. The sign said "open 11-6"...well at 4pm, they were closed . Also saw this the last night....on our way out, we thought of getting ice cream "to go". Well, not ONE single place to buy ice cream, funnelcake or anything was open---NO place to buy FOOD, only souvenirs was open. Now, that is ridiculous....lots of peeps want a snack to go...they just lost SO much money on the food people could have been buying on the way out! And, the place we did buy pizza for dinner that night, served Bud Lite and Miller Lite. Not DH's first choice, but he will drink Miller Lite. Well, after being carded, (everyone seemed to card), they couldn't get anything but foam out of the tap! It must have been 10-15minutes of trying....they even asked DH if he wanted Bud Lite. He said, "No, are you kidding?" He said to me, within earshot of staff there, "It's not like asking me if I want Coke or Pepsi" . Regardless, he got something that resembled beer.....wasn't happy about it tho! Seemed like everyone (hotel staff, park staff, eatery staff) had an "oh well" attitude....guess that's why there's a "help wanted" notice on the lighted sign by the highway for KD. Maybe it has something to do with what seemed like a lot of "college" age employees who were from other countries?? Ride operators, wait staff at Denny's, etc....all foreigners...some were nice, others didn't have a clue (ie: "Habib" from hotel..see above) Lots of things opened late, closed early, didn't have what we wanted, only offered 4 selections for eating, etc...... There was a cool thing for the kids called Toonpike. Actually, we didn't even know it was there, till we saw it from atop of the Eiffel Tower. It's a "little city" that smaller kids can drive around in these little cars (no faster than 2-3 mph....you can walk faster than they go!) Anyhow, it's scene is set thru Rugrats and they have sidewalks, a "gas station", stop signs, even a real working traffic light and working "miniature" street lights. Before the ride, the preshow is all the kids have to sit thru "traffic school". They learn how to go and stop, obey the traffic light and stop signs. Even if you have trouble, they are taught to put their hand up and help will arrive. Heck, if I were 5 or 6 again, I would think this was very cool . Needless to say, DS thought this was the best ride ever!! Good thing we saw SpongeBob 3D our first day there....(even tho DH & I's 3D glasses "weren't right")....it wasn't even open at all the second day!!! And the old Hanna Barbera show....wow! No wonder Universal got rid of it!!! JN is SO much better of a show/story! Yes, it was neat to "stroll down memory lane", but showing (most days) SpongeBob on one half and then at 4pm switching to HB on the other half, weird I must say! I will say that staying at the Best Western at KD was a plus for walking. They are so close, that as we left the park the last night, the hotel shuttle pulled up. We could see by the time we were at the doors to the lobby, the shuttle was just pulling away from the park!
So, in a nutshell, it was an "okay" trip....by NO means does Disney or Universal have anything to worry about!! I guess I expected MORE since it's PARAMOUNT'S KD....I think it's slipping backward instead of moving forward. We all, including DS, love rollercoasters, and I counted 12 at this park. Well, more than 1/2 were wooden and too rough to ride more than once (unless you LIKE that!) I forgot to mention, they DID add a 19-acre waterpark to the back (included w/ admission), but we didn't venture in that direction. We definately were spoiled by Universal and cannot wait to go back. The SERVICE at the parks, real restaurants to eat in, beautiful, clean rooms, etc..... As for going back to KD, I don't think anytime in the near OR far future for that!!! DH said it is definately worth spending the extra money to go to UO just to NOT have any hassles while on "vacation". So, I will try to add pics to this report tomorrow, but, it's getting late, I'm tired, and I'm going to bed! I will be happy to field any questions and, as I usually do, I grabbed a few extra park maps for anyone who may want one (just lemme know!) Been a pleasure....good night!

 

[robvia]

Nice TR.

I'm also bummed that the parks up north don't open until 10am, and then some rides don't open until noon. We just visited Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey. We showed up at 09:30am, park opened at 10am, and 3 of the rides we wanted to go on were down. The family never got to go on Kingda Ka or El Toro. I got my ride on KK later that night, but only after returning by myself and waiting 2 hours. I'm sending a snail mail to corporate offices.

I would say the empolyees have a different attitude, because the system is not set up to give refunds or take care of guest complaints on the spot. Their job is to take money and move on to the next person.

Paramount has been bought out by Cedar Fair, so things are starting to change. I always think of the Paramount parks as a carnival type atmosphere. The walk ways are crowded with game vendors asking people to play.

The place you would have enjoyed is Busch Gardens Willamsburg, which is about 1.5 hours away. If you had made that your base, things would have been better. There are many hotels in the historic district. BGW is a beautiful park, and you would have felt more at home there. BGW is supposed to build a dive coaster similar to Sheikra. So a trip to Williamsburg, with a one day side trip to KD will work better for anyone else who is thinking of this vacation.

 

[Loudbmw]

We live in Virginia and have had season passes to both Busch Gardens (BG)Williamsburg and Kings Dominion (PKD). Busch Gardens is what I would call a "world class" park and Kings Dominion more of a local park.

PKD is a lot less expensive and has lots of coasters (by the way - the Flight of Fear coaster just reopened yesterday). You can get advanced tickets for only about $35/day on their website. PKD seems to be understaffed this summer which I guess is why many rides open late or run only one train. The good news is the crowds are light at opening and the waits minimal. Coasters at PKD that should not be missed are the Hypersonic, Volcano, Flight of Fear and Shockwave. The Drop Zone at almost 300 feet tall is great. The wooden coasters are all very fast but rough if you like that sort of thing.

Busch Gardens get a lot of vacationers and the lines can be brutal. It has been voted America's most beautiful theme park. Food at BG is much better but more expensive.

BG does not have an on site water park. They own Water Country USA which is only an freeway exit away. It's a first class water park but is not included in a normal BG ticket. PKD has an on-site water park, which is not too bad and is included in your admission.

If passing through, PKD is worth a one day stop. Hotels in the area are just fair but PKD has a campground. BG is a vacation destination of its own with lots of hotels and Colonial Williamsburg, Yorktown Victory Center and the Jamestown settlement very close by.

Lou

 

[bubba's mom]

(by the way - the Flight of Fear coaster just reopened yesterday).

NO WAY!!!! Please tell me you are joking.......When we rode it all those years ago, I believe it was the first "launch" coaster we rode and it was great!! I was disappointed to hear it had closed....we would have loved to ride it again & take DS on it!!! DARN!!!!!!

 

[Akdar]

Nice TR.
I'm also bummed that the parks up north don't open until 10am, and then some rides don't open until noon. We just visited Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey. We showed up at 09:30am, park opened at 10am, and 3 of the rides we wanted to go on were down. The family never got to go on Kingda Ka or El Toro. I got my ride on KK later that night, but only after returning by myself and waiting 2 hours. I'm sending a snail mail to corporate offices.

I have to agree about SFGA. We were there last month, and I didn't get on Kingda Ka because it was closed most of the day. ( I did get on it twice last year, and it's pretty intense) I did get one ride on El Toro and it is a fantastic coaster. But overall the day was a dissapointment. I am only an hour and a half away, and I won't be going back again this year. Superman was closed, as was the Chiller, and the line for Batman took an hour, mostly because the ride ops weren't filling the trains, the trains were leaving half full. It was close to 100 degrees the day we were there and I was getting a tad bit peeved to say the least. I can't wait for my October return to USO, and HHN!! That's for sure.

 

[disneyhottie]

We gave up on Kings Dominion years ago.We are only about 45 min. away,but the amount of armed police and a variety of activities that we also observed really turned us off!We are also season pass holders to Busch Gardens and Water Country(have been for years)and the only negative is the lines,we really are spoiled by front of the line benefits at Universal.We ease off Busch in the summer(too hot to go, instead, go to Water Country and then venturing back when the weather breaks.We live about 20 min. from these 2 parks!King Dominion was a great park in the late 70's,maybe they can turn around somehow!

 

[aztecgoods]

BM do they have any theme-ing at PKD? Or is it pretty much just food stands and roller coasters? I saw the volcano on a coaster doc, it looked pretty awesome. Isn't that the one where you dive into a volcano at about 250 ft up or something like that?

From all the research I've done it looks like besides BG Williamsburg and to a lessor extent BG Tampa, no parks are similar to U and Disney. The 6-Flags I have been too have minimal theme-ing with an emphasis on coasters and some other rides. The 6-Flags near Dallas is a good park but nothing as elaborate as U or Dis. It's still fun to go to them, but I do find myself always saying the same thing, not as good as...... you know where. And BM what do you expect with a BW? You're lucky there weren't prostitutes hanging out. Last time I went to 6-Flags near Dallas I was shocked to see that most of the hotels around the park had pros hanging out. We stayed at the Holiday inn which was more expensive and didn't have that problem, but believe me it gets a lot worse.

 

[robvia]

Not really,

What you're comparing now, is a "theme" park with an "amusement" park. Two totally different things. When you visit a Cedar Point or PKD, you get a "midway" full of rides, games, and food stands. The draw is the thrill rides, the huge coasters, that's the draw in itself.

There are a couple other parks that can give you that Universal experience.
Hershey Park has two "onsite" hotels and it's more of a "theme" park. There's Dollywood in TN, and then the 2 parks in Branson MO (Silver Dollar City). Hershey was fun because they have a bus that takes you from the hotel to the park. The hotels are not within walking distance, but they're very nice. Holidayworld is also worth mentioning, but that park only takes 1 day and it's in the middle of nowhere. Most drive to visit that one. Nothing compares to the USF experience, but the ones I just mentioned are nice in their own way.

 

[bubba's mom]

BM do they have any theme-ing at PKD? Or is it pretty much just food stands and roller coasters? I saw the volcano on a coaster doc, it looked pretty awesome. Isn't that the one where you dive into a volcano at about 250 ft up or something like that?

There really isn't any "themeing" there....nothing like UO or WDW. Pretty much coasters, food and games. Nothing to do in line...boring. Especially Volcano, because you are in line "over" the coaster loading area, and it's a very narrow walkway and no fans circulating any air....not crazy about that part. Your second launch on the Volcano ride shoots you out of the top of the volcano....you don't realize that's what's going on as you only are aware of going from the "dark" to outside/daylight.

.....And BM what do you expect with a BW? You're lucky there weren't prostitutes hanging out.

Well, I know I DIDN'T expect UO/RPR...that's for sure ...but, not to have ICE?! A dirty towel on the back of the bathroom door?? Guess they don't clean back there?? I've done a lot of traveling in my day, RPR was one of the nicest places I've stayed, however, we've stayed at MANY Best Westerns, Days Inn's, etc...... This WAS bad....didn't see no "pros" tho....mostly "teen" aged kids and lots of families. Like I mentioned, big perk was to be able to WALK to park and not pay $10 parking fee.... That's just nuts.

 

[bubba's mom]

What you're comparing now, is a "theme" park with an "amusement" park. Two totally different things. There are a couple other parks that can give you that Universal experience.
Hershey Park has two "onsite" hotels and it's more of a "theme" park.

Sorry, but I don't think Hersheypark lives up to the "theme" park experience that Florida parks offer. We're about an hour from Hersheypark and have been there many times (even at Christmas for Candycane Lane). While I would agree it does have MORE themeing than PKD or DorneyPark, it's not even close to UO or WDW. But, we're going there in May, and I will be sure to pay extra close attention..... (won't have any idea what the hotels are like, because living so close, don't stay at one! But, the Hershey hotel IS nice...chocolate massages......I know the Best Western there is good too...stayed there overnight when the PA Beauty Expo was there).

 

[robvia]

Staying at the Hershey lodge played a big part in enjoying our visit. The room was nice, the wife went to the gift shop and bought a bunch of chocolate bath stuff and enjoyed that. The pool was awesome. And the bus ride to/from the park made it "feel" like going to a Disney park. If you stay at the BW, you have to drive yourself to the parking lot and it's not the same. It's kinda like when people drive up from Disney to visit USF, they're not getting the entire experience.

I'm sure you'll have a nice visit. There's a lot to see with the park, and chocolate building next door. There's a garden next to Hershey Hotel that has butterflies and flowers to look at. We went there because it was included in our ticket package.

 

[aztecgoods]

To me (like you basically said) those parks really need the super coasters to bring me in, for that is all they basically are. Actually 6-Flags over Texas (Dallas) does have quite a bit of theme-ing (with the super coasters) they have a old west section, 1890s type downtown, Batman section which is pretty cool and several other themed sections. That is the closest I have seen to Florida parks, but it is still not near as good as U. It does have some real mega coasters though which U nor Dis does not have. The Triton is around 250ft, and Mr. Freeze is a pretty unique coaster that goes up to about 150-200 ft or something. I would highly recommend this 6-Flags and I am a huge critic. But don't go expecting to out do Universal, just go for something different with a few true super coasters. (Cedar Pt. I guess would be the ultimate Super Coaster Park.) That and 6-Flags in LA. Can't wait to go back there, the 6-Flags in LA has added a lot. It looks like possibly the 3rd best park in America right now under U and DIs Orlando.

 

[damo]

We just got back from our multi-Six-flags vacation and I am very happy to say that we were very impressed with all the parks, the rides and the employees. We sure got our money's worth!

 

[Slacking]

Dame- were you impressed with SFGrAdv???

That park absolutely tested my patience. Thought is was very poorly run. (side-notes: Kingda Ka is alright, Nitro is awesome, and I didn't ride El Toro)

That was one of the only parks to disappoint me in terms of operation, my other visted NE parks, I thought were great (special props to SFNE, Dorney, Knoebels, and my favorite, Hershey)

BM, what day did you visit PKD? I was there at opening (10:30????? I hate that) on Mon. 8/14). Its amazing how quickly the lines filled up. Glad I got on Italian Job right away, still had to wait an hour for Volcano though. Also, was disappointed by the lack of rides that were open at opening. It was 11 years since I last visited the park, but I was fairly disappointed by my visit.

Also sad to learn that Flight of Fear reopened less than a week after my visit.

 

[bubba's mom]

BM, what day did you visit PKD? I was there at opening (10:30????? I hate that) on Mon. 8/14). Its amazing how quickly the lines filled up. Glad I got on Italian Job right away, still had to wait an hour for Volcano though. Also, was disappointed by the lack of rides that were open at opening. It was 11 years since I last visited the park, but I was fairly disappointed by my visit.

Also sad to learn that Flight of Fear reopened less than a week after my visit.

We were at the parks that Monday & Tuesday....probably saw ya there. You didn't notice my DH yelling how stupid it is to open the park at 10 and not have any rides going till 10:30?? He was livid. A poorly run operation in his eyes also. The first day (Monday) we were there by 10 and waiting in line for the "rope drop". We beelined it for Italian Job and literally walked right onto it....it was a disappointment...we didn't ride again and DS could NOT wait to ride it...so, he was also disappointed. We never waited long for anything except Hypersonic (appx. 20-30 min), Volcano was only always a 20-30 min wait too...along with Avalanche...that was usually 15 min or so. The lines for everything else weren't bad at all...only waited 2 or 3 rides for our turn on everything else. It was 10 years since DH & I last visited.....a disappointment for us as well. DH said worth the extra money to go to UO to have a stress-free vacation.....be forever till he goes back to PKD.

 

[aztecgoods]

So is what your saying don't bother with this park unless I become so independently wealthy and bored that I can check out every park in the nation? Thanks,

 

[bubba's mom]

So is what your saying don't bother with this park unless I become so independently wealthy and bored that I can check out every park in the nation? Thanks,

IF you were bored, and had a free day, sure go. I wouldn't make it a priority tho....like someone said, more of a "local park" than "theme park"..... I've "been there, done that"....not interested in returning anytime in the near (or far) future.

 

[damo]

Dame- were you impressed with SFGrAdv???

That park absolutely tested my patience. Thought is was very poorly run. (side-notes: Kingda Ka is alright, Nitro is awesome, and I didn't ride El Toro)

That was one of the only parks to disappoint me in terms of operation, my other visted NE parks, I thought were great (special props to SFNE, Dorney, Knoebels, and my favorite, Hershey)

BM, what day did you visit PKD? I was there at opening (10:30????? I hate that) on Mon. 8/14). Its amazing how quickly the lines filled up. Glad I got on Italian Job right away, still had to wait an hour for Volcano though. Also, was disappointed by the lack of rides that were open at opening. It was 11 years since I last visited the park, but I was fairly disappointed by my visit.

Also sad to learn that Flight of Fear reopened less than a week after my visit.

Slacking, we loved SFGA. We did get the super duper flashpassy thing which let the kids ride everything with basically no wait at all, so I guess we didn't get a really good feel for the park through the eyes of a normal guest. My 17 yo son, the coaster fanatic, has ranked El Toro second in his list of 230 coasters he has ridden. Second only to Millennium Force. We got to the park at 10 and were out of there by 3 and rode all the coasters.