Kings Dominion w/ little ones?!

[liznboys]

We're going to KD later this week for dh's work picnic. We've got 4 little ones so we'll be focusing on the kid attractions-what ones should we do? Anything we should just skip? How are the character meet and greets? Oh, my 6 yr old wants to know if the characters sign autographs? lol

Dh wants to try out the new coaster that just opened, anyone ride it yet?

We'll be eating a late lunch in the pavilions, I'm assuming it's catered by KD. So we'll probably eat a snack mid-morning. How's the food, anything to avoid? Also, one of my boys has food allergies (nuts and shellfish) so I'm going to bring a small bag with safe food for him since I don't know how they are with that there... Will bringing food in be a problem?

We'll need a place to change diapers, I see on the map that there's one baby center-is it good/clean? Do the bathrooms have changing tables?

One more thing, are there any shady areas? I'm hoping it'll be cloudy that day (but not raining).

Any help is appreciated!!

 

[Christine]

Well I can't answer all your questions. I haven't been in about 2 years and my kids are older now.

KD has good kids area and I think you'll enjoy it.

You cannot bring a cooler of food into the park. You will have to leave the park and eat at your car. But a snack bag of food, carried individually shouldn't be a problem.

My son is allergic to peanuts and does fine at the park. He eats pizza there. They also have a Subway I believe. The only thing we avoid is the Dip N Dots ice cream as it has "peanut" issues.

There aren't a lot of trees at KD and it is very sunny but I'm sure you will be able to find at least one shady spot.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We went with my 6yo and 3.5 yo a couple of weekends ago and had a great time.

We just stayed in kiddy land.

We did School of Rock--though their rock n' roll song choices--I probably should have not taken them...but was fun.

They do have Chick Fil A--one in the Nick Jr area and the other in the water park. Limited menu though (i.e. not like a regular chick fil a)

They also have a water park--so bring suits and towels. My oldest could only go on one slide. Make sure you go under the roller coaster on the path and go to the back--they have some kiddy play areas there. . My youngest had a great time. My oldest just went on the same slide with her daddy and the lazy river a few times.

I would totally take them again.

ETA: Are you talking about the Italian Job--we did go on that. It launches like RNR and takes you up a spiral climb. It was fun. But kind of a been there done that for me. I thought we'd feel the splash at the end, but we didn't. I had to ask hubby if it did the splash--he said that it did...so it is just for looks for spectators I think.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

They will go through your backpack and I've heard that food is not allowed in the park, so if you are going to bring something in, I would put it in your pocket. We went back out to the car and got our picnic lunch and ate at the picnic tables, but since you're just talking about a snack that wouldn't be worth it.

The Italian Job coaster was good, but there is a 48" height restriction. You can get your kids measured towards the front of the park and get wrist bands. If they are close to the next color, you can always have them remeasured if you think they are tall enough for the next category. My 6yo son measures a good 48", so he doesn't have a problem, but when we went in April he was barely 48" and he really had to stand tall. There was another child who was taller than my son who didn't measure 48". They don't have a fixed type measuring device, so different workers can come up with different heights for the kids. I'm not trying to get kids on rides they shouldn't be on.

Any other questions, ask away. I don't have real young kids so haven't spent a lot of time in the kiddy section, but there is a DISer who works at Kings Dominion in the kid's section, so maybe she'll see this thread.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We did bring some minor snacks into the park without trouble.

If you get there early--you can park someowhat close to the entrance where there are picnic tables...then just eat there when it is time for lunch. We saw a family who did this.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

We did bring some minor snacks into the park without trouble.

Did they see the food? Did you bring water and if so, did they see them before going into the park? I've heard that they are very strict and haven't tested their policy.

 

[liznboys]

So do you think they are still as strict even though we have the food allergy issue? We don't eat Chick-Fil-A because they use peanut oil there.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

You can try e-mailing or calling them and asking. We have e-mailed a couple times this year about other things and they have been very responsive. Let me know if you do find out anything. I plan to ask their policy on water bottles being carried into the park before I go next time.

 

[Christine]

So do you think they are still as strict even though we have the food allergy issue? We don't eat Chick-Fil-A because they use peanut oil there.

Yep, we don't do Chick-Fil-A either due to the peanut oil they use.

I think if you show up with snack food that is *obviously* just for one person and you explain the allergy, they will probably allow that. If you try to show up with food for 6 people, that's a different matter.

 

[liznboys]

T&B-Yep, I'm going to try contacting them, will let you know what I hear.

Christine-Oh yeah, we'd only bring it for our allergic son.

 

[liznboys]

I got a reply from KD, that was fast! I'm going to call this person later.

Here it is:

Good afternoon, thank you for your inquiry. The only peanut oil in the park is at Chick-Fil-A. Seafood is only sold at Bubba Gump's shrimp Shack. As for bringing in snacks/food for you son, that will be fine. Please call me at (number). I will leave a food pass for you at Guest Services that will allow you to bring in your own food for your son, but I need some additonal information from you. Also, if you can give me your group name that is having the picnic, I can find out what the menu is for the meal. As for water, you can bring in a couple bottles 3 or 4 max. I hope you have a great visit and look forward to talking with you further.

Thanks,

(name)

 

[Tigger&Belle]

That's great that she got back to you so fast. Great customer service! Good to know about the water, too. Is it because she likes you or can I get away with it, also?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Did they see the food? Did you bring water and if so, did they see them before going into the park? I've heard that they are very strict and haven't tested their policy.

I made no efforts to conceal or bury the items in my bag--and they checked the bag. So I don't know.

Hubby says we did take bottled water.

Again--we didn't try to conceal it in anyway and didn't know they had such a policy. I wasn't trying to test a policy or anything.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I made no efforts to conceal or bury the items in my bag--and they checked the bag. So I don't know.

Hubby says we did take bottled water.

Again--we didn't try to conceal it in anyway and didn't know they had such a policy. I wasn't trying to test a policy or anything.

Yeah, I know you are a rebel!!!