The Uncertain Future of Kings Dominion
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- Опубликовано: 19 сен 2023
- Back in 2018 Kings Dominion added their newest roller coaster to the park Twisted Timbers. However just a few months after opening, Volcano The Blast Coaster would close and never operate again. For years fans of this park have been waiting for an announcement on what could be replacing The Blast Coaster. I will discuss my thoughts on that replacement along with all the improvements the park has made over the past 5 years.
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I used to live in the DC area and visited KD frequently. I can't tell you how much I miss Volcano. It was really the best coaster I've ever ridden from sheer thrill and uniqueness.
Without that fast pass that line is definitely the longest in the park definitely 3 hours
Kings Dominion is an amazing little park, just really needs a new invert to complete the lineup. I305 is amazing!
Well they had a invert… r.i.p Volcano
a new age Vekoma Suspended Thrill Coaster would roundup the lineup
With BGW having Alpengeist in not sure that they would go the invert route, maybe just not a b&m
It makes me happy to see someone else who loves KD. It always seems like the forgotten child, no one really talks about it being a great park. But I visited for the last 2 years, and it's still one of my favorite parks I've been to. It's a park that has great atmosphere, and I love just being there. Plus I think I305, Timbers, and Dominator make a great top 3. I watch this park really close, cause I think they're setting up to be in the top ranks of the Cedar Fair parks.
With the latest changes in operation such as making haunt a separate admission price effective this year it's enough to make me give up on this park altogether.
Haunt has ALWAYS been free with general admission ever since it's inception before cedar fair even took over
Between this recent development and the general lack of new significant ride additions coupled with ride after ride being randomly removed it's clearly apparent that cedar fair doesn't care about the park other than to use it's revenue to finance investments into their big four spoiled rotten parks in the chain.
It looks like BGW is now the only remaining park in the region worth visiting as they're in a tourist market and as a result ALWAYS receive fairly decent capital investments. Kd has simply become the next SFA of the region.
Welcome back. You can thank Disney for dropping so many imagineers for smaller parks getting these theming improvements.
I love your tone and the way you share information. Some of these channels get so …. Enthusiastic and simultaneously insecure about their opinions. It’s nice to have someone just confidently and clearly articulate their views.
Looking forward to seeing more
Excellent quality as usual! I agree with everything except the timeline. 50th anniversary is 2025. That coaster shows up that year IMO
Thanks! I sure hope im wrong and we see it in 2025
I heard from somebody who works as a ride operator at the park that Volcano’s replacement will be an invert. He said construction begins next year, and it’ll open in 2025 as part of the park’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
Apparently there's rumors that the replacement for Volcano has been chosen and 2025 is the year. If I were to guess, it'll be either a B&M wing coaster or a new vekoma of some type. If I were to choose the Vekoma model, it would be the modern launched flying coaster that Phantasialand built.
2025 is kd’s 50th anniversary
I'm hearing launched B&M wing coaster. Not what I want, but I'll take almost any investment over what we've been getting, as far as rides are concerned.
As a Virginia native and someone who grew up going to Kings Dominion I will always miss the volcano I am still sad that its gone. I feel that it can never be replaced.
I hope they build a updated one, it was such an iconic ride and structure
I miss the volcano too it was my favorite ride and they got rid of it.
We would go to KD a few times each summer when I was a kid. After not going for about a decade, I gave it a try as an adult and I was so disappointed. The place was filthy. That was about 15 years ago, and I haven't gone back since. I'm happy to know that KD has made improvements. It was a special place to me in the first 16 years of my life.
There are only two coasters that I legit cried when they closed, Volcano was one of those.
Also rename I305 to King Cobra as a throwback to the old launch looper.
Same for me - Volcano and Big Bad Wolf both had a special place in my heart.
@@theoriginalThud Big Bad Wolf was my other one. Too many childhood memories. Hell I love Anaconda because I rode it opening year with my sisters height wristband 🤣
@@evil_me Great idea! 😂
Easier than putting legos, etc. in your shoes.
Omigosh. I rode Volcano the month it opened back when I lived in the area. Man. Sad to think it's gone.
Need more content from you! It’s not hyperbole to say your coaster videos are the new standard!
This video is the first I've seen of yours. Insane quality. So many beautiful shots, especially the slow-mo of the rides. I'm an enthusiast who hasn't gotten to visit too many parks sadly. Mostly because of I305, Kings Dominion is one of the parks I most want to visit. After whatching this I've never wanted to go more. Really great stuff man, you are crazy talented. Easy sub 👌
Absolutely incredible video! Beyond Professional quality as always....You have a gift brother, happy to see you being able to use it..Hoping for nothing other than Blessings and positivity energy to come your way 🙏🏽
Thank You so much for the kind words!
What Kings Dominion is missing, now that Volcano’s out, is an inverted coaster. Essentially there are three choices if an invert replaces Volcano. B&M invert is sorta off the table like you said, unless it has a launch. Vekoma STC (and/or SFC elsewhere) is possible, but might be costly for KD due to overseas manufacturing and shipping. But the big one - is the Gerstlauer Infinity Inverted coaster (like Storm the Dragon Legend).
You could literally make a near replica of Volcano’s layout with the infinity invert if you wanted to. The track and trains look almost exactly like Volcano’s even. It is very new and thus has had its share of issues at Tusenfryd, but parks can learn from that. Hopefully whatever takes that spot will make a top 3 at KD.
Also don’t forget - next year is technically the start of KD’s 50th anniversary since they partially opened in 1974 so 2024 is definitely the year to keep eyes peeled for more renovations!
I appreciate how all of the footage in your videos is thoughtful, gorgeous, and yours.
I really enjoy your videos! I hope you keep posting. Your hard work is much appreciated!
I went to KD this year for the first time since like 2002. Honestly wasn’t sure what to expect. But we had a great time! In fact, I fell in love with KD and have a huge connection with it now. It doesn’t get enough credit for its charm and beautiful trees. Hopefully Cedar Fair gives KD a worthy Volcano replacement (I like the idea of a launched B&M wing).
Dude, I've missed your videos. Welcome back.
We went to Kings Dominion for my first time and Kyle’s second time
Loved that park, it was spectacular and main things I will say is the ride collection is good, food is amazing and atmosphere is very nice. Glad Cedar Fair has been fixing up that park in many good ways. Although being old school Nascar fans we are bummed to see I305 lose the name, we still got to experience the ride as is and was blown away. Even TT was awesome. Heck they upgraded White Water Canyon too to add a new big geyser there too and upgraded FoF too. Grizzly was nice and so was Reptilian.
Although we agree Racer 75 needs new paint and you got the wing coaster right I must say I need to go back there badly. Few places to eat I need to check out again and some other rides like the log flume and do a few more rides on dominator again. But still we had great fun. But I hope there’s a video coming about it Anaconda cause now the park is teasing about it
Dillon
P.s keep up the awesome work there
Beautiful, informative, entertaining, other high-minded descriptors. I love your videos so much!
Love your videos! Always great quality and the commentary with the music is always fitting. It gives me some sort of drive and motivation that I’ve never felt. FYI another reason why Intimidator makes sense in NC is because Dale Earnhardt is from NC.
Welcome back! We've missed you.
Brother I could listen to you talk coaster’s all day!! So pumped we got a new video!!🤙
I appreciate that!
Kings dominion has been my favorite park since my first visit. Thank you for doing it justice in this passion project of a video!
Always thrilled to see you post a new video. KD is also my home park and I love your ideas for it. I especially would love to see a coaster from Mack as I love Copperhead Strike for the 50th.
Love this channel so much!
I just wish they would have finished re-tracking and re-profiling the Grizzly. The new track was awesome but the untouched last quarter of the ride is still very rough.
I still can’t talk about Vol- and the mountain as nothing could ever truly “replace”it. However, the spin ride or a new age Vekoma sounds like some of the best options. I also think the new Axis type coaster would be cool as long as it’s not a smaller first generation one. A bigger launch one would be cool down the road. I would also include Intamin but I know Cedar Fair is no longer working with them.
I do strongly feel that whatever they choose, it needs to have a launch like V.
Went to KD for the first time in over 10 years within the last couple months. I really hope they finish the 2nd half of Grizzly next year. It was pretty close to unbearable and was the only reason I didn’t ride again. Seeing where Volcano once stood definitely hit me in the feels. I hope whatever Cedar Fair decides to replace it with is equal as special. I was originally hyped about a potential launched wing coaster but the more I think about it, why not do a combo with S&S and go with a Steel Curtain clone or a Maxx Force.
Yes!!! He's back!!!
The Volcano blaster literally ripped one of contacts out of me eye, on the launch in 2007. It was an awesome ride. But then my Mom and my sister had to hunt down a replacement set of contacts with my rx since we were on vacation.
I want a full Volcano rebuild or reimagining. I don’t care what it costs.
Went for the first time this summer, didn’t expect it but Twisted Timers is my new favorite rollercoaster and I305 is right there in my top 5 with it.
Has a solid collection of other rides too but could use a true #3 to pair with those
Great review and expectations well explained too.Maryland showing ❤
Man I am so old I remember going to the Hurler when it was brand new in high school. Intimidator, Outer Limits, Shockwave.
Kings Dominion is my “Piplup’s Palace” and if I’m not mistaken, their 50th is coming closer so hopefully the Volcano replacement should happen then. Also I like to see something at the former Dinosaurs Alive area too. Since Volcano left, KD is the only Cedar Fair park without any inverted coaster. Vekoma may be the rescue.
Ha, didn’t know this was your local park! @11:39said 2016, haha. Nice work as always. New angle on a lot of this…
This is one of the best Theme Park channels around right now! I grew up in VA beach and as a kid we would go to BGW every summer, we would also go to KD but since it was further away we wouldn’t go as much. But KD is a fantastic park and I have great memories at this park!
Thank You! Yes I have so many wonderful memories from both parks as well!
In the jungle X section of Kings Dominion, there is a cipher in throughout that section there are symbols that the decipher can help you figure out each ride has them hidden in a location, and there is an over arcing story and at some of the restaurants over the loudspeaker, there’s closed to help you figure out the mystery you should totally go investigate and I have a bunch of photos and stuff to help you on your journey. I go there quite frequently and I’ve been so trying to figure it all out.
Love to hear about Kings Dominion. Was my home park from 96-05 and I haven't been back since, hopefully I'll get a chance to soon and if they get a replacement in for Volcano that would be a great excuse.
11:35 And finally in 2016 the Volcano replacement.
Nice Time Traveller reference, considering you suggested they get an Xtreme Spinner.
I would love if this happens.
Looks like we’re getting that I305 repaint and new coaster in 2025, thanks for the video
Great video as always and I have always loved KD. I was last there July 2022 and had a great day. I'd like to try the new retrack on Grizzly as that ride shook the soul out of me. I never understood any hate KD gets. I still put it up there as a top 5 or 6 Cedar fair park. My first ever visit was 2003 and got to ride both Hypersonic XLC and Volcano. Finally, I think I've said this before, but you sound just like Lucas Black and I can't get it out of my head🤣
You just convinced me to make every effort to visit this park next season. Kings Island is my home park but I’ve never been to Kings Dominion.
KI still has a steam train, but KD removed theirs after 1994. The station was where Xtreme Skyflyer is which opened in 1996. It was just a loop through the woods, about a mile. One train went to Busch Gardens Tampa and the other locomotive is now at World’s of Fun as a spare.
YO hope you are doing well. Miss the content, Hope to see more soon.
I do think Intimidator 305 should ditch the Nascar theme, if not Backlot Stunt Coaster and Flight of Fear. I love that they have tightened the theming in the area, though. As for Anaconda, it looks beautiful and is a common first coaster for many, so I would vote to replace and even reshape high-stress track areas such as the dip between the two helix turns. Arrow coasters are so reliable that I think Anaconda deserves to stick around. Also, I would love to see a Vekoma creation, although I am a sucker for a B&M, but I would honestly be happy with about anything in Volcano's place.
This was the first park I've been two in about 10-15 years when I lived in Tampa and had season passes to Bush Gardens. I had a blast at KD this summer. Had the biggest smile ever after Twisted Timbers (even got a back row ride on it). i305 was intense and loved the underrated speed hill after the drop and first turn. Love to see them get another new coaster to add two the big two. Oh ya, did a front row on Grizzley and loved the airtime. Can only hope the retrack the rest though.
As an associate at the park and seeing as you are a smaller channel, I would love you talk with you.
I haven't been to the park since 2019 and am planning to go in 2024. So this video has made me very excited for that trip.
Another OkayCoasters CLASSIC!
Fantastic Video!!
Even though I only live about 1/2 hour away from Kings Dominion, I have not been there since 2019. I ran the half-marathon that they used to do there. That really stinks that Volcano is gone. I remember when that thing first opened up. After watching this, I will have to go down there again, perhaps re-activate my season pass as well. Seems those "run and ride" races are no more as it was pretty cool running a half marathon through Kinds Dominion before the park opened. Also liked that they seemed to really improve the food situation there in Kings Dominion. I will admit that I've always liked that Mexican place that is right near the entrance (immediately on the left as soon as you entered the park). seems like the park is still going strong and there are some nice improvements there.
kings dominion is my home park and I love Anaconda. I hope it stays for a while.
I recently rode The Ride to Hapiness and if Kings Dominion got one that would be a crazy top 3 at the park
I didn’t realize this was your home park until now, mine too, and it still kinda sucks volcano is gone
Great video for my favorite park
I look forward to seeing the improvements in the future. It already is my favorite Cedar Fair park. My 3 trips there have only been on Mondays-Thursdays, and lines & breakdowns have never been an issue like they are at Cedar Point. I can ride the top 2 as much as I want, and they are both in my overall top 10, with Twisted Timbers as my overall # 2 & ahead of Steel Vengeance. Grizzly is now a solid # 3 in the park. The food & atmosphere are great, and it's such a beautiful park. I never got to experience Volcano, so the loss of it doesn't really affect me, but I look forward to whatever replaces it.
Great vid, im hoping for the winged coaster and really cant wait for I305 retheme…… soon 👀
Thanks!!!
dude i love your video its well thought-out, the arguments you laid out are concise sensible and plausible!!! thank you for sharing your thoughts on K.D. although I'm kinda far away these days K.D. will always be my "home" park!!
While I was stationed in Dhalgren VA for the Navy I had season passes for two years for kings Dominion. I loved that park. The Volcano was and still is my favorite coaster of all time. Intimidator 305 didn’t exist yet. It’s been about 16 years since I’ve been there. It was small and a bit mundane but I liked it a lot.
Great video and predictions! I’m so happy to see you creating new videos! Always top notch!!🎢🎢
Thanks so much Brandon! Hope you're doing well!
You are right, there is so many great opportunities for an amazing replacement for Volcano, and lately Vekoma has really shown it can make some great coasters. But Mack hit it out of the park with Copperhead, so who knows what we might see in the future. BUT I am loving all the possibilities!!
Fun video as always
11:39 omg in 2016 they will replace the Volcano the blast coaster?? Nah I'm just teasing, this was a great video
The impatient little kid in me (I'm in my late 40s) would like to see a replacement in 2025, the park's 50th anniversary.
I would love to see something by my favorite manufacturer Intamin, but, yeah, that's not happening. Something by Vekoma would be great but I bet they could also do an excellent replacement in Anaconda's spot over the lake. I'm not the biggest B&M fan but I wonder if they would ever try to do something like Volcano-- a launching invert.
I ended up liking Copperhead Strike way more than I thought I would and would be fine with something like that or a spinning coaster like Time Traveler.
Glad to see you back and making BANGERS. Legit have the most underrated content in the coaster sphere here on RUclips. Keep it up and hope to run into at the home park one day!
Mach Spinner with launch, look at Ride to Happiness and how well that did
Give it a launch to be like Volcano
Recent plans seem to have been leaked. A B&M launched winged coaster seems to be coming in 2025. Been on a few channels.
Awesome video as usual dude! You said “and finally in 2016…” at the end tho, oopsie 😂
Oh no haha! Thanks!
I went to KD and CW over Labor Day and met lots of people who were doing the same thing, even a few fellow Ohioans.
These were our first visits to the parks, or first visits in 20+ years, and everyone preferred KD.
To be fair, we were all coaster enthusiasts and Intimidator 305 was the undisputed star of the show. It is the only coaster I have ridden in recent years that lived up to the hype. (Unlike Fury 325 or Steel Vengeance.)
I wonder how things would be if Cedar Fair swapped I305 with Orion at KI? It seems like I305 has a bad rep, and Orion is very much a smooth family coaster that might be a boon for KD.
Thanks for this video, it was neat to learn a bit more about KD, and I am very jealous you rode Volcano and can ride I305 any time you want!
So glad to hear these great stories about KD! Volcano was amazing!
I'm with you on fury being overrated but steel vengeance????? Really??????
Look who’s back. Maybe the content will be upped in the off-season???
7:55 - When I visited KD, I didn't drive through the parking lot. I walked in from the Days Inn.
When I was on Reptile (Avalanche) a few months back, I saw "things" behind the fence, such as a small amount of tracks hidden behind there. It seemed like something may be coming for Volcano's Replacement. I'm not sure what's going on, but that's all I saw.
Actually the building that remains was not volcano's station. It's a portion of the gift shop and exit of the ride. The actual station was below and to the south of the remaining building.
I want to believe tumbili was more than a placeholder. Considering CF has never worked with S&S on a coaster I thought this would result in the first axis coaster which would be an incredible replacement for volcano and probably the best option for KD given the BGW line-up
great video man , however i do think anaconda is next on the chopping block , 30 plus year old arrow , that's not going to last long , and they also have dominator for a a multi looper.
i do think the best fit for a new coaster in this park would be the new vekoma launched flying coaster to finally replace volcano but thats going to be a big investment and risk for the park. Sad part is that there attendance numbers are below 2 million a year and they have a lot of rides already , its hard to justify spending that kind of money on a new coaster , with theming included you're probably looking at 30 plus million and i don't no if they want to spend that kind of money on kings dominion , but i hope so.
Also got a weird idea , the park is going into a more family friendly direction , i305 is not fitting in that picture , what if they call up intamin and make i305 more a normal hyper, replace the first turn and hill with a airtime hill , overbanked turn another airtime hill , and market it as a new coaster
I’d love to see an S&S Axis on Volcano’s plot
I got my start on roller coasters by riding The Revolution at Magic Mountain, right after it opened. It was of course the first looping roller coaster, and all it had was simple lap restraints. Fast forward 20 years and I now live in VA. I went to KD for the first time and went on the Anaconda, which pretty much had the same ride elements as the Revolution. The only additional element it had was a corkscrew near the end. But on the Anaconda, they had over the shoulder restraints that "stapled" me into the ride. This actually made Anaconda pretty boring. Hurler and Grizzly were pretty exciting. But on Anaconda, I just felt like I was riding a kiddie ride. Perhaps redesigning Anaconda's restraints would make it more exciting.
BTW, Six Flags also installed those over the shoulder restraints on Revolution in 90's. Everyone of course hated them, and they returned to the lap bars in 2016.
My boy predicted the launch wing coaster but was a year off 2025 is opening date
I love the Mack xtreme spinner idea. A way out there idea is a launched S&S Axis Coaster
I want Kings Dominion to add a replacement for Volcano: The Blast Coaster by 2025 for sure, but I don't want it to be a B&M wing coaster simply because I think that would be a better fit for nearby Busch Gardens Williamsburg. After that, I'd want them to focus on the waterpark, by adding a replacement for the former Tornado slide like a racing slide or a water coaster or both so that the front side can get more excitement. If they have to take a coaster out for somethings new, Anaconda would be my first choice. Vortex at Kings Island was a much better ride than Anaconda, but if they weren't willing to make that ride smoother by replacing the shoulder harnesses with vest restraints, then I don't see Kings Dominion doing that with Anaconda either.
My biggest gripe with Kings Dominion is that there are FAR too few bathrooms and places to get water, especially near the giga. I bet ridership would increase significantly if they put a bathroom and a few water fountains over there.
Ive always thought they should build a restroom and drink station over in this section of the park.
Ive been saying a mack extreme spinner would be perfect here, I may have a little home park bias, but as you said, the closest one is in missouri, so the spinner is 100% possible
Busch Gardens Williamsburg is open year round with numerous events and festivals to include Mardi Gras and St Patricks.
They need to bring back the animal safari monorail...it would fit now!
Considering how much love Cedar Fair's been showering on the other former Paramount Parks in their chain, Kings Dominion really shouldn't be left out.
I think they should get a suspended new Vekoma coaster and try to build back the volcano. Personally I think they should scratch Anaconda and put a Gerstlauer infinity coaster since there isn’t one in the area. I think the closet is in American Dream mall. But I know it’s expensive. Only in a dream world!
My hope is they get an IntAmIn swing launch coaster, like Pantheon but with better theming and longer.
I worked there way back in1991, at a funnel cake book near the Anaconda
I liked twisted Timbers but I almost flashed everyone when it was over 🤣 I rode I305 for the first time back in July and I loved it I didn’t like roller coasters for a while but I do now a bit
What about getting the drip tower and delirium up and running? Let's start there.
They should take the original engineering plans for Volcano and just hire someone to rebuild it again using a different vendor. Up the theming since the mountain would be new.
That park could totally work with Amtrak since the Amtrak rails are literally less than a mile away.
You can do repaints and resurfacing in one go, neither are that expensive, maybe throw in a new water park addition with the front gate reno or possibly remove Berserker and get a replacement ride
I’m going there in a couple of weeks for the first time!
Ride every single coaster
I think FoF can fit in the Jungle Xpedition theme, since it seems to be loosely themed to aliens landing in the jungle. I305 would be a great candidate to retheme since it could fit in the jungle scifi theme.
As for the new coaster, i still think a new Mack hyper could be the best option. It can be different enough to both I305 and Apollo to stand out
I haven't been to KD in a few years now so I don't know what it's like now but they really need more places for people to cool down it was so hot the last day I went and we couldn't find any place to cool down besides the Starbucks at the front of the park and even that must have been 85 degrees inside with the AC
Paving at KD will likely be a multi year project.
I think a vekoma tilt would be a good fit for a VTBC replacement. It would be different enough from a B&M Dive and would have huge marketing potential.
That would be an awesome fit!
Going back down for their haunt in October. Probably a mistake if they get crowds like CP or KI late in October. Grain amd grill hopefully still has the crispy pork!