violakat03 Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 This one will be easy, because I did a very comprehensive video set today. So much, in fact, that I practically have nothing to add! Some pictures as I walked. Their Eiffel Tower looks like it's growing right out of the trees. The path behind the Eiffel Tower is one of the shadiest in the park. The car ride is completely in the trees. That's a lot of benches! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Bombay Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 Kat, really enjoyed this. I've been to Carowinds, but never to Dominion. I've always wanted to go but never got around to it. After seeing your VTR I'm really interested in taking a trip. Especially if I can hit it on a non crowded day like yours. One thing that disappoints me though is how their backlot also does not have effects working. I had always heard theirs had most of the stuff going. Regardless, theirs appears to be in better shape than ours. KI didn't even have the "splashdown" filled with water the first few weekends. IMO, if you can't have the effects working, what's the point of the ride and how hard can it be to maintain some of that stuff? Regardless, I digress, great TR and thanks for giving me some inspiration to check out a new park! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violakat03 Posted May 28, 2009 Author Share Posted May 28, 2009 Glad to know you enjoyed it. I always wonder if people actually watch my videos. I was amazed at how completely empty the park was today, I'm hoping it's the same tomorrow! I also was disappointed by the lack of effects on BLSC. I find that the police cars and fire and all that actually do add to the ride and I notice them missing when they aren't on. The ride itself was NOT in better shape than KI's - I've been noticing that a lot of the rides seem to be rougher than their equivalent at KI. Flight of Fear was noticeably rougher and hit the brakes so hard at the end that the trains shift upward and slammed you forward and then back into the seat. Not fun. Backlot was also rougher, and I thought Rebel Yell, for being 3 years newer than Racer, was much rougher and in horribly, horribly bad need of a new paint job. Worse than even Flight Deck! It looked like it hadn't been been painted since 1975! I just have to add something funny that I forgot to mention in any of my videos (but did Twitter about for those who follow me on Twitter) - on the Space Surfer, it has a direction control like the Flying Eagles do, but on a smaller scale. Instead of cables, it has poles that hold each car on that are hinged at the top and bottom. I actually got a little scared because I was snapping the poles!! I stopped trying after that, but I was amazed that not only did I snap the Eagles, I snapped the Space Surfer! Image courtesy of ThrillNetwork.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 Reading through posts right now, heading to work...and knowing a real treat awaits me when I get home...I can't wait to see your videos, but will have to! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KDCOASTERFAN Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 When I rode space surfer on opening day that thing scared the mess out of me as I wasn't expecting to go that high on a family oriented ride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 And now I have watched all the videos! Thanks for your insight, your great pictures and video, and your commentary! Terpy, who wonders if you et anything in the park... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HTCO Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 Sounds like you had a great time! Unfortunatly when i went to KD, Volcano was closed. . But the same thing happened to be on that Space Surfer! I was scared for my life! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AgentSoB Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 I want to make it down to Dominion sooo bad. The last trip I took to to the Island that King Cobra was running it rained for a slight period and the ride never opened back up following the storm. I never imagined that would of been my last chance to ride it. I want to get on Shockwave badly, just to experience what Cobra may have been like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westcoaster Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 Yep you never stopped to eat, but wow what great trip videos, that was good , and what a day to go to the park.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 I asked about the eating for two reasons: * I really am curious if she stopped to eat! * I have never found anything truly remarkable (good or bad) to eat at Kings Dominion. In fact, in my opinion, the food there is as unremarkable, mediocre and over-priced as Six Flags Over Georgia was up until about four years ago.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violakat03 Posted May 29, 2009 Author Share Posted May 29, 2009 For the most part, I don't eat anything at parks. I usually will either leave the park and drive thru outside the park, or take a cooler and leave it in my car. The latter is what I did at KD on Wednesday (though I didn't really eat anything out of it since I spent 3 hours in the park - I just snacked on strawberries on the way home) and will do again tomorrow because I'm trying to save some money. I am vehemently opposed to spending outrageous prices to eat mediocre food that can usually be found outside the park within just a few minutes' drive. Holiday World has so far been the only park that has been able to attract me into eating there, with their low prices and good quality food. I do not eat in the park at Kings Island or Cedar Point either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhantomTheater Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 Your not the only one Kat, CF better realize soon that pass holders leaving the park to eat is not a good thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violakat03 Posted May 29, 2009 Author Share Posted May 29, 2009 ^ Exactly. I'd absolutely eat in the park if it were more reasonable prices, more like the equivalent of what you'd find outside the park, especially for the chain restaurants. If you were feeding a family of 4 at LaRosa's, you'd actually save money by leaving the park and paying the $10 parking fee again to go to an off-site LaRosa's! I have no problem at all buying merchandise in the park because things like t-shirts are very reasonably priced (I haven't paid over $18 for any of my shirts, and I tend to buy multiple shirts at every park I go to) but they'd make more money off me if I ate there too. I spent quite a bit of money at Holiday World. I bought a shirt and a handful of other souvenirs, two snacks, a full meal, and fudge. I don't even get snacks at Kings Island. I'm not paying $5 for a soft pretzel that I can get at the cafe in Sam's Club for under $1 or $6 for a funnel cake, but I definitely will pay $2 for a caramel apple, $2.50 for homemade fudge, and absolutely $2.50 for a funnel cake!! I will be buying funnel cakes (probably in multiples) every time I go to Holiday World! Speaking of every time I go to Holiday World - I'm making at least two more trips this summer, and I think next year I will be getting a season pass there. The only thing right now stopping me from going there more often is the cost of admission. Though the ACE discount is very good, a season pass still takes at least 3 visits to pay for itself and I wasn't sure I'd make it there at least three times this summer, but now I know that I'd make sure I got there enough time to make it pay for itself since it's such a great park. And they will make more money off of me with each trip than any Cedar Fair or Six Flags park will make this entire year from me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 And yet, with all this, the park and Cedar Fair are so blasely unaware of how their food and food pricing are perceived that they advertise "Come smell the funnel cakes!" I so badly want to yell to the radio "Smell is right: A. They cost so much, smell is all I can or will do AND B. They aren't made from scratch, like they ARE at so many other parks..." As I am thinking of this, I come back to reality with a jolt, as the announcer intones: Kings Island, Where Else? Where else, indeed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thunderbeast1968 Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 Hey guys, I a going to KD in early June, and thought about shooting over to BGW, Is there a twilight ticket? Also is there any places like Krogers, or any other stores/restaurants for discount tickets to KD. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks Thunderbeast1968. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HTCO Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 Kings Island, Where Else? When ever someone over the loud speaker says that, I yell... Cedar Point Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 Mr. Kinzel doesn't mind. He also wouldn't mind if you said Knott's Berry Farm, Kings Dominion, etc. Now were you to speak of locations that number their flags, movie theaters, swimming pools or DVD's.... It's a shame they don't seem to realize that "Kings Island, where else?" could also apply to guests at the park considering where to eat... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HTCO Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 Now, with the prices of food at KI/CP/KBF/ ect.. I would much rather take my nickles and dimes to a movie theater.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 In Mr. Kinzel's mind, people are at a theater or even a football stadium far less time, and thus higher prices can be charged at an amusement park, as people are far less likely to leave or eat before then go and then wait until after their visit to eat. I still don't understand why they don't offer substantial food and merchandise discounts to passholders. Then those infrequent guests will still help carry the load, while frequent visitors will buy more than they otherwise would, thus generating a higher over-all profit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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