First Kings Dominion Trip

[catzdrummer09]

So, I'm taking my girlfriend to Virginia Beach/Kings Dominion from 6/11 to 6/15 as an Ohio University graduation gift. We will be there all day on the 14th, which is a Thursday so I'm hoping the crowds will be light. Does anyone have any recommendations/advice on the best way to enjoy the park? Neither of us have been. Also, what would be a decent hotel on the cheap in the area?

[PhantomTheater]

Avoid the hotel in the parking lot at all cost, it is very disgusting.

[thunderbeast1968]

Drive a short distance to find a hotel, at least 30 mins. away. I have not been to KD for a few years, but it is a fun trip. I went the first week of June and did not have any problem with crowds, as long as it's a weekday. First off, the coasters. I liked most of them. The Hurler is a ok coaster, it is just a rough one. I love Dominator (Geauga Lake relocate) Great floorless. I really enjoyed Volcano, and Avalanche (Mack Bobsled model) Non coaster rides, try the great version of a Huss Top-Spin. Bezerker, which is a inverter ship.

Grizzly is a good wooden coaster that thrills. Intimidator was in the parking lot (at the time) Trucks dropping off pieces for the two days that I was there.

It should be an all around great new experience. BTW-If you are going to Virginia Beach, stop by Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, It is one of the nicest, themed park that I have ever been to. Most of all have fun and travel safe.

[gad198]

Seconded on the Busch Gardens recommendation, particularly with Verbolten now open.

You didn't mention if you already have admission tickets. If you don't then I'd strongly recommend the Henrico County Recreation & Parks link below for discount tickets. They sell both KD and Busch Gardens tickets. I've used them before for Busch Gardens tickets and you won't find them cheaper. They're only open during the week during normal business hours but that looks like it'll work well for you:

http://www.co.henrico.va.us/rec/theme-park-tickets.html

When in Richmond I always stay at the Econo Lodge on Brook Rd. That location is just south of I-295 and usually runs around $60 a night (and even cheaper if you have AAA membership). I've stayed there on five separate visits to that area and have had good stays there each time. It's pretty no-frills but it's one of the nicer Econo Lodges I've stayed in.

Regarding KD, just make sure that you hit Volcano first. Other than that, have a great time and post a trip report upon your return!

[bkroz]

I'm always astounded by Kings Dominion. Their International Street area is, to me, ten times above ours. It has much of the detail you expect from Disney - well-kept upper balconies, lanterns in windows, beautiful signs, textured walls, crawling ivy along most facades...

It's true of the whole park that the enormous, towering trees are almost indescribably beautiful and may make you feel like you're in Kings Island of 100 years from now where the forest has begun to take over.

Their Congo area is without a doubt the best themed area I've encountered at any Cedar Fair / Paramount Park and the area is truly electric at night: torches, the water and flames of The Crypt, the fire from Volcano, and the soundtrack to the film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (really!). Instead of Rivertown, they have Old Virginia (which is much better at conveying the forested feel) and they replace Coney Mall with The Grove. The layouts of the park are oddly similar and yet oddly different.

I wouldn't skip even the rides that are duplicates / sisters of Ohio rides: you'll find differences in Backlot Stunt Coaster, Flight of Fear, Drop Zone, Vortex/Anaconda, Rebel Yell/Racer, Boo Blasters, etc. and will almost certainly prefer one over the other in all cases.

One thing I like to look for: The Trails End Grille in the Congo is the exact same shape as the Stunt Crew Grill in our Action Zone, harkening to the fact that our Action Zone used to have a similar safari / jungle theme. I never recognized just how "jungley" Stunt Crew Grill would look with thatched roofs until I saw Trails End Grille.

Advice to stop at Busch Gardens is right. That park will teach you a tremendous lesson about "quality over quantity." I'd sooner ride any one of their five adult coasters over all fourteen of Kings Dominion's any day of the week. Their dark ride, Curse of DarKastle, is also astounding, and it's the most beautiful theme park I've ever been to.