Snowman Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Snow woman and I are planning a trip to KD this spring. I was wondering if anyone who has been there might be willing to share their thoughts, advice, or feelings about KD and the Richmond area. Like how does KD compare to KI? (other than one is a Dominion and the other is an Island) Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
74Gibson Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I've been once (2 days) and had a blast. Liked the atmosphere and didn;t really have complaints, though they were not prepared for opening day. Dominator opens early and is a great start to the day. Volcano is a must and is known for having a long line all day. I rode front and totally understand why Terpy puts in in it's own class. I've heard many people advise to start at Dominator and get to Volcano when it opens. I adore i305 rode it 20+ in a day. Apparently it usually has a pretty short line so no worries there. Grizzly was closed. Hurler was fun but noting special in my book. Anaconda wasn't worth the credit and was a real headbanger. Wasn't really impressed with their Crypt but the themeing was great. Didn't do their Flight of Fear or BLSC because I had so much fun on i305 and Dominator I didn't feel like riding them. Oh, I;'ve hateed every wild mouse I've been on but loved their. Re-rode it several times. Glad to hear your going. You'll have a blast! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhantomTheater Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Do not stay at the Best Western in the parking lot, it was one of the worst hotel experiences I have ever had. The park is lovely though, it has many trees and the arch tunnel still. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browntggrr Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Like how does KD compare to KI? (other than one is a Dominion and the other is an Island) One is in VA & the other in OH...... My first trip to KD was terrible, I don't know if we were just in bad moods, or expected a similar experience to KI, but we actually left early. We were happy BGW was close by- opening year for AC too! We did go again, and had a better experience. Volcano is a must, and does typically have the longest line. You should have no problem getting on the major rides at least once. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gad198 Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Just wanted to comment on some of the food options in Richmond if you're interested... Helen's - I've eaten here on two separate occasions and it has been fabulous each time. Their menu changes seasonally. They use locally sourced ingredients where possible so that's an added bonus. If you are heading down before May 1 there's a Groupon available also. See the link below: http://www.groupon.com/deals/helen-s-restaurant?pt=aUOxjqTAAAACdPS83hEipleNJu-CfQ6D4 Deluca Gelato - Every time I'm in Richmond I bring a cooler with dry ice so I can bring some back to Cincinnati. I'm a big gelato fan and the stuff here is absolutely fabulous; some of the best in the country. http://www.delucagelato.com Montana Gold Bread Co. - Some of the best cinnamon rolls anywhere. I'm not a big breakfast fan but I always manage to make my way here during trips. http://www.montanagoldbread.com 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonofBaconator Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I'd say skip Flight of Fear. My aunt lives in Maryland and she went there for two days. She said it was same throughout international street but got really strange when she went beyond that section. She said she liked KI's layout a whole lot better but that's just her opinion. I'd say also ride shock wave. I know it hurts but it's probably one of the older standup coasters left unless you want to go to CW. What ever you do, have fun! (Take lots of pics) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I'd NOT skip Flight of Fear. It often doesn't even slow down on the midcourse brake, though this can vary from season to season and sometimes even day to day. My favorite ride in the park is Volcano: The Blast Coaster. Very fun, with incredible hangtime. Don't miss Avalanche, it's a rare Mack bobsled ride, a great deal of fun in the front. And note the many differences in the Royal Fountain, compared to the one at Kings Island. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersRZ Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 And isn`t the Best Western in Kings Dominion`s parking lot owned by Cedar Fair? I could be wrong, but I seem to recall coming across that information at some point. I may actually be returning to Kings Dominion this spring. I last was there in 2000, so its been a while since my last visit. I also plan to hit up BGW too, and I`ve never been there. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCrypt Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 No trip to Kings Dominion is complete without a ride on Dominator, Volcano, I305, Blue Ridge Tollway, Flying Eagles, Triple Spin, Shockwave, and The Crypt. The Crypt has the best theming of any Top Spin named The Crypt IMO. Oh and Berserker is more painful than it is fun. You should definitely skip it. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mccarthysnerd Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 If anything, Make sure you ride Dominator, Its one great coaster. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDMC01 Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I don't know how much help I'll be as I didn't ride much the one time I went. That being said, I do remember enjoying Volcano, Anaconda and Avalanche. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VortexBFForever Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 I was at KD this past spring, in 2012. -Anaconda, actually, can be a very fun ride. Just make sure you relax and stay open-minded during the ride - it really helps lessen the chance of a so-called "headache." (the ride is going on 22 years old this year; so, out of common sense, you should expect it to be "bumpy." ) If you want some Arrow ejector air, ride in the last car. You'll literally be whipped over the top of the first hill - it's an awesome feeling! -Shockwave has incredible ejector air on every single hilltop and good-feeling positive G-forces in the loop. (In my opinion, I actually like it better than Mantis @ CP) -FoF is very similar to KI's. A fun ride it is, indeed. -I305 has A LOT of positive Gs on the turn at the bottom of the first drop. Relax and try not to gray out! -Volcano has incredible hangtime (as Terp said) in it's three in-line twists. The launch out of the volcano is really fun! Another note: Quite a few of the rides had fairly long dispatch times (about 5 minutes) when I was there last year, on April 10, 2012 (only its fifth operating day of the season...). Try not to be surprised if you discover that that is the case when you go. Hope this advice helps! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 And, I'll say it. If you get even the slightest chance, head over Williamsburg way, too. One of the best parks in the business, incredible landscaping, theming, beauty and shows. And Colonial Williamsburg, too. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhantomTheater Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 ^BGW also has some of the best food as well. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudecoasterman Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 Take a look at the posts in a similar topic that I started in July of last year. http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php?/topic/25914-kings-dominion-tips/ . Kings Dominion is so far my favorite park and home to several of my favorite rides including my #1 I-305. Also check out my trip report about the trip for some more information.http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php?/topic/26108-kings-dominion-trip-report/ 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thunderbeast1968 Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 I enjoyed Kings Dominion. I stayed at a hotel across the street (I think behind Burger King) It was fairly new and OK. Do ride Volcano, Dominator, Grizzly, and Avalanche. Flat rides, kinda liked Berzerker (inverter ship) and Tomb Raider. This version is how I imagined how KI's should be more like. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCrypt Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 And, I'll say it. If you get even the slightest chance, head over Williamsburg way, too One of the best parks in the business, incredible landscaping, theming, beauty and shows. And Colonial Williamsburg, too. I second Terp. Busch Gardens Williamsburg is a fantastic park with a great collection of rides, not to mention the fantastic landscaping, theming...pretty much what The Interpreter said. Snowman, take lots of pictures and tell us about your experiences! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thunderbeast1968 Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 I went in the first week of June. Try Tues, Wed, or Thurs. We went on a Tues, Wed. Went to the back of the park on day two, hopefully to get an early ride on Volcano. It and other rides towards the back of the park didn't open until 11:00. Volcano, BLSC and Flight of Fear. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creed Bratton Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 If you are thinking of going opening weekend, don't. I went two years ago and I swear nothing in the park was really ready to operate. Most coasters only had 1 train op, with BLSC being the one that had it the worst.I liked and didn't like the park at the same time. It felt weird since KI is my home park, but some of the rides were a little bit better. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedarPointer Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 KD really likes one train op. They won't run a second unless there's a line. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creed Bratton Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 There were lines for sure. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted January 9, 2013 Author Share Posted January 9, 2013 Snow woman and I have been to BGW and loved every part of it. The food, atmosphere, and rides were wonderful. Got to ride Big Bad Wolf, (will muchly miss) have read about a new coaster there. We couldn't afford to hit KD on that trip seven years ago. I don't know if we'll have time to go to both parks this trip, and we want to give the KD coasters and rides the time they sound like they deserve. Thanks for all the posts, we're reading every update. Any thoughts about Richmond as a place to stay and eat? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 Take a look at the posts in a similar topic that I started in July of last year. http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php? /topic/25914-kings-dominion-tips/ . Kings Dominion is so far my favorite park and home to several of my favorite rides including my #1 I-305. Also check out my trip report about the trip for some more information.http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php?/topic/26108-kings-dominion-trip- report/ Some excellent food advice in that thread! Terp, trying to help. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAHill Posted January 11, 2013 Share Posted January 11, 2013 The Burger King across the street is great. 10/10. Would visit again. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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