We learned an important thing in 2015: You like photographs of proms. "[49] Initially, the area was part of one of the park's original attractions, Lion Country Safari, which contained a monorail train through a nature preserve until its closure in the 1990s. It was the first looping coaster to feature an underwater tunnel and the first coaster at Kings Dominion to feature more than one inversion. With more than 60 rides, shows, attractions, a kids area, and a waterpark, Kings Dominion has AMAZING fun for everyone. The section originally opened as Nickelodeon Splat City in 1995, and was later renamed Nickelodeon Central in 2000. The following year, in 2005, Tomb Raider:The Ride (now The Crypt) was added. The nations oldest operating stand-up coaster will carry its last passengers on Aug. 9, the Hanover County theme park announced Thursday morning. I might be mistaken, but wasn't Time Shaft located in the small mountain between the main Volcano mountain and Mt. I like to imagine it's down there, just as it was on it's last day of operation. and a rotor called Time Shaft. King Kobra was removed at the end of the season. The theme park opened days late. For the 2014 season, Kings Dominion commemorated the 40th anniversary of Lion Country Safari and the preview-opening of Kings Dominion by returning park icons from past eras. [11][12] This law, known as the Kings Dominion Law after the amusement park, stayed in force until 2019. Fast Lane is Kings Dominion's virtual queue system. The next year, the park installed a monorail that guests used instead of driving their cars among the several hundred animals, which included lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes and other jungle dwellers. Time Shaft, a rotor flat ride pinning guests with centrifugal . The ride, which is themed to NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, was announced on August 20, 2009, and represents the park's largest-ever capital investment. For the 2018 season, Kings Dominion opened Twisted Timbers on March 24, 2018, three years after Hurler operated for the last time, converting the track from wood to steel. [citation needed], As part of Kings Dominion's 40th-anniversary celebration in 2014, The Grove was restored to its original orchard theme, and the name was changed back to Candy Apple Grove. [25] The sale was finalized on June 30, 2006 for $1.24 billion. The Time Shaft spun approximately 40 to 50 revolutions per minute and once the revolutions reached 100 per minute the floor dropped down about six inches - just enough to scare your pants off! It was renamed Candy Apple Grove in 1976. Formally. DOSWELL, Va. -- After more than 20 years of erupting in Doswell, Kings Dominion has decided to remove Volcano: The Blast Coaster. Unlike the previously built launched coasters at Kings Dominion, each of which was faster than its predecessor, the Italian Job Turbo Coaster is designed more like a family ride and features multiple launches at 40 miles per hour (64km/h). The park added its third launched roller coaster, Hypersonic XLC, in 2001. The King Kobra featured a 50-ton counterweight drop launch and was the park's first launched roller coaster. The Rotor is a large, upright barrel, rotated to create an inward acting centripetal force supplied by the wall's support's force. Soak City, formerly known as WaterWorks, is Kings Dominion's water park. It didn't take long for King Dominion to be recognized as the perfect family destination location in the Mid-Atlantic region. By the end of the decade, in just five short years, Kings Dominion had established itself as a destination place for families seeking fun, thrills and adventure. I'm Not Amused", "Cedar Fair, L.P. To Acquire Paramount Parks", "Cedar Fair, L.P. Completes Acquisition of the Paramount Parks", "Kings Dominion: Virginia's Premier Themed Amusement Park", Kings Dominion | Virginia's Premier Themed Amusement Park (Richmond), "Kings Dominion Announces Two New Rides for 2009", "Welcome to Virginia's Premier Themed Amusement Park | Kings Dominion", "Kings Dominion to roll out two attractions for coming year", "Kings Dominion announces expansion of Planet Snoopy", "Kings Dominion rebrands expanded water park as Soak City", "Kings Dominion eliminating Shockwave roller coaster", "Kings Dominion Is Renovating and Expanding Soak City for 2020", "Kings Dominion Reopening in 2020 with New Limited-Capacity Event, Kings Dominion's Taste of the Season! Also new was The Showplace, a 7,500-seat, outdoor concert venue. The coaster was later be renamed the Backlot Stunt Coaster in 2008. It debuted in 2001 as FearFest,[56] but following Cedar Fair's acquisition of the park, the event was renamed Halloween Haunt in 2007. On the business side, KECO reorganized so that the company owned and managed Kings Dominion, Carowinds, as well as the entertainment and design division, Kings Productions. The attraction is the park's second linear induction launch-style roller coaster, joining Flight of Fear. Kings Dominion opened in 1975 and is currently owned by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company who purchased Paramount Parks from CBS Corporation on June 30, 2006. [58], In 2013, Halloween Haunt featured a walk-through maze called Miner's Revenge. Also new is "Dominion at Dusk" featuring Snoopy's Starlight Spectacular, a new live show and fireworks on all 10pm closes. Over the next two seasons, Kings Dominion added three new attractions starting with a thrilling steel roller coaster, Dominator. rwk9024 Feb 9, . In May 1975, Gov. 19751983: Adam's Apple/Vertigo (Himalaya ride), 19751995: Old Dominion Line (steam train), 19751995: Sky Ride (two entrances, one next to the Racer 75 and one in (Planet Snoopy)Hanna-Barbera Land; one entrance still stands), 19752011: Yogi's Cave (renamed and rethemed later, did not open in 2012 and was demolished after the season was over, replaced by Snoopy's Junction), 19761993: Apple Turnover (Enterprise ride next to Lake Charles), 19791980: Lost World Mountain: Journey to Atlantis (replaced by Haunted River), 19791995: Lost World Mountain: The Time Shaft, 19791983: Lost World Mountain: Journey to the Land of Dooz, 19801995: Lost World Mountain: The Haunted River, 19852002: Diamond Falls (shoot the chute) (located where Backlot Stunt Coaster sits), 19861996: Fred's Jungle Gym (children's play area), 19871996: Racing Rivers (waterslide complex), 19891998: Sky Pilot (Located near Racer 75 in Candy Apple Grove), 19922004: Kiddie Cove (children's area of WaterWorks(Soak City)), 19922007: Spiral Chute (two, body waterslides next to the Anaconda roller coaster), 19922014: Shoot-The-Curl (water slide, demolished to make room for a food stand), 19952012: Snoopy's Splash Dance (formerly Nickelodeon Green Slime Zone), 19972012: KidZville (This section became part of Planet Snoopy in 2013. Today, the park offers more than 60 rides, shows and attractions as well as a water park. The Rebel Yell and Ricochet coasters were renamed Racer 75 and Apple Zapple, respectively. Kings Dominion is an amusement park located in Doswell, Virginia, USA. In May 1979, the Lost World mountain opened at the Kings Dominion theme park in Doswell. Standing 305 feet at its highest point, riders race down a 300-foot first drop and through high-speed twists and turns at speeds over 90 miles per hour. The upgraded section of the park, Jungle X-Pedition, is themed to an archeological research facility and dig site. Celebrate cultures from across the world during our immersive international celebration, Grand Carnivale. It was located in the mountain that is now home to Volcano, the Blast Coaster. Kings Dominion celebrated its 40th year in operation in 2015. Planet Snoopy at Kings Dominion will feature 8 new rides (18 total), a newly expanded 1,100 square-foot Family Care Center, daily meet-and-greet opportunities with the PEANUTS characters, the Richmond-based self-serve frozen yogurt shop SweetFrog and more. It was standing room only this year, as Shockwave was introduced as the first stand-up roller coaster on the East Coast. Home Parks Kings Dominion Attractions Basic data. This attraction also appeared at Kings Island, Dorney Park, Cedar Point, and Canada's Wonderland. 5.9K views, 187 likes, 12 loves, 11 comments, 40 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from KD Golden Years: 38 years ago, Kings Dominion's "Time Shaft" of The Lost World made its debut. Hypersonic XLC, a Thrust Air 2000 air-launched coaster made by S&S Power, launched riders from 0 to 80 miles per hour (130km/h) in 1.5 seconds, taking them up an 87-degree incline and down an 87-degree drop. For the full story, one must go back in time almost twenty years from that fateful August day at the end of the millennium - back to the year 1979. . Jungle X-Pedition is set in the deep jungle, where explorers can visit base camp for a bite to eat the Outpost Caf and gear up at X-Plorer's Supplies. The focus is on families this year with the addition of two new rides, El Dorado and the Americana Ferris Wheel. Make Kings Dominion your own interactive, state-of-the-art classroom(and the ultimate playground for after class). It took nearly two years to build the park. This new steel roller coaster sends riders screaming through six loops and is the first roller coaster in the world to feature and underwater tunnel. - Kings Dominion", "Cedar Fair Updates Its Calendar for 2020 Park Operations", "California's Great America, Carowinds, and other Cedar Fair parks to remain closed for 2020; Others closing early", "Kings Dominion to open in December on limited days for new holiday-themed event", "Kings Dominion Announces Tumbili Free Spin, Jungle X-Pedition Retheme to Safari Village", "Kings Dominion of 2022 New Roller Coaster Tumbili", "Kings Dominion to Introduce $25 Million Steel Giga-Coaster In 2010", "Screams of Fright to Fill October Nights at Kings Dominion", "Best Theme Park Halloween Event Winners (2017) | USA TODAY 10Best", "Kings Dominion Amusement Park | Coronavirus Update", "Miners' deaths aren't a theme-park thrill", "Theme Park Called 'Insensitive' For 'Miner's Revenge' Attraction", "Wave goodbye to Big Wave Bay We're making waves for something new. New lighting packages were added to the International Street fountains and Rebel Yell. The ride features a cable lift hill, an 85 first drop and a maximum speed of 90mph (140km/h). A rail-guided car ride across a pond. [29], The 2008 and 2009 seasons saw Kings Dominion receive three rides that had operated at Geauga Lake during its dry amusement park's final season. More than 1.5 million visitors would follow during Kings Dominion's first season. Also that year, Smurf Mountain replaced the mine ride Land of the Dooz, transforming the Lost World into The Smurfs theme. [34] Another expansion in 2017 updated the former Nickelodeon Central area of Planet Snoopy with three new attractions and a covered pavilion area. You can cancel at any time. Get full ticket information. He added, "At Kings Dominion, the suggestion of living miners left to die is meant to inject some enjoyable dramatic tension". At the end of your wait for the Volcano, look up towards the mountain and you'll see a rusted broken track infused in the side of the mountain. Unforgettable adventures await at Kings Dominion, home to some of the best things to do around Richmond, Virginia. But if you want thrill rides, it's your place. Diamond Falls, the Shoot the Chute ride closed that season. For over 40 years, Kings Dominion has been thrilling guests of all ages. 2013: Planet Snoopy 7-acre (2.8ha) expansion and merges with KidZville; 2014: 40th Anniversary celebration; International Street fountain restored, Candy Apple Grove and Safari Village return; Volcano: The Blast Coaster and Anaconda retrofitted. This 10-inch ostrich will grow to 8 feet and weight more than 300 pounds when it reaches maturity in three to four years. The Paramount Theater also changed its name to Kings Dominion Theater. In 2014, the area's name reverted to Safari Village to commemorate the park's 40th anniversary. 2022: Tumbili coaster replaces The Crypt. Park visitors enjoyed five magical lands -- International Street, Old Virginia, ConeyIsland, The Happy Land of Hanna-Barbera and Lion Country Safari, which opened as a preview to Kings Dominion in 1974. [5] In addition, Kings Dominion's 1/3-scale replica of the Eiffel Tower and the International Street Fountain greet visitors near the main entrance to the park. Kings Dominion was also active in political lobbying. The idea for a family amusement parknorth of Richmond, VA and south of Washington, D.C., began as a dream in 1971. The Hurler, the park's fourth wooden roller coaster, highlighted the new attractions in thisarea of Kings Dominion. Busch Gardens & Kings Dominion aren't far away, It's the last weekend for Kings Dominion's Shockwave roller coaster, Kings Dominion opening part of park with free admission for one day during bike race, Kings Dominion starting work on Delirium thrill ride, A look back at Kings Dominion's opening day in 1975. Coconut Shores within Soak City offers a mini-wave pool, 45-foot multi-level play structure, and unique dining. In 2014, Kings Dominion began celebrating its 40th Anniversary with the return of some favorites from the past. The ride was first demonstrated at Oktoberfest 1949 and still appears in numerous amusement parks. The 2014 season also saw the return of the iconic floral clock, the popular clown band, and the renaming of Johnny's and Trail's End Grill restaurants to the original names, Dinner Bell and Hungry Hippo, respectively. Avalanche renamed Reptilian and Scrambler renamed Arachnidia. Top 5 Reasons to Buy a Kings Dominion 2023 Silver Pass. Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the area has a vintage, rustic theme marked by its wooded architecture and country-style decor. A fun new area opened this year with the addition of Wayne's World. The King Kobra roller coaster was the new attraction this year, featuring a 75-foot drop. Kids can experience AMAZING fall fun at The Great Pumpkin Fest and as the park descends into darkness, fear rises as hundreds of monsters take over the park at Halloween Haunt. In 2013, Kings Dominion unveiled the bigger, better Planet Snoopy, the world's largest PEANUTS-themed children's area, featuring 8 new rides (18 total), a fresh market and more. Kings Dominion is an amusement park located in Doswell, Virginia, 20 miles (30km) north of Richmond and 75 miles (120km) south of Washington, D.C. Kings Dominion introduces the world's first linear induction launch-style roller coaster with Outer Limits:Flight of Fear. There seems to be ALOT of mountain left behind the trees. [38] In January 2020, the park also announced the removal of The Crypt to make room for future development in the Safari Village section of the park. More Days, More Fun - now open year-round. History The ride opened on May 26, 1979 along with Journey to the Land of Dooz and Voyage to Atlantis as part of the new The Lost World themed area. 1) Great Pumpkin Coaster. On October 15, 2016, Kings Dominion announced that the Hurler wooden coaster would be permanently closed.[37]. It's Here! They also returned the Rebel Yell roller coaster to its original red and blue colors. New attractions included the Taxi Jam roller coaster. [11] They thought that if students were not able to attend school in August, then more families would spend money at Kings Dominion, and more teenagers would be able to provide a low-cost workforce to the amusement park. Three new attractions are added in WaterWorks:Tidal Wave Bay, Tornado and Zoom Flume. 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