Kings Dominion facts for kids
| Previously known as Paramount's Kings Dominion - 1993 to 2006 | |
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| Location | Doswell, Virginia, Virginia, United States |
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| Coordinates | 37°50′24″N 77°26′42″W / 37.840°N 77.445°W |
| Opened | May 3, 1975, 50 years ago |
| Owner | Cedar Fair |
| General manager | Tony Johnson |
| Slogan | Ride On! |
| Operating season | March-January |
| Area | 400 acres (1.6 km2) |
| Attractions | |
| Total | 59 |
| Roller coasters | 12 |
| Water rides | 2 |
| Website | kingsdominion.com |
Kings Dominion is an amusement park located in Doswell, Virginia, 20 miles (30 km) north of Richmond and 75 miles (120 km) south of Washington, D.C.. Owned and operated by Cedar Fair, the 400-acre (1.6 km2) park opened to the public on May 3, 1975, and features over 60 rides, shows and attractions including 12 roller coasters and a 20-acre (81,000 m2) water park. Its name is derived from the name of its sister park, Kings Island, and the nickname for the state of Virginia, "Old Dominion."
Contents
History
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Following the success of Kings Island in Mason, Ohio, northeast of Cincinnati, Family Leisure Centers decided to expand into a new region of the country by opening a second park. A 400-acre (1.6 km2) site was chosen in Doswell, Virginia, north of Richmond in the heart of the Mid-Atlantic, and construction began on October 1, 1972. The new park was designed with Kings Island in mind as the blueprint using similar themes, rides, and activities. Kings Dominion officially opened on May 3, 1975, offering fifteen attractions. Daily admission price in 1975 was $7.50, and a dollar for parking. A campground was completed in time for the 1978 season.
Kings Dominion continued its growth when it became part of Paramount Parks in 1993 and switched its name to Paramount's Kings Dominion. New attractions and areas of the park themed to Paramount's television shows and films appeared at Paramount's Kings Dominion almost every season that they were under Paramount's ownership.
On May 22, 2006, Cedar Fair Entertainment Co. announced that they were purchasing all five Paramount Parks. The sale was finalized on June 30, 2006 for $1.24 billion. The park continued to operate as Paramount's Kings Dominion until the beginning of the 2007 season when Paramount was dropped from the title.
Areas and attractions
International Street is the park's main entry area, featuring a 320-foot-long (98 m) fountain pool in the center of the walkway leading up to the 1/3 scale replica of the Eiffel Tower at the end of the street. The area is themed to a showcase of various European architectures, featuring shops and restaurants of different cultures. Originally, only the walkway and its shops were considered part of the International Street area; during the park's Paramount seasons, the boundaries of International Street expanded to include the Action Theater.
| Ride | Opening year | Manufacturer | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berserker | 1984 | Intamin | A Looping Starship ride. |
| Dominator | 2008 | Bolliger & Mabillard | A floorless roller coaster. Originally from Geauga Lake in Ohio. |
| Eiffel Tower | 1975 | Intamin | An approximately one-third scale replica of the Eiffel Tower in Paris at 315 feet (96 m) and 450 tons. There is an exact replica of this Eiffel Tower at Kings Island. |
| Grande Bandstand | 1975 | A performance stage beneath the Eiffel Tower. |
Old Virginia
Along with International Street, Old Virginia is the only original section of Kings Dominion that has kept its same name throughout the park's history. This area has a distinct old-fashioned country theme with colonial-themed props (including a replica of the Liberty Bell), music, and architecture. In the 1970s, Old Virginia had an Intamin Flying Dutchman flat ride called Jamestown Landing; behind it, Old Virginia had a steam train ride, Old Dominion Line, which ran through the woods in the back of the park. Jamestown Landing closed by 1980; the Old Dominion Line stayed until it closed in the 1990s.
| Ride | Opening year | Manufacturer | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Ridge Tollway | 1975 | Passenger-driven cars that ride along on a guide rail. | |
| Flying Eagles | 1975 | Bisch-Rocco | A Flying Scooters type ride. |
| Grizzly | 1982 | Curtis D. Summers/Taft Broadcasting | A wooden roller coaster similar to Wild Beast at Canada's Wonderland |
| Kings Dominion Theater | 1975 | A theater that currently houses Cirque Imagine. Originally named The Mason-Dixon Music Hall and later named The Paramount Theatre during the Paramount era. | |
| Shenandoah Lumber Company | 1975 | Arrow Development | A log flume ride. |
| Gran Prix Raceway | 1995 | R.E. Enterprises | Pay-per-ride Go-kart racing track. |
| White Water Canyon | 1983 | Intamin | A River rafting ride. |
Candy Apple Grove
Candy Apple Grove was known as Coney Island when the park first opened in 1975. It was renamed Candy Apple Grove in 1976. The area is Kings Dominion's largest section in the park, and in its early years, it featured an orchard theme that included three apple-themed rides: Apple Turnover, Bad Apple, and Adam's Apple. Much of the apple-related themes were removed over the years, and the area became known as simply The Grove when it merged with the former Wayne's World area in 2001.
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. The animatronic Singing Mushrooms, popular decades ago, was redeveloped with newer technology and placed back on display. Other features that made a return to the area include a fully restored floral clock near the Carousel, oversized candy apples, and the popular blue ice cream that existed in the park for decades. The westernmost corner of Candy Apple Grove, distinct from the rest of the area, is themed to the 1950s.
Some of the area's more notable rides include WindSeeker, a 301-foot-tall (92 m) swing ride that opened in 2012, and Delirium, a type of pendulum amusement ride that opened in place of stand-up roller coaster Shockwave in 2016. Candy Apple Grove's newest ride, steel coaster Twisted Timbers, opened in 2018 replacing Hurler and reusing some of the previous support structure. In addition to rides, the area features an arcade, carnival games, fast-food restaurants, and a gift shop.
| Ride | Opening year | Manufacturer | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Americana | 2009 | A ferris wheel that previously operated at Geauga Lake from 1999 until 2007. | |
| Apple Zapple | 2002 | Mack Rides | A wild mouse roller coaster. Named Ricochet from 2002 to 2017. |
| Bad Apple | 2002 | HUSS | HUSS Troika. Formerly known as Triple Spin from 2002 to 2013 |
| Carousel | 1975 | Philadelphia Toboggan Company | A historic 1917 wooden carousel, PTC #44. Originally from Roger Williams Park in Providence, Rhode Island. |
| Delirium | 2016 | Mondial | A 115-foot-tall (35 m) spinning pendulum flat ride. |
| Dodgem | 1975 | Bumper cars | |
| Drop Tower: Scream Zone | 2003 | Intamin | A Gyro drop tower. |
| Candy Apple Grove Stage | 2018 | Performance stage scheduled to host "Timbers Jam Band" show in 2018. | |
| Racer 75 | 1975 | Philadelphia Toboggan Company | A racing dual-tracked wooden roller coaster. Named Rebel Yell from 1975 to 2017. |
| Twisted Timbers | 2018 | Rocky Mountain Construction | A steel hybrid coaster; replaced Hurler which operated from 1994 to 2015. |
| Wave Swinger | 1975 | Zierer | A suspended swing ride that rotates with a wave motion lifting riders more than 30 feet (9.1 m) in the air. |
| WindSeeker | 2012 | Mondial | A tower swinger ride featuring two-person swings that slowly rotate and ascend the 301-foot (92 m) tower until reaching the top where speeds increase up to 30 miles per hour (48 km/h). |
| Xtreme Skyflyer | 1996 | Skycoaster | Pay-per-ride double skycoaster |
Safari Village
Safari Village (formerly named Congo) is Kings Dominion's easternmost and predominantly African-themed section. It was inspired by one of the park's original attractions, the Lion Country Safari. Containing a boat ride and a monorail train through a nature preserve, the safari attraction closed in the 1990s. The area is home to mostly African architecture and landscaping, with many rides and restaurants themed to African stories and geography.
| Ride | Opening year | Manufacturer | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anaconda | 1991 | Arrow Dynamics | A custom looping roller coaster. It was the first looping coaster to feature an underwater tunnel and the first coaster at Kings Dominion to feature more than one inversion. |
| Avalanche | 1988 | Mack Rides | A bobsled roller coaster that is the only Mack bobsled coaster currently operating in the United States. |
| Backlot Stunt Coaster | 2006 | Premier Rides | A family LIM-launched roller coaster based on the chase sequence of the 2003 remake of The Italian Job. Riders launch into a parking garage, dodge police cars, and are attacked by a helicopter, which ignites fire all around riders before hitting a second launch section, sending riders into pitch black darkness. Formerly known as The Italian Job: Turbo Coaster (2005–2007). |
| The Crypt | 2005 | HUSS | A suspended top spin with fire and water effects. Formerly known as Tomb Raider: Firefall (2005–2007). |
| Flight of Fear | 1996 | Premier Rides | A LIM-launched roller coaster prototype. Over-the-Shoulder harnesses were removed and replaced with lap bars in 2001. Formerly known as Outer Limits: Flight of Fear (1996–2000). |
| Intimidator 305 | 2010 | Intamin | A giga coaster that is one of the tallest in the world. The name is in reference to former NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, "The Intimidator", and the coaster's 305-foot (93 m) lift hill. |
| Scrambler | 2000 | Eli Bridge Company | A classic scrambler ride. Formerly called Witch Doctor. |
Planet Snoopy
The section originally opened as Nickelodeon Splat City in 1995, and was later renamed Nickelodeon Central in 2000. It was re-themed to the Peanuts for the 2010 season. In 2013, Cedar Fair merged the KidZville section of the park and introduced 12 new and re-themed attractions. Another expansion in 2017 updated the former Nickelodeon Central area of Planet Snoopy with three new attractions and a covered pavilion area.
| Attractions | Height Requirement | Opening Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boo Blasters on Boo Hill | Under 46" with adult | 2004 | An interactive dark ride by Sally Corporation; replaced Scooby Doo and the Haunted Mansion |
| Kite-Eating Tree | 36" or higher | 2017 | A mini drop tower. Opened in 2017 as one of three new Planet Snoopy rides. |
| Lucy's Crabbie Cabbies | Under 54" | 1975 | Children's bumper cars; formerly Boulder Bumpers |
| Flying Ace | Over 44" or with adult | 2000 | An Aviator swing ride from Chance Rides; formerly Nickelodeon Space Surfer |
| Great Pumpkin Coaster | 40" or with adult | 2007 | A 200-foot-long (61 m) children's coaster from E.F. Miler. Formerly Taxi Jam. |
| Joe Cool's Driving School | Between 40" and 60" | 2000 | A miniature turnpike ride, formerly Rugrats Toonpike; one third of the ride's layout was removed to make room for the 2017 expansion |
| Peanuts 500 | Over 42" or with adult | 2017 | A minitature whip ride from Zamperla; opened in 2017 |
| Peanuts Road Rally | Under 54" | 1990 | A rail-guided car ride across a pond. Formerly Fred's 4x4, Alleycat 500, and Road Rally |
| Sally's Sea Plane | Over 42" or with adult | 2017 | A Zamperla Crazy Bus ride; opened in 2017 |
| Snoopy vs. Red Baron | Between 36" and 54" | 1990 | A flat ride where miniature airplanes fly in a circle. Formally Snagglepuss’ Seaplanes, Dick Dastardly’s Airfield, and Red Baron |
| Peanuts Turnpike | Under 54" | 1978 | A rail-guided car ride. Formerly Top Cat's Turnpike and Junior Turnpike. |
| Woodstock Express | Over 46" or with adult | 1974 | A small wooden roller coaster. Formerly named Scooby Doo (1974–1996), Scooby Doo's Ghoster Coaster (1997–2009), and Ghoster Coaster (2010–2012). Opened a year before the rest of the park. |
| Flying Ace Balloon Race | Over 42" or with adult | 2013 | A an aerial teacups ride from Zamperla. |
| Snoopy's Rocket Express | At least 36". Between 36" and 42" with adult | 2013 | A slow-moving monorail ride over the area from Zamperla. |
| Linus Launcher | 42" | 2013 | A circular flat ride on which riders lay face down and swing in a circle. Built by Zamperla. |
| Charlie Brown's Wind Up | Over 42" or with adult | 2013 | A small-scale swing ride from Zamperla. |
| Lucy's Tugboat | Over 42" or with adult | 2013 | A rock-n-tug ride from Zamperla. |
| Snoopy's Junction | Over 36" or with adult | 2013 | A train ride built by Zamperla. |
| Snoopy's Space Buggies | Over 36" or with adult | 2013 | A circular flat ride on which vehicles attached to a central console bounce up and down. Built by Zamperla. |
| Woodstock Whirlybirds | Over 42" or with adult | 2013 | A teacups ride from Zamperla. |
Soak City
Soak City, formerly known as WaterWorks, is Kings Dominion's water park. It opened in 1992 as Hurricane Reef and is included with admission to Kings Dominion. In 2015, the water park was expanded and re-branded as Soak City.
Fast Lane
Fast Lane is Kings Dominion's virtual queue system. For $60, visitors get a wrist band that enables them to get to the front of the line on 15 of the most popular attractions without queueing.
Halloween Haunt
Halloween Haunt is an annual Halloween event at Kings Dominion. It debuted in 2001 as FearFest, but was renamed Halloween Haunt in 2007 to match other Cedar Fair parks. In 2017, Kings Dominion's Halloween Haunt was voted the second best theme park Halloween event by USA Today.
Attractions
| Attraction | Type | Opened |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaver Brothers Carnival | Scare zone | 2012 |
| Blackout | Maze | 2016 |
| Blood on the Bayou | Maze | 2017 |
| CornStalkers | Maze | 2011 |
| IronWorX | Scare zone | 2010 |
| Necropolis | Scare zone | 2010 |
| No Vacancy: Condemned | Maze | 2018 |
| Trick Or Treat | Maze | 2016 |
| The Lair | Scare zone | 2011 |
| Zombie High | Maze | 2013 |
| Lockdown | Maze | 2015 |
| Tollway Terror | Maze | 2015 |
| The Yard | Scare zone | 2018 |
Images for kids
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The park entrance as seen from the observation deck of the replica Eiffel Tower
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The replica Eiffel Tower at Kings Dominion
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The Paramount Theatre (Now known as "Kings Dominion Theater")
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Overview of Volcano, The Blast Coaster and Flight of Fear in the background
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Dominator, a Bolliger & Mabillard floorless roller coaster formerly located at Geauga Lake, opened in 2008 in International Street. Dominator is the longest floorless roller coaster in the world
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Grizzly
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Original Kings Dominion logo used from 1975 to 1992; sometimes used in-park since 2014
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Paramount's Kings Dominion Logo used from 1993 to 2003
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Paramount's Kings Dominion logo from 2003 to 2006
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Logo used briefly in 2007 after the switch from Paramount Parks
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See also
In Spanish: Kings Dominion para niños
