Kings Dominion
On Tuesday, June 19 ACE Coaster Con 41 moved to Kings Dominion in Doswell, VA, beginning our trek to return to the roots of ACE. It was here at an event to publicize the 1977 movie Roller Coaster that ACE founders Roy Brashears, Paul Greenwald and Richard Munch would meet and come up with the idea that would become ACE. At that time the park had 4 coasters, 2 of which are gone including Galaxi (S.D.C., Zyklon / Galaxi, 1975-1983) moved to Myrtle Beach Pavilion as Galaxi and now defunct, and King Kobra (Schwarzkopf, Shuttle Loop, 1977-1986), after several relocations now operating at Hopi Hari as Katapul. Kings Dominion has grown and changed much in the ensuing years, but still retains much of its original charm. The most picturesque section is the Old Virginia section which has lots of trees and quite a bit of character. International Street is well themed and very similar to Kings Island. Safari Village has some good theming as well. Candy Apple Grove looks like a traditional American theme park midway, no doubt patterned after Coney Island in Cincinnati. We spent two days at the park including four ERT sessions. I will present this by themed section.
International Street
With architecture representing different countries and an Eifel Tower at the end of the street, this entrance section has a true international flair. It looks much like its counterparts at the other two Taft built parks, Kings Island and Canada’s Wonderland.
Dominator: (Bollinger & Mabillard, Floorless, 2000, 2008) I first rode this coaster as Batman Knight Flight at Six Flags Worlds of Adventure (later Dominator at Geauga Lake). This is a good coaster – 3 rides during ERT.
Eiffel Tower: I always enjoy observation towers at parks because it lets you get really great views of the park – 1 ride.
Berserker: This looping ship is thrilling and brings back good memories of Looping Starship at SFOG – 1 ride.
Safari Village
This section, for a while known as Congo, has returned to its original theming as it was connected to the park’s original attached, now long since defunct, Lion Country Safari.
Intimidator 305: (Intamin AG, Giga Coaster, 2010) While this is a great coaster, it does not rank as high to me as many hypers or gigas as its extreme intensity is bit much. I still enjoyed my rides, but I have to limit them – 5 rides, 3 during ERT.
Avalanche: (Mack, Bobsled, 1988) The only Mack Bobsled in North America, it gives a very good ride. Like Intamin bobsleds, this is a fun ride that I enjoy riding over and over – 8 rides during ERT.
Flight of Fear: (Premier, Enclosed LIM Looper, 1996) Like its sister at KI, and outdoor versions at SFA and SFFT, it gives a great ride – 2 rides, 1 during ERT.
Anaconda: (Arrow, Looper, 1991) This coaster has one place that is very rough, but otherwise it gives a good ride. I like the tunnel under the water – 1 ride.
Backlot Stunt Coaster: (Premier, LIM Coaster, 2006) This gives a very good ride although some of the special effects no longer work – 1 ride.
Scrambler: Good ride – 1 ride.
I did not ride The Crypt, an outdoor highly themed Top Spin over water, as I decided not to spin that much. Unfortunately Volcano, the Blast Coaster (Intamin AG, suspended catapult coaster, 1998) was down during our visit as it has been most of this season, awaiting a part or perhaps more. This was a shame as I had looked forward to a good many rides on it as it is my favorite ride in the park. It is such a great ride: the launch is immediate and flying out through the volcano is a great effect. It doesn’t let up after that, providing a well-paced ride that interacts with the volcano structure which was originally used for several other rides. The theming is very well done. I hope they get it operating again soon as I look forward to many future rides on it. [Unfortunately it was later announced it would not reopen and has since been torn down.]
Richard and I had a good meal at Outer Hanks Wednesday while David and Vanessa were at a regional rep meeting.
Candy Apple Grove
This iconic American midway look has returned to its origins recently after being known as just The Grove for many years. We enjoyed the Singing Mushrooms, and all of the apple theming is nice.
Twisted Timbers: (Rocky Mountain Construction, Steel Hybrid, 2018) This is a renovation of Hurler (International Coasters, Inc., Wood Twister, 1994-2017) that just opened this year. Although I always hate to lose wood coasters, like most such conversions this was an improvement over what was at best a mediocre wood coaster. It is now quite thrilling with some great elements. My only complaint is that the airtime is so extreme that it can be really hard on the thighs against the restraints, particularly near the front, but it is still a very good ride. The apple orchard theming is great and fits in with this section nicely. We were hoping for more rides in ERT Wednesday night, but the rain had other plans – 4 rides during ERT.
Racer 75: (PTC – John Allen, Wood Racing Coaster, 1975) Formerly named Rebel Yell, this was the coaster used for the marathon from which the idea to form ACE would come. They have done a good bit of work on this and it was running great. Still, I couldn’t imagine riding it for 50 hours straight as Richard Munch did in 1978, let alone for 101 hours as the three guys who won the marathon did. Of course the coaster was much newer then and they were all much younger then than I am now! – 2 rides, 1 on each side.
Apple Zapple: (Mack, Wild Mouse, 2002) Formerly Ricochet, this model has the lift hill extended out from the ride and a large drop and return before the hairpin turns. It gives a good ride – 1 ride.
Drop Tower: This has a 300 foot drop and is very thrilling. The rotation and tilting of Acrophobia are better to me than the added height, but I prefer these seats – 2 rides.
Dodgem Bumper Cars – These gave a pretty good ride – 2 rides.
Carousel: (PTC # 44, Classic Wood Carousel, 4 Row (50 Jumping Horses, 16 Standing Horses, 2 chariots), 1917) Riverside Park, Springfield, MA, (1917-1938); Roger Williams Park, Providence, RI, (1938-1973); Kings Dominion, Doswell, VA, (1973-present). This classic antique carousel is well restored and gives a good ride – 2 rides.
Delirium: This is a great addition to the park – 1 ride.
Windseeker: This gives good views – 1 ride.
Wave Swinger: Good ride – 1 ride.
Bad Apple: Formerly Triple Spin, Troikas are always fun – 1 ride during ERT.
Americana: This Ferris Wheel from Geauga Lake gives great views – 1 ride.
I did not ride Xtreme Sky Flyer, an additional charge Skycoaster. We had dinner the first night at The Mac Bowl where you could add whatever toppings you wanted to a bowl of macaroni and cheese, a neat idea, which was very good. Notable rides that have been removed from this section include Shockwave (Togo, Stand Up Coaster, 1986-2015), HyperSonic XLC (S&S, Thrust Air Coaster, 2001-2007), which I unfortunately never got to ride, and El Dorado, a nicely themed Rainbow style ride from Geauga Lake.
Old Virginia
This picturesque section is beautiful with its lush trees, and evokes the feel of the Old Dominion. This is my favorite section of the park because it has a number of good rides that are partially hidden such that you really cannot see what they have to offer until you ride them.
Grizzly: (Kings Entertainment Company, Wood Twister, 1982) This remake of the Coney Island, Cincinnati Wildcat has essentially the same layout as the one at California’s Great America, but that is where the similarities end. The latter is a somewhat boring ride; the former is a well-paced ride that doesn’t let up. Certainly the fact that this one flies through the woods and its PTC trains help it against its less landscaped and Morgan trained sister, but there is no way the construction of the track can be identical. This one is truly one of the best rides in the park. Our night rides were amazing. I am glad we rode it several times the first night as the rain washed out our ERT the second night – 5 rides, 4 at night.
Shenandoah Lumber Company: This gives a good ride through the woods – 1 ride.
Blue Ridge Tollway: This is one of the most picturesque car rides I have been on. I hope they leave this here as it adds to the beauty of the park – 1 ride.
Flying Eagles: Good flyers – 1 ride.
Whitewater Canyon: Just as we were riding the rain began and we got soaked! This has a nice wooded course, totally hidden from the rest of the park. It also has a nice tunnel – 1 ride.
I did not ride Grand Prix Raceway, the additional charge go-carts.
Kings Dominion Theater: Origins: A Cirque Experience: This was an amazing show with some great performances. We had special seating – 1 show. Also in this theater we were shown a “Pop-Up” version of the movie Roller Coaster with interesting facts added in. This was really significant considering that without this movie ACE would likely not have been formed – 1 movie. In addition we had our ACE business meeting, election platform speeches and video contest in this theater. We also had a President’s Panel where six of the nine living ACE presidents answered questions about their time as president. Present were Richard Munch (1978-1982), Randy Geisler (1986-1990), Bill Linkenheimer (1998-2002), Mark Cole (2006-2010), Dave Altman (2010-2014) and Jerry Willard (2015-present). This was fascinating as I love history, and I also enjoyed talking with each of the presidents at various times throughout the week. While she could not be at this forum, Carol Sanderson (2002-2006) joined us by the end of the week. The late Ray Ueberroth (1990-1994) was remembered fondly. Jan Kiser (1994-1998), who still attends, could not make it this year, and I understand Lucy Ambrosini (1982-1986) is older and no longer active in ACE.
Planet Snoopy
Formerly Kidzville and Nickelodeon Central, this section has 16 kid’s rides plus the following:
Woodstock Express: (PTC John Allen, Wood Junior, 1974) Formerly Scooby Doo’s Ghoster Coaster and Ghoster Coaster, this is a fun ride and a great introduction to coasters for kids – 2 rides, 1 during ERT.
Great Pumpkin Coaster: (E&F Miler Industries, Kiddie Coaster, 1997) Formerly Taxi Jam, adults are normally not allowed to ride without a child, but ACE was allowed at certain times – 1 ride.
Boo Blasters on Boo Hill: Formerly themed to Scooby Doo, this is a pretty good interactive darkrides – 2 rides.
Flying Ace: Formerly Space Surfer, it gives a good ride – 1 ride.
Soak City
The waterpark is included with admission. ACE held our Rubber Duck Regatta in the lazy river as a fundraiser for the Preservation Fund, but otherwise I did not visit the waterpark. Attractions include: Aqua Blast, an enclosed slide; Baja Bends, a body slide; Big Wave Bay, a wave pool; FreeStylin’, a tube slide; Hurricane Heights, three enclosed slides; Lazy Rider, the lazy river; Paradise Plunge, three trapdoor slides; Pipeline Peak, four enclosed slides; Thunder Falls; twin tube slides; Tidal Wave Bay, a water activity area; Zoom Flume, a family raft; and children’s attractions: Lil’ Barefoot Beach; Soak City Splash House; and Splash Island.
The park provided two delicious meals, a lunch of braised chicken and pulled pork sandwiches, and a dinner featuring prime rib and fried chicken. This is a really good park with a unique collection of coasters. Along with my two favorites, Volcano and Grizzly, they now have Intimidator 305 and Twisted Timbers. With a custom Arrow, the only Mack Bobsled in North America, a great floorless coaster, and several versions of popular coasters at other parks, this is a quite a solid group of coasters. We had four scheduled ERT sessions and although the last was rained out, we had a great time. The park did an amazing job welcoming us back to a place that is at the heart of why ACE exists. We drove on to Williamsburg that night to our Con hotel, Great Wolf Lodge, to get ready for the final park of Coaster Con 41.
Next Up: Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Ronny's Travels 