2015 Day 5 - Kings Dominion

After a quick breakfast at the hotel (include in room price) we set out for our journey south to Doswell, near Richmond, VA.  Following the Sat Nav proved easy again and after about an hour and 20 mins we were pulling into the car park of Kings Dominion.  I had brought tickets, parking and fast passes online so we were soon off across an almost empty car park to find a space near the entrance.

The weather was glorious, lovely sunshine, no humidity and a gentle breeze.  With a skyline full of enormous coasters we were both nervous and excited.  After applying suncream we headed for the entrance turnstiles and bag check.  Through the gates and we were soon issued our fast pass plus wristbands.

The entrance to the park looks lovely, lots of well kept garden areas full of colour and some stunning fountains.  Trying to get acquainted with the layout if the parks using the park maps we decided to try Dominator first.  Excellent choice, a really smooth coaster with plenty of excitement, this ride is definitely heading into our top 10 rides!  There were small queues at the rides but we were able to just skip them with our fastpasses.  I am not a great lover of fast passes generally, but with only one possible day for our visit it had to be done.

Dominator

We were quickly onto Shockwave, a stand up coaster, before deciding we really needed to get the biggest ride of the park out of the way.   At 305ft, the gigacoaster Intimidator is loosely based on Nascar driver Dale Earnhart.  OMG, What a ride, fast - approx 90 miles an hr, with quite intense g forces, especially at the bottom of the first drop, this ride was incredible. We all came off smiling but Sarah and I both said we had nearly blacked out after the first drop, Stephen it appears did black out briefly for a few seconds, says he felt odd at the bottom of the first drop and then came round at the next hill.  Did worry him a bit, but he felt fine.

Shockwave - Standup coaster

 

Next was Avalache (similar to one at blackpool pleasure beach) followed by Volcano.  This was a nice surprise, a hanging coaster that launches just after setting off from the station and after catching your breathe adds a bit more launch and sends you hurtling vertically up through a volcano, throwing you out of the top into a series of spins, twists and turns.  A good smooth and exciting coaster.

Keith was keen to reride Intimidator so he and Sarah did that,  whilst Stephen and I found somewhere shady to sit. When they returned Stephen joined his Dad on Anaconda (a corkscrew type coaster) that was very rough.

Anaconda

Flight of fear was next, a small compact dark ride with a wicked  LIM launch from the station.  After a quick lunch stop we were back for more coasters!  One corner of the park was home to three large wooden coasters.  We all rode the racing coaster Rebel Yell which was quite smooth for a wood coaster,  then Stephen and I rode The Hurler, which was a real bone shaker, then Grizzly, another fun one.

Trying to keep out of the heat!

We all went back for another ride on Dominator before I decided to pop back to the car for my other camera, I was coastered out!!  The others all had another ride on Volcano, Keith then had a third ride on Intimidator whilst the kids redid Flight of Fear.

We met up again under the replica Eiffel Tower near the entrance of the park.  Keith and I took the lift to the top to get some pictures and were rewarded with some stunning views of both the park and the surrounding countryside on a beautiful clear afternoon.

Intimidator 305 far left, Anaconda just in front, Rebel Yell back centre, Shockwave mid front

Grizzly

Volcano: The Blast Coaster

Intimidator 305 (yep the tall one), Anaconda in front and Rebel Yell to right

Dominator

Looking back at the Park Entrance

I desparately wanted to try a dole whip before we left, so we had a quick walk to find the right stall and then sat in the shade with it!  Mum, think you would enjoy this, a pineapple juice topped with yummy pineapple icecream, yum!!

Not my pic, from Web but this is what my Dole Whip looked like - hmmm would love another!

Sarah and I wanted to check out the shops before leaving, so the boys went back to the wooden coasters as Stephen fancied a reride, they did Grizzly.

After a short spending spree we met up again and reluctantly headed out of the park.  We were all disappointed to leave Kings Dominion behind.  Would love to go back someday.  The only slight downside all day was the price of food!

Back in the car and we set the sat nav for our hotel tonight at Mechanicsville near Richmond, VA.

A quick freshen up and we decided on a new restaurant for us, Ruby Tuesday.   Will certainly be on the lookout for another one of these later in the holiday, great food and good service.

All in all a fab day.

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