Latest news with #KingsDominion
Axios
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Richmond's 50-year theme park battle
Fifty years ago this month, the region's two major theme parks opened 70 miles and 13 days apart, the Times-Dispatch's Eric Kolenich reports. Why it matters: A half a century later, Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens continue to battle for Virginia thrill-seekers' attention — and money. State of play: The parks that opened in May 1975 were very different than the ones we know today, Kolenich reports. Kings Dominion, which was built atop a Hanover County cornfield, hoped to entice families with its three roller coasters and drive-thru zoo. Busch Gardens, meanwhile, rose adjacent to then-owner Anheuser-Busch's brewery,aiming to offer a European-inspired experience beyond thrill-seeking. Its opening featured replica European villages, a single rollercoaster and the adjacent brewery. KD's strategy worked. It drew 52,000 visitors on opening day and turned away nearly as many. Meanwhile, a paltry 6,000 people showed up for BG's opening. KD would be the industry leader ... for about three years. What happened: Busch Gardens took its cue from KD and shifted its focus to families and rides, starting with the addition of its mega-coaster, the Loch Ness Monster, the world's first (and still only remaining) interlocking loop steel coaster. KD hit back the next year with the Lost World — a 15-story synthetic mountain with three rides. For the next four decades, the two parks would keep adding attractions, refining their offerings and expanding their schedules — all in an effort to entice more Virginians through the gates. What they're saying: "It's always been a prize fight," Dennis Speigel, KD ' s first general manager, told the RTD. "They're going after the same guy going down 95 and up 64." The latest: Today, as the battle still rages, Busch Gardens boasts over 50 rides and attractions, including 10 roller coasters, according to Roller Coaster DataBase — and a water park. Never to be outdone, Kings Dominion now has around 60 rides and 13 coasters — and a water park. For most locals, though, which theme park they prefer comes down to personal preference, price and, often, nostalgia. What's next: In celebration of its 50th anniversary, KD opened this season with Rapterra, its newest coaster, and the world's tallest and longest launched wing roller coaster. Busch Gardens, meanwhile, this weekend will unveil The Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf's Revenge, an all-new version of its hit 1984 inverted roller coaster that sends riders spiraling through a Bavarian village as wolves howl. And starting Saturday, both parks, including their water parks, will be open daily through summer.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Record-Setting Coaster to Spread Wings for Public Launch March 29 at Kings Dominion
World's Tallest, Longest Launched Wing Coaster Rapterrato Kick Off Theme Park's Golden Anniversary Celebration Access Hi Res Photos & Video DOSWELL, Va., March 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kings Dominion will officially launch its newest addition as Rapterra takes flight on the park's opening day, March 29. At 145 feet tall and 3,086 feet long, Rapterra is the tallest and longest launched wing coaster in the world and headlines the park's 50th anniversary celebration season in 2025. "Rapterra is the perfect centerpiece for our 50th anniversary celebration and promises to bring a captivating and exhilarating set of thrills to a brand-new generation of guests," said Bridgette Bywater, vice president and general manager of Kings Dominion. "Cutting-edge attractions, family-friendly thrills and developing rich, immersive experiences are what has made Kings Dominion the premier Virginia destination for 50 years. We carry on that tradition with the introduction of Rapterra." Rapterra was inspired by the flight of the mythical creature the "jungle hawk." The journey begins as riders choose to soar on the hawk's left or right "wing," and board a seat suspended on either side of the track with nothing above or below them. With tension mounting, Rapterra takes flight and riders are launched from 0 to 65 miles per hour in just four seconds. The ride then ascends to its zenith over the Jungle X-Pedition midway. Rapterra's thrilling aerial maneuvers and inversions include: Overbanked turn 145 feet above the midway and the ride's highest point Dramatic "dive loop" ─ the ride's first inversion Nimble S-turn with quick directional changes "Wing slide" that creates a sideways sliding motion, unique to wing coasters "Flat spin" ─ a tight corkscrew, the second inversion "Airtime" hill delivering negative gravity 360-degree "raptor roll" ─ a barrel roll, the third inversion The nearly minute-and-a-half adventure includes eight breathtaking moments before Rapterra smoothly glides back into the station. Rapterra will open to the public when the park opens on March 29. The park remains open every day through April 6 for spring break. Season passholders will be among the first to have an opportunity to ride during passholder preview night on March 28 from 5 to 10 p.m. Guests can enjoy unlimited rides on Rapterra with the purchase of a 2025 Silver Season Pass. For more information on Rapterra, season passes and the robust lineup of events during the park's 50th anniversary season at Kings Dominion, visit ABOUT KINGS DOMINIONKings Dominion, a 400-acre amusement park located in Doswell, VA off I-95, is home to more than 60 rides, shows and attractions, including 13 world-class roller coasters and Soak City, a top-rated 20-acre waterpark. Kings Dominion is owned and operated by Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: FUN), the largest and most diverse amusement park operator in North America. ABOUT SIX FLAGS ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATIONSix Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: FUN) is North America's largest regional amusement-resort operator with 27 amusement parks, 15 water parks and nine resort properties across 17 states in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Focused on its purpose of making people happy, Six Flags provides fun, immersive and memorable experiences to millions of guests every year with world-class coasters, themed rides, thrilling water parks, resorts and a portfolio of beloved intellectual property including Looney Tunes®, DC Comics® and PEANUTS®. Dropbox Link to resources: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Kings Dominion Sign in to access your portfolio
Axios
29-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Kings Dominion cancels WinterFest as it launches its 50th anniversary season
Kings Dominion is canceling its annual WinterFest pop-up series this year, one of many changes happening at the theme park which merged with Six Flags last year. Why it matters: The park, a destination for generations of Richmonders, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Driving the news: Kings Dominion dropped its "Golden Anniversary" schedule this week and Winterfest was noticeably absent from the list, as first reported by the Times-Dispatch. "Unfortunately, yes. Winterfest will not be part of the 2025 schedule of events," park spokesperson Geoff Zindren confirmed to Axios. He said the park instead will focus on its "core operating seasons." Kings Dominion launched its December-long Winterfest in 2018 to compete with a similar holiday series at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. In 2023, the park briefly experimented with a year-round schedule before canceling it the following year. Of note: Some KD fans noted on social media that they bought season passes before they learned Winterfest would be canceled. The park is "addressing this change directly with those passholders who are impacted," Zindren said. Zoom in: The Winterfest cancelation comes after news last week that the park laid off an unspecified number of employees, per media reports. A source told WTVR that more than 30 jobs were cut across departments. KD is also demolishing two of its longtime roller coasters, the Anaconda and Berserker, per the Times-Dispatch. Yes, but: The park is adding a new ride, Rapterra, which will be the world's tallest and longest-launched wing coaster. And it'll open on March 29, KD's 2025 opening day and the launch of its 50th year in operation. The park will close for the year on Nov. 2, after Oktoberfest ends.
