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Son of the Sad-and-Pathetic Photo TR: PKD, 7-23-06


cfc

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Greetings, Fellow TPRites,

 

I made my sad-and-pathetic solo way to Paramount's Kings Dominion to wile away a Sunday (hey, we all must worship in our own way) and get my fix of the park's woodies and the recently reopened Volcano: The Blast Coaster. The day did not start auspiciously, with sometimes drizzly, sometimes driving rain as me and my Saturn Ion cruised up Interstates 64, 295, and 95 from Willy's Burg.

 

Well, rain will keep the crowds down, right? Wrong! The joint was jumping when I got there a little after 10:00 am, as long lines (well, more like a group of multiple mobs) waited at the park entrance. Seems that PKD wasn't letting people in before the "official" park opening time of 10:30. I'm not sure why, but my guess is that it had to do with all the EMT units from all over Virginia who had gathered there for their annual show-and-tell (maybe they were still setting up at 10:00). At any rate, guests were getting impatient, and some cast members were yelling at folks.

 

Not a good start.

 

I finally got in around 10:45, and made my way back to Hypersonic, which already had a 30-minute wait (for a four-second ride). In for a penny, I thought, so I waited it out, had a great, gut-busting ride, then ambled over to Volcano, where the wait was already about 90 minutes! Aghh! I settled for the 30-minute wait of Italian Job, which was sans helicopter and water effects (but had plenty of noise and flames).

 

By then, it was time for a mediocre PKD lunch. The day was not looking great, but the low point was yet to come. As I waited patiently for a front seat on the Grizzly, which was running one train (grr!), I stood behind two couples who planned to ride in the same train. The couple in the second seat, just to make sure they could ride with their friends in the very front, waved the folks behind them to come on up. OK. Unfortunately, the "folks behind" were a group of four, so the couple in the front seat line waved the other two in ahead of them without asking me if I minded. The answer to that question would've been "sure," but I would've appreciated being asked.

 

I actually thought about bagging it early, but Rebel Yell proved to be PKD's redemption that day. The forwards side was out-of-control and great, but the backwards side in the very back car was freakin' insane. Ejector air like crazy--the best ride I'd ever had on Rebel Yell. So, I stuck it out and ended up having a good day (depsite having to wait 90 minutes for Volcano). Even the Hurler was half-decent.

 

And now, the first set of pics.

 

Chuck

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I'm the happy, smiling Chuck! Now gimme a second train for Grizzly!

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Grr! I'm a big, bad Grizzly! Gimme some pic-a-nic baskets!

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Lunch: The Reality.

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Lunch: The Ideal.

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Yes, all these poor souls are waiting to ride the Togo Death Machine (Shockwave).

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Sigh . . . At least this part of Italian Job works today.

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I wonder if that woman on the right has plans to use that beach towel? Must remember to avoid the water park today.

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As I wander aimlessly, I am moved by this tribute to Dr. Albert Scrambler, who has done so much for the people of Africa.

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You mean the line starts down there? Holy crap!

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I rush to Volcano, hoping to beat the crowds.

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I leave the reassuring presence of the fire trucks and ambulances for four seconds of blissful terror on Hypersonic.

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. . . maybe I'll get in the ambulance now and avoid the rush.

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Yes, I feel safer already with this guy on the job. On second thought . . .

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Volcano: The Death Machine was running, so PKD sent in plenty of EMTs and firemen just to be safe.

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As I said, it ended as a pretty good day at the park. Here's my second set of pics.

 

Chuck

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We end with a self-portrait on the flyers. Thanks for reading!

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I am blown away by the attitude and charisma of the Hurler ride-op. Yes, it is catching!

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After binding my wrist following the blood sacrifice, I do further penance on the Hurler.

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These people experience the sheer joy of riding Avalanche--for tacos.

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Please exit this way for tacos.

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The Volcano God's will be done!

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"These mortals aided in the blood sacrifice! Reward them with a truly insane ride! So commands the Volcano God!"

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"The one called Chuck has offered me his precious blood! I am appeased! All may ride and praise the mighty name of the Volcano God!"

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"Bah! You think that throwing your mortal money at a native hut can appease the Volcano God? I require something more precious!"

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"I am the Volcano God! The ones called Jess and Byron have dishonored me! I must be appeased, or no one may ride!"

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I finally bite the bullet, gird my loins, and queue up for Volcano.

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Remember--be good to the Anaconda fender, and it'll be good to you.

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In desperation, while waiting for Volcano to thin out, I ride in the rear car of Anaconda. (Actually, not as bad as I'd feared.)

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"We are riding backwards on Rebel Yell. Let us pray for our immortal souls!"

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But Rebel Yell offers redemption. ("Say, is that man gonna try and sell us that picture?")

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Looks like no Drop Zone for me today--not with that line.

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Whoo! Awesome PTR- Almighty One.

Can't wait to move back to VA and hop over to PKD before this year is out (didn't make it to PKD in June from all of that rain during the week). I remember when Smurf Mountain was there and the water/flume ride too. I even think I remember the spinning ride (and the floor dropped from under you-I can't recall the name off-hand. Do they stack-trains like they do at BGE>?

 

Anyway, sounds like Grizzly and RY are still in good form. What about Hurler? I hurt several people saying it sucked, but never ridden that yet. If you thinking of a return trip to the Dominion-shack let me know. I'd hope to go sometime before end of September (if my job doesn't already start at the Gardens of Busch.

 

Hey? Wasn't that guy (sitting on the fire truck) the Santa Clause that used to be at Patrick Henry Mall (oh-gawed, about 9 yrs ago?)

 

*I actually love Anaconda (must be the Maui heat). I also love the 'new' paint-scheme much better than when it opened. Weren't they building a new go-cart track too (somewhere by Grizzly I thought)?

 

Nice photos.

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Yep--Volcano is still the best ride there, but the woodies (except for Hurler on most days) should get some more respect than they do. I even had to wait five minutes for the back row of Anaconda (usually can walk right on to the damn thing).

 

Ah yes, Kumba--the Thunder Raceway go-kart track. It's right next to Grizzly's exit.

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PKD does its bit for the environment by chopping down trees and increasing carbon-dioxide emissions.

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I asked one of the ride-ops at the Grizzly station, who said that they did run two trains on Saturday (probably even busier then). The entrance to Griz is damn hard to find (hell, there wasn't even a sign up on Sunday--just that bear statue, which is tucked away in a corner). All the other coasters had all their trains running (even the lousy Hurler). Overall, the ride-ops were pretty good (didn't waste much time dispatching trains).

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Now I'm jealous. Carowinds just paved over more pavement for our racetrack, PKD is awesome and cut down some trees! Go Green!!!

 

Nice report. I'm glad that the volcano god likes me and never has made me give up bodily fluids. Unless you count that one time...

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^^The line for IJ last Sunday was about 30 minutes for the front row; they were using the switchbacks under the yellow awning. It's a surprisingly efficient little ride when it gets going. Definitely more fun when all the effects are working, though.

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I have never seen the park look so busy, and to think those people were actually waiting in line for Shockwave I'd have to agree with finding the Grizzly entrance. It was hard enough before to find it let alone find it tucked away where it is now. Stupid Go-karts

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I have two additional comments.

1. Why the heck did they paint Shockwave that candy-cane like color(s)? It almost makes me want to puke.

2. Hey Chuck? Would it be suffice to say that the PKD crew is better than the BGE crew? Both in terms of ride operation/capacity and friendliness and stacking/non-stacking of coaster trains.

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^1. According to Jeff (aka pdkcoaster), Shockwave's bizarre paint job is an attempt to make it blend in better with the Nickelodeon kid's area behind it. It really doesn't work, though.

 

2. I think I'd give BGE staff the edge in friendliness, while the PKD coaster ops seem more efficient (that is, less likely to stack trains). It is hit or miss at BGE--few stacking problems with Nessie and Wolfie, more problems with Appie and Alpie (although Appie has improved over the beginning of the season). I don't think you would've caught Busch staff arguing with guests like I saw at PKD on Sunday, either.

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Looks like there was no shortage of land whales on your visit to KD...

 

I would have just died looking at that line for Volcano, which is one of my favorite coasters. I too, have never seen the place so busy, guess I got lucky all 3 times I've been.

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Thanks for the TR, Chuck.

 

One of these years, there WILL come the time, when the food actually resembles what it actually looks like on signs, in menus, etc. etc. etc.

 

But a nice comparison, all the same, LOL.

 

Hmmm. Long lines I would still not be used to, not after all that 'earliness & freeness' of that, um.... "tour across the pond"?

 

Merci for sharing, cfc.

 

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^Yes, those lines were a shocking return to reality. Why, they didn't even give me beer!

 

My Country Kitchen meal would've somewhat resembled "the ideal" if I had ordered the actual chicken instead of the "chicken chunks"; but the former didn't look so hot either. The old ladies running the place were quite nice, though--especially the one pushing the mac and cheese "cause it's Stouffer's."

 

Yep, home cooking is always better right out of the box. The best food at PKD is their pizza (a little pricey, but pretty good, if a bit too filling on a hot day).

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