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Kings Dominion (KD) Discussion Thread


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Call me a meth-whore who lives off of voided welfare checks but this coaster is a 300 ft. Kawasemi with the exception of the last few turns. Everything matches up. KD should be grateful...I wouldn't want one of these at Gadv but still....be grateful.

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Great POV...I wish I had that prog...Having never gone on anything taller than Bizarro, something like this would probably make me scream like a 6-year-old girl watching "Hellraiser." Great addition to the park though, and if I work my courage up (or refill my Valium scrip), I'll h ave to try it.

 

 

Scott

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Seems like some things, including restraints and some supports, have changed since they made the models, computer layouts, and such. Lets wait for more updates in the photos and such before we start throwing bricks.

 

BTW, can they just use this jokingly "excess" paint that they're using ALL of the new coasters and use it to repaint TTD? It's faded horribly now.

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Just a thought I've had that's almost completly unrelated to the new ride. Kings Dominion and Kings Island are 2 parks that are fairly comparable, but recently KD has been the 1 upper of sorts. Kings island gets a used Vekoma Flyer Dominion gets a used B&M floorles, advantage dominion. Kings Island gets a new B&M speed coaster, Dominion gets a new Intamin Giga, while the jury is still out I'd be willing to bet come next May it'll be advantage Dominion as well with that. Just a thought.

 

But the ride looks awesome, while the recent trend has shyed away from building bigger taller faster, I'm glad to see someone build another big coaster, can't wait.

 

Maybe instead of a single rider they'll have a rednecks only line, or maybe a " Shoes, Shirt, and Jorts must be worn at all times" sign.

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I wonder how they'll construct the lift on this thing with the super efficient truss support structure. It looks very clever to me the way it arches over so that at the station end it goes straight into the ground and at the other it curves over into the big support, but surely it won't be that stable before it is complete and the track/truss structure probably weighs a lot as well. Like it seems as if there are about 4? track pieces up until the middle support and then another 3? until the drop support. It just seems like a really big span to construct.

 

Then again I'm no engineer and you see crazy bridges and viaducts under construction that look like they should be falling down and maybe the truss structure is really that strong or they'll support it with wires. Or perhaps the middle support connection is at the centre of that track piece so the gaps aren't quite as big as I'm making out.

 

Anyway I just think the minimalist support structure is really striking compared to MF's huge towers!

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The more I look at the layout, the more I like it. I can't really comment on the restraints because I don't know how that will play out. I've commented elsewhere that I felt like KD would end up getting MF's little brother. I've never ridden but MF but it seems like more is going on in this 5100 feet than MF's 6500. I'm sure my outlook may change from now until opening day, but for now I'm pretty excited. CF Platinum Pass for me in 2010!

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I wonder how they'll construct the lift on this thing with the super efficient truss support structure. It looks very clever to me the way it arches over so that at the station end it goes straight into the ground and at the other it curves over into the big support, but surely it won't be that stable before it is complete and the track/truss structure probably weighs a lot as well. Like it seems as if there are about 4? track pieces up until the middle support and then another 3? until the drop support. It just seems like a really big span to construct.

 

Then again I'm no engineer and you see crazy bridges and viaducts under construction that look like they should be falling down and maybe the truss structure is really that strong or they'll support it with wires. Or perhaps the middle support connection is at the centre of that track piece so the gaps aren't quite as big as I'm making out.

 

Anyway I just think the minimalist support structure is really striking compared to MF's huge towers!

 

My guess is they'll put up the support towers first, then add track to each side, meeting in the middle.

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This could possibly be the last giga we see. I really can't think of a park that would be a feasible location for one that doesn't already have a hyper or something similar. Now of course that didn't stop Cedar Point from doing it, but they're a special case, IMO. This is very unique and I think we're lucky to have been around when these were announced.

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Looks pretty cool. But some of those transitions look BRUTAL. I'd hope what they mean by "Overhead lap bar/not an OTSR" they mean they adopted the rubber vest and overhead lap bar design a la Vekoma's new restraints.

 

Though, it doesn't look very forceful. It seems more the focus is going really fast really close to the ground and airtime, which isn't bad. But I like a bit of forcefulness on my rides.

 

I wonder how they'll construct the lift on this thing with the super efficient truss support structure. It looks very clever to me the way it arches over so that at the station end it goes straight into the ground and at the other it curves over into the big support, but surely it won't be that stable before it is complete and the track/truss structure probably weighs a lot as well. Like it seems as if there are about 4? track pieces up until the middle support and then another 3? until the drop support. It just seems like a really big span to construct.

 

Then again I'm no engineer and you see crazy bridges and viaducts under construction that look like they should be falling down and maybe the truss structure is really that strong or they'll support it with wires. Or perhaps the middle support connection is at the centre of that track piece so the gaps aren't quite as big as I'm making out.

 

Anyway I just think the minimalist support structure is really striking compared to MF's huge towers!

 

My bet would be that they'll build out from each side and meet in the middle. They built Stonecutters bridge (a Cable Stayed Bridge with a 3,340 foot span) that way.

 

As for the 'minimalist' support structure, if you look, the actual members used in the supports are a good bit bigger than the members used for MF's towers. It all depends on the factor of safety the supports are built with, the strength of the members and the way the load is transferred throughout the structure.

 

Vekoma "Takes Engineering Technology at a Vocational School!" Fan Boy

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This could possibly be the last giga we see. I really can't think of a park that would be a feasible location for one that doesn't already have a hyper or something similar. Now of course that didn't stop Cedar Point from doing it, but they're a special case, IMO. This is very unique and I think we're lucky to have been around when these were announced.

 

Honestly, I think Kings Island should have gotten a Giga also. It's a big enough park with more than enough land. Some even call it "Cedar Point South." Diamondback is awesome and all, but it just seemed like if anyone, they'd be the ones to build something BIG and unique, not a cookie-cutter, run-of-the-mill B&M Hyper. Oh well, I guess that's why I don't decide what to build where. Great additions regardless.

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Roller Coasters are to enjoy; Not to complain about the restraints! To be honest, who cares about them anyway. All they do is keep you from falling out, not blocking your blood circulation.

 

I don't want to be mean but They are just restraints.

 

Then we should just equip all coasters with a 6 point harness restraint system since its "just restraints" and doesn't effect the ride. Restraints and how constraining/comfortable they are is very important to a ride. Just ask someone who rode a Premier launch coaster before the lap bars...

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All the speculation about vertical lifts and splashdown pools can stop now. Kings Dominion has made their "official" announcement about Intimidator 305--aka "the Biggest, Baddest and Meanest on the East Coast," which opens on KD's 35th anniversary in 2010. The park celebrated their new ride with a ceremony today (August 20). Attending were such important personages as:

 

Dick Kinzel (Cedar Fair's President and Chief Executive Officer)

Jack Falfas (Cedar Fair's Chief Operations Officer)

Bill Bolling (Lieutenant Governor of Virginia)

Jeff Steiner (Executive Vice President and General Manager, Dale Earnhardt, Inc.)

Taylor Earnhardt (Dale's daughter)

 

And me. (Well, I'm not all that important, but I was there.)

 

Ed Kuhlman, KD's director of marketing, kicked the ceremony off, stating how this was "the most exciting announcement" in his 34-year career with the park. KD's vice president and general manager, Pat Jones, echoed those sentiments: "This is a very special ride, 35 years in the making. It's what brings guests to the park--fun and thrills." Will this coaster live up to its NASCAR namesake, Dale "The Intimidator" Earnhardt, Sr.? Time will tell, but it looks promising (and possibly intimidating).

 

Here's a look at the festivities.

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The tarp comes down at last.

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They showed a brief video (which was followed by the sun going nova, as you can tell from this picture).

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Taylor Earnhardt shows her enthusiasm for KD's new ride.

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Jeff Steiner said that Intimidator embodies the spirit of its namesake perfectly: "You go big, or you go home."

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Lt. Gov. Bolling used to serve on the Hanover County Board of Supervisors, so he and KD go way back, even though he doesn't seem to be a coaster person: "My wife will be on the first ride, while I watch from below."

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Come on, Pat's not mean at all.

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Dick Kinzel and Jack Falfas of CF with Bill Bolling, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia.

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Ed Kuhlman kicks things off. But is he really the "biggest, baddest, and the meanest"?

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Hmm--there appear to be mysterious code numbers on this track. We could probably find the Lost Continent of Atlantis if we could just decipher their meaning.

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And Devin Olson, Coaster-net's Webmaster.

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Sheesh! Everybody what to get into the act. Meet Lee Sandy of Coaster-net.

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We need more Intamin goodness in this state.

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Note the rather coy tarps. "What could be behind them?" one wonders.

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This must be "the pit."

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Got my "pit pass."

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. . . don't forget that Haunt is coming up, too.

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Here's a look at what we're here for, but . . .

Edited by cfc
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And now, a look behind the tarp.

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No--thank you, Kings Dominion, for a nice event. And for what's to come in 2010.

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One last look at that intimidating logo.

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But there is quite a way to go.

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Yep--little yellow things have been placed on concrete things. Let the verticality commence.

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Well, let's see how it's coming along.

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But no actual Intimidator wine (just bottles and flags).

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There was food, of course.

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It will be much taller than Pat Jones.

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Just to give you an idea of how tall this bad boy is going to be.

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For all you stats fans out there.

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. . . and the ride layout.

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Behold the entrance-plaza concept art . . .

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"Hello! I'm a skeleton, and I'd like to remind you that Haunt is coming up, too."

 

This little preview center will be stationed next to Flight of Fear (near where Intimidator's entrance plaza will be located.)

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Larry--it's a sign!

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The part of the car that Earnhardt's opponents have seen the most.

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"OK, pal! What do I have to do to put you behind the wheel of this baby right now?"

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One of us is quite intimidated.

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Lee and Devin with Ken (local ACE representative).

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And here's the proud modeler--Jack Rimer.

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Here's another view of the layout, with the back of somebody's head as a bonus.

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"My butt may never feel this seat again!"

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"Help! My butt has left the seat!"

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This ride is pure Intamin.

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Pay no attention to the B&M train on the track.

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One view of the layout.

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A working model of Intimidator 305--cool.

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My only concern is the sharp transitions. When I rode El Toro, I got a headache from being jerked from one side to the other during that ending segment. I'll just have to pop a few Drammamine before riding I guess.

 

Be grateful you can actually ride El Toro and be tossed from side to side.

 

I'm 6'4" approaching 300 pounds (love my weight and not ashamed of it!) and have to be wedged into El Toro so badly you'll need a crow bar to remove my fat ass. I don't get throw around, I don't experience airtime yet the coaster still rocks. I would kill to be able to be thrown around like a rag doll on El Toro.

 

If you get headaches riding coasters maybe you should consider finding a new hobby.

 

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Can't wait for this to open!!! It is going to be awesome!!! So much speed, sweet transitions and hopefully some killer airtime. I think this should be one of my favorite coasters.

 

Why does kingsdominion.com not have this new coaster plastered all over the home page? Or even anywhere for that matter?

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Maybe instead of a single rider they'll have a rednecks only line, or maybe a " Shoes, Shirt, and Jorts must be worn at all times" sign.

 

Funny you mention that.

 

I have received probably close to ten calls from "redneck" friends who typically fit the perceived sterotype. They know this is hobby of mine and called to see if I heard the news.

 

Some of them haven't been to KD since Grizzly was installed and can't wait to ride "Dale's" coaster next year.

 

The buzz this coaster is creating within the NASCAR market is going to be astounding.

 

As much as I trashed the potential for a racing theme, I'm willing to eat my words on this one.

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I don't mind the name although it reminds me of all those trendy 90's rock bands with numbers in their names.

 

I don't get the comparisons to MF (other than this is going to be at a CF park). I am much more reminded of Kawasemi or Piraten.

 

After riding Piraten on the TPR Scandi trip this summer and graying out almost everytime after the first drop and curve combo, I can't imagine how I305 is going to feel! This one may require a nurse in the station ala Traver's CB Cyclone.

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