I have been going to Kings Dominion since I was a kid and have always enjoyed my visits. This year, I went as a chaperone on a band trip and got to visit some of my favorite rides again. Here is an idea of what to expect when you visit Kings Dominion.
If you want to compare Busch Gardens and King’s Dominion, check out this article!
Where is Kings Dominion Located?
Kings Dominion is located in Doswell, VA which is just North of Richmond. Use this link to get directions from your house.
When you book your hotel, make sure to use a site like booking.com where area hotels are compared so you can find the best one for your group.
How much are Kings Dominion Tickets?
Tickets for Kings Dominion start at $49.99 if you buy them ahead of time online. The gate price is $75.00 so make sure to buy them ahead of time.
If you plan on visiting more than once, the season pass is only $99 which would pay for itself in two visits and it includes free parking.
If you go with the season pass, you may want to purchase the All Season Gold Dining Plan where you can eat every 4 hours you are in the park for the entire season. That’s an amazing deal considering one cheeseburger basket alone costs $17.
There are also discounts for military along with a pre-K pass where kids 3-5 can get in free all summer.
How many roller coasters does Kings Dominion have?
Kings Dominion has a total of 13 roller coasters in the park! There are different levels to each starting as easy as a kiddie coaster and all the way up to a wild RMC converted coaster and an Intamin that will make you grey out at the bottom of a 305 foot drop! Here is a full list to help you customize your adventure.
What is the best roller coaster in King’s Dominion?
In my opinion, Twisted Timbers is the best roller coaster in the whole park. This RMC converted coaster used to be the Hurler but as the park changed from Paramount to Cedar Fair, it no longer fit the theme of the park.
Rocky Mountain Construction converted this shaky, older wooden coaster into a smooth steel ride that has so many unexpected turns, you won’t believe it.
I refuse to miss this ride when we visit! Make sure to leave bags with a non rider before you get in line or they won’t allow you to get in the line. However, free lockers are available for sunglasses and phones.
This line can get long, so I recommend hitting it early.
Park Sections
Kings Dominion has the park loosely divided into several sections. The first one is International Street where you walk in the entrance and see the Eiffel tower and beautiful fountains.
Planet Snoopy houses the kids rides themed to Peanuts characters.
Candy Apple Grove has many flat rides and rides you would find in a fair.
Jungle X-Pedition is a newer themed area where you feel like you are in the jungle. The newest attraction, Tumbili, was installed in this area and the theming here is the best in the park.
There is Soak City, the water park in the middle of the whole park which has many slides, a lazy river and a wave pool.
Lastly, Old Virginia has some more traditional rides and shopping.
All of these areas are leading out from the Eiffel tower at the front of the park and there are signs in the park leading to each one.
What kind of theming does Kings Dominion have?
The theming in Kings Dominion gets about a C+ but in their defense, there have been many changes in the park.
When it was Paramount’s Kings Dominion, they had the rights to many movies to use for theming. Cedar Fair bought the company and they no longer had access to the movie rights, and this caused lots of rebranding to give more of a generic feel to some of the rides.
Kings Dominion has been trying to add more to the theming aspect of the park and it is obvious in Jungle X-Pedition.
Again, I would say Kings Dominion is not really a theme park, but an amusement park for people who just want the thrill rides.
The best theming in the park would have to be in the new Jungle X-Pedition section and Planet Snoopy. Guests feel like they are walking around in the Peanuts comic strip or through a large, somewhat settled jungle.
Is this park family friendly?
Kings Dominion strives to be a family friendly environment and has a whole section of the park dedicated to kids. Planet Snoopy is available for the smaller park fans and there are several attractions throughout the park little kids (and kids at heart) will enjoy.
However, this park has many roller coasters and is more of an amusement park than a theme park. It appears to be geared a bit more to older kids (teenagers) and adults than small children.
In my opinion, the kids would have a a great deal here to entertain themselves, but it caters more to thrill seekers.
What kinds of food can I find in Kings Dominion?
Of course, there are a variety of food options in Kings Dominion. There is basic amusement park fare such as pizza, burgers, pretzels, but they have other options. At the Grain and Grill, guests can find grilled proteins to pair with a side.
There are also mac and cheese bowls and potato stops. Also, guests can find hand breaded, fried chicken tenders, burritos and even some Country style food in the Old Virginia section. Of course, you’ll never go hungry.
Is the water park in Kings Dominion?
Unlike other parks, King’s Dominion has the water park, Soak City, included in their park with no extra cost. This section is not huge, but it has plenty to offer on those hot summer days.
How can I stay cool on a hot day at the park?
Kings Dominion is a park that is built on asphalt, so when it’s a hot day, it can feel much hotter here.
Eat in Enclosed Restaurants
There are several restaurants in the park that are closed off with air conditioning and they are perfect for cooling off. We were eating in Jungle market Eatery (burgers) and I was actually feeling cold by the time we left on a 90 degree day.
Ride Boo Blasters on Boo Hill
This ride is in the Planet Snoopy area of the park and is tucked away a little bit. This ride is a hidden gem on a hot day because it is a dark ride and it is really cold in there. It is a perfect spot to beat the heat for a few minutes. Most of the line is inside too, so you can enjoy it longer.
Go in the bathroom or the arcade
If you really are hot, the bathrooms are air conditioned and can give you a little break from the heat. The arcade is also air conditioned and if it isn’t busy, you can sit down at some of the games.
Purchase a cooling towel
Having a cooling towel can be a huge lifesaver for a hot day. I love these frog togs and our whole family has their own. They keep you cool and they cover your neck.
Free water
The park will give out free water to anyone who asks for it. If you go to any station with fountain drinks and ask, they will give you a small cup to fill. Guests can even bring in their own water bottles and fill them up throughout the day.
Rita’s is at Kings Dominion
I love a good Rita’s Gelati and Kings Dominion has a couple Rita’s stands. This a perfect treat to cool off with. There are also Icee stands and ice cream, but there’s just something about Rita’s!
Overall thoughts on Kings Dominion
This park can easily be described as an amusement park, but not a theme park. The price for Kings Dominion is totally fair (if you get it ahead of time) and guests are in for a fun day.
Coaster enthusiasts will enjoy all thirteen of the coasters in the park. Sometimes, the lines can get a bit long, but the app can tell you wait times to help plan.
There are several thrilling flat rides located in Candy Apple Grove. This area is a place where a group could spend a fair amount of time between the rides, food and games. It has a fair atmosphere.
Kids will enjoy Planet Snoopy and the other rides throughout the park. They will especially love the water park in the middle of the day when it gets hot.
In conclusion, if you want theming, this is not really the park for you and you should go to Busch Gardens, about an hour away. However, if you are looking for so many thrill rides, you might not be able to do all of them, this is your park!
Helpful Links
20 Easy Tips for Busch Gardens
12 Tips for Fun at HersheyPark
Essential Tips for an Amazing Dollywood Trip