Kings Dominion Park, Part II: Inside Kings Dominion Park

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Slideshow | Lightbox (178) Tags: amusement-park eiffel-tower parks virginia washington-dc Posted: June 27, 2011 by Shekn

In this part of our pages dedicated to Kings Dominion amusement park (Virginia, USA), we will try to focus on the environment of park itself. You will see that the park can offer much more than rides - it is more like a small planet you are about to explore. At Kings Dominion the exploration often starts with its replica of Eiffel Tower.

Kings Dominion amusement park is well maintained. Its territory is clean and well maintained; landscaping is nice. All this is visible for park guests from their first steps when they enter the park.	Several fountains and the whole water feature near the Kings Dominion park entrance are not only an example of nice hardscape design but also provide some cooling and refreshing spot during hot Virginia summers.	International Street is located between the Kings Dominion Park entrance and the Eiffel Tower replica. The street is surrounded by mature trees that prove much desirable shade. In fact, many cafes in the area offer tables and chairs under the trees so that visitors can enjoy the surroundings and fresh air while having refreshments.	The Eiffel Tower replica is one of the landmarks of Kings Dominion parks. It was manufactured in Austria and assembled in the park in 1975 - since then it has been one of the most prominent features of the park. By the way, one practical uses of the tower is a meeting point.
Kings Dominion replica of Eiffel Tower is about 1/3 of the size of the original. Its 275-foot-high (84 m) platform offers wonderful views - visitors use an elevator to go to the top and return back. The elevator entrance is in the center-left of the photo.	Next several photos will show you what you can see from the top of the Eiffel Tower replica in Kings Dominion park. On the tis picture you can see the parking lot, entrance to the park and the whole International Street with fountains in the middle.	Kings Dominion park, views from the top of the Eiffel Tower replica - we are going around the observation platform in the clockwise direction. Here you can still see parts of the parking lot (left). The Dominator ride is in the middle. Volcano, the Blast Coaster, is on the far right.	Kings Dominion park, views from the top of the Eiffel Tower replica - now we are looking in the direction opposite to the park entrance. The Volcano ride is on the left now. In the center-left of the photo are several rides. The closest (green) is Shockwave; the Anaconda is behind it (visible as a thin serpentine construction). Intimidator 305 is in the background. On the right is the Drop Tower with other rides and Water Works area close to the tower.

Kings Dominion park, views from the top of the Eiffel Tower replica - let's zoom in now on some specific attractions. On this photo you can see the entrance and International Street with fountains.	Kings Dominion park, views from the top of the Eiffel Tower replica - zooming in on the Dominator, the longest floorless coaster in the world. Dominator is one of the best attractions in the park.	Kings Dominion park, views from the top of the Eiffel Tower replica - again, we keep moving clockwise while zooming in. This is Ghoster Coaster; it is in the category of family rides (vs. "thrill" rides such as Dominator and similar).	Kings Dominion park, views from the top of the Eiffel Tower replica - zooming in on Volcano, The Blast Coaster. Currently, it is not the longest Dominion's coaster, but still it remains a very serious ride.
Kings Dominion park, views from the top of the Eiffel Tower replica - zooming in on the Water Works area closer to the Eiffel Tower. On this photo you can clearly see the Tornado, one of the two water rides rated " 5 ". The twisting Baja Bends water slide is behind the Tornado.	Kings Dominion park, views from the top of the Eiffel Tower replica - zooming in on the Intimidator 305, the current star of the park. This ride offers very intense elements and high speeds.	Kings Dominion park, views from the top of the Eiffel Tower replica - zooming in on the Drop Tower, the largest drop ride in North America simulating the sensation of skydiving.	Kings Dominion park, views from the top of the Eiffel Tower replica - zooming in on Rebel Yell visible next to the Drop Tower on its right. The Americana Ferris wheel is on the right side of the photo.
Kings Dominion park, views from the top of the Eiffel Tower replica - zooming in on the Hurler, a rather old wooden coaster.	Staying at top of the Eiffel Tower replica gives you a chance to see big things in Kings Dominion park. However, to really get to know the park, you need to stroll though its alleys. Then, you will see such nice things as this pond with a small water fall. Located in a green shady place, it can be a welcoming change from crowds of visitors around major park's attractions.	There is also a replica of Liberty Bell in Kings Dominion park, Old Virginia section. For the record, the Liberty Bell is an iconic symbol of American Independence, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.	This alley in Kings Dominion park leads to the Blue Ridge Tollway, a family type of entertainment located in the Old Virginia section of the park.
Another interesting and quiet place in Kings Dominion park. This alley is all covered with vines providing very needed shade during hot summer days. And not only shade - there are water pipes hidden among the plants that, when turned on, create a very pleasant and cool mist.	To appreciate the shade in Kings Dominion park perhaps you should spend some time walking these asphalted streets in the park under the full Virginian sun that mercilessly hits everything and everybody.	Talking about the sun in Kings Dominion park and its effects - here is a "Shoot Down your Thirst" attraction (there are several of them in the park) sponsored by Sprite and NBA. One in wins the prize - the price is $5 one ball and $10 three balls (limited to two prizes daily).	The is the Grove area in the very center of the Kings Dominion park. Various attractions surround it. The building on the right in the shade of a big tree is Victoria Pizza. If you are interested in prices (2011): one slice of pepperoni pizza is $3.99, bottled water (small) $3.81, large coke (32oz) - $3.99. This makes a lunch for two around $21 - $24.
This is the entrance to the Water Works area of Kings Dominion park. Also, if you click and enlarge the photo, in its very right, you will see a designated smoking area. There are several of them in the park; smoking outside such areas is prohibited in the park.	The symbolic gate marking the entrance to the Congo section of the park where the wildest scream machines in Kings Dominion park are located. As far the gates - well, those kids are enjoying the water mist sprayed from the gates frame.	I already mentioned the Trail's End Grill as one of the places where to have lunch in Kings Dominion park. I think this photo conveys better the style and decor of the restaurant located in the Congo section of the park.	This is the Hot Dog Truck selling hot dogs (2011 price is $4.99 each). This food stand uses 1929 AA ford truck and illustrates the type of environment you can find at Kings Dominion park.
These two cars with Old Vehicle tags issue by state of Virginia are in front of Juke Box Diner restaurant in King Dominion park. The El Dorado pendulum ride in the shape of a convertible car is in the background.	Kings Dominion park - the gate to the area with the Crypt and Volcano rides reflecting the themed nature of both rides. Perhaps a small detail, but it helps create a mood for journeys of epic dimensions.	The Expedition Gear store under the Volcano ride entrance in Kings Dominion park. The store sells apparel and souvenirs.	A view on the International Street (Kings Dominion park) from the base of Eiffel Tower replica.
Congo Thrills at Kings Dominion park is an example when park designers try to blend shops with park themes. Even if this store sell mostly convenience items, its design (and name) is a clear attempt to follow the Congo story.