Kings Dominion Park, Part III: Kings Dominion Park

Kings Dominion Park, Part III: Kings Dominion Park - Paradise for Kids

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

The original park opened in 1975 did not focus very much on kids even if it had the Happy Land of Hanna-Barbera area and Scooby Doo, a junior wooden roller coaster located near it. The Scooby Doo ride is still operational today (under the name Ghoster Coaster); however, the Happy Land of Hanna-Barbera was significantly expanded. In 1997 the new Kidzville section of the park was built up around the Scooby Doo ride proving that kids and kids entertainment are taken very serious by the current management of the park.

Currently, Kidzville® and Planet Snoopy are two areas in the park dedicated almost entirely to kids. Whether they want a hug from a favorite cartoon character or a ride on a kid-sized coaster, there is a lot to do even for the littlest member of your family. With this part of our gallery we wanted to give you an idea of how you can entertain your kids you have brought them to the park.

Kings Dominion park management takes safety very seriously. In particular, all rides are rated in terms of minimum (and on few occasions maximum) height required. Since this is very important for kids safety, there are several stations in the park where park officials take measurements.	When height measurements are taken, wrist bands are used as a quick way to allow certified visitors to be admitted at ride locations. Wrist bands follow a special color scheme as shown on the photo. For the record - most rides rated as "5" require 54" or 48". The ride's rating is displayed on the safety sign at the entrance of each ride.	I call this picture " In the shade of the Drop Tower ". But the real reason the picture is here is to show yet another Sweet Tooth store in Kings Dominion park specializing on sugar loaded foodstuff. I think parents should be aware of the serious negative effects from the excessive consumption of sugar.	Entertainment for kids can be found in rather unexpected places in Kings Dominion park like this hit and win attraction.
Strictly speaking, Flying Eagles is categorized as a family ride. However, it found a place in our gallery dedicated to Kings Dominion amusement park because it offers an exciting adventure for guests of all ages. Moreover, it seems that the ride is also very educational since it illustrates some laws of physics (see next picture).	Flying Eagles ride at Kings Dominion park. These interactive eagles allow for steering the trajectory of the flight gliding through the air up and down and from side to side. As the photo illustrates, this is done by moving the rudder like in real aircraft.	Classified at Kings Dominion park as family entertainment, the Blue Ridge Tollway is an excellent entertainment for kids. It offers a leisurely drive though the woods but the most important thing about the ride is that it is a real thing - gas powered antique cars! Keep in mind that the min height to drive along these cars is 48 inches.	Off we go! The Blue Ridge Tollway car has just departed for a trip through the forest. Keep in mind that the min height to drive along these cars is 48 inches.

Kings Dominion park - Carousel. Not only it is a wonderful and gentle ride for kids, but this early 1900 carousel, one of the last wooden carousels in the world, is a real piece of art with its carved horses, decorations, lights and old-fashioned melodies played.	Triple Spin ride at Kings Dominion park - I admit I may be pushing the envelope treating this category 4 ride as appropriate for kids. But it is! It is one of few "high thrill" rides where the min height to ride along is 42 inches. Other "high thrill" rides (category 4) low height requirements include: Shenandoah Lumber Company - 36 inches, Ghoster Coaster - 40 inches, and Zoom Flume (water ride) - 42 inches.	The Wave Swinger (Kings Dominion park) offers a high-flying spinning experience 40 feet above the ground. Rated as "intermediate thrill" ride (category 3) it required 48 inches min height.	Dodgem - a classic bumper car ride at Kings Dominion amusement park. It is classified as Family Ride.
Under the roof of Dodgem - a classic bumper car ride at Kings Dominion amusement park. Surprisingly, it is rated as "high thrill" ride (category 4) and requires 48 inches min height.	Boulder Bumpers - a younger sibling of Dodgem and another bumper car ride at Kings Dominion amusement park. It is rated as "mild thrill" ride (category 2) and offers an opportunity for small kids to experience a bumper car in a safer than in Dodgem environment.	Under the roof of Boulder Bumpers - a safer version of bumper car ride at Kings Dominion amusement park. Interestingly, it does not have any min height restriction at all. Instead, riders cannot be higher than 54 inches.	Another "only for kids" ride at Kings Dominion park; it is called Junior Turnpike where young drivers can take a spin around the neighborhood. It is a "low thrill" (category 1) ride, but it seems that the appeal of the ride for kids is not in its thrill but rather in an opportunity to be along behind the wheel of their own car.
If you come to Kings Dominion park with small kids, visit KidZville®, a town created with younger guests in mind. Attractions here may be not as impressive as park's thrill rides, but they will for sure captivate the imagination of your kids making their experience in the park not less memorable than plunging from the Drop Tower for adults. Just look at those almost real 4WDs at the Road Rally ride!	Kings Dominion park, KidZville® - the Red Baron ride where kids can fly their own airplane. In fact, these are seaplanes flying above the water which make it even more interesting. And since it is just a game, we can pretend that it's the whole ocean and not just a small pool.	Joe Cool Driving School in Planet Snoopy section of the Kings Dominion park (adjacent to KidZville®). In this school kids have fun driving around the neighborhood behind the wheel of their own cars. At the same time they learn to understand some simple road signs and traffic rules.	Kings Dominion park, entrance to Boo Blasters on Boo Hill, another entertainment for kids wherein an interactive adventure they are required to capture as many ghosts as possible. The height is not a requirement here even if it is rated as "mild thrill" ride (category 2).
What I also like about Boo Blasters on Boo Hill at Kings Dominion park is its theming. Just look at this place which seems to be spooky even on a sunny day like the one in the photo.	There is also this charming cemetery on your way to the Boo Blasters on Boo Hill (Kings Dominion park). And signs like "H. Dumpty - 'I was pushed'" and "Here lies Rond Vous - He met with death" make it humorous and not as gloomy as it could be otherwise.