Only 25 miles north of Richmond, Virginia and 85 miles south of Washington, DC, Kings Dominion is within easy driving distance for millions of families. Easy access is just one of the reasons that this Virginia amusement park is a great place for a family vacation that people have been enjoying for more than 40 years. Located in the small town of Doswell, Virginia, Kings Dominion is a 400-acre facility filled with all types of thrill rides, activities, and shopping.
As you enter the gates of the park, you will work your way down International Street, which is like the main avenue for the theme park. International Street is lined with all sorts of unique shops selling candy, souvenirs, toys, and other items. The General Store is a favorite with budget minded families, since everything in the store is less than $10. It's tough to find a deal like that in an amusement park.
Soon after entry, you will notice the replica of the Eiffel Tower that is the focal point for the park. Before deciding which part of the park to hit first, take an elevator ride 275 feet up to the observation deck and see the facilities from above. The Eiffel Tower is also helpful as a point of reference- tell everyone in the family that if they get separated, they should meet back up at the Eiffel Tower.
The neighborhoods or themed sections of Kings Dominion are Old Virginia, with frontier-themed attractions, the Grove, with an arcade and several exciting coasters, Nickelodeon Central and Kidzville, which are friendly to even the youngest kids, the Congo, which features an African theme, and WaterWorks, a 20-acre water park. Each section is dotted with food stands, restaurants, and souvenir shops that are uniquely designed to fit the section's character.
The best thing about Kings Dominion for families is that there are attractions that will suit adults and kids of every age. In one stop, everyone from the toddler to the teenager to the parents can have a great time.
For adventure-seekers in the family, the Dominator coaster is the newest roller coaster in Kings Dominion. It opened in 2008 as the longest floorless coaster in the world and the world's largest loop. Speeds of up to 65 mph at a height of 161 feet and a total of five inversions will definitely provide an adrenaline burst. The looping Anaconda in the Congo section will spin riders upside down over and over again before plunging them into an underwater tunnel. The Drop Tower is a 30-story tower that will lift riders up and drop them all the way back down. It's the largest of its kind in North America. The Flight of Fear is a science fiction themed indoor roller coaster with four inversions at up to 60 mph.
One of the most unique and exciting coasters in Kings Dominion is the Rebel Yell. This wooden roller coaster features two separate tracks where two trains run simultaneously. The "racing roller coaster" is a fun experience for the whole family. Try splitting up to see whose train makes it to the finish line first.
Once ranked as the best roller coaster in the country, the Volcano Blast Coaster is an inverted track that spews you straight out a volcano at speeds of 70 mph. This coaster is sure to push the limits of the bravest thrill ride aficionados.
For families with smaller children, a variety of family rides will provide fun that is age appropriate. Avalanche is a mild bobsled ride where kids can ride safely in front of a parent. At the Blue Ridge Tollway, children will have a blast driving vintage cars around a steel track. The Scooby-Doo Ghoster Coaster is great for kids who want a roller coaster experience, and the Scooby-Doo Haunted Mansion is a very fun ride where you rack up points by shooting a laser at ghost targets as you ride through a haunted house. Trying to get the highest score in the Haunted Mansion can be a challenge between Mom and Dad. A mini log flume and a 3D Spongebob ride round out the action-packed options for kids. In Kidzville and Nickelodeon Central, kids will be able to meet their favorite Nickelodeon characters, including Dora the Explorer and the Rugrats.
On the hottest summer days, everyone will love a trip to WaterWorks- a 20 acre water park inside Kings Dominion. Lots of raft rides and water slides will provide a good way to cool down. Wave pools and a lazy river should make everyone happy.
Of course, there is a price to pay for all this fun. Kings Dominion is reasonably priced for a theme park so full of attractions. The most expensive option is the Platinum Season Pass, which includes free parking and other benefits throughout the annual season. It costs $160 per person, or $150 per person when buying four or more passes. People who are under 48 inches have access to fewer rides, so the Platinum Pass is only $90 for them. The VIP Season Pass also includes free parking but has fewer perks than the Platinum Pass. It is $90 for people over 48 inches and $74 for people under 48 inches or for groups of four or more people. Finally, the Value Pass does not include free parking and costs $70 per person.
Getting to Kings Dominion is pretty simple. Just take Exit 98 on Interstate 95 between Washington, DC, and Richmond, Virginia. The exact address is 16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell, Virginia. For questions, call (804) 876-5000 or email info@kingsdomain.com. Ticket purchase, park rules, and other information can be accessed on Kings Domain's website.
Kings Dominion is an accessible and affordable family vacation destination. With all types of attractions ranging from the world's most thrilling roller coasters to the coolest rides for kids that also keep parents entertained, it will be a place where everyone in the family can have a good time. Enjoy your trip to Kings Dominion.