Ride into spring

Kings Dominion

Known for having one of widest variety of roller coasters, this spring, Kings Dominion will debut its fourteenth roller coaster, the Dominator.    This new ride will be the longest, floorless coaster in the world with one of the largest roller coaster loops in history.  Now Kings Dominion will have the largest coaster collection on the east coast with its latest debuting late this spring.

It continues to garner over 2 million guests annually to the 400-acre park that contains over 40 rides.  On hot days it has an ideal 20-acre water park connected to it which is also included when guests pay admission for one day.

As many theme parks do, there is more than just fun rides and food At Kings Dominion.  Kings Dominion also hosts various performers, which all add to the already exciting atmosphere.  This year guests will have the opportunity to see Fred Hammond, the dance festival, fireworks and Kingsfest which features many up and coming artists

Opening Date:  Opened April 26 for weekend operation and will open May 23 for daily operation.  On May 24, Hurricane Harbor, the water park, will be open as well. 
Price Per Ticket: 
Adult  =  $49.99 (online price $39.99)
Junior (under 48”)  =  $34.99
Child (2 and under) =  free


Busch Garden

There are dozens of rides and attractions to be explored at Williamsburg’s Busch Gardens.  With a European theme, there is a wide variety of food and main stage shows as well as a fun children’s area.  The park is owned and operated under the Anheuser-Busch Company, Inc., the world’s largest brewing company.  Busch Gardens in Williamsburg is one of the ten parks run by the company, its others including Busch Gardens Africa in Tampa Bay; Sesame Place near Philadelphia; SeaWorld in San Diego, Orlando and San Antonio and Discovery Cove in Orlando.

This season the park’s latest attraction is a thrilling roller coaster named “The Griffon,” which made its debut last May.  Its major selling point is its  90 degree drop in which it plummets its riders down at 70 mph.  Each hour, it can accommodate 1,400 guests for a riding time of three minutes.  Set in a French village, it is meant to emulate the speed and adrenaline-rush of a griffon as it dives and turns.

Opening Date:  March 21 for weekends and the majority of weekdays until the last week in May. 
Price Per Ticket:  Adult (ages 10+ )  =  $56.95
Junior (ages 3-9)  =  $49.95
Child (2 and under ) =  free


Six Flags Great America

With over 21 different parks in North America, Six Flags has become a household name when referring to theme parks.  It is the world’s largest theme park chain, hosting over 24.9 million guests in 2007.  Its familiar logo, sporting the famous Bugs Bunny, is the trademark placed on it by Time Warner, signifying its relationship with the Warner Bros. animated characters.

The Six Flags park in VA, Six Flags Great America, was the first premier park to open in 1982 but was not acquired by Six Flags until 1992. 

This year it will be debuting the Tony Hawk Halfpipe in the Hurricane Harbor water park.  The ride was announced in December and will officially open on May 24.  It sends guests down one side of the half pipe at close to 23 mph.  It is trying to give riders the same effect that skateboarders feel when they are on land.  The effects created with the water gives the feeling of zero gravity as well as the illusion of “no sides.”

Opening Date:  Opened April 26 for weekend operation and will open May 23 for daily operation.  On May 24, Hurricane Harbor, the water park, will be open as well. 
Price Per Ticket: 
Adult  =  $49.99 (online price $39.99)
Junior (under 48”)  =  $34.99
Child (2 and under) =  free