It’s big. It’s bad. And, it screams along at a mind-blowing pace of 92 miles per hour. This is the Intimidator 305, Kings Dominion’s aptly named new roller coaster that towers above everything else in the park at 305 feet. This is a coaster like no other; its extreme heights, speeds and twists all add up to an unforgettable ride whose intensity can be rivaled by no other park on the east coast. When I visited the park in late June, I saw firsthand how the Intimidator truly lives up to its name.
As thrill-seekers, such as my friends and I, worked our way through the relatively short line, we were greeted by NASCAR racecars and cutouts of racing great Dale Earnhardt, a theme which continued throughout the ride. After getting strapped into the ride, which seats two to a row, we were towed up the first hill with remarkable speed; I barely had enough time to get nervous for the big drop.
As I rounded the first peak and caught a glimpse of the 85 degree drop ahead, my heart plummeted. I barely had time to get out a scream before we were flying along the tracks at breakneck speeds. As we pulled out of the drop and into an almost horizontal curve, the edges of my vision faded from gray to black and I eventually lost sight entirely, a phenomenon experienced by each of my friends as well. For more information on loss of vision on roller coasters, check this out.
However, as soon as we came up the next hill, my vision returned and I was able to scream my way over the next 150 foot drop. While the track does not feature any loops or corkscrews, there are several sudden twists in the track that add an extra unexpected thrill to the ride.
Overall, the ride left me with very few complaints. The safety system, which many riders had complained was uncomfortable and scratchy, had been reworked by the time of my visit, meaning that the shoulder pads were secure and comfortable. Although the ride reaches extreme speeds, the straps hold riders snugly in their seats, leaving little room for the uncomfortable bouncing around that takes place on other coasters.
The line, which only took us half an hour to get through during the busiest part of our Wednesday visit, could have used a little more decoration to keep us occupied during our wait. While there was a clear NASCAR theme, the line was not decorated as interestingly as other Kings Dominion attractions, such as their indoor coaster, Flight of Fear.
However, other than the less than lavishly decorated line, the ride was absolutely perfect. The seats were comfortable, the drops long and fast and the thrill incredible. To read more about the coaster, check out its website.
It’s big. It’s bad. And, it screams along at a mind-blowing pace of 92 miles per hour. This is the Intimidator 305, Kings Dominion’s aptly named new roller coaster that towers above everything else in the park at 305 feet. This is a coaster like no other; it’s extreme heights, speeds and twists all add up to an unforgettable ride whose intensity can be rivaled by no other park on the east coast. When I visited the park in late June, I saw firsthand how the Intimidator truly lives up to its name.
As thrill-seekers, such as my friends and I, worked our way through the relatively short line, we were greeted by NASCAR racecars and cutouts of racing great Dale Earnhardt, a theme which continued throughout the ride. After getting strapped into the ride, which seats two to a row, we were towed up the first hill with remarkable speed; I barely had enough time to get nervous for the big drop.
As I rounded the first peak and caught a glimpse of the 85 degree drop ahead, my heart plummeted. I barely had time to get out a scream before we were flying along the tracks at breakneckspeeds. As we pulled out of the drop and into an almost horizontal curve, the edges of my vision faded from gray to black and I eventually lost sight entirely, a phenomenon experienced by each of my friends as well.
However, as soon as we came up the next hill, my vision returned and I was able to scream my way over the next 150 ft drop. While the track does not feature any loops or corkscrews, there are several sudden twists in the track that add an extra unexpected thrill to the ride.
Overall, the ride left me with very few complaints. The safety system, which many riders had complained was uncomfortable and scratchy, had been reworked by the time of my visit, meaning that the shoulder pads were secure and comfortable. Although the ride reaches extreme speeds, the straps hold riders snugly in their seats, leaving little room for the uncomfortable bouncing around that takes place on other coasters.
The line, which only took us half an hour to get through during the busiest part of our Wednesday visit, could have used a little more decoration to keep us occupied during our wait. While there was a clear NASCAR theme, the line was not decorated as interestingly as other Kings Dominion attractions, such as their indoor coaster, Flight of Fear.
However, other than the less than lavishly decorated line, the ride was absolutely perfect. The seats were comfortable, the drops long and fast and the thrill incredible.
