Kings Dominion to celebrate it's 40th anniversary in 2014

[Musical Master]

In my home park, there's a really exciting season coming next year. Kings Dominion, owned by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, is doing a lot of things to celebrate it's 40th birthday in 2014.

The park is considering 1974 an opperating year since it opened as a "preview" for the park with the Scooby Doo coaster (now known as Woodstock Express), and the former Lion Country Safari. 1975 is the official year the park opened to the public, which would make 2015 another 40th anniversary celebration.

The first things they are doing for 2014 is the big touch up to my park. Candy Apple Grove is returning after being de-themed by Paramount in 1994 by bringing back it's iconic Floral Clock that used to be near the park's famous Carousel (one of the only wooden Carousel's operating today and one that existed in the early part of the 20th century), the huge candy apples that used to be part of the landscaping/theme and most importantly the Singing Mushrooms are coming back with it's original design with new animatronics designed by Garner Holt (who designed the new Maleficent Dragon in the Disneyland version of Fantasmic!). Safari Villiage is returning when it comes to theming as well and improvements are happening to two rollercoasters: Volcano and Anaconda. Internation Street's fountains will be restored (with new LED colored lights and more improvements), the Clown Band, a popular music band group from the late 70's to the early 90's is a returning entertainment show from the past and additional shows inspired by popular park shows from the 80's is also coming. More details will be announced by the park very soon.

I have only one reason why this is happening: Matt Ouimet. His work as president of Disneyland of course helped the park to be the Disneyland we know today and for him for taking over not only the presidency, but the role of CEO of Cedar Fair is what that suffering company needed. He believes for the family side of things and what is happening to my home park is a clear indication of what he wanted all along; if Dick Kinzel (the previous CEO) stayed, we can bet our sweet bippy that all of this would've never happend at all.

Thank you so much Mr. Ouimet for all the hard work you and the company are doing; I can't wait to visit the park next year

[David S.]

As a "traveling theme park/coaster enthusiast", I've been to Kings Dominion 4 times - 2006, 07, 11, and 12. It's a beautiful park with some great rides, and a great location just an hour away from Busch Gardens Williamsburg (and not too far from Hersheypark, Great Adventure, and SF America).

I'm glad to hear they are going all out for the 40th. If I'm up that way this season, I'll have to check it out.

I agree about preferring Ouimet over Kinzel. I lost all respect for Kinzel after what he did to Geauga Lake on the southeast side of Cleveland (he tore it down!)

[Musical Master]

As a "traveling theme park/coaster enthusiast", I've been to Kings Dominion 4 times - 2006, 07, 11, and 12. It's a beautiful park with some great rides, and a great location just an hour away from Busch Gardens Williamsburg (and not too far from Hersheypark, Great Adventure, and SF America).

I'm glad to hear they are going all out for the 40th. If I'm up that way this season, I'll have to check it out.

I agree about preferring Ouimet over Kinzel. I lost all respect for Kinzel after what he did to Geauga Lake on the southeast side of Cleveland (he tore it down!)

And what's worse is that the former park side of it is starting to look like a ghost town and it is very tragic.

[Musical Master]

Here's a video of the new "Singing Mushrooms" which has new animatronics by Garner Holt.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs0edT_fo8M[/youtube]