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| "Rebel Yell" © 2008 Paramounts Kings Dominion. Reproduced by permission
of PKD. All rights reserved. |
Unfortunately, only part of that is true for 2008. The bad news? The park has jacked up its front gate admission prices significantly this year, to the tune of $7 per adult ticket and $5 per junior/senior ticket.
That means that a family of four could spend nearly $30 more this year just to get in the gate! That's why my discount ticket info is so crucial for 2008, so keep reading.
But there is good news.
The park is offering its 14th roller coaster, Dominator, while introducing this new perk--FREE season parking with all season passes.
(Scroll down for a YouTube video and discount ticket secrets!)
The park calls itself the "Mid-Atlantic's premier 2-in-1 theme park." We're not going to dispute that. If you're looking for a park where you can ride coasters and go to a water park in one spot, this is it.
This 400-acre theme park is home to 200+ rides, shows and attractions. It combines Hollywood-style entertainment with one of the largest roller coaster collections on the Eastern seaboard. It also has two children’s areas, Nickelodeon Central and KidZville, and WaterWorks, the park’s waterpark.
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| "Drop Coaster" © 2008 Paramounts Kings Dominion. Reproduced by permission
of PKD. All rights reserved. |
And like I said...it's all one price.
BUT, Paramounts Kings Dominion is not for everyone. Click here to find out if Kings Dominion is the right park for you AND read tips to make your trip a success.
So what's new? Did you see Paramount Picture's "The Italian Job?" The remake starring Charlize Theron, Mark Wahlberg, and those shiny and oh-so-perky little Mini Metro's? (and that oh-so-beautiful footage of Venice?)
Well, the Italian Job Stunt Coaster, is a new (for 2007), fast-track coaster experience based on the high octane finale of the movie. Pretend you're a Hollywood stunt car driver as you zoom through movie scenes inspired by the film’s exciting chase sequence. Check out this YouTube video of the ride (click play, wait a sec, then click play again.)
Added bonus for families: unlike many of Paramounts Kings Dominion's other coasters, the Italian Job mosies along at only 40 mph, so even some younger family members will be able to enjoy it. Of course, hard-core roller coaster fans will still be able to defy the elements on Paramounts Kings Dominion's veteran rides. For adrenaline-groupies, there's Drop Zone (where you can free-fall at speeds up to 72 mph and scream at decibels up to...uh, depends on your lung capacity), Shockwave, the East Coast's first stand-up roller coaster, and the Hypersonic Xtreme Launch Coaster (your chance to experience zero gravity).
And for those who like to get wet...what's new at WaterWork's?
WaterWork's new attractions include: Tidal Wave Bay, its second wave pool; the new Tornado, which extends 65 feet into the air; and the Zoom Flume, which enables up to four riders at a time to raft and down a curving and tilting raging water path.
Admission-- Save in 2008!
It pays to plan ahead. Here's why...
As I mentioned above, Paramounts Kings Dominion has significantly jacked up its prices for 2008. But there are still ways to save.
Buy a 3-Day Advance Ticket Online
Purchase a ticket online at least 3 days before you go and you'll pay only $39.95 for a regular adult ticket.
Junior/Senior 3-day advance tickets--valid for guests ages 3-61 under 48 inches tall or ages 62 and older-- are only $29.95. Children age two and under continue to be free.
With the 3-day Advance Online Ticket, you'll save $14 per adult ticket, and $5 per Junior/Senior ticket over the gate price. Not a bad deal for planning ahead.
Want to save more? As with most things, that can take a lot of digging. Luckily, I've done the digging for you. I've found places where you can get single day tickets for as low as $27 per adult ticket. Or, you take advantage of the park's new Pay Once-Visit Twice ticket.
For these discount ticket deals, plus other tips for saving money at the park, click here.
Looking for discount ticket secrets for other area attractions? See what savings secrets we've found for Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Water Country USA, Ocean Breeze Waterpark in Virginia Beach, and Colonial Williamsburg.
Free Parking with Season Passes
Paramounts Kings Dominion also offers a variety of season passes which are actually pretty good deals. The cheapest prices are available if you buy four or more tickets.
And in 2008, all include free season parking. If you think that's not a big deal, consider Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Yeah, they didn't raise their tickets much for 2008, but unless you have a season pass (not including the Virginia Fun Card) you'll have to pay $10 for parking EACH VISIT. Wow! That really adds up. (Although we can tell you how to get Busch Gardens discount parking passes if you click here.) So the free parking deal at KD is a really great deal.
Other Ways to Save - Picnic Packages
Last year, Paramounts Kings Dominion offered a Starlight admission ticket, which provided admission after 4 pm for a reduced price. Unfortunately, they appear to have dropped the program for 2008.
Still Save with "Picnic in the Park"
Dining in Paramounts Kings Dominion can easily add up to a big expense. One way to save some money is to purchase their "Picnic in the Park" package online.
For $47.95 (for adults) you'll get reduced admission to the park, plus an all-you-can-eat buffet from 3:30-4:30 pm. The buffet includes fried chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans, soft drinks, iced tea and ice cream treats.
"Picnic in the Park" tickets are $31.95 for juniors and $37.95 for seniors. If you're going during the week, "Picnic in the Park" tickets are even cheaper-- $3 less for regular adult tickets, and $2 less each for junior and senior tickets.
They've shortened the picnic time by half an hour for 2008, which forces you to plan your ride times a little better. But given that they've raised almost every other price this year, I guess I should be glad the Picnic in the Park fee hasn't changed...yet.
Kings Dominion Hours and Directions
Hours at the park do vary by day during parts of the season, so be sure to check out our Hours & Operating Schedule page before you go.
The park is located off I-95, 20 miles north of Richmond and 75 miles south of Washington, D.C. Opens March 22, 2008, and open daily during summer; weekends in spring and fall.
The Kings Dominion address is 16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell, VA, 23047. The Kings Dominion phone number is 804-876-5000. Website: www.KingsDominion.com
For a map of the park itself, go to http://www.kingsdominion.com/visit/visit_park_map.cfm.
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