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| "Rebel Yell" © 2009 Paramounts Kings Dominion. Reproduced by permission of PKD. All rights reserved. |
That meant 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 was so crucial for 2008.
The good news? Ticket prices for 2009 are virtually unchanged! (It's good to know that something isn't going up...)
Plus, this year the park is celebrating two new attractions: Americana, a huge, 110-foot Ferris Wheel, and El Dorado, a sky-high swinging pendulum ride. In case you missed it last year, you'll be able to test your fate on their 14th roller coaster, Dominator, while once again enjoying this free 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" © 2009 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.
What else is popular?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 perennial favorite-- a 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 2009!
It pays to plan ahead. Here's why...
As I mentioned above, Paramounts Kings Dominion prices haven't change much this year. 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 $39.99 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 $31.99. Children age two and under continue to be free.
With the 3-day Advance Online Ticket, you'll save $15 per 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 2009, 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 2009, 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
Two years ago, Paramounts Kings Dominion offered a Starlight admission ticket, which provided admission after 4 pm for a reduced price. Unfortunately, they dropped the program for 2008.
But now, it's back! Admission for all guests ages 3 and up is $31.99 for Starlight admission.
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 $48.99 (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. For only $1 more per ticket than last year, it's a great deal.
"Picnic in the Park" is $33.99 for juniors and $39.99 for seniors (about $2 more than last year).
What if you've managed to get a rock-bottom discount ticket elsewhere? No problem. There's even a new Meal-Only option, that's just $15.99 for adults and seniors, and $9.99 for juniors.
One catch: Picnic time is only from 3:30 to 4:30 pm, which forces you to plan your ride times a little. Plus, Picnic tickets MUST be purchased in advance, are not available at the front gate, and sometimes sell out-- so plan ahead!
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. The park opens April 4th, and is 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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