King's Dominion 2013: Record breaker

[Tim]

I'm fairly confident it is a bear, or an animal with similar features. Isn't one of their coasters called Grizzly?

 

[Alastair]

I'm fairly confident it is a bear, or an animal with similar features. Isn't one of their coasters called Grizzly?

Yeah it kind of looks like a bear holding a miniature golf club.

 

[CGM]

I'm fairly confident it is a bear, or an animal with similar features. Isn't one of their coasters called Grizzly?

Yeah it kind of looks like a bear holding a miniature golf club.

Iron grizzly then?

 

[Rob]

Here is the final clue:

Clearly it is a frog. It is thought that this is related to some singing/piano playing frogs that the park used to have, that they might be bringing back.

The announcement is due at 3pm GMT. I think it's pretty obvious that this initial announcement is not a coaster!

 

[Andrew]

The Singing Mushrooms are coming back!

Kings Dominion is excited to announce the iconic 'Singing Mushrooms' will make their grand return in the Spring of 2014 as part of the kick-off to the park's 40th Celebration. This fan-favorite that families came to know and love, will feature the original four colorful mushrooms along with the infamous frog, all singing to their favorite barbershop songs.

"When Kings Dominion announced its 40th Celebration earlier this fall, the response was overwhelming that our guests wanted to see the popular Singing Mushrooms brought back," said Kings Dominion's Vice President and General Manager Pat Jones. "As an employee and fan of Kings Dominion since the 70's, I am excited to see one of my personal favorites return to the park for a new generation of guests to enjoy."

Garner Holt Productions, Inc. (GHP) from San Bernardino, California was chosen to assist in the refabrication of the Singing Mushrooms. GHP is the world's largest designer and manufacturer of animatronics for theme parks, museums, dining and retail locations. The company has built nearly 4,000 animatronic figures, hundreds of animated props and show action systems. Most recently, they worked on a restoration of the Timber Mountain Log Ride at Kings Dominion's sister park, Knott's Berry Farm in California.

GHP and Kings Dominion are working together to maintain the rich history of the Singing Mushrooms, but also add 21st century animatronic technology to it. The new Singing Mushrooms will have more character to the figures with subtle additional functions not seen in the original animatronics. The Singing Mushrooms will be located in the newly re-themed Candy Apple Grove section of the park.

Kings Dominion's 40th Celebration will begin when the park opens for its 40th season on Saturday, April 5, 2014. You can reminisce during the off-season by visiting www.kingsdominion.com/celebration. The park's 40th Celebration website includes historical facts, photos and videos and the latest announcements regarding this exciting celebration.

Kings Dominion is also currently offering a limited time special. Purchase tickets at www.kingsdominion.com/tickets for just $40. Tickets are valid for any one day visit through Memorial Day 2014.

Source

 

[Sam]

On the 10th day of Christmas, #KD40 gave to me: Improvements to Volcano - The Blast Coaster. In 2014, guests will experience improved and enhanced entrance and exit lines resulting in more riders per hour who will be able to experience this signature park attraction. We will also begin a multi-year project to restore the look of Kings Dominion’s iconic mountain, which will include concrete replacement and fresh paint.

Not sure how altering the queueline is going to improve throughput, but always glad to hear of a park making refurbishments and improvements to existing attractions.

 

[Ian]

Great to hear they're making plans to refurb the mountain. In pretty much every photo I've ever seen it looks like it's crumbling and falling to pieces, which is a shame because realistically it's a very iconic and versatile structure, which seem to have plenty of potential beyond its current incarnation.

Still, I can't help but think that the easiest way to improve it would be to rip out the coaster. It's a pig ugly structure if you ask me

 

[Sam]

Big update from KD Fans about the various improvements taking place around the park, including coverage of the capacity improvements to Volcano: The Blast Coaster and new signage for the park in general and Rebel Yell.