Kings Dominion

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Kings Dominion is an amusement park in Doswell, Virginia, about 20 miles north of Richmond. The 280-acre park features 44 attractions, including 13 roller coasters and a water park called Soak City. It’s owned by Six Flags and operates from spring through early fall each year.

The park opened on May 3, 1975, created by a group that also built Kings Island in Ohio. Its original theme areas included The Happy Land of Hanna-Barbera, International Street, Lion Country Safari, Old Virginia, and Coney Island, and visitors could see a 1/3-scale Eiffel Tower near the entrance. Early notable rides included Rebel Yell (later Racer 75), the Lion Country Safari Monorail, and several thrill rides and a log flume.

Over the years, Kings Dominion added many attractions. Highlights include King Kobra, Anaconda with an underwater tunnel, Volcano: The Blast Coaster (the first LIM-launched inverted coaster), Hypersonic XLC, and the giant Drop Zone: Stunt Tower (later renamed Drop Tower Scream Zone). In 1992, Hurricane Reef opened as a new water park area, which later became Soak City.

In 1993, Paramount Parks bought Kings Dominion and added movie and TV-themed areas and rides. The park introduced Nickelodeon-themed zones in the mid-1990s, then later updated to Planet Snoopy for children. Cedar Fair acquired the Paramount parks in 2006, and Kings Dominion began a new era with Halloween Haunt, new coasters, updates to existing areas, and major refurbishments.

Key modern additions include Intimidator 305 (2010), WindSeeker (2012), and the continued evolution of the kid areas into Planet Snoopy. In 2018, Twisted Timbers opened, replacing Hurler, and the park began expanding Soak City with new water attractions. Jungle X-Pedition opened in 2022, adding themed experiences and the Tumbili roller coaster.

In 2024, Cedar Fair and Six Flags merged to form Six Flags Entertainment Corporation. The park continues to expand, adding new rides like Rapterra in 2025. Kings Dominion remains known for areas such as Candy Apple Grove and International Street, and for offering both classic and modern attractions for guests of all ages.