On May 3, 1975, Kings Dominion opened to the general public. In fact, It closed before it opened. Kings Dominion was so anticipated at the time that on opening day it backed up every enroute highway for 10 miles. Guests were being turned away as the park was busting at the seams for current capacity levels.
Four decades later, families still make the journey to rural Doswell, Virginia countless times each season to see what new and exciting thrills are waiting for them. They create new memories that stockpile photo books at home. They tackle lists of their favorite rides, dare to brave new ones and talk themselves into trying that ONE ride that, that one fear they have yet to conquer. They enjoy familiar favorites like funnel cake, corn dogs and soft serve and when it’s time to go the kids are always tired but always sad to see the day end. The most awesome thing about the whole experience is…
Tomorrow brings a new day, tons of new thrills and memories to make at our favorite place to play. So Happy 43rd Birthday, lovely lady.
History: Kings Dominion (1972–83)
Following the success of Kings Island in Mason, Ohio, northeast of Cincinnati, Family Leisure Centers (a partnership formed between Taft Broadcasting Company and Top Value Enterprises) decided to expand into a new region of the country by opening a second park. A 400-acre site was chosen in Doswell, Virginia, north of Richmond in the heart of the Mid-Atlantic, and construction began on October 1, 1972. The new park was designed with Kings Island in mind as the blueprint using similar themes, rides, and activities.
Kings Dominion officially opened on May 3, 1975, offering fifteen attractions including the Rebel Yell (now known as Racer 75), the Lion Country Safari Monorail, Galaxie, and a junior wooden roller coaster known as Scooby Doo. Also present at the opening was a log flume, steam train, a collection of flat rides and a cable-car sky ride that transported visitors between Old Virginia and The Happy Land of Hanna-Barbera.
In addition, Kings Dominion's 1/3-scale replica of the Eiffel Tower and the International Street Fountain greet visitors near the main entrance to the park. Original themed areas included The Happy Land of Hanna-Barbera, International Street, Lion Country Safari, Old Virginia, and Coney Island. Daily admission price in 1975 was $7.50, and a dollar for parking.
Kings Dominion added their fourth roller coaster, a Schwarzkopf shuttle loop known as the King Kobra, in 1977. The King Kobra featured a 50-ton counter weight drop launch and was the park's first launched roller coaster.
A campground was completed in time for the 1978 season and the park's well-known Lost World mountain debuted in 1979. Originally, the Lost World featured three rides: a flume ride called Voyage to Atlantis, a children's attraction mine ride known as Land of the Dooz, and a rotor called Time Shaft. Only a year later in 1980, the flume ride was rethemed Haunted River. Kings Dominion later expanded Old Virginia with the addition of the park's third wooden roller coaster, the Grizzly, in 1982 and a river rapids ride called White Water Canyon in 1983.
