News: Kings Dominion expands waterpark, lowers prices

Posted at 11:44 AM EST (1644 GMT)

Dec. 18th, 2006 -- VIA PRESS RELEASE:
DOSWELL, VA  - Kings Dominion, the Mid-Atlantic’s premier 2-in-1 theme park and waterpark, will reduce the price of its regular one-day admission ticket and will debut a multi-million dollar waterpark expansion for the 2007 season.

Next year, the price of a regular one-day admission ticket (valid for guests ages 3-61 who are 48 inches and taller) will be $44.95, a reduction of $5 off a regular one-day admission ticket in 2006 ($49.95).

In addition, the park has introduced the new Junior/Senior ticket (valid for guests ages 3-61 who are under 48 inches tall or ages 62 and older) for only $24.95.  This new pricing structure offers drastic savings for families in 2007. A child ticket in 2006 cost $34.99 while senior citizen pricing was $39.99.  The new Junior/Senior ticket offers substantial savings of up to $20 per ticket.  Children age two and under will continue to receive free park admission.

The park is also re-introducing the Starlight admission ticket. Starlight admission will be offered for just $29.95 to enter the park after 4 pm.  This new ticket will allow guests to visit for a lower price and enjoy the evening hours at Kings Dominion.

This new pricing structure marks the first time the park has decreased its price of admission since opening in 1975. 

Reduced ticket prices are not all that’s new at Kings Dominion.  The park’s waterpark, WaterWorks, is receiving its first major expansion since 1999.  Located inside the theme park, WaterWorks is adding three major new attractions that offer something for everyone. 

“New water attractions, new price, new year,” said Richard Zimmerman, vice president and general manager of Kings Dominion. “We know our guests are looking for ways to stretch their entertainment dollar and next year, Kings Dominion will be an even better value.  With our expanded waterpark, and our unparalleled collection of roller coasters, rides and attractions, no other park in the Mid-Atlantic can offer so much fun and excitement.”

Beginning with Tidal Wave Bay, Kings Dominion is adding a second wave pool to the waterpark.  Filled with hundreds of thousands of gallons of water, Tidal Wave Bay will offer hours of swimming adventure. 

The new Tornado attraction combines high thrills with spinning and churning wet spills.  Extending 65 feet into the air, the Tornado provides riders with a unique water experience that everyone will want to ride again and again.  Finally, the addition of the Zoom Flume, will give families the opportunity to enjoy a rafting adventure together.  Four riders at a time can climb aboard the raft and “zoom” down the curving and tilting raging water path. 

“Summer fun has always been about thrill rides and cooling off at the waterpark.  The addition of these great attractions to WaterWorks will bring something new and memorable for our guests,” Zimmerman said.

Zimmerman also noted that 2007 will be the first full season that Kings Dominion is part of the Cedar Fair Entertainment Company of theme parks.  Cedar Fair , based in Sandusky, Ohio, purchased the five Paramount parks last July.  The company now owns and operates 12 amusement parks and four waterparks in North America. 

WaterWorks features a number of exciting water attractions that appeal to all ages.  The interactive water features of Surf City Splash House provide lots of laughs along with lots of splash.  Big Wave Bay, the park’s existing wave pool has 650,000 gallons of water and hours of fun, while Lil’ Barefoot Beach provides quieter water play for the park’s youngest guests.  For waterslide thrills, WaterWorks is home to several unique waterslide experiences, including the four exciting slides of Pipeline Peak: the Night Slider, the Power Plunge, the Turbo Twister, and the Rip Slide.  The addition of the Tornado, the Zoom Flume and Tidal Wave Bay round out the collection of water fun in WaterWorks.     

Kings Dominion will reopen for its 32nd season on March 31.  Construction on the new WaterWorks addition began immediately after the park closed for the 2006 season.  WaterWorks, and its new attractions, is scheduled to open in late May 2007.

Kings Dominion is a 400-acre theme park that’s home to more than 200 rides, shows and attractions. The park brings the best of Hollywood entertainment to the Mid-Atlantic with one of the largest coaster collections on the East Coast; two children’s areas—Nickelodeon Central and KidZville; and WaterWorks, the park’s waterpark that’s included with admission.

Kings Dominion is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company.

Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, is a publicly traded partnership headquartered in Sandusky, Ohio.  The Partnership is one of the largest regional amusement park operators in the world.  Its parks are located in Ohio, California, North Carolina, Virginia / District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Missouri, Michigan, and Toronto, Ontario.  Cedar Fair also owns and operates Star Trek: The Experience, an interactive adventure located in Las Vegas, and operates the Bonfante Gardens in Gilroy, Calif. under a management contract.

For more information visit PARAMOUNT'S KINGS DOMINION.