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Kings Dominion vs Busch Gardens: Where To Go in 2023?

Where should I go, Kings Dominion or Busch Gardens? Although Busch Gardens is one of the best theme parks in the world, Kings Dominion is still a great attraction. top to bottom quality. The park itself is just breathtaking, and every coaster they have is excellent (well, maybe not Loch Ness, but it’s still really unique). 

Additionally, Apollo’s Chariot continues to be my favorite coaster at both parks. Despite the construction of larger B&M hypers, Apollo remains among my top picks because of its setting and the unusually quirky second half when compared to its competitors.

With that said, it might be a good idea to try something new, depending on when you last visited Busch Gardens. Since Cedar Fair took over, Kings Dominion has undergone significant operational and aesthetic improvements. It also has some fantastic rides.

With that said, it might be a good idea to try something new, depending on when you last visited Busch Gardens. Since Cedar Fair took over, Kings Dominion has undergone significant operational and aesthetic improvements. It also has some fantastic rides.

Table of Contents

What is best in Busch Gardens?

A 335-acre African-themed animal park called Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is situated in Tampa, Florida, in the United States. The park opened on June 1, 1959. SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment owns and runs it.

Banbury Cross is themed to England, Heatherdowns to Scotland, Killarney to Ireland, San Marco to Italy, Festa Italia to Italy specifically themed to a fair that celebrates Marco Polo’s return from his visit to China, Rhinefeld to Germany, Oktoberfest to Bavarian Germany, and Aquitaine to France. Busch Gardens has a wonderful European theming to the park (themed to France).

Scorpion.

Kings Dominion vs Busch Gardens
Scorpion, Busch Gardens.

Scorpion, a fun and thrilling roller coaster that can be found in Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Pantopia area, will appeal to both novice roller coaster riders and the most ardent thrill ride enthusiasts. 

The ride begins with a 60-foot ascent, followed by a steep drop at up to 50 mph and a 360-degree loop where riders will experience 3.5 G-forces.

Exciting Ride

Kings Dominion vs Busch Gardens
Exciting Ride, Busch Gardens

With our extensive menu, we can satisfy your desire for adventure. Some of our top restaurants include Marco Polo’s Marketplace, where you can savor Italian, Mediterranean, and Asian cuisine; Les Frites, where you can gorge on a huge variety of freshly cut fries; and the perennially well-liked Trapper’s Smokehouse, where you can tuck into some good ol’ fashioned BBQ. There are dining options for every taste with so many to choose from.

Excellent Water Rides.

Excellent Water Rides in Busch gardens

On the Congo River Rapids, a raging river modeled after the Congo, get ready to get drenched to the bone. Spouting jets, waterfalls, and water caves are all included in the ride, making it a wet experience not to be missed. 

And be careful because as you go on this adventure, friends, family, and passersby might start shooting water spray jets at you to add to the splashtastic fun! Currently, Congo River Rapids is only open on the weekends.

Best Attractions Without a Ride.

Best Attractions Without a Ride.

Busch Gardens offers fun and excitement regardless of how you choose to experience the park, even though it is home to some of the nation’s most exhilarating rides.

Enjoy these animal-themed treats while taking a break from the heart-pounding, spine-tingling coasters.

Do you know that there are more than 200 different animal species at Busch Gardens? As you admire the splendor of the park from the Serengeti Express Train, keep an eye out for some of them. 

Some of the most amazing animals in the world, such as giraffes, zebras, antelopes, ostriches, and many others, will be clearly visible to you.

River Congo Rapids.

River Congo Rapids, Busch gardens

On the rapids of the Congo River, be prepared to get wet. One of the best activities at Busch Gardens Tampa is this ride, which is the first river rapids attraction in Florida. It is the ideal way to cool off during the sweltering Florida summers.

Visitors board a 12-person raft that will send them spinning through the Congo on a raging river. The river rafting experience is greatly enhanced by waterfalls, water spouts, and a water cave.

Busch Gardens Tampa

Busch Gardens Tampa is an African-themed amusement park located in Tampa, Florida, USA. The park is owned and operated by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment and features a variety of roller coasters, thrill rides, animal exhibits, live entertainment, and dining options.

Some of the park’s most popular attractions include SheiKra, a floorless dive coaster that drops riders 200 feet (61 meters) at a 90-degree angle, and Cheetah Hunt, a high-speed coaster that reaches speeds of up to 60 miles (97 kilometers) per hour.

In addition to the rides, Busch Gardens Tampa is also home to a variety of animals, including tigers, lions, gorillas, and elephants, which can be viewed in a number of exhibits throughout the park.

Busch Gardens Tampa FULL TOUR & REVIEW | 2023

What can you not miss at Busch Gardens Williamsburg?

  • Loch Ness Monster (ride)
  • Griffon (ride)
  • Finnegan’s Flyer (ride)
  • Verbolten (ride)
  • InvadR (ride)
  • Food & Show at Das Festhaus.
  • Apollo’s Chariot (ride)

How long is the walk around Busch Gardens Williamsburg?

Near Williamsburg, Virginia, in the United States, there is a 1.7-mile (4,000-step) route known as Busch Gardens Williamsburg VA. This easy route has an elevation gain of approximately 91.8 feet.

  • Estimated. Steps: 4000
  • Elevation. Gain: 91.8 ft
  • Length: 1.7 mi

What is best in Kings Dominion?

At Kings Dominion, one of the best places to visit in Richmond, Virginia, unforgettable adventures are waiting. Kings Dominion has AMAZING fun for everyone with more than 60 rides, shows, attractions, a kids area, and a waterpark.

Jungle X-pedition, a brand-new immersive experience exploring an ancient jungle civilization, will debut in 2022. Tumbili is the first 4D spin coaster in Virginia, and it offers a wild, tumbling ride.

Discover additional thrills at our enormous collection of roller coasters, 13 of which are among the biggest on the East Coast, including Intimidator 305 ®. At Planet Snoopy, which features the entire PEANUTSTM gang, little ones can experience their own thrills.

Top 15 Rides at Kings Dominion | Is Intimidator 305 or Twisted Timbers Better?

Dominator.

One of the tallest vertical loops in the world at 135 feet, one of the longest steel coasters without floors in the world…

You’re going for a ride, so buckle up and sit down. The longest floorless steel roller coaster in the world is called Dominator. If you enjoy a fast-paced, action-packed ride where the action never stops, look no further.

This ride, which reaches speeds of 65 miles per hour, is unquestionably one of the most well-liked among tourists.

Grizzly

I love rough wooden roller coasters just as much as the next coaster enthusiast, but this ride surprised me in both good and bad ways. I didn’t feel the need to ride the horse again after what had initially seemed like a promising ride into the woods. Even though it seems unlikely, adding IBOX track to a second wooden coaster in the same park would be extremely beneficial for Grizzly.

Top 12 Roller Coasters at Kings Dominion (2022)

Volcano, The Blast Coaster

At Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia, there is a launched inverted roller coaster called Volcano, The Blast Coaster, or just Volcano. Volcano is the only inverted roller coaster of its kind that completes a full circuit. 

It was designed by Werner Stengel and Paramount Parks, and it was built by Intamin. Volcano has been one of the park’s most well-liked rides ever since it first opened on August 3, 1998. 

It is an enclosed roller coaster because riders board the train inside a massive model of a volcano and travel inside it.

Flight of Fear

At two Cedar Fair amusement parks, Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia, and Kings Island in Mason, Ohio, there is an enclosed launched roller coaster called Flight of Fear. 

The first roller coasters in the world to use a linear induction motor launch were both of the Flight of Fear coasters, which debuted in 1996. 

The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions has given Flight of Fear three awards, including two for Technology Applied to Amusements and one for Major Theme/Amusement Park Ride/Attraction.

What is the fastest roller coaster in the world?

The Formula Rossa rollercoaster is the fastest in the world, reaching a speed of 0 to 240 km/h in 4.9 seconds. As you soar to a height of 52m, your stomach will experience a 4.8Gs surge.

Is the Scooby Doo still at Kings Dominion?

The wooden family roller coaster Woodstock Express, formerly known as Scooby Doo, Scooby-Doo Ghoster Coaster, and Ghoster Coaster, is housed at Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia, in the United States.

Can you wear sandals at Kings Dominion?

A water park with a ton of entertaining rides is also present. For the area around the water park, I would suggest bringing flip flops or sandals because the concrete ground there is VERY hot! However, shoes are not permitted on the ride, so you may want to look for a seat to store your belongings. King’s Dominion is fantastic.

When does kings dominion water park open?

The Kings Dominion water park is called Soak City and typically operates during the summer season from late May to early September. The specific opening and closing dates for Soak City can vary slightly from year to year, so it’s always a good idea to check the Kings Dominion website or contact the park directly for the most up-to-date information.

In general, the water park typically opens around Memorial Day weekend in late May and closes after Labor Day in early September. During this time, visitors can enjoy a variety of water attractions, including slides, wave pools, and lazy rivers, as well as other activities and amenities like cabana rentals and food and beverage options.

Kings dominion height requirements

Kings Dominion has height requirements for many of its attractions to ensure the safety of guests. The specific height requirements vary by ride, but here are the general guidelines:

  1. Guests who are less than 48 inches (122 cm) tall may not ride the following roller coasters: Anaconda, Backlot Stunt Coaster, Dominator, Flight of Fear, Grizzly, Intimidator 305, Twisted Timbers, and Volcano: The Blast Coaster.
  2. Guests who are less than 42 inches (107 cm) tall may not ride the following rides: Delirium, Drop Tower, Eiffel Tower, Ripsaw Falls, Scrambler, Shockwave, and WindSeeker.
  3. Guests who are less than 36 inches (91 cm) tall may not ride the following rides: Bad Apple, Boo Blasters on Boo Hill, Joe Cool’s Driving School, Peanuts 500, Peanuts™ Road Rally, and Woodstock Express.

It’s important to note that these are general guidelines and that some individual rides may have additional height or other restrictions. It’s always a good idea to check the posted ride requirements at the park or consult with a ride operator if you have any questions about whether a particular attraction is appropriate for you or your child.

What better Kings Dominion or Busch Gardens?

Even though we have Kings Dominion season passes, I would suggest Busch Gardens instead because it is closer to you from the VA beach area. 

The fact that Kings Dominion’s waterpark is on-site and included in the admission price, along with the fact that it has more thrill rides and better coasters, may influence your choice.

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How far is kings dominion from busch gardens?

Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens are both amusement parks located in Virginia, USA. The distance between the two parks is approximately 78 miles (126 kilometers) by car, depending on the exact starting and ending locations.

The driving time between the two parks is typically around 1 hour and 30 minutes, but this can vary depending on traffic and other factors. It’s important to plan accordingly if you are visiting both parks in the same day, as the driving time between them may take up a significant portion of your day.

How far is kings dominion from busch gardens?

61 miles separate Kings Dominion from Busch Gardens Williamsburg. The distance on the road is 72.7 miles.

How far is VA Beach from Busch Gardens?

Yes, it is 56 miles to get from Virginia Beach to Busch Gardens Williamsburg by car. Driving time from Virginia Beach to Busch Gardens Williamsburg is about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

How far is Norfolk from Busch Gardens?

34 miles separate Norfolk from Busch Gardens Williamsburg. The distance on the road is 41.8 miles.

Written by Layla

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