roadtrip. Kings Dominion or Carowinds?

Planning to take a trip to a Cedar Fair park that we haven't visited this year. We've been to KI and CP many times. Was wondering for suggestions as to which park we should go to. I like Kings Dominion because they have a big selection of woodies, Tomb Raider ride, and Intimidator. I like Carowinds because of the newer investments. Fury325 looks awesome. They have a few flat rides that I've never rode before. Stuck between the 2. Is Kings Dominion alot bigger than Carowinds?

Just looking for insight from people who have visited both parks. Or maybe even a reason to consider Dorney Park. Want to spend 2 or 3 days at one park. Don't think it's feasible to travel from Ohio to North Carolina to Virginia in the time alotted.

I vote kings dominion. Carowinds is boring in my opinion. Yes, Fury325 is really awesome, but it's not worth the road trip just for that ride alone. Kings dominion's Intimidator blows Carowinds out of the water. Not to mention, Carowinds Intimidator is nothing more of a thrill than diamondback at Kings Island.

DRE420's avatar

My family did a Carowinds and KD trip last July and we loved both parks equally. I liked Carowinds a bit better however, Fury 325 is awesome, Intimidator imo is better than I305, just my opinion btw. The park atmosphere is good also, the one thing that I didn't care much for is how Carowinds is layed out. Things are easier to find at KD however. I loved both parks, and would visit them again.

I did both last season on a road trip. From my experience if I could only choose one. I would choose Carowinds. It's ride selection is vastly superior (IMO), the food at Harmony Hall is amazing, and if you like waterparks it'll easily be a 2 day park for you.

Fury 325 is worth the trip alone.

Jeff's avatar

Dominion has a lot of rides that are... meh. I mean, as an Ohioan you might be nostalgic for Dominator, but I don't care for the park all that much. I think Carowinds has more rides that I find interesting, including Fury, Afterburn and Intimidator.


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noggin's avatar

Carowinds gets my vote as well.

And if you're a waterpark fan (which I am not -- I like to keep my pasty white skin under wraps), the Carolina Harbor expansion is a definite draw.


I'm a Marxist, of the Groucho sort.

I'm making a trip to both parks over spring break, and I'm greatly looking forward to both, although I'm slightly more excited for Carowinds than Kings Dominion


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DRE420's avatar

When we visited Carowinds, we did 2 days. Middle of July and the park was dead for the most part. Fury 325 was walk on the first day and a 20 min wait the next. Very clean park also. Well worth the trip for Fury alone just like Wolfbobs says.

Carowinds is a nice park. It has grown quite a bit in the last 10 years. Kings Dominion feels very much like a Jr Kings Island, which isn't a bad thing. Although, if I was going to Kings Dominion again, I would include time for Busch Gardens.

CoasterCam's avatar

I went to both over the past summer. I greatly enjoyed both. I'd say go to Carowinds. While fun, I was not too impressed with KD. Beyond I305 they really don't have anything impressive. Dominator is a great floorless coaster; but I don't think Volcano is all that great. Its fun but nothing to write home about. The woodies are not very good IMO. I305 in the back row was by far the most forceful ride I have ever had the pleasure of riding, but i could not ride it more than 5 times in a row. It's just too forceful. Also, out of all the CF parks I have been to the workers were by far the worst. A lot of them just seemed like they didn't want to even be there. On the other hand I felt that Carowinds was a fantastic well rounded park. Afterburn is great, Intimidator is now my favorite hyper coaster (better than Diamondback IMO), and F325 is by far my favorite coaster. It just blew me away and I think it has everything going for it: Speed, Force, Airtime, Cool Name, Looks, Great Colors, High Capacity, Fantastic Night lighting, Comfort, Height, Breath taking drop, Interactions with the gate, and more. The only downside of Carowinds is that it can be a bit hard to navigate but that was not a huge problem. I can't speak for the food of either park because I do not give a darn about food when at an amusement park. I'm usually okay with a basket of fries all day, then I just pig out at some fast food place afterward. KD is better landscaped and is just below Busch Gardens Williamsburg in that category. Virginia just has beautiful landscape to begin with. Overall they are both great parks but I would give a much bigger edge to Carowinds.


2018- Raptor

CP Top 5- 1)MF 2) Maverick 3) Gatekeeper 4) Top Thrill Dragster 5) Raptor

thedevariouseffect's avatar

Carowinds for Afterburn, Fury, and Hurler. Also some of the best food chain wide.

However I'd say go a few hours up and go to Busch Gardens if you're thinking the KD area, it's only about two hours away or so.


Corkscrew, Power Tower, Magnum, & Monster/ Witches Wheel Crew 2011

Well, I was clearly outvoted haha. I just don't find Carowinds to be all that great, but it's a preference thing I suppose.

HeyIsntThatRob?'s avatar

Another vote for Carowinds. But it's very close and I haven't been back since Fury opened. Afterburn is one of my favorite inverts and the Arrow collection is pretty decent where it doesn't beat you up. I still prefer KD's I305 over the Intimidator there, but really Carowinds has a better all around collection of rides, shows, and food.

Have fun!!

thedevariouseffect's avatar

Two reasons against KD

  1. Food sucks
  2. Aside from Dominator, Intimidator, and Anaconda, the park really isn't that great, especially with having KI closeby.


Corkscrew, Power Tower, Magnum, & Monster/ Witches Wheel Crew 2011

CoasterCam's avatar

I thought Anaconda was pretty bad.


2018- Raptor

CP Top 5- 1)MF 2) Maverick 3) Gatekeeper 4) Top Thrill Dragster 5) Raptor

Kevinj's avatar

You could also just split the difference and go in between to the best park in that area, Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

:)

Unless of course it's a Platinum Pass deal. Personally, Carowinds is on our radar for 2017.

Last edited by Kevinj,

Promoter of fog.

I plan on doing both on my road trip this summer, plus, Dollywood, Busch Gardens, Dorney Park, SF America, SF New England, SF Great Adventure and maybe Canada's Wonderland.

phillies2's avatar

I've been to both over the last 2 years KD last year and Carowinds this year. I'd would choose Carowinds, While I did like Grizzly, Dominator, and 305 Fury, Afterburn, and intimidator were better


My Top 10- 1.Steel Vengeance 2.Fury 325. 3.Maverick 4. EL Toro 5. Millennium Force 6. Wicked Cyclone 7. Intimidator 305 8. Thunderhead 9.Boulder Dash 10. Diamondback 11. Lightning Rod

I'll like to vote a second time and also state that Afterburn is by far a very underrated B&M invert and will most likely surprise you.

Carowinds "Big 3" of Afterburn, Intimidator and Fury 325 are worth the trip. Vortex is actually a fun little stand-up and MAY see a conversion to floorless soon. (Disclaimer: this is based off previous statements from CF management that claimed Vortex at Great America would get converted however plans may have changed for either ride as it didn't happen as expected for 2016)

I appreciate everyone's responses. I don't think I'll be visiting a park outside of Cedar Fairs chain though. As I like to think I own a few of the flowers at each park, I'll be looking to check those out. From the responses I've gotten so far I have probably changed my mind. I was leaning towards Kings Dominion. Because of the woodies and the top spin ride. But I've ridden Tomb Raider at KI awhile back. It's not a trip that we have to plan months in advance so who knows. I'll look into Carowinds a little more before making a decision. Thanks again!

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