Dinosaurs Roar and Swinging Rides Soar as Kings Dominion Kicks Off 2012 Season on Friday, April 6

DOSWELL, Va., March 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Spring has arrived in Central Virginia and there is no better way to celebrate longer days and warmer weather than with Kings Dominion's official opening on Friday, April 6. Plan to soar and roar this season as the park debuts the breathtaking WindSeeker, a 30-story-tall swing ride, and Dinosaurs Alive!, a unique six-acre interactive dinosaur exhibit that features 36 full size dinosaurs.

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WindSeeker features a 301-foot-tall tower that will spin riders nearly 30 stories above ground. Seated in two-person swings that will allow their feet to dangle, riders will slowly begin rotating in a circular motion as the swings ascend the tower. At the top, the swings will be reaching speeds between 25-30 mph, flaring out almost 45 degrees from the tower. WindSeeker will be able to accommodate 64 riders (32 swings) at one time. For comparison purposes, WindSeeker will climb just above riders on the park's popular Drop Tower attraction and is located near the park's Xtreme SkyFlyer attraction.

"Soaring and swinging almost 300 feet above Kings Dominion and the adjacent countryside will be an amazing ride experience for our guests," said Pat Jones, vice president and general manager of Kings Dominion. "During the day, or at night when the ride will be illuminated with spectacular LED lighting, WindSeeker will provide riders with unparalleled views of the park and surrounding attractions. I have no doubt it will be one of the more popular rides at Kings Dominion." 

Kings Dominion will also invite guests to roar back in time to periods between 245 million and 65 million years ago as they walk through Dinosaurs Alive!, the park's unique new interactive dinosaur attraction. Thirty-six life-sized dinosaurs are on display in Dinosaurs Alive! including numerous animatronic models, in a spectacular outdoor forest setting.

The multi-sensory and interactive dinosaur park brings inspiration, science and technology together at Kings Dominion where guests also hear the sounds and see the movements of 36 full-sized animatronic creations made to replicate nearly every feature of the dinosaurs. Each of the dinosaurs is hand-carved and covered with skin-like materials.

"Dinosaurs Alive! is a first of a kind attraction for Kings Dominion and reflects our commitment to providing our guests with world-class fun and family entertainment," Jones said. "The sights, sounds and movements of the life-like dinosaurs within their own little mini-park will excite and educate guests of all ages." Jones says the dinosaur park is not included with general park admission or season pass. A separate admission ticket of $5.00 is required for the attraction. The Dinosaur Alive! exhibit entrance will be located next to the park's Grizzly wooden rollercoaster.

In addition to Dinosaurs Alive! Kings Dominion will also debut Dinosaurs, Giants of Patagonia, an exciting and educational real 3D movie experience narrated by Donald Sutherland. The 17-minute movie will be shown in Kings Dominion's Action Theatre and is free with park admission.

Along with the exciting new rides and attractions opening on April 6, Kings Dominion will celebrate the Easter holiday with Kings Dominion's annual Easter Eggstravaganza on April 6-8. Kings Dominion will also be open Spring Break week, April 9-13.

Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: "FUN") is a publicly traded partnership headquartered in Sandusky, Ohio.  The Company, which owns and operates 11 amusement parks, six outdoor water parks, one indoor water park and five hotels, is one of the largest regional amusement park operators in the world.  Its parks are located in Ohio, California, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Missouri, Michigan, and Toronto, Ontario.  Cedar Fair also operates the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in Gilroy, California under a management contract.  

SOURCE Kings Dominion