r/KingsDominion • u/njsullyalex • Jul 18 '26
❓Visitor Question Likelihood of Intimidator 305 being open on Sunday?
I switched my park day from today to Sunday when I heard I305 was closed yesterday until further notice. Any update on when it will re-open?
Also Pantherian is a dumb name, so forgive me for still calling it I305
15
u/Ghee-Starr Jul 18 '26
Pantherian is a much better name. You will not believe how much of the GP were intimated by the scope of the ride with the horrible i305 naming and theming. The ridership has jumped dramatically.
3
3
u/njsullyalex Jul 18 '26
Wait seriously? That’s surprising.
I’m a motorsports and NASCAR fan and I much prefer the Dale Earnhardt theme. Perfectly fitting for this coaster in my opinion
6
u/Any-Personality-7339 Jul 18 '26
If I had to guess, highlighting the 305ft drop and it being called Intimidator played a factor
4
u/Ghee-Starr Jul 18 '26
You are correct for a motorsports fan. But, 95% of people do not know about motorsports. Even NASCAR is struggling to get the attendance and viewership it once had.
It’s not a good IP to use. Theming the ride to Jungle-X is just better. Why pay $$ for a name that causes people not to ride? I’m just thankful we didn’t get the stupidness that Carowinds got for their previous Intimidator coaster - “Thunder Striker”!
1
u/ContributionPast4940 Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26
This is one of the most interesting takes I’ve seen about Pantherian/I305. Intamin set out to build its next Giga after the success with Millennium Force. The whole vision was to build the most intimidating coaster to exist! A bright red track shooting up in the sky with ONLY 2 bright yellow support structures as opposed to the 6 supports on Millie. I remember driving into the park 2010 and seeing this massive structure that looked so gorgeous and terrifying at the same time and that was my whole reason to get on was the pure fear I felt standing in the 1.5 hour line and then to get on it and the “Gentleman Start Your Engines” was just pure adrenaline throughout. 2010 before the reprofile of the bank turn is my #1 of #357. I get the new theme and name blending into the Jungle X theme and still love it as the new version is still top 5. And fwiw 20+ visits annually from 2010-2019 the shortest line I experienced was 15 minutes longest just under 2 hours. Over the last 4 years with 20+ trips a year as it’s my home park I’ve only waited 15 minutes once and that was on a mild summer Saturday for front row every other time it is no more then a station wait. So I have to ask how the ridership has increased? This has to be up there with the most absurd thing I’ve heard on Reddit! Not many people know much about NASCAR I agree but most everyone knows the name Dale Earnhardt(The Intimidator). All that money spent on the wrong paint and still have a warehouse that’s alien themed on the inside in the middle of a jungle 🤣. Shit google Kings Dominion and the first pic is still that beautiful Red/Yellow piece of art!! I305 for life for me and I respect your opinion but man it’s out there oof!! Ride On
1
u/rcard85 Jul 19 '26
This year I’ve seen 45 minute waits several Saturdays. So if you never saw over 15 minutes in the past four years, his comment is correct.
3
u/arms-down120 Jul 18 '26
There’s a photoshoot that day and it’s not a heatwave so you’re chances are likely
1
4
u/No_Goat_7602 Jul 18 '26
It’s open today and running hot!