UPDATE – 4/02/10 Intimidator 305’s open! Watch a POV video and leave or read a review here: Kings Dominion’s Intimidator 305 Reviews & POV Video
Intimidator 305 To Tower over Kings Dominion in 2010
Today, Kings Dominion (Doswell, VA) finally revealed the details of their 2010 roller coaster. It will be called Intimidator 305. It’s a fitting name because it will be more than 30 stories tall at 305′. Furthermore, the Intimidator 305 name reflects the ride’s NASCAR theming as its name is borrowed from “the most beloved and tenacious driver,” Dale Earnhardt Sr. The ride’s red steel track will change the skyline of Kings Dominion with a lift hill taller than the 275′ observation deck of the park’s Eiffel Tower replica. Intimidator 305 will feature:
The trains, fashioned after Dale Earnhardt’s signature black car, will roar through six airtime humps plus three high-speed turns and the experience will have guests screaming for another lap around the track.
The $25 million roller coaster will open in April of 2010. Visit Kings Dominion’s Intimidator 305 site for more information. Also, check out this video of Intimidator 305 at Kings Dominion. Nice how the camera pans up from the now dwarfed Anaconda lift hill.:
Go here for pictures & images of Intimidator 305.
Coaster Geek Analyis: Intimidator is Millennium Force’s New Kid Brother
Cedar Fair decided to leave their flagship park, Cedar Point, with the tallest and fastest Giga Coaster in the U.S. They stopped within 5′ of Millennium Force’s peak when designing Intimidator. The 300′ drops are the same height, 
but Intimidator’s will be 5 degrees steeper. After that, the similarities end. Millennium Force was the world’s first giga coaster (roller coasters 300 to 399 feet tall) when it opened in 2000. It’s a fan favorite mainly for its height and speed. Read my full Millennium Force review.
Intimidator’s Layout
Packed with high speed, heavily banked turns, Intimidator looks to mimic those steep turns found on some NASCAR tracks. It’s a neat way to reference the theming, but I’d prefer airtime hills. According to the press release, Intimidator promises six airtime hills, with the last one ending with the magnetic brakes right before the station. I hope that they really do have some airtime, but I’m skeptical after my airless ride’s on Millennium Force. As long as half of them offer a brief pop of air, I’ll be happy.
Overall, Intimidator’s layout is a good 1,500 feet shorter than Millennium Force’s but it’s used pretty well. I am a sucker for tunnels, but that wouldn’t really go with the them. I would have like to have seen a long straight away at some point. The first hill could have dropped into a long straight away where you really feel the speed and then it could have thrown you into that first banked turn. But these are minor gripes. The layout doesn’t blow me away, but if you’re going to build a 5,100 long NASCAR-themed giga coaster that’s about the best you can do.
UPDATE – Over-the-Shoulder Straps = Good News!!
So ScreamScape has gotten to the bottom of the over-the-shoulder-restraint controversy. Early pictures and animations showed what everyone believed to be dreaded over-the-shoulder restraints. Lance called John Pagel from Kings Dominion and Pagel described the restraints as “over the shoulder straps”. Here’s a screen capture (to the left) of the straps restraints on Intamin’s Tornado at Bakken. It’s a pretty new system so I can see why there was so much confusion. I don’t think these will be half as bad as real over the shoulder restraints. The main issue with those is of course the head banging. That doesn’t look possible with these straps. Lance also speculated a while back that using a different restraint system than Millennium Force’s lap bars may allow for more larger riders. No one likes to be turned away from a roller coaster. Especially after facing the insanely long waits Intimidator will likely have.
Looking for information on Carowinds’ Intimidator? Visit my post here.
What’s Your Take?
What do you think of Kings Dominion’s new 305′ monster? Leave a comment below.
Coaster Critic 
59 responses to “Intimidator 305 Coming to Kings Dominion in 2010”
Looks great! It mixes Millenium Forces first drop and speed with the lowness and quick turns of maverick…looks like it will be great! Only thing I couldnt tell…were those OTS restraints in the video?
Yep…OTS lap restraints, like on Kingda Ka…great. Thats going to ruin the fun, the reasons why millenium force and TTD are SO great is because the lap bar is smaller than a roll of paper towels. Not to say I don't want to go on it, looks great, but still.
Oh, and whats with the chevy logo on the front? ….
not worth all the hype… whens the carowinds thingy?
I was expecting way more than this…Diamondback is longer and better than this.
This reminds me more of big Maverick than a small Millennium. OH and the chevy logo on the front is because the trains are themed to Dale Earnhardt's car.
Oh and by the way, coaster critic, the page for carowinds that you redirected the last chat to isn't working.
it is so not better than the millenium force!
it is slower than millie shorter than millie and way less amout of track too..my fav ride is millie at cp it also looks like is going to KILL MY NECK LIKE THAT STUPID RIDE MAVRICK……..ITS GOOD IN ALL BUT ITS HURTS ME!!!
WELL THIS NEW COASTER IS A BUMMMMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
^ all the stats of new coaster 2010>>>……..
THE LATEST
Kings Dominion to Introduce $25 Million Steel Giga-Coaster In 2010
Intimidator 305 will be the Biggest, Baddest and Meanest on the East Coast
Doswell, VA. (Aug. 20, 2009) – The most exciting ride in Kings Dominion’s 35-year history will debut in the spring of 2010, as the amusement park introduces a mammoth 5,100-foot long steel Giga-coaster. Intimidator 305 takes its name from one of stock car racing’s most beloved and tenacious drivers, Dale Earnhardt, “the Intimidator™” along with the height of the coaster’s lift hill, 305 feet.
Intimidator 305, only the second Giga-coaster ever built in North America, will be the tallest and fastest roller coaster of its type on the East Coast. The lift hill will stand a towering 305 feet at its highest peak; descend 300 feet at an 85 degree-angle and thunder along the track at speeds in excess of 90 miles per hour during its three minute race to the finish. The trains, fashioned after Dale Earnhardt’s signature black car, will roar through six airtime humps plus three high-speed turns and the experience will have guests screaming for another lap around the track.
“Intimidator 305 will break records as the single largest capital investment in the history of Kings Dominion,” said Pat Jones, Kings Dominion’s vice president and general manager. “The numbers speak for themselves, at a cost of $25 million, a lift hill and first drop close to the height of the park’s landmark Eiffel Tower; you’ll have to see it to believe it.” Intimidator 305 will be located in the park’s Congo section and becomes Kings Dominion’s 15th world-class roller coaster.
Dale Earnhardt, Inc. will partner with Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, owner of Kings Dominion, to bring the massive coaster to life. “We’re excited to see this new roller coaster celebrate the speed and intensity of the legendary career of Dale Earnhardt,” said Jeff Steiner, executive vice president and general manager of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. “There are millions of fans that still honor their racing hero and this is a very real way for them to connect with the spirit and passion of the Intimidator™.”
Guests will have the opportunity to see the ride being built from the ground up during the remainder of the park’s 2009 season, as well as follow its progress by watching the online webcam, set up to overlook the entire work site. Those who cannot wait until 2010 may take a virtual ride on Intimidator 305, access exclusive updates, features, virtual renderings, ride statistics, and more at http://www.intimidator305.com.
Intamin AG of Wollerau, Switzerland, a recognized industry leader in roller coaster development, designed Intimidator 305. The ride is scheduled to open in the spring of 2010.
Kings Dominion is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, a publicly traded partnership that is listed for trading on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FUN.” In addition to Kings Dominion, Cedar Fair owns and operates ten other amusement parks, six waterparks, one indoor waterpark resort, and five hotels. Cedar Fair also operates the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in Gilroy, Calif. under a management contract.
Anything else?
OSTRs are a TERRIBLE thing, but thats that.
What I think about the layout-
-First Drop- That will be the best drop EVER!!!!!!
-First Turn- Probably forceless
-Next Hill- Probably airless
-Odd bunny hop- Not sure what to make of it
-Bunch of turns- Those transitions could be pretty nasty…
-Two hills- Possible floater
Non-inverting corkscrew and rise onto brakes- Air, but could hurt.
This coaster could be TOGO 2, or Superm- I mean Bizzaro 2.
Hard to tell.
That's enough 'Cedar Point Critic'. I think you've met your quota for the month. I just deleted about 10 of your comments. Here are some tips for you. Please only post if you're furthering the discussion. Also, try to say the 4 or 5 things you want to say in ONE comment.
Everyone else is fine. Please comment away.
JaMeS, the Carowinds thingy is next Wednesday, August 26th. I got an invite to the media event, but I won't be able to make it. I'll have a post up about it soon that afternoon though.
Well coaster critic since you can't go maybe you could redirect your invite to me and then mail a plane ticket to me too 🙂
Michael, I'd send you if I could. Can't afford the plane ticket though.
And thanks for point out the broken link guys. I fixed it.
aww bummer. and your welcome about the link
I've done "Superman" at DC's 6 flags; "Magnum" at Cedar Point 10 yrs ago (prior to Mill Force); and did "Apollo's Chariot" at Busch Garden's this summer–2009. What I liked about A.Chariot, is that it is a simply lap bar that lets you move and look around. I'm afraid that this stupid OTS is going to RUIN this massive $25 Million rollercoaster. I mean, I'll still ride it, BUT IF cedar/Kings was smart, they'd redesign and place just lap bars on this giga coaster. Is it too late to start a petition and tell them? LOL
One of the best reasons WHY MF and TTD scare you is due to the lack of restraints. The ones on millie are SO SMALL! IT FEELS GREAT! THIS IS SUCH A STUPID IDEA!
UGH. This roller coaster looks great and all, but they wasted a lot of good airtime opps. The airtime hills look ALRIGHT, but of course the shoulder harnesses will mess it up too. Nothing does airtime like the backseat of El Toro.
But Kings Dominion really did need a big coaster like this, for a while there they were kind of dying with "Dominator", my least favorite B&M, and only a few good coasters. Hopefully this will put them on the map more.
Kings Dominion has so much freakin space, that I think I would have let the first hill have some MORE fun, like Appollo's Chariot, with a "straight away" for a while, instead of having it jerk you to the right into a turn directly after this mega hill. There's something about riding it straight for awhile instead of going directly into a right turn. What do you guys think?
The Intimidator could put Kings Dominion as a close second to Cedar Point in terms of rides… but really, shoulder restraints?
And to think the PG rated talk is no longer applied to any of us, even though its still there…
This is nothing but Superman Ride of Steel with an extra 100 ft and not even close to MF. Once again KD places rides in area's of the Park that have nothing to do with the theme…this is placed in the Congo section. What I'm realizing is that the only "Theme Park" that Cedar Fair owns is Knott's Berry Farm and the rest of their parks are Amusement Parks.This is what they are turning KD into. Also how can they say that this will be the tallest in the Mid-Atlantic region? Umm did they forget about Kingda Ka's 456 height and 418 drop? Also isn't New Jersey considered "Mid-Atlantic?
Agreed Rollercoaster Dude. As un-Giga as it seems, more straights to set up the banking turns would've been more NASCAR and also would've made the ride more unique. I know everyone wants more hills, but after an airless ride on Millennium Force, I have my doubts gigas can provide air. Hopefully, I'm wrong.
Lanceindc, I didn't think NJ, was considered mid-atlantic, but you're right it is. The "Tallest on the East Coast of It's Kind" refers to the fact that it uses a lift hill. Of course plenty of news outlets are shortening that to tallest on East Coast. Oh well.
I added a close up of the trains above in case you missed it.
This coaster is going to be SICK. This ride could possibly top Millennium Force in my book. It has the height & speed & steepness of the first drop; with all of the turns from MAVERICK (at cedar point) which is my favorite coaster EVER.
Although it features over the shoulder restraints, this, I can promise you will NOT inhibit airtime. Airtime does not necessarily mean that you leave your seat; rather it is the feeling of weightlessness. On Millennium Force and Top Thrill Dragster, wich feature single rachet lap bars, you NEVER LEAVE YOUR SEAT… BUT you get that weightless feeling! Same with Maverick which has the same restraints that Intimidator 305 will have. And to whoever wrote this… If you want tunnels, close your eyes on a couple of turns & it will be your favorite coaster hahahaha
TommyKWhip i don't know if you rode the same millennium force that I did but when I rode it it had absolutely NO airtime.
I don't see what is so intimidating about Intimidator. The 1st drop looks great, but this ride reminds me of Goliath in the respect that after the 1st drop, the ride is down the drain. You can't judge a ride until you walk out the exit.
I think the OTSR thing has finally been debunked. This ride will NOT have the Intamin OTSR like Maverick or Kingda Ka. This was stated on a Pod Cast featuring John Pagel, Marketing Manager of KD. He said the ride will feature lap bar restraints, with shoulder harnesses or belts, kind of like a seat belt, and the animations are not correct on the website.
This ride is going to be awesome!!!
If thats true then that will be a big relief!!!!!!!!!
CAROWINDS ANOUCEMENT TOMMAROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I totally cannot believe that CAROWINDS and KINGS DOMINION, BOTH named their new coaster the SAME NAME! I mean, what's up wit dat? People are going to get so confused when talking about these 2 new coasters that aren't even built yet. And now I am jealous, cause Carowinds has better HILLS, than Kings Dominion will have! I mean King's Dominion will have one big hill and then it's just a "glorified Superman/ 6 Flags D.C." and that is it! Even with Carowinds' Intiminator being shorter than King's Dominion, I think the 2nd, 3rd hills will be better than just the big 'cloverleafs' on Kings. Ugggg! I live so much closer to Kings and grew up going there every summer. Peace out dudes.
You're right AnimalShark. Thanks for the heads up. I've updated the post with some information I found that confirms your comment. That's great news and I'm a little more excited about this ride.
Okay the ride looks great, but im wondering, are you aloud to take the staps off. if you can take them off i`ll have to say its one of the greatest ideas in coaster history but if not it could be different. its good beacause tamer audiences may try to ride it. i looked at the picture and the desing of in timidator and to my disapointment i found out that it was not a B&M like the one at cariwonds. but if you can take the shoulder straps off it will appeal to all thrillseakers and people pushed on the ride by freinds or family. over all i cant wait to ride it i can tell even if you cant take the straps off its going to be awsome!
PS it will NOT be the meanest on the east NOTHING is going to take Bizzaro`s throne.
Well, I'm glad that the shoulder restraints aren't as bad as we once thought. Less head banging would be good, of course unless you're an 80's headbanger, then the sky's the limit. And the sky's the limit is what we'll get on the first hill, but after that, I am still rather disappointed. With all the land that KD has, they REALLY should have done an out and back like Apollo's Chariot. Heck, even, take the scale of this 305 against Carowind's new one, and their track looks so much better. More big hills. It's kind of funny that Cedar made the one at Carowinds just a bit shorter. I just wish KD would have gotten 'that track' set up, instead of the one they chose. If you have time, compare the 2 tracks and see that Carowind's has many more hills. It's sad for me, cause KD is closer, I live in Md and went to KD all my life. ugggg. Any body can give me some positives on the 305? Please help. Just disappointed still, after the first hill, that's all. (on a side note, they could have placed in close to the Grizzly and SHOWN i-95 what a huge coaster this is; instead, it's back by those train tracks.
Looks like an awesome roller coaster. I hope soon i get to make my way over there to ride that.
The ride will have a single rider line!
It's looks pretty sweet. I hope I get the chance to get up there to ride it. Since most of the people viewing this are probably amusement park fans, i dare you to come to the other side of the tracks and see the amusement park for the workers point of view on my blog, The Amusement Park Tales: amusementparktales.blogspot.com
Travis, that may speed the line up a LITTLE, but not dramatically, because its only 2 per row, and knowing KD, they wont just load up a train or 2 just for them, like rip ride rockit
p.s.,
It is me JaMeS, but I might get a different logo or something cause it erased my name
Hey, Coaster Critic, thanks for all you do. This is an awesome site for us rollercoaster enthusiasts! Your spot on Fox news was awesome dude!
Thanks Rollercoaster Dude. I enjoy writing on it. I just wish I had more time. Anyway, I appreciate the props.
You da man! I love your site man. I think I'll list all the coasters I rode this summer '09. So here it goes:
1.) Farhenheit (HP)
2.) Stormrunner (HP)
3.) Comet (HP)
4.) SupperDooperLooper (HP)
5.) Trailblazer (HP)
6.) WildMouse (HP)
7.) Lightning Racer (HP)
8.) Apollo's Chariot (BG-Williamsburg)
9.) Kingdom Coaster (DW–Lancaster)
10.) The Joust (DW–Lancaster)
11.) Goofy's Barnstormer (MagicKingdom/Orlando)
Amusement Parks I visited summer '09:
1.) Dutch Wonderland (Lancaster, Pa)
2.) Hersheypark (Hershey, Pa)
3.) Busch Gardens (Williamsburg, Va)
4.) WaterCountry USA (Williamsburg, Va)
5.) Zoombezi Bay (Columbus, Oh)
6.) Magic Kingdom (Orlando, Fl)
7.) EPCOT (Orlando, Fl)
8.) Disney Hollywood Studios (Orlando, Fl)
9.) Typhoon Lagoon (Orlando, Fl)
What a summer of fun.
What would happen if a stand-up giga was made? Also, does anyone think a strata coaster will ever be built with a lift hill? Only 2 stratas exist, and both are launched coasters. Would a strata with a chain lift be the greatest coaster on Earth?
Oh, and Rollercoaster Dude, I can name a few positives for KD's I305 ride. First, I305's first drop is not only 300 feet, but it is at 85 degrees, so it's almost vertical. Think of SheiKra's first drop on a much larger scale and without the hold. That's got to be fun. Also, even though the ride lacks good hills, it is supposed to reflect NASCAR. And since when has a NASCAR track had many ups and downs? Cedar Fair likely wanted to keep the NASCAR theme to the hilt and have just enough hills to satisfy riders, but the main feature is the turns. Finally, since it is somewhat compact, there is still tons of room for future park expansion, instead of lots of wasted space. Carowinds has very little extra space, and had to get rid of their top water ride to build I232, so they might as well build the out-and-back layout.
Oh my gosh, I'm so excited! My uncle works for Intamin AG, and he gave me a call today saying he got me a front row seat on I305's first ever run!!!!!!! I may live in North Carolina, but he said he will also pay for train tickets to get up there on the day it opens! The very front seat has been reserved for ME! Thank you, uncle!!!!
nice its nice to have a big coster around my area i live in the va area in manassas a good drive but its still great.
looks like it`s got some realy good G`s..CFC you are SO lucky! how many people get to ride front seat in before anyone else on a gigacoaster!
PS-didn`t you say it was your dream job to work as a Desinger for B&M, or was that someone else.
Yeah, that was me. I know it's a Swiss company, but based on their rides, I really want to be a part of their designing team.
PS- QB3, are you going to be their when I305 opens next year? I can't wait to tell everyone about it!
sorry, i cant make it, i live in new york and that`s 7 hours away, plus since it`s openning day, the lines will be packed, no to mention the fact that theyre recieving I305 on he same day. above i said i cpouldn`t wait to ride it, but that`s beacause i may stop by all the cedar fair parks nearby soon.
That's too bad. I'll tell you what. It's a few months until opening, and I may forget, but if I can remember to, I'll email Coaster Critic on my ride experience so he can post it up here. I'm also starting a review page on my site, and I305 will be one of my first entries.
You know, those OTS straps look a lot like the new straps on Carolina Cobra. You think that they're copying Carowinds on this, because those straps and the Carolina Cobra straps look exactly alike.
Actually the Carolina cobra has a real ots behind the straps and if you look at a picture of these they are just straps not real ots restraints.
CFC, Cariwons is your home park right, so will you be able to ride I323?
It's I232, and yes, I will be able to ride it, that is if I can afford a ticket or season pass.
To answer that question, Quil, I just ran into a stroke of good luck. My uncle and cousins gave me an e-ticket for a Carowinds season pass next year! With my other uncle getting me on I305 on Opening Day at KD, I may get to ride both within two days of their openings! This is gonna be SWEET!
Lucky. Just kidding! But seriously, you are lucky, First Ride for Both!
The roller coaster is dedicated to Dale Earnhardt, the famous Nascar racer who died about 6 years ago, and that was on the front of his car, and with these new restraints, don't worry about banging your head, you only get to bang up your neck instead and get extreme whiplash on the turns, how exciting!
the reason they have the OTS restraints is becuase after the first hill, the first turn has 5Gs…I greyed out…and alot of people blacked out. If your body goes limp from blacking out you could be seriously injured if you just have a lap bar and your body is unreponsive…so personally I appreciate the safety thoughts. You still get plenty of airtime on the first drop as well as the smaller hills even with the OTS bars. 🙂
This ride was awsome. It was the first coaster that I nearly blacked out on. The first drop is gnarly and all the turns are sweet too. Shoulder restraints weren't too bad but the air people are talking about isn't all that. El Toro in NJ was ALOT more air. I kinda feel like Toro is the wooden version of this ride. Intimidator was pretty darn good. Went on 20 coasters from OC to K.Dominion to 6 Flags in the last week and was for sure my 2nd fav. Love kings dominion atleast when we went because there were like NO LINES. can't beat waiting 10 minutes for a brand new coaster. Looking forward to Cedar Point in the next month or so…..Will compare after M. Force is conquered.
ummm…. why are some rides, and some (like the disney parks) parks? i thought you said rides…?
never mind. 🙂
Incredible ride. Those were the first over-the-shoulder restraints that didn't cause head trauma. Ingenious design with the soft straps instead of the brutal plastic-covered metal. I believe they were needed considering the speed and intensity of this coaster, especially with the airtime on those camel humps. The ride itself defies adequate description. That was the biggest and best endorphin/adrenaline rush I've ever experienced on any of the hundreds of coasters I've ridden.
Bravo, Intamin!