In what seems to be an effort to return back to its “Old Coney” roots, Doswell-based theme park Kings Dominion apparently floated a false rumor of construction of a massive new roller coaster, only to then quietly announce when everyone was distracted that the new attraction for 2010 is going to be a used, 1949 Huss Zeppelin ride, purchased for $78 from Seals Carney Attractions, a struggling parking lot carnival company based in Morgantown, West Virginia.
“We needed a distraction,” says park spokesperson Betsy Mangel, “and we couldn’t squeeze any more life out of the smoke ring sighting. So I casually mentioned to some in the blogging community that maybe we were planning to construct a mammoth, 400-ft high, 10,000-ft long, 200-mph gigacoaster that would dwarf every other coaster anywhere. To enhance the rumor we spray painted and dropped some spare pieces of the Dominator in strategic spots. Well, they bit – and while they crow about the supposed new coaster, we will slap up the Zeppelin ride.”
Many in the blogging and coaster enthusiast community report being disappointed at the hoodwinking delivered by KD. “I already stuck on a Dramamine patch in anticipation of riding,” says coaster enthusiast and blogger Brian of the blog Worldwidebrian.com.
George Wonderley of kdfansite.com reports he too was sucked in by the rumor. “I dropped for it faster than a bridesmaid’s dress,” he says, “It was the biggest news to come out of KD since they took out the Squiddely Diddley.”
Mangel says one reason for the abrupt switch in new product was a desire for the park to feature more rides that can be packed up and moved, sometimes at a moment’s notice. “Whenever the Hanover tax assessor shows up we can make many of these rides ‘disappear’ for tax purposes,” she admits.
Mangel also says that KD fans should not feel disappointed by the Zeppelin ride. “It will be a thrilling family experience.” She says with much excitement. “Who wants to scream down a 350-ft 80-degree drop at 100 mph when they can drift in a creaky circle 18 feet off the ground in a realistic 1/15 scale model zeppelin? Wheeee! Look how high up we'll be! I for one can’t wait to ride!”
