Kings Dominion's biggest, fastest coaster is getting renamed

Geoff Zindren, Communications Director of Kings Dominion talks about their new roller coaster at its construction which will be open to public on their 50th anniversary in 2025.

Kings Dominion’s tallest, fastest ride is getting a new name.

The Hanover County amusement park announced that the roller coaster originally known as Intimidator 305 will become Pantherian.

“The intense speed, rapid shifts and raw power mimic a large panther on the hunt,” the park said in a statement.

The roller coaster reaches a height of 305 feet and a top speed of 95 mph. It has a reputation for being perhaps the most intense roller coaster in the country. Unlike other coasters of its type, Pantherian’s trains do not surge upward after the first hill. Instead, the track stays low to the ground, maintaining its high speed as it shoots around a wide curve. Some riders say they momentarily black out going around the first curve.

The ride now known as Pantherian reaches a height of 305 feet and a top speed of 95 mph.

When the ride debuted in 2010, it was themed to famed NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt. Riders could hear his voice saying “Gentlemen, start your engines,” as the trains pulled out of the station.

But Kings Dominion has worked to align the attractions on the eastern side of the park as part of its Jungle X-Pedition area that was introduced in 2022. Each ride represents a temple to jungle animals from an ancient culture, the park said.

The roller coaster originally called Avalanche was renamed Reptilian. The scrambler is now called Arachnidia. The park’s newest roller coaster, set to open in 2025, is called Rapterra.

At the beginning of the 2024 season, the park announced it would drop the Intimidator 305 name. For the past year, the ride had a placeholder name, Project 305. Workers began repainting the ride earlier this fall.

The name Pantherian is similar to one of Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s newest rides, a roller coaster called Pantheon, which opened in 2022. The similarity is a coincidence, a Kings Dominion spokesperson said.

Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens celebrate their 50th anniversaries in 2025. In July, Kings Dominion’s former owner, Cedar Fair, completed a merger with Six Flags. Kings Dominion said its name will not change as part of the merger.

The fast-paced roller coaster mimics a panther on the hunt, the park said.

People enjoy their time at Kings Dominion, Doswell, Va., Thursday, July 25, 2024.

Wray Powell, 67, holds his 2-year-old grandson, Kayden Sexton, on a kiddie ride on Thursday.

People get their photos at the Eiffel Tower at Kings Dominion, Doswell, Va., Thursday, July 25, 2024.

Play to win machines at Kings Dominion, Doswell, Va., Thursday, July 25, 2024.

Kings Dominion, Doswell, Va., Thursday, July 25, 2024.

For decades, Kings Dominion has maintained a reputation as a well-run, frequently updated amusement park, despite numerous ownership changes throughout its 49-year history.

People enjoy the roller coaster rides at Kings Dominion, Doswell, Va., Thursday, July 25, 2024.

Joe Chi watches his kids Carly and Jay enjoy the Snoopy vs Red Baron ride at Kings Dominion, Doswell, Va., Thursday, July 25, 2024.

Sally Brown character at Kings Dominion, Doswell, Va., Thursday, July 25, 2024.

People get their caricature drawing at Kings Dominion, Doswell, Va., Thursday, July 25, 2024.

People ride a roller coaster at Kings Dominion in Doswell on Thursday. Fans of the amusement park are concerned that its quality will get pulled down by the recent merger between its previous parent company, Cedar Fair, and Six Flags.

Jay W hugs Lucy, a peanuts character at Kings Dominion, Doswell, Va., Thursday, July 25, 2024.

Kings Dominion, Doswell, Va., Thursday, July 25, 2024.

Finley Burkholder, 5, and Charlie Wray Sexton, 4, enjoy the wind-up ride at Kings Dominion, Doswell, Va., Thursday, July 25, 2024.

Eric Kolenich (804) 649-6109

[email protected]

Growth and Development Reporter

Geoff Zindren, Communications Director of Kings Dominion talks about their new roller coaster at its construction which will be open to public…

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