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The Forgotten Past of The Lost World Mountain

Kyle Kruthoffer Photo Kyle Kruthoffer |
January 3, 2023

“The Lost World. It’s not just another ride, it’s a whole new world.” On May 25, 1979, after two years of designing and two years of construction, the gates were opened to allow guests to explore the 15-story man-made mountain appropriately named - “The Lost World”. For indeed, it did seem like something out of the past time. According to geologists, mountains are created by the shifting of substantial underground plates. Yet, one appeared in Doswell, Virginia to cast its shadow over the Wild Animal Safari section of Kings Dominion. The guests were naturally excited as they tried to decide which of the three attractions to explore first - for as one employee put it, “It’s not only the largest ride complex ever built at a seasonal park; it’s a unique combination of thrills, fantasy, and whimsy that includes something for everyone.” 

For the guests, the decision was not made any easier once they began to realize the actual size and magnitude of the structure. Covering 90,000 square feet (approximately two acres) the Lost World was impressive. The Lost World was constructed without blueprints - all that was available were some small three-dimensional models, thus it was entirely designed and constructed by Kings Dominion and Kings Production staff members. Yet, once the project got underway, there was a girder framework made from 600 tons of steel covered by 40 miles of web-steel reinforcing rods of metal lath. There were three coats of “sprayed-on” concrete, 70,000 gallons of conduit, 4,070 gallons of paint, 14,000 concrete blocks, 16,000 yards of metal lath, and 2,350 lbs. Of welding rod. To install the sound and electronics - more than 1000 speakers with 45 separate soundtracks were installed. There were also 352 electronically controlled lighting instruments. 

On its opening day, the temperature was in the 50s and there was a gas shortage. Still, the attendance was only 1000 or so short of the expected 20,000 guests. This was great considering that Journey to the Land of Dooz did not open until 11:27 and the Voyage to Atlantis opened at 11:50 and had to close two other times due to water pump problems. The “Lost World Weekend” was also a big concert weekend because Pablo Cruise and Willie Nelson were scheduled to perform, but it was obvious what was bringing the people to the park.

When the mountain opened, it included three rides - the before-mentioned Voyage to Atlantis and Journey to the Land of Dooz, and the Time Shaft. Voyage to Atlantis included laser beams, sound effects, and a warning to “turn back” by a ghastly face projected at various points during the voyage. All of this plus the skeletons, coffins, etc. made the travel along the 1000 ft. stream mysterious and suspenseful. Matters weren’t improved any due to the fact that the boats traveled at only 3.5 ft. per second. This slow pace allowed the fright factor to sink in. Then to top off the ride, there was the grueling ride to the top of a lift and then a quick, thrilling, and wet drop down a 40 ft. hill into a reservoir below. This “exit plunge” was one of the big attention-getters for the ride. The guests would stand along the boulders and eagerly await friends and relatives to emerge - scream - and then show relief when the boat reached the bottom. Anyone who made the trip and reached the reservoir was treated to a shower of water, rounds of applause, and a lot of laughter. 

In 1980, Voyage to Atlantis became The Haunted River which in its early period included employees dressed in some of the most horrible costumes imaginable in order to add a new dimension of fright to the ride. The characters were used for two years. 

The Time Shaft was described as a “spinning ride of light and sound where passengers stand against the wall of a large drum-like room - the floor drops and centrifugal force allows one to defy gravity.” The Time Shaft spun approximately 40 to 50 revolutions per minute and once the revolutions reached 100 per minute the floor dropped down about six inches - just enough to scare your pants off! The Chance Rotor accommodated approximately 30 to 35 people and above the ride was an object straight out of a Frankenstein movie. The object was a “chandelier” of flashing lights, strobes, and neon tubes that illuminated the cavern and the viewing gallery. The tunnel leading to the cavern was 187’4” in length and allowed the entering and waiting for guests the opportunity to hear the shrieks of terror from the guests that were already riding. And if listening to the shrieks weren’t enough… right before entering the final cavern area, the guests were faced with crossing a swinging bridge stretched across the face of a sheer cliff! The bridge was later abandoned and guests then walked to the center cavern by way of the tunnel only. 

Last, but certainly not least, there was Journey to the Land of Dooz. A mine train ride that allowed families to look at what happens beneath the earth’s surface to make everything above the earth’s surface work. The Doozys, apple-cheeked, bulbous-nosed “people” who inhabit the underworld were the “children” of H.W. “Hub” Acton, manager of the K.D. creative shop and supervisor of the Lost World project. While families waited in the station, they were afforded the opportunity to read framed newspapers filled with articles detailing the “discovery” of the underground Land of Dooz and what their contributions to the “upper world” were. The framed papers added atmosphere to the ride and more insight as to what the guests could expect. But nothing compared to what the families saw. 

Once on the train, the guests were pleasantly surprised at what had been created. The Doozys were seen doing all sorts of jobs. For example, they were seen controlling the weather (we would if we could!), pushing up crops, producing red tape, shooting stars (literally), producing rainbows, pushing up blue grass from Kentucky (my home state), and placing red wood and yellow stones for the national parks. Over 150 Doozys animatronics were created and three trains were designed for use. After passing through the mythical land, the families were sent back to the upper world by Mayor Dooz who waved and smiled as the train passed its final scene of his kingdom. In 1984, much to the dismay of many guests and employees, the Land of Dooz was transformed into Smurf Mountain.

So, as you can see - the Lost World experienced many changes since its opening day. Even the costumes changed. Another interesting aspect of the Lost World in its early days was that a reservations system - complete with a manual - was used. The reservation system was designed to handle the expected lines and the basic procedure was that once the lines reached a certain length - reservations would be issued on a first-come, first-serve basis. The reservation was a slip of paper with the time that the guest could come back and ride. There was a set group of people who did this with the aid of extra ride operators. One last tidbit about the Lost World is that there had been plans to put in a restaurant. It would have overlooked the “back area and part of the preserve. This concept was abandoned though due to the time and money that would have been needed to make the restaurant a reality and a success. 

The seven-million-dollar Lost World - today referred to as the former Volcano: The Blast Coaster was a revolution in the amusement park industry. And though there were many changes, the “Mountain” in 1979, was seen not just as another ride, it was a whole new world. A world that remained one of the most outstanding trademarks of Kings Dominion.