RESTORE THE ROAR: GET TO KNOW THE GRIZZLY – PART 2

The Grizzly rollercoaster is one of the most popular, long-standing rides at Kings Dominion. It has remained popular amongst coaster fanatics and park guests since it opened on March 27, 1982. The Grizzly is well-known to parkgoers even though it is barely visible to guests walking through the park. The area surrounding the ride is densely forested, adding to the excitement of the ride as the train winds through the tall trees, and the illusion of nearly missing heavy branches.

The coaster was designed by Curtis D. Summers and built in house by the park. The trains were supplied by Philadelphia Toboggan Company, the same suppliers of Racer 75 and Woodstock Express. Over 3,100 feet of track wind through the backwoods of the Old Virginia section of the park and rise to a height of 87 feet, making it only partially visible from the perspective of the Eiffel tower which sits on one of the higher spots in the park. 

A press release was issued by the Kings Dominion publicity department in mid-March of 1982 heralding the arrival of the fierce “Grizzly” for the 1982 season. At the time, the press release boasted that Grizzly was "Taller than the park's most popular ride, The Rebel Yell (now Racer 75)".

PRESS RELEASE - March 15, 1982

"RICHMOND, VA – The Grizzly, Kings Dominion's new massive wooden rollercoaster will be ready for operation on March 27, the park's opening day according to T. Lewis Hooper, Vice President and General Manager of the family entertainment park.

Taller than the park's most popular ride, The Rebel Yell, the Grizzly resembles a giant double figure eight. A steep-banked, eight story first drop and two narrow passes back through the main structure will highlight two-thirds of a mile ride.

"Kings Dominion has added 17 new rides since it opened in 1975", said Mr. Hooper. "We feel this new twisting, turning rollercoaster should be the best one yet".

Located within a dense forest in the park's Old Virginia section, the Grizzly will be natural woodtone in color. Trees surround the coaster's path, heightening the suspense and surprise of the ride.

Two 28-passenger trains will depart approximately 1-½ minutes apart from a loading station with the railroad tracks of the park's antique steam train ride.

The first major turn occurs atop the second hill with the second drop carrying the train back through the structure. After the second major curve, the tracks crossover again for an inside 180° turn.

The ride ends after another passage underneath the wooden framework.

"With the number of quick turns, drop and dips, the Grizzly should be heaven for the real thrillseeker", said Hooper.

The park's other four rollercoasters – The Rebel Yell, King Kobra, Galaxie and Scooby Doo coaster – are among the park's more frequently ridden attractions.

The Grizzly is modeled after one of America's now extinct favorites – The Wildcat at Coney Island, Cincinnati, Ohio. Taft Broadcasting Company, owner of Kings Dominion, purchased Coney Island in 1969.

The Grizzly will be America's newest rollercoaster."

Grizzly was designed by veteran coaster designer Curtis Summers who had previously worked on The Racer and The Beast at Kings Island, Thunder Road at Carowinds, Wilde Beast at Canada’s Wonderland, and the original Kings Dominion coasters Scooby-Doo (now Woodstock Express) and Rebel Yell (Racer 75). Both Wilde Beast and Grizzly designs are based on the Wildcat coaster which ran at Coney Island Park in Cincinnati, Ohio until 1964. Grizzly has a clone out at Califronia's Great America, and a former clone at Australia's Wonderland in the form of The Bush Beast.

After an all-out media campaign promoting the Grizzly, the ride opened on March 27, 1982.

Refurbishments have happened over the lifetime of the ride, as does any other wooden roller coaster. The work being done in 2022 is amongst the most extensive retracking that the ride has ever seen and promises to keep the ride true to its original experience and provide greater thrills, smoother turns, and more ferocious hills.

Plan to be one of the first to ride the newly refurbished Grizzly next season. Get your season pass today! 

Be careful what you wish for, it’s not wise to poke a sleeping bear – especially one as ferocious as the Grizzly.