…”Unless you happen to be an experienced fighter pilot, plan to experience a near-blackout/greyout sensation just before the train lifts up into the second 150-foot tall airtime hill. Let this be a warning to all who take on this ride, because this turn WILL be one of the most intense positive G experiences on a coaster you will find…” **
Last week Dave and I went to Kings Dominion for the day for a date day (no Ebeans!). We hadn’t been for years but I had heard about some of the newer fast roller coasters they have. I hadn’t heard anything specific since this one opened in 2010. While in line to ride the Intimidator 305 for the first time, a young couple scheduled to be in the row in front of us were talking about blacking out. I asked them if that was normal and the young guy said, very confidently, “Oh yeah, I blackout almost every time on this 1 curve. The last time I rode it the girl in front of me blacked out two times.” We chatted for the two minutes before it was our turn to board the coaster. I was a little nervous. I still didn’t fully believe the guy but he seemed so sure that the G forces on certain curves can make riders blackout. So, long story short, holy crap! The coaster shoots you up a big hill really fast and then takes you down a vertical drop of about 300 feet. Right after the drop on the curve I lost all vision and hearing for about 10 seconds and felt really ill. I was so surprised that it was happening to me. I could still sense wind on my face and a little of the rain sprinkles so I know I didn’t fully loose consciousness. So we rode it a second time to see if it was just a fluke but in the exact same spot I lost vision again and had this “gray out” experience! I did a little digging and turns out that it’s a common thing. At one point Kings Dominion slowed down the ride because of the blackouts but then got complaints from avid thrill seekers so they put it back to its original speed. It was fun but I just can’t believe they allow you to physically go that fast! Overall it was a nice relaxing day to just have some fun and let loose.
**http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201004/1855/
