The ride
Grizzly is a wood roller coaster built by Taft Broadcasting Company Taft Attractions Group at Kings Dominion in Old Virginia, Virginia, having opened to the public in 1982. After 44 seasons of operation it remains one of the defining attractions on the Kings Dominion midway, drawing repeat riders who track every subtle change to its trains, restraints and station soundtrack.
On paper the ride is a serious thrill machine. It climbs 87 ft above the park before pitching forward into its first descent. Trains reach a top speed of 51.0 mph before the first turnaround, where the layout opens up into a sequence of lateral and vertical elements. In total the track stretches 316 ft, giving the experience a distinctly long-form feel rather than the punchy one-and-done character of many modern compact coasters. enthusiast trip-planning resources
Coasters from Taft Broadcasting Company Taft Attractions Group have a recognizable signature in track shaping, train design and the way transitions are paced. Riders familiar with other Taft Broadcasting Company Taft Attractions Group installations will pick up on the same DNA in Grizzly's layout, particularly through its station design and the sound profile of the running gear.
Plan to ride Grizzly early in the day or during the final hour before park close, when standby waits at Kings Dominion typically drop. Single-rider lines and early-entry ticketing programs, when available at Kings Dominion, are usually the fastest ways to get repeat rides on a busy day.