If you haven’t yet heard about the new Planet Snoopy then you will be amazed to see that over the off-season Kings Dominion worked diligently to demolish KidZville in preparation for the new Planet Snoopy, an expansion which doubles the size of the former Planet Snoopy area. The new Planet Snoopy is the country’s largest children area consisting of eight brand new family orientated rides along with six rethemed rides left over from the old KidZville area.  Kings Dominion has done a great job taking a section of the park that was becoming rundown and vacant and turning it into something that’s bright and full of life.

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Area Overview

Though the new rides are the area’s major selling point for guests, from an enthusiast’s perspective, perhaps the most important story here is the level of detailed theming Kings Dominion put into the new area. Fortunately Kings Dominion didn’t just focus on the rides throughout the newly expanded Planet Snoopy area, in fact, they put quite a large amount of work into multiple theming elements to enhance the overall look and feel of the area.
[h2]Theming Centerpieces[/h2]
The area contains a few main focal points that really help to break up the area and give it a nice, pleasant feel. Both the fountain and topiary in particular look great! Awesome job Kings Dominion!

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[h2]Characters[/h2]
You can meet up with the Peanut gang all around Planet Snoopy!

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[h2]Family Care Center[/h2]
The newly renovated building that lets children and parents escape the heat a bit and take a nap if needed. This building used to be the lost parents building and hopefully still serves as the same purpose this year.

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[h2]Theming Elements[/h2]
The area overall looks spectacular! Get it, Snoopy’s Starlight Spectacular? Anyways, moving on.

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Attractions

[h2]Charlie Brown’s Wind Up[/h2]
The old kiddie swings, Swing a Round, stayed flat on the ground and spun at a slow pace. The new swings now swing faster and raise vertically in the air, similar to the Wave Swinger located in the Grove. Charlie Browns Wind Up can be found near Lucy’s Crabbie Cabbie’s.

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[h2]Flying Ace[/h2]
Nothing has changed about these swings except that the character faces are now on each of the rides wings. Flying Ace stayed in the same spot next to the Snoopy’s Showplace.

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[h2]Flying Ace Balloon Race[/h2]
Flying Ace Balloon Race can be compared to a tea cups ride, except being elevated in the air. The carriage rises and begins to spin slowly as passengers spin their balloons independently. Flying Ace Balloon Race can be found near Linus Launcher and the Peanuts Showplace.

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[h2]The Great Pumpkin Coaster[/h2]
Formerly known as Taxi Jam, The Great Pumpkin Coaster received a new theme with some freshly painted purple track. This ride is still located in the same location next to Woodstock Express.

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[h2]Joe Cool’s Driving School[/h2]
Joe Cool’s Driving School did not receive any changes from the previous year from what I can tell. Kids hop into a car and drive around the Snoopy town. Joe Cool’s Drive School is near Snoopy’s Rocket Express.

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[h2]Junior Turnpike[/h2]
This ride stayed the same as last year, riders sit in the car as the car slowly navigates the layout.

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[h2]Linus Launcher[/h2]
Linus Launcher is another swing ride but with an extra twist. Riders lay down on their seat instead of sitting down. The ride then raises and spins similar to Charlie Brown’s Windup. Linus Launcher can be found near Flying Ace Balloon Race and the Peanuts Theater.

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[h2]Lucy’s Crabbie Cabbies[/h2]
Lucy’s Crabbie Cabbies received a major overhaul over the off season, receiving a new facade and taxi painted bumper cars. Lucy’s Crabbie Cabbies is still located in the same location as the years before, next to Charlie Brown’s Windup.

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[h2]Lucy’s Tugboats[/h2]
Riders ride the waves as the boat rocks back and forth while spinning. Lucy’s Tugboat can be found near the back turn of Woodstock Express.

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[h2]Peanuts Road Rally[/h2]
Similar to Junior Turnpike, Peanuts Road Rally’s course goes over top of a small pond. Peanuts Road Rally can be found near Boo Blasters on Boo Hill.

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[h2]Snoopy vs. Red Baron[/h2]
The most noticeable change is the new Snoopy top piece. All of the planes were painted and new railings were also installed. Snoopy vs. Red Baron still sits in the same place as last year, near Woodstock Express’ back turn.

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[h2]Snoopy’s Junction[/h2]
Snoopy’s Junction is a train ride that takes riders in a figure eight before coming back into the station. At this time there is nothing in the middle of the tracks except for a grass field. Hopefully they can figure out something to put in the middle to make the ride a little more interesting. Snoopy’s Junction can be found near Snoopy’s Rocket Express and Woodstock Whirlybirds.

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[h2]Snoopy’s Moon Bounce[/h2]
Nothing has been changed here. The moon bounce is located near the Planet Snoopy entrance.

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[h2]Snoopy’s Rocket Express[/h2]
Snoopy’s Rocket Express provides an aerial view of the new Planet Snoopy area. There is some  that have ridden this ride and think that Snoopy’s Rocket Express is too short and  should navigate through the entire Planet Snoopy area. Snoopy’s Rocket Express can be found next to Joe Cool’s Driving School.

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[h2]Snoopy’s Space Buggies[/h2]
Snoopy’s Space Buggies may be small, but it has a nice effect. Riders spin in  a circle as each buggy randomly hops upwards into the air providing a moon walk type experience. Snoopy’s Space Buggies can be found near Linus Launcher and Lucy’s Crabbie Cabbies.
 

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[h2]Woodstock Express[/h2]
Woodstock Express, formerly known as Ghoster Coaster or Scooby Doo, is a wooden roller coaster for the kids. To help enhance the look of the new Planet Snoopy, Kings Dominion put on another coat of blue paint to help make the ride look nice and fresh. Woodstock Express can be found near The Great Pumpkin Coaster and Lucy’s Tugboat.

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[h2]Woodstock Whirlybirds[/h2]
Woodstock Whirlybirds is your average tea cups ride. The cups spin in a circle as riders try and spin their nest around. Woodstock Whirlybirds can be found near Snoopy’s Rocket Express and Charlie Brown’s Windup.

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Shows

[h2] Snoopy’s Showplace[/h2]
Nothing much has gone in here, but All Wheel Sports will be performing all summer long in the Snoopy’s Showplace. The old “Got Country” set looks to be in the showplace still at this time.

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[h2]Peanuts Showplace[/h2]
The Peanuts Showplace is home to Charlie Brown’s All Stars and Schroeders Sing Along. Times for these shows are located  on the Peanuts Showplace sign in the front of the show building. The Peanuts Showplace can be found by The Great Pumpkin Coaster and Flying Ace Balloon Race.

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Eateries & Shops

[h2]sweetFrog[/h2]
sweetFrog is a  new frozen yogurt chain in the Richmond area that began in 2009. sweetFrog lets you be creative with your yogurt in choosing what you want in it and how much you want in your cup. Being that sweetFrog is at an amusement park, prices are higher than other sweetFrogs in other public locations. sweetFrog can found near Lucy’s Tugboat and Woodstock Express.

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[h2]Snoopy’s Boutique[/h2]
Snoopy’s Boutique has many souvenirs such as shirts, mugs, hats, and much more. Snoopy’s Boutique can be found near  Snoopy’s Moon Bounce and Snoopy’s Rocket Express.

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Final Thoughts

Overall I think that the area looks great! All of the new rides are designed so not only the kids can have, but the parent will be able to have fun with their children. There is some little things that could be better but overall the area looks awesome and more importantly the kids love it!

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If you would like to join in on our discussion, visit the Planet Snoopy thread on the forums!

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Disclaimer: I want to give a BIG thanks to Zachary and Shane for heading to the park yesterday for me since I was not able to make it. So all of my opinions in this post and judging by the many pictures that Zachary took.

Planet Snoopy