Anaconda was a steelroller coaster located at Kings Dominion, in the Jungle X-Pedition section of the park. Built by Arrow Dynamics and designed by Ron Toomer, Anaconda opened in 1991 as the first looping roller coaster to feature an underwater tunnel and the first at Kings Dominion with more than one inversion.[2]
History
View of Anaconda
Details about a new roller coaster called Anaconda, set to debut in 1991, were reported in September 1990.[3] The park's Lake Charles was chosen as the site for Anaconda. Arrow Dynamics would design the coaster to incorporate an underwater tunnel and put the majority of the ride over water. Construction began towards the end of the 1990 park season, with elements of the lift hill constructed over the former site of King Kobra,[4] a weight drop Anton SchwarzkopfShuttle Loop removed in 1987.[5] Anaconda opened to the public on March 23, 1991.[6]
On December 24, 2024, documentation regarding the demolition of Anaconda was discovered by fans online. KDFans found an excerpt of the public record regarding the demolition.[7]
Ride experience
The train left the station climbing the 128-foot (39 m) lift hill. From there riders plunged 144 feet (44 m) twisting to the right and entered a 126-foot (38 m) underwater tunnel. The train exited the tunnel, entering a 100-foot (30 m) vertical loop followed by a 90-foot (27 m) sidewinder inversion (a half loop that used a corkscrew at the top to change direction).[6] After a small hill, the train entered the first brake run nearly slowing to a complete stop.
The second part of the ride began with a butterfly figure-eight element consisted of sharp twists and turns. The last turn to the right transitioned the train into a 25-foot (7.6 m) double corkscrew above the water.[6] Immediately following was a small bunny hill with a short dive under the lift hill that turned to the left into the final brake run. After a U-turn, the train returned to the station.[8]
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