When is the last time you had a whole day of nothing but fun with your family?  On Saturday April 11, we did just that at Kings Dominion during the Spring Bloom festival.  The memories we made will last a life time, especially those we couldn’t capture with a camera.

Before the trip, our six-year-old wrote down what she wanted to do most:  the log ride and the bumper cars. Walking into the park, our four-year-old exclaimed “Why are we wasting time with all this walking?  We just want to have fun!”

Me and my crew enjoying the Spring Bloom festival at Kings Dominion.

We were greeted at the entrance by a giant praying mantis, bright green and walking on stilts! There were beautiful, colorful flowers everywhere – even giant statues of flowers!  The decor, part of the Spring Bloom festival, was very pretty.

The kids ran from ride to ride in Planet Snoopy, where we spent most of our time.  It was great that this kids-focused zone had so many rides that both kids could enjoy.  My son is 40 inches tall and could ride almost everything with one of us or his big sister.  (The map and posted signs clearly explain height and supervision requirements.)

My 5-year-old enjoying the race cars for the 5th time!

My favorite ride of the day was the log flume ride.  I have wonderful memories of this ride as a kid, and it was just as good as I remember.  It was great that all four of us could all ride together!  I will always treasure the mental image of us all hanging on to each other splashing down the hill and screaming!

Some hard-core Debby fans who let me take their picture for the blog!

Our day ended by going to Kingswood Amphitheater to watch Debby Ryan and the Neverending perform in concert at 6:00 PM.  The theater opened at 5:00 PM for first-come, first-serve seating.  The venue is very comfortable.  The seats are nice and are surrounded by green grassy areas where the kids could play before the concert.

Debby Ryan (most well known as Jessie from the Disney Channel show) shocked the crowd when she came out with blonde hair!  She was sweet and charming and did not disappoint her fans, of which there were many (girl and boy!) in the crowd.  I also found myself really enjoying her music.

Debby Ryan in concert at Kings Dominion

All in all, we had a wonderful time.  It has been a while since just the four of us had a dedicated fun day.  I really found Kings Dominion to be a great place for our family to relax and reconnect, enjoying the experiences around each corner together.

Kings Dominion is a sponsor of Richmondmom

On April 11th, we are headed, with the kids, to Kings Dominion.  They are five and six years old and this will be their first visit to the park.  This will also be the first time we’ve gone to any amusement park with just our family.  Lots of firsts!  I am so excited!

We could not have picked a better time for the kids’ first visit.  The 2nd Annual Spring Bloom festival begins April 3rd and runs through May 3rd, during which they decorate the park and have special events and activities.  I can’t wait to see the thousands of colorful flowers that will be planted around the park!  It sounds like such a refreshing scene after all of the cold we had this winter.

The Spring Bloom festival also will have special dining events along International Street featuring Virginia brews, and every Saturday and Sunday afternoon there will be live music from local bands and free children’s activities sponsored by Lowes.  I know our kids will love that!

But our 6-year-old daughter will be most excited about the concert April 11th.  Debby Ryan and the Never Ending will be playing at the Kingswood Theater at 6 PM as part of the Spring Bloom concert series.  (Choo Choo Soul will be playing on April 19th.  Concerts are free with admission to the park!)

If you have a child of a certain age who has access to Disney Channel shows, you will know Debby Ryan as the actress who plays Jessie on the show Jessie.  In our house, we have all seen every episode and have memorized the theme song – even my husband!

Wait for it… SQUEEEE!!!!!  That is the sound my 6-year-old will make when I tell her we are going to this!!  (I haven’t told her yet because our life would be consumed with a count down to the concert!)

That is also a sound I will probably make because it’s been a while since I did something that made me feel like a kid again.  Plus I… errr I mean we…. get to see Jessie… err I mean… Debby Ryan!!

For more information about the Kings Dominion Spring Bloom Festival or any of the event, click here!

Kings Dominion is a sponsor of Richmondmom

Kids love Kings Dominion, but all the great things happening in the park can be very overwhelming for kids with autism.  Kings Dominion and ASCV have teamed up to make a day at the park a little easier on kids with autism and their families.

On April 12, 2015, bring the whole family to Kings Dominion on Autism Awareness Day and join the Autism Society Central Virginia for a meet and greet under the Eiffel Tower from 10am-3pm.

Families with children with autism will be able to pick up a packet which contains information on gluten free food options, a map of quiet areas, information on  the Kings Dominion Special Boarding Pass Program and a pair of ear plugs and a KD Kid Traker wristband.

Autism Awareness Day
Kings Dominion
April 12, 2015
10am-3pm
Use code KDSCV at KingsDominion.com to get tickets for $34.

Want to help raise money for ASCV to promote fantastic autism-family-friendly events just like these?
Join us at Wine Down  for a special fundraising event to benefit the Autism Society of Central Virginia on May 6, at 6:30 pm.  Read more here.

Kings Dominion is a sponsor of Richmondmom

Cherry blossoms and daffodils aren’t the only things blooming this spring.

The Kings Dominion Spring Bloom Festival is back for it’s second year! From April 3rd to May 3rd Spring Bloom features a month of live entertainment, free family-friendly concerts, unique food offerings, and hands-on children’s activities.

Spring Bloom is a month long celebration that spells fun for the whole family with these special events:

Easter EGGstravaganza – Celebrate Easter with Snoopy and his friends. Make sure to get your picture taken with Eggward the Easter Bunny or visit our petting zoo. Little ones can test their egg hunting skills with our Easter EGGsploration scavenger hunt or learn from our hands-on craft making classes. Easter activities will be held April 3-5.

Spring Break – Take a break from the books and get ready for fun! Kings Dominion will be open April 6-10 for the most thrilling spring break in the region.

Debby Ryan & The Never Ending- Disney star Debby Ryan along with her band, The Never Ending will perform at Kings Dominion. Debby Ryan stars in the Disney Channel Original Series, “Jessie.” The concert is free with park admission. Seating is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Concert will be held at Kingswood Amphitheater on Saturday, April 11 at 6 p.m.

Choo Choo Soul – For the younger ones, Choo Choo Soul is a children’s entertainment act featuring a hip-hop train conductor and her partner, a dancer and beatboxer dressed as a railroad engineer. The concert is free with park admission. Seating is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Choo Choo Soul will perform at the Peanut’s Showplace Theater on Sunday, April 19 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Spring Bloom: An International Culinary Celebration – Take a culinary trip around the world with Kings Dominion’s Executive Chef! New food stations and restaurants will feature international food items from Switzerland, Italy, Jamaica, and many more! These delicious delicacies will be created using fresh spring ingredients from local Virginia farms.

Live Entertainment – Strap on your dancing shoes and enjoy toe-tapping entertainment from local Country and Bluegrass bands every weekend!

Happy Birthday KD! – Kings Dominion opened over the course of two years, with the official grand opening on May 3, 1975. Time to cut the cake and blow out the candles as the park officially turns 40 on May 3, 2015. The day will be filled with surprises, entertainment and more!

Get season passes and don’t miss a single chance to enjoy spring at Kings Dominion

Kings Dominion is a sponsor of Richmondmom

Help us kick start the exciting 2015 season as we open the gates for Season Passholders on March 28 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. All of your favorite rides and attractions will be waiting for you!

Any 2015 season Passholder can attend and the first 1,000 Gold and Platinum Season Passholders will receive a free 40th Celebration lanyard!

King’s Dominion will be open from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. for this event