Behind The Scenes at Twisted Timbers

During this past weekend’s American Coaster Enthusiasts Spring Conference at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Kings Dominion, ACE Members had the opportunity to go “behind the scenes” at one of Kings Dominion’s most iconic roller coasters – Twisted Timbers. 

While we’ve certainly covered Twisted Timbers extensively at Coaster101 – from teaser campaign to its 2018 debut, and dozens of rides since – this “self-guided” walking tour allowed us to experience the Rocky Mountain Construction creation from some new-to-us angles, most notably along the coaster’s “back stretch” and inside the “infield.”

Hundreds of ACE members were eager to explore behind Twisted Timbers on a back access road.

First up, a unique angle of Twisted Timbers’ overbanked turn following the barrel roll first drop.

Both Twisted Timbers’ blue and green trains were running during the tour, full of coaster enthusiasts wrapping up the morning’s ERT session.

Hanging loose on the second of three camelback hills along the coaster’s back stretch.

A step into Twisted Timbers’ infield provided a straight down the barrel of the coaster’s third and final inversion.

Twisted Timbers was built upon the structure of Kings Dominion’s former wooden coaster, Hurler, which opened in 1994. Its first drop increased from 83′ to 109′ tall.

We were still very safe behind the infield chain link fence.

Blue train coming right for us under the third camelback hill on the back stretch

These riders are about to have their collective minds blown.

The chaotic blend of wood and steel is what makes Rocky Mountain Construction’s hybrid coasters so great.

A trainless view of Twisted Timbers’ stall inversion – the second inversion that riders take on during their journey through Hanover Hill Orchard.

In this photo – two wooden coasters that have been significantly improved in the last decade.

And as an added bonus, the station for Kings Dominion’s former Hypersonic XLC air-powered launch coaster, still stands, despite the coaster’s 2007 closure. It’s located just beyond a fence and is probably best seen during the park’s Halloween Haunt.

One of the major perks of attending coaster club events like the ACE Spring Conference is the opportunity for tours like this. It’s always fun to see a roller coaster from a new perspective. A huge shoutout to the Kings Dominion team for facilitating this tour, and to ACE leadership for creating an opportunity that you definitely don’t get to experience every day!