The $25 million price tag for the Dale Earnhardt-themed Intimidator 305 coaster will be Kings Dominion’s biggest single capital investment in its 35-year history.

At Kings Dominion, the 161-foot-tall Dominator will shoot you down a 148-foot drop, accelerate you to 65 mph, turn you upside down five times, and sling you through the world’s tallest vertical roller-coaster loop. All in 2 minutes and 6 seconds. So, of course, “it was a lot of fun,“ said 14-year-old Rebecca McDevitt, fresh off the swooping, thundering thrill ride.

Busch Gardens/Water Country, Williamsburg: Busch Garden’s European-themed areas feature more than 40 rides and attractions. Water County USA rides include a 1,500-foot river ride and Island Quest dive show. (800) 343-7946; BuschGardens.com; WaterCountryUSA.com Great Wolf Lodge, Williamsburg: Four-story treehouse, Waterfort, eight waterslides, four pools, hot tubs, outdoor pool and wave pool. (757) 229-9700; http://www.greatwolf.com Kalahari Resorts, Fredericksburg: Scheduled to open in December 2010. 200,000-square-foot, African-themed indoor water park. (877) 525-2427; kalahariresorts.com Kings Dominion, Doswell: 400 acres of rides and shows, including 13 roller coasters and Water Works park. 876-5561; KingsDominion.com Massanutten Indoor/Outdoor WaterPark, Rockingham County: Eight water slides, Adventure River, hot tubs, Flow Rider surfing attraction. (540) 289-9441; http://www.massresort.com

This spring, visitors at Kings Dominion will be able to ride on a 110-foot-tall Ferris wheel or sit in an oversized convertible car that swings 85 feet up in the air. The northern Hanover County theme park is adding the two rides to its lineup next year.