Make Memorial Day plans with rides, slides and savings

Spring is giving way to summer — and around Richmond, Memorial Day weekend is the kickoff to hotter weather, longer days and cooling off the fun way.

What you need to know: Kings Dominion is leaning into the season with Memorial Day weekend operations running May 22-25 and Soak City water park officially opening on May 23.

• Plus, the park's Memorial Day Sale is live, offering up to 50% off tickets, passes and more through May 25.

Why it's important: As Memorial Day weekend demand spikes, travel and multi-destination trips get pricier and harder to coordinate — especially if you're trying to satisfy kids of different ages or friends with different interests.

The solution: Kings Dominion brings it all together with two parks in one — more than 60 rides, shows and attractions, a 20-acre water park, a 14-acre Planet Snoopy kids area and plenty to do for all ages, making it a one-stop option for both adrenaline and downtime.

First things first: Soak City is the easiest way to beat the Memorial Day weekend heat, with more than two dozen slides, a massive wave pool, a lazy river, cabanas and family play areas.

• 😱 Ride Hurricane Heights for three different thrills in one slide complex — from the near-vertical drop of Paradise Plunge to Aqua Blast's enclosed loops and Thunder Falls' twisting tube ride.
• 🌊 Brave Tidal Wave Bay, a massive wave pool filled with hundreds of thousands of gallons of water.
• 🧒 For younger visitors, Coconut Shores brings together Lighthouse Landing, Sand Dune Lagoon and a reimagined play area with a multi-level structure, mini-wave pool and more than 200 interactive elements.
• 🍗 Afterwards, grab a bite at Beach Street, where food trucks include The Captain's Catch, Pizza Paradise and Beachside Bowls.

Even better: Soak City is included with Kings Dominion admission, which means one trip can cover water rides, family attractions and flagship coasters, including:

• Rapterra: An all-new ride that earns the title of the world's tallest and longest launched wing coaster with an intense initial launch, plunging dives, twisting maneuvers and sweeping turns.
• Pantherian: One of the tallest, fastest and most thrilling coasters on the East Coast, with a 300-foot first drop at an 85-degree angle.

• Dominator: The longest floorless steel roller coaster in the world, with five inversions and speeds up to 67 miles per hour.

Here's what else: The park is also making a major investment in live entertainment this summer. Make your plans around:

• Ignite the Night Drone & Fireworks Spectacular: This new summer nighttime show lights up Kings Dominion with synchronized drones, fireworks and music-driven storytelling from July 10 to Aug. 9.
• Cirque Imagine: Back by popular demand, this reworked mainstage spectacular blends acrobatics, dance and immersive storytelling into a must-see theater experience on select dates from June 20 to Aug. 16.
• SPLASH! Water Parade: This new interactive parade brings whimsical floats, surprise splashes and high-energy fun to Candy Apple Grove on select dates from June 27 to Aug. 9.
• Star-Spangled Nights presented by M&Ms: This fan-favorite fireworks celebration on July 4 and 5 pairs dazzling patriotic displays with music and special nods to Virginia's role in America's story.

The takeaway: Memorial Day plans can spiral fast. Kings Dominion works because it bundles the thrill, the cooldown and the all-day entertainment into one easier, more affordable option close to home.

Shop the Memorial Day Sale.