Woodstock Express is a classic wooden roller coaster tucked into the Planet Snoopy section of Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia. Built by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters and designed by the legendary John C. Allen, it has been thrilling young riders since the park’s earliest days, making it one of the oldest continuously operating attractions at Kings Dominion.
The coaster actually predates the park itself. It debuted in 1974 as ‘Scooby-Doo’ during a preview event, a full year before Kings Dominion officially opened its gates in May 1975. Over the decades it took on several names, from Scooby-Doo’s Ghoster Coaster to simply Ghoster Coaster, before settling into its current Peanuts-themed identity as Woodstock Express in 2013.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Kings Dominion
- Manufacturer: Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters
- Opened: 1974
- Height: 35 ft
- Top speed: 35 mph
- Length: 1,385 ft
- Inversions: 0
The Ride Experience
Despite its modest 35-foot height and family-friendly billing, Woodstock Express packs more punch than riders expect, with an intensity that has earned it a reputation among coaster fans as a surprisingly spirited junior ride. Two trains, each carrying up to 20 riders across five cars, send guests through about 1,385 feet of wooden track in under two minutes.
The layout stays low to the ground and close to the trees of Planet Snoopy, giving the ride a tight, rattly energy typical of classic wooden coasters from the era. It’s often a rider’s first wooden coaster, serving as an entry point for younger guests before they graduate to Kings Dominion’s larger wood and steel rides.
A Half-Century of History
Few rides at Kings Dominion can claim a longer résumé. Woodstock Express has operated under four different names since its 1974 debut, shifting its theme from the Scooby-Doo cartoon franchise to the Peanuts gang as the park’s licensing partnerships changed over the years, most recently becoming Woodstock Express in 2013.
That longevity makes it a quiet piece of Kings Dominion history: the coaster was already running before the park’s official opening day, and it remains part of the Planet Snoopy lineup today, introducing new generations of young thrill-seekers to their first taste of a wooden coaster.
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Park apps, mobile ordering and photos kill a battery by 3 p.m. This one snaps on magnetically, so there's no cable to snag on a restraint.
Ride with your glasses on and keep them. Many parks allow glasses on rides if they're strapped, so check the ride rules first.
Small enough to ride with on most coasters, big enough for a phone, card and keys. Two zippers mean nothing falls out upside down.
Woodstock Express FAQs
How old is Woodstock Express at Kings Dominion?
The ride dates back to 1974, when it opened as Scooby-Doo, making it one of the oldest attractions at Kings Dominion.
How tall do you have to be to ride Woodstock Express?
Kings Dominion requires riders to be at least 40 inches tall to ride Woodstock Express.
Who manufactured Woodstock Express?
It was built by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters and designed by noted coaster engineer John C. Allen.
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Photo: Chris Hagerman / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.