Dollywood Discussion Thread

by **DJeXeL** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 10:39 am

Have the trains arrived? I'm excited to see testing footage....

by **ernierocker** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 11:04 am

As I understand it, testing will not begin until early March. I will ask about the trains tomorrow.

by **DJeXeL** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 11:11 am

Much appreciated, thank you.

by **chriscJSU** » Sat Nov 12, 2011 6:44 am

I was taking a trip to the Smoky Mountains the week after Christmas and was considering visiting Dollywood. I want to go visit Dollywood partly for the Christmas lights, but more importantly for the rides. Does anyone know the minimum operating temperatures of their rides and roller coasters. I would hate to purchase a ticket and it be too cold that day and not be able to ride any of the fun coasters.
Thanks!

by **Nozzy** » Sat Nov 12, 2011 7:31 am

Last night the coasters actually had to be shut down during the last hour and a half, so I got to find out.

Coasters open when the temperature is 40 degrees or above, and close when it drops to 36.
Other rides (I couldn't tell exactly if the host meant ALL but I wouldn't think so-definitely the Screamin Swing) close at 32 degrees.

I really enjoyed my first visit to Dollywood. The coasters were all great, though I really want to see what Thunderhead is like in the summer. They did a great job with lights, especially at the front of the park. The ice skating show couldn't really hold my attention, but maybe that's cause sitting in a room looking forward just makes me feel like I'm in class...

Ah well, I've got the majority of a "25-lb apple pie" slice to go try to put more of a dent into... mmm

by **alpengeist04** » Sat Nov 12, 2011 7:50 am

I'm not even sure I would want to ride when the temperatures are below 40 degrees. Ten years ago I would without hesitation, but I guess now living in Florida has made me a sissy. :lol:

by **Giovanni Bianchi** » Sat Nov 12, 2011 8:08 am

Florida has made me a sissy.

Or made you smart?! Then again you may have traded one demon for another.

Riding thunderhead in the cold? Been there, done that. It was ok. I sit in the front row so watch out for flyin snot!

I prefer my coasters warm though.

by **larrygator** » Sat Nov 12, 2011 12:38 pm

tntornadox wrote:Actually, the main Parkway expansion project from Boyds Creek Highway to downtown Sevierville where one would turn off to go on Dolly Parton Parkway to get to Veterans Boulevard (the back highway to Dollywood) is about to be completed... 4 lanes in each direction. Traffic should be a non-issue in the coming weeks.

That is awesome. I didn't realize it was close to completion.

Facebook · by **screaminkid2005** » Sat Nov 12, 2011 12:44 pm

I would! I love riding coasters when its cold out. It adds something that you don't normaly get to experience everyday.

by **ernierocker** » Sat Nov 12, 2011 1:11 pm

If you were following along on the TPR Facebook page yesterday, you would know that we got a backstage construction tour of Wild Eagle. Thanks a ton to Pete Owens once again for taking the time to give us a closer look at this amazing looking ride!

Here are a few notes before I move on to the photos:

- The trains are not on site and are not expected to arrive until early January. There is nothing wrong here, they are just still being fabricated. Everything is fine and still on schedule.

- With the track completed, you can now see more of the ride from different parts of the park. From the parking lot, you get a great view of the lift hill and all four looping elements. The ride really looks amazing from here and will really set the tone as you arrive at the park! You can also see the immelman from the parking lot tram drop-off area. (see photo below)

- With the track complete, all of the construction work has shifted focus onto the ride's loading station.

- As you can probably deduce, they are ahead of schedule now but still have the loading station and entrance plaza to go, as well as other finishing touches.

- Once the trains arrive on site, you can expect testing to begin soon after. So, it is possible that this will begin in January. Of course, the park will be closed so it will be kind of hard to see it.

- From how Pete described the entrance plaza, you will not be disappointed as the theming in this area sounds amazing!

- As the construction site was active yesterday and the crane was in operation, we were not able to go up to the main portion of the ride. But don't worry, I plan on going back a couple more times before the ride opens, so those photos will come soon enough!

Okay, on to the photos!