Dollywood Discussion Thread

[Wes.]

Here's a link to a streamable version of the promo vid:
http://pub.vitrue.com/had6

Not really much to see as it's mostly b-roll from HW's slide but there's a few layout shots.

[slither37A donkey is a domesticated member of the Equidae or horse family.]

Cool! I'm interested to see how they have reconfigured the entrance and the path up to the first platform.

Was there last week and did the zip line on Wednesday. The path up to the first platform takes you through WE station. Along the way are some great places to take photos of WE, if I had had my camera with me.


Had a great time on the zip lines, good guides, props to Randall, Benji, and Tony. Good group of people made it a ton of fun.

[ShavethewhalesI wish they would make Street Fighter Donkey.]

Very nice. Perfect addition for the near-perfect waterpark. I hope they add more to the rest of the water parks in the chain after the success of this one.

[NozzyHoly crap you have a HUGE donkey!]

Very exciting, I just might need to try out Splash Country next year! Very exciting!

I think they've got a typo though, saying it begins with a climb of 237 feet... this seems a bit much for a four story tall slide, I'm guessing it's a 37 foot lift?

237 feet would be quite the conveyor belt ride....

[ernierockerWhy do I still have a donkey title???]

^I guess they are talking about length there, not height.

Good to see another one of these water rides being built. I wish Water Country in Williamsburg would take the water coaster plunge.

[ernierockerWhy do I still have a donkey title???]

I'll be interested to find out who the manufacturer will be for this. Looks like I will finally have to pay a visit to Splash Country again next year!

[Midgetman82Is my pee supposed to be this color?]

^WhiteWater West doesn't do hydromags, nor does any other water slide company as far as I know. It should be ProSlide.

Every hydromagnetic water coaster that I've ever been on has never disappointed (By every, I mean Wildebeest at HW, and an indoor water coaster at the GWL in Mason, OH). This looks to be a great slide as well, especially with the stair-less approach. I'd love to try it when I go to Splash Country someday.

[larrygatorObsessive Overlord of the TPR Park Index]

It was reported yesterday by Amusement Today that the National Roller Coaster Museum's traveling exhibit will be open at Dollywood in the old Dolly Parton Museum (Heritage Hall) through September 16th from 11AM - 4PM daily

http://www.amusementtoday.com/

NRCMA premier exhibit opens at Dollywood
By Amusement Today | June 15, 2012

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. — It’s been a long time in the making; however park historians, hobbyist organizations and the general public are all embracing the roller coaster/amusement park exhibit that runs daily, now through September 16, 2012. This is the inaugural exhibit of the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives (NRCMA) in a 1,250 square foot exhibit space formerly occupied by the Dolly Parton Museum, which is now housed in its own building. America’s Roller Coasters & Amusement Parks exhibit is located in Heritage Hall — a space directly above the cave, in the lower end of Craftsmen’s Valley at Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Contained in this traveling exhibition are 20 displays of various sizes, covering all aspects on the subject of roller coasters, along with a few related areas of interest. The displays and videos represent a good portion of the current industry as well as historical artifacts, photographs, and other items that represent the past. Many of the displays have a connection to the roller coasters at Dollywood with a balance between old and new.

One highlight includes the display of a Prior and Church designed roller coaster car from the Giant Dipper at Belmont Park, San Diego, Calif. alongside a Thunderhead car that is the “rolling stock” on that coaster at Dollywood. The 1925 Frank Prior and Fredrick Church car is what gave Mike Boodley the inspiration to design “Millennium Flyer” style roller coaster cars for Great Coasters International built roller coasters around the world. In the exhibit Boodley is featured on a video where he explains his design process.

Another highlight is the showcase on Arrow Dynamics, one of the major steel roller coaster manufacturers of the late 20th century, headed by the late amusement industry legend and IAAPA Hall of Fame Ron Toomer, who has a panel citing his industry accomplishments as a celebrated designer. A favorite area is sure to be the roller coaster enthusiasts’ room, showing the extent to which aficionados collect and display anything and everything roller coaster related. Other exhibits include: Parks of Tennessee, Wild Eagle (Dollywood’s newest coaster), Hall of Fame coasters, Coasters in Movies, a map of all U.S. parks both in operation and defunct and a roller coaster history timeline.

The museum board has been looking for the opportunity to showcase many of the items and artifacts that are housed in their 2,600 square feet of storage in Plainview, Texas on the Larson International manufacturing site. Until a permanent museum is built, the traveling exhibit is an opportunity to show and share some of the items acquired along with educating the general public about all aspects of roller coasters — history, operation, physics, images, design, memorabilia and more.

America’s Roller Coasters & Amusement Parks exhibit is open daily, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. through September 16 and is free with admission to Dollywood.

The National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and protection of the history of the roller coaster and the amusement industry. Cash and artifact donations can be made by contacting the NRCMA: P.O. Box 5424, Arlington, Texas 76005-5424.

[chargersmichaelIndiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Donkey.]

How long is the conveyor belt on wildebeest compared to this ride. Also, I think the fast lift will be different. What was the point of the super hero thing?