Dollywood Discussion Thread

Yeah, I can't say I blame them.

winds of 35 to 55 mph with gusts in excess of 80 mph

can be expected... especially over higher terrain and in

adjacent foothills areas.

Link

^They've also closed the Great Smoky Mountains National Park because of the wind.

Great Smoky Mountains Facebook

This weekend they had a lot of trees down in the national park so it doesn't surprise me they closed it

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From what I heard from a few guest at work is that Dollywood actually closed the entire park early today. I guess Blazing Fury was just slow to update on the app.

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From what I heard from a few guest at work is that Dollywood actually closed the entire park early today.

The WBIR story earlier said DW was closing early.

Still is in the current story. Fire 100% contained.

http://www.wbir.com/news/local/downed-trees-high-wind-damage-gatlinburg-outdoor-resort/436806578

http://www.wbir.com/news/local/high-winds-damage-rebuilding-efforts-in-gatlinburg-communities/436852613

Some good news though

http://www.wbir.com/news/local/final-my-people-fund-check-distribution-thursday/436694221

Sevier County residents picking up their final distribution from Dolly Parton's My People Fund on Thursday received surprise checks for $5,000 instead of the $1,000 they expected.

I saw this and thought that it was a neat article. I am sure that anyone that has been through Chasing Rainbow's has met this very friendly lady.

www.wbir.com/news/local/90-year-old-dollywood-worker-has-no-plans-on-retiring/436187002

Shes the one that guards my mug everytime i go into chasing rainbows lol

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I'm going to be at Dollywood on Friday, May 19, but I might be able to get there Thursday afternoon after 3:00. If I got there after 3:00, what kinds of lines should I expect for Thunderhead and Lightning Rod? After reading the posts in this thread, it sounds like I should get to Lightning Rod as fast as I can and ride it before it breaks down. Thanks.

Thursday afternoon can be hit or miss crowds wise.. in the evening, if it's pretty and as people get off work it can get decently crowded.. just remember, if you get there after three, Thursday is essentially free because your ticket will be good for Friday as well.. just something to keep on mind

Thunderhead hardly every has a line anymore.. it's usually close to being a walk-on, even on busy days..

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Thursday afternoon can be hit or miss crowds wise.. in the evening, if it's pretty and as people get off work it can get decently crowded.. just remember, if you get there after three, Thursday is essentially free because your ticket will be good for Friday as well.. just something to keep on mind

 

Thunderhead hardly every has a line anymore.. it's usually close to being a walk-on, even on busy days..

 

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People tend to flock to it in the morning when they arrive, then work their way up to MM and Wild Eagle. It's usually got a decent crowd in the morning.. that said, it's running really rough lately.

Wish I was at the park today, instead I'm having to go to a wedding.

You sure? It's cold and rainy lol.

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You sure? It's cold and rainy lol.

 

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I can deal with cold and rainy, as long as it's not freezing.

Currently 45 in Knoxville.. I'd imagine low 40s at Dollywood so close to freezing

Looks like Dollywood is dead today though but so is LR right now haha

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Lightning Rod was up and down all day. Reduced to one-train operation early in the afternoon. Riding in the rain hurt like hell, but I didn't care — I was so glad to get a ride. The sun just came out, but "cold and rainy" was the name of the game starting a bit before noon. Had it not been for Drop Line's opening, I may have postponed my trip.

Drop Line is great — the views alone are enough of an attraction.

Yesterday, Theme Park Review was invited to the grand opening of Dollywood's newest thrill ride, Drop Line. While the day started with a showing of Dolly Parton's new dinner show, Smoky Mountain Adventures, I am going to concentrate on the new ride in this post. If you would like to see photos from Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Adventure, you can click here.

I may have posted a few times in the past that Timber Tower's former location would make a perfect spot for a drop tower. So, I was definitely thrilled to hear the announcement of Drop Line. The ride is a perfect addition to Timber Canyon and with the upcoming addition of Whistle Punk Chaser, Timber Canyon is going to and does look great! Drop Line reminds me of Acrophobia at Six Flags Over Georgia with the rotating seats as you rise to the summit. It adds one final rotation before making a slight rise once again before dropping. While I feel the drop on Acrophobia is more forceful, the seats on Drop Line are much more forgiving than on Acrophobia if you know what I mean, guys.

One last thing, the views are spectacular! We sat both times facing Thunderhead and you basically have an close up aerial view of the layout. You can see all of the roller coasters including Lightning Rod and some great views of the surrounding mountains.

On to the photos!

A new addition rises in the sky from the preferred parking lot.

New sign!

It's tall and hard to get in one shot.

Park Staff were setting up for some reverse POV shots for media when we arrived.

Pete Owens, Dollywood's Director of Media/Public Relations got to ride and he appeared to enjoy it!

If you have been on a drop tower you know the drill.

Ride goes up.

Keeps going up and then drops. The rotating seats make a nice change to the standard drop tower.

The seats were very comfortable which is always a plus for a drop tower.

Let's take a look at the ride's queue.

A little history and an explanation for the ride's name.

One of the better names for an engine ever made!

More of the queue.

Time Saver will let you skip the majority of the line which I am sure will be long this summer!

Some of the theming surrounding the ride. Looks good!

A lot of the pond that surrounded Timber Tower has been maintained and spruced up for Drop Line.

Lots of news stations/media were on hand for the event. I didn't see many of them ride, LOL!

Another group heads up!

It's great to see a drop tower here!

Overview of the ride area.

Whistle Punk Chaser is directly adjacent to Drop Line and sits where the old playground was.

Looks like it is about ready!

One more overview of the area. Definitely get out to Dollywood and ride this!

The whole ride area looks so good. Cannot wait to ride this--only 3 more weeks!

The ride area looks great and I can't wait to ride this. Honestly the view alone makes it a "can't miss" attraction.

It's nice to see Dollywood with a drop tower. That spot was just begging for one since the removal of Timber Tower. LOVE how open the restraints look! They seem even more "freeing" than Lex Luthor's/Zumanjaro's!

While I'm disappointed that a playground was taken away for Whistle Punk Chaser, as a coaster and experience, it looks much nicer and more fun than Sideshow Spin did.

While I'm disappointed that a playground was taken away for Whistle Punk Chaser, as a coaster and experience, it looks much nicer and more fun than Sideshow Spin did.

They do have the new area where kids can bang on crap, so that technically is something in the area to distract little kids while the big kids ride.

They added a platform(dock) between the tower and the operator station in the pond any one know what its for?

I may have posted a few times in the past that Timber Tower's former location would make a perfect spot for a drop tower.

I've often thought that, too. It'll be tough the beat the view from this ride--nice addition to Dollywood.

Wow those are some incredible views from that tower! The rides, the scenery,.... Such an awesome location for a drop tower!

While I'm disappointed that a playground was taken away for Whistle Punk Chaser, as a coaster and experience, it looks much nicer and more fun than Sideshow Spin did.

Was that the fun water playground? If so, kind of a bummer. More kids can enjoy that than another kiddie coaster.