Dollywood Discussion Thread

[raptorcrew2002Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Donkey.]

That looked so cute too.

But agree most likely the smartest move and my guess is they are expecting lower attendance next year. Best to stock up that cash now just in case.

[alpengeist04Why do I still have a donkey title???]

Take a listen to Pete Owens, Dollywood Public Relations Manager, on "In The Loop" he gives a lot of insight to the decision, the economy and more.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/In-the-Loo ... Episode-11

Sounds like very good reasons to delay the project to me.

Dollywood’s Pete Owens was a guest on this week’s episode of In The Loop and he talked briefly about why Adventure Mountain was delayed. A major factor came up in the development when the price for the attraction jumped from $5 million to $7 million in just 60 days because of soaring costs for the raw materials… adding that the $7 million price tag was also for a scaled back version of the attraction. Pete also confirmed that Dollywood is going to move ahead on that rumored project to link the Dollywood and Splash Country parking lots.

[montezooma"Can I get clamshells out of this ATM?"]

There was a Morgan Hyper Coaster with an elevator style lift that was cancelled at PGA (now CGA) several years ago. It was cancelled for the same reason the wood coaster is having troubles now. It was to be built on the property line up against the office buildings and they opposed the project.

PGA was also working on a version of FOF for the old Whizzer site. Needless to say, that project was also cancelled.

[Airtime&GravityWhy do I still have a donkey title???]

Six Flags Great America has some:

Southwest Territory - Originally to be built by Marriott. They even built a chairlift to the area, but the new land didn't become a reality until 1996.

Entertainment Village(something like that)-this was going to be built around 2001, but they couldn't get the permits. There would have been a hotel, retail, and a water park.

Hurricane Harbor-I don't remember when this was planned for, but the park couldn't get permission from IDOT to build a tunnel under the highway to more land that the park owned. This might be connected to the proposed Entertainment Village.

Mr. Freeze-canceled after the problems with the one at SFSTL/SFoT. The area is now occupied by Camp Cartoon

[robbalveySite Admin]

First Multiple Zip-Line at a Theme Park Debuts at Dollywood

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. – Starting in May 2009, Dollywood guests will be able to fly like an eagle over the 150 acre theme park and experience the majesty of the Great Smoky Mountains with the opening of SkyZip. SkyZip is the first multiple station zip-line experience to open in a U.S. theme park.

“SkyZip is the first of a series of premium experiences Dollywood plans to launch in the coming year. These high level family experiences are ‘ready-to-go’ meaning our guests just show up for the thrills, no previous experience or expensive gear needed,” said Ken Bell, president of Dollywood. “These deeper, personalized experiences will challenge our guests and often, fulfill lifelong dreams.”

Beginning early summer, the hour-long, premium SkyZip adventure will include up to five zip-line treks ranging in length from 100 to nearly 1,000 feet and a 100-foot long swinging bridge perched above the trees. Each zip-line is an elevated and inclined wire from which a pulley and a seating apparatus are suspended allowing the guest to move between two points via gravity.

Each SkyZip tour offers a distinctive adventure with a theme. Fliers will launch from a perch above the park’s region called Wilderness Pass and soar to Dollywood’s famed triple spiral-looping rollercoaster, Tennessee Tornado, and beyond. One trail takes adventurers breathtakingly close to Eagle Mountain Sanctuary. After a brief hike, the adventurers will zip above Craftsman’s Valley, which houses Dollywood’s talented artisans, to the same point where their adventure began.

As part of Dollywood’s celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the tour will also provide an environmental and historical tour of undeveloped and unspoiled property surrounding Dollywood hosted by specially trained adventure guides.

The new SkyZip is powered by Hawaii-based Skyline Eco-Adventures. In addition to park admission, an additional fee is required to experience SkyZip.

Skyline Eco-Adventures is a Hawaii-based, award-winning, zip-line developer and operator dedicated to making a positive impact on the environment. It is the first and most experienced U.S. zip-line operator, as well as the first zip-line company in the world to become a member of “1% for the planet,” a group of businesses committed to giving at least one percent of its sales back to environmental preservation. Skyline Eco-Adventures will continue that effort at Dollywood.

[eblTPR's Olden Goldie]

This sounds like a lot of fun. Could you imagine something like this at SFMM?

Eric

[spaceace12Cubs/Colts Fan]

I heard the cost of this will be around 40 dollars.

[BeemerBoyWDW Monorail Fanatic]

Starting in May 2009

Beginning early summer,

Could you be a little more specific, Dolly? Either way, looks like fun! I just hope it's open when we get there in May.

[DiSabNeil Peart makes me erect]

Pretty cool. Always nice to see something different going into parks.

[WFChrisJar-Jar Binks smells like Donkey]

$40 sounds like a descent price to charge for an activity like this, especially when compared to the price of similar activities on cruise ships.

However, we can really expect anything from Dollywood. Remember how well priced their Q-bot system is. If that is any indicator to the upcharge of the new attraction, we can be looking at a great value!

Chris.