Mystery Mine at night!

Well I decided to take on the task myself and get pictures of the ride in action since all 34 of you guys that have ridden it forgot to do so with the exception of dave! Overall, I really enjoyed the coaster. It was what the park and the south needs because between that, thunderhead, and goliath...the south is on the rise. Im gonna cut the bull and just give my opinion on different aspects of the ride. Also i'm going to give slight details for those of you who want to know a little about the ride.

Station: I give this a 9/10. I was blown away at the detail that went into the station. The station virtually had no full wall and you can see thru the cracks of it! The station is full of props like dynomite and crows that really get you in the mood. A plus is that there IS a single riders line, however it starts right in the station. The loading system is awesome. Think sheikra meets Revenge of the mummy. Be warned the song...WILL get stuck in your head . The reason why the station isn't a 10/10 is because while the front part is enclosed the back is open up to the rest of the park and it kind of takes away from the feeling of being in an abandon mine but not too much but it would be better if the ride had to make an enclosed turn into the station so it could be completely dark...which brings up another point. The station is virtually dark and has some cool flicker style lights.

Theming: Honestly, cant really judge that because they are still doing trail and error testing BUT from what was working today I have one word...WOW! The dark ride section is can say is ROTM meets the deep south! While I didn't see any animatronics...well not totally true there was plenty sound effects and of course everyone knows about the screen on the last lift but they dont know about the... ! The tressel really suprised me. I wasn't expecting it to be as large as it was. One thing I noticed is that the actual "theme" of the coaster isn't obvious. I think with some monitors with the old fella talling the tale of the mine would really give it that disney/universal edge!

Coaster: I give it 8/10. This ride has to have the best beginning on any coaster I have even been on and thats the end of that. Also the best/worst ending. Let me explain that. The ending is amazing in one breath but in the same breath you can say "is that it". I feel that another helix or some element after the half loop would have made this coaster much better instead of just the brakes. But everyone that I rode with loved it especially when it seem like the.......then starts creeping (like im really going to tell ya lol). That freaked out alot of people! Also, the first vertical drop is short but DANG its something nice!

Overall I really, really did like this ride. Now its no "drop everything have to run to dollywood" coaster it comes very close to it. And dave did mention it but it did have some blocking issues which caused the operations to cease for a while but it came up and they were running all 7 trains w/ minimal stacking. And dont let the lenth of the line fool ya because there arent any switchbacks in the station and the line moves really quick. I got there to the front gates around 11 this morning and was off the coaster bt 1130 and thats with about 3/4 of the que occupied.

I had to use my camcorder as my camera since mysteriously I cannot find my digital SLR (yeah im gonna have to fork over another 600-900 for a replacement if I want to continue to make money) but here are some semi-good pictures enjoy!

Here are the videos...one doesn't have a spoiler the other does!

Enjoy!

Oh yeah one more sign!

Twistage!

Moving right along to the second longest line in the park, Aunt grannies! If you ever eat there, request Jan and tell her jarvis, the black guy recommended her!

Damn blocking issue...well atleast it wasn't hot outside for those lucky folks!

Not smiling anymore...wanna know why?

Thats what the trains should look like lol...

Ok these signs are getting old...like anyone in tenn can read anyway lol!

Upclose and personal...if you want to get the same feeling I had, lift your monitor above your head...

Lots of signs there bo!

Zooming back into the mine!

He slept the whole day...

Here we have the sleek, top of the line "your too damn fat" indicator implemented by the top scientist in the world...now if only people would use it!

Yep...still smiling!

She be comin' round der mountain when she comes...

Trust me...it looks even better in person!

Clear!

themeing that isnt locked up in a cage!

more signs...

They actually QUIT their jobs to come ride MM today...

That is one sweet drop!

Weeeeeeee...

Lets play spot the mine car.

Dollywood is sexus!!!1!!

signage

Once you get to the top the wait is virtually over...

overview of sign on the wall

Pretty cool element.

...Smiling because you have to read about it and I got to ride it! (Notice the "hair control" lol)

even from this point I waited no more than 20 minutes.

overexposed shot...I miss my camera

FINALLY this shot WITH a train!

Where did that come from?

In other words...dont go to guest services and complain that you didn't get to ride because it was down for the rest of the day!

That sign is fulling up very fast!

giving the run down at the gate!

A ride not operating at dollywood!

The slow losers who had to wait on another tram...forget it old lady I have to ride a mystery mine!

Trying to do anything to keep myself awake!

early morning and I had NO sleep except when I was driving...very dangerous!

Wow that looks so insane. I am officially extremely excited to ride this thing first week of may. This'll be one long month. Great pictures btw. Themeing looks incredible.

WOW! Nice pics Jarmor!

Wow, great photos, MM looks really well themed. I like how some of the supports just stick right into the ground with no footer (I assume they're buried). I cant wait to see the video!

uuugggghhh! i wanna know the secret!!!!

Nice pics Jarmor, a great effort from a video camera thats for sure.

Nice do you have a POV of it though?

There will be no POV of this attraction from me or pro bably anyone else for that matter...

Nice photos and video. I really wish I could get down there and ride it this year, but it looks like it'll be a few more years before I get my chance.

Great pics and I did enjoy the vids. Almost makes me want to head back up there sometimes this week.

It was great catching up with you while you where in line Saturday. Hope you enjoy your trip back there in afew weeks.

This makes me sad...my mom would'nt let me enter a contest to win one of the first rides...no fair

But hey it looks awsome...I must know what happens in the building!

My God that looks amazing! I really, Really, REALLY!! Wish I could get over there and ride this.. Oh well, only time will tell.

Dude, Any chance of you being able to Pm me what happens inside the actual mine.. Please, Come on.. I live in England, No chance of me ever riding this.. Plus!.. I've always been curious of the layout..

OH OH OH! PM me too! I'll be there in a month or two anyway! (but don't if you don't want to)

Very cool pictures and video. I really, really hope to get down to Dollywood someday...

BTW, nice little spoiler, I didn't expect that!

Good stuff, thanks !

Downloading the videos now...

Definately one of my most anticpated rides of 07, thanks for the great report. I'm loving the spoiler!

Here's some spoilers from another site..(highlight the box to read)

Immediately out of the station, you take a small but quick dip. There is a lot of scenery to take in such as birds with red l.e.d. eyes staring at you, sound efx, etc.. The pacing at first is very slow, but heavily banked so that you can take it all in. After going around a corner, you come to "The Crusher" and a lot of mist and fog. You take the little dip under the crusher and then whip around a 90-degree turn and come to a stop as you approach the first lift. Off to the left side you see the giant gears that are featured in the videos. Two ravens engage a lever which activates the lift, so to speak. It's all very well designed and cute. You begin the first vertical ascent, which is a strange feeling if you're not accustomed to it. At the top, you take a dip before going over the trestle, then you get your first 95-degree drop, which is another surprising feeling. The horshoe turn is great as well. You continue through some tight turns, then the block brake, more tight turns and high banked curves, then you enter back into the building and once again come to a stop before the 2nd lift. There you find more great theming, lighting and music. After a short pause, you go up the lift. On the sides are more birds with l.e.d. eyes, and at the top of the ceiling is the screen with the scene of the lightning hitting the windmill. Unfortunately the screen was kinda small. It could have filled the entire ceiling, but it didn't take away anything from the experience. At the top of the lift is the big surprise. The fireball scene was not functioning the first two times we rode it, so on the third ride it was very shocking. After you ascend the 2nd lift, the taller of the two. you go out a little bit and pause once again. Directly in front of you is a scene with dynamite and the explosion. There are fiber optic 'fuses' that are lit and go to the dynamite. After the dynamite is lit, there is a pretty big natural gas explosion about 10 feet, maybe, in front of you. You could feel the heat on your face and it was very scary to me that it was that close. I wondered for a minute if my face was singed. After the 'explosion', the brake released and you are faced with the big 95-degree drop, which is breathtaking to say the least. You fly out of the building and you are immediately in the heartline roll, which is intense on the outer seats, not as much in the middle seats, then you find yourself upside down, and not going very fast, you come down, then you have another pop of airtime before hitting the brakes, and finally you're back in the station.

Hummm...the first drop didnt seem 95 degrees to me...

GREAT TR! I cant wait to ride the ride!

~Matthew

There will be no POV of this attraction from me or pro bably anyone else for that matter...

Well, if anyone wants to see it, there is a decent POV video on youtube:

It may end up being taken off but it is there for now. I started to watch it but then I stopped it pretty quickly because I want to find out the mystery myself

uuugggghhh! i wanna know the secret!!!!

So watch the video with spoiler silly!

The video is good and all but it doesnt show anything inside just darkness, which is one of the many reasons I opted not to even attempt a POV. The ride is very dark on the inside. The only clear spoiler is the first lift and how it makes it look like it's not going to work. I really suggest if want to get a clear view of the coaster and whats its about...get down to dollywood! It's worth it and you have other awesome attractions you can experience.

I'm going to Dollywood tomorrow! Hoping its open so i can ride. Do get to pick your row or are they assigned to you? This is my first trip to Dollywood cant wait to ride this and Thunderhead!

Well...they are kinda assigned to you but its only 2 rows lol...you can try asking for a row I did and I got front row everytime I rode!

i'm on my way now to watch the vid. woohoo

The video is good and all but it doesnt show anything inside just darkness, which is one of the many reasons I opted not to even attempt a POV. The ride is very dark on the inside. The only clear spoiler is the first lift and how it makes it look like it's not going to work. I really suggest if want to get a clear view of the coaster and whats its about...get down to dollywood! It's worth it and you have other awesome attractions you can experience.

its great. one day i will travel and ride these before i die.