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Lightning Rod Media Day


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Hey guys! Just got back from Dollywood and all I can say is I am blown away by what RMC and Dollywood have in store for us in 2016. Thanks as always to Dollywood and Pete Owens for their wonderful hospitality and I know they are as excited as we are for this ride to open! It was a rainy day in East Tennessee so the previously scheduled construction tour had to be abbreviated, so I don't have that many photos from the construction site, but we will definitely be back this upcoming winter and bring those to you.

 

On to the photos of the event!

 

Click HERE for details of the ride announcement!

 

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From the Preferred Parking Lot, it is very clear that something major is going to be built on that hillside!

 

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The Media Check-In booth was strategically located so I could get the crane in the shot.

 

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Got my credentials so it is time to head to the announcement!

 

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What could it be?!?

 

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The announcement was in the Pines Theater which will be adjacent to the new coaster.

 

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Craig Ross, Dollywood Park President came out first to present the announcement. But of course, a Dollywood announcement can not be made without...

 

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Dolly!

 

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"Yeah, my park is about to become even more awesome"

 

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And after that grand entrance, Lightning Rod was officially announced!

 

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Lightning Rod will be themed after 1950 and 1960 era Hot Rod cars like this model.

 

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Time for the POV! My camera didn't seem to want to focus on the screen, so here is Dollywood's video:

 

 

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That pretty much sounds wonderful.

 

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So does that.

 

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And that looks insane.

 

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Dolly agreed as it was about this time she claimed she will not be riding.

 

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Pete Owens, Dollywood's Public/Media Relations Director was next on the stage to discuss Lightning Rod in more detail.

 

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Like the 45 mph launched lift hill.

 

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And this absolutely insane looking element.

 

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After the ride announcement, it was time to dance and sing.

 

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The cast of Dreamland Drive-In did a few numbers from the show.

 

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And of course Dolly joined in.

 

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One last overview of the announcement stage.

 

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Outside there was a couple of displays for showing off details of Lightning Rod.

 

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Ride layout!

 

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Which element are you most looking forward to???

 

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Time to eat!

 

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Food for the event was catered by Red's Drive-In which I am sure is looking forward to having a world-class coaster across from it to drum up business!

 

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Now, let's go check out the construction site.

 

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As you tell the hill side was pretty muddy, so we will have to wait a little longer to see close-ups of the construction.

 

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From the employee parking lot, you will likely have an amazing view of Lightning Rod. Looking forward to seeing this with coaster track in it!

 

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Where the crane is located will be the top of the lift hill. As you can see, the structure is going up!

 

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Now let's take a look at the station construction.

 

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Official Lightning Rod Re-bar!

 

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Another shot of where the station will go.

 

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We now know what this means!

 

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Here is where the lift hill (or launch hill) will go.

 

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One last look at the muddy station construction.

 

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Zooming in you can see the footers for the top of the lift hill.

 

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Let's take a look at the park map in case you don't know exactly where Lightning Rod will be located.

 

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The ride station will be located between where you see the Adventures in Imagination and the Jukebox Junction labels. Guess they will have to move the map key to another part of the map.

 

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I am happy to see this section of the park getting some love. Having the new coaster here will really help spread out the crowds as all the major coasters are on the other side of the park.

 

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And I am sure the Rockin' Roadway is thrilled about have a new neighbor!

 

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One last overview of where Lightning Rod will go to close out this report. We will definitely have more updates for you as construction begins to ramp up. Thanks for reading!

Edited by robbalvey
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So, regarding that awesome photo of the "Twist and Shout" element, it appears that there is some serious elevation change there. However, trying to marry that with the overall layout, I'm wondering if some of that perceived elevation change is actually just the angle of the image. So my question, for the OP, or someone else in the know, is whether there is indeed a dramatic elevation change there, or if it's more of just banking back and forth, at a slight downward angle?

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So, regarding that awesome photo of the "Twist and Shout" element, it appears that there is some serious elevation change there. However, trying to marry that with the overall layout, I'm wondering if some of that perceived elevation change is actually just the angle of the image. So my question, for the OP, or someone else in the know, is whether there is indeed a dramatic elevation change there, or if it's more of just banking back and forth, at a slight downward angle?

 

it seems in the video that there is a good amount of elevation change. i sure hope there is.

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Oh wow...this isn't located where I thought it was. Not sure why I was thinking this was going up where the train goes.

 

Nice to see that they are building a coaster in that area though. I always thought that they needed something thrilling down there....now they will have it. Oh man will they ever have it!!!

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That buffet looks amazing!!!! Coaster looks pretty good too

 

I have yet to ride an RMC yet so can't base my opinion on this against anything on a personal basis. All I can say its it looks like it should be awesome and from what I have heard about RMC coasters I imagine it will not disappoint at all.

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