coasterdude5

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.

Any ETA on a Whistle Punk opening date?

They're nice, no doubt. But do they make sense at Dollywood, especially in a timber/logging-themed area? I could understand them in Jukebox Junction or even County Fair, but in "Timber Canyon," an LED light package seems out of place. I know I'm being nitpicky, but for a park as beautifully themed and well thought out as Dollywood, the tower's adornments surprise me.

A few photos from my visit on Saturday. More here: http://www.coaster101.com/2017/04/03/whats-new-dollywood-2017/ Seriously my favorite 10-ish seconds of any roller coaster I've ever ridden...

As pumped as I am for the park to have a drop tower, I was a bit surprised that they went for this style, especially after seeing how closely it resembles the transportable version. The lightning package will no doubt be amazing, but it looks more like something you would find at the Island. And the crown is a little...generic? (see below) I expected something more custom-made for Dollywood...even a butterfly for Dolly (I'm sure they would have made it tasteful). I suppose I was hoping for something more along the lines of Falcon's Fury. But beggars can't be choosers.

^ Every dispatch delay I've seen since it opened (ok, most) has been caused by someone who refused to accept that they were too large to ride. I wonder if required test seat checks would be worth the extra effort...

I'm at the park now. They finally added LR's second train. Hopefully that will bring the 80-minute wait down a bit. MM and FCE being down probably isn't helping.

Does anyone know when the area schools' spring breaks generally fall? I'm considering a March 25-26 visit, but if that weekend is in the middle of SB season, I may reconsider.

Sorry, you have legitimate real-world experience with electrical systems — your opinions and thoughts are invalid.

Was this it? (shameless plug)

Obviously we've speculated for pages upon pages about the causes of LR's woes, but I really wonder if the coaster -- in its current form -- is salvageable. And by salvageable, I mean getting to the point where it operates as reliably as the other coasters in the park. Is this something that can be fixed during the park's relatively brief off season? Or it something that's going to limp along until it's time to take it out back a few years down the road...? I know I'm thinking way too far ahead here, but those were just my passing thoughts while at the park yesterday.

It appeared to be at the bottom of the hill multiple times yesterday, but I may just not have noticed when I first saw the coaster.

Yesterday it was "temporarily closed" until around 7:45 when it became "closed for the day." Until then, ops outside the entrance were telling guests that maintanence was working on it and that they were hoping it would open before the end of the day. I was bummed that I didn't get one more ride in this season, but I'm thankful I had the chance to ride it as many times as I did. It will be interesting to see what happens during the off season...

In regard to the rollback, does anyone know how far the train got up the lift hill (in this instance or others)?

I went the first weekend of November last year (first week of Smoky Mountain Christmas), and I don't recall the crowds being bad, but it was also a cold/misty/dreary day. But the crowds increase as the holidays approach, so take that into consideration.

^ It was open but not listed on Saturday, so I wouldn't put too much weight on that. If anything, I would think they would list it as "CD" if it wasn't going to open (especially because it's now "officially" open).

^ Whatever it takes to keep it open, I'm willing to suffer through a longer wait. I would be devastated if they ever removed it.

The park is crowded but not more so than yesterday with the Christian music festival. Lightning Rod (as of earlier) was only running one train with two rows blocked off, so the wait was around 2 1/2 hours. An op said they'd be adding the second train later, but I'm not sure how much that will help.

^ At least in June they opened it before the 10 a.m. park opening (guests are allowed in the park before that time). Hopefully they'll do the same today.

...and Lightning Rod has been down for about an hour (if not longer). I guess I spoke too soon. I didn't see the sign (wasn't really looking for it, though). But I would assume it's still in technical rehearsal mode.

I'm at the park today and Lightning Rod only had a couple short bouts of downtime during my 60-ish minute wait. I was shocked that the entire queue wasn't full considering the holiday weekend (and the park is swamped due to a Christian rock festival). I haven't ridden it since mid-June right before the part recall. I rode in the front row — it's a little shakier than I remember, but still an amazing ride. On an unrelated note, Dollywood Express is still closed. Which is a bummer since I always try to ride it whenever I'm at the park. And Tennessee Tornado is only running one train, which equates to an unusual 30-minute wait.

^ So...do you have any photos?

Hello, If you have print or high-quality digital photos of the former Libertyland amusement park (in Memphis, Tennessee), I need your help! I am compiling photographs for a Libertyland book, part of the Images of Modern America book series. I need photos of anything and everything related to the park -- from its inception to its closure. Any digital photos will need to be very high quality: preferably in the .TIFF format and at least 300 dpi. If you have print photographs, you can mail them to me to scan (I will keep the photos secure and will reimburse your mailing cost). Of course, anyone who contributes a photo will receive credit in the book. Send me a PM for more information, or complete the form on the page linked below. You can find additional information about the book here: rememberlibertyland.com/book I would greatly appreciate any help -- even if it's just forwarding this on to someone you know who might have photos. Zippin Pippin

The season lasts through January 1. There's still plenty of time, but I'm not necessarily hopeful. Do we know if there's been any (visible) activity at all this week?

Nice trip report! I just moved from Memphis to Nashville last year and can confirm the two cities are incredibly different. Memphis is much grittier and very much a blue-collar town. Nashville is a bit more urban and has a lot more construction, traffic, transplants, etc. But if you ever have the chance, I highly recommend the drive to Memphis. If you think that "barbecue" at Dollywood was good, I think you'll like what's cooking in Memphis. Unfortunately, the cities do share one thing in common: they both lost their parks. RIP Libertyland and Opryland USA.