coasterdude5

This. My apologies, I didn't realize I was in the presence of someone immune to the effects of oppressive heat and humidity that the region faced over the weekend. I'll take hot weather over cold any day of the week, but I was done with it by Sunday afternoon. And suggesting that a park add mist fans to an outdoor switchback queue does not qualify as whining. If a Six Flags park can do it, so can Dollywood. The park already has them covering half of the Wilderness Pass area, so it's not a huge ask for them to add one or two to Lightning Rod's outdoor queue. We know they've had plenty of time to do so.

In the sweltering heat of last weekend, sitting on the brake run waiting on the train ahead to dispatch was not fun, especially when a rider was delaying the dispatch by struggling to fit into a seat. First world problem? Yes. But if this is going to be a long-term issue, it wouldn't hurt to throw up a roof over that short stretch of track. It seems to be working for the bees. While on the subject of heat, the overflow queue, although covered, could really use some of those misting fans from Wilderness Pass.

Here's some off-ride footage I shot from over the weekend: [youtu_be] [/youtu_be] And my probably-too-long review: http://c101.co/232LIhc

^ But really. I'm sure this will offend someone, but perhaps rather than the trains getting smaller, we're getting bigger. Like the poster above experienced at KK, nearly every LR train I was on was delayed because someone couldn't pull the restraint down far enough. And these were not "big boned" riders, many were grossly overweight. I was ahead of a very large woman who waited the entirety of a 90-minute breakdown on Saturday only to be turned away. I felt awful for her, but I knew when I saw her in line that she probably wouldn't be able to ride. I understand that some people have conditions that contribute to their weight. But for the majority of us, it's calories in vs. calories out. So you may have to lay off the cinnamon bread and Aunt Granny's buffet and run a mile to ride. For me, it's worth the effort. Perhaps the park could perform seat checks at the entrance, at least during the opening rush. Yes, I know that would slow the line. But I know I would be devastated if I lost 1-2 hours of my day waiting in line for something I couldn't ride.

I might be in the minority here, but I'd rather have no local park but several great parks within a 2-4-hour drive, as opposed to one decent park down the street yet nothing else in the region (looking at you, SFGAm). I like the variety of being able to go Dollywood one weekend, Holiday World the next, followed by Kentucky Kingdom, etc., all without having to buy a plane ticket or use all of my Kroger fuel points.

It's funny you mention that. IIRC, nine or ten years ago, a gondola-style sky lift was proposed in a ride survey. And according to my dad, a train conductor mentioned the same ride concept when we were there sometime in the mid 2000s. I believe it was going to connect Thunderhead Gap with Craftsman's Valley (or perhaps the upper train loop). Does anyone else remember hearing about that or am I insane?

This has certainly been an unconventional/rushed grand opening announcement/media blitz, but you can't fault the park in a situation like this. It will be interesting to see if they have a formal media day or instead opt to promote the opening directly to targeted media outlets. I'm sure they don't want to unnecessarily close the ride for any type of media event during park hours. Hopefully they'll get some professional behind-the-hill shots of trains in action with riders. And while they're at it, a higher quality POV would be great — I think the video released today is almost a disservice to an amazing ride. At the end of the day, Lightning Rod needs little publicity or fanfare. Word of mouth from those who have ridden it will be plenty.

Perhaps it was a fluke, but it was shaky. I know the difference between rough, bumpy and shaky. The car was shaking. It was only in the back — every other seat I rode in was fine. Incredibly smooth. In other news, I have two identical bruises on my shins.

Absolutely insane at night — a totally different ride. But expect some bugs in the face/mouth.

Back open just in time for some nighttime rides!

It was just a bit unexpected. I've ridden Goliath at least 50 times and have never experienced anything like it. But of course they're totally different beasts.

^ The LSM fins were steaming on my first ride (that could be commonplace). It looked pretty awesome! My last ride of the afternoon was in the very back, row 12. It was very shaky. I wouldn't even call it "rough," just alarmingly shaky. I don't know if it was a fluke or not, but it was so shaky that I was legitimately worried that the train was about to blow a wheel or worse. I've never experienced anything like it on another RMC. I definitely won't be requesting the back. I plan on returning tonight for the fireworks. Hopefully I'll get a nighttime ride in. Here are a few pics from today. It's a beauty, that's for sure.

It's interesting. It definitely wouldn't be the same ride without it, but don't ride it expecting a Hulk-level intensity. But it's no I305 speed lift either.

Amazing, amazing, amazing. I rode in the second row. It's definitely a coaster you have to ride multiple times to truly take it all in. I'm not sure it tops Outlaw Run, but a few re-rides (and a nighttime ride) may change that. Regardless, Dollywood has a winner on its hands.

In line! Both trains running!

^ I believe LR was listed before it soft opened. I imagine they wouldn't begin offering it until it officially opened, but hopefully I'm wrong.

Sometimes their actions speak louder than their words.

I really really hope it's open this weekend — that video, man... Dolly done good.

Yep, I've found Instagram's Dollywood geo location page and the #LightningRod hashtag to be some of the best ways to keep up with LR's status. You just have to take into consideration the fact that many southerners think "lightning" is spelled "lightening." Bless their hearts.

There's a "selfie" POV on Instagram that's easily the most awkward 60 seconds of video I've seen in quite some time. I'm very much looking forward to a legitimate production (flawless or not).

I hope Oprah adds this thread to her book club.

While we're on the sexual coaster subject: https://instagram.com/p/BGZ2Je6Dyps/

She so eloquently encapsulates everything about this thread over the past three months.

For the love of Grubb can we drop that post?? The user either was not thinking or trolling. Either way, it isn't worth two pages of discussion. Looks like it is up and running today: https://instagram.com/p/BGZydIBmVgw/

Looks like it may open today: https://instagram.com/p/BGZmnbas0aR/