coasterdude5

If I didn't lose brain cells from the original post, I certainly have from seeing it quoted over and over and over again. Unrelated to Lightning Rod, does anyone know what this is (on the old Timber Tower platform)?

I probably view TPR most on my phone, but I prefer to post/engage on my desktop since the forum isn't very mobile friendly (unless I'm missing something). For TPR's social media content, I typically view it on whichever device I'm using at that time (which is about 50/50 mobile/desktop). It's hard to pick one as it's not cut-and-dry. There are many (changing) variables that affect where I consume the majority of any website's content.

As others have said: Nashville. It's one of the fastest growing cities in the nation, with 80-100+ people moving here every day. Holiday World and Kentucky Kingdom are in a very heated who-can-buy-more-billboards battle -- you can't drive half a mile without seeing a billboard for one of the parks. I will say that Nashville is within four hours of a large number of parks. You've got Kentucky Kingdom, Holiday World, Dollywood, Beech Bend, Six Flags over Georgia, Lake Winnie, Alabama Splash Adventure and Kings Island isn't much farther away. Many long-time Nashvillians are still bitter over the closure of Opryland. There's certainly interest in another theme park.

Both were down when the park opened today but I think they reopened by noon (at least TT did).

Also, Lightning Rod's entrance looks amazing at night. I can only imagine what nighttime rides will be like. For those familiar with the area past the hill, how dark will it be back there?

We heard the same thing from a park lead today. Sounds like it will take a couple of days to get things back up. They are getting close! I hope nobody gets frustrated over this kind of delay. I definitely understand getting restless over the technical problems, but this is the textbook definition of something that couldn't be helped It isn't just LR either, Tennessee Tornado is closed due to it as well as Mystery Mine. Not sure as to what the lightning done exactly, but yea the only coasters that are open at Dollywood are Thunderhead, WE, and FCE. I'm in town right now and people were behind me at breakfast this morning that went to Dollywood yesterday, and were given rain check tickets this AM because nothing was going to really be open. They said the park was dead. Early June and the park is dead? What's the deal? I've always known Dollywood to be crammed from June-early August. I've seen both MM and TT testing today, so they're at least not totally fried (and both were operating yesterday). The park is dead today — walk ons on just about everything.

I heard from multiple employees at the park today that the recent extended downtime is due to damage sustained during Thursday's storms. I have no clue whether or not this is accurate information, but it aligns with this post on Reddit:

I know a lot of people want a drop tower at Timber Tower's old spot, but today I thought about an alternative: an observation tower. There's really no way to get a view of the mountains unless you're on Wild Eagle (or Lightning Rod). Just a thought.

Crews have been working on/at the base of the launch. And cutting limbs near the non-inverting half loop. I wouldn't think the flood would have affected anything, but anything is possible at this point I suppose. In any of these days have they said it won't be rehearsing only for it to open later in the day? I know I'm grasping at straws here. Seeing it person hurts! But it's still a nice day at the park.

I'm going tomorrow (need to get some use out of my season pass). Hoping for the best but prepared for the worst in regard to Lightning Rod. But a day at Dollywood is a nice consolation prize.

I've never lived this close to a coaster of Lightning Rod's caliber. Yes, I'm nerding out. I want to ride it as soon as possible. Some people don't. That's fine. I’m sure when I’m in my 30s or 40s that desire will subside a bit (or maybe it won’t!). But I wouldn’t assume that people who are in those "midnight lines" are doing so only to be “first.” I bought my tickets for The Dark Knight Rises a month in advance and waited in lines just to get into the theater not because I wanted to be “first,” but because I legitimately wanted to know how the story of Christopher Nolan’s Batman would end. Call it impatience. And Lightning Rod is similar -- I am legitimately excited to ride this coaster that I’ve been following for the past nine or so months. I’m not doing it for a reward, just personal satisfaction. I’m sure an academic somewhere has written their dissertation on this dichotomy of now vs. later.

I don't understand why you NEED to rush out and try to ride it ASAP. You live a few hours away by car so you can go anytime, why not just go down and ride it when you hear it's up and running and reliable rather than waste that time to go when it might not be open? We are waiting until late July! I don't need to ride it, but I do want to ride it for the same reason comic book fans want to see new superhero movies at midnight, Apple fans want to wait in line for hours to get the newest iPhone, etc., etc. That's part of the fun of being a fan of anything that has a debut, opening or release -- to be one of the first to experience it. Of course it's ridiculous and trivial in the grand scheme of things, but I find it hard to believe that anyone hasn't had that desire with something in their life. It would be different if, like you, I lived 10+ hours away. Making a weekend trip isn't nearly as feasible, so I would be fine waiting for a planned trip later in the summer. It would also be different if I lived close enough to the park to visit on a whim, after work or in the middle of the day. But I'm in the twilight zone of being close enough to the park to make a day trip but not close enough to go at the drop of the hat. That's frustrating, especially when the coaster only "rehearses" during the week. And sure, it's totally possible that the coaster could break down or not operate at all when I go, and that would suck. Perhaps I won't ride Lightning Rod until July when you do. And if so, I'll survive.

Ugh. This weekday technical rehearsal routine is frustrating to say the least. Fingers crossed for this weekend, but I'm not holding my breath.

Looks like it's running with guests: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I was at the park yesterday (my first visit) and was able to get multiple rides on Storm Chaser with only a train or two wait, despite the park has a whole being packed (at least it seemed that way to me). I was shocked at how empty that area of the park was. I guess many don't know it's there or how to get to it. It was very odd. I was expecting it to have a 45-minute wait at the minimum.

There's a "smooth" button, and it's amazing.

This thread over the past month has been frustrating to say the least. I love the legitimate discussion (even debate), but when it's sprinkled between incredibly tired hashtag jokes, back-and-forth bickering, memes and other nonsense, it's hard to engage. It feels more like the comments section under a BuzzFeed article. Anywho, I'm hoping the coaster is open when I visit on Monday, but I'll gladly settle for Thunderhead and cinnamon bread.

I'm seeing it at this link (on iPhone): http://www.dollywood.com/themepark/Rides/LightningRod/AboutTheRide

Uh...then you might want to skip Storm Chaser.

Any prediction as to what the crowds will be like this Saturday? Obviously with it being Memorial Day weekend they'll be bigger than normal. Just curious if anyone was there last year (although Storm Chaser will attract more people).

Thank you. I was afraid I was the only one. It was mildly funny the first 47 times. EDIT: Screamscape tweeted that the coaster may soft open today: Fingers crossed.

^ Is this something?

I'm surprised by that as well. I can understand not replying to every LR-related inquiry (although they could just copy and paste the website message), but the total lack of engagement with fans on their Facebook and Twitter pages is bizarre. The *sometimes* legitimate questions posted on their Facebook page are being answered by other park guests/fans. It's the park's official page, not a community page or forum. It's poor customer service, plain and simple, regardless of how you spin it. I know some of you will argue that most of the questions are easily answered on their website/Google. Yes, there are plenty of stupid people on Facebook and Twitter. But for a park known for its exceptional customer service, the fact that it isn't carried over online is a shame. Social media is a two-way street, and the park should at least reply to some of the messages posted. Who knows what business they could be losing by not answering/responding to guests who may be on the fence about buying a ticket (yes, I know they do not have a problem selling tickets). Oops, too serious of a response. Derp derp #Itllneveropen puppies memes (Am I doing it right?)

I was at the park today and took some video of the ride in action. It was fun to watch (not my cup of tea as far as flat rides go) and seemed to be a hit with the crowds:

After 10 minutes of gameplay, I'm hooked.