coasterdude5

Tina?! Nina is so 2015. So can we assume LR is not opening this weekend? Or will Dolly do a surprise opening? The suspense...

You're damn right she does. [attachment=0]dollyrod.jpg[/attachment] ^ *Tina Kleppe likes this*

I'm pretty sure Dolly owns 75% of East Tennessee. And it wouldn't take much for her to acquire the remaining 25%. She knows how to knock people around.

Quoted for your convenience:

The weather forecast was bleak, but I'm not sure if it was as bad as predicted. It may have kept some people away (I was considering making the trip back until I saw the likelihood of a washout). I know there were also Derby-related festivities this weekend. I'm sure it will pick up once the water park opens (May 28) and schools let out for the summer.

^ Thanks! I've attached a few more. (Lots more here: http://www.coaster101.com/2016/04/28/storm-chaser-kentucky-kingdom-preview-photos/) Lots of planes flying overhead as they prepare to land at Louisville International Airport.

I rode Storm Chaser at the media preview on Thursday. My thoughts: the coaster is a perfect addition to the park, especially considering the money saved reusing some of Twisted Twins' support structure. Yes, the ride fizzles a bit in the finale, but I'd rather have that than a 50-0 mph end with 500 less feet of track. More here: http://www.coaster101.com/2016/04/30/review-storm-chaser-touches-kentucky-kingdom/

I recall Goliath at SFGAm testing during operating hours, and its opening had been delayed as well. But I'm sure it's up to the park. Dollywood may choose to cycle during operating hours once they've completed initial testing and believe that most of the kinks have been worked out.

But they can. And it's so easy to do, especially if they already have a spot that says "spring 2016." And if they don't, a production company is unlikely to charge a substantial amount for the edit. Of course in the grand scheme of things, this is a nonissue. But could you imagine if this was a department store or restaurant advertising a sale or special deal that didn't exist? Just think about the angry mob of pissed off shoppers and diners that would follow. I completely understand that the delay was unexpected, but that's no excuse not to make some attempt to update the spot.

I was just thinking the same thing. Especially with the park open, you'd think the Dippin Dots guy would be quite the chatty Kathy. And what happened to the rogue Instagrammer (Danny?)? I have a feeling I'll be riding Storm Chaser before Lightning Rod, but I hope I'm wrong.

Not a coaster expert but I work in the marketing industry and our company even holds a marketing and promotional product account for Quassy and Six Flags New England so I'll share my marketing thoughts freely regardless of the fact that people get attacked for doing so here. I don't see how people who work in a relevant-to-the-discussion industry sharing their experience and perspective is so irritating.

Same. This thread went from "coaster enthusiasts knowing anything and everything about Dollywood and RMC coasters." To: "Coaster enthusiasts knowing anything and everything about TV advertising, and how paying for commercials works." SMH. . . This thread makes me need a drink. I'm no expert, but I do have a degree in advertising, and I have bought/coordinated the production of TV spots. It's something I'm interested in, hence why I'm discussing it. And is this not a place to discuss Dollywood/Lightning Rod? What else are we supposed to be talking about? Cinnamon bread? I think discussing a misleading commercial about a park's new coaster is valid as we wait for it to open. But I guess complaining about people complaining is cool too.

You guys give American TV consumers too much credit. Do you think that's when they were required to submit the actual commercial? That's not how the television works.

People (not just enthusiasts) will blow anything and everything out of proportion. Just look at the "visitor posts" section of the park's Facebook page. And plenty of people do believe what they hear and see on TV, radio, print, etc. That's why the advertising industry is so lucrative. While I doubt the FTC is interested in going after Dolly, I would be willing to bet people will see this commercial and make plans to visit the park solely for Lightning Rod. Either way you spin it, the spot shouldn't be running.

I just saw the "now open" Lightning Rod commercial in Nashville. Crazy...it can't cost that much to make an alternate version that says "coming spring 2016." Or at least pull the commercial to avoid false advertising.

If I recall correctly, that first proposal may have stemmed from the park considering to buy the Zippin Pippin from Libertyland in Memphis. But I don't think it was a smart or feasible move. And honestly, as much as I would have loved to keep the coaster in Tennessee, I don't think it would have worked at Dollywood.

I'm not either (they sorta sound like iOS game names), but luckily the name won't have much effect on the ride itself. I can't wait to see some animation!

JURASSIC WAR - BONUS FOOTAGE Hello again! Thank you for the responses to the Jurassic War video. I really enjoyed building this coaster, and I'm honored that the final product was well received. I realized that I had a decent amount of leftover footage (surprising considering the length of the JW video), so I decided to make a "bonus footage" compilation. Watch it below: Thanks again for your support!

Thanks, fraroc! I really appreciate the kind words and feedback. Reposting in case anyone missed it at the bottom of the last page: - - - - - Jurassic War - RIDE IT TODAY! The wait is over. It's time to venture into the raptor pit. Your adventure begins after the events of Jurassic World in the research facilities on the nearly deserted Isla Nublar, home of the ill-fated theme park. A group of government officials have returned to the island to weaponize the remaining Velociraptors – an endeavor that played a role in Jurassic World. Riders depart the station and navigate through the island’s rocky terrain. A barrel roll flips riders head over hills – a 180-degree turn transitions into the 80-foot-tall lift hill. The train then plunges near-vertically 110 feet into the “raptor pit” testing ground. Riders enter a double-inversion bowtie element – a first for a Bolliger & Mabillard coaster. The bowtie element transitions directly into the first vertical loop – which syncs with a train completing the second half the coaster’s 3,996-foot layout. A sidewinder inversion turns the train back toward the core of the raptor pit. The train threads through the first vertical loop and plunges toward the ground, entering the first of three “cages” meant to slow the raptors. But as learned in Jurassic World, nothing goes according to plan. The first of the two cages “launch” riders rather than slow them. The first launch leads into a large banked turn. The second launch is considerably more powerful – launching riders from 40-58 mph and into an inverted turn. Riders then maneuver an inclined loop before maneuvering a dizzying ground-hugging chase sequence toward the second vertical loop. Like the first, it syncs with a train completing the first half of the coaster. A sweeping turn begins the return to the station, but not before a zero-g roll 40 feet above the ground. The ride concludes with a “flatspin roll” element that leads into the brake run. JURASSIC WAR STATS LENGTH: 3,996 feet / 1,218 m HEIGHT: 80 feet / 24 m DROP: 110 feet / 33.5 m SPEED: 58 mph / 93 km/h INVERSIONS: 10 TRAINS: 4, 20-seat trains (5 rows of riders seated 4 abreast) JURASSIC WAR INVERSIONS 1. Barrel Roll 2. 3. Bowtie (2) 4. Vertical Loop 5. Sidewinder 6. Inverted Turn 7. Inclined Loop 8. Vertical Loop 9. Zero-G Roll 10. Flatspin Roll Let me know what you think! I greatly appreciate your feedback. For more Jurassic War, follow me on Facebook and Twitter. See more of my videos on my YouTube channel.

Jurassic War - RIDE IT TODAY! The wait is over. It's time to venture into the raptor pit. Your adventure begins after the events of Jurassic World in the research facilities on the nearly deserted Isla Nublar, home of the ill-fated theme park. A group of government officials have returned to the island to weaponize the remaining Velociraptors – an endeavor that played a role in Jurassic World. Riders depart the station and navigate through the island’s rocky terrain. A barrel roll flips riders head over hills – a 180-degree turn transitions into the 80-foot-tall lift hill. The train then plunges near-vertically 110 feet into the “raptor pit” testing ground. Riders enter a double-inversion bowtie element – a first for a Bolliger & Mabillard coaster. The bowtie element transitions directly into the first vertical loop – which syncs with a train completing the second half the coaster’s 3,996-foot layout. A sidewinder inversion turns the train back toward the core of the raptor pit. The train threads through the first vertical loop and plunges toward the ground, entering the first of three “cages” meant to slow the raptors. But as learned in Jurassic World, nothing goes according to plan. The first of the two cages “launch” riders rather than slow them. The first launch leads into a large banked turn. The second launch is considerably more powerful – launching riders from 40-58 mph and into an inverted turn. Riders then maneuver an inclined loop before maneuvering a dizzying ground-hugging chase sequence toward the second vertical loop. Like the first, it syncs with a train completing the first half of the coaster. A sweeping turn begins the return to the station, but not before a zero-g roll 40 feet above the ground. The ride concludes with a “flatspin roll” element that leads into the brake run. JURASSIC WAR STATS LENGTH: 3,996 feet / 1,218 m HEIGHT: 80 feet / 24 m DROP: 110 feet / 33.5 m SPEED: 58 mph / 93 km/h INVERSIONS: 10 TRAINS: 4, 20-seat trains (5 rows of riders seated 4 abreast) JURASSIC WAR INVERSIONS 1. Barrel Roll 2. 3. Bowtie (2) 4. Vertical Loop 5. Sidewinder 6. Inverted Turn 7. Inclined Loop 8. Vertical Loop 9. Zero-G Roll 10. Flatspin Roll Let me know what you think! I greatly appreciate your feedback. For more Jurassic War, follow me on Facebook and Twitter. See more of my videos on my YouTube channel.

Jurassic War - Update The Jurassic War video will be released on Wednesday, Aug. 19! Until then, here are some screens to tide you over: With a large portion of the ride positioned below the treeline, Jurassic War will likely sneak up on approaching guests, just as a stealthy Velociraptor would. Much of the queue runs parallel to the coaster's pre-lift sequence, which includes a barrel roll. Stay tuned. The video is coming soon!

My First Coaster Set Re-Released In honor of National Roller Coaster Day (and because the download link was broken), I am re-releasing the My First Coaster, a short film I made in 2013 that tells the story of a father and son’s visits to ride a local amusement park’s classic wooden coaster. The film was inspired by a true story — the coaster is based off the Zippin Pippin roller coaster that operated at Libertyland in Memphis, Tennessee. A replica of the coaster now operates at Bay Beach Amusement Park in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Download the film set below. Keep in mind, this file was built as a "movie set," so it is by no means a complete park. Download: https://www.mediafire.com/?4njgbfd46z6taub Below are the sets I believe are needed to open the file. This list may not be complete. If you are able to open the file and notice a set that I have left off, please let me know. Baffie's Stations All DasMatze Industry Sets DasMatze's Covers & More DasMatze's Fence & Railings ShyGuy's Mainstreet Sets 1-7 Shyguy's Planters Spice's Trees Spice's Vegetation Set Vodhin bush (unsure which set this belongs to) Vodhin's Benchkit Vodhin's Light Kit I also recommend downloading DasMatze's Wooden Support Replacements to achieve the same look as in the film. I ask that you do not share any modifications you make to this file. Please do not reuse the track and claim it to be your own. Download: https://www.mediafire.com/?4njgbfd46z6taub Please let me know if you encounter any problems. Thank you for your support!

Jurassic War - Update I'm putting the finishing touches on the Jurassic War video. Expect it soon! Until then... Here's a good shot of the coaster's 110-foot drop into the raptor pit. It's hard to get good shots of some of the coaster's element due to the condensed nature of the layout. The adjacent midway actually extends over the edge of the raptor pit, allowing guests an up-close look of the coaster. Stay tuned! Follow me on Facebook and Twitter for additional previews. And be on the lookout for the Jurassic War video on my YouTube channel.

Jurassic War - Update Video editing continues! While you wait, here are two overviews of the coaster: That's almost 4,000 feet of track! Stay tuned for more. The video should arrive next week!

Jurassic War - Update These next few updates (more like teasers) will likely be brief, which is good because it means I'm spending more time editing video! Stay tuned!