DollyWould

An employee friend of mine said the park released attendance numbers for this past Saturday today. An all-time one day record was supposedly set of 32,000 on Saturday!!!???!!!??? Has anyone heard the same, differently or can confirm this? If so, where was everyone parking? What is the capacity of all lots (A to F, Preferred and Splash Country combined?) Seems like at one point, they would just have to turn people away at the parking booths. If this is factual, I'm not so sure I'm really looking forward to my weekend trip this Friday now, as they are predicting similar crowds. I (and my peeps) would refuse to deal with crowds of that magnitude, unfortunately. Maybe we'll just wait & go in Sunday for awhile & imagine it's nightime, LOL

Actually it would fit. Those plots are about the same size, with Sideshow Spin's being a little bigger. I think one would be a big hit at Dollywood. The one at Wild Adventures is the only "frisbee" type ride I've been on so far and loved it (and I don't generally like spinning rides). [attachment=0]rattlersideshowspin.jpg[/attachment] Thanks posting this BGTLover with the detailed measurements! It would be a nice addition to Country Fair, which would breath some new life and excitement into that side of the park. Hopefully the Executives over attractions development will consider adding one in the future.

A small flat going in Country Fair to replace Astroturf: The Ride (former Sideshow Spin location). The que building is still there, so who knows. It would be nice to see Dollywood get a version of The Rattler (pendulum ride) like sister park, Wild Adventures. But it wouldn't fit it that old footprint anyway.

Just to clarify, the ride doesn't officially open until this Saturday, May 6th. The media event is Friday, May 5th. As mentioned, the ride is in a technical rehearsal so you may get to ride it tomorrow and Friday but there is no guarantees. Just want to make that clear, since that article didn't clearly state the official opening day of the ride. Any word if the media event with Dolly on Friday will be open to park guests and what time

Heartsong—The Movie's page has returned to the park's website here: http://www.dollywood.com/themepark/Entertainment/Heartsong Doesn't look like it's going completely away, this year anyway! I would love to see it fully restored with all the original effects working and a full high definition remaster! Entertainment schedule is up for next week as well! http://www.dollywood.com/-/media/13E403ADE95144BD8534C9D25198C34C.ashx

So what's going on with the Heartsong Movie then? Sounds like they're trading one former picnic area (the old Timber Tower platform) for a new one with the old footprint of Sideshow Spin, LOL.

—duplicate post, sorry—

Also, it is interesting to note while on the subject of the upcoming 2017 season, Dollywood has released an brand new version of the official park's app. Currently the new app does not show Lightning Rod on the park's map. Rather curious, huh? Maybe there just still in the process of updating the map as it already shows Drop Line and what appears to be outline of the Whistle Punk Chaser.

Heartsong—The Movie is no longer listed among the attractions on the website either. It appears may have been quietly retired from the entertainment lineup. Perhaps this is sign leading to that entire end of the Village Square to be redeveloped in the future. The Whistlestop Grill between Costner & Sons Magic Shop and the Heartsong Theater hasn't operated in nearly a decade. Anyone else think if the Magic Shop was relocated or closed down, that the area could be opened up for a future dark ride? Is there enough room to fit a major dark ride there?

Tennessee Tornadoe's ride description on dollywood.com states the ride travels "at speeds nearing 70 mph" and lists it having a "128 foot drop": What happens when a mighty twister sweeps through an old Tennessee Mining Company? Locals say the swirling winds twisted ore into what we now call the Tennessee Tornado. A force of nature all its own, this triple spiral-looping coaster makes you feel like you've landed inside a funnel cloud as you zoom down a 128-foot drop through an actual mountain at speeds nearing 70 mph. It's enough to make local weather forecasters issue a "Tennessee Tornado Warning!" Also, I have been going to the park every season, consistenly since 2000 and the sign on the stairyway wall has always claimed that this Arrow goes 70 mph. But that may go along with the other sign theming in the station que of stories of "tall tales and twisted facts." After all in the South, a little embelishment can be considered a form of art. LOL Whatever the case may be, one thing is for certain that as the park's first major coaster, the Tennesse Tornadoe sat a precedent which continues with Dollywood's tradition of delivering innovation and excitement among the theme park industry! (^^^^^Sorry, the website description was previously referrenced by dstephe9 in a earlier post.)

Did anyone riding the Dollywood Express, or who went to Country Fair this weekend notice the status of the Waltzing Swinger? It is still setting there in pieces?

The big Christmas tree is up in Timber Canyon, on the stage across from Lumber Jack's Pizza already? If so, that's really early & really odd. IMO, it's out of place way up there. It needs to be more centrally located in the park, where it's supposed to be in Rivertown Junction on the lake. I can understand how they're wanting to spread attractions out through the park, but last year I could barely hear the Christmas music synched to the lights & overall it just feels too crowded there to take in the "full" effect, and there weren't any smaller "accent trees" in place to go along with the presentation. When it was in Rivertown, park guests could view it from various locations/angles around the lake itself. The viewing area seems limited and too cramped in Timber Canyon, along the midway between the Lumberjack Lifts and Thunderhead.

CONGRATULATIONS to the award-winning team @ Dollywood for bringing home 4 Golden Ticket Awards in 2016!!! 1. Best New Ride of the year: LIGHTNING ROD!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2. Friendliest Park! 3. Best Shows! 4. Best Christmas Event, Smoky Mountain Christmas!!! Our home park consistently delivers on outstanding guest experiences & sets the industry standards for innovations & high quality rides and attractions! http://www.coaster101.com/…/golden-ticket-awards-2016-winn…/ #LightningRod #Goldenticketawards #Smokymountainchristmas

I wonder if the waterpark slide accident in KC is one reason they aren't making a big deal about it right now. Talking about having a tallest slide in the park is probably not what they want to highlight right now. In other news, the cave and property around it are probably 2018 and beyond for the park. I could see the cave split off in to the new land near the old arcade. TailSpin Racer will not be the tallest slide at Splash Country if it is only built at 5 stories high (50 feet). Fire Tower Falls already exceeds that height at 70 feet. WBIR also called the waterpark "Splash County", so that is probably an inaccurate statement about the 2017 attraction being the tallest. Is anyone going to the park soon that can post some pictures of the (supposedly demolished) former site of Inventor's Mansion/Rags to Rich's Museum, above the tunnel?

Yes, you are correct the sign does say "It all started here." It is on a wall blocking what was an arcade room up to this season. I belive it has been there since the beginning of the year. Is this indeed a teaser sign? Possibly so. But what exactly all started here? So many possibilities. Could it be hinting to The Imagination Library that started in Sevier County? Is Dollywood ready to build a fully immersive dark ride heavily themed around The Imagination Library where the stories come to life with a unique interactive experience?

Miss Lillian's Chicken House and the Old Flooded Mine ride were not that close to each other. The Flooded Mine Ride was where Daredevil Falls is. Are you referring to the old Inventor's Mansion building that's above the tunnel to the train and County Fair? Most likely that is the location in question. Are there any pictures of the demolition? It must be fairly recent activity, as the building was still intact on my recent August 5th visit. It has been stated by park PR that the old structure would be coming down for a future attraction. If it's for 2017, I will be surprised that Dollywood is ready to make another major investment after the $22,000,000 Lightning Rod addition. I suspect it's being cleared for a 2018 e-ticket and Splash Country will be getting a much needed new attraction in 2017 instead.

If this place isn't going to be restored/updated to a better version of the original Ghost Town, it just needs to be put out of it's misery. Sorry, combining religion/spirituality with an amusement park (to this degree) is not going to be a good mix for a solid business plan. Ms. Presley would be better off to save her money & get out.

I can already hear Dolly's version of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" playing a million times throughout Dollywood next year, well at least in Santa's Workshop located in the Country Fair section of the park...lol!