kickflipbacktail

Good to hear. My trip to Dollywood isn't until late May, so if "going to open the coaster in a couple of weeks" is true, then I should be fine. It's a shame that all of these of delays have happened, but I guess it's better than opening it as is and having it be another Top Thrill Dragster (closed half of the time). It's sad to say that may still be a gamble, but be optimistic.

That could also end up being a bigger time risk only to pay more in the end anyway. At least by switching brands (to a more established one like they should have in the first place) they have a bit more security in their investment on an already risky tech.

RETURN OF THE YELLOW TRACK MYSTERY HAS BEGUN!!!

Thunderhead, Mystery Mine, Firechaser Express, Wild Eagle, Tennessee Tornado, Blazing Fury. After that ride Barnstormer, the swing ride, and the Dizzy Disk and you'll have hit most of the major attractions.

Pictures did this coaster ZERO justice. It looks incredible! It's massive. I can't wait to ride.

I'm at the park right now. We bought flash passes because we knew it would be swamped. I had ERT on Thunderhead and a tour of it this morning that I will post pictures of and I got some pictures of Lightning Rod. The pictures dont do it justice. This ride is absolutely MASSIVE!!!

Welp. It is 5am in Hampton GA and my trip to Dollywood for the weekend begins. I'll try to grab some Lightning Rod photos from angles that havent been done to death as well as pictures of the other coasters for a trip report next week. Plus we get a backstage tour and ERT on Thunderhead on saturday so that will be pretty awesome!!

Yes. Yes you are. No he isnt. I'm not going to question the quality of their rides, because they obviously are top of their class. I am however questioning their choices to go with this LSM manufacturer and the HUGE delay this will cause. When Lightning Rod opens it WILL be amazing. I just hope this horrible press doesnt reflect too negatively on RMC in the eyes of Cedar Fair and other parks who may be considering them in the future.

Tryin to be optomistic but this is some pretty rough news as far as Lightning Rod is concerned. Don't expect to see this open any time soon. Edit-sorry. My phone didnt refresh and I didnt see someone beat me to the bad new punchs. My bad.

I'll give the park credit for having Dolly show up at the park in spite of the rides delays. Does this mean there wont be a real media day when the coaster actually opens?

A media day for a roller coaster not opening. I've seen it all.

Doesn't LR use poly wheels? Could be they don't want the trains sitting on the wheels since you cant leave poly wheels sitting still or they develop flat spots. But if that was the case they'd just move them to storage like B&M does so the trains don't rest on the wheels. Just a guess though, obviously anything we say is just speculation.

Noted. Apologies for adding fuel to the fire. Anyone got more info on the March 24th media day? (I'd go but that is he same day as Carowinds passholder preview.

Oh god lets not go there. 'Real coaster enthusiasts.' I've never seen 3 little words drip with so much of a false sense of entitlement. 'Real coaster enthusiasts' will do whatever they want, whether they overlook a parks shortcomings, or not. At the end of the day we all love roller coasters, that's what makes us enthusiasts. Who can complain the hardest however, is NOT what makes us enthusiasts.

I keep seeing these Instagram screen shots - is there any credibility here? With random pictures of the ride being posted and then "super inclusive info", has someone confirmed these people are actually with Dollywood/RMC/etc? I know that person in particular works inside the park, (what they do specifically I'm not sure) but he has consistantly posted exclusive pictures from the construction that we werent getting anywhere else including some of the theme items. I'd say take anything from these unofficial sources with a grain of salt.

So it's a programming issue? That doesn't seem too major. Hopefully they get it sorted out sooner rather than later.

Okay. I thought I was making a questionable choice going only a week after opening, but that's going to a new level of irresponsibility. Sorry for you mate but that wasnt the wisest decision.

I meant to pose that as a question. Sorry. Either way I'm not too upset by this information.

It for sure looks bad for publicity but if RMC themselves have requested the ride be tested furthur we should trust their judgement. It's much better for a ride to open a few weeks late and be safe than for it to open too early and safety or reliability be 'iffy.' This is the first RMC to not make the opening day right? It's also the first and only launched RMC and the only launched wooden coaster in the world. This is reasonable.

Is the video not showing up for anyone else because I see nothing? Edit-watched the video on facebook. Looks great! Shafted that it wont likely be open in time for my first visit but fingers crossed for my april trip. As long as it opens this year I will for sure be riding it so we'll see how soon that is! I will still be enjoying the park for 2 great weekends with my friends and girlfriend so one roller coaster not being open won't soil my spirits so much!

Please do!

Gah! These pictures are great. I agree with what everyone's saying about the ride being the least visually pleasing of all of the RMC coasters. I think it's those industrial gray supports. All be damned if this doesn't look like an absolute airtime beast though! I cant wait to see what the trains look like.

Having ridden neither I still think this is stronger than NTEG or Goliath but that's just my opinion.

The ride looks really good, but all be damned if those restraints wont hurt.

Letting out yells of joy on Fury 325 next to 3 people I've never met before.... 45 times in 2 weeks....