brenthodge

Lightning rod Monday .... Well.... Maybe.....

I've never heard of so much human "testing". Usually the ride is cleared and then it's game on. There is no need for extended staff testing either. The coaster obviously works, so I wonder what exactly are the problems with the launch. That's the thing. It's working.... Multiple times... In a row so what's the issue? I know as they are running these tests their not loading and unloading but last week it was proven they could even do that.

No activity that I saw today. Probably none tomorrow as holiday.

During all the testing last night between 7:30 or so and close I did see a mid launch stall and reverse to station. Not sure if that's the problem or they were trying to "recreate" the problem to test a fix. back to the park in a little bit so who knows. Looks like third times NOT a charm with trips to the park to try to ride so far this season. Maybe the 4th (hint hint)

They started testing last night about 8 or so and firing trains every few minutes. As we were leaving the park at close I heard an employee say to a couple of janitorial employees " you want to ride it go over to the exit stairs" so sounds like they are still testing, and still kimited testing with at least employees riding after hours. Good lord this is getting rediculous!

look on line...see the ride line up...see the other offerings...see the price...make your decision to go or not. Its a simple process. I don't see how in this day and age of internet information exchange anyone could be "surprised" when the pay their price and are "let down" by the limited offerings of a THEME park. For what its worth, Kings Island walk-up gate price (not on line discounted) is 64.00, SFOG walk- up gate price 65.00 - right there with Dollywood. I know from research that Kings Island and SF has lots of thrill rides, limited themed offerings,and limited food offerings. I see form looking on line that Dollywood has more limited thrill rides, more immersive thumbing, and more robust and themed food offerings. I evaluate what I'm looking for for my $$$. Don't blame the park for your disappointment in their offerings. I would be disappointed if I visited KI, paid gate price and only got to ride coasted after coaster and listen to top 40 music blaring throughout the park, but I wouldn't blame the park if I didn't do the research.

Oh for f**k's sake. If you go to the website there's a HUGE orange bar across the top of EVERY SINGLE PAGE ON THE ENTIRE WEBSITE that says " Lightning Rod will not be open to the general public at this time due to extended ride commissioning. Learn More" and then when you click on "Learn More" while you're b**ching about how they're obligated to make a statement you'll see the statement that they made and it says... "Lightning Rod will not be open to the general public at this time due to extended ride commissioning. Lightning Rod is an innovative ride featuring new technology never before used on a wooden coaster. The ride manufacturer asked for additional time to commission the ride. Keep watching Dollywood.com for future updates." Oooh it's a conspiracy. They're "remaining quiet" except for on every single page of the website. What do you want them to do exactly? Mail you a puppy and hand-written letter that says "Dear entitled enthusiast. Please have mercy on us and try to forgive us for the fact that you assumed an innovative new coaster that's completely unique would absolutely, 100% be open on time and booked a trip for opening day. I completely understand how one ride being closed would be enough to make you cancel your trip to one of the best parks in America even though a year ago when this ride wasn't here you'd have absolutely loved all of our other offerings which we still have. Please send all bills for therapy and tissues to Dolly directly and we'll be sure to reimburse you. We're really sorry we tried to trick you by not making a statement (except for all over social media and on every singe page of the website). Next time we'll send you smoke signals and hire a sky writer. Well - we took our HIGH AND MIGHTY pills today didn't we? Did anyone ask for a puppy - nice extra prize though - Did this person say they booked a trip on opening day - NOPE. The park hyped the heck out of the ride - theres no way with a two month delay they had any plans that it would be open on March 18 and while not exactly a "conspiracy theory" I do think they are trying to not make a "big deal" about an extended delay.

If its supposed to run at 70 then it should run at 70. If that was what the original design that DW signed off on called for then thats what they should be getting. Again the whole "new technology" thing is wearing thin - as many have said, the concept isn't new - just the application on a wood coaster. I am amazed that this was this bad that we are now at a two month delay when the opening was "called off" only three days before it was "supposed" to open. How was this SO bad that we have worked on it for this long yet we didn't know it was that bad until that close to opening. This whole thing sounds like a poorly managed project that should have had a delay announced LONG before March 15. I don't think anyone would be this annoyed if Memorial Day was the proposed opening and they missed it by a week or two and hit mid June. Im just surprised that they ever thought it would come CLOSE to hitting that March date. Thats why I think they knew long ago that this was not going to hit that date or come close, but have played it close to the vest and sat on info.

I really think its about time the park make some kind of statement. The "check back often" is getting old as they aren't offering anything new. I know there are "unavoidable delays" but its getting a little silly now. Were what ... almost two months delayed and not much out of the park as to when they foresee something opening. I guess its not bad for business though when you look at the number they have seen to date this season - and it will only boost things in a few months when it opens.

Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue.Queue. - Line em up!

sorry didn't mean to misquote "humble music icon" my bad

No one suggested that, unless I missed it. Sorry that isn't what I meant. I was referring to what brenthodge had been suggesting. But I guess I left off some words. "shouldn't be allowed to...make any changes to Blazing Fury." As did you did to when quoting me. My next sentence after that was "Brendhodge didn't say a complete re-do; just upgrades." And BRENT HODGE wasn't comparing Dollywood to Disney. I was saying that Disney has classic rides that trade on nostalgia, but have updated to take advantage of newer technology yet still remain true to the sprit of the original creators. ALSO Dollywood may be one park/resort led by "one humble entertainer" but c'mon its not like Dolly's out selling lemonade by the side of the road to raise funds all by herself for her "aw shucks" park. The park is a unit of HFE, a multi park, multi entertainment company in and of itself. Dolly is an international multi media star with an incredible business savvy and great team, AND they have shown with recent intros like FCE and its themed que and LR and the amazing, Disney level que that they ALSO have a team of very talented creative people working for them. Yes its not on the scale of Disney, but they have proven that they can do and will do it. Im just saying I think its time they put some of that awesome creative talent from across all disciplines to use on Blazing Fury - Heck I'd even love to see Dolly - with some of her connections in the publishing word with Imagination Library tie their dark rides into some "kids literature" Maybe theres a story out there (or one that could be written) that an updated Blazing Fury (or new name) could tie into with books, characters, song, heck even a cartoon series. Not saying that any of that is even necessary - just saying that any of it is possible with the talent that exists within the company- or at their disposal. To say "don't touch the creaky old plaster figure dark ride" is to sell it short. Just my opinions and glad they have poked the sleeping bear!

BLOWN AWAY by the level that this park is playing at now - The QUE is stunning - you do NOT see that level of story telling many places. These guys are upping their game big time. The great thing is the awesome QUE leads to a ride with a big payoff.

Prime example of what I'm talking about. Classic, dated ride that SOMEHOW made it through the kinsel era of cedar fair relatively intact and has been plusessed and upgraded in a way that not only respects the origins but makes it better than it ever was. Thanks for pointing those two out.

How do you know there aren't things they could do that would impress me? I NEVER said bulldoze it did I? Everything you mention is what I am talking about - Audio etc.I'm not suggesting a standard SALLY dark ride from another regional parks.

I use Disney as a great example - there are dark rides that have been "classics" for decades, but they were QUALITY rides to begin with - have been for decades. Its amazing when you look at Pirates or Haunted Mansion and realize these were products of the 60's. Did they have LOTS more money that SDC did in the 70's to create Blazing Fury? - sure, but thats my point - Dollywood no longer has to make bargain upgrades. I know they spent some serious money on track upgrades a season or two back - the ride itself is fine, but to keep things just for the sake of "nostalgia" visually when there are upgrades that can be made that not only elevate the experience, but celebrate the inventiveness from 38 years ago seems odd. Even the new figures are created in a creepy, amateur 1970s Pigeon Forge way. The legacy of the ride deserves better I think. Clear up the "story" or write a new one. Respect the legacy of what they did on a budget years ago by showing it some love and money investment now. It also seems like an actual "restoration/reimagining" would ensure its longevity instead of piecemeal low end "enhancements" that could easily be "written off" when deciding the long-term fate of a "legacy attraction" like this. Heck - even playing up the hokey, campy nature and creating clear, compelling "characters" could spawn a collection of shirts, collectibles etc that could give more ROI.

Thanks. Exactly on point. I LOVE the campiness. I think they need to play that up more. Going in "blind" you're not sure if this is serious or all in fun. Your not sure if they KNOW it's low tech or if they actually think it's convincing. I think at this point they'd do well do make it less about the firefighters (which it isn't really,or is it?) and more about "bad guys rob the bank, burn the town, hold up the train, outrun the sheriff etc. play up the hokey stereotype mountain hillbilly aspect by making the characters more comical instead of the creepy, crappy, realistic, unrealistic mash up that's there now. Have one consistent style to the characters. Make it OBVIOUS that it's hokey. I love the idea of highlighting it's a "heritage attraction" by maybe showing photos of the original characters and how they've evolved. I love even more "fun house" surprise gags like characters popping out of Windows or at least MOVING QUICKLY to create energy. Let's face it. It's really a creaky electric train ride up a long hill for 7/8 of the ride. If there was more to create some energy then the whole thing would pay off more. I don't want it gone... I want it great so it STAYS.

Im not asking for a redo because I wasn't blown away - no need to get snippy. Im simply pointing out that the ride as it is now doesn't seem up to the level that the park is aspiring to. Im saying that friends I took this weekend that had not been to the park before and had no "historical" frame of reference were unimpressed - and no, they didn't think the ride was especially "fun". You are getting a bit "personal" with some of your response. I get so tired of the "if you don't like it don't ride it" response. Im not saying I'll never ride it until its exactly what I want. Im just thinking out loud and wondering what the park could do to update it to make it when Im just Blue-Sky thinking. Im not saying that everyone here is in the wrong for their defense of the attraction - Im just seeing if there are any interesting ideas out there for updating the ride so it BOTH pays homage to the history and is interesting and engaging for new people that the park is aiming to attract.

Even the classics need a refreshing now and then, and if you take the lense of nostalgia away it really falls short in my opinion. I went with Dollywood newbies this weekend and they had no "history" going into the ride so they took it at face value and the reaction was "what the ......?" It was hard to really even justify it to them in the scope of the quality of the attractions throughout the park. I just wish there was something that added more overall energy to the ride. Better music, something to cover the dull hum of the motors through long stretches of nothing. Even the new "fire" led lights in the Windows has lost some of the energy of the old "blown fabric" fire used in other areas. I get campy, but it needs to feel like it's intentional campy so it doesn't come off as crappy.

Even the classics need a refreshing now and then, and if you take the lense of nostalgia away it really falls short in my opinion. I went with Dollywood newbies this weekend and they had no "history" going into the ride so they took it at face value and the reaction was "what the ......?" It was hard to really even justify it to them in the scope of the quality of the attractions throughout the park. I just wish there was something that added more overall energy to the ride. Better music, something to cover the dull hum of the motors through long stretches of nothing. Even the new "fire" led lights in the Windows has lost some of the energy of the old "blown fabric" fire used in other areas. I get campy, but it needs to feel like it's intentional campy so it doesn't come off as crappy.

If they created something truly unique people might drive for it. I just think its glaringly out of step quality-wise with the rest of the park. Problem is they already used the "haunted mine" idea for Mystery Mine. I also think the fire idea is so much better done with firechaser that it becomes even more obvious when they have the same core idea of "family coaster" with firefighters. Theres got to be something cool that could give this new life on a realistic budget.....IDEAS????

Returning from fun weekend at the park. Sat was CRAZY. Heard 18-20k. All JR high/ high school band choir kids so we had almost no waits on rides with the littlest ones. Went back this morning for walk ins on all the major coasters. One thing hit me today riding blazing fury. I know I'm going to get slammed for this but if Dollywood really wants to play on the national stage that lighting rod and other recent pluses are getting them to its time for this to get a MAJOR redo or go away. I know there's the nostalgia factor but that can only get you so far. I know there have been some system and track upgrades in the last year or so but nostalgia just ain't cutting it anymore when your pulling a super-regional/national audience. I'm not saying ditch the whole thing but there's no reason that a park of the Caliber Dollywood is becoming can't have one or two great dark rides with this being one of them. There needs to be a "song" or soundtrack that gives the whole thing a cohesive story. Upgrade the sets and animatronics to the level that the other new additions are at. There's a poster of "flooded mine" convicts literally tacked up down a tunnel. The whole thing come off as a bad high school haunted house. I know it's "the way it's been for 38 years" but I think it's time to celebrate the past by honoring it with a great update that elevates the whole experience.

Lighting was hauling A€€ up the hill tonight. Did about 6 launches in the wet conditions then seemed to stop. The thing comes rocketing down the quad. This things gonna be awesome. Que house looks like one of the best themed additions to date.

Park is INSANE today. SUPER SUER BUSY line for carousel almost to Victoria's. Never seen it this busy in the height of summer. Lots of school groups methinks.

How do you know they didn't? I would hope if they did they had better data that what they seemed to have had going into the final testing phase. Again - stuff happens, but it just seems like there was a lot of faith put in something that ultimately could perform how they needed it to in the end and it seems like they waited till "the end" to discover that. ALSO Velocity may have been the contractor for the launch magnetics but wouldn't the ultimate final decision and specs rest with RMC since they were the ride designer and most likely the ones that spec'd VM to execute their specs? Stuff happens, but it still seems like some poor advance testing and planning on their part.