Dollywoodlover20
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Posts posted by Dollywoodlover20
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Haven't been there recently have you? Haha, Wildwood Grove is level with most of the park now so it won't be hidden from Wild Eagle, Thunderhead or any of that. Probably one reason they redid the drop and that end of thunderhead first this season, it will be very very visible and almost a part of Wildwood GroveLooks like I'm in the minority. I wouldn't mind the B&M Hyper wrapped around park of the park.All sound great and I'm for anything new.
I don't even get to go much but I always liked how Dollywood was tucked away in the mountains. I can handle Wild Eagle sticking out but it just seems more magical to be tucked away. I am looking forward to walking thru the log and Boom! seeing Wildwood Grove
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I meant how you never saw any part of Dollywood until you got inside. Now you can see Wild Eagle from outside. I haven't been since Lightning Rod was installed so I bet you see it too although I bet it blends in more since it is a wooden coaster. I like that tucked away feeling versus like driving by a six flags and just seeing everthing before you get in and also as you drive by on an interstate. I think Wild Eagle was the first thing that stuck out so high you saw it from a distance. I think I recall conversations on that issue on here back then. At any rate, when I get to go to a park it is Holiday World and Dollywood. I bought a Dollywood pass for this year so I hope I get to use it and see all this stuff live. I have been watching lots of youtube lol
Actually, LR is very hidden haha. You can only see it from a few points in the park. You’ll be able to see it from Wildwood Grove where it’s higher elevation and cleared out. Other than that, it’s hidden really well.
I’d love to see a thrilling indoor coaster. Spinning coaster would go well indoor as well. Talk about disorienting lol. I thought if a hyper went in it could stretch out and maybe cross the train track and come back. Because is there enough room left for an out and back hyper back there??
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I dunno. I don’t see a flight simulator as a “huge/major” addition. Something for 2020? Yes that could work. Kind of like one of the yearly additions. They seem to already be getting the ground ready just past Wildwood Grove, as there’s gravel spread out in a long patch. Like construction will start up there later this year.
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I got a survey about new coaster options? I didn’t get that one.
Here’s the one I got. When did that one go out?
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This past weekend I was able to visit the park all day Saturday (opening day) and half of the day on Sunday for the first time since my first visit in 2017. As much I would love to say that i enjoyed my visit I..........................................LOVED and enjoyed my visit. Despite the somewhat chilly temperatures all weekend (other than Sundays heatwave of almost 65 degrees) the park was still as beautiful as always and the rides where running amazing (minus Mystery Mine).
Here are some of my thoughts on my visit:
- The new retrack on Thunderhead looks amazing! sadly i did not get to ride it this weekend but alas i still have the credit
- the former area of splash battle really opens up the area and gives some good shots of Wild Eagle, Firechaser Express and Mystery Mine
- Wildwood Grove continues to look amazing (despite the green grass and giant tree centerpiece) However there is something that I will show in my photos that has myself and some of the people i was hanging out with curious.
This visit I did not miss out on Cinnamon Bread haha and it was the best
Yea, that clearing there is presumed to be the area for the 2021 expansion they’re planning which is more than likely a coaster if I were to guess. Plenty room for one. Wildwood grove Phase 1 is only 5 acres, the rest that you see there is 6-7 acres. Phase 2 is 2021.
- The new retrack on Thunderhead looks amazing! sadly i did not get to ride it this weekend but alas i still have the credit
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Yea it was always slated for May, as you can see from today on the cam they still have a long way to go. The majority of the work is landscaping, the tree needs to be put in place (I heard it was delayed) and Wildwood Creek needs finished. The buildings have went up faster than anything, it just seems to be getting all the trees, rocks, paths into place.
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^^Exactly. Plus remember, Dollywood considers any of their coasters an “Experience for families” most of the time as long as it doesn’t go upside down. So a 73 mph launching wooden rollercoaster with 20+ seconds of airtime is considered a thrilling family coaster. It’s essentially about marketing really. They’re a family oriented park, so just put family experience somewhere in the tag line and it draws more of your guests in.
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I personally don’t look at Dragonflier as a “major coaster”, it’s more of a “filler” to keep your adult/teen crowd satisfied because Wildwood Grove is mostly mild/moderate flats.
Wildwood Grove is more than just some mild / moderate flat rides and a coaster though. It's an entire themed land, with a story, and landmark experiences that aren't just mechanical rides. It's positioned at children and their families. If they built a new major coaster in an entirely new land adjacent to Wildwood Grove, then great - but not within it (as it has been envisioned today).
2016 was Dollywood’s last major coaster. 2021 will make 5 years since they’ve added one. That’s the longest they’ve went since the Mystery Mine-Wild Eagle gap.Personally, I would be completely fine with going back to the days when you could go ten years or more without seeing a new roller coaster.
So I typed my response out on my phone right as I was getting ready to clock out so it was rapid fire thoughts haha so..
Yes I know that Wildwood Grove is more than rides per say, they're going to be telling Smoky Mountain stories through the architecture, the trees (literally in and through the Wildwood Tree), the rocks, etc. The waterfall is even designed after one of the falls near Roaring Fork. It seems to be a really immersive land, and something like they've never done before.
The designer said that with the fallen log, it serves as a portal from Timber Canyon and Wildwood Grove. That you'll hear Timber Canyon music on one end, music on the inside of the log/cave and then Wildwood Grove music on the other side. They really want it to open up infront of you. So, notice in the artwork (announcement artwork) there's a tunnel at the end. I feel that'll be another portal to 2021's project.
I seen someone mention somewhere a Mack/Intamin style coaster with a Verbolten-esque theme/story. Anyone?
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I know we're getting ahead of ourselves since this expansion isn't even open yet but i'll go ahead and predict a B&M hyper (or Mack hyper). This would be the "star" attraction of Wildwood Grove.
Dollywood has mentioned again and again that Wildwood Grove is meant for families. A large, extreme roller coaster for that area would go completely against its mission. In one of the other areas, or in and around Wild Eagle and Mountain Slidewinder? Sure. But not Wildwood Grove.
Ok so let’s look at this. 2016 was Dollywood’s last major coaster. 2021 will make 5 years since they’ve added one. That’s the longest they’ve went since the Mystery Mine-Wild Eagle gap. I personally don’t look at Dragonflier as a “major coaster”, it’s more of a “filler” to keep your adult/teen crowd satisfied because Wildwood Grove is mostly mild/moderate flats.
The Wildwood Grove Phase 1 parcel is 6 acres, Phase 2 (which may not even be called Wildwood Grove), is 7 acres and will be expanded into more than likely in 2021. I mean, why start on another piece of land when you have land fresh and ready?
So Pete pretty much said 2021 is thrilling, and a major expansion. Besides Wildwood Grove Phase 2, I’m not sure where else it could go at the moment. MS’s land isn’t as large as some may think. On either side you have Wild Eagle and Daredevil Falls. I could see a dark ride go in that area or an amphitheater like at SDC.
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I really hate to hear it if Slidewinder is truly gone, such a classic thrilling water ride. Classic, genuine fun, it always reminds me of going tubing down a mountain.
The following is just random thoughts that come mind, ignore the order lol
2019- Wildwood Grove Phase 1, 5 acre expansion. Would Dollywood remove Slidewinder this year, and jump back to the other end of the park to expand when they have another 7 acre's left wide open?
Dark ride? The henhouse scramble idea was proposed a few years back (River Battle time) but never happened. I'm not sure why, but when I think of that idea, I think of this shooting gallery up in Gatlinburg so that idea doesn't sit BUT it would fit theme wise beside of Barnstormer in Owens Farm.
Something I could see going in that area is another outdoor theater (Think Echo Hollow at SDC) for this reason. This past year the train was made to shorten its whistle to .5 seconds of a blow while in the park, the only area it can do the classic "whistle" is at the loop. The complaints were made by performers of the outdoor shows, saying it was distracting guests.
I could see this being a resolution, you don't really hear the train up there and its hidden.
ALSO; Wildwood Grove is getting filled with trees and they look great!!!
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I think it's unlikely they get something as wild as Lightning Rod. That's not to say Dollywood won't add a thrill ride; it's just Lightning Rod is more intense than all but a handful of coasters.
True, I was typing that in a hurry and didn’t step back and think. I myself would love to see them get another coaster close to, or at the level of thrill/intensity of LR. Next down from LR, I see Thunderhead as the next best in the park as far as “wild and untamed” goes. Wild Eagle is just...chill. Just some early morning thoughts haha
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Just a random thought here. LR is currently Dollywood’s most intense/wildest coaster, really their star attraction. I wonder if we’ll see a coaster more intense than/wilder than LR anytime soon?
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Here’s what LR’s trains now look like. He said front row now seems more intense where you get that open view of everything
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So update. My friend was at the park today. Dragonflier is complete track wise. Station work and those things are obviously needing to be done. Mad Mockingbird is up and in place. Rock placement has started on the waterfall coming down the hill around blackbear trail, which will turn into a creek and maneuver through out the grove. Foundation has started for the tree. Everything is picking up pace fast. Besides getting the other flats installed it’s mostly foliage work/theming needing done.
LR update as well. The hoods have been completely removed as of today. So yes, you get an open front ride like Outlaw Run.
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I would say by mid/late December, Dragonflier will be finished. The Wildwood tree is being constructed offsite for some reason. I guess it’s that large. So I’m guessing they’ll haul it in and place it. The other attractions are basically put and place. Majority of work is landscaping which is what makes Wildwood Grove.
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And we are vertical!!
Also, I don’t think they make the Dolly Dollars anymore. They used to give you so many when you bought tickets and the front gate. They’ve not done that in the last few years.
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Just incase anyone is curious, here’s a photo that has been circulating around on facebook showing the difference between the train fronts:
Ewwww, nooo!!!
Like yes, I'm glad it's back up and workingish... But the new front of the trains looks like a massive downgrade.
Not that it will affect the ride at all... but still.
Honestly when I rode Monday night, I glanced and was like “Ok that’s the new front? Ok cool looks lighter.” Never paid any more attention. I think it’s because ever other time I’ve ridden it I’ve slowly watched everything be removed from the other. (Lights, Tires, Bumper). If you do ride in the front you get this track view that adds an extra edge which is cool too.
Yes it’s different, but trust me. In person, it’s not as bad as people are making it. I’d rather a working coaster that hauls and performs all the time with a smaller hood, rather than one that’s down and tears it’s decorative hood up.
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Just got back from the park. If you can get down and ride LR since it’s re opened. It absolutely hauled today from start to finish and the launch packs a punch. I did get some air at the top as well. The pot hole was gone, and the quad down’s ejector is even more intense if that’s even possible.
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Though it's hard to see in the picture, I'm hoping the new fronts and trunks have been added to the train. They sat under the ride for the longest time at the beginning of the season.
The fronts have indeed been added to the trains.
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Lightning Rod has water dummies on it now? Good sign
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So I'm guessing Halloween should be pretty chill crowd-wise? Since it's on a Wednesday.
You mentioned that the weather is mild. What kind of temps are usual around Halloween at DW? I get cold really easy, so I need to know how to pack.
Here in the mountains, our weather is pretty unpredictable. One year during Smoky Mountain Christmas it was in the 70’s, year before that it was in the 20’s. Around Halloween it can go either way, but if I were you I’d dress light but bring maybe a hoodie. It may be 70’s-80’s during the day but can drop down in the low 50’s when the sun sets.
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Another thing that was asked in the survey was “How likely would you be to purchase a pass for 184 dollars”.
Then the next portion gave you two options. You were to choose answers based on having the option of paying for a Single day admission, 2 day ticket, or Super Pass (with of course boosted prices).
There were also options such as; one day admission Mon-Friday, Seasonal, 2 or 3 day Friday-Sun Jun-August.
Like some confusing options and they all had varying prices. For me, I never know when exactly I can go. I just get a free weekend or day and I’m like “Dollywood sound good?” And we go down. So for me the Gold Pass has been the best.
I don’t see myself purchasing a Super Pass simply because I don’t intend on going to Splash Country.
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A big problem I see here in my area (note that I’m literally 2.5 hours or less from Pigeon Forge) is that, even though majority love the park and want to go, they simply see the price and back out. A few years ago Dollywood was like 46 dollars per person. Now it’s around 68/70 per person. I think for my family and I, with tax it’s around 215 ish dollars. Plus the 15 dollars parking fee, plus the food.
So most of the people where I’m from see it as, spend 70 per person on DW, go to extra hours north to KI and pay 40 per person, or beach.
For myself, I have the Gold Pass which has honestly saved so much money for us in two visits. I go more than my parents, I don’t necessarily eat in park unless it’s cinnamon bread (duh).
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Not sure if it has been brought up but I sure hope Dragonfly has 2 trains
If it's the standard 453m / Orkanen model like it appears to be, it won't have two trains. The station is the brake run.
Pete said it’s their largest model, which I’m thinking is the 453. So yea, it basically operates like your typical run of the mill family coaster/kiddie coaster. Lift is powered by drive tires, and brake run is the station.
The problem that comes to mind for me is, capacity. Huge new area, everyone sees a new coaster in the area, you’ll have a huge wait in no time.
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Looks like Dollywood is questioning their pricing. Wonder if they’re thinking of increasing for the 2019 season or leaving the same?
Dollywood Discussion Thread
in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
Posted
No, can you post a screenshot of the survey? I’d like to compare. Which I already know I’m going to probably like the Hidden Cave option. I’ve heard some rumors/tales tossed around about Phase 2 and a deep cave that explores the depths of Wildwood Grove with a possible monster?