neilnky

Lol. I was thinking a nice themed indoor coaster with a big hummingbird or two on the building maybe even a hummingbird statue like Wild Eagle. I was watching Shawn and Charlotte's visit to Busch Gardens Williamsburg (other than returning to Dollywood, SDC, and Disney that is a park I would love to go visit as I have not been yet) and they had that one indoor coaster with a vertical drop. That would be cool as hummingbirds can go straight up and down. It would be like a "happy" colorful indoor coaster with bright flowers on screens and wildflower scenes everywhere like you were a hummingbird flying around Wildwood Grove visiting the fairies, Benjamin Bear, or heck even the rest of the park. Hummingbirds remind me of little fairly like creatures . Oh well I can dream Pete or someone reads this and likes the idea. I do think it would fit the area, be colorful, adventurous, and happy ! It is easy to dream about how to spend other people's money isn't it lol.

I have put out two hummingbird feeders this year and love watching them. I got to thinking it would be cool to have a dark ride at Dollywood with a hummingbird theme or something hummingbird themed. Is that a tacky idea lol. Just loving my hummingbirds and thought it would be cool to experience their flight.

Hello everyone! I was curious how you guys liked the new entrance design? I haven't been to Dollywood in years and hope to go soon. I was curious how it was working out. I just had a trip to Florida and got to visit the four Disney parks and the two Universal parks. Loved them! I so wish Dollywood could come up with some big iconic structure/ride like Disney's castles or the Epcot Spaceship Earth. That would just be icing on the cake. Going to Disney has just made me want to get back to Dollywood as it has been 10 years. I love a great entrance experience and the feel of where the park is another world away from everyday life. Magic Kingdom does that great. Dollywood has done it more so than six flags parks. I was curious about the new entrance aspect for this year. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

I haven't been on Mystery Mine since the layout change but I read it was to provide a smoother ride experience. I always looked forward to riding it because of the dark elements but did hate that it seemed so jerky. I would just classify that as an improvement. It is 14 years old now so it seems it has done very well right? I don't remember reading much about it being down. When I think of unreliable at Dollywood based on these boards and news articles Lightning Rod and Timber Tower are the ones that stick out to me. I did get to ride Timber Tower many times and it was fun. I am just glad I wasn't part of the group that got stuck up there for many hours!

WOW! I loved all of your details. I never would have figured out that turnaround point. It looks like there will still be part of the new clearing available too after this addition. I haven't got to visit in years but this is so exciting. I'm hoping for another Gerstlauer. Mystery Mine and Fire Chaser Express have been very reliable haven't they? Sometimes it is great to stick with good thing!

Can someone please interpret this drawing for me lol. Is that coaster track going all the way to the entrance near Mystery Mine? What are the wide dark lines around the current undeveloped portion? I can't blow it up to read anything but sure looks interesting! Sorry I'm not very good at reading blue prints. I would love the help!

Makes sense. The European parks are so themed! If you do the coaster and run it a year or two to get the open experience: then, have following years with intense theming so it can be an entirely different experience. The home crowd will have the memories of both! People may travel to experience the coaster before the buildings are added. I think it may make good sense but I'm no theme park professional!

I just watched theme park worldwide’s Tripsdrill video. The park opened two Vekoma coasters. However, all the theming wasn’t complete. That may be a great idea. Open a coaster the first year then add the theming the next. That would be like two coasters especially when the theming is a building with effects around the coaster. That may help rake in money the first year to pay to complete the rest of the ride the second lol

I totally agree! I am not expecting any big announcement for the new hotel or any additions until late next summer at the earliest. If something is announced earlier than that I would say that would be totally impressive!

If I was betting I would say no way Dollywood opens until April 6 minimum or maybe later. I am hoping they can beat the May 9 opening date of the dinner shows as you can keep more social distance out in an open theme park. We shall see. What a mess this stupid virus is!

Lands I'm hoping this coronavirus and oil price war doesn't stop everything up! I'll think positive! Hopefully all will pass in a decent amount of time and everyone will be safe. That is the most important thing but it is amazing how much has been affected by this!

I can't wait for their announcement this month! I figure they will be under pressure to make water park additions due to Soaky Mountain coming but what do I know lol

My google earth doesn't show wildwood grove yet dang it lol. Is that a big concrete patch just past wildwood grove? Maybe that is the base of the new dark ride

Great so glad no reported damage.

Anybody know if all the flooding affected Dollywood? Sure was making me nervous watching the Gatlingburg and Pigeon Forge youtube videos ( i love yankeeinthesouth's channel). I'm thinking the whole time, oh my is Dollywood getting damaged!

I am curious myself if they will fill in a ride where Mountain Slidewinder was before they go further in the Wildwood Grove area or vice versa. We shall see but I think a coaster would fit great where Mountain Slidewinder was. I think the spinning coaster like Time Traveler could work in that spot nicely! I just think it is too good a ride to pass up as every ride can be different. I just hope if they do get one they can have the enclosed show building at the total stop before the first launch. I think SDC was running over budget and had to leave that off.

This from screamscape: http://www.screamscape.com/html/holiday_world.htm I can sort of see why as those slides were pretty far off from the rest of the water park. I wonder what will become of this area? Don't you just love wondering and watching lol

I was thinking the reason was it is not in a tourist area so that makes sense. But boy if it was I can imagine the Christmas festival it would have being in a town named Santa Claus lol

I normally go to Holiday World at least once or twice every year. I just happened to realize their park schedule is more like a water park schedule than a regular theme park schedule. Part of me thinks since they are in Santa Claus, IN they should really have a full blown big Christmas festival to cover November and December like Dollywood and Silver Dollar City. I wonder if they have looked into it and found it not feasible. Just curious if anyone had any info. I have to admit Splashing Safari is so awesome I bet it is the biggest draw of the two parks.

I hope Dollywood staff visits or has visited Efteling in The Netherlands in regard to dark rides. I was watching a park tour and oh my what good dark rides they have! Symbolica is so cool but cost 35 million dollars! I bet Dolly would love that park as it is themed to fairy tale like scenarios. She said she loved fairy tales growing up!

Great! Hope you have a wonderful trip!

Do you guys think Gerstlauer would be an option for a big coaster for Dollywood? I got to thinking how much I love Mystery Mine and Fire Chaser and thought why not. Do you get a repeat buyer discount lol? I was watching the POV of Hang Time and they even have that dive coaster pause. They have incorporated spinning and boomerang elements in coasters plus we know they can be heavily themed. Not to mention the vertical lift hill and past 90 degree drops. Would a heavily themed infinity model be an option you think? Do you think it needs to be a B & M or Intamin? Just had some free time and was thinking out loud. Was watching lots of POVs and seemed to be caught more by the Gerstlauer coasters.

I had a great Saturday 09-14-2019 at SDC!!!! Man the coasters were intense! I got the one day photo pass and had my picture made and downloaded them the next day after I got home. It worked great except that Wildfire's picture area wasn't working. I was so rattled after riding the five coasters ( I haven't ridden coasters in several years and am in my fifties lol) that I just didn't think I wanted to ride again later so soon to try for a picture. I chilled out walking around with a friend and riding Flooded Mine. It was great looking at the shops, the 1800's Wilderness Church, and snacking on cinnamon and apple cinnamon bread White Wing Lodge is making improvements and was great. The new owners were very nice and the breakfast was great. I had never seen an automatic pancake making machine before lol. I wanted the closest place as driving in the mountains stresses me out. I couldn't believe when I exited SDC that the exit was right at White Wing. They are smart giving discounts to SDC passholders. I would definitely get a pass if I lived closer! At any rate I just loved loved loved SDC. The stores, rides, and restrooms are all great. I always just feel a little cramped as the paths are all narrow but I think that is part of the charm. I couldn't believe that on a Saturday my ride wait time for all the coasters and Flooded Mine weren't bad at all! Loved it and so glad they are there!!!!! SDC and Dollywood are hard to beat if you ask me!!!! Love the Herschend's style!!!

Oh my it was so many screens I don't think I can do that lol. Firefly Frenzy was about tracking down what happened to all the fire flies. Turns out a lady collected them with a funny machine to spread the magic of Wildwood Grove everywhere. The Hidden Cavern was about a mythical cave full of gems you discover along the way in Wildwood Grove, and Founders Day was a celebration of Wildwood Grove. I thought option one and two were ok with two being the best for me. I think it is way to soon for option three. I may be off a bit on some details but that should be close. All options are interactive where you are I think shooting things as you go along to collect them. It will be cool to watch what happens!

Did ya'll get the survey from Dollywood today? It was wanting to compare indoor ride themes between Firefly Frenzy, Hidden Cavern, and Founder's Day. I want the cave option!!!