DefeatistNation

I think cedar point has the best collection. I found magnum and gemini to be incredible!

I mean, the ride isn't all that. Sorry about it. The launch is just a fast elevator lift, and the ride didnt deliver the pumch i was hoping for. I know it was supposed to be the best wooden coaster on planet earth, but I rode it and it wasnt. Just because your love for the park may cloud your judgment doesn't mean that I don't have a right to an opinion on a rollercoaster on a rollercoaster messageboard.

To be honest, the launch isn't forceful or sudden. It feels like a fast lift sort of like maverick. I would have been just as happy with a chain but I'm no engineer!

HEY that cinnamon bread was good. Does that help?

Well, that's what it is. Heaven forbid a park try to be more than just cookie cutter rides plopped on a corn field and surrounded by asphalt. No really though, I get it. It's good to see a different perspective once in awhile, but as others have said, maybe you should just stick to Six Flags and Cedar Fair. I know I'd be just fine if DW got rid of all the coasters and went back to just shows, music and crafts. I'm a coaster nut myself, but for me the finer aspects of DW outweigh them. You'll notice DW gets a lot more guests per year than most parks with it's relative slate of rides, so obviously many agree. I'm actually surprised there aren't more parks that focus on more than just rides, given the success of most parks that tie into music and movies. But you didn't find Mystery Mine, Blazing Fury, and Tennessee Tornado worth re-rides? That just seems purposefully shallow to me. It would be hard to stay a coaster enthusiasts if I had such narrow tastes. I was underwhelmed by some of the coasters on my first visit, but I'd still probably ride them all day if given the chance. You know, I just came from a holiday world/kings island/ cedar point trip 2 weeks ago so maybe my opinion is a bit skewed? But I'm telling you, I thought Thunderhead was absolutely mental. Up there with voyage! But yeah, the other coasters you mentioned I thought were just okay and wouldn't reride personally.

I honestly don't mean to come across so negative. I think lightning rod was great, but yeah I think it would have put it into the stratosphere if it had a signature RMC stall or corked roll. Also, ever since I was little, I go to theme parks for honestly, only the rollercoasters so I suppose the park just isn't made for me. Carry on! Also for what it's worth I think Thunderhead is one of the absolute best coasters I have ever been on

Not being argumentive, but out of genuine curiosity how many other parks have you been to?

Okay let's do it. In my opinion Dollywood is one of the best parks in America, the Season Pass pays for itself in less than 2 visits and then you can go back for the #1 Theme Park Christmas event in America (and it deserves that title). Mystery Mine, Tennessee Tornado, Thunderhead and Wild Eagle are awesome. The shows are awesome, the supporting rides are awesome, the atmosphere is awesome, the food is awesome, they have cinnamon bread which is holy sh*t amazing and nobody is going to take one negative review of Lightning Rod as gospel when most reviews are absolutely glowing. Plus even if Lightning Rod were the worst coaster ever built the park would still be exceptional. How's that? I feel like I paid 70 bucks to go to a park that put more emphasis on food and shows. I know everyone is different but I was hoping for more rides. And the collection of coasters include 3 family coasters, a short arrow looper and the tamest b@m I can remember being on. It was nice theming and scenery and what have you but after 4 hours at the park I really struggled to come up with more to do that didn't involve eating overpriced food or watching shows. The only coasters worth a re-ride in my opinion were the two woodies. Which isn't worth 35 bucks a piece.

It was only the first rmc I have been on, but it seemed like someone hit the brakes popping over the first "down". It was bizarre. All in all a great solid ride but I just feel like it was missing a huge standout element to make it incredible.

Here's some new drama: Dollywood is overpriced as hell to get in and Lightning Rod wasnt all that. Discuss.

I rode backrow, and held on for dear life the whole time. It takes a lot for me to put my arms down. And the thing was a walkon!!!

Chiming in from the park again today to say that THUNDERHEAD is absolutely incredible and out of control and I don't know why more people don't talk about it. Holy cow.

Double post sorry

1. Month 2. Raptor 3. Afterburn 4. Alpengeist 5. Banshee

I just wanted to say that I'm glad I am not the only one that thinks banshee is weak.

Front row review: This may be quick but, I'm finally home and tired. If anyone wants to ask I can elaborate. Lightning Rod is really good. It may not be the best of the best woodies out there, and I personally think it's glaringly missing at least 1 really good inversion, but is a good solid ride. Keep in mind this is,my very FIRST rmc. I got randomly partnered up with a stranger for the front row. They had one train running and we're dispatching every 4 minutes or so. I saw no less than 2 RMC employees walking around nervously and talking to the ride ops. (The ride ops wear garage coveralls, and as a mechanic myself, I thought it was a genius touch.) Also, sidenote. The windshields are (thankfully) gone from the trains. But the damn fake shaker stacks are still there and I found it kind of lame that it obstructed some of the view. First off, there are sounds of an engine revving as you leave the dtation. The ride begins to launch about 10 feet from the hill, but doesn't really pick up speed till about 1/4th the way up. The launch is not quick or snappy, think of it as a longer faster maverick lift. Great airtime over the two humps, but the first drop was dissapointing. Maybe it was being in the front row, but it didn't seem nearly as high on the ride as it did off. Wave turn was really cool. The ride slows down significantly and you get a few second to really appreciate the absurdity of the element. Next right hander into the left bend apex thing was great, nice pop of air. The real airtime star is the next element which I seem to remember being the twist and shout? Elector air city over that one. Then, onto the finale. The first down was taken strangely slow, no air. Then the ride picks up and pops air for the final 3, then a nice pop of air under the,brake run, and into the huuuuuge way too over banked finale turn. Pros: airtime city, theming, absolute blistering pace from start to finish. Cons: too short, missing one really good inversion like a barrel roll or stall. All in all it is a great ride, just not the end all woodie that I was hoping for.

I JUST GOT ASSIGNED THE FRONT ROW ON LIGHTNING ROD. PICS TO FOLLOW

Well, just woke up to make the 3 and a half hour pilgrimage to Dollywood from Athens Georgia! Wish me luck in riding Lightning Rod!

Oh wow. I have tomorrow off! I'd love to pop up there for the day

In a strange way I'm sort of enjoying the delay. It is making the ride almost infamous. I kind of have this feeling that in a few years, if not BEFORE it opens, major modifications will have to be made to either the launch or the layout. Also, as fine as I am with putting a traditional chain on the damn thing, I sort of feel like the launch is what will put the ride from maybe a top 10 woodie in the world to an insane, out of control top 3 or 4. So I'm really hoping they can get it working.

Only on theme park review would there be a top 10 food spots list haha.

Hey! I was standing right behind you in line with the green expire jacket on. I came all the way up from georgia

I usually don't trash on the GP, but I overheard this gem between a mother and daughter on the brake run after we had JUST RIDDEN VORTEX. "See mom? I told you it went upside down 6 times!" "No baby, only twice. We just rode it." Like, we are sitting on the brake run 20 feet from the layout

Yes, it has shuttles. But it is literally a 2 minute drive

Decided to check into my Breakers Express room and head into the park tonight instead of just tomorrow. It feels like it's 18 degrees, windy and sprinkling. BUT, I'm in line for Valravn and it looks to be only about an hour!