middle_keeny

Actually I am a line mechanic / maintenance for a large automated factory that uses the same basic systems you'll find on a rollercoaster. I have the credentials to work at an Amusement park but they don't pay nearly to what I am making now. But I'll be glad to buy you a drink someday and discuss logic controllers. Budzy - I hope you were able to ride Firechaser. It truly is a fun coaster.

As far as I know, we don't even know if it will be wood. The RMC speculation began when some of the guys from RMC was spotted at Kennywood not long before the board meeting where the plans were submitted. Also, there are some design features that are consistent with recent RMC coasters. But we don't have any other indication of RMC or wood. Until there is an official announcement or work is spotted, its all speculation.

I know I'm a little late to the conversation. But I would definitely check out Log Jammer also. It is my personal favorite log flume out of every park I have been to outside of Orlando. It's an Arrow Model with an uphill section.

My biggest complaint of Wild Eagle is that you dont get much of a chance to enjoy the view on top of the lift hill. I was able to get a look under Drop Line yesterday and it has the ability to rotate. So I hope they will leave you up there and let you rotate a bit before you drop back down.

I'm a little late to the discussion, but it 's interesting to note that the one hub at the south end of Caribbean Beach resort is also in the same area where a moderate DVC is going. It would be and added benefit of a DVC member staying there to have easy access to two parks.

Actually, I did some basic calculations using google earth and 200' from the top of the tower will be a little higher than the loop on WE but not quite as high as the lift hill. So YES it will clear the hills and get you a pretty good view. My biggest complaint of WE is that you dont get to enjoy the view for too long. This should do the trick.

Actually, I did some basic calculations using google earth and 200' from the top of the tower will be a little higher than the loop on WE but not quite as high as the lift hill. So YES it will clear the hills and get you a pretty good view. My biggest complaint of WE is that you dont get to enjoy the view for too long. This should do the trick.

Wild Eagle does have a certain row for larger peeps. I forget which one at the moment. I consider myself a large dude and the only ones I cant fit on are MM and Sky Flyer. All coasters have a test seat at the beginning of the line to check. Lightning Rod is a tight fit. My advice is to make sure all pockets are empty and don't wear heavy clothing, that helps a lot. If I have my wallet in my pocket, I cant get a green light on LR. And remember... Dollywood is pretty strict about their ops not pushing down on restraints. You have to do it yourself or a friend. The only exception is Barnstormer due to the ergonomics.

I thought I read somewhere back that they do a safety check once every 2 or 3 hours. It happened when I was in line the other day. There was about a 5 minute downtime, ran an empty train, then ran a train with an operator on it. So it was down for no more than 10 minutes. This was a little after 5 when this happened, so its consistent with what ernie wrote.

My apologies. I was under the impression that IOE did the launch control system and not the ride system. Thank you for clarifying that up for all of us. I do not work maintenance at Dollywood. I work in a large automotive factory in maintenance. I checked through my pictures and I rode it on May 24, which was the second day of testing to the public. I thought it was earlier in the year. And YES! I did see a bunch of RMC shirts there that day and maybe an IOE shirt (don't remember exactly). Since I work in a German factory, I deal primarily with Siemens but I understand that the South tends to prefer Allen Bradley. When I was in line yesterday, I noticed that the prox switches that I could see are now yellow instead of green. which led me to speculate that there was a change in the operating system. Was gonna try and get a picture of the prox switched but the park was too crowded so we never went. Again I want to clarify that it was purely speculation and I have no employment/ contractor relationship with Dollywood. In other news: the park was crowded today, we arrived at 11:05 as the park opened and they were starting to park in D/E so we went home.We had already gone Thursday and Friday so no loss. Smoky Mountain Christmas is nice with the changes. they moved it to the Celebrity Theater and now have an Orchestra and use projections behind the cabin. Thought Wonderful Life Was good as well. They really had to condense the story down to fit it to an hour and I think they did a good job at it . I would see it again. Oh.. I know its supposed to be Christmas there but the trees were in Fall Peak. I managed to get this shot of LR..

I have seen comments from 2 different Dollywood Employees and the guys (and girls) from IOE. All have said that the launch system is running the way its supposed to.From what I gathered from this thread, there are two logic systems on the coaster: one for the launch and one for the operation. I noticed last night that they have changed the prox sensors on the brake run and the station (I work maintenance, I notice those kind of things). That leads me to suspect that they installed an entirely new PLC system. On the operation and not the launch. I speculate that a single unified system was developed so both systems operate in unison. Also, there were a bunch of water dummies on the ground by the station. This leads me to believe that some form of extensive testing took place. As I say, this is all speculation, so take it with a grain of salt unless it get confirmed. I will say this. I rode this the second day of testing back in April(ish) and have pretty much rode this monthly since then, yesterday was the best I have seen it run so far. Did manage a night ride, but the full moon lit things up. Dare I say it.... Voyage gave a better night ride.

On the way to the park this afternoon, I passed a truck with parts for the new ride. So I'm assuming they will start as soon as the park closes. Took a disk ride on LR also, can assure you that the potholes have been fixed.

Ummm.... Kennywood does.

The brand I worked for didn't have a pool of rooms 3rd party websites can sell. Typically they sold the rooms and we would pay them a commission as if they were a travel agent. When you see a Hotel Website Sold OUt but the third party site is not, that means the Hotel didn't block out the third party sire from booking more rooms and the hotel just got overbooked. Third party sites can not see availability like a Hotel site can. Personally, I never use 3rd party sites anymore. But back to the discussion.... I am glad to see LR running as it should finally and just in time for the Christmas crowds. I am excited about my first night ride on it. I was lucky enough to get a night ride on Voyage this fall and it was a game changer. So I am sure the same will be true with LR. I am guessing we wont see much construction happening for the two new rides since they should be a quick installation in the off season. I'm excited about the views from on top of the tower. I wish WE would hold ou at the top for a few so you have time to enjoy the views. Minus the Bees.

You are correct. They completely dismantle the ride and remove it from their property entirely each season for maintenance. Some parks will do that. They will dismantle a ride and put it in storage for the winter.

That's pretty impressive, considering lightning rod has only been operational for about three of those pages combined. True... most of the pages are people griping / theorizing about its problems. Somewhere squeezed in the middle is three pages discussing the new drop tower and coaster. LOL

When hotels get near capacity. They have a way of blocking out 3rd party booking websites to prevent overbooking. I have a room booked for Thursday night and called the hotel directly for Friday night. I have been there on days when the crowds are parking in Splash Country. Typically the rides aren't that bad of a wait but the shows fill up fast. IF you want to catch a few shows I would recommend the flash pass. I missed out on Smoky Mountain Christmas cause it filled up on me last year.

This park just doesn't get the love it deserves. I guarantee this... once and RMC gets announced. This page will blow up. Dollywood Thread has gone from 620 pages to 1240 pages since LR was announced.

I know its a random question: but when we went, I noticed Pilgrims Plunge was taken down. Is this just for seasonal maintenance?

yea i saw on their website shed be there. no shed be at kings island I laughed way to hard at this. Random question, but does Dollywood usually put on the site when Dolly will be in the park, or is more of just like a "Surprise shes here!!!" kind of thing?? Dollywood typically does not post when she visits. I think most of the time its on her webpage. Typically shes only there 3ish times a year. Season Opening for Festival of Nations, Homecoming Parade, Charity Concert, and debut of a new movie (as in the case this year). When she is there, the crowd looks like Minions going from place to place to see her "drop"in on a show. Been there a few times she was there but never got caught up in it. I'm going on thursday to meet my parents there. I am hoping LR is running so they can experience the goodness.

Just messing man, thanks for the info How long did it take to quote the spelling errors from that long of a post Anyway, thanks for the information, dollywoodmech2! Actually it validates him as a maintenance worker. As a maintenance worker in a LARGE factory, we don't care about no grammar or spelling. Just get the thing running. But thanks for taking the time to write that. What you stated and what IOE wrote. It just validates the point! And dont forget to get Danny his Coke

Typically you do not "repair" sensors. You just replace them. Reprogramming the software can be done in the background. Typically with PLC logic, you write the program on a PC with the software needed (I'm assuming Allen Bradley since its an american Company) then load the program into the module which is saved on an SD card. The original program is still on the PC and can be backed up, then modified. In terms of the sensors, they usually give an "open/closed" signal to the PLC. All the calculating is done using the PLC. For instance, you can set two sensors a set distance apart, use a timer to judge the difference in signal in milliseconds, and use a formula to judge speed. That's just one example. As it has been stated before, the launch system is running "beautifully" so I personally think its another issue other than the logic and sensors.

Actually its the track, if you find a good picture of the first drop. You can see that the radius in the transition from the drop to the flat is not perfect. There's a slight flat spot where you feel the bump. I have taken over 10 laps on LR and I have a good idea where that bump is by now...lol

I noticed the last time I was there that the water play area next to Thunderhead was removed. So I can see a Jr. going in that little cove right there. I'm just wondering if they will keep the playground. Overall, I'm excited to finally get a flat in timber canyon again. 200' would give some great views of the park never seen before

Talked with a friend who just got back from there this weekend and he said that they were taking apart the swing ride in Country Fair. So we could see a family drop tower there or even see a revamp of Country Fair similar to what is at SDC. Does anybody know what time the announcement will be?