LukeFlynn

It also doesn't show Firechaser Express. The website version does show both, but not Drop Line. They updated the app about a month ago, it was much needed.

It's very similar in design to Whistle Punk Chaser is my guess.. that area is due for another renovation and removing sideshow spin will open room for another flat there.. The entire "fair' area has gone almost all kiddy and I feel Dollywood can do a much better job making it feel like a fair and by putting some rides that are a little more extreme fair rides.. yes, kids need rides to but I hardly ever visit that area anymore.. a good mix of rides is needed there Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk This is very true, it's needed a renovation for at least a decade now. Everything down there is depressing and worn out looking, especially the food places.

I've been for the passholder day a few times. All rides up and and most shows though limited schedule. Usually not very busy. Usually​ email ads to passholders, but closer to opening weekend. It's really aimed at locals who only need a few days notice. But it's always the Friday before official opening day (Saturday). Good to know! Thanks. I consider myself a local, but in recent years I've waited until May or June to buy passes.

I called last week, the 17th is for pass-holders only. Evidently all rides and even shows will be operating. I've never been on an exclusive passholder day, so I can't speak for what the crowds may look like. I'm planning on visiting nonetheless, if it's crowded I may return the 19th. Also, it doesn't seem to be something they advertise heavily. It's noted under the printable version of the yearly calendar which can be found here.

I've always liked the walk up to Timber Canyon, but in recent years (especially after Wild Eagle was added), the walk way has had a tendency to get jammed. I wish they would liven up the connector they added several years back that bridged Timber Canyon with Craftsmen's Valley/Tennessee Tornado. It feels pretty bland, adding FireChaser helped, but it's still a dull walk. That said, I'm not complaining they added it, it was a pain walking all the way to the other side of the park for TT. I'm no t really sure how they could make it better, but it needs foliage or something.

Lumberjack's and Dogs 'n Taters were the only food joints I really enjoyed at Dollywood. I'm really sad that they're removing the GOOD pizza, it was surprisingly decent for theme park pizza.. I hope it's not going to be the same swill they have at Victoria's near the county fair area.

I suppose that's fair. Don't get me wrong, I've always thought that Dollywood desperately needed a drop tower. A decade ago when they added Timber Tower I was disappointed that it wasn't one. I'm stoked for Drop Line, but not as much as I was for Lightning Rod. I don't think it's a bad thing that we may not see another major coaster for at least 4-5 years. Lightning Rod (for me) has put Dollywood's coaster lineup in a good place for the time being. I feel like if they were to add another coaster in 2018, it would almost be too much too quickly.. but you won't catch me complaining either way..

Can you confirm that? I hope you're right as I'll be visiting in late April. But like dstephe9 said, On Jan 7 at an ACE event, Pete Owens said that both Drop Line and White Punk Chaser are scheduled to open around Memorial Day. I wonder if this will be the start of a new Dollywood trend of their new rides opening around Memorial Day (before LR, many of their new rides had been open on Opening Day) Doubtful. Drop Line and Whistle Punk Chaser aren't necessarily (in my opinion) star attractions of Dollywood. No doubt they are exciting, but not nearly as exciting as a large coaster expansion. Lightning Rod is a unique case, and I don't think it's really fair to judge any other future attractions based on it's downtime.. I will say.. I don't think Dollywood will be getting another coaster with prototype components anytime soon. I might be there on Season Passholder Preview day (the 17th).. I'm not sure if rides operate or not, can anyone confirm? I will definitely be there Sunday the 19th.

A few days late to the "Dollywood's Next Coaster" conversation.. I have always thought a B&M Invert would be a hit for the park, something on the scale of Banshee, but as a terrain invert. I'm sure the park has spent more than the estimated 22 million on Lightning Rod just due to the issues. I wouldn't be surprised if they took a break in 2018, which would disrupt the 2 year timeline they've had going since 2012. I'm hoping for 2018, but I think 2020 will be the year. I guess we'll find out in Q2-3 of 2017.

That very same track was also used on Arrow Hypers post Magnum. Ride Centerline, who the infamous Alan Schilke actually works for (and founded) have a ride list that includes basically all Arrow coasters in the 90s, including Drachen Fire. I think Drachen Fire's failure is really what sparked Arrow to revamp their track. Also, the mine train at Fiesta Texas uses the same track, only smaller. Even though they improved their track, I would argue that TT is still the best as it was solely an Alan Schilke project, most of the others look like Toomer's work. Edit (additional info): I think this track style aligned them to what Morgan (now Chance Rides) was doing at the time. From what I understand, the original Arrow track required much more welding of the cross-sections than Morgan/later Arrow track. This combined with the fact that the track design was 45+ years old and from a time when computer engineering wasn't even on the horizon.. it's no wonder the older rides were rough. I do wish S&S would do something with the modern track, but I think the Chance Hyper-GTX is as close as we're ever going to get to a modern Arrow, if only more of those were around..

According to some ride ops, the Tennessee Tornado was originally supposed to operate alongside the existing Thunder Express and be incorporated in the mountain much more, creating a longer ride. Evidently the mountain is composed of a very tough stone (perhaps limestone?) which the park did not have the budget for at the time to dig into/remove. I'm pretty ignorant on the topic of excavation, so forgive me if that sounds really weird. I'm not sure of the validity of this, but it seems logical to me. DW was a relatively young park at the time in terms of coasters. I don't think they had ever had a custom built coaster (excluding BF) prior to this.

Refurbished both, actually from what I can tell.

Good Lord I hope they never replace the Arrow trains! I've heard a few people mention this. Arrow trains (for a tall person like myself anyways) aren't particularly uncomfortable on a smooth ride like TT. I can't see how the Vekoma trains would improve the ride AT ALL. Plus let's be honest, Arrow trains are sexy.

For those wondering about weekend crowds: Dollywood is my home park, and only about 30-45 minutes away depending on traffic.. so I'm there fairly often and have season passes. Since I'm local, I honestly don't bother with the shows, I might watch them once, but that's it. It's probably more appealing to people traveling a greater distance to come to this park. Without the shows, (even as a beginner to Dollywood) everything can be done in one day easily. It's also fairly easy to navigate the park, but do expect to walk a lot as most of the rides are decently spaced away from each other. Saturdays are definitely the most busy days during the non-summer months. Sundays are pretty much a guaranteed light crowd regardless of the time of year due to religious reasons, etc.. I tend to go less in the summer, and if I do, I go on a Sunday or sometime mid-week. Other info & coaster recommendations for newcomers: Of course, this would be a somewhat moot post if I didn't mention Lightning Rod - I've ridden it at least 15 times, and it's a great ride.. I would wait 90 minutes for it, but that's probably pushing it if the other rides have shorter lines. Unfortunately, it had some issues in it's first season, but I suspect they will have worked these out over this off season. Definitely ride Tennessee Tornado, it doesn't look like much compared to Wild Eagle, but it's a great (and IMO better) ride. It is on the short side, but it's intense (and designed by Alan Schilke). Easily my favorite coaster at Dollywood right now, this may change if Lightning Rod becomes more reliable. All of the other coasters are worth a ride too, Firechaser Express does get a rather long wait, especially on busy days.. it's definitely not something I would make a priority.