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Packed at Dollywood today. Park is still understaffed. Took about 30 minutes just to get in the park with my season pass. Lightning Rod broke twice in the first hour, the second time while I was on it for a rollback. Not sure if it ever opened up for the rest of the day because I left early because ride wait times were 2 hours. They also closed the Timesaver check-in inside the park and built a new Timesaver building outside the front gates that also houses a rental annex for scooters. They also built a new security building so all the white tents are now gone. These two new buildings look much nicer. Not sure what they will do with the old Timesaver building, but that entire area of the park is looking desolate. Big Bear Mountain appears to have all its track in place too.

Dollywood paid big money for RMC to retrack parts of Blazine Fury last year, so I doubt it is going anywhere.

That is great news. The weather has been so cold and wet that I haven't used my annual pass yet this year. Those were my complaints over the last two years too.

The track for Big Bear Mountain is starting to arrive at Dollywood in the Wildwood Grove area.

Yes it is, but you have to be 55 inches tall to ride with a maximum weight of 287 pounds (this is new) The old height requirement was 48 inches tall before the ride closed. I think that is the highest height requirement in the park.

It is slower cresting the first hill because Dollywood took out an entire section of LSM's when they determined the bottom of the first two hills were getting damaged from the force. I've been riding it since it opened and it is much slower going up and over the first hill once they removed those LSM's. However, the rest of the ride feels the same.

I was hoping for spinning cars, like Time Traveler. I guess there's always 2025, lol.

Yes, I am totally serious. The entire ride was rough and I ride every time I'm at the park, as I go every week or two with my annual pass. I literally had to leave the park because I couldn't walk. I'm just glad it was the last ride of the day and not the first. The ride has been rough in the past, before the new I-box track sections, but I've never been in pain from the ride like I was this time. Thunder Head was my first ride of the day (I always go to the left when I get inside the front gates) and it was super smooth. Not sure what the issue was with Lightning Rod that day.

Lightning Rod is a mess. I was at Dollywood this week and Lightning Rod had two rows of seats near the back of both trains roped off and closed. Of course, this made the wait times horrendous for people in the regular queue. I went into the single rider line and got on in less than 5 minutes, which was good. I've ridden Lightning Rod around 100 times since it opened and I live close by and my one ride on it this week was horrifying painful. This was the roughest ride I've ever had on Lightning Rod, even when the old Topper Track was damaged and rough. As the train pulled into the station, I could hear others in front and back of me complaining about how rough the ride was. I typically ride it a few times every time I go to the park, but once was enough this week. I could barely walk when I got off the ride and my back hurt for two full days. I'm not sure I want to ride Lightning Rod ever again. I'd also like an explanation from Dollywood as to why it was so rough.

I think it is impossible to guess what a ride's height restriction will be when it hasn't even been built yet. Since it will be a family coaster, I'd expect it to be in the lower ranges.

The press release said a portion of the $10,000 with go to charity, not most of the money.

I've been to Dollywood three times already this season and the issues plaguing the park for the last two seasons are still happening. Lightning Rod is still having down time and long waits when it is running because they are mostly running it with only 1 train. Wait times have been over two hours when I have gone, so I use the single-rider line to get on much faster or I use the first hour for gold and diamond pass holders to use the Timesaver line. Lines for food and drinks are LONG and many of the food outlets are closed. Strangely, other rides are also experiencing down time. Mystery Mine has been down several times and broke once while I was on the ride. They had to manually lift the restraints and we had to walk along the side of the track to get out. I guess Dollywood's offer to pay for college tuition for staff hasn't helped with staff shortages.

They sell the exact same cinnamon bread at the bakery right at the front of the park and the line is much shorter.

Right, especially since LR is at the opposite side of the park, nowhere near Wildwood Grove.

Park Reservation System Book Your Next Visit Great news, Passholders! Reservations are no longer required for your visit to Dollywood Parks and Resorts. Any existing reservations will be honored. Be advised, based on demand, park entry could be delayed due to available park capacity.

The fireworks are behind Wildwood Grove and can best be views from inside Wildwood Grove, as is the drone show. Last season, most of the rides had that sign on them about closing at 9 pm for the fireworks show.

Not on busy days when all the lines are long.

It's not a good price if you go every two weeks like I do. Last year I paid $55. That is a big increase for season pass holders.

Timesaver Unlimited went up to $80 this year. The price increases and Dollywood are getting out of hand, especially when you factor in how poor customer service has been over the last two years with so may shops, restaurants and ride closures. I think they new some new management at Dollywood and some managers that care about the guest experience.

New Dollywood Updates. There are some new changes at Dollywood. First, the existing 5 parking booths have been moved further into the parking area to accommodate more vehicles. Dollywood has also added 2 more parking booths, for a total of 7 booths and 14 hosts that will be collecting payment for parking to speed up the process. Second, the old trolley station has been removed and is being relocated closer to the parking lot. There are also plans in the works (over the next 10 years) for two additional parking lots, as attendance grows. Next, Dollywood has removed the security gates before you enter the park and has contracted with Evolve Express to automate the security screening. You will no longer need to empty your pockets, bags, or strollers. The Christmas Cottage Store has been completely removed to open up the area for a wider pedestrian walking and viewing area. There is a new tasting restaurant being opened called, Southern Pantry which will have tastings and specialty foods. Dollywood's Emporium has been completely redone with all new flooring and will feature self-checkouts, and a large butterfly sculpture hanging from the ceiling. Victoria's Pizza in The Village (across from the train depot) was completely gutted and reimagined into a larger and better restaurant, which will have a large deck overlooking the Country Fair area and the new name of the pizza restaurant will be Iron Horse Pizza. The first photo shows the two new parking booths. The second photo shows the area opened up with the removal of the Christmas Cottage store. The third photo is inside the Emporium, while the 4th photo shows the new eatery called Southern Pantry. The final photo shows the new tram station being built closer to the parking lot.

You are right. The Thunder Road/White Lightnin’ was a moving seat ride and is now the Dreamsong Theater.

Not sure what your post is about. The Dolly museum, if that is what you are referring to, used to be a ride, not a restaurant.

Hoping the addition of two new parking lot booths speed getting into the parking lot. If they keep it fully-staffed, that would be 4 extra hosts collecting parking fees or scanning season passes for free parking.

There are tons of low-cost motels in Pigeon Forge, but some of them are sketchy and old, so remember, you get what you pay for. If you don't care about the quality, then shoot for a cheaper price. One of the cheap ones is Americana Inns and suites. https://www.americanainnpigeonforge.com/ Parking is expensive at the park. You can park and take the trolley for just $2.50. Park at Patriot Park for free and take the shuttle to Dollywood. Trolley's run 30 minutes prior to park opening and run until all guests leave the park at night. https://www.pigeonforge.com/trolley/

Dollywood has opened reservations for season pass holder day on Friday, March 11th.