Photo TR: Dollywood 9/16/07

[ernierocker]

Last Sunday (the 16th) my wife and I decided to take the short 45 minute drive over to Dollywood.

 

I wasn't expecting large crowds today, but I was surprised when the parking lot was already full back to Lot D. There appeared to be a ton of people in the park as we headed towards Timber Canyon and as we checked out the queue for Thunderhead, we saw that it was filling the entire bottom queue.

 

I make the assumption at this point that we should go for a Q-bot. Hey, its only 13 bucks or so with the Gold Pass, so why not? Well, it turns out that the only reason there was a wait for Thunderhead was because they were in the process of adding a 2nd train. When we make our way back there is absolutely no wait. We didn't have to use the Q-bot once!

 

It turns out that the crowds were there for the Bluegrass and Barbecue festival. Everyone just wanted to eat and not ride the rides. We had a great day with no waits! I guess next time, I should wait to see more lines before jumping the gun. Oh well. On to the pics...

First ride of the day was Thunderhead. What's that I see, could Timber Tower actually be operating today?!

Thats the end. Thanks for reading!

More shots of the excavation inside the train loop.

Sorry dirt enthusiasts. We sat on the wrong side of the train for the non-blocked shots.

It was explained to everyone that this excavation is being used as fill dirt for the connecting pathway next year.

Oh, I guess they are going for that not so tranquil and natural look next year.

Here is the steam train in action. We are about to embark on a relaxing journey through the tranquil and natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Tennessee Tornado from the train. Could you see it before they starting the pathway construction?

Candace and I on the Dollywood Express. We are friggin excited!

Sexy up-the-skirt shot of Dizzy Disk in action! Hot!!

Good old Dizzy Disk. This is usually the only ride we ride in Country Fair.

Keep scrolling.

This was part of the festivities for the Bluegrass and Barbecue festival. Keep scrolling down vegetarians!

The death of Spider Pig! All vegetarians move on, nothing to see here.

Here is the pathway to Timber Canyon. I am going to love not having to use this every time to get to the rest of the park next year.

Another one of Mystery Mine. Keep your head firmly against the headrest for this part please.

Mystery Mine was our second ride of the day. No wait. Oh why did I buy a Q-bot?!

Yes, Timber Tower is indeed operating. We didn't ride, its BORING.

We rode twice, both times in the backseat. Thunderhead was running great today!

[ernierocker]

Ahh the rookie mistake! Is there a way to switch the order of the pics? Ive got them backwards.

 

Edit: Pictures are in the right order now.

[Shavethewhales]

Very cool photos, but that hog looks less than appetizing for some reason, maybe it's the head coated with dribbles of baked-on blood.

 

yeah, something about seeing the whole animal like that freaks me out a little, but I'll bet it tastes marvolous.

[ernierocker]

Thanks.

 

You are right about the pig. We were not about to eat that barbecue after seeing its source rotating around right in front of us!

[kraken613]

Im going Sunday! Looking forward to riding Thunderhead all day long!Hpe every ones there for the BBQ. Ill be riding rides and my Dad will be at the BBQ section.

[coasterdude5]

Tennessee Tornado from the train. Could you see it before they starting the pathway construction?

Right after they installed it, you could. But it seemed like in recent years it had been hidden in the trees.

[kraken613]

When the leaves are off the trees you can really see it good. So what did the river battle site look like. Back in August they were getting ready to start the foundation it looked like.

 

Alot of times people are parked in D when I go and its never that bad. Now one time I went Thunderhead had like a hour and half wait! That wasnt a very fun day.

[ernierocker]

Where in the world does the line go when it is that long of a wait for Thunderhead? It seems it would spill out into the main pathway for a 30 minute wait.

 

I didn't notice anything but clearing and dirt around the River Battle site. Its hard to see it too well though, because you have look between the breaks in the trees as the train goes by. You do get a great view now of Mystery Mine from the brake run of the Tennessee Tornado.

[kraken613]

I havnt ridden TT since the clearing has taken place. How far away does it really look. Ill have to ride TT Sunday.

When Thunderheads wait was that long it reached Timber Tower it was insane! Now the time when MM had a 3.5 hour wait now that was the longest line ive ever seen. I dont see riding MM unless it has a really short wait.

Now I could ride Thunderhead all day long. Ive had 124 rides this season.

[Holtskee]

It makes me sad to see all the trees gone along the train track. I remember years ago it use to feel like you were really out in the wilderness on the train.

 

 

Great photos though!

[kraken613]

In April tthe trees where still tere then the next time I rode the train in Late May they where mostly gone. And in August they where all gone!

[Team Thriller]

Nice pics! Great job.