PTR Dollywood 9/23 & 9/24/07

[Sue]

This past weekend we headed to Dollywood for a Sunday and Monday visit to the park. Even though Sunday wasn't overly crowded, we decided to get a Qbot. We've always wanted to try one, but refuse to pay the rip-off prices that SF charges. At Dollywood, you can't beat a price of $16 for 2 people.

 

Sunday was our relaxing day since we hoped Monday would be our crazy riding day just like it was the last time we visited on a Monday in September. Just as I had planned, Mystery Mine was coaster #700 for me. Unfortunately, it was a huge let-down. I had high expectations for it and they didn't even come close to being met. While the theming is excellent, the ride is not. It's pure headbanging from start to finish. It figures that it's made by Gerstlauer who are experts at causing pain with their wood coaster trains. Rich even rode it one more time than I did since my head was pounding so bad that I couldn't take any more.

 

We made the rounds of the park riding everything a couple times and also took in the Dreamland Drive-In show. We're not usually big on seeing shows, but we did both enjoy this one.

 

Sunday Ride Count

Thunderhead-7

Tennessee Tornado-2

Blazing Fury-1

Dizzy Disk-1

Smokey Mountain Wilderness Adventure-1

Dollywood Express-1

Veggie Tales Sideshow Spin-1

Sky Rider-1

Mystery Mine-3

Total Rides: 18

 

Monday turned out to be everything we hoped for and more. Visiting on a weekday in the fall is the best time to go to Dollywood. 90% of the park guests on these days are senior citizens who are there to see the shows. For anyone that wants to ride, you pretty much have the rides to yourself.

 

As I've mentioned before, the best thing about Dollywood is the employees. Everyone we encountered was friendly and efficient at their job. Not only that, but their employees seem to be there for the long-term. The employees working Thunderhead and Tennessee Tornado were mostly the same ones who were operating them during our first visit in 2004.

 

We were only at the park for 7 of the 8 hours they were open and got to ride to our heart's content. It was an excellent day at Dollywood!

 

Monday Ride Count

Thunderhead-60

Tennessee Tornado-15

Blazing Fury-1

Mystery Mine-ZERO

Total Rides: 76

 

Here's a couple pictures from our trip:

[ernierocker]

I just have not experienced the roughness on Mystery Mine that some people have.

 

I can see where you could get some head-banging on the 1st half of the ride, but I usually just keep my head and neck forward and turned towards the way the ride is going. The last part of the ride I keep it straight back against the headrest. Ive sat in every seat, never had a headbanging problem.

 

You liked Thunderhead a little huh?

[Sue]

Thunderhead is a fun ride and definitely the best coaster at Dollywood. However, I don't think it's close to being the #2 coaster in the world as the Golden Ticket awards make it out to be.

[kraken613]

I dont see why everybody thinks MM is so bad. Ive ridden it close to 50 times now and just dont see these horrible rides. Now MM is alot smother in the back most the time.

[Sue]

Of my rides on Mystery Mine, 2 were in the front row and 1 was in the back. I also tried riding with my head back and sticking it forward--neither one helped! I really wanted to like the ride, but it just wasn't for me.

[Shavethewhales]

Geez, I'm starting to think there must be some sort of massive rider size factor with MM. Many come off loving it and not experiencing any roughness, while many other claim to have been nearly beaten to death on it. Is it the smaller framed people that are having more trouble with it?

[kraken613]

I know alot of my freinds who have ridden it and the all have different opinions. But none have been beaten up on it. Im 6 ft so I dont know what its like for smaller people.

[Team Thriller]

Very nice pictures of Mystery Mine!