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Posted

The last time I visited Dollywood, the Tennessee Tornado wasn't even a gleam in the eyes of Dolly and her marketing department--their only coaster was this, at best, mediocre mine train that was somewhat more exciting than your average Wacky Worm. (But Blazing Fury kicked butt!) I was there on what turned out to be a fairly bad second date. Going to Dollywood was my date's idea in the first place, but she was really more interested in going outlet shopping instead and wouldn't ride anything, anyway. I topped off this splendid day by losing track of my car in the parking lot.

 

Yes, I'm quite the smooth operator.

 

Well, that was then, this is now (to lift a phrase from the Monkees, who stole it from an old S. E. Hinton novel, I think). I had to head to the Smokies for the 25th wedding anniversary of my good friends the Railsbacks, who are transplanted Californians living in Cullowhee, NC. So, I left work early on Thursday, July 31; spent a night and not a forture in Marion, VA; and met Guy and his kids, Jarett and January, for a much better day at Dollywood on Friday, August 1.

 

Dollywood has improved immeasurably since my last ill-fated visit. The park isl beautiful, the staff is among the nicest out there, and the food is very good. And the three major coasters range from very good to great:

 

Thunderhead--This woodie was great and stands a good chance of cracking my top ten this year. It reminded me of Toverland's TROY! with its twisty layout and station fly-by. It has a fair amount of air, too.

 

Mystery Mine--I've ridden three Eurofighters and liked all three a lot. Although Mystery Mine has a spot of roughness here and there (usually on the shorter drops), the ride is a lot of fun overall, and the dark-ride segments are pretty cool.

 

Tennessee Tornado--My first thought while riding up the lifthill: "Hmm--an Arrow ride with a tight, goofy-looking layout. Surely, no good can come of this!" I'm happy to say that I was wrong. This ride is amazingly smooth and plenty of fun, if brief.

 

"Veggie Tales" coaster--The proper name for this ride escapes me for a moment, but, yeah, we whored this thing.

 

Blazing Fury is still there, of course, and it's still a kick. I can understand why some people are tempted to count this as a credit (I don't, myself). Daredevil Falls is an excellent, well-theme soaker of a flume ride, and I like the Mountain Slidewinder raft ride, as well. I was also glad to get a crack at the Timber Tower, being as the version at Walygator was out of commission during the TPR Europe Tour.

 

My only regret is missing the train ride, but time got away from me, and it was a two-hour drive to Cullowhee. (And I have to get back to Pigeon Forge for the Jurassic River Adventure one of these days.--right, Dave?)

 

Here's a look at our day at Dollywood. Guy, Jarett, and January, thanks for being my gracious hosts and hostess at your home park. I'll be happy to return the favor at Euroburg.

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Dadburn pesky beavers! More to come from Dollywood.

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. . . ber-r-r-r-r-r!

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Tim-m-m-m-m . . .

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And a look at me and Jarett on the Timber Tower.

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A look at Thunderhead from the Timber Tower.

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Thunderhead is so great, you even get extreme hairtime in the test seat.

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This is as close as January could get to riding Thunderhead--maybe next year.

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Jarett screwed up his courage and decided to tackle Thunderhead--he liked it.

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Not so easy in this one, though.

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Yes, it's quite easy to spot me in this picture.

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Taking it in the rear on Thunderhead. (Hmm--that didn't sound quite right for some reason.)

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Wave to your dad, kids.

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Time to "kid swap" with Guy. Jarett and January were very patient in waiting for the big kids to get their rides.

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Yep--right nice coaster y'all got here.

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Pretty damn awesome.

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First, a ride in the front.

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I'm pretty sure Thunderhead will figure in my top ten--it's just a matter of where.

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Yeah, that hedge is bitchin', alright--where are the freakin' coasters?

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Welcome to Dollywood! Right purty little butterfly hedge. Why it just tickles me half to death!

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Posted

Ya'll still here? Well, bless your hearts!

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Hmm--could be. We'll have to see about that. One more set of photos to come.

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Guy, thou hast spoke aright! Tennessee Tornado kicks butt!

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Wow! I can't believe how good that ride actually was!

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Maybe the old "one-two"?

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A shot to the temple?

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Will I get a punch in the jaw?

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Me in the front car, wondering what my fate will be.

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Themeing in the station.

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Next up, one of the best Arrows, I think.

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"Eat of this flesh, my son! It will make you stronger!"

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But at what cost? River Battle was fun--and quite the upper-body workout.

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Yes, sweet, sweet victory!

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. . . this means war!

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Uh oh! Somebody squirted Guy and the kids! Of course, you realize . . .

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Good luck, Guy! I'll be sure to give the kids plenty of sugar-filled treats while you ride.

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Here's where you're flipped back into the station.

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. . . you plunge back in.

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After zipping around outside the mine . . .

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As I recall, this is the "What the hell is that?" element. (At least that's what our group always said on Oakwood's Speed back in '06.)

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This ride nearly matches Disney and Universal when it comes to themeing--excellent work.

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OK, how many times has this picture been posted on TPR?

Posted

Goin' whorin', goin' whorin' at Dollywood . . .

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Thanks for a great day, Dolly! I'll be sure to buy a kitchen magnet on my way out. And thank you, again, Guy, Jarett, and January!

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OK, so I exaggerated. It doesn't look that bad.

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Kids, be afraid! Be very afraid!

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I'm not a big fan of spinning rides, but I did try out the Dizzy Disk. How'd I do? Well, I did have to get a Sprite afterward.

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Phew! Good thing the plexiglass windshield protected from the awesome Gs this ride pulls!

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My . . . god! The . . . forces . . . must . . . not . . . black . . . out!

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Guy and January are ready to ride.

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Oh, so that's the name of that Veggie Tales coaster.

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. . . and end up down here.

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You twist around here . . .

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Our motley crew on the Mountain Slidewinder water tobaggon.

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The result.

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The splash.

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The drop.

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This is one of my favorite flume rides--nicely themed, with huge, comfortable boats.

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This sign at Daredevil Falls proivdes words to live by.

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"You know, I'm thinkin' that brewin' shine in the hotel room may have been an error in judgment."

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"We don't cotton much to strangers 'round here. Best clear off afore I fill your butt fulla rock salt."

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And it ain't from eatin' frijoles, either!

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Fire in the hole!

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Blazing Fury is one of the strangest rides everywhere--a bizarre, entertaining dark-ride/coaster hybrid that is definitely Guy approved.

Posted

Awesome TR Chuck! We're so glad you had a great time at our new home park. It was 100% our pleasure to be your hosts for the day. Sorry we had to break off so early, the kids were dying to see the Kratt Brothers and the Veggie Tales Live show. Yeah, I know... ...woo hoo.

 

Anyway, looking forward to getting up to BGE in the next year. Hopefully Alana will be able to join us for that one.

 

Guy "She really does exist people." Koepp

Posted
^You better buy a magnet on the way out, Chuck!!! j/k, I already have ones from Dollywood. Glad to see you had a great time.

 

 

I certainly did--the uber official Tennessee Tornado magnet. It currently graces my fridge with its presence.

Posted

^I had the BBQ sandwich, same as Guy, and I did grab a loaf of cinnamon bread--ate a little of it there and finished the rest off at my friends' house during breakfast (it was pretty tough resisting the urge to just wolf it all down).

Posted
^it was pretty tough resisting the urge to just wolf it all down.

 

Your a stronger person than me. I can never resist that urge.

Posted
Nice TR! It really gets me psyched from my trip there August 28th! Can't wait for my first ride on Mystery Mine!

 

Your sooooo gonna have an awesome time! Have a great day John. I would volunteer to be your host, but I am working in LA until the 30th.

Posted

Glory Be! It's another PTR from cfc! And it's a good one at that. Dollywood just has a great atmosphere....and I'm dying to try the food everyone raves about.

 

pianojohn - Things are hectic here as well, otherwise, I'd gladly meet up...and eat...a lot. Anyway, have a great time, and if something changes, I'll pm you.

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