gotdane Posted November 2, 2008 Share Posted November 2, 2008 Let me start by saying sorry for the lack of pictures. I didn't care to carry around a camera on my first visit and just wanted to enjoy myself so, no pictures! Moving to Tennessee from Southern California has had some positive aspects so far and one of those was being close to Dollywood! I quickly made friends with a former Dollywood Host to give me the tour of the park. The comp tickets were nice, too. We parked about an hour after the park had opened and were excited to see that there was hardly anyone there. We hopped on one of the trams and made our way for the entrance. I already knew I would love the park setting. It's absolutely beautiful this time of year with the multi-colored leaves in all of the trees. We entered the park and I immediately noticed the well-kept buildings. I couldn't help but let it remind me of Main Street, USA with its architecture and Emporium store. We made our way up towards Thunderhead, a coaster I was very excited to ride. We walked up to the station and joined the 12 or so people that were waiting for the next train. 6 of the people were waiting for the front, 4 for the back and 2 for some random row. I loved the Better-Than-ERT attendance level, haha! I was so excited to ride I just had to get on as soon as possible so we jumped on the train in the 3rd seat. What a fun coaster! I feel like I rode Kentucky Rumbler so I can't really say if I liked it better or not, but it was fast, furious, and tons of fun. Nothing beats the crazy track articulation of a GCII coaster. I loved it! We rode again in the front and had an even better ride. Next we figured we'd head up to Mystery Mine. We walked right into the vehicle, they were waiting for people themselves. It's always nice when a ride is waiting for you and not the other way around. This was my first EuroFighter so I was looking forward to it. The little dip out of the station and the finale of the ride were definitely my favorite parts. The mid section after the first lift wasn't anything special and you seemed to just meander through it. But, because of the fire and big drop, it made for an experience I wanted to get back in line and do again! We made our way up the new path towards Tennessee Tornado. I didn't expect ANYTHING from this coaster and I was very surprised by the ride it delivered. We rode in the back and the drop in the tunnel caught me completely off guard. It was fast and gave some good air. And the LOOPS! They aren't normal loops! I almost thought the track was warping and falling apart because of the maneuvers it does mid-loop. I actually screamed in terror. Very short but very fun and forceful coaster! Next was Blazing Fury...Wow...I didn't know what was going on half the time. I laughed at the woman chasing the man through the burning building scened. I didn't understand the need to blow us up at the end. And the drops were kind of rough. But it's definitely something fun to ride and laugh at after. We then explored the rest of the park walking through all the different sections. Most of the appealing shows had been shuttered for the season as they were preparing for the Christmas festivities. It was kind of chilly so I didn't care to do the flume or rapids. Didn't care to do any of the Fair section rides. I wanted to ride the Dollywood Express train but it was just departing so we made another loop of the park, riding the back of Thunderhead, stopped for chicken strips with the best sauce ever (Raspberry Chipotle!), Topple Tower, Mystery Mine again, and another run of Tennessee Tornado before heading back to wait for the next train. The train ride itself was very nice. I enjoyed the 5 mile ride out into the Smoky Mountains and back. While I felt inclined to check out Dolly's Closet I passed this time around. LOL. Maybe next time. Overall I loved the park. Without doing any of the shows, it's a really nice half day park. (Unless the park is packed, then you can fill your day with waiting, but we didn't have to!) The staff was very friendly and for the most part, old. But that was cool! It was like visiting your grandparent's theme park! LOL. It reminded me a lot of what Knott's would be today if it hadn't been raped like it was. Can't wait to go again in a couple weeks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itnotfair Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Wow. Our trips to Dollywood were nearly identical! Same ride order! Same opinions! And I'm from So Cal, too (though I was only visiting Tenn). Yeah, so...I agree with you! Good TR! I miss Dollywood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 It reminded me a lot of what Knott's would be today if it hadn't been raped like it was. EXACTLY!!! This has been my take on Dollywood for quite some time now. --Robb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy T. Koepp Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Hey Dane! So glad you had a great time at Dollywood. I absolutely love the place. It realy is an awesome park. My family loves it! Can't wait until Smoky Mtn. Xmas! It turns from a rockin' great park, to a Jesus rockin' great park! Guy "Only 32 days until you get a chance to ride Kentucky Rumbler in the snow. Woo Hoo! Bring tha pain! " Koepp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrancew_hod Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Dollywood is BAD for my diet. So much to eat! (The rides aren't bad either) Too bad it's off the beaten path (for me). I drove there from Atlanta on a whim, and I cut through the mountains and a national park to get there... and that was the instructions I got from mapquest! Scenic, but way out of the way! Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrillerman1 Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Terrance you definitely took the scenic route. From the ATL all you had to do was drive north on I-75 to Chattanooga and then switch to I-40 E through Knoxville where Dollywood is just about 30 minutes further. I think you took the better route personally though...love those mountain views through the state park. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Tennessee Tornado is a surprisingly good ride. I remember looking at the layout from the lifthill and thinking, "Nothing good can come of this." But it was great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meteornotes Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 ^That was one of my biggest coaster surprises last year. I got on it thinking "no way will this be good", but I ended up loving it. How Dollywood has an arrow looper that doesn't kill you is beyond me, but perhaps they need to share the secret... dt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anfronee Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Dane, glad you have fun at DollyHood(as we former hosts like to call it). I am also glad you admitted your short but funny scream on the Tennessee Tornado. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotdane Posted November 3, 2008 Author Share Posted November 3, 2008 It reminded me a lot of what Knott's would be today if it hadn't been raped like it was. EXACTLY!!! This has been my take on Dollywood for quite some time now. --Robb Yeah, I couldn't get it out of my head all day. There are so many similarities between the two. Apparently it was a Silver Dollar City which I didn't know. They're just contrasting examples of the good or bad that can happen when a bigger owner steps in. Hey Dane! So glad you had a great time at Dollywood. I absolutely love the place. It realy is an awesome park. My family loves it! Can't wait until Smoky Mtn. Xmas! It turns from a rockin' great park, to a Jesus rockin' great park! Guy "Only 32 days until you get a chance to ride Kentucky Rumbler in the snow. Woo Hoo! Bring tha pain! " Koepp All the Christmas lights around the park had me excited for the Smoky Mtn. Xmas, too! I'm going on the 22nd if you want to meet up! And I'm always forgetting I'm as close to Rumbler as I am! Whenever you go you'll have to let me know! Dollywood is BAD for my diet. So much to eat! Terry I know! I saw so many delicious things I'm going to have to try the next time I'm there! Those swirly chip things looked amazing. Thanks for reading, everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrillerman1 Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 And before it was Silver Dollar City it was Goldrush Junction, and before that it was Rebel Railroad. I've been going to the park since I was about 5 years old and it's been amazing watching it grow up. I think the park might've finally hit puberty...hard to tell just yet. I agree Tennessee Tornado is the bizzomb Arrow. By far, their greatest creation ever IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy524 Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I still have never been to Dollywood, but all the reviews I've read make me really want to go! It sounds like a great park. I'm trying to talk my husband into going during the Christmas season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 ^It's easily one of the top 10 parks in the country. Get there now!!! Glad you liked it Dane, we miss you on the West Coast, but it is to a far far better place you have gone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrillerman1 Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Both parks are really fun at Christmas. I highly recommend it! Just be sure the weather doesn't call for below 40 degrees temps or DW will begin to shut down Thunderhead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ETapley0687 Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Hey man! Always glad to hear when someone's had a good visit to Dollywood! I really agree TT is definitely a very surprising Arrow coaster. There's so many places to eat there and that's my main reason to continuously go back mulitple times in the year lol. I love eating and Dollywood always satisfies that for me. Hope to read another Dollywood review from ya! So where does Dollywood fit in your top theme parks list? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itnotfair Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 All around, I don't think it gets much better than Dollywood. They have a great variety of rides, delicious food, amazing location and theming, and terrific employees (expecially the ride ops). I even like their trams better than Disney's. I'd say my only complaint is that I wish there were more coasters! Those that they have are great, or if not great, unique. I'd just like to see a few more. Then again, the park's small size is part of its charm! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COASTER FREAK 11 Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Cant wait to go! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy T. Koepp Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 Dane! You want to go the Saturday before Thanksgiving weekend!? Are you insane!? Every geezer yokel local will be trying to be there that weekend to hopefully miss the Holiday crowd the next week. It will be a zoo! OK, I'm in... ...but only if we get gold Q-bots. Cause I am not gonna miss the O' Holy Night Christmas spectacular! It's the Nativity story. VEGAS STYLE! And I need to have my priority seats for Babes in Toyland. This year with even more Chinese Acrobats! I'm just sad that the evil Christmas tree that eats children show isn't returning this year. It was bloody awesome! Sharktums wrote: ^It's easily one of the top 10 parks in the country. Get there now!!! Glad you liked it Dane, we miss you on the West Coast, but it is to a far far better place you have gone! I agree with the first statement! I only agree with the second statement if you are into Deliverance style canoe trips down the river. Mmmmm Mmmmmm Mmmmmm Hillbilly lovin! Guy "Even though my candidate won, I still must apologize for my states lack of progressive vision. But Dollywood Rocks!" Koepp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrancew_hod Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 Cause I am not gonna miss the O' Holy Night Christmas spectacular! It's the Nativity story. VEGAS STYLE! If Mary is shimmying in a sequined robe with the baby Jesus on her back and doing high kicks, I gotta get there too! NOTE: If I ever do a production of a classic, you can pretty much expect someone in beads kicking. 'Cause that's how I do it. Mary Poppins: Black beads and kicking Mother Theresa: beaded habit and kicking The Clinton years: Chelsea and Hillary in beads, kicking. The Exorcist: Nun hangs herself on a beaded rope. Does a kick before she passes. And so on... Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotdane Posted November 6, 2008 Author Share Posted November 6, 2008 Dane! You want to go the Saturday before Thanksgiving weekend!? Are you insane!? Every geezer yokel local will be trying to be there that weekend to hopefully miss the Holiday crowd the next week. It will be a zoo! OK, I'm in... I'm going that day cause I'm taking friends that are visiting me here that weekend. I have no choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy T. Koepp Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 Again! If I'm not working, I'm in! Q-2-Q You and your friends are more than welcome to crash at my casa If you wanna get up to Beech Bend in December! It's only an hour north. Guy "Icicle boogers abound from Kentucky Rumbler!" Koepp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnguy Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 Oh yes Smoky Mountain Xmas. Its by far my favorite time at the park! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anfronee Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Hey Guy T koepp(Did I get that right?), Do you really think the qbot is worth it? I have never gotten one, and honestly i never considered one(just curious, not being confrontational). The way i heard they work doesn't seem like it is a great deal. Is it true you can only que one ride or show at a time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotdane Posted November 7, 2008 Author Share Posted November 7, 2008 ^I figured I'd see you on here eventually, haha. Yeah, I'd say it's worth it. Say your in Country Fair and you're like I'd love to go on Thunderhead...You queue up for it in your Qbot and it would give you a ride time in like 5 minutes. By the time you get to Thunderhead it's time to ride. So, it doesn't really matter if you can only queue for one attraction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COASTER FREAK 11 Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Also, where you buy your Qbot they have these awesome stuffed Q bot pillow type things which I would eat a baby cactus for. They are so crescent fresh! ...I swear, your are actually insane! Haha, what are you actually saying Tyler? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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