PKI Jizzman Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 Hey TPR! I visited Dollywood for half of a day back in 2004, and now I'm heading back on this coming Sunday, the 25th! I got my credits in back in '04, but don't really remember much of them, so this will be a great refresher, especially with the new Mystery Mine coaster now there! How have crowds been on Sundays? I'll be there by myself since my Aunt and Uncle will be doing their own hiking instead, so will anyone want to meet up? I can't wait to get pictures of this park in autumn with my D40....it's going to be beautiful! Thanks! -JZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pufferfish Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 I'd love to meet up, but work still has me occupied. Crowds on a Sunday shouldn't be too bad. You never have to worry about lines for the rides anyways. The longest line i've ever waited for there was 30 minutes for Mystery Mine on a Saturday in the middle of Fall Break, in other words, you have nothing really to worry about as far as the rides are concerned. If the crowds for the shows are looking like they might be a little big, you might want to consider picking up their very cheap and very worth it Q-Bot. Not much else to say other than, have fun, and yes you picked the most beautiful time of the year to go. Autumn in the smokies is like nothing else, although you might be just a tad bit early for most of the color changing. Your camera will still have a lot of fun though. Don't forget, you have to go to the Grist Mill. The cinnamon bread might just be better than any of the coasters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Johnson Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 The Qbot at Dollywood is such a good deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nursemelis374 Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 Qbot+Cinnamon Bread = Perfect Dollywood day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PKI Jizzman Posted October 22, 2009 Author Share Posted October 22, 2009 If the lines are kinda bad...then 15 bucks is a DEAL! I think Six Flags is about...60? 75? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy T. Koepp Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 Damn it Zach! I am working here in LA and won't be home until the 30th. It would have been a blast to have hosted you at my "home" park. Any chance you'll make it down for "Smoky Mtn. Xmas" or "Snotsickle rides on Rumbler?" It would be awesome to see you. Have a blast! It should be beautiful there this time of year. And yes! The Qbot rocks! Peace & Cheers! Guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PKI Jizzman Posted October 23, 2009 Author Share Posted October 23, 2009 Damn it Zach! I am working here in LA and won't be home until the 30th. It would have been a blast to have hosted you at my "home" park. Any chance you'll make it down for "Smoky Mtn. Xmas" or "Snotsickle rides on Rumbler?" It would be awesome to see you. Have a blast! It should be beautiful there this time of year. And yes! The Qbot rocks! Peace & Cheers! Guy Aw bummer! I'm not sure if I'll be back down, but I'll see what I can do. I bet Dollywood will be even better with Christmas lights up and such. We'll cross paths again eventually! Launching of SCR.com? LOL -JZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy T. Koepp Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 Keep that on the DL bro! Have a blast! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pufferfish Posted October 24, 2009 Share Posted October 24, 2009 Guy, if it makes you feel any better, I might come up for some snotsickle rides on Thunderhead. I haven't done their Christmas event before, so it would be something new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PKI Jizzman Posted October 26, 2009 Author Share Posted October 26, 2009 I'm back! What a fantastic trip to Gatlinburg. I visit the park in '04-we had free tickets and met up with a family who had been there all day. We went on the coasters, and left. So this was like a whole new park for me since I got a chance to explore and actually appreciate the rides! I went to Ober Gatlinburg/Hiking on Saturday - Alpine slide was great! And Dollywood today. There were nooooo lines. I got at least 15 rides on major attractions; walked around the park twice, and had a very friendly, fun, and all around enjoyable fun. Oh, and it was FREEZING in the morning! In fact, they couldn't open half the rides until 10 when it rose above 40*. About noon I wasn't able to see my breath anymore, haha. I should start posting reviews and pictures later tonight and tomorrow! -JZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I love DW Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 Sounds like a good visit. Most of the time cold and/or rainy days are the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PKI Jizzman Posted October 26, 2009 Author Share Posted October 26, 2009 Hey TPR! So I had a great weekend down in the Smokies. It was colldddd in the morning, but pretty nice during the day. I went down Friday night in my aunt and uncle's RV; Saturday went to Ober Gatlinburg; Sunday, Dollywood! The craziest things happened....so here's my weekend Photo TR of Gatlinburg! Downtown Gatlinburg as some nice, touristy-stuff. The Ripley's Aquarium looked nice, but I didn't want to look at the prices. The main street gets soooo crowded! But at the same time it's nice to look at things. Ober Gatlinburg was okay. You have to wait for one of their two airial trollies to bring you up. It takes eight minutes to get up or down, so a round trip will be 20 minutes. This can be somewhat of a pain when waiting in line. So once we get to the top we go on out to the Sky Lift/Chairlift toooo...the Alpine Slide! It was a lot of fun! Then I went through a fun house, did the bumper cars, some mini golf, bear exhibit, and then that's it. It's pretty much a ski resort that put in little cheesy things to do in the off season. I wouldn't reccommend it...unless you're dying to go on the alpine slide. Here are my pictures! -JZ Oh, and everyone needs to text Ryan and tell him his car got transported to Gatlinburg!!! Thanks for viewing! Now THAT's how you build a cable! (Hint hint Intamin!) Prettyy, pretty, pretty. So many colors. So you go up and over 5 towers...that give you a SCARY amount of airtime! Wow. Big wheels keep on rollin'...and pulling the big sky cars up. Oh, hey Elissa! Ahhh! Okay you win, you win Ceasar! I'll do anything to earn money towards a TPR trip! Diamondback? Smarter than the average bear? Yeah bear, that beer felt good going down, didn't it? How's it feelin' coming back up?! Is this a....cat-in-a-hat? Oh Which one's BJ? Dude, he floated it BY HIMSELF! Or herself, I don't know bears. They have a bear exhibit. A high class Miniature Golf course can be found upstairs. Fudge! Vanilla was awesome. I think I got a cavity after one bite, though.... I think I would have rather been pulled apart bone by bone than go down that slide a second time! Quick, down this escape slide! Gah, they're too strong! My spine! He's stealing our bones to add to his skeleton frame! Damn them! Their skeleton is tinted and inpenitrable! AHHHH PIRATE ATTACK!!!! BOOTY!!! (You stepped near it and a red light in it lit up...but I think it broke when I was taking a picture of it!) Pirates like to look at themselves in the mirror as if they were midgets. Grrrr I'm an angry pirate who can't get any booty! A real pirate ship! But sea level is 3,800ft below? Twisting down the mountain. Couldn't get anymore pictures past this point! Can I take this down the alpine slide? Very pretty from up here Fun for everyone! You control your own speed. Taking a look back...you're high up in the mountains!! A leiserly ride up... Two - Do NOT end up like this! They broke rule one - Don't ram the ass of the person infront of you! Heading up to the Alpine Slide! Kids getting yelled at for playing grab-ass on the ice rink and plowing over little kids as they did so...bahahahaha Very pretty! And we're getting close to 3,800ft above sea level! Reason for calling them the "Smoky Mtns" Here comes our carriage! Got shrapnel? Tom Cruise is going to steal your babies. And your religion. Can you spot Robin Williams? "We should get big wheels on these so we can go off roading!" Get all your ninja weapons here! Fall theming is nice. Americas number one aquarium? Here's the outside and our little site. Yup, that's the Geico gecko. The RV was pretty cool. I think it'sa SunFire? For those RV experts out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragsterfan420 Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 Nice pics as always. I need to go back there. I was really young last time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downunder Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 I missed the Ninja weapon store in Gatlinburg when we were there in August. I could have stocked up before doing our Haunted House marathon. As soon as a zombie jumps out, a dozen star knives to the face - "oops sorry, I thought you were a real zombie. If it's any consolation you had me totally convinced". I wanted to do the chairlift too but it was too late when we were there, and I didn't even know there was an Alpine slide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hockeydad Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 I love Christmas down G'burg/PF, (esp. at Dollywood). Just beautiful. When we stayed overnight there back in April, (on the way home from WDW), we noticed that they've been really busy in PF the past couple of years building some new attractions and restaurants, and continuing to remodel a lot of hotels. My favorite part of being down there in December is the weather though. It is typically very warm with highs sometimes in the mid to high 50's. And when we were at DW last time in December it was still in the low 40's at closing time. My second favorite time to be there is in the spring for the "Festival Of Nations". Great food, good shows, and hot Irish women! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swimace Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Awesome dude, I can't wait to see your Dollywood pics! I went to Dollywood around this time last year and the area looked so nice with the fall colors in the mountains. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeemerBoy Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Zach, you got some great shots of the fall foliage from OG. Also, you reminded me that I need to head back, and stock up on Chinese stars. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnguy Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 this time of year is definitely the best time to visit the smokies. the area looks so nice, and there are usually some cool events going on. glad you got to really experience Dollywood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electerik Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Great photos, Zach! Sorry I missed this thread until now. But Misty and I were sick all weekend anyway. Glad you had fun in our part of the world. Looking forward to your Dollywood pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernierocker Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Yes! Thank you for the ninja store photo. I think this should be a requirement for all Gatlinburg TRs from now on. They are definitely the highlight of any Gatlinburg trip, just ahead of the place with all the different types of salsa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PKI Jizzman Posted October 27, 2009 Author Share Posted October 27, 2009 Thanks for the comments everyone! Dollywood photos are being uploaded as we speak. I'm pretty sure there were two ninja stores...one that I got a picture of, and another right next to Burger King Can I have a Whopper and...oh, pair of nun-chucks please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PKI Jizzman Posted October 27, 2009 Author Share Posted October 27, 2009 Hey TPR! Another installment on the way... So, I took a trolly to Dollywood since the aunt and uncle were going hiking elsewhere. When the trolly dropped me off (along with two other folks) little did I know it, but I was about 5 miles out from Dollywood! I was on the tram that goes directly to and from Dollywood. Apparently, I was dropped off at the Dollywood Information Center that's right off this main road. Soooo...I began walking. I saw a sign for Dollywood Lane, and followed it. Once again, little did I know Dollywood recently changed the entrance to the park, and I was heading in the wrong direction. I stopped in a golf hotel and these two nice 'ol ladies gave me a ride to the park because they were afraid I was going to freeze to death! I got in free, and that made up for my frustration with the wrong drop off. As stated before, I went once in '04 for about two hours, and rode the coasters. I didn't remember much of it being twelve years old the last visit. So it was like a whole new park to me! There were no waits all day, for the record. It was about 36* when I got there at 9AM, so only half the rides were running. I headed to Blazing Fury first. Blazing Fury - I totally forgot how long of a ride this was! The dark ride portion was fantastic, and the drops really took me by surprise. I loved it! Timber Tower - Thank GOD the water effects weren't on! The theming put into it was really cool - it's a nice area. The ride was pretty fun; Huss did a good job, and Dollywood did a good job supplying extra effects. I rode twice. Thunderhead - Lovely location for the ride. In the morning, it was one of the few rides open, and it was so cold they had little hand warmers and things blowing hot air so we wouldn't get too cold! I like Kentucky Rumbler over Thunderhead, but damn this ride is more intense! I thought it was a bit rough in the middle and in the back....not really rough, but compared to Kentucky Rumbler and '04...too much mini jackhammering. Granted it was very cold, so I'm sure I didn't ride in its prime. I rode about 10 times. Tennessee Tornado - This is probably my favorite looping coaster. A fantastic pre drop helix and first drop. The first loop is amazing, and the smoothness of this ride combined with the speed and other two grey out inversions...it's a top knotch coaster. I wish the other Arrows were as good as this! This is a back seat coaster. I rode about 7 times. Underrated! Mystery Mine - A new credit for me! I knew about the ride, and that it had three different sections, so I couldn't wait to ride. This ride grew on me soooo fast! The surprises, music, theming, drops, elements, everything!...was sooo cool and addicting. In the backseat it does get jerky, but the front I had nothing to complain about. A+ ride, I even bought a crow! I rode about 15 times. Mystery Mine vs. Steel Hawg/S&S's El Loco: Okay, so something I was just thinking about. I believe S&S could have made this ride; and better, at that. Steel Hawg has: a steeper drop, the same reverse banked curves, downward/upward heartline rolls, half loops, immelmans, and quick lifts. Pretty much everything MM has to offer. Gerstlauer did a fantastic job, don't get me wrong! But with S&S's restraints, I think they could have made the same ride with more comfort and extra elements. Mystery Mine = Expanded, themed, more elaborate version of the S&S El Loco. Both great, great coasters! Daredevil Falls - I got the whole ride by myself thanks to the weather! A great log flume, I loved it. The park was very nice, everyone was very friendly and helpful, and the Cinnamon Bread at the Grist Mill was epic! Best of all....I didn't have to share it! I wish I had done the Sky Zip tour...but I didn't have enough time. Enjoy the pictures of this beautiful park! -JZ Best...day....ever. More pictures to come! Threading the needle before hitting the brakes. This ride is like none other. I saw spots here. Then almost blacked out. Best loop ever? I never thought an Arrow overbank would be so delicious. Photogenic much? It's running! And only two people riding in the back seat. Time to go see if Tornado is open. This section of the park needs a bit more work to fit in with the rest of Dollywood. Great details on this ride. I love it. The outdoor section was pretty crazy. Loved that drop! Back into mine shaft #13 I'd love to come back and see this ride all lit up. Caw! Caw! Caw! Caw! Caw! Caw! Caw! Caw! Caw! Caw! Caw! Caw! Absolutely beautiful. When you have a whole train to yourself....the hang time is crazy! wrrrrrr whhrrrrrr Whhhhhhrrrrrr What a fantastic finale. Awesome. Hardly enough people to fill a train! Mine carts waiting to send you on your adventure. Pick your weapon, grab a lantern, and head into the mines! How many open seats can you spot? Omg <3 Dollywood is tucked into a valley in Gatlinburg. See? Hmm...there's really no one to keep out today, so I'll investigate. The structure seems HUGE when up close. It's so pretty. Testing! It must be above 40*! Haha Something is missing here, and I was VERY upset about it. Who can figure this out? Waiting for Mystery Mine to open. Love that red tree! Theming, theming everywhere... I liked this a lot. Job well done! A big 'ol happy mess of GCI goodness. A great coaster, but far from the number one woodie-Voyage!! Big fan-turn around Don't let the sun fool you...you'll come back to the station with tears frozen in the corners of your eyes! Station. It was eerie how quiet the park was. Wood is good. A nice lift hill view and oh boy, that is one fantastic twisting GCI drop right there! One train ops didn't bother me! I rode with only 4-6 other people until 11AM. Riding Thunderhead at 9AM in 35* weather was like riding Kentucky Rumbler in December! Thanks to the kind souls of these lovely women, I was taken to Dollywood. You never know what your "good deed of the day" will be!! Alright, this is getting f***ing rediculous...it's cold, foggy, where the hell am I? Where is Dollywood?! So after seeing a "no pedestrians" sign, I followed along this cart path on this golf course. Take note that the Trolly that goes ONLY too and from Dollywood, dropped me off about a mile back. Soo..the road I'm on is Veterans Blvd. The sign that's blocked by the blinding sun says "Dollywood Lane" Which would a coaster enthusiast follow? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electerik Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 I was on the tram that goes directly to and from Dollywood. Apparently, I was dropped off at the Dollywood Information Center that's right off this main road. Soooo...I began walking. I saw a sign for Dollywood Lane, and followed it. Once again, little did I know Dollywood recently changed the entrance to the park, and I was heading in the wrong direction. For the record, Dollywood Lane would be the quickest way on foot, from where you were, despite the lack of sidewalks. Had you been driving, though, you would have been turned away. Why the city has not seen fit to rename Dollywood Lane, now that Dollywood is no longer accessible from it, is beyond me. It was rather cruel of Gatlinburg's "pink" trolley to drop you off at the Information Center, but that is one of its three stops: Aquarium, Information Center, Dollywood. For tourism-oriented towns, they could both be a bit more tourist-friendly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrillerman1 Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 Does the Dolly Trolley no longer take people to the park from the main tram center in downtown Pigeon Forge? In the past, I've always parked my car there for free and taken the $.50 trolley ride to the park. That walk to the park would've been REALLY long if not for those sweet little old ladies. Love the pics! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swimace Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 Something is missing here, and I was VERY upset about it. Who can figure this out? The vulture that harasses people!! Lame!! Nice photos as always. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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