Jump to content
  TPR Home | Parks | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram 

Photo TR: Another Dollywood Report and More!


Recommended Posts

It has been exactly five years since the last time I have been to Dollywood. You can read all about that visit here:

http://themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=35155&p=375895

 

It was time to head back to Dollywood since a lot has been added which includes the entire Wilderness Pass area. So I decided to meet some of my other TPR friends at the park and make a weekend out of it. Dollywood is still one of my all time favorite parks. It has a great collection of coasters and attractions, plus amazing atmosphere and food. With that said, I am sure that you are more interested in hearing more about Wild Eagle, right?

 

Wild Eagle: Wild Eagle is such a great addition to the park. When the coaster was first announced, I have to admit that I was a bit underwhelmed. I was honestly hoping for another S&S family launched coaster much like Silver Doll City's Powder Keg. Other than the new Wing Rider style trains, the track layout seemed to be quite uninspired. It turns out that after riding it six times last weekend, that I was pretty much dead wrong. I liked the coaster quite a bit. While it does not make it into my top-ten list, it certainly will make it into my top 25. The new seating does make a difference for me, especially the font row. We ended up waiting for the front row (Front Row-Far Left was my favorite) four out of the six times we rode it. The view from the top of the lift hill is breathtaking as you overlook Thunderhead off into the distance. I was surprised that the coaster actually had some forces on it, especially the first drop and in some of the turnarounds. The first zero-G element was my favorite part of the ride. There are quite a few foot choppers and near misses with the trees in that section. I did not notice any rattling while riding this new style of train. It is one of the absolute smoothest B&M coasters I have ridden so far. While it is a different style of coaster, it does remind me somewhat of Silver Dollar City's Wildfire. Both a mid-sized B&M coasters with an amazing location. Both of them have a very sudden and steep first drop into the first inversion. You should check it out!

 

Thunderhead: Boy, it is running really well this season. They have done quite a bit of trackwork in the off season. Thunderhead was always one of my favorite GCI coasters, but after this visit it is now my all time favorite. The sudden pops of airtime seemed more significant this time around, especially the first drop in the back row. It is now in my top 5. WOW!

 

Mystery Mine: I always liked the theming better than the actual coaster itself. It seemed to be running pretty much the same as it did opening year. Most of the effects were working other than the big movie sequence during the 2nd lift.

 

Raging Fury: Still a fun ride, but I was really sad that the water section was removed for the new magnetic brakes.

 

Tennessee Tornado: Still one the all time greatest Arrow multi-looper coasters. Make sure you ride the back row on this one, the first turn around and drop are simply amazing!

 

Well, let us get on with the photos....shall we?

1107913977_Cruise2012Dollywood505.jpg.b402aa8f9d8e164a5678d63e9d9f35c2.jpg

I wonder what I shall do this day.

1941109711_Cruise2012Dollywood554.jpg.d3835d7ba397b1398d3680763772d9b1.jpg

Well good morning, Chuck and Cameron!

229714969_Cruise2012Dollywood555.jpg.00a8130bada6558d184d4c962cc788f1.jpg

It is actually pretty accurate for a snow globe.

660415551_Cruise2012Dollywood558.jpg.eed870ec8d71749e67c93e6f7193e688.jpg

They actually have one with the name Cameron on it.

526682042_Cruise2012Dollywood553.jpg.eb791640a72bf335487014b47cc14b3a.jpg

There is plenty of new items to buy this season. For some reason, most of them have Wild Eagle on it.

1232876031_Cruise2012Dollywood560.jpg.9ccab52011cf7671893ca286056ec474.jpg

Dollywood: World Showcase.

1975620554_Cruise2012Dollywood559.jpg.df83f1680263b089be20c89bb7353c6f.jpg

Well....I guess if you are into frogs.

624959989_Cruise2012Dollywood573.jpg.89144aab15479c37fdb14366d5e5284c.jpg

The Q2Q system is your best friend at Dollywood. Plus they are quite inexpensive.

274713014_Cruise2012Dollywood570.jpg.82909ee99ea17f2fa5f1291a35990e68.jpg

Well hello there Wild Eagle.

1530718094_Cruise2012Dollywood508.jpg.eb5082fa136de2d131ea1565e49ccf80.jpg

Just a reminder where we are at.

925736976_Cruise2012Dollywood567.jpg.5b3aa6e90802a988f24ff2baa9ef96f6.jpg

Yeah, the bird is quite large.

259349535_Cruise2012Dollywood511.jpg.a1835ef562436d2bcc82494d081a6f65.jpg

Like everyone else has said, the station is quite nice.

318707432_Cruise2012Dollywood543.jpg.6f1dae4bcfd32623208a62d518e428f7.jpg

Looks like God approves as well.

951774727_Cruise2012Dollywood574.jpg.02585b3cad17b0d425761f608c4478dc.jpg

Quite detailed.

102196687_Cruise2012Dollywood575.jpg.06882ebfdc9ad9a979e909a6b982d5b7.jpg

You can now get a good view of the Blazing Fury building.

1303685925_Cruise2012Dollywood510.jpg.f53740f6708112ad4c90a0ff270b824f.jpg

The new trains do look impressive.

481716695_Cruise2012Dollywood509.jpg.c76e5d42e4fc7863aa5474a47c3fde78.jpg

Loading up a train.

870609742_Cruise2012Dollywood528.jpg.b6b1c13665d5ff248c3498bdf535c6ec.jpg

The eagles on the train do look impressive.

2063547191_Cruise2012Dollywood525.jpg.f70b9696735d624377219326ec848d66.jpg

A train full of riders.

497191193_Cruise2012Dollywood529.jpg.6e94ab3cf36f4ef9d86a90d8188c900a.jpg

The front row is by far the best row.

185332521_Cruise2012Dollywood513.jpg.7496e03738abd34f1d261ad884da64d7.jpg

They really did build the coaster up on a mountain.

2012954256_Cruise2012Dollywood582.jpg.7ddc404f72f05416db7ff1ef87a6203a.jpg

These riders are about to get an amazing view.

1595257255_Cruise2012Dollywood635.jpg.629082f4ababf1bca613e942f4df88c4.jpg

Wheeeee!

507002345_Cruise2012Dollywood636.jpg.4534d46f58e6482a277d6db2c210adf0.jpg

Over by the Sidewinder Falls queue, you can get some up close photos of Wild Eagle.

924733234_Cruise2012Dollywood641.jpg.0ac71ca850a962ff97b77a29d6bf454b.jpg

Wild Eagle is such a great addition to the park.

470474804_Cruise2012Dollywood638.jpg.bbd9325efb93ec4128ee928e646f9d7c.jpg

Theming?

1269202619_Cruise2012Dollywood642.jpg.77501511c721f0ebfe93405fed0ec82c.jpg

Ok, one more.

1483035140_Cruise2012Dollywood521.jpg.3f34ef7340db3ab7ad6b503182c28547.jpg

One final shot of the eagle.

812334993_Cruise2012Dollywood568.jpg.bc0a4d267aaef5d1ed9c7ad9ec94bec0.jpg

Before Tennessee Tornado.

742385367_Cruise2012Dollywood540.jpg.e064831c9023eb8b2ab5577ab42a99d6.jpg

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeee!

898242988_Cruise2012Dollywood569.jpg.0c0f89cad2b9a0e885f9aeaf204fed4e.jpg

After Tennessee Tornado.

1110623248_Cruise2012Dollywood519.jpg.a2540603f3bf72744f36dc4585a95725.jpg

Oh no! Thunderhead is burning!

1744932230_Cruise2012Dollywood667.jpg.f808366e29319d614914842b551ccd8b.jpg

Thunderhead is running amazingly good this year!

1055095369_Cruise2012Dollywood666.jpg.e037db5946bbdcb6b0cb65d0f2b542ba.jpg

Lots of work in the off-season=amazing ride.

901088667_Cruise2012Dollywood670.jpg.4bce2ab07067a781a6d5571474599fdb.jpg

Look how happy they look.

467304345_Cruise2012Dollywood669.jpg.1521042b9b049c89c5374375eb9f96d9.jpg

We see you way in the back row Cameron and Candace.

1612072995_Cruise2012Dollywood656.jpg.62368c73156032cc57caa8858eeb51b6.jpg

Looks like I will never get to ride Timber Tower now.

1053045491_Cruise2012Dollywood515.jpg.2142db966ccd591dcab9728fba874cc9.jpg

I would also require people to have to ride Mystery Mine after eating this.

490496266_Cruise2012Dollywood657.jpg.7302facfa5b33fe2f6e3b32d50e22c33.jpg

Speaking of Mystery Mine.

1694941096_Cruise2012Dollywood677.jpg.61c94487f61c584aa600d8a02e8a6e1f.jpg

Most everything was working except for the movie inside the second lift.

1771566244_Cruise2012Dollywood673.jpg.adef588eaeb7ab371c662f8a93480205.jpg

I like how the supports look cracked for theming.

1701237888_Cruise2012Dollywood514.jpg.ab48a686219a3670809a7ca7d25e232b.jpg

The backside of Mystery Mine.

1823243142_Cruise2012Dollywood535.jpg.2434639be5cb1b8ccb1fbc9c8284082c.jpg

Adventure Mountain is such a great addition to the park.

870085619_Cruise2012Dollywood533.jpg.4becaff9ff899706d7ed4874357e086c.jpg

Yes, one of the walkways includes water.

1862112090_Cruise2012Dollywood542.jpg.399f5ebac3f3020d8476a1111b20af41.jpg

For me, this was quite scary.

408375148_Cruise2012Dollywood537.jpg.f81263297a34828187c54b371961a70e.jpg

The complex is huge, plus it is NOT an upcharge.

1584068236_Cruise2012Dollywood565.jpg.5fb223ed800c983dab070f7bb6190bcc.jpg

Hi Blazing Fury! Now with new brakes and no water.

1142663663_Cruise2012Dollywood562.jpg.a6b81bba5bf8ff8212852243a7685540.jpg

Oh yes!!!!

2065757438_Cruise2012Dollywood561.jpg.cda22a08e64eca8d9dd2080b9d5113ae.jpg

It is made here.

626045560_Cruise2012Dollywood646.jpg.4fe2e056ea0dad4c9364ac7f0c590b92.jpg

Yum!!!

209343545_Cruise2012Dollywood585.jpg.4a844396a9906a207009664fc58f27e4.jpg

All the original attraction of the park has this plaque.

1169082652_Cruise2012Dollywood586.jpg.134c63a1055b722531c1f484655bd145.jpg

This includes Miss Lillian's.

1241419768_Cruise2012Dollywood648.jpg.b943025d0470214727866bc89789b426.jpg

Miss Lillian seems to have fazed Chuck.

342584618_Cruise2012Dollywood632.jpg.b09c95931b5f17d4d69801d6c3104307.jpg

I finally got to ride Sidewinder Falls.

266730887_Cruise2012Dollywood615.jpg.fef38a3fb6d4a4a559bc00e1c39099a3.jpg

It is worth the trek to the top of the hill.

2143304425_Cruise2012Dollywood614.jpg.2033474aff1e9b8524fbad59657ec9d1.jpg

Barnstormer was new for last year.

1795529269_Cruise2012Dollywood616.jpg.2f3501ca23ce6c2420483fa157b609e7.jpg

A bit of history.

460588817_Cruise2012Dollywood619.jpg.1690cf24a0dd43c454a4213bbd5777b4.jpg

All ready to ride.

551591478_Cruise2012Dollywood625.jpg.04a4fb13346784e7d17a3d1ec3e3e8e9.jpg

Wheeeee!

2051515518_Cruise2012Dollywood612.jpg.a04851b39d9918c5951dff5e05cfb1de.jpg

Which side will you choose?

1150726527_Cruise2012Dollywood594.jpg.8c3f9199c876cb120cec77ee170730ec.jpg

Looks like the Veggie Tales have been kicked out of the park.

536275159_Cruise2012Dollywood606.jpg.77170d748f7948bc7cf9f98bcfef8740.jpg

I always like the extra bits of theming in the park.

512739486_Cruise2012Dollywood607.jpg.a63468bc20cf62765f262459c1cffd3b.jpg

I wonder if it is safe to drink.

1253377395_Cruise2012Dollywood608.jpg.2ba133083b48f4bbafbeab12c5f4a75f.jpg

Must be train time!

559076301_Cruise2012Dollywood610.jpg.bcb6002962f2a852b606fd35cde8a7f1.jpg

Train!!

2094675626_Cruise2012Dollywood596.jpg.e1b43fd5484c1757582409a136e6741c.jpg

Thunderhead is now my favorite GCI.

1581186001_Cruise2012Dollywood597.jpg.1c27bca60fc60930796ef54818f05e3e.jpg

You should ride the train, if you never have.

482984120_Cruise2012Dollywood599.jpg.cc710974463061a24d958b1ab592cdcd.jpg

Wild Eagle....through the trees....while on the train.

285735840_Cruise2012Dollywood692.jpg.a7e7c32583622497d806b3e0b8efacf9.jpg

Always a Gator fan.

2130189378_Cruise2012Dollywood681.jpg.fc184e2ca70dfa97405b453ce8e8b202.jpg

I have never done this.

1235503613_Cruise2012Dollywood683.jpg.824ada34f01cf4d7634eb3d538efe8f3.jpg

Our car awaits.

1097001227_Cruise2012Dollywood690.jpg.c12abfe9186df95f75ab3e15c455633c.jpg

No texting and driving Cameron!

595334058_Cruise2012Dollywood684.jpg.d4b3a58bc5560b44caf0498b6279988f.jpg

POV!!

1729878041_Cruise2012Dollywood693.jpg.fb6e785ee5d131a2682777dce3c67a88.jpg

Such a nice park.

689973707_Cruise2012Dollywood695.jpg.b89a747b66dc6597ae92a3f354d4a155.jpg

Sad to have to go!

569223133_Cruise2012Dollywood697.jpg.71b923ad936b105133d850f6020573af.jpg

Do I really have to go??

902404135_Cruise2012Dollywood696.jpg.1534507abf407971f44fd10d24e288ed.jpg

Totally retro!

800369223_Cruise2012Dollywood698.jpg.ef3a65cd62ea3ba720ce5bc36626b43d.jpg

Bye Dollywood! :(

832444997_Cruise2012Dollywood700.jpg.5ad04bcac7b0077861c955ac2feee6c5.jpg

The next morning, we took the scenic route home.

278348241_Cruise2012Dollywood706.jpg.832d2efcccc799c84c85de66e249c9fc.jpg

I simply love this drive.

403569716_Cruise2012Dollywood710.jpg.19fdbf99253468983c0074c48e6f07f8.jpg

Pretty....no?

460261380_Cruise2012Dollywood712.jpg.ffb9b239d9d843ba2b19146dfaa094b3.jpg

Take the tunnel!

149116484_Cruise2012Dollywood713.jpg.e5ebf6293950904de5b133a2cb283d01.jpg

Vertical loop ahead.

869269569_Cruise2012Dollywood717.jpg.f3f4de8f7091d6b636c0c7bec234256d.jpg

Yes, I like nature.

109390793_Cruise2012Dollywood727.jpg.0bfb8beb0600fb37b9653a1ae59a9e6a.jpg

We are getting a bit higher now.

1175973237_Cruise2012Dollywood732.jpg.64d4bd7573d0578fb723c64c985e8520.jpg

Yep.

665695101_Cruise2012Dollywood733.jpg.8e412695e2ca4bf8005f1e10c822bc51.jpg

I wonder if I should go back to Maine today.

392858486_Cruise2012Dollywood737.jpg.0a8b1c7fe7365d6a1c535a382e41dece.jpg

The path looks pretty clear.

382677189_Cruise2012Dollywood738.jpg.8f462b69cda454d324ecbe7859af3af2.jpg

My first attempt of hiking the A.T.

1085063211_Cruise2012Dollywood746.jpg.b0c2ecaa3ca7f8f0e1e0c9bfe2366b5d.jpg

That is actually a cloud.

837657978_Cruise2012Dollywood747.jpg.3a47f1558fd71a6f66d5300190747a3c.jpg

All about Clingman's Dome...The highest point in Tennessee.

1385850191_Cruise2012Dollywood749.jpg.4458f5386219407135c0f697de0dc608.jpg

There it is. It has been 30 years since the last time I have been here.

2086501831_Cruise2012Dollywood751.jpg.8ba3e89a99a43053320036ad6bff00e4.jpg

Oooooooooo...I wonder what it looks like for real.

780583023_Cruise2012Dollywood752.jpg.f80cf9905090b18703d1498f6fa5869e.jpg

Awwwww....

1520685860_Cruise2012Dollywood755.jpg.6ce52fc7591b53f2d6a3d9a4c8054503.jpg

More people walking up to the tower.

1812685433_Cruise2012Dollywood756.jpg.518f1108b1a5ccb890f7a07a78c22a8c.jpg

Bye tower, hope you are here for another 30 years.

1281073321_Cruise2012Dollywood757.jpg.fed3e0291ef49f1f11e5bac43a044f00.jpg

My second attempt also ended in failure.

567052539_Cruise2012Dollywood771.jpg.8132a64b70e1b92be39ddebda9688166.jpg

New wallpaper for my Iphone.

1739920346_Cruise2012Dollywood789.jpg.311b61ffe2f0fc04cf88df6160638e33.jpg

Goodbye!

Edited by Erik Johnson
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 14
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

Posted Images

That was such a great weekend. I've been to Clingman's Dome, too--just when you reach the top of the long, uphill trail, you have to climb up to the tower (sneaky).

 

I think your comparison of Wild Eagle to Wildfire is pretty apt.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Really wanting to go back. Been looking at getting a trip going, and was wondering where you stayed at or if you have any suggestions. I was looking at the Dollywood website and they seem to have pretty good deals with ticket/lodging packages. I did one of those deals when we hit up SDC last year and it worked out good for us.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think a bit of both. I did run into quite a few people wearing Florida Gator stuff as well while in the park.

 

Opening weekend we saw far too much creamsicle orange. It was horrible! We even saw a guy in full head to toe orange wearing a shirt that said "I can't hear you Rocky Top is playing". That did make me laugh and became a bit of a joke the rest of the weekend.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

^I get tired of the orange everywhere and I am a Vols fan. But at least it isn't that disgusting blue and orange, ugh!!!

 

It was great meeting up with you again, Erik. I haven't been up to Clingman's Dome in years, but every time I have been it has looked like it does in your pictures. That's why they call them the Smoky Mountains.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awesome report, Erik .. I'm so envious that you did the Smokey Mountain drive, as that is just tremendous fun. That lookout is spectacular!

 

Given the fact that I had 0 traffic on my drive home, I should have done that tour with you. Oh well, now I have a reason to go back

 

Cameron.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use https://themeparkreview.com/forum/topic/116-terms-of-service-please-read/