Dollywood Discussion Thread

[BrianGC]

^^I went this past weekend and the park looks awesome at night! That and night rides on Thunderhead are absolutely wild!

[dstephe9]

The night rides on all their coasters are awesome.. Dollywood is a very very dark park at night.. Heck some places feel like ur down a back alley BC it's so dark but the rides are also pitch black!! Great for coasters..

[coasterbill]

Maybe so, but the park isn't dark at all this time of year thanks to the massive amount of Christmas lights. They really do an amazing job. I can't wait to go back there next month.

[TPDave]

Had a dream I was at Dollywood last night and was eating some Cinnamon Bread. Woke up and was so bummed it wasn't real.

 

OMG I want Cinnamon Bread now!! Damn you for reminding me Joey!!

[dstephe9]

Maybe so, but the park isn't dark at all this time of year thanks to the massive amount of Christmas lights. They really do an amazing job. I can't wait to go back there next month.

It was actually much darker than normal Sunday, coasters are always dark because there are no lights around the areas the tracks are.

 

I was surprised how dark it was compared to years past but they still had tons of lights!! Probably more than ever haha

 

I believe the LED lights they are using now don't spread the light out as well so in general makes the park darker plus I noticed they have turned off a lot of their streetlights I guess to bring out the Christmas lights..

 

Either way it was much darker this year than past years.

 

I should be going back 4 or 5 more times in the next few weeks

[larrygator]

Had a dream I was at Dollywood last night and was eating some Cinnamon Bread. Woke up and was so bummed it wasn't real.

 

Were you covered in drool when you awoke?

[tarheel1231]

Had a dream I was at Dollywood last night and was eating some Cinnamon Bread. Woke up and was so bummed it wasn't real.

Be grateful that you've been to Dollywood. I've been in this region my entire life and I've still never been! I need to get back to Tennessee.

[prozach626]

Had a dream I was at Dollywood last night and was eating some Cinnamon Bread. Woke up and was so bummed it wasn't real.

Be grateful that you've been to Dollywood. I've been in this region my entire life and I've still never been! I need to get back to Tennessee.

 

^ You may or may not be missing out. I too was very eager for this park, so we planned a trip last summer. The park was nice, but I personally didn't get all of the hype. We'll eventually go back if they build something large, but mostly because it will give us a chance for more white water rafting, a little moon shining, and a lot of Rocky Mountain cabin romance.

 

As for now, Silver Dollar City, although still not really my cup of tea, is my favorite Herschend park.

[SharkTums]

^I also prefer SDC to Dollywood, but I don't understand how you weren't impressed? I mean, friendly ops, good rides, great food, decent crowds. They may not have a top 25 coaster (yet) but I'd still rather go to Dollywood that most bigger corporate parks.

[coasterchitchat]

^I also prefer SDC to Dollywood, but I don't understand how you weren't impressed? I mean, friendly ops, good rides, great food, decent crowds. They may not have a top 25 coaster (yet) but I'd still rather go to Dollywood that most bigger corporate parks.

 

Agreed. The park in my opinion, is better than Cedar Point, because of the above points and the themeing put into the rides.

[prozach626]

I'm not so sure I'm a typical enthusiast. My wife and I always have a great time at Cedar Fair parks. Although I don't think a roller coaster on a parking lot is a good idea, I'm more into roller coasters than I am theme parks in general. I don't mind the large corporate parks. I'll take clean lines, decent landscaping, and somewhat generic themeing any day, as long as the park has a few good large scale coasters. However, I don't like to see coasters neglected, unruly teenagers, and run down surroundings like at Six Flags MM. I can't exactly put my finger on it, but Dollywood just didn't do it for us. We had much more fun in the surrounding area (skipping the usual tourist attractions) than we did at Dollywood.

 

I guess we all can't like the same things. Hah. I remember when you were once puzzled when I declared King's Island one of my favorite parks... and that was even pre Banshee. Although a lot of enthusiasts bash on parks like KI and CP for their lack of themeing or attention to detail, we find ourselves having the most fun at these larger parks.

[GwaziBSRider1]

^ I felt the same way about Dollywood. As you said, there's something that just doesn't make me consider it a must visit park to me. I can't deny that it's gorgeous, clean as a whistle, has wonderful staff, and incredible food, but I just don't yearn to go back. I first visited last year and had these feelings about the place. I had free tickets to come back this year, and felt the same way again. I have no idea why, but it just didn't "wow" me like I expected.

[jimmiemac02]

^I also prefer SDC to Dollywood, but I don't understand how you weren't impressed? I mean, friendly ops, good rides, great food, decent crowds. They may not have a top 25 coaster (yet) but I'd still rather go to Dollywood that most bigger corporate parks.

 

I thought Thunderhead was a top 25 coaster...

[loop-de-loop]

I'm not so sure I'm a typical enthusiast. My wife and I always have a great time at Cedar Fair parks. Although I don't think a roller coaster on a parking lot is a good idea, I'm more into roller coasters than I am theme parks in general. I don't mind the large corporate parks. I'll take clean lines, decent landscaping, and somewhat generic themeing any day, as long as the park has a few good large scale coasters. However, I don't like to see coasters neglected, unruly teenagers, and run down surroundings like at Six Flags MM. I can't exactly put my finger on it, but Dollywood just didn't do it for us. We had much more fun in the surrounding area (skipping the usual tourist attractions) than we did at Dollywood.

 

I guess we all can't like the same things. Hah. I remember when you were once puzzled when I declared King's Island one of my favorite parks... and that was even pre Banshee. Although a lot of enthusiasts bash on parks like KI and CP for their lack of themeing or attention to detail, we find ourselves having the most fun at these larger parks.

I've never been to a "themed" park (Disney, Dollywood), though I've never seen anyone explain what makes these parks so much better than Cedar Point for example. I don't think I'm a regular enthusiast either, I've just never understood the hype over themeing.

[SharkTums]

^I also prefer SDC to Dollywood, but I don't understand how you weren't impressed? I mean, friendly ops, good rides, great food, decent crowds. They may not have a top 25 coaster (yet) but I'd still rather go to Dollywood that most bigger corporate parks.

 

I thought Thunderhead was a top 25 coaster...

 

Not to a lot of well traveled people.

 

Loop-de-loop and prozach626 I totally get that there are many people like you out there and that's fine, I don't have a problem with it and I am by no means saying Dollywood is amazing and you're dumb for not liking it. Like you said, there's a reason that there are all these different sorts of parks out there!

[GwaziBSRider1]

^ People like you, Elissa, are why I love TPR. People actually RESPECT your opinions, unlike a more famous coaster enthusiast group that shall not be named.

[Shavethewhales]

I've never been to a "themed" park (Disney, Dollywood), though I've never seen anyone explain what makes these parks so much better than Cedar Point for example. I don't think I'm a regular enthusiast either, I've just never understood the hype over themeing.

 

I think it's something you'll need to experience to "get". It's about turning a park or a ride into a complete experience, and when it's done right it makes a world of difference. At least it does for me, but that's a whole other useless debate.

 

If you grow up going to a park like DW it's hard to have it any other way.

[DanTheBooker]

^ People like you, Elissa, are why I love TPR. People actually RESPECT your opinions, unlike a more famous coaster enthusiast group that shall not be named.

I agree. I love to see people respect the opinions of another user. Especially when it's the forum owner. That's a rarity in any forums pertaining to any topic.

[Gnome]

I'm not so sure I'm a typical enthusiast. My wife and I always have a great time at Cedar Fair parks. Although I don't think a roller coaster on a parking lot is a good idea, I'm more into roller coasters than I am theme parks in general. I don't mind the large corporate parks. I'll take clean lines, decent landscaping, and somewhat generic themeing any day, as long as the park has a few good large scale coasters. However, I don't like to see coasters neglected, unruly teenagers, and run down surroundings like at Six Flags MM. I can't exactly put my finger on it, but Dollywood just didn't do it for us. We had much more fun in the surrounding area (skipping the usual tourist attractions) than we did at Dollywood.

 

I guess we all can't like the same things. Hah. I remember when you were once puzzled when I declared King's Island one of my favorite parks... and that was even pre Banshee. Although a lot of enthusiasts bash on parks like KI and CP for their lack of themeing or attention to detail, we find ourselves having the most fun at these larger parks.

I've never been to a "themed" park (Disney, Dollywood), though I've never seen anyone explain what makes these parks so much better than Cedar Point for example. I don't think I'm a regular enthusiast either, I've just never understood the hype over themeing.

 

Ill put it like this. Disney Parks are like the movies that get nominated for the academy awards. They're highly regarded and most people seem to love them.

 

BUT just because the general concensus is the movie is great doesn't mean it appeals to everyone. Some people just like gritty action films or low-budget b movies. Maybe their "quality" isnt as high, but quality doesnt nevessarily determine one's enjoyment or what they find fun.

 

 

I LOVE Disney. I love the way they design emersive experience (when they give a shit or have the budget). The show comes first and it *ahem* shows. Its an experience. But it's enjoyed differently, i cant imagine myself just going to Disney trying to cram in as many rides as possible. I like to take it in and enjoy it all a piece at a time.

 

My way (and other people's too) isnt the only way. Sometimes an i305 or a banshee or a collection of 5 or 6 great coasters is all people could want or care about within a pleasant and safe environment and that's cool too.

[coasterbill]

I've never experienced the level of customer service that we received at Dollywood at any other park. Disney and Universal are close but Dollywood goes above and beyond.

 

Everyone there seemed generally happy that we came to visit their park, it's like they all took ownership in the place and acted as if they were welcoming us into their home. I know I've told this story before but when we were on the last train of the night on Wild Eagle and the ride op thought we left our souvenir cup he ran all the way down the exit stairs, through the gift shop, through the entrance plaza and over by Tenessee Tornado to give it to us. We thanked him but said it wasn't ours but he handed it to us and said that it was a "free Dollywood cup then" and thanked us for coming to Dollywood. As I was walking away I was kicking myself for not getting his name so I could let someone know what a great employee he was. He ran about 1/8 mile after he had worked all day (standing up) in 40 degree weather just to give us a cup.

 

It wasn't just him though, every ride op was talking to us (the park was busy but the rides weren't because it was Christmas time and it was really cold), asking where we were from and thanking us for coming. They treat everyone like that... it's amazing. We saw it on Tennessee Tornado, Thunderhead with the older woman running the ride singing "Happy Birthday" to someone on the train, Mystery Mine and absolutely Wild Eagle. Everyone there seems to love their job and it shows, and if they don't love their job they do a great job of faking it.

[coasterfreaky]

^Well I think if Dolly Parton were my boss, I would be crapping rainbows. She's AMAZING! Not only is she a gifted song writer, singer, actress, and PHILANTHROPIST!!, she owns an amusement park company. PERFECT!

[coasterbear30]

Dollywood and SDC are hands down some of the best parks in the US. I understand why someone who is just into coasters wouldn't be thrilled because they have only 5 or 6 coasters each but what they do have are really good, fun rides. I personally think that Thunderhead is a top 5 woodie and Outlaw Run too and I have ridden 332 coasters to date and been to most of the major parks in the US. The people that work at both of these parks go above and beyond to help you. I remember at an event once that an employee walked all the way from the back of the park to the front to get me change for a $20 during ERT because the park was not open and there was no place for me to get change. I can promise you will NEVER get that at a SF or CF park. SDC rolled out the red carpet for my group last year when we visited. There is a reason that people love these parks so much, not to mention the amazing food and the excellent theming!

 

For me, I don't get why people are all gaga over Disney parks. I am not a huge fan. I would much rather go to Dollywood or SDC.

[nannerdw]

I tried the cinnamon bread last weekend. Very,very tasty. I bought a loaf to take home, and I'm still munching on it right now, along with my blueberry cider. Mmm, Dollyfood.

 

I also checked out the new Alpine Coaster that's down the road from Dollyfood. It's a lot of fun, and actually pretty scary. The ride op instructs you not to use the brakes at all, and the turns near the end of the ride feel like they're trying to throw you off the side of the cliff. I can only imagine how much more amazing it would be at night.

[maverickpoint]

All this talk is really making me want to go. I've never been but it sounds like such a fabulous place.

[hydra]

For me, I don't get why people are all gaga over Disney parks. I am not a huge fan. I would much rather go to Dollywood or SDC.

 

I agree. I do enjoy Disney but you can't beat the authenticity and real-ness of SDC and Dollywood.