Dollywood Discussion Thread

[dstephe9]

This is kinda random, but while riding Tennessee Tornado on season passholder day a ride op was in the back car with us. While going up the lift, me and my family members were discussing how much we love the ride but it would be so much better if it was a bit longer. (I know that can be said about any coaster, but this one really applies) So, the ride op starts telling us that the reason for that is when the were putting in the footers for the ride they ran into what he called a "ground split" and had to modify the ride from original layout to prevent the supports from slowly sinking. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this or was this guy just full of poo?

 

How old was this OP? HAHA.. I figured no one would still be around Dollywood that worked there when the tornado was built.. Back when that coaster was built, I just imagine Dollywood was "Testing" the grounds with coasters.. It was their first large scale coaster.. But who knows

[SFOGdude25]

This is kinda random, but while riding Tennessee Tornado on season passholder day a ride op was in the back car with us. While going up the lift, me and my family members were discussing how much we love the ride but it would be so much better if it was a bit longer. (I know that can be said about any coaster, but this one really applies) So, the ride op starts telling us that the reason for that is when the were putting in the footers for the ride they ran into what he called a "ground split" and had to modify the ride from original layout to prevent the supports from slowly sinking. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this or was this guy just full of poo?

 

That actually makes a lot of sense! I always thought the same thing how the ride seems to end rather abruptly. I could picture a figure-8 element with an airtime pop thrown in between the iron butterfly and the brake-run. The layout is just begging for it! Oh well, it's already a great coaster as it is!

[Virus]

So, do we start the speculation for the drop tower at timber towers old spot again? Or is DW going to shock us all again with ANOTHER coaster installation? I mean seriously, they are putting in new coasters like crazy, and that is not a bad thing! lol!

I don't know what it looked like in 2015, but this year the Fence towards the pathway on the former platform where the ride was is gone. Could this mean anything? Probably not... but we will see

[dstephe9]

I am not sure what fence you are speaking of but if it is the one I think you are, it was removed when they made the temporary stage in that area for Great American Summer last year

[jarmor]

A rumor . . . They hope to drop something in that spot real soon!

[mordecai-75]

This is kinda random, but while riding Tennessee Tornado on season passholder day a ride op was in the back car with us. While going up the lift, me and my family members were discussing how much we love the ride but it would be so much better if it was a bit longer. (I know that can be said about any coaster, but this one really applies) So, the ride op starts telling us that the reason for that is when the were putting in the footers for the ride they ran into what he called a "ground split" and had to modify the ride from original layout to prevent the supports from slowly sinking. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this or was this guy just full of poo?

 

How old was this OP? HAHA.. I figured no one would still be around Dollywood that worked there when the tornado was built.. Back when that coaster was built, I just imagine Dollywood was "Testing" the grounds with coasters.. It was their first large scale coaster.. But who knows

He was younger, but he did talk about it with a since of confidence like he learned the knowledge from somebody else. I bet Pete know's, if he could take a bit of time from what i'm sure is an extensively busy schedule for him this time of year to maybe let us know about it. Thanks Pete for the fan in Firechaser's loading station, it will be a blessing later this season.

[Vonni]

^ The coaster sinking myth has been an age old tradition for many parks. The most popular being Magnum at CP.

[CoasterDirected]

^ The coaster sinking myth has been an age old tradition for many parks. The most popular being Magnum at CP.

Don't forget Vortex

[coasterfreaky]

This is kinda random, but while riding Tennessee Tornado on season passholder day a ride op was in the back car with us. While going up the lift, me and my family members were discussing how much we love the ride but it would be so much better if it was a bit longer. (I know that can be said about any coaster, but this one really applies) So, the ride op starts telling us that the reason for that is when the were putting in the footers for the ride they ran into what he called a "ground split" and had to modify the ride from original layout to prevent the supports from slowly sinking. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this or was this guy just full of poo?

 

Here's the concept art for Tn Tornado. I've never heard what you've explained, but I've always wondered if that was the case...that it was modified somehow from what they wanted. As you can see, it looks nothing like this as it is today.

 

But to be fair - neither does Thunderhead vs. Thunderhead concept art....well, mostly it does not.

 

Tornado certainly has enough power at the end to do a lot more than what it does.

tornado concept

[coasterfreaky]

...Or is DW going to shock us all again with ANOTHER coaster installation? I mean seriously, they are putting in new coasters like crazy, and that is not a bad thing! lol!

 

Dolly said no new coasters for a while - she was asked a question at one of the media events related to Lightning Rod. I would take that to mean the 10-year/300$ plan will run dry and then they will start working on whatever is next after that....so I would not hold my breath, but you never know with DW!!

[Alan6602]

Hey Guys, I guess i'm new here although I have been following the forums here for some time now. I have read so many of your posts that I almost feel like I know some of you.. But anyway. I have seen a lot of pictures relating to lighting rod and read theory after theory as to why it did not open on Friday. I know others were there as I was too. Well I had a brain fart and managed to get this shot.. What to you guys think?

[Guy T. Koepp]

I think someone needs to take out the trash.

[jarmor]

Regarding Tennessee tornado, it has been said that it was in fact to be longer. After that iron butterfly, it was to take a left hand turn into more coaster elements but due to budget issues it took a right.

 

As far as lightning rod, if I was anyone considering going this weekend and hadn't paid for anything . . . I would sit this weekend out as well.

Edited March 21, 2016 by jarmor

[chadster]

I think someone needs to take out the trash.

 

[Guy T. Koepp]

^This. The story I often hear is that the tunnel ended up costing way more than they anticipated and that cut into the eventual ride length. I kinda heard a similar rumor about Apocalypse at Magic Mountain. I heard it was shortened by like 500ish feet.

[maverickpoint]

I have officially moved to TN ))))

 

I am about an hour from Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg.. hopefully soon will move to Sevierville.

 

I plan to go to Dollywood in the next couple weeks for my birthday, unfortunately I have not been 'up to date' on anything new in the area of PF/GB.

 

If anyone lives around the area and wants to get together ever, I am down with that!

[Jodon]

Does anyone know the status of the road closures on I-75?

[Henry M]

OOOHh, those trains look NICE! RMC have done well.

[Dollywoodlover20]

I've been looking around to read comments from the GP about the coaster being closed and the reaction, not very happy. Some are getting told March 24th some are getting told April 8th (Thrills in The Hills). One woman even called concerning vacation plans and wondered if it would be opened by July and the parks response was that they did not know. I have faith in Dollywood but I don't want Lightning Rod to lose its shine and place in the spotlight, due to a majority of their guest peak (May-early August) not getting to ride.

[sonoma15]

I've been looking around to read comments from the GP about the coaster being closed and the reaction, not very happy. Some are getting told March 24th some are getting told April 8th (Thrills in The Hills). One woman even called concerning vacation plans and wondered if it would be opened by July and the parks response was that they did not know. I have faith in Dollywood but I don't want Lightning Rod to lose its shine and place in the spotlight, due to a majority of their guest peak (May-early August) not getting to ride.

 

Honestly, I don't think the problems are that bad and this will open in around the next 2 weeks? Maybe even this Thursday if were lucky... I just really want to ride it!

[jarmor]

This Thursday. . . If I were a betting man, I'd get up from the table with those odds.

[Dollywoodlover20]

Have they even tested with water dummies yet?

[chadster]

I've been looking around to read comments from the GP about the coaster being closed and the reaction, not very happy. Some are getting told March 24th some are getting told April 8th (Thrills in The Hills). One woman even called concerning vacation plans and wondered if it would be opened by July and the parks response was that they did not know. I have faith in Dollywood but I don't want Lightning Rod to lose its shine and place in the spotlight, due to a majority of their guest peak (May-early August) not getting to ride.

 

People can get happy with the same keyboard they got pissy with. While the end goal is to always have a ride open on time, under budget, and fully ready, it doesn't always work that way. Several times in the last 5 years rides have been delayed for various reasons, it happens. I'd rather be confident the product will munch through people than confident in something done half ass that won't deliver.

 

Dollywood will make an official announcement as to when they expect the Lightning Rod to open. Until that announcement occurs, take all of the dates you have seen or heard from a person who knows a person who washed Pete's cat's best friends Vets dog with a grain of salt. The fact is they have not set an official date as to when the ride will open and won't do so until they and Fred Grubb are confident the ride is ready to be commissioned.

[ernierocker]

Does anyone know the status of the road closures on I-75?

 

All lanes are open going south, but still closed going north. There is a chance they will have one lane open going north by the end of this week.

 

You will be fine coming down but I would be prepared to use the detours going back.

[Jodon]

Does anyone know the status of the road closures on I-75?

 

All lanes are open going south, but still closed going north. There is a chance they will have one lane open going north by the end of this week.

 

You will be fine coming down but I would be prepared to use the detours going back.

 

Thanks!

 

I'm heading down there with a group on Friday and they are returning on Tuesday of next week. Hopefully it's open by then!