Dollywood Discussion Thread

[Canobie Coaster]

The only thing that would worry me is the fact Silver Dollar City removed a very similar attraction. From a weather standpoint, it's not a shock it'd only run from Memorial Day to Labor Day. That's what a lot of parks do with their water rides.

[TurnMeUpsideDown]

Another valid reasoning to removing Mountain Slidewinder is the fact that it is not ADA friendly.

All other rides at Dollywood are ADA friendly.

 

I have a feeling that Barnstormer's days are numbered as well due to low ridership.

 

If you look at where Mountain Slidewinder is located and they removed this ride, this frees up a lot of real estate.

Maybe they could keep Barnstormer and the popularity of this ride can change with a new ride in that location.

 

I have a feeling this area will be addressed after phase 2 of Wildwood Grove.

[A.J.]

Maybe they could keep Barnstormer and the popularity of this ride can change with a new ride in that location.

Yeah, I'm not sure Barnstormer's relative lack of popularity is the ride's fault - Owens Farm and that pathway near it are kind of tucked away.

[Canobie Coaster]

Unless you look at the map, it's pretty easy to miss Daredevil Falls too and the whole Owen Farm area.

[TEDodd]

Another valid reasoning to removing Mountain Slidewinder is the fact that it is not ADA friendly.

 

I'd hope not. Would really suck to loose a ride due to ADA. But it wouldn't be the 1st time ADA has made things worse.

 

The goal was to increase access for some not remove access for all.

Edited November 9, 2018 by TEDodd

[cec311]

I'm be in the park this weekend for the opening of Smokey Mountain Christmas. I'll walk up and see if I can see any work on Slidewinder.

[TEDodd]

Along with the oddity of pulling passes off the site last week, they are back with a big jump up on the Gold pass.

 

DW Regular $104.00 -> $114

Super Regular $154.00 -> $164

Super Gold $214.00 -> $239

 

$10 more for the regular passes is OK, but $25 increase for gold?

Gold pass is now $75 more than regular pass. For 2016 the gold pass was only $40 more (and Super Gold was only $175, a $64 increase in 3 years).

 

I'm really going to have to reconsider passes now.

Some changes and the low sale price ($56, I wouldn't pay $200 for them) lead to me getting Six Flags passes.

While I much prefer DW the prices are just getting rough.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

SDC also had a $10 jump in both tiers of passes for next year. I'm still going to pay the extra $50 for all of us to go next year, and it's still going to be worth it. Those parks are incredible all year long.

[grsupercity]

Look at the massive addition they are building though.

[Canobie Coaster]

^ This. It's not like they raised the prices without adding something. I think the jump is definitely warranted and still worth it if you're visiting more than once.

[TEDodd]

I said the $10 increase was reasonable. But up $25 on the gold pass?

 

Has the additional value of the pass really increased $35 in 3 years? (from $40 to $75)

[A.J.]

Even with the discounts factored in, it would take you three or four visits at the least to get your money's worth out of the gold pass as opposed to purchasing the "regular" season pass and paying for parking. Not very attractive in my opinion, unless you can go to Dollywood on a whim.

[MindbenderManiac]

As far as the Mountain Slidewinder is concerned, didn't Pete confirm that it is indeed not going away and removal of the signage is just something they routinely do? I have been to the park many times recently and the only thing missing from the ride is the signage. Everything else is still intact. Maybe they took it down for a refurb. The ride is quite popular with the locals and the coaster community alike. I don't feel like the park would remove it without announcing its closure first.

[DWsuperfan]

I was at the park yesterday, while riding wild eagle I did get a whole 2.5 second look at slidewinder and the slides were still there. The rumbling of the ride being removed came from ride operators and they were as recent as the beginning of Great Pumpkin Luminights. I guess we will see. Dolly did a Facebook LIVE Q&A this morning and she said they did plan on building more resorts in the coming years maybe with a different theme than DreamMore.

[cec311]

I tried to take a peek at slidewinder today, but couldn’t see any activity. I did get a few pics of the news coaster from the train this afternoon.

 

Rode Lighting Rod 4 times and it seemed to be running consistent 2 trains all weekend.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

Rode Lighting Rod 4 times

Hey, whatever you want to do with an electrical outlet is ok. Good on ya for being brave enough to post that here. Four times though, that's a lot. Be careful you don't shock yourself.

[DWsuperfan]

I’m very excited to see how wildwood grove turns out! Great addition to Dollywood. I bought a super gold pass for 2019, my first time ever buying a super pass. I wish they would add something new to Dollywood’s Splash Country next year, I’m also ready to hear the festival and show offerings and lineups for next year.

[TurnMeUpsideDown]

I don't think you will see any activity around Slidewinder. It is definitely a local favorite, and I believe they will have a proper send-off.

 

 

However, I wouldn't be surprised to hear that 2019 will be the last year for it.

 

 

Insider info: Look for Car 7 to return on Mystery Mine soon! It has been MIA this entire year for a rebuild.

[coasterbill]

Why does Mystery Mine run so many cars? They stack the sh*t out of them anyway so it just means you spend way more time on the brake run.

[Jccoasterfan]

Construction update of Wildwood Grove!

 

During the ACE Smoky Mountain Coasterfest at Dollywood on 11/10, we were given a short construction tour of the progress being made in Wildwood Grove! A big thanks to Dollywood for giving us this opportunity to check out this great new area! A couple of things we were told of during the tour:

 

- Pete Owens confirmed Dragonflier will run on a single train.

- 1 million dollars are being spent on the landscaping itself in the area.

- The park is looking at the month of May for the area’s projected opening.

 

Now for some photos!

Dragonfiler’s progress is coming along nicely!

This will be the future home of the “Mad Mockingbird” ride

The building for the “Hidden Hallow” indoor play area

A closer look at Dragonflier’s tunnel

The Dollywood Express chugging down the tracks. You likely won’t be able to get a shot like this next year

Hi Mystery Mine and Wild Eagle.

That structure for Black Bear Trail’s station

[TurnMeUpsideDown]

Why does Mystery Mine run so many cars? They stack the sh*t out of them anyway so it just means you spend way more time on the brake run.

 

 

 

Well, when they had super busy days they would run dual cycle mode. However, this season there has been no report of running dual cycle mode. I always heard if you run 7 cars, the ride would throw many errors the next day, and would be a maintenance nightmare.

 

Plus if they E-Stop'd, and all 7 cars were running, it takes wayyyyy longer to evac all riders.

[grsupercity]

Sadly when I visited Dollywood Mystery Mine was down. But I guess I was lucky thought since it was august 2017 and I actually got a ride in on Lighting Rod.

[tinaalsgirl]

So, I don't know if I'll ever ride Mystery Mine again... The theming was awesome; the lift hills and drops were great... but my god, the jostling on the turns had me bracing to try to keep my head from banging into the OTSRs.... I wish MM had those vest-type restraints that Wild Eagle has; I feel like I would have a better ride on MM with not having to worry about hitting my head back and forth.

[TurnMeUpsideDown]

There has always been the rumor to switch to lap-bars only.

 

But the recent rehab on Car 7, makes sense they have no desire to change it anytime soon.

[TEDodd]

I feel like I would have a better ride on MM with not having to worry about hitting my head back and forth.

 

Dozens of rides with same/similar restraints. Even at DW, Tennessee Tornado has similar restraints.

 

They are a product of their time. Lots of newer designs but not many rises get new/refitted cars.

 

That said, I've never had issue with MM, TT, or any other ride with that style.

 

Honestly I prefer them to the vests on WE.