Dollywood Discussion Thread

[betterday85]

^Not exactly sure which pathway you are referring to. I didn't notice anything different when I was last there in August.

 

It must have been covered/removed earlier this year-- it's already covered on this year's Google Map Satellite image. The path wound between Sky Rider and the Flying Elephant rides.

[ernierocker]

^Ah, I gotcha. Not sure when that was blocked off, but it has been a couple of seasons I believe.

Edited December 20, 2012 by ernierocker

[Guy T. Koepp]

I was there earlier in the season when they had it roped off. I just thought they were doing a bit of refurb. Didn't know they were gonna take the whole path out.

[coasterfreaky]

Lo-Q will be at Dollywood & Splash Country for a few more years...

 

 

Lo-Q Says Dollywood's Splash Country To Instal Its Q-band Solution

 

1/22/2013 2:33 AM ET

technology solutions provider Lo-Q Plc. (LOQ.L) Tuesday said Dollywood's Splash Country will install the company's Q-band water park solution system for the 2013 season for an initial 3 year period.

 

The agreement extends the terms of Lo-Q's existing contract with the adjacent Dollywood, which was due to expire on December 31 to December 31, 2015. Under the terms of the Agreement, Lo-Q will continue to supply its Q-bot solution to the Dollywood theme park in which it currently operates.

 

Tom Burnet, CEO of Lo-Q said, "We are delighted that Dollywood has decided to not only extend our Q-bot contract but that the agreement now also includes implementation of our Q-band solution at the nearby Dollywood's Splash Country. These two elements together further demonstrate the strength of Lo-Q's technology offering."

 

 

http://www.rttnews.com/2040733/lo-q-says-dollywood-s-splash-country-to-instal-its-q-band-solution.aspx?type=qf&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=sitemap

[SuperShawn]

That's wonderful news! Love using Qbot and Dollywood has one of the best prices out there!

[SharkTums]

Great news!

[Randomman295]

What do you suppose will go in its place?

[ernierocker]

Definitely, awesome news! I will definitely have to take advantage of this with the kids this summer!

[Hercules]

Lo-Q is killing it.

[gisco]

I just found out I have business meetings twice this year that will be with in driving distance of the park. I might actually get to visit the park for the first time this year.

[BeemerBoy]

^ Cool!

 

Somehow, that Adventure Mountain news snuck by me. That's definitely one of the oddest ride/attraction removal stories in recent history, and I'm disappointed to see it go...regardless of the reasoning behind it. At least they're not removing any restaurants as of yet.

[jray21]

Glad it's going to stick around! Lo-Q really is a great addition to the park.

[EquusStorm]

I never got to check out Adventure Mountain. It's a shame because it seemed to fit in very well with that section of the park, but Dollywood is absolutely top-tier when it comes to park design and maintenance, so I trust that their decisions are good ones. Can't wait to head back to the park this year, IF our plans to do so hold up.

[larrygator]

Pete said they did not know what would happen to Adventure Mountain. Parts of it could go to Stone Mountain in Georgia, as they have a smaller version of Adventure Mountain, but he said a decision hasn't been made at this point.

 

The rumor at Screamscape is still that it will end up at Stone Mountain. It makes sense to keep it in the Herschend chain.

Edited February 4, 2013 by larrygator

[cfc]

At least they're not removing any restaurants as of yet.

 

Now that would be heresy!

[coasterfreaky]

River Rush update!

 

Dollywood released a POV of River Rush on their Facebook page.

[youtu_be]

[/youtu_be]

 

The local media has toured the site...looking great!

 

KnoxNews, several pictures included: http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/feb/07/construction-of-6m-riverrush-coaster-nearly/?partner=RSS

PIGEON FORGE — Construction of a new $6 million water coaster slated to open in May at Dollywood's Splash Country is on schedule despite this winter's record rainfall, park officials said Wednesday.

 

RiverRush, the largest investment made to Splash Country since it opened next to the theme park in 2001, is 95 percent complete and has been set for a Mother's Day weekend opening.

 

"It's a thrilling experience. This is a high adventure ride, but a ride that families will want to do together," Dollywood spokesman Pete Owens said.

 

Visible from Veterans Boulevard at the Western end of the park, RiverRush will be the state's first water coaster.

 

The 1,175-foot long linear tube track covers more than an acre in a newly-developed area between the park's Big Bear Plunge white water rafting inspired slide and Bear Mountain Fire Tower.

 

Unlike traditional water rides, RiverRush will lift riders up on a conveyor belt. Using what officials called "a unique technology" for the water park industry, four-person toboggan-style boats are propelled up hills and around curves by linear induction motors that use an alternating magnetic field beneath the slide surface.

 

Four stories tall, riders climb 237 feet before making a 25-foot, 45-degree drop and launched through tunnels, rapids and three more drops. A netting covers parts of the ride to keep leaves and debris out.

 

The ride lasts about one minute and 20 seconds and is expected to run 720 passengers an hour. Riders, who must be at least 42-inches tall, get on and off at the same spot.

 

The closest outdoor water coaster using similar technology is at Holiday World in Santa Claus, Ind. The ride at Splash Country represents

 

manufacturer ProSlide's fourth longest.

 

Construction on the coaster, which took advantage of the existing wooded terrain, started in August, said Brian Dudash, director of construction and development for Dollywood.

 

The project was initially estimated at $5 million, but additional expenses were incurred because of rock.

 

"It's a huge investment for the water park, especially one that's open about 90 days a year," Dudash said. "This is about two and a half times what we would normally spend at an attraction here."

 

Details of Dollywood's 2014 expansion is expected to be announced this summer. It will be located on the site of Adventure Mountain, which closed at the end of last season.

 

Owens described the project as "a significant family attraction" in scope between the park's $17.5 million Mystery Mine steel coaster and $20 million Wild Eagle, the first wing coaster in the U.S.

 

With Splash Country's new water attraction and Dollywood's Wild Eagle addition last year, Splash Country hopes to increase its attendance by about 10 percent to more than 400,000 visitors, General Manager Mike Brown said.

 

"Our goal would be to eventually be a 500,000 a year park," he said.

 

The water park will open a couple of weeks early this year to have Dolly Parton, who will be in town to kick off Pigeon Forge Springfest, present at its launch.

 

Dollywood opens to the public on March 22. Splash Country opens May 11, with a special opening on May 10 for season pass holders.

 

© 2013, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

 

 

Report from WATE, with video:

http://www.wate.com/story/20983125/dollywood-crews-construct-states-first-ever-water-coaster

 

Report from WBIR, with video:

http://www.wbir.com/news/article/253088/8/Dollywoods-RiverRush-will-be-TNs-first-water-coaster

[A.J.]

Ugh, the physics in that video...

[Randomman295]

Great addition to the waterpark there, but they made it look like something from RCT3 in that video.

I kind of wish they would get a better one, but I suppose we'll have to take the hype for what it is now.

[Bobby2889]

So the new 2014 attraction will cost more than Mystery Mine but less than Wild Eagle, how much does a really good dark ride usually cost to install?

[COASTER FREAK 11]

As much or as little as you want to spend, lol.

[coasterfreaky]

Keep in mind too, that the space directly in front of River Battle is a steep hill...so some money will likely go towards moving earth to put in the 2014 attraction.

 

1/3 or maybe half of Wild Eagles expense came from the extensive footer work that was necessary to put it on a hillside. X-Flight's cost is estimated to be between $12-15 million, and it's about the same amount of raw materials as Wild Eagle. WE was about $22 million, so Dollywood spent $10-12 million on footers and heavy duty foundation work.

[ernierocker]

They are also supposed to be starting construction on the walkway up to the train loop I think. So maybe, part of that will figure into the costs. Should be a lot of excavation needed as coasterfreaky just mentioned.

[jray21]

Looks like a good addition to the park! Next time I'm out there I'll definitely head over for a ride.

[vacoaster09]

River Rush Update from Dollywood Facebook:

[maverickpoint]

when are they going to announce the new ride? i heard it was sometime in march , this month.