Dollywood Discussion Thread

[ScreaminNewEngland]

A new pair job might make it look better but there is a reason people say it looks scary on here and other locals

 

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That's just the way it looks...It's an Eli Ferris Wheel, they all look like that. Like every ride at Dollywood it's inspected and maintained properly. Wonder Wheel is a perfectly safe attraction.

[Canobie Coaster]

I've never felt unsafe on any of the Eli Bridge wheels. I will admit they look more "sketchy" (can't think of a better word) but I like how you have the nice unobstructed view ahead of you with no guards in the way.

[TEDodd]

That's just the way it looks...It's an Eli Ferris Wheel, they all look like that.

 

Same for most traveling fair rides. They never looked exceptionally safe but were always fun.

[BlahBlahson]

 

I'm sorry but I have to...am I the only one who thinks it's a little crazy that a park based in the wooded hills of Tennessee removed literally every scrap of vegetation from that gigantic area?

 

The difference already between everything that has been built since Thunderhead up to TN Tornado on that side and the older half of the park...it's jarring. Do they have to remove all of the natural beauty?

[sdcfan88]

Not to be that guy but I really would hate to see SDC and DW pull a Six Flags and jump on the importing cloned coasters bandwagon if that really is a cookie cutter Vekoma coaster model being proposed. I thought they would be above that sort of thing. It would detract from the uniqueness of their parks.

[dstephe9]

A new pair job might make it look better but there is a reason people say it looks scary on here and other locals

 

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That's just the way it looks...It's an Eli Ferris Wheel, they all look like that. Like every ride at Dollywood it's inspected and maintained properly. Wonder Wheel is a perfectly safe attraction.

Oh I'm not saying it was unsafe. I know it was safe

 

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[dstephe9]

Not to be that guy but I really would hate to see SDC and DW pull a Six Flags and jump on the importing cloned coasters bandwagon if that really is a cookie cutter Vekoma coaster model being proposed. I thought they would be above that sort of thing. It would detract from the uniqueness of their parks.

Exactly what I said! But everyone here disagreed lol.. I really hope if it is a clone it's a one off and they go back to building custom designed coasters, even if they just change the layout of a standard coaster.

 

But heck, half the same people jump all over six flags for the same thing, maybe because it's just six flags...

 

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Edited March 9, 2018 by dstephe9

[A.J.]

Not to be that guy but I really would hate to see SDC and DW pull a Six Flags and jump on the importing cloned coasters bandwagon if that really is a cookie cutter Vekoma coaster model being proposed. I thought they would be above that sort of thing. It would detract from the uniqueness of their parks.

 

Bill, your wisdom please:

 

Agreed. The ride just isn't "unique and special" if someone could simply hop on a transatlantic flight and travel thousands of miles to f*cking Denmark and ride the same family coaster. Dollywood needs to "add uniqueness". They need to build something special like Whistle Punk chaser.

Seriously, that particular variant of coaster does not exist anywhere in North America. Freedom Flyer, maybe, but who the heck is cross-shopping a vacation to Dollywood and an evening at Fun Spot?!?

 

Unless it is developed on a completely flat parcel of land, a cloned coaster is still fairly custom and still has to go through all the same design stages as a "true" custom coaster, apart from developing the center line. Add to it the obviously high standard of theming that Dollywood always holds itself to, and the fact that it is being built along side a completely new themed land, and I really don't see an issue here. Also, neither of the flagship Herschend parks has done a suspended / inverted coaster before.

 

Also also, no typical Dollywood guest will even realize or care that the same ride type exists in Denmark, Turkey, or China. While Lightning Rod is (apparently) one of the best coasters in the entire world and they hired Rocky Mountain specifically for that purpose, our demographic is not and will likely never be Dollywood's target, especially now that they're becoming a destination resort.

[ASE]

Personally, I think the massive technical issues they've had with their last custom coaster is a big reason they would be looking to build something that is already proven and reliable. Adding a new expansion and having (what is likely) the feature ride be down frequently would bruise their reputation even harder....and that's not something they can financially afford....especially after this season of not adding any new rides.

 

The expansion will sell itself in 2019...they'll need the big "one more thing" in a following season to keep attendance growing.

[coasterbill]

To comment on a few things...

 

The Wonder Wheel isn’t on the website anymore. Seems like they have gotten rid of it.

 

In no way does removing that janky looking ferris wheel mean they plan on replacing it but it would be amazing to see a large modern ferris wheel in this new expansion area on top of the mountain. Drop line and Wild Eagle provide stunning views of the mountains, but given this park's demographic it's a shame that you're pretty much out of luck if you want to take in those views but don't want to ride a white knuckle thrill ride. If they were to add a modern ferris wheel on top of that mountain it would immediately become one of the most popular rides in the park and it would be popular during all seasons.

 

I'm sorry but I have to...am I the only one who thinks it's a little crazy that a park based in the wooded hills of Tennessee removed literally every scrap of vegetation from that gigantic area?

 

The difference already between everything that has been built since Thunderhead up to TN Tornado on that side and the older half of the park...it's jarring. Do they have to remove all of the natural beauty?

 

I agree. Wilderness Pass is ugly as sh*t compared to the rest of the park and the fact that there aren't any trees back there is one of the main reasons why. They'll build this new area and plant new trees but they'll take decades to mature. I won't judge this new area until seeing it but I wish they would have kept as many trees as possible. They add a ton of atmosphere, especially during Smoky Mountain Christmas if they decorate a few of them top to bottom like they do up front.

 

I have faith that this new area will be awesome but I had the same thought about the trees. Then again... I thought Firechaser Express would be hideous and I happily ate crow on that one so I'll reserve judgement.

 

Seriously, that particular variant of coaster does not exist anywhere in North America. Freedom Flyer, maybe, but who the heck is cross-shopping a vacation to Dollywood and an evening at Fun Spot?!?

 

Unless it is developed on a completely flat parcel of land, a cloned coaster is still fairly custom and still has to go through all the same design stages as a "true" custom coaster, apart from developing the center line. Add to it the obviously high standard of theming that Dollywood always holds itself to, and the fact that it is being built along side a completely new themed land, and I really don't see an issue here. Also, neither of the flagship Herschend parks has done a suspended / inverted coaster before.

 

Also also, no typical Dollywood guest will even realize or care that the same ride type exists in Denmark, Turkey, or China. While Lightning Rod is (apparently) one of the best coasters in the entire world and they hired Rocky Mountain specifically for that purpose, our demographic is not and will likely never be Dollywood's target, especially now that they're becoming a destination resort.

 

This... all of this.

 

Personally, I think the massive technical issues they've had with their last custom coaster is a big reason they would be looking to build something that is already proven and reliable. Adding a new expansion and having (what is likely) the feature ride be down frequently would bruise their reputation even harder....and that's not something they can financially afford....especially after this season of not adding any new rides.

 

The expansion will sell itself in 2019...they'll need the big "one more thing" in a following season to keep attendance growing.

 

What the hell are you talking about?

 

The park has a "bruised reputation" now? They can't "financially afford" a ride with a delayed opening? Is this park on death's door? Did you get lost on the way to the SeaWorld San Diego thread?

 

This screams of "The park didn't add a new coaster last year, and I'm an enthusiast who doesn't care about anything but coasters so having a coaster with mechanical problems one year followed by a year where they didn't add an adult coaster (even though they added a ton of other stuff) means the park isn't doing well, has a bruised reputation and is in a terrible financial situation to the point where they no longer have any margin for error with a new ride".

 

Forget the fact that just this year they got a kids coaster, a huge drop tower, an unimaginably successful Halloween event that generated crowd levels of biblical proportions to the point where people were waiting 45 minutes just to walk through Wilderness Pass and a 2.5 million dollar Christmas parade. There's no reason to think that the park has a bruised reputation or that they're having financial problems because a few enthusiasts are butthurt that they went to the park to ride Lightning Rod and it was down for mechanical reasons.

Edited March 9, 2018 by coasterbill

[ASE]

WVLT reports that Dolly will be in town for the season opening next weekend...I'd be HIGHLY surprised if they announce anything that soon, though, since we're so early in the city approval stages.....plus, Dollywood doesn't typically like to announce plans for the following year while they're still trying to sell season passes for the current year.

 

source: (nothing new in the video that you all don't already know)

http://www.wvlt.tv/content/news/Dollywood-files-plans-for-new-park-attractions-476164413.html

[dstephe9]

Tourism for the entire area was way down last year.. this is very well known if you talk to any of the business owners around the area.. at times I couldn't tell it was, but talking to a lot of business owners, they had a huge decline in revenue for whatever reason. Some have told me it was as low as the recession. Was Dollywood the cause of that? Not all of it but it's safe to bet the were for some of it. Most was the fires yes.. Ripley's lowered prices for most of the spring to bring folks in (as low as $5 & $10 for the aquarium) and it helped some in Gatlinburg folks said but not much

 

1.) Increased ticket prices - ended up causing them to run promotions pretty much all the year, at least until luminights (but a local hotel owner told me luminights didn't help them meaning it was probably a lot of locals)

 

2.) Surveys asking if people if they would be more likely to visit the area if LR was up and running (heck how many trips were put off from users on this post). Dollywood does know that was a concern and possible reason for attendance being down.

 

3.) Plus the fires

 

Is Dollywood financially hurting? I doubt it. Would I rather see a custom design of a suspended? 100% would.

 

But there is a great possibility that Dollywood did struggle some last season and a strong possibility they didn't meet their goals or plans. Was attendance down according to plan? Who knows, they never announced.

 

Eitherway, hopefully this new area will revitalize the area! Especially with the negative news of the accident at the Opry show a week or so ago. I was at Hard Rock Cafe last night and folks were saying they weren't going to any shows in the area because of the carbon dioxide accident in a backstage area away from guest at the Opry! I'm just glad national news didn't pick that up!

 

I'm sure this new area, clone rides or not, will help the entire economy here.. As long as Dollywood doesn't get into the habit of clones, I'm i will be fine. I do see what ASE is saying.. another ride that would possibly have a lot of downtime, while it won't bankrupt Dollywood, it could hurt the area even more!

 

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Edited March 9, 2018 by dstephe9

[ASE]

 

What the hell are you talking about?

 

This screams of "The park didn't add a new coaster last year, and I'm an enthusiast who doesn't care about anything but coasters so having a coaster with mechanical problems one year followed by a year where they didn't add an adult coaster (even though they added a ton of other stuff) means the park isn't doing well, has a bruised reputation and is in a terrible financial situation to the point where they no longer have any margin for error with a new ride".

 

HAHA...you couldn't be further off, but I'll cut you some slack since you have no idea what I know or what I do. Let's just say I'm heavily involved with the revenue generated in the area as well as visitor sentiment toward local businesses.

 

Dollywood selling adult tickets for child prices during peak season last year should have been a massive clue to the public...........and based on current sentiment for 2018, I wouldn't be surprised to see a similar deal this summer as well.

 

For the record, I WANT Dolly's businesses to continue to grow....it's the tide that raises all boats in the area.

[dstephe9]

Heck, just walk around the area and talk to local business owners.. I have because im in the area a lot.. no need to go-to the meetings ASE does lol. Some owners even blame Dollywood directly for not lowering their prices anymore to help bring folks in.

 

I thought the area looked busy last year but the money wasn't flowing and revenue says it wasn't busy

 

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[Jcoaster]

At 75ish for a day ticket.....Yes it is a bit pricey. In this case I didn’t mind paying it because you get the extra half day and the park is nothing but quality.

[coasterbill]

If the park announced that attendance was down a little because of the fires causing people to delay their trips to the region (since the national park is a major draw) and because Smoky Mountain Christmas was hurt in it's last week or so by unbelievably sh*tty weather then that's one thing. I'm sure it was offset a little by the pumpkin event but it's totally believable.

 

They also raised prices significantly which is always gamble to find a balance between revenue and attendance. It wouldn't shock me... but when you start talking about a drop in attendance (assuming there even was one) being a case of the park having a ""bruised reputation", then you sound insane and you're making an incredible leap.

[dstephe9]

One other thing you have to remember, the tourist industry is very seasonal here.. a lot of the smaller businesses won't be able to survive another weak season.. a lot barley made it through this winter. They are looking at Dollywood to bring in the tourism

 

And yes business owners that go to tourism meetings in the area say that Dollywood was significantly down this season

 

Heck, there's even local rumors that the GSMP might have to start charging due to some things mentioned on the government level. That won't be good for the area and I'm sure local businesses are worried. It made the news and the state is trying to help find money to prevent it

 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.knoxnews.com/amp/367238002

 

With that being said, the Smokies did have record attendance.. but a lot of sightseeing due to the fires, the eclipse, and stuff like that. It didn't really help the area, people were in and out

 

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[coasterbill]

Okay. I don't really see what that has to do with anything but that's a shame for them.

 

I don't see what that has to do with the post I commented on that was implying that the park (allegedly, though quite possibly) had an attendance drop and that it had something to do with their reputation or lack of recent additions. If the area had a down year I'm sure the fires are the main reason why. They do over 11 million visitors a year at the national park so they're the biggest draw in the area by far and it would make sense that attendance would be way down if thousands of acres were lost to fire. None of that has anything to do with Dollywood having a "bruised reputation", though. That's the part of the post that I found absolutely insane

[Jcoaster]

^ I made my visit in the middle of August last year (peak tourist season) and Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge was absolutely swarming with tourism.

[jarmor]

I don't think any SANE person will go to Dollywood and be disappointed that they installed a "cloned" coaster. If the only gripe anyone has about this expansion is a cloned coaster than the folks at Dollywood is doing something right. I don't know about you all but when I first saw that family invert I was VERY interested in riding it but figured I would never as I don't see myself traveling overseas in a long time. Guess what, it looks like I don't have to wait! SO to those who are complaining about it being a cloned coaster . . . get real! Know what else is a cloned coaster, Mega-lites.

[dstephe9]

^ I made my visit in the middle of August last year (peak tourist season) and Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge was absolutely swarming with tourism.

The area did very well middle of August but mainly because of the eclipse. The week before and after the eclipse was a strong week for the area, actually stronger than it has been for years but it was a short burst. A lot of folks planned vacations around the eclipse.

 

Now I'll admit I don't go to City meetings anymore (when I worked for the Boy Scouts I would go for other reasons all the time) and a lot of the local businesses look up to Dollywood and then blame Dollywood for a lot.. more than they should, I agree.. Sounds like ASE still goes to these meetings so the bruised rep he is speaking of might be from them vs public view of the park.

 

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[dstephe9]

Okay. I don't really see what that has to do with anything but that's a shame for them.

 

I don't see what that has to do with the post I commented on that was implying that the park (allegedly, though quite possibly) had an attendance drop and that it had something to do with their reputation or lack of recent additions. If the area had a down year I'm sure the fires are the main reason why. They do over 11 million visitors a year at the national park so they're the biggest draw in the area by far and it would make sense that attendance would be way down if thousands of acres were lost to fire. None of that has anything to do with Dollywood having a "bruised reputation", though. That's the part of the post that I found absolutely insane [emoji38]

Smokies actually had record attendance. People just didn't visit Dollywood or stay in the area.

 

 

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[ASE]

Pigeon Forge was up in revenue last year.....Gatlinburg was down.

 

I guess I should clarify the whole "bruised reputation" comment as I'm not saying it is ONLY because of Lightning Rod's issues nor am I saying it's because they aren't adding new rides this year.

 

Here are some of the negative sentiment issues they're facing that have nothing to do with rides:

- Dixie being removed from Dixie Stampede and people blaming Dolly personally for it and then stating they won't visit any attraction with her name on it. Sounds crazy, I know, but a large part of the area's target demographic is passionate about their beliefs.

- Dolly removed from annual Dolly parade and replaced with Cal Ripken Jr....she was a large attendance draw during that first week of May.

- The removal of "Arrive after 3, next day free"

- Price increases

- Parking increase ($15 to park this year)

- etc

 

But here's why all of these things are important...there are more options of things to do in Pigeon Forge than there ever has been. Dollywood has more competition for visitor dollars than they ever have, so it's not taking a lot for "normal" visitors to decide to go to other attractions & shows to spend their vacation money. This was evident more than ever in 2017....again, which is why they offered more deals last year than ever.

 

So, yes, I think the expansion is a great ticket seller for next year (even with a clone, because most visitors won't care or even notice). Visitor sentiment is currently very positive about the expansion, which is a great sign for both Dollywood as well as the entire area.

[dstephe9]

Pigeon Forge was up in revenue last year.....Gatlinburg was down.

 

I guess I should clarify the whole "bruised reputation" comment as I'm not saying it is ONLY because of Lightning Rod's issues nor am I saying it's because they aren't adding new rides this year.

 

Here are some of the negative sentiment issues they're facing that have nothing to do with rides:

- Dixie being removed from Dixie Stampede and people blaming Dolly personally for it and then stating they won't visit any attraction with her name on it. Sounds crazy, I know, but a large part of the area's target demographic is passionate about their beliefs.

- Dolly removed from annual Dolly parade and replaced with Cal Ripken Jr....she was a large attendance draw during that first week of May.

- The removal of "Arrive after 3, next day free"

- Price increases

- Parking increase ($15 to park this year)

- etc

 

But here's why all of these things are important...there are more options of things to do in Pigeon Forge than there ever has been. Dollywood has more competition for visitor dollars than they ever have, so it's not taking a lot for "normal" visitors to decide to go to other attractions & shows to spend their vacation money. This was evident more than ever in 2017....again, which is why they offered more deals last year than ever.

 

So, yes, I think the expansion is a great ticket seller for next year (even with a clone, because most visitors won't care or even notice). Visitor sentiment is currently very positive about the expansion, which is a great sign for both Dollywood as well as the entire area.

And Gatlinburg is were I visit so yeah those are the business owners I know and spoke with. I actually don't do much in Pigeon Forge anymore aside from Dollywood.. also explains why Ripley's was more proactive in trying to help the area.. Ripley's is still being proactive by redoing believe it or not.

 

And yes I agree, I hear stuff about Dixie being removed from stampede all the time.. some folks say it's because Dolly wants her name on everything.. some folks are mad because they think they are trying to do away with the word Dixie and all those trucks driving around with rebel flags.. eitherway, it's not a positive topic right now but will hopefully blow over

 

A topic on competition, the new snow park in Pigeon Forge is opening soon (maybe already open) with another one possibly planned.. another reason why I think this new area should be snow themed and maybe the indoor play area will be a snow park!

 

Stuff not as expensive looking if it's an all in one experience..

 

"Oh when can visit Dollywood one day and have a snow park, coasters, good food, shows and more for $75! Day two we can visit the indoor snow park off the strip, go see a $5 movie, see a show, and and do indoor skydiving for $75/person for all activities total for the day" and so on

 

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[Dollywoodlover20]

Just something to throw in, Just seen an advert for the 2018 season on TV. For the Christmas season, the music venue where River Battle was becomes the new Glacier Ridge. With the huge tree, snow fans/ blowing snow, etc. If you can catch it you’ll see. They’re running two at the moment that I’ve seen so far. So Glacier Ridge is not the name/theme of the new area.