Dollywood Discussion Thread

[sdcfan88]

Betting they are getting their MACK coaster now. That graphic clearly shows a coaster layout with two side by side launch segments similar to Time Traveler at SDC.

[coasterbill]

I just hope they plant some trees over there, though that's kind of the opposite of what they've been doing lately.

[u4icmusic]

33 minutes ago, sdcfan88 said:

Betting they are getting their MACK coaster now. That graphic clearly shows a coaster layout with two side by side launch segments similar to Time Traveler at SDC.

A Time Traveler clone or something similar with spinning cars would be great. I do think Dollywood is putting way too much emphasis on "family" rides instead of thrill rides though and that is a mistake.

[coasterbill]

I'm the exact opposite, I think they should just add indoor dark rides and screen rides and open year-round.

[Shavethewhales2]

I agree completely coasterbill. I was really hoping the next major addition would be the rumored dark ride. Coasters are awesome of course, but DW and SDC have built so many big coasters when they could have been competing with Disney on some truly amazing indoor rides that would also help them remain popular year round and in all weather. They also desperately need to restore the woodland feel to the area after they clear cut everything. 

43 minutes ago, u4icmusic said:

A Time Traveler clone or something similar with spinning cars would be great. I do think Dollywood is putting way too much emphasis on "family" rides instead of thrill rides though and that is a mistake.

I disagree, I think they actually have invested in too many extreme thrills. I don't understand why the park doesn't focus much more on younger families considering their spending and activity ratios compared to other guests. Obviously I enjoy the big coasters, but I've always thought it was a weird business decision when kids visiting the park have few marquee rides for them. Disney is king not just because of their IP's...

 

The layout looks nice. Hard to tell if it inverts or what, but the tunnel on the SE end looks cool. Considering the area, is it going to be like a kids version of Lightning rod? Another terrain launched coaster kind of like a mini Cheetah Hunt? 

[PKI Jizzman]

I was hearing rumors that it's a Mack family launch style similar to Manta at SWSD, but I welcome any more spinning Mack launched coasters. Time Traveler is so much fun!

[swfan1988]

I agree with coasterbill and shavethewhales2. This park needs more themed experiences, and indoor rides. Time Traveler looks fun and all, but when I was at the park this last summer it was noticeable how few indoor/themed rides for the whole family they have, especially if that's really what the majority of visitors are. Also, they need more stuff up in the front of the park I think, all of the big rides are in the back now (besides Lightning Rod), and I think having more major rides up front will balance things out better.

Also, please tell Dolly to plant some more trees...it is called Wildwood GROVE after all...

Personally, I'm hoping for a Flooded Mine themed dive coaster in the Mountain Slidewinder/Owen's Farm/Daredevil Falls area for the next major coaster. I think that strikes a good balance between capacity, thrills, and wide appeal that the park needs.

[Hilltopper39]

I mean a dark ride would be great but if I'm picking between a dark ride and a decent coaster I'd take the coaster every time. I mean I get it, dark rides are fun and gives an option for an indoor attraction that can operated year round, makes the park more well rounded compared to places like Disney or Universal, but this isn't Disney or Universal. How many shows does Dollywood have? I honestly don't know the answer to that but I know it's a lot, and a lot of different types during different seasons, and every time I've been the shows are always packed. I feel like Dollywood knows it's audience, and the audience is people that come for the shows and the food or for the coasters. A dark ride would be awesome, but I feel like most visitors to that park would rather have a new coaster, especially if it's an awesome family coaster with a lower height limit.

[jarmor]

I wonder if they would get another family launched coaster with their current one a few hundred feet away. . .

[COASTER FREAK 11]

It appears that is exactly what they are planning. Hopefully they are spinning trains or something unique.  

[Canobie Coaster]

I'd love an Xtreme Spinner, but Dollywood could use another family coaster to pull crowds from Dragonflier and Firechaser Express.  Something like Manta would be a blast for kids and adults.

[Jew]

This park is starting to remind me of early 2000 SFMM.  Going all in on technologically advanced coasters instead of focusing on anything else and praying their work.  Not going so well with Lightning Rod, so why not add another launched coaster?

[DoinItForTheFame]

Interesting…. I’d definitely be down for an extreme spinner or another family style launched coaster. Either one will be a great, and welcomed addition to the park. 
 

however, I’ll echo others…. hopefully their next addition is a dark ride. 

[Hilltopper39]

16 hours ago, jarmor said:

I wonder if they would get another family launched coaster with their current one a few hundred feet away. . .

I mean Firechaser consistently has one of the longest waits in the park. I was just looking at past wait times the other day for an upcoming trip and Dragonflier consistently pulls 40-60 minute waits on busy days so another family coaster is probably a good fit. 

[jarmor]

I think that line has to do with its low capacity. We are talking lower than a boomerang. Not sure if dollywood expected that type of popularity with it but yeah, wild mouse coasters can cycle more people per hour.  Interesting to see what they come up with as I liked manta and it does feel wilder than firechaser and I do like the mack controlled spinning coasters. I wonder if they would do a motorbike since that's pretty unique.

[coasterbill]

20 hours ago, Hilltopper39 said:

I mean a dark ride would be great but if I'm picking between a dark ride and a decent coaster I'd take the coaster every time. I mean I get it, dark rides are fun and gives an option for an indoor attraction that can operated year round, makes the park more well rounded compared to places like Disney or Universal, but this isn't Disney or Universal.

Right, but adding those rides so that they could run year round would also mean you'd be able to ride those coasters all winter (except Lightning Rod, lol).

[Hilltopper39]

I agree with ya Bill, but they pretty much operate year round now except for January, February, and a few week days here and there in September & October. 

Believe me I'd love a good dark ride at Dollywood but for a dark ride of the quality and capacity that the park needs it would probably be a pretty significant investment, possibly more expensive than a new coaster. When you're spending that kind of money feels like a coaster is way more marketable with a higher return than a dark ride so in the end I'm sure it really comes down to that.

[bill_s]

Seems to me that large building rides are a waste of the setting, but I haven't seen the balance as LR keeps breaking down.

[tndank]

[TEDodd]

10 hours ago, tndank said:

Just saw post on FB that LR is running today and came to mention it. 

[Garet]

The fact that just it being open is newsworthy enough on enthusiast forums still all these years later is kinda ridiculous.

[u4icmusic]

On 11/4/2021 at 10:26 AM, Shavethewhales2 said:

I agree completely coasterbill. I was really hoping the next major addition would be the rumored dark ride. Coasters are awesome of course, but DW and SDC have built so many big coasters when they could have been competing with Disney on some truly amazing indoor rides that would also help them remain popular year round and in all weather. They also desperately need to restore the woodland feel to the area after they clear cut everything. 

I disagree, I think they actually have invested in too many extreme thrills. I don't understand why the park doesn't focus much more on younger families considering their spending and activity ratios compared to other guests. Obviously I enjoy the big coasters, but I've always thought it was a weird business decision when kids visiting the park have few marquee rides for them. Disney is king not just because of their IP's...

 

The layout looks nice. Hard to tell if it inverts or what, but the tunnel on the SE end looks cool. Considering the area, is it going to be like a kids version of Lightning rod? Another terrain launched coaster kind of like a mini Cheetah Hunt? 

You are joking, right? The majority of the rides and attractions are for kids and families in the entire park. The entire Wildwood grove area is for children and families.

Here is the list of family and kiddie rides/attracions:

1. Whistle Punk Chaser

2. Lumberjack Lifts

3. Firechaser Express

4. Firehouse Fun Yard

5. Blazing Fury

6. Wings Of America Theater

7. L'il Pilots Playground

8. Dollywood Express Train Depot

9. Village Carousel

10. Busy Bees

11. Demolition Derby

12. Dizzy Disk

13. Lemon Twist

14. Lucky Ducky

15. Piggy Parade

16. Shooting Star

17. Sky Rider

18. The Amazing Flying Elephants

19. The Scrambler

20. The Waltzing Swinger

21. Smoky Mountain River Rampage

22. Rockin' Roadway

23. Black Bear Trail 

24. Dragonflier

25. Frogs & Fireflies 

26. Great Tree Swing 

27. Hidden Hollow

28. The Mad Mockingbird

29. Treetop Tower

30. Wildwood Creek

 

Thrill Rides:

1. Drop Line

2. Mystery Mine

3. Thunderhead

4. Wild Eagle

5. Daredevil Falls

6. Tennessee Tornado

7. Barnstormer

8. Lightning Rod

 

So, it is more 3 to 1 more family attractions/rides than thrill rides. Dollywood needs more thrill rides. Families aren't the only guests that visit Dollywood and Dollywood and Disney are not in the same league and cannot be compared.

[TEDodd]

On 11/6/2021 at 9:25 PM, Garet said:

The fact that just it being open is newsworthy enough on enthusiast forums still all these years later is kinda ridiculous.

Well the latest closure followed an incident where a train rolled back into the other. A bit different than the more common causes of down time.  And it was expected by many to be closed the rest of the season because of that. 

[neilnky]

On 11/4/2021 at 8:05 AM, sdcfan88 said:

Betting they are getting their MACK coaster now. That graphic clearly shows a coaster layout with two side by side launch segments similar to Time Traveler at SDC.

Can someone please interpret this drawing for me lol.  Is that coaster track going all the way to the entrance near Mystery Mine? What are the wide dark lines around the current undeveloped portion?  I can't blow it up to read anything but sure looks interesting! Sorry I'm not very good at reading blue prints. I would love the help!

[COASTER FREAK 11]

The wide dark line around the perimeter is a new perimeter road. 

 

The turn around for this is nestled up against the back of the Till & Harvest Food Hall. I've circled in red, a point that you can use to get your bearings on where it's located.   Seems it might stay completely behind the restaurant. But essentially, yes, the new ride runs nearly the entire length of the area.