Dollywood Discussion Thread

[megan]

1 hour ago, jarmor said:

I have had some time to think about why i not that impressed/thrilled about big bear mountain.  I think it is because the story is really good but the execution (so far from what we see as far as the layout thematic elements) doesn't seem to live up to the story.  I feel if the trains were a little more unique, other than a retrofit normal train, that could have helped. Now, a blue sky idea I have is  to cut the first half by some and have it launch into a cave leading into a building like verbolten.  Then have elements as if Big bear were stalking you and as soon as it is revealed, the track drops and you can have a small launch to meander back to the station.  That's just blue sky at this point but I'd be more partial to it than the current version.

Ok-sorry LONG post!
 

That’s ALL I’ve been saying all along. They did a GREAT story of further developing the mythos of WIldwood Grove but manifested it with an exposed steel coaster. It didn’t have to be a “full mountain” but it seems like there were SO many ways this could’ve been plussed. Many thought this would be a motorbike coaster as Vekoma hinted at a new model that would “bring thrills to a wider range of riders”. Even that with NO additional elements would’ve set it apart. I’m not sure relying on “on board audio” is the best way to tell the story when there doesn’t seem to be anything to look at along the way. I love the idea of the cave. Even with no layout changes use the first acceleration launch as an old rail road tunnel to set up the idea that the bear is after you. The entry into the first launch was slower-like a leisurely drive into the woods to hunt for BB. You enter the tunnel with water dripping from the rocks, slow to a crawl, you hear the thundering footsteps as you see projection mapping giant shadows of bear paws race across the walls. Then a massive growl behind you and you shoot out. As you race through the “mini mountain” eyes glow from a cave where BB is hinted at again. As you renter the other side of the railroad tunnel- another growl as the lights of the unseen oncoming train blind you. You shoot out of the tunnel just in time to climb the big hill.  As you dive through the final tunnel, you hear another growl as you rage past giant fang shaped rocks. You NEVER see big bear. You never know if the legend is real or not. Is it the echoes of the old train rumbling through the mountain? Is it the light and shadows playing tricks on you? You just don’t know! Time to hop back on your motor bike for another chance to find out for sure! 

 

no expensive animatronic to maintain, no complicated excessive theming, just taking a great layout and giving each element of the ride a story beat in the narrative. At each of these points, Ned could come over the CB on our motor bike with a bit of backstory. 
 

dang! -as I type this out I get MORE annoyed with what they presented. 

[grsupercity]

Maybe it will have a disco bear like disco yeti at DW

[redfoot12]

Dolly's at the park today filming a holiday movie or special or something.

Would be cool to get a sighting.

[TEDodd]

On 8/8/2022 at 11:23 AM, redfoot12 said:

Fun ride. Wish I could  have ridden it in its "heyday".

Having ridden it since the first public rides  (pure luck, but was there the day they had media doing interviews as people came off the ride. Had a nice chat with Pete Owens that day too) I really don't think it has changed in any significant way.

Sure the original zero car looked better, but that doesn't really change the ride.

The whole point of I-Box and Topper track are that they ride like wood with less maintenance, and I don't notice any differences in the two nor the re-tracked sections.
 

[TEDodd]

22 hours ago, redfoot12 said:

Dolly's at the park today filming a holiday movie or special or something.

Would be cool to get a sighting.

Christmas movie for NBC. Includes something about a casino based on the casting call for extras.

Was there a parade last night? She usually is in that. And depending on schedule she'll pop in at the beginning/end of shows at random. Seems to favor Celebrity Theater though.

 

[redfoot12]

On 8/9/2022 at 2:27 PM, TEDodd said:

Having ridden it since the first public rides  (pure luck, but was there the day they had media doing interviews as people came off the ride. Had a nice chat with Pete Owens that day too) I really don't think it has changed in any significant way.

Sure the original zero car looked better, but that doesn't really change the ride.

The whole point of I-Box and Topper track are that they ride like wood with less maintenance, and I don't notice any differences in the two nor the re-tracked sections.
 

After my first ride on LR (around 11am), I think it was down for a significant portion of the day. It did start running again and I got another ride in right before the park closed. Maybe it was seat location or the classic "it warmed up", but that second ride was epic and all talk about a "heyday" left my mind.

Btw, the park closed at 7 and I don't think there was a parade. My cousin, whom I had been there with that day, later sent me a story about the movie and Willie Nelson was also there. I'm not much of a country music fan, but that would have been legendary to catch a glimpse of both of them.

[tndank]

Drop Line is now open again. 

[IzzyB]

On 8/5/2022 at 2:52 PM, TEDodd said:

FCE is still packed most of the time. Longer waits than bigger coasters like WE, TT, and TH.
DF too. This will take some pressure off those and I expect all 3 will be very busy for years to come.

The comments on FB seem to be overwhelmingly positive.
A few coaster fans like here and a few that want something indoor, but mostly people glad for rides they and/or their kids can/will ride.

Unlike the big coasters, they have long term appeal.
I remember the lines in Nov 2012 after WE opened. I haven't seen anything close since 2013. That huge cue is virtually unused now, just like the one for TT and TH. 

 

I'm hopeful they do more theming and décor than the renderings show.

The rest of the area cleared will be filled in over time. I kind of expect some surprises there next year.
2020-2022 really screwed with the plans.
 

I agree as a family that has kids who can ride WE and others who can ride FCE.  My daughter can sometimes get 4+ rides on WE before we get one on FCE.  Other times she only gets 2, but the norm is more than 2.  She hates FCE, but she does like DF and so she goes on that with us, but that is always another longer line.  So I am very much looking forward to this new coaster so that it hopefully lowers all lines for the 39" crowd.

On 8/8/2022 at 12:32 PM, megan said:

Ok-sorry LONG post!
 

That’s ALL I’ve been saying all along. They did a GREAT story of further developing the mythos of WIldwood Grove but manifested it with an exposed steel coaster. It didn’t have to be a “full mountain” but it seems like there were SO many ways this could’ve been plussed. Many thought this would be a motorbike coaster as Vekoma hinted at a new model that would “bring thrills to a wider range of riders”. Even that with NO additional elements would’ve set it apart. I’m not sure relying on “on board audio” is the best way to tell the story when there doesn’t seem to be anything to look at along the way. I love the idea of the cave. Even with no layout changes use the first acceleration launch as an old rail road tunnel to set up the idea that the bear is after you. The entry into the first launch was slower-like a leisurely drive into the woods to hunt for BB. You enter the tunnel with water dripping from the rocks, slow to a crawl, you hear the thundering footsteps as you see projection mapping giant shadows of bear paws race across the walls. Then a massive growl behind you and you shoot out. As you race through the “mini mountain” eyes glow from a cave where BB is hinted at again. As you renter the other side of the railroad tunnel- another growl as the lights of the unseen oncoming train blind you. You shoot out of the tunnel just in time to climb the big hill.  As you dive through the final tunnel, you hear another growl as you rage past giant fang shaped rocks. You NEVER see big bear. You never know if the legend is real or not. Is it the echoes of the old train rumbling through the mountain? Is it the light and shadows playing tricks on you? You just don’t know! Time to hop back on your motor bike for another chance to find out for sure! 

 

no expensive animatronic to maintain, no complicated excessive theming, just taking a great layout and giving each element of the ride a story beat in the narrative. At each of these points, Ned could come over the CB on our motor bike with a bit of backstory. 
 

dang! -as I type this out I get MORE annoyed with what they presented. 

Honestly, while that sounds great, it would scare the crap out of my 4 year old and then defeats the purpose of the 39".  Theming is great, but in the end it can't be too scary at 39".  My kids and family will love it with or without theming.  They love wildgrove.

[megan]

22 hours ago, IzzyB said:

I agree as a family that has kids who can ride WE and others who can ride FCE.  My daughter can sometimes get 4+ rides on WE before we get one on FCE.  Other times she only gets 2, but the norm is more than 2.  She hates FCE, but she does like DF and so she goes on that with us, but that is always another longer line.  So I am very much looking forward to this new coaster so that it hopefully lowers all lines for the 39" crowd.

Honestly, while that sounds great, it would scare the crap out of my 4 year old and then defeats the purpose of the 39".  Theming is great, but in the end it can't be too scary at 39".  My kids and family will love it with or without theming.  They love wildgrove.

Wow. Easily spooked. Keep them off pretty much any Disney dark ride and they will be safe.

[TrippinBillie]

On 8/9/2022 at 1:27 PM, TEDodd said:

Having ridden it since the first public rides  (pure luck, but was there the day they had media doing interviews as people came off the ride. Had a nice chat with Pete Owens that day too) I really don't think it has changed in any significant way.

Sure the original zero car looked better, but that doesn't really change the ride.

The whole point of I-Box and Topper track are that they ride like wood with less maintenance, and I don't notice any differences in the two nor the re-tracked sections.
 

It has significantly changed.  The launch is MUCH slower and the ride time is longer, due to that.  When it first opened in 2016, that thing was literally insane.  Now, it's still fast paced, but it doesn't really leave you totally spirit-less walking off.  You can see the difference in speed over the first launch hill here:

[TEDodd]

13 minutes ago, TrippinBillie said:

It has significantly changed.  The launch is MUCH slower and the ride time is longer, due to that.  When it first opened in 2016, that thing was literally insane.  Now, it's still fast paced, but it doesn't really leave you totally spirit-less walking off.  You can see the difference in speed over the first launch hill here:

You can see that much variation from a cool morning to a warm afternoon. Never mind a early spring (March) morning vs a July afternoon.


 

[TrippinBillie]

1 hour ago, TEDodd said:

You can see that much variation from a cool morning to a warm afternoon. Never mind a early spring (March) morning vs a July afternoon.


 

I can be on board with some difference in the day, but that is a huge difference.  I went on it opening month(ish) back in '16 (spring-ish) and then again last year (summer) and could feel/see a noticeable slower launch up the hill and not the "pop" of airtime at either of the 2 top points of the launch.  I'm no scientist, just saying that I definitely noticed a slower launch and less "insanity".

[TEDodd]

1 hour ago, TrippinBillie said:

I can be on board with some difference in the day, but that is a huge difference.  I went on it opening month(ish) back in '16 (spring-ish) and then again last year (summer) and could feel/see a noticeable slower launch up the hill and not the "pop" of airtime at either of the 2 top points of the launch.

As I said, I've ridden every year since the first day open to public except 2020 and don't really notice a difference. 

Yes I can see differences in videos, both on and off ride. But in person on the ride? Nope feels the same.

 

[JJLehto]

I won't say disappointed bc that's too harsh and 1 Big Bear Mountain looks kinda cool 2 I get it. It fits with the park...it's a more family oriented park guess just a shame that after Dragonflier they didn't go with at least more of a thrill esp for how big the investment is. But I get it of course, and this looks better than Dragonflier. What can ya do? I wont make it this year so least there will be a fun new cred for my next visit. 

On 8/16/2022 at 11:35 AM, TrippinBillie said:

It has significantly changed.  The launch is MUCH slower and the ride time is longer, due to that.  When it first opened in 2016, that thing was literally insane.  Now, it's still fast paced, but it doesn't really leave you totally spirit-less walking off.  You can see the difference in speed over the first launch hill here:

The "slowed down even more" myth has been debunked. The person who took the 2021 video said it was very early morning and if you look it up its from March. So well before the park was running regularly. I recall them saying it was maybe 50 degrees when filmed. So that is not accurate to a warmed up in season ride, and whoever made that dang triple comparison video maybe didn't do it on purpose to stir the pot....but its very inaccurate.

And don't get me wrong, I have been one of those bitterly disappointed people that never got the OG experience and I too was very sad the ride was maybe "neutered" farther. However...when I rode it in 2021 it was nothing like that video, was much much faster. Also for each comment I've seen from someone commenting "I rode opening year. its nothing the same! A sad shell of how great it reallt was yall really missed out sorry!" I've seen three saying "I rode opening year, I legit can't tell any difference really" so yeah...

[TrippinBillie]

16 hours ago, JJLehto said:

The "slowed down even more" myth has been debunked. The person who took the 2021 video said it was very early morning and if you look it up its from March. So well before the park was running regularly. I recall them saying it was maybe 50 degrees when filmed. So that is not accurate to a warmed up in season ride, and whoever made that dang triple comparison video maybe didn't do it on purpose to stir the pot....but its very inaccurate.

And don't get me wrong, I have been one of those bitterly disappointed people that never got the OG experience and I too was very sad the ride was maybe "neutered" farther. However...when I rode it in 2021 it was nothing like that video, was much much faster. Also for each comment I've seen from someone commenting "I rode opening year. its nothing the same! A sad shell of how great it reallt was yall really missed out sorry!" I've seen three saying "I rode opening year, I legit can't tell any difference really" so yeah...

Again, I'm certainly not here to argue or stir the pot.  I do remember opening year vs my experience last year - I came off thinking it was a bit slower, is all.  It was a shade slower cresting those first hills and I remember it not having that "insane out of control" feel.  That's all.  But to each their own; maybe it was just not a perfect ride.  I don't know.  But it's not worth getting in a back and forth over

[prozach626]

Is this another "The Beast's trims kick in harder now than they did before argument?"

[TrippinBillie]

22 hours ago, prozach626 said:

Is this another "The Beast's trims kick in harder now than they did before argument?"

Not trying to cause any issues.  Just what I, personally, felt and observed.  I'm just hoping it's more consistently up....that's all that matters.

[u4icmusic]

On 8/23/2022 at 11:14 AM, TrippinBillie said:

Again, I'm certainly not here to argue or stir the pot.  I do remember opening year vs my experience last year - I came off thinking it was a bit slower, is all.  It was a shade slower cresting those first hills and I remember it not having that "insane out of control" feel.  That's all.  But to each their own; maybe it was just not a perfect ride.  I don't know.  But it's not worth getting in a back and forth over

It is slower cresting the first hill because Dollywood took out an entire section of LSM's when they determined the bottom of the first two hills were getting damaged from the force. I've been riding it since it opened and it is much slower going up and over the first hill once they removed those LSM's. However, the rest of the ride feels the same.

[u4icmusic]

On 8/12/2022 at 1:18 PM, tndank said:

Drop Line is now open again. 

Yes it is, but you have to be 55 inches tall to ride with a maximum weight of 287 pounds (this is new)  The old height requirement was 48 inches tall before the ride closed. I think that is the highest height requirement in the park.

 

[u4icmusic]

The track for Big Bear Mountain is starting to arrive at Dollywood in the Wildwood Grove area.

[prozach626]

I'm not sure if there were other options, but smart move stacking up the track next to the train so guests could get excited.

[megan]

New pass pricing is live. Pretty much all people have to have gold now with silver black out dates. Missing this park 10 years ago more and more. Just not sure it’s worth it any more. 

[tndank]

I live nearby.  No plans to buy passes for the 2nd year in a row.  Got a free pass from a friend and got a visit in this summer. I'll prob do the same next year.

 

[prozach626]

Screw it. We'll go.

[TEDodd]

I almost didn't renew last year. When they refunded my unused 2021 passes I went ahead.

 

Now 2022 looks to be my last. We've only made it once this year (one trip, several days). Hoping for a Nov/Dec trip.

Can't see 3 gold pass just so we have the option to go Thanksgiving-New Years'. 

That's one of the most likely times for us to go.