Jump to content
  TPR Home | Parks | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram 

Dollywood Discussion Thread

P. 796 - Ride closing 10/30 to remove launch and install chain lift!

Recommended Posts

^The writer had never heard of the place before and thought it was funny that an old country singer had this huge amusement park. They probably overemphasize her emphasis in the park's theme.

Exactly what I was thinking. In terms of overall weirdness, yeah, I'd say it doesn't belong. But I see the intended point. It is a bit unusual for a celebrity to have their own theme park!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Apparently, Dollywood is also one of the 'top ten' weirdest parks according to Time... whatever that's supposed to mean. I can see how the others may earn the title, but am confused how DW does...?

 

www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2106937_2106938_2106947,00.html

 

Dollywood is the "oddball" of that list in that it's an excellent, well-themed park. The other parks listed, such as Bon Bon Land (which is a good park) and the Holy Land Experience, make more sense.

 

Looks like the author was reaching to find "weird" U.S. parks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

^The one at Marineland seemed to operate with little trouble when we visited back on the Behemoth/Ravine Flyer II Tour. Plus there haven't been any issues with the other installations that have been publicized as much as Timber Tower's were.

 

The one at Walygator was down when TPR visited in 2008, but many of the rides were closed as the weather was not ideal.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Today, I was fortunate enough once again to represent Theme Park Review for a special media event at Dollywood. I am sure you have all heard that Wild Eagle was going to have a large metal eagle sculpture placed in the plaza for the ride. Well, today was the day for it to be installed in place!

 

This will be a two-part update with the second part probably being posted after this weekend. Waiting on the go-ahead from the park to post some extra special photos for you guys!

 

The first part will focus on the installation of the sculpture. So, on to the photos!

 

Here is the video showing the installation of the eagle's body plus interviews with Sculptor, Kevin Stone and Pete Owens, Dollywood Public Media Relations.

 

1863721978_WildEagle1.thumb.jpg.16ca4c5468cc392fd3086785f2c4f71c.jpg

Good morning Wild Eagle! Theme Park Review is here to cover the installation of the world's largest metal eagle sculpture

1803801585_WildEagle02.thumb.jpg.27a43001cf891fb00b296a054ddeb2ec.jpg

The media came out in full force today to cover this huge event for the park and their new coaster!

712992836_WildEagle03.thumb.jpg.d5a6bd6bd3eb6a56aae942403e3a210d.jpg

And there it is! This is one massive eagle!!

2099384843_WildEagle04.thumb.jpg.7d89f978a0485f30fb558d179be134a1.jpg

And here is the man that built the sculpture: Kevin Stone of Metal Animation!

1576993468_WildEagle05.thumb.jpg.b955ca449ba8ff9a344efbad89dc0193.jpg

A close-up of Kevin's amazing creation!

954093954_WildEagle06.thumb.jpg.29d1564a70060c8562d013bd419e7062.jpg

Here are the wings that will be installed after the eagle's body is hoisted into place. I believe the span from one tip of the wings to the other will be over 60 ft.!

386051335_WildEagle07.thumb.jpg.fcf0cc74e5bc5484e5e5c89ed57c8088.jpg

From Wild Eagle's loading station, you can get a better feel for the size of the wings. That trailer has to be at least 40 feet long!

604533637_WildEagle08.thumb.jpg.ae390476a7ea13068491f7cca44ee99d.jpg

To lift the world's largest steel eagle sculpture, it doesn't hurt to have a crane handy.

2035562123_WildEagle09.thumb.jpg.ced3f0bda7c3014507e684b0f433c9a6.jpg

This will be the final resting place for the sculpture. We see you back there hiding Wild Eagle Gift Shop! And Tennessee Tornado. :-)

60967678_WildEagle10.thumb.jpg.f8cbcdcd367dbd65e7abd9cbebd8ecd1.jpg

Kevin Stone was available for interviews to talk about the process of creating this mammoth of a sculpture!

1569438119_WildEagle11.thumb.jpg.265f9fd0a94dab889106cf16ca76b448.jpg

Now, its time to hoist the body into place!

1800076440_WildEagle12.thumb.jpg.f1a0ccff2448d7d5996bf099e30d75a0.jpg

Make it go this way!

455273553_WildEagle13.thumb.jpg.598c8c45dade69bbacf447e6866f045a.jpg

Steady now!

1643181104_WildEagle14.thumb.jpg.4d9d5fa10d282a1454d60282d5986b8a.jpg

This was definitely a delicate operation. They couldn't exactly order another one before the ride opened! ;-)

1570325928_WildEagle15.thumb.jpg.79964d3d0299acb150ddf83a26d0216f.jpg

Just a little more to go!

1028403763_WildEagle16.thumb.jpg.808514c70d9790f00ff34a02fc7ac5f0.jpg

Why don't you just go HOME?!? That's your HOME! Or you to good for your home?!? Answer me!

1562498353_WildEagle17.thumb.jpg.d1df9235446a9d62ee45bb3c33db2d4d.jpg

And it's home!

1693303770_WildEagle18.thumb.jpg.3432a8c93cd223660ed6308e909e44ca.jpg

Not only did Kevin Stone create and manufacture the sculpture, he also installed it!

2132469365_WildEagle19.jpg.ee092a075d204967e384074a69bdd33a.jpg

And the first wing is being installed! (Photo courtesy of Pete Owens, Dollywood)

117171932_WildEagle20.thumb.jpg.9365428cd54def36f01ce561bbfd5d38.jpg

And here is a little teaser for part 2 of this update! We had to leave before the wings were installed due to some delays, so hopefully we will get more finished photos of the eagle sculpture up with the second update! Thanks for reading! Video to come later tonight!

Edited by ernierocker
Link to comment
Share on other sites

^^ If I had to guess the truck came back there on the maitnenance roads that run behind the park and come down behind Adventure Mountain.

 

Anyways, this looks great. Glad to see Dollywood making the ride fit in perfectly with the rest of Wilderness Pass as if the ride has been there for years! The park does it right everytime and I'm glad to see Wilderness Pass finally being "complete"!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use https://themeparkreview.com/forum/topic/116-terms-of-service-please-read/