Dollywood Discussion Thread

[GrapesLie]

5 hours! But I'll be at work when it happens so I'll have to watch secretively!

[Intimidator305]

Well it looks like we may have the name for the resort now... "Dollywood's DreamMore Resort"

 

The Dollywood Company Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation filed for it August 16, 2013.

http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4802:ka3n0w.2.1

 

So does this mean...

2014: Firechaser Express... dual launch coaster

2015: Dollywood's DreamMore Resort

 

???

 

We'll know in less than 3 hours!

[coasterfreaky]

"Dolly Parton tells NBC's Today Show Dolly is planning new resort, family roller coaster" -WBIR. http://www.today.com/travel/dollywood-get-300-million-upgrade-6C10965283

Edited August 21, 2013 by coasterfreaky

[SharkTums]

^There really won't be any more to post until 11 like the article says!

 

More information will come at the big announcement today and TPR will be there!

[SuperShawn]

Getting anxious for the details. Just two hours to go

[coasterfreaky]

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/aug/21/dolly-parton-tells-today-show-shes-investing-300m/

 

Following the opening of the Wild Eagle steel wing coaster in 2012 and Splash Country’s water coaster RiverRush this year, Parton also highlighted plans for a new attraction, the FireChaser Express, set to open in March 2014 where Adventure Mountain used to be located.

 

The company said it will be the nation’s first dual-launch family coaster that launches twice, traveling forward and backward on a winding 2,427-foot track. It will catapult from zero to 16 mph in just 1.1 second going forward and then launch backward from zero to 20 mph in 2 seconds.

 

The FireChaser Express is meant to celebrate the volunteer-based fire departments of the 1940s who protected the neighboring Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

 

Located 12 stories above the park’s Wilderness Pass area Express, the coaster will feature three 14-passenger trains with an hourly capacity of 750 riders. The 39-inch minimum height requirement allows many 4-year-olds to ride.

 

“FireChaser Express is truly special to me because families can ride this coaster together,” Parton said in the news release.

 

Sounds like a shuttle coaster.?..?

[maverickpoint]

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/aug/21/dolly-parton-tells-today-show-shes-investing-300m/

 

Following the opening of the Wild Eagle steel wing coaster in 2012 and Splash Country’s water coaster RiverRush this year, Parton also highlighted plans for a new attraction, the FireChaser Express, set to open in March 2014 where Adventure Mountain used to be located.

 

The company said it will be the nation’s first dual-launch family coaster that launches twice, traveling forward and backward on a winding 2,427-foot track. It will catapult from zero to 16 mph in just 1.1 second going forward and then launch backward from zero to 20 mph in 2 seconds.

 

The FireChaser Express is meant to celebrate the volunteer-based fire departments of the 1940s who protected the neighboring Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

 

Located 12 stories above the park’s Wilderness Pass area Express, the coaster will feature three 14-passenger trains with an hourly capacity of 750 riders. The 39-inch minimum height requirement allows many 4-year-olds to ride.

 

“FireChaser Express is truly special to me because families can ride this coaster together,” Parton said in the news release.

 

Sounds like a shuttle coaster.?..?

 

 

16mph? Is that a typo....!!!!!!!!

[maverickpoint]

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/aug/21/dolly-parton-tells-today-show-shes-investing-300m/

 

 

 

16mph? Is that a typo....!!!!!!!!

 

 

Actually you know what. I don't care. I was hoping it would be at least 2,500 feet and it pretty much is. This is still very exciting and I can't wait to watch the announcement.

[GravityFlyersInc]

16mph? That's kind of disappointing. :/

[2012jarrett]

16 mph and then 20? This bad boy better have some GOOD downhill action.

 

And 14-passenger trains? Sounds like 7 2-across cars. That rules out Mack unless it's a first for them. Zierer or Intamin?

 

Honestly, I think we're looking at a longer, forward-backward roller skater-esque coaster.

 

At least I got the theme right. :/

[FreeFaller]

Sitting at work and reading 2014's announcements is exciting! Can't wait for all the details!

[Jerrykoala2112]

I read that it will have a 39 inch height requirement so that 4 year olds could ride. I wouldn't be expecting the next Maverick, but this is what the park has been missing. A good 'family' coaster that even the little ones can ride.

[SharkTums]

Those stats to seem more like a 'kiddie' and not a family. What are the stats on Powder Keg again!?!?

[supertrooper]

I think I can launch myself to 16 mph in 1.1 seconds...if someone is chasing me.

[CoasterFEV]

14 passenger trains

 

Sounds like Gerstlauer

 

Makes sense. They had good success with them over at Mystery Mine

[coasterkid124]

I feel disappointed now that I hear this. The park could have at least made it a full coaster, not a shuttle seeing the amount of space available. Plus with the slow launch, this seems like a kiddie coaster, not a family one.

[EastCoastKid]

"Catapult from zero to 16mph"

 

CATAPULT?????? Really?

[dstephe9]

Well with three trains, it can't just be a standard shuttle type coaster. I am thinking this thing may have a slow launch but it will have the ability to pick up some decent speed being on the hillside there. The track length is big enough for decent speed and a good portion of it not having to be wasted on a lift hill should make it seem longer

[vacoaster09]

That HAS TO BE a typo... That would be a waste of electrical power to launch to 16 mph or 20mph... you can just use gravity on a slightly downhill slope to get that speed. Hell, I305's lift hill is like 14mph right? Maybe these are the speeds of lift hills (if any)?

 

I'm just going to wait for 11AM

[Hilltopper39]

Someone on the Facebook page complained that they were dissapointed that Dollywood scheduled a big announcement for 11am then announced it on the Today show the morning before . I hate people sometimes .

[cfc]

Well with three trains, it can't just be a standard shuttle type coaster. I am thinking this thing may have a slow launch but it will have the ability to pick up some decent speed being on the hillside there. The track length is big enough for decent speed and a good portion of it not having to be wasted on a lift hill should make it seem longer

 

Maybe a full-circuit coaster with a backward section, ala Thirteen? I guess we'll know shortly.

[Hilltopper39]

^I was just thinking the same thing about 13, that could be a great family attraction if they market it ya know like a family attraction.

 

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for some real fire somewhere as part of the FIrechaser themeing.....

[CoasterFEV]

 

Maybe a full-circuit coaster with a backward section, ala Thirteen? I guess we'll know shortly.

 

I agree! Something similar to Grizzly Mountain?

[dstephe9]

Well with three trains, it can't just be a standard shuttle type coaster. I am thinking this thing may have a slow launch but it will have the ability to pick up some decent speed being on the hillside there. The track length is big enough for decent speed and a good portion of it not having to be wasted on a lift hill should make it seem longer

 

Maybe a full-circuit coaster with a backward section, ala Thirteen? I guess we'll know shortly.

 

Thats what I was thinking.

[dstephe9]

for anyone curious, the feed is live now