Dollywood Discussion Thread

[jray21]

I really hope the hotel will serve Cinnamon Bread! That would guarantee me a stay there when I visit!

[larrygator]

Dollywood/HFEC has the land and the finances to pretty much build whatever they want. The $20MM range can result in a very good ride and the options are not limited by space or technical know how.

 

A high tech dark ride would be great and I wouldn't hold it against Dollywood that they don't have the technical know how. Many companies really on outside consultants for know how. The issue with a high tech dark ride would to be theming. Dollywod is very particular about theming and this instance they have to decide if the theme that works for Dollywood without being based on Intellilectual Property. Do they cater to all park patrons are do something more niche and dark? If Fire in the Hole didn't exist I could see something along that manner of a storyline working in a 3D dark ride.

[YOLO]

I really hope the hotel will serve Cinnamon Bread! That would guarantee me a stay there when I visit!

Yeah, the cinnamon bread at The Grist Mill is delicious! I am definitely going next year for the hotel on the way to Fury 325, and hopefully again in 2016 for the new attraction. Going to have to make this annual.

[maverickpoint]

I personally hope it is a new coaster and not a dark ride. But we had a coaster in 2012 and again 2014 so if it is a coaster for 2016 , there might not be another one for a few years after. Who knows maybe there will be lol Dollywood is truly progressing so much and it's great to see it. I live in Nevada so probably won't make it there anytime soon. But maybe someday.

[dstephe9]

I am also hoping for a coaster. Dark rides are fun but I don't hear people going into parks like Dollywood and others talking about dark rides. They want coasters and Dollywood has done great building their collection. One more coaster will put them up there with most other parks ride wise IMO

 

With that being said they are modeling themselves after Disney and universal it seems who actually do well on dark rides so you never know.

 

Dollywood isn't close to the caliber of those parks though so they need to be trying to match their ride collection to cedar fair parks and six flags parks IMO

 

They need a few more coasters, drop tower, and a few more high trill items for that

 

Just my two cents others may feel differently [WHITE SMILING FACE]

[ScreaminNewEngland]

The park doesn't need another coaster right now. A drop tower, more flats and a dark ride should be next in the plans.

[maverickpoint]

 

They need a few more coasters, drop tower, and a few more high trill items for that

 

[WHITE SMILING FACE]

 

 

I've been hoping for a drop tower to replace Timber Tower. Do you think one could fit there ? Right now I think it's a sitting area with benches and fountains. Hopefully one goes there or somewhere in the park during this ten year expansion.

[dstephe9]

I definitely think one will fit there. Plenty of room to load the ride and still has its line structure. Im sure they have something planned for that area, its normally closed off but sometimes you can eat there haha

[Jhcbiinoc]

I really think that this is going to end up being Dollywood's version of Outlaw Run-a custom RMC coaster with 2-3 inversions. They just added two big steel coasters-one more for thrill seekers and the other a family coaster; as nice as I think a custom terrain-based B&M invert or hyper would be, I think they are going to go for another wooden coaster. Given the alleged price tag of $20 million, I would expect either something huge like Wildfire at Kolmarden or something in between the size of Outlaw Run and Wildfire as part of a new themed area with some smaller attractions. Whatever it turns out to be, I feel confident it will turn some heads and be great.

 

And Cinnamon Bread at the hotel would be awesome. I already put in a suggestion that they have a breakfast buffet with hot Cinnamon Bread.

[larrygator]

I am also hoping for a coaster. Dark rides are fun but I don't hear people going into parks like Dollywood and others talking about dark rides. They want coasters and Dollywood has done great building their collection. One more coaster will put them up there with most other parks ride wise IMO

 

Dollywood shows are more popular than the coasters

[Nrthwnd]

How about a shooting dark ride, where you tour through the kitchens of Dollywood,

and shoot at cinnamon breads for points?

 

[dstephe9]

I am also hoping for a coaster. Dark rides are fun but I don't hear people going into parks like Dollywood and others talking about dark rides. They want coasters and Dollywood has done great building their collection. One more coaster will put them up there with most other parks ride wise IMO

 

Dollywood shows are more popular than the coasters

Well it depends on the person and time of the year. Dollywoods shows are more popular during Christmas and festival of nations and stuff. But during the summer they have a lot of people there for the rides.

 

As for shows they need to cater some to the younger generation now! Haha

[larrygator]

I am also hoping for a coaster. Dark rides are fun but I don't hear people going into parks like Dollywood and others talking about dark rides. They want coasters and Dollywood has done great building their collection. One more coaster will put them up there with most other parks ride wise IMO

 

Dollywood shows are more popular than the coasters

Well it depends on the person and time of the year. Dollywoods shows are more popular during Christmas and festival of nations and stuff. But during the summer they have a lot of people there for the rides.

 

As for shows they need to cater some to the younger generation now! Haha

 

So now you are admitting that some people are not going to Dollywood for the coasters?

 

I have seen the people of Dollywood at many different times throughout the year and a large percent don't go for the coasters. I have been their in the summer when the front of the park and the craftsmen areas were packed on the coasters were only a 30 minutes wait. My first time at the park I waited longer for Smoky Mountain Adventure than any of my dozen rides on Thunderhead.

 

You are right people won't talk about and go to Dollywood just for a dark ride. They go because they want a well rounded experience. An experience that can be made more well rounded with a dark ride. Coasters bring in a different type of customer, that kind of customer that spends less money than a family.

[dstephe9]

I have always said Dollywood is a strange park and a lot of people go for shows and shopping. I guess I should have been a little more clear. The people that go for rides usually say they are going for the coasters.

[maverickpoint]

Off topic of roller coasters but does anyone know the total cost of the DreamMore resort ??

[coasterfreaky]

Off topic of roller coasters but does anyone know the total cost of the DreamMore resort ??

 

Yes. Of the $300 million announcement last year, $150 million went to the resort. The other $150 million will be spent over the next 10 years (now 9 years) for additions and improvements to Splash Country and Dollywood, starting with Fire Chaser Express.

[ernierocker]

I am also hoping for a coaster. Dark rides are fun but I don't hear people going into parks like Dollywood and others talking about dark rides. They want coasters and Dollywood has done great building their collection. One more coaster will put them up there with most other parks ride wise IMO

 

Dollywood shows are more popular than the coasters

Well it depends on the person and time of the year. Dollywoods shows are more popular during Christmas and festival of nations and stuff. But during the summer they have a lot of people there for the rides.

 

As for shows they need to cater some to the younger generation now! Haha

 

So now you are admitting that some people are not going to Dollywood for the coasters?

 

I have seen the people of Dollywood at many different times throughout the year and a large percent don't go for the coasters. I have been their in the summer when the front of the park and the craftsmen areas were packed on the coasters were only a 30 minutes wait. My first time at the park I waited longer for Smoky Mountain Adventure than any of my dozen rides on Thunderhead.

 

You are right people won't talk about and go to Dollywood just for a dark ride. They go because they want a well rounded experience. An experience that can be made more well rounded with a dark ride. Coasters bring in a different type of customer, that kind of customer that spends less money than a family.

 

The park definitely attracts different types of customers throughout the year. The peak summer months and spring break tend to attract the thrill-seeking crowds. Other times of year, attract the crowds that are there for the crafts and shows. The park is absolutely trying to compete with the regional thrill parks such as Carowinds and Six Flags Over Georgia. They just are balancing it with family attraction additions.

[brenthodge]

I don't think they are trying to compete with regionals like carrowinds and 6 flags and cedar fair at all. I think they have their sights set higher ( they have said as much) that they are eyeing a more " national destination" status hence the on property resort. I think the goal is to keep adding immersive story and theme based attractions that cater to a range of demographics where families can experience attractions together. I for one will be disappointed if this new addition is a coaster right now unless it is something that raises the bar thematically and technologically.

[dstephe9]

You are correct in the long run they they want to be a national destination but right now they just don't have the attendance, attractions, or money to do that.

 

They mentioned universal before (very thrilling park compared to Disney) in interviews but universal spends 300mil on single rides.

 

This is also the whole reason they postponed the whole hotel, they wanted to build their attendance back up after the recession.

 

Wild eagle was one of the major items that built that attendance back up. It was a record breaking year for them attendance wise. Now the economy was getting much better but still wild eagle accounted for most of that.

 

Dollywood needs that kind of stuff to build their attendance up and bring in the national crowd.

 

I think a dark ride would be amazing at Dollywood but with their budget of 20mil I am not quit sure how they could pull off a record breaking dark ride that has never been seen before.. I believe they would need more money for that haha

 

Now maybe they are spending more than 20mil now. That price came out way before summer. Who knows [emoji1]

 

One step at a time. Local, regional, then national

[Shavethewhales]

I think we can all agree that DW has some lofty long range goals with national implications. This is one of the most diverse attractions in the country, and there's arguments to be made for all kinds of different ways to get there.

 

I know I started off the dark ride discussion, and I'd still love to see one, but the more I've been thinking about it the more I agree with the assumption that they are going to go after another major coaster or two to get them "over the hump" so to speak with attendance and revenue. Once they have 4-5 million guests a year they can really start to make a case to compete with Orlando and California. They're up to 2.5-3 million already right? With the resort and another couple major coasters/areas I think they can get to 4 by the end of this decade. Perhaps that's when they'll start going after really unique break-away attractions to set them apart from the amusement parks. (Not to say that what they have isn't already unique)

 

I'm really thinking now that this is going to be a super tall RMC. Something that will really grab attention within this area of the country and can be really hyped up for years to come. They did this with Wild Eagle already, and it really worked out for them. Just the visibility of a huge coaster does wonders for hype and marketing.

[bigcwd2000]

I'm really thinking now that this is going to be a super tall RMC. Something that will really grab attention within this area of the country and can be really hyped up for years to come. They did this with Wild Eagle already, and it really worked out for them. Just the visibility of a huge coaster does wonders for hype and marketing.

 

I like your way of thinking and I really hope that you are right.

[dstephe9]

I was riding the train one visit and when it started up the hill where u get a great view of wild eagle there was a lady that just yelled "holy **** look at that coaster" she hadnt been to that part of the park yet. So yes coasters grab attention even inside the park haha.

[dstephe9]

Went to Dollywood last night for the lights. Actually was only there for two hours, I arrived after dark.

 

All rides, including fire chaser where a walk on.. Literally no one in the station on hardly any ride except for wild eagle. It was still one train wait and that's it..

 

Lights are great like always!! Will be going back in a few weeks for a much longer trip.

[TPDave]

^Nice! I really want to go back to this place again, great staff and as your visits suggest the operations and presentation are still top notch!

[jray21]

Had a dream I was at Dollywood last night and was eating some Cinnamon Bread. Woke up and was so bummed it wasn't real.