coasterfreaky Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 For the locals and frequent visitors... I also will be riding my first mountain coaster on this trip, and it looks amazing, are there more than one in the PF?Gatlinburg area? Thanks for helping out a yankee on his first time at what seems to be an amazingly beautiful park. Three are currently operating and one is under construction at Ober Gatlinburg. Three have videos on Youtube if you want to preview them. Theres the first one that opened that’s in Wears Valley, just outside Sevierville, which is the longest of the bunch… www.smokymountainalpinecoaster.com There’s the one in Gatlinburg, near Hillbilly Golf… www.gatlinburgmountaincoaster.com The third one is at Goats On The Roof… This one is not far from the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster, in Wears Valley. www.goatsontheroofofthesmokies.com/ The fourth one will be at Ober Gatlinburg, its under construction and it’s said to be a different manufacturer than these other three. And also Ober has the very very old Alpine SLIDE coaster as well…it’s a concrete trough, and pretty short compared to these others. No info on the Alpine Coaster yet on their website. http://www.obergatlinburg.com/activity/alpine-slide/
coasterknutt Posted March 28, 2015 Posted March 28, 2015 I saw a video on facebook that showed whats new for every month of the year; They got to Decemcer ans said they will be having a New Years Celebration, SO does that mean they are going to be open till midnight? Thoughts?
DollyWould Posted March 28, 2015 Posted March 28, 2015 I saw a video on facebook that showed whats new for every month of the year; They got to Decemcer ans said they will be having a New Years Celebration, SO does that mean they are going to be open till midnight? Thoughts? Yes...that's exactly what that means! That same video was played last Friday morning during Dolly's 30th Anniversary presentation for Dollywood's media/season pass preview day at the Celebrity Theater. The press hasn't picked up on this fact at ALL! It will be the first time the park has ever been officially open past 10 PM & until midnight, in it's 30 year history. I'm certain exact details will be released as the time comes closer, but the video/pictures suggest that fireworks will be part of the festivities! It would be nice if Dolly were involved as well that evening, but I wouldn't count on it.
dstephe9 Posted March 28, 2015 Posted March 28, 2015 That's exciting! Can't wait, wonder how late they will be open? 1 2 3 am? Anyone know? I believe six flags was open until 1 am last year for it but not sure Or they closing at midnight which would be odd for a new years celebration haha. I would imagine 1 am at least? Or alright its new years time to leave! Haha
coasterfreaky Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 Mini-trip report from Friday 3/27….10a-2:30ish. The weather wasn’t great when I left Knoxville…cloudy, cold but dry. Got to Dollywood – cloudy, cold and drizzle all of the morning until we left and the sun started peeking out around 2 or so. I think the high was in the low 40’s, so Mystery Mine wasn’t operating and I saw FCE testing, but never operating while we were there. LOW CROWDS that morning meant lots of re-rides on Barnstormer, Wild Eagle, Thunderhead. All the rides were walk-ons or one train wait. Thunderhead is best in drizzle…running great and smoother than at the end of the last season. Blazing Fury has never looked as good as it does now. I was surprised that all the scenes have had some sprucing up and they’ve added a few new scenes and new finale, and I’m pretty sure I heard some new audio in the ride as well, mostly new sound effects. The new track work was very smooth. I never thought it was rough in the first place, but now it has very smooth two last drops and finale. I have officially ridden my first RMC, lol. The parking lot looked to be about 97% complete in terms of painted lines. I did not realize that they re-oriented the parking rows in the lots closest to the park. Instead of the loooong rows of parking, there are now shorter rows of parking that run perpendicular to the road and that makes it easier to get in and out and see open parking spaces, in my opinion. HUGE IMPROVEMENT. The D&E-tram stop was moved around the corner away from the park and the old C-tram stop was moved closer to the park. I tried grilling a few employees about the new ride. Didn’t get much info other than the employees have been told the access road by Rockin’ Roadway will close during construction. I can’t imagine this to be a permanent thing, as the Pigeon Forge trolley uses this route, but we’ll see.
ernierocker Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 (edited) ^They are re-routing the trolley to enter on McCarter Hollow Rd. and drop off at the resort entrance. Did Mystery Mine ever open? It was closed all day Thursday. Edited March 30, 2015 by ernierocker
jarmor Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 ^ I saw the trolleys traversing behind the park on the normal route all day Thursday. MM never open thursday which was a bummer. As far as 2016 goes...it has wheels, a track and you can sit on it...that's what was told. And don't count on it being an extension of the train, no train can make it up that mountain...well one type of train can...
ernierocker Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 ^I edited my post. They will re-route later in the year.
coasterfreaky Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 ^They are re-routing the trolley to enter on McCarter Hollow Rd. and drop off at the resort entrance. Did Mystery Mine ever open? It was closed all day Thursday. I did not see MM run while I was there from 10-2:30, but not sure after I left. There was just a chain at the entrance with the closed message on it, no staff there. We walked past it twice and I did not see any people in the station or around it. I guess it was more than cold temps keeping it closed Friday.
Dollywoodlover20 Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 With the rumors of 2016 starting again, Ive thought. What else could it be besides a coaster? Yes we've thought about a ride like Radiator Springs Racers, but I looked at the layout size of an attraction like those it is absolutely massive, especially for the area Dollywood is currently looking at. I mean I may be fooled when the announcement comes, but I am still holding to my guess on a launch coaster. Maybe a dueling launch? Another thought, remember how Thunder Road has always been a big theme in that area of the park? What if that was brought back for good? Not in particular the name, but the theme? Just a thought. Radiator Springs Racers'
Bobby2889 Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 A trademark has been filed for the name "SHOT ROD" can't wait to see how this all turns out.
WildEagle2014 Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 My fiancé and I were at the park last week in line for MM when all of a sudden 4 or 5 park maintenance guys showed up and instructed the ride operator to shut down the ride and empty the station. Everyone was told the ride is now closed and to leave. Yesterday we were back at the park and MM was up and running so we went back. We asked one of the young ride operators what happened and he said Dollywood had found out that the restraints that MM used had been recalled and Dollywood was still running the ride with the old restraints. So the ride was shut down while Dollywood investigated, repaired, replaced any needed. Anyone heard of this recall or know more? Could it be something of the six flags fatal accident?
dstephe9 Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 Doubt it.. Same train manufacturer but totally different types of cars and restraints.. More than likely it was just a sensor or something on the restraints that where recalled.. Dollywood wouldn't have the time between now and then to replace all the restraints so it had to be just a small part of the restraint system that needed replaced or maybe just inspected Also like I said it could be like a automotive recall where the item just needs inspection and not all have to be replaced.. Might have just inspected everything and got the green light to keep operating
Dollywoodlover20 Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 Yes like was said above, I don't think it was something similar of the six flags situation. Plus if Dollywood had to replace all the restraints, it would be closed at least a week due to having to order them from Gerstlauer, have them shipped, place and test them all. So I'm hearing from a few places as said above the new coaster is supposed to be called "Shot Rod". I looked for the trade mark last night and did indeed find it. It was filed on March 19th, 2015 by Herschend Family Entertainment. The description basically said it was "a park ride, namely a roller coaster with a classic car theme". So unless SDC is planning to copy Dollywood by doing the exact same thing, I think we just found out a few things here.www.trademarkia.com/shot-rod-86570239.html
dstephe9 Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 Bingo I bet that is our ride! Not really sure I like the name though... Haha
EastCoastKid Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 Oh god...regardless of what the ride turns out to be, the name is just atrocious. Really? Shot Rod? Doesn't sound like a roller coaster to me, if you know what I'm saying...
TyRush Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 I kinda like the name. Hot rod, but a launched rollercoaster? Shot Rod. I just hope this turns out to be a big addition and not something small.
dstephe9 Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 Oh god...regardless of what the ride turns out to be, the name is just atrocious. Really? Shot Rod? Doesn't sound like a roller coaster to me, if you know what I'm saying... No, it sounds like a coaster to me but more of a lazy name.. Like a name you would find at a six flags park without much of a theme.. Haha but that's just me Just sounds lazy and generic especially for Dollywood standards
Shavethewhales Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 It's a short and catchy name. Easy to build a logo around and slap on t-shirts. It's good enough for me, and I'm usually the picky one. Kinda lets the cat out of the bag that this will be a launched coaster themed to hot rods though... Now we just have to wait 5 months to see the details.
dstephe9 Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 Haha I believe the promo video let that out of the bag mostly
dstephe9 Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 Didn't think of that.. Maybe the ride will have a bigger name and each coaster has its own!
beenagins87 Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 My fiancé and I were at the park last week in line for MM when all of a sudden 4 or 5 park maintenance guys showed up and instructed the ride operator to shut down the ride and empty the station. Everyone was told the ride is now closed and to leave. Yesterday we were back at the park and MM was up and running so we went back. We asked one of the young ride operators what happened and he said Dollywood had found out that the restraints that MM used had been recalled and Dollywood was still running the ride with the old restraints. So the ride was shut down while Dollywood investigated, repaired, replaced any needed. Anyone heard of this recall or know more? Could it be something of the six flags fatal accident? Mystery Mine would be a GREAT ride if it had the same kind of restraints as Dare Devil Dive.
dstephe9 Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 My fiancé and I were at the park last week in line for MM when all of a sudden 4 or 5 park maintenance guys showed up and instructed the ride operator to shut down the ride and empty the station. Everyone was told the ride is now closed and to leave. Yesterday we were back at the park and MM was up and running so we went back. We asked one of the young ride operators what happened and he said Dollywood had found out that the restraints that MM used had been recalled and Dollywood was still running the ride with the old restraints. So the ride was shut down while Dollywood investigated, repaired, replaced any needed. Anyone heard of this recall or know more? Could it be something of the six flags fatal accident? Mystery Mine would be a GREAT ride if it had the same kind of restraints as Dare Devil Dive. I agree and I have said that for years.. My gf doesn't think so though she hates the lap only restraints of DDD haha
dstephe9 Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 Hopefully I can hit up Dollywood Thursday.. I am off and they are calling for storms but also saying mostly sunny.. I assume its like today's weather I hope..
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