Dollywood Discussion Thread

[Electerik]

Misty and I swung by this evening for our first visit of the Christmas season, and while there is much that is the same as in previous years, there is one new thing I want to report on: They've decked out the inside of Blazing Fury with Christmas lights! Very cool!

[jamesdillaman]

^ Sounds awesome! Can't wait to see it in a little over a month! Hope it's over 40 when we're there, though....

[ernierocker]

We might be interested in meeting up on the 20th.

 

Does anyone know if we could upgrade to a 2010 season pass (since they are already for sale) by using our general admission ticket?

[bpmitchell]

I am going down for my 26th birthday which happens to fall on December 24th. I am actually going the weekend before so happy birthday to me at Dollywood.

[larrygator]

We might be interested in meeting up on the 20th.

 

Does anyone know if we could upgrade to a 2010 season pass (since they are already for sale) by using our general admission ticket?

 

 

It appears that buying a 2010 Season Pass let's you visit during Smoky Mountain Christmas at no charge.

www.dollywood.com/ticket-prices/?track=DWFESTMPPRICES

[I love DW]

If you've already bought your one day ticket yes you can just upgrade for $25 to a regular Season Pass. If you've not bought your one day ticket yet just go ahead and get the Season Pass to begin with (you will pay the same prices either way).

 

I would suggest one person in your party (the one who will be buying the stuff) get a Gold Season Pass so you get free parking, and 20% off food and merchandise.

[Squid]

December 20th? Might be doable... I'll check with the wife and see what her new job says.

 

Squid

[ernierocker]

^^ and ^^^ Thanks!

 

Looks like they have either updated the website with that information recently or I completely failed at finding it the first time.

 

I'll more than likely try and meet up with everyone.

[Hockeydad]

We plan to be in Pigeon Forge from December 26-30, and will be at the park at least one day, possibly two if we do decide to get season passes. I can't wait, DW is one of my favorite parks to visit!

 

So far we know for sure were staying at the National Parks Resort Lodge, going to the Black Bear Jamboree one night, and we'll be heading over to Gatlinburg to go to Bubba Gumps, (never been there before).

[angryemobeaver]

I want to go, but I don't know if I'll be able to. I just got my license about two weeks ago, but I don't think my parents would let me drive about six hours away this early. I have friends going, but they are all from Cinci and Indy is out of the way, hopefully I'll find a ride.

[Pufferfish]

Hearing that there's so many people trying to be there on the 20th, if my schedule allows it, I might as well try to head on up too. The detour shouldn't be too bad, stupid rockslide.

[jray21]

Oh man, it looks great! I am really going to try to go! I absolutely loved Dollywood on the Deep South TPR trip.

[jamesdillaman]

Wow, it seems like it might be a mini TPR meetup on the 20th. The more the merrier (get the Christmas reference? HA!) as far as I'm concerned. I know Zach (PKI Jizz Man) and I will be thrilled to meet any and all TPR members who want to make the trip. Once again, I can't WAIT to see Blazing Fury blazing with christmas lights!

 

-James Dillaman

[jamesdillaman]

I have friends who live about two hours from Pigeon Forge, and I still can't convince them to go to Dollywood. This might make a nice long weekend jaunt for my parents and I this December, though.

 

Chuck! You so should try and be there on the 20th, too. Julia will be with me, as well as Guy and Zach. We'd love to see you! Hope all is well with the huge hummel boy!

[I love DW]

Construction update from this past Saturday November 21, 2009.

 

The course has went vertical in the last month and a half, with ropes being readied to install.

This is the side closest to River Battle.

The center of the attraction.

Adventure Mountain is taking shape. 11-21-09

[jedimaster1227]

Dollywood has posted an interesting little teaser of the construction going on for Adventure Mountain:

 

[odene497]

I'm so excited for this. As with Liseberg, all TPR trips should have add-ons to Dollywood.

[I love DW]

Dollywood recently posted 3 photos of the construction since the end of the season in the album "wall photos" on their new Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dollywood/239284692239

 

Adventure Mountain had a press preview day this week as well. Related articles:

 

WBIR TV

 

The Mountain Press

[jedimaster1227]

http://mountainpress.uber.matchbin.net/printer_friendly/5614447

 

Dollywood is moving a mountain this year to ensure its visitors have what park officials call “an experience you can only get at Dollywood.”

 

After being put off for a year thanks to the sagging economy and rising steel prices, work on the new Adventure Mountain attraction is progressing quickly. Media representatives were given a sneak peek at the construction effort, which is set to be completed in time for the area to be open when the park opens for its 25th season on March 27, on Wednesday.

 

Park spokesman Pete Owens and Attractions Manager Jeff Manning led the tour of what will be the largest challenge course in America, with 46 different elements, four separate courses, a children’s area, and more than two miles of ropes and cables. “It’s a staggering amount of equipment that has been brought in and work that has been done here,” Owens said. “It is unique and it is the biggest of its kind in the country. There are only a few other theme parks that have this kind of thing, and they aren’t close to the size and scope of this one.”

 

The highly themed attraction is being constructed in the style of the buildings government workers built in the national park seven decades ago. Rock facades will cover much of the steel skeleton, while support structures will resemble something akin to an old fire tower. “It’s going to be themed after Civilian Conservation Corps-era architecture in the park,” Owens explained. “Each of the elements will also have its own unique features, so the Geyser Gulch area will have several water features and other areas will have rock ledges our guests will actually climb on.”

 

Underneath and between all that thematic construction is what amounts to a safe version of some of the activities visitors to the national park enjoy. For instance, visitors may find themselves inching across logs, making their way over rope bridges or braving a rocky ledge while hanging over a portion of the park’s Wilderness Pass. All that will be done at as much as 35 feet off the ground, Manning said.

 

Of course, every precaution will be taken to ensure those who take part in Adventure Mountain, which comes with the price of admission to the park, do so at their own comfort level and in complete safety. “This is going to look and feel like it is part of the Smokies,” Owens said. “It will give people the opportunity to experience some of the things they might want to do if they were in the park, like rock climbing, but with the advantage that you know you’re completely safe. Even if you make a misstep, you’re not going anywhere.” Participants will be strapped into safety harnesses that will be hooked into a system of overhead security rails through what park officials have taken to calling a puck. That small piece of plastic and metal will ensure that even a fall won’t become serious, while park staffers will be stationed throughout the attraction to offer assistance and further safety. “If you should lose your footing on the attraction, the most you’re going to drop is 6 to 8 inches,” Manning assured. “We’ll have hosts at each level to help people if they should fall or have trouble making it across an element.”

 

As they wait in line, participants will see a video outlining each of the four courses of varying difficulty, giving them a chance to pick their route. The tracks range from an easy one that includes steps and lightly-pitched ramps, to the hardest which includes those log and rope bridges, among other things. “This will include every element the manufacturer currently makes,” Owens said. “It can be a different adventure each time because you can choose different elements from each course. This is going to be a great attraction for families with children because they can all go together, with the littlest kids on the easier course and the older ones on the hard course.”

 

Park officials are excited to unveil the attraction as Dollywood’s 25th anniversary season kicks off, Owens said. “I think this is going to be a jewel in that 25th anniversary crown,” he said. “We’re always on the lookout for those unique attractions and we think we’ve been successful at finding that here. We’re creating attractions and experiences that you’ve got to come to Dollywood to do and have.” That’s because, Owens explained, Adventure Mountain will be unlike almost any other theme park attraction in the country.

 

“Most theme park attractions are pretty sedentary. More or less you’re just cargo on a ride,” he said. “This is all you moving yourself through the attraction. This will be a totally interactive experience.”

[SharkTums]

Dollywood is awesome. Is there anything else that we really need to say!?!?

 

Can't wait to see this in person this summer! Also love the fact that they have a small children's area right at this attraction for those who are not 42'' tall. That will make 'baby swapping' with KT that much easier!

 

Dollywood is one of the best parks in the US for families in part due to their planning and layout of small children's activities right next to the larger rides. I hate parks that segregate the little kids in one area and have almost nothing else in the rest of the park for them to do!

[WFChris]

Sorry if it has been answered, but is this going to be an upcharge attraction?

[jray21]

^ No, that's the amazing part! The article says it's included with the price of admission.

[SharkTums]

^^Think of it like an unmanned ropes course. Hansa Park had one that I imagine will be similar to Adventure Mountain.

 

 

 

It worked well because there were multiple courses and you could pass slow people at each 'junction'.

[I love DW]

Dollywood has posted three new photos on their Facebook Fan Page of Adventure Mountain Construction: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dollywood/239284692239

[tntornadox]

I know this thread it old, but it's the newest Dollywood thread I can find where I am gonna share some sad, developing news:

 

From WBIR/Knoxville:

A worker at Dollywood has suffered a 25-foot fall while painting the load platform of the Tennessee Tornado.

 

Dollywood spokesman Pete Owens said the worker, a host, fell around 3:45 Tuesday afternoon, and that Dollywood paramedics and the Pigeon Forge Fire Department responded immediately.

 

The worker has been taken to UT Medical Center for treatment. Owens said the thoughts and prayers of everyone at Dollywood are with her and her family, but that he did not have an official patient condition to report.

Link: www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=114034

Folks, please keep this person in your thoughts, as this is a bad situation for the entire Dollywood family and those of us who have worked that ride over the years.