Dollywood Discussion Thread

[tntornadox]

Thrillnetwork hosted Pete Owens tonight for an industry chat and he revealed a few clues to the 2012 addition:

 

- Most spent on a new attraction in park history. This means it will run more than Mystery Mine, which was at a whopping $17.5 Million itself.

 

- It is a roller coaster. Pete gave us a name of a parts supplier which when Google'd comes up with the major wheel provider for most of the coaster manufacturers.

 

- It is indeed taller than the 11' tall misprint in the newspaper article.

 

- First of its type in the U.S.

 

- One element will break a world record.

 

- Will be on the ridgetop between Craftsman's Valley and Timber Canyon.

 

The name will be announced at Boomsday in Knoxville, which is on Labor Day. Boomsday is the largest Labor Day fireworks show in the U.S.

[Gerstlauer1]

Now it's beginning to be exiting!

 

So this will be the first of it´s kind in the US.

 

My guess at the moment would be a Gerstlauer Launch Coaster.

[RollerCoasterSmi]

I'm now begging my parents to delay USA trip till 2012...

 

[Hilltopper39]

Gerstlauer Bobsled coaster with the worlds largest drop in a 4 seat Mild Mouse style car (I know this probably isn't it but how crazy would a 185 foot drop in a wild mouse car be?)

[Skycoastin Steve]

So far for 2012 I have to go to Hershey, BGW, Dollywood, probably SFOG, probably CP (I'm guessing they have a new coaster for next year), and then the TPR China trip. Anyone want to donate some money to me?

[coasterbear30]

Intamin Mega Lite

[dragonskeep]

^^ Sounds like a good year, enjoy it. I am looking forward to seeing this one come together.

 

^ A Megalite type ride would be great. One with a nice long layout and maybe a return launch.

[angryemobeaver]

"The first of it's kind in the US", that sounds like it will be a B&M Wingrider like Raptor at Gardaland. For "one element will break a world record", thats tricky... Could it be "the fastest speed taken through an inline twist", or like "tallest inversion"? Whatever it is, I'm very excited to return back to Dollywood!

[PhantomNick]

So far for 2012 I have to go to Hershey, BGW, Dollywood, probably SFOG, probably CP (I'm guessing they have a new coaster for next year), and then the TPR China trip. Anyone want to donate some money to me?

 

Hmmm, well, I suppose I could send some money your way, but then someone would need to do the same for my wife and I and some of our upcoming park visits over this year and next. Guess that wouldn't be too productive then!

 

But yeah, 2012 is shaping up to be an awesome coaster year! I've always wanted to go to Dollywood, and this might make it a necessity!

[KDcoasterMAN]

So far for 2012 I have to go to Hershey, BGW, Dollywood, probably SFOG, probably CP (I'm guessing they have a new coaster for next year), and then the TPR China trip. Anyone want to donate some money to me?

 

Your not the only one. Lucky for most of the year (including next spring) I'm located in Blacksburg, VA so a trip to Dollywood is only a day trip! Hershey from my hometown is only 4 ours so woohoo! But SFOG & CP... I want to go back so bad.

[Blind Idiot God]

Based on the "first of its type in the US" bit, plus the cost... it's probably a Wingrider.

[RollerCoasterSmi]

^ For world record: world's longest barrel roll...

[Blind Idiot God]

^ Or possibly a dive loop, considering that the Wingriders would most likely be able to pull one off.

[RollerCoasterSmi]

^ How would that be a world record?

[Blind Idiot God]

World's largest dive loop.

[dippindotsguy8]

A dive loop would be so amazing on a wingrider...

[DarkStitch626]

Dive loops are an appeal on many coasters BUT , See it wouldn't be the first dive loop on a "wing rider" IF that is what it is at all. Thorpe Parks wing rider's MAIN drop..IS infact a dive loop.

[dragonskeep]

^^ I think this is true but do not want a Wingrider. I am hoping for something more traditional not what I consider a gimmick. Many of the hints do point to that though.

[ILoveRides]

Since SFMM canceled their plans to build this, maybe Dollywood is putting in a Fanboys Rejoice?

I think it satisfies all the clues.

[Ryancrash]

I've always thought Dollywood should add a terrain hyper coaster. No one's built one of those yet. Just imagine the possibilities, with Dollywood's amazing Smoky Mountain landscape, huge drops hugging the contours of the woody hillsides...

[chickenbowl]

I'm definitely hoping for an Intamin Mega lite of some sort.

[ernierocker]

In case you missed it or forgot, we also know this about the coaster from an earlier report:

 

The site plan approved by the group shows considerable excavation that will have to be done on the hill below the Sky Zip platforms to carve out a place for the ride. It also depicts a lengthy and winding ride track, the relocation of a few buildings, and plans to construct a couple new ones. One of those structures is being considered for a retail space, Wantiez said.

 

 

A "lengthy and winding ride track" doesn't necessary rule out a wingrider, but I am still thinking a launched terrain coaster. I don't know what will make it the first of its kind in the U.S. but it could be more of a marketing ploy and be something small that makes it unique.

[tntornadox]

I thought wing-rider as well... who knows, maybe B&M could take it a step further and introduce their first 4D? Wishful thinking.

 

I'd love a mega-lite as well.

[Geauga Dog]

Lately one says "Wingrider" and it's B&M but what about a terrain hugging Intamin Wingrider, with launch sections?

 

There really isn't too much out there that would be considered a first in the U.S.

[DarkStitch626]

On behalf of myself, and before 200 pages of speculating of an Aquatrax, or some odd insane rumors, and arguing. I'd like to point out at least ONE factor. We can thank Dollywood for NEVER missing a step, or disappointing us with any attraction they have EVER built. I am always pleased to see when they build an attraction as world class as say Thunderhead.