Wily J Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mordecai-75 Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 ^ WOOOOOOOO!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nrthwnd Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Well. It's a diversion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dollywoodlover20 Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 While I was in TN I heard on the radio from Knoxville, they had someone from PR answering questions and promoting BBQ and Bluegrass. When asked about Lightning Rod the answer was "a couple of weeks". How many times are we going to hear "a few weeks" or "a couple weeks"? I mean I love Dollywood, I do but if they can't get this coaster open and running and it ends up in late June, that doesn't look good on both companies. When you tell people a couple of weeks, they will go from that day's date, at 2 weeks from then which puts LR opening the week of the 23rd. They'll plan a trip and be hyped up. Once they get to the park, and see that big sign that says "Lightning Rod is closed at this time" but they see it running the track, you get pissed off guests. There were again 4 occasions on my weekend trip I overheard people talking negatively about Dollywood for that reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajfelice Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 ^I wouldn't worry too much about any negative feelings guests or enthusiasts are expressing about Lightning Rod's delay (or in many belief circles, Lightning Rod's demise). "Few weeks" or "We do not know at this time when it will open" are pretty much the same response in my opinion. Some companies are more open about the nature of delays, with Dollywood being one of them, and some are more cryptic by never offering a hint as to the extent of a delay. Guests will be disappointed and talk negatively when given either response, because they are excited and want to ride. I do not think this delay will in any way tarnish the brand and experiences Dollywood is offering in the short or long term. With the horse beaten to a pulp, truer words can't be spoken that once the ride opens, almost all the negativity of the delay will be forgotten. Unfortunately for me, after waiting for eight years for the coaster of my dreams to be built, I still ride it thinking, "What it could have been if it didn't open a week late, after eight years of construction red tape?" That week still haunts me. Just as the people of Knoebels continue to scorn their coaster that was under construction for almost a decade. Oh wait... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickflipbacktail Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 I've personally stopped caring. When it opens it opens and it will be fantastic. I'm not really checking for updates as often, especially since once it opens it will EXPLODE on social media and I'll know pretty quick. They're working hard I'm sure guys. They will open it when it's ready. I don't know about anyone else but for me personally, having made the 4 hour + drive TWICE this year in hopes it would be open only to know as the date got closer that it wouldnt be this has certainly taught me a lesson in patience. Instead of trying again in 3-4 weeks I'm going to actually WAIT FOR THE RIDE TO OPEN before I book another trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bachir Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 We (family of 5) had a trip scheduled next week. I cancelled last night. One of the main reasons why we were checking out Dollywood (for the first time) was Lightning Rod. Hopefully we can reschedule the trip for late summer. We're driving 10 hours. I'd hate to make that kind of investment in time and money and not even ride the coaster that brought us there. I can't help but wonder how many other people are deciding the same thing. Not complaining, just stating the facts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickflipbacktail Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 We (family of 5) had a tripped scheduled next week. I cancelled last night. One of the main reasons why we were checking out Dollywood (for the first time) was Lightning Rod. Hopefully we can reschedule the trip for late summer. We're driving 10 hours. I'd hate to make that kind of investment in time and money and not even ride the coaster that brought us there. I can't help but wonder how many other people are deciding the same thing. Not complaining, just stating the facts. THIS is being smart. I don't live anywhere near that far away but I canceled my trip next month just to not waste on hotels gas and food if it's still closed and have to come back anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickflipbacktail Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Edit- phone sometimes will double post. My apologies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VF15 Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 (edited) Going to be at Dollywood in a little under two weeks, Lightning Rod or not. Can't back out of the trip since we already have the flight booked. I guess they could possibly have it open by then if nothing goes significantly wrong, but I'm not counting on it. Edited May 10, 2016 by VF15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SixFlagsAstroworld Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Going to be at Dollywood in a little under two weeks, Lightning Rod or not. Can't back out of the trip since we already have the flight booked and hotel room reserved. I guess they could possibly have it open by then if nothing goes significantly wrong, but I'm not counting on it. #Itwillneveropen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterjunkie1975 Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 We (family of 5) had a trip scheduled next week. I cancelled last night. One of the main reasons why we were checking out Dollywood (for the first time) was Lightning Rod. Hopefully we can reschedule the trip for late summer. We're driving 10 hours. I'd hate to make that kind of investment in time and money and not even ride the coaster that brought us there. I can't help but wonder how many other people are deciding the same thing. Not complaining, just stating the facts. Very similiar story here as well. My buddy and our girlfriends were going to make our first ever trip down to Dollywood this weekend but yesterday we decided to go to Holiday World and Kentucky Kingdom instead. I know even without Lightning Rod that we would have a great time at the park but it might be 6 or 7 more years before we ever decide to make the almost 12 hour drive down so it's just better for us to postpone the trip (maybe October) until the ride that finally got us wanting to visit Dollywood in the first place is finally open. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ASE Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 I'd hold off until Lightning Rod opens if anyone is planning to visit on a weekend. The crowds have been huge, lines have been long, etc...Lightning Rod should help crowd levels & wait times throughout the park once it opens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoinItForTheFame Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 I'd hold off until Lightning Rod opens if anyone is planning to visit on a weekend. The crowds have been huge, lines have been long, etc...Lightning Rod should help crowd levels & wait times throughout the park once it opens. You're right. It will help with wait times, and crowd levels in the park. It's going to make them both go up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dollywoodlover20 Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 I'd hold off until Lightning Rod opens if anyone is planning to visit on a weekend. The crowds have been huge, lines have been long, etc...Lightning Rod should help crowd levels & wait times throughout the park once it opens. Yea I was checking my Dollywood App while I was down this past weekend and Mystery Mine kept a constant 1hr+ wait. Tennessee Tornado was around 50 mins. FCE was near 2 hours, Thunderhead was like 20-30, Wild Eagle was 50-1hr. Looked like a pretty packed day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
appel Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Very similiar story here as well. My buddy and our girlfriends were going to make our first ever trip down to Dollywood this weekend but yesterday we decided to go to Holiday World and Kentucky Kingdom instead. I know even without Lightning Rod that we would have a great time at the park but it might be 6 or 7 more years before we ever decide to make the almost 12 hour drive down so it's just better for us to postpone the trip (maybe October) until the ride that finally got us wanting to visit Dollywood in the first place is finally open.. We are flying over from Germany (June,25th until July,16th) to visit a few parks (Cedar Point, SFGADV, SFNE, Hershey). We plan to include Dollywood because of Ligtning Rod, but if the ride won't be open until the 10th, July, we will reschedule and visit Kings Dominion instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickflipbacktail Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Very similiar story here as well. My buddy and our girlfriends were going to make our first ever trip down to Dollywood this weekend but yesterday we decided to go to Holiday World and Kentucky Kingdom instead. I know even without Lightning Rod that we would have a great time at the park but it might be 6 or 7 more years before we ever decide to make the almost 12 hour drive down so it's just better for us to postpone the trip (maybe October) until the ride that finally got us wanting to visit Dollywood in the first place is finally open.. We are flying over from Germany (June,25th until July,16th) to visit a few parks (Cedar Point, SFGADV, SFNE, Hershey). We plan to include Dollywood because of Ligtning Rod, but if the ride won't be open until the 10th, July, we will reschedule and visit Kings Dominion instead. I'd personally go to Kings Dominion over Dollywood just for the coasters but that's just me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
appel Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Very similiar story here as well. My buddy and our girlfriends were going to make our first ever trip down to Dollywood this weekend but yesterday we decided to go to Holiday World and Kentucky Kingdom instead. I know even without Lightning Rod that we would have a great time at the park but it might be 6 or 7 more years before we ever decide to make the almost 12 hour drive down so it's just better for us to postpone the trip (maybe October) until the ride that finally got us wanting to visit Dollywood in the first place is finally open.. We are flying over from Germany (June,25th until July,16th) to visit a few parks (Cedar Point, SFGADV, SFNE, Hershey). We plan to include Dollywood because of Ligtning Rod, but if the ride won't be open until the 10th, July, we will reschedule and visit Kings Dominion instead. I'd personally go to Kings Dominion over Dollywood just for the coasters but that's just me. We have been to both parks (Kings Dominion in 2012, Dollywood last year), so the only reason to come back to Pigeon Forge would be Lightning Rod If they cannot have it open by then, we will spend our money elsewhere Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickflipbacktail Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 If it's not open by July all hope is lost haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HTF Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 I'd hold off until Lightning Rod opens if anyone is planning to visit on a weekend. The crowds have been huge, lines have been long, etc...Lightning Rod should help crowd levels & wait times throughout the park once it opens. I'll be there next Wednesday and Thursday for the first time in years. How have waits been during the week? As for LR I'm keeping a very positive vibe about it opening next week Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy T. Koepp Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 If it's not open by July all hope is lost haha. Prepare to have all your hope lost! #Itllneveropen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoinItForTheFame Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 If it's not open by July all hope is lost haha. Prepare to have all your hope lost! #Itllneveropen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wily J Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whodey Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 We went on Monday after 3 and the longest wait was 5 minutes. We are tomorrow I'll let you know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ASE Posted May 11, 2016 Share Posted May 11, 2016 Fire at Dollywood! I hear Guy is a suspect........ http://wate.com/2016/05/10/small-fire-quickly-put-out-at-dollywood-building/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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