Dollywood Discussion Thread

[beenagins87]

^ The banner was on the website all day yesterday, until last night when I noticed it disappeared. As of now, the banner is still gone. I'm hoping someone on here who could be visiting the park today can confirm.

 

*Edit: I've only seen TN Tornado run both trains ONCE during the visits I had the past 4-5 years. That particular time was on a super crowded May weekend, which happened to be the most crowded I've ever seen at the park. I believe that was back in May 2012.

 

Yea I've never seen Tornado run two trains during the week, it never needs to, but even then you could always see the other train on the track in the storage shed right before the lift hill. I didn't see it at all, so maybe they started early rehab on it??

[Jccoasterfan]

^ The banner was on the website all day yesterday, until last night when I noticed it disappeared. As of now, the banner is still gone. I'm hoping someone on here who could be visiting the park today can confirm.

 

*Edit: I've only seen TN Tornado run both trains ONCE during the visits I had the past 4-5 years. That particular time was on a super crowded May weekend, which happened to be the most crowded I've ever seen at the park. I believe that was back in May 2012.

 

Yea I've never seen Tornado run two trains during the week, it never needs to, but even then you could always see the other train on the track in the storage shed right before the lift hill. I didn't see it at all, so maybe they started early rehab on it??

When I visited the park back in July, the second train was still there. Not sure when they took it off, but it sounds like it happened more recently. That's my guess because I've seen past times where that train would disappear before the season ended. Who knows.

[coasterdude5]

I'm at the park today and Lightning Rod only had a couple short bouts of downtime during my 60-ish minute wait. I was shocked that the entire queue wasn't full considering the holiday weekend (and the park is swamped due to a Christian rock festival).

 

I haven't ridden it since mid-June right before the part recall. I rode in the front row — it's a little shakier than I remember, but still an amazing ride.

 

On an unrelated note, Dollywood Express is still closed. Which is a bummer since I always try to ride it whenever I'm at the park. And Tennessee Tornado is only running one train, which equates to an unusual 30-minute wait.

[Jccoasterfan]

I'm at the park today and Lightning Rod only had a couple short bouts of downtime during my 60-ish minute wait. I was shocked that the entire queue wasn't full considering the holiday weekend (and the park is swamped due to a Christian rock festival).

 

I haven't ridden it since mid-June right before the part recall. I rode in the front row — it's a little shakier than I remember, but still an amazing ride.

 

On an unrelated note, Dollywood Express is still closed. Which is a bummer since I always try to ride it whenever I'm at the park. And Tennessee Tornado is only running one train, which equates to an unusual 30-minute wait.

Is the coaster still running in tech rehearsal mode? It was discussed earlier how the banner disappeared from the website.

[dstephe9]

The sign is still up at the park yes.. not sure if that is the answer ur looking for or not but the sign is still beside ticket windows and the coaster

 

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[Jccoasterfan]

^ Nah that answer is fine. Not sure why they took it off the website though. As long as its running next Friday, I'll be good. We're taking the risk and we know we'll still have fun regardless.

[coasterdude5]

...and Lightning Rod has been down for about an hour (if not longer). I guess I spoke too soon.

 

I didn't see the sign (wasn't really looking for it, though). But I would assume it's still in technical rehearsal mode.

[Jccoasterfan]

...and Lightning Rod has been down for about an hour (if not longer). I guess I spoke too soon.

 

I didn't see the sign (wasn't really looking for it, though). But I would assume it's still in technical rehearsal mode.

The issues seem to never end unfortunately.

 

Same here, and I doubt we will ever see the coaster out of technical rehearsal anytime soon, or likely the rest of the season.

[bluestreak]

Hopefully it reopens tonight. Or at least tomorrow.

Edit* It's open now... seems like only 1 train. I don't care though!

Edit** It's running two. Sorry for my constant updates

Evan "Very excited Clevelander who is on his second trip to the park this year." Schulz.

[kickflipbacktail]

On my way to the park from Atlanta with my brother and girlfried. Getting there an hour early and waiting for Lightning Rod. This is my last chance to ride the coaster before I move back up north. Fingers crossed!!!

 

 

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[coasterdude5]

^ At least in June they opened it before the 10 a.m. park opening (guests are allowed in the park before that time). Hopefully they'll do the same today.

[kickflipbacktail]

I'm at the park right now. Lightning Rod is testing with 2 trains. They're holding us at the entrance to Jukebox Junction until 10am. Hoping I finally get to ride today.

[DILinator]

Have there been any further rumblings about Thrills in the Hills still happening this year? I already got my tickets for the event refunded, and am unlikely to go at this point, but I was just curious if those who have hung on to their tickets have heard any update. Thanks!

[BellasMom]

Have there been any further rumblings about Thrills in the Hills still happening this year? I already got my tickets for the event refunded, and am unlikely to go at this point, but I was just curious if those who have hung on to their tickets have heard any update. Thanks!

 

The website stills says that Thrills in the Hills has been postponed until a date later in the season. I haven't refunded my ticket yet because I'm still hoping to be able to go if they do reschedule it.

[BBparks57]

Thinking about heading in to the park today, how are the crowds? Wait times look slightly longer than normal but not bad based on the app. Obligatory is lightening rod running? Thanks!

[coasterdude5]

Thinking about heading in to the park today, how are the crowds? Wait times look slightly longer than normal but not bad based on the app. Obligatory is lightening rod running? Thanks!

The park is crowded but not more so than yesterday with the Christian music festival.

 

Lightning Rod (as of earlier) was only running one train with two rows blocked off, so the wait was around 2 1/2 hours. An op said they'd be adding the second train later, but I'm not sure how much that will help.

[BBparks57]

Great thanks! Probably will head in after lunch.

[Jccoasterfan]

Glad they finally list the wait times for LR! More proof that the coaster has a two hour+ wait currently:

[kickflipbacktail]

Thinking about heading in to the park today, how are the crowds? Wait times look slightly longer than normal but not bad based on the app. Obligatory is lightening rod running? Thanks!

 

Lightning Rod is running. I took my first ride today in the very back seat. This is coaster 81 for me and it instantly SHOT to the number 1 spot for me. I am with my family and girlfriend so we're going on everything. Been on every coaster except Thunderhead and then it's straight back to Lightning Rod!!

 

The only airtime that has ever come close to Lightning Rod that I've personally ridden has been El Toro or Skyrush and neither has as many ejector airtime elements. Such an incredible coaster.

 

 

 

Edit-Update. 2pm in line for ride 2. 2 train ops.

[dstephe9]

Now that it is two train ops, do they still have rows blocked off? In the photo the train looks fairly full but I do see that one empty seat

 

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[kickflipbacktail]

Now that it is two train ops, do they still have rows blocked off? In the photo the train looks fairly full but I do see that one empty seat

 

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2 middle rows blocked off. It went back to one train ops and then back to two today. I'm in line for my last ride of the day and we're getting the front row. So excited.

 

 

 

Love my first RMC, but I have to take the sterotypical unimpressed photo. All jokes aside this ride is incredible.

[kickflipbacktail]

^ The banner was on the website all day yesterday, until last night when I noticed it disappeared. As of now, the banner is still gone. I'm hoping someone on here who could be visiting the park today can confirm.

 

*Edit: I've only seen TN Tornado run both trains ONCE during the visits I had the past 4-5 years. That particular time was on a super crowded May weekend, which happened to be the most crowded I've ever seen at the park. I believe that was back in May 2012.

 

Yea I've never seen Tornado run two trains during the week, it never needs to, but even then you could always see the other train on the track in the storage shed right before the lift hill. I didn't see it at all, so maybe they started early rehab on it??

When I visited the park back in July, the second train was still there. Not sure when they took it off, but it sounds like it happened more recently. That's my guess because I've seen past times where that train would disappear before the season ended. Who knows.

 

Sorry for the double post. I asked all of the ride hosts about this today. Apparently every 2 years they send a train away for a full rebuild. Obviously take this with a grain of salt, but that was the 'word on the street.'

[coasterdude5]

^ Whatever it takes to keep it open, I'm willing to suffer through a longer wait. I would be devastated if they ever removed it.

[dstephe9]

^ The banner was on the website all day yesterday, until last night when I noticed it disappeared. As of now, the banner is still gone. I'm hoping someone on here who could be visiting the park today can confirm.

 

*Edit: I've only seen TN Tornado run both trains ONCE during the visits I had the past 4-5 years. That particular time was on a super crowded May weekend, which happened to be the most crowded I've ever seen at the park. I believe that was back in May 2012.

 

Yea I've never seen Tornado run two trains during the week, it never needs to, but even then you could always see the other train on the track in the storage shed right before the lift hill. I didn't see it at all, so maybe they started early rehab on it??

When I visited the park back in July, the second train was still there. Not sure when they took it off, but it sounds like it happened more recently. That's my guess because I've seen past times where that train would disappear before the season ended. Who knows.

 

Sorry for the double post. I asked all of the ride hosts about this today. Apparently every 2 years they send a train away for a full rebuild. Obviously take this with a grain of salt, but that was the 'word on the street.'

Not 100% sure this is true as I have always been told they do all their maintenance and rebuilds on site.. they have a full train yard that can rebuild every part on the train.. Plus they have two working trains (#70 Cinderella and #192 Klondike Katie).. I know Cinderella is having issues but they where using her some last year. Dollywood has no need to send their trains off for a "rebuild".. Unless by "sending it off" means leaving it in the Dollywood Train yard while they rebuild it there on site. If Cinderella is down again I guess they could be doing a rebuild on Klondike Katie but I feel they would save this for the off season

 

I'd imagine there is another issue at play here and that both trains are down right now and they are working to fix one or the other.. with Cinderella not doing so well over the past few years if their main train goes down they don't have a backup.

 

They actually have a third train but it's in parts still and of course their forth train is on display off the main parkway in pigeon forge.. its a different sized train so it doesn't fit on the tracks at Dollywood

 

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[dstephe9]

Edit sorry I just saw you guys are talking about the Tennessee Tornado train and not Dollywood Express [emoji14]

 

That's what I get for just skimming on Tapatalk.. I do know the Dollywood app did say Dollywood Express was still closed again today as well.. it's been down for a few days so I assumed that was the discussion ha-ha

 

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