Philrad71 Posted July 11, 2011 Posted July 11, 2011 ^^ Yep, also spotted the blue track and silver frame pieces on the train ride this afternoon (FYI - 1st time visit & Dollywood kicks all the ass everyone says it does!). Tried to get some good pictures, but all of the trees were in the way. They have started the base of the footers near the Mountain Slidewinder and there is quite a bit of construction on the hill. My guess is an Oblivion type ride where it drops into the mountain or something. It was really hard to speculate by the track, but it did remind me Griffons track from what I saw. Going back tomorrow, but not sure if I will be able to get any better photos unless I can bribe someone to let me on the construction site!
Intimidator305 Posted July 11, 2011 Posted July 11, 2011 Be sure to ride Thunderhead for by far the best view of the track, just don't take pictures...
Guy T. Koepp Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 they have moved a ton of track to the top of the ridge now. Across the valley from Mystery Mine. You can see it all from the top of Adventure Mountain. Again, Cameras are not allowed on Adventure Mountain, so no pics. They are also clearing almost all the way to the train tracks. The area for this ride looks huge!
Jared4781 Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 a little off topic, but when I visited Dollywood I wasn't impressed with the food options. Then again I wasn't really able to find anything but the big skillet options and I'm picky about food (don't like onion, peppers, etc and they were full of it). however the park is awesome and holds my favorite coaster (Thunderhead). I cannot wait to see what the new coaster will be!
Guy T. Koepp Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 a little off topic, but when I visited Dollywood I wasn't impressed with the food options. Then again I wasn't really able to find anything but the big skillet options and I'm picky about food (don't like onion, peppers, etc and they were full of it). however the park is awesome and holds my favorite coaster (Thunderhead). I cannot wait to see what the new coaster will be! Parton (that's a Dolly pun) my surprise, but seriously? Did you not get a park map? The skillet area is only one of dozens of places to eat. Aunt Grannys Buffet, Reds, The Grist Mill, The Fried chicken place next to the Valley Theater, Lumber camp BBQ, Homemade Ice Cream, Kettle Corn, The sweets shops, the bakery, Pizza, etc. Dollywood is always one of the few park that we can find something for everybody in my family, and God knows I have fussy eaters. I'm glad you had a great time there, but I'm still in shock about your food options statement. Guy "Even with my Gold Pass discounts I still manage to drop a Benjamin on food every time I visit." Koepp
Philrad71 Posted July 14, 2011 Posted July 14, 2011 ^ I agree! You can still order some of the skillet stuff without the green peppers and onions - I believe they'll make it to your liking. We ended up having the philly cheese steak, a sausage sandwich and the curly chips with chili and cheese. Everything was delicious! Awesome stuff compared to when we visited Carowinds two days later and I got a Chik-Fil-A that looked like it had been sitting under the heat lamp for two hours (and it was nothing more than a chicken patty on a bun). We ended up leaving the park to grab some dinner as the food options there were no where near what Dollywood offered. But then again, it was about 110 degree heat index when we visited Carowinds, so we were anxious just to get out of the park to eat in a nice, air conditioned restaurant!
ernierocker Posted July 14, 2011 Posted July 14, 2011 (edited) a little off topic, but when I visited Dollywood I wasn't impressed with the food options. Then again I wasn't really able to find anything but the big skillet options and I'm picky about food (don't like onion, peppers, etc and they were full of it). This is a major fail on your part if you couldn't find food options at Dollywood. This is like going into Best Buy and not being able to find any televisions. I'm not sure if you are saying that you are super picky about what you eat, or if you honestly couldn't find anything besides the skillets. Either way, you missed out on some of the best theme park dining options in the world! Edited July 14, 2011 by ernierocker
Jared4781 Posted July 14, 2011 Posted July 14, 2011 Just to follow up on the food options ... We weren't able to find anything other than the big skillets, a seafood place (I could be wrong on this) and the dessert place (which looked good, but being a diabetic I can only indulge but so much lol) on our visit in September of 2008. We ended up eating a BBQ sandwhich from one of the stands by the skillets and I honestly wasn't impressed with the sandwhich or the limited side offerings. It also wasn't just myself, but my bf wasn't impressed with the food either. We were really looking forward to eating at Dollywood because of all the hype we had heard about the awesome food. Perhaps it was an off day when we went, the park was empty and no one was there at all, or some other factor. I've only visited the park the one time, so I can only speak to my experience during that single visit.
harper83087 Posted July 14, 2011 Posted July 14, 2011 Screw the coasters!!! I have to make it to Dollywood just for the food, everything sounds absolutely delicious . Too bad I'm not going to be anywhere nere Tennessee anytime soon
jarmor Posted July 15, 2011 Posted July 15, 2011 Just to follow up on the food options ... We weren't able to find anything other than the big skillets, a seafood place (I could be wrong on this) and the dessert place (which looked good, but being a diabetic I can only indulge but so much lol) on our visit in September of 2008. We ended up eating a BBQ sandwhich from one of the stands by the skillets and I honestly wasn't impressed with the sandwhich or the limited side offerings. It also wasn't just myself, but my bf wasn't impressed with the food either. We were really looking forward to eating at Dollywood because of all the hype we had heard about the awesome food. Perhaps it was an off day when we went, the park was empty and no one was there at all, or some other factor. I've only visited the park the one time, so I can only speak to my experience during that single visit. Is this jared the subway guy trying to sabotage the love of dolly's food? lol
Dollywood Pete Posted July 18, 2011 Posted July 18, 2011 Hmmm, I am not sure where you tried to eat. We have five big skillet locations on park with offerings from cheese steak to sausage or Maters and Taters. In Rivertown and showstreet we have Backstage Restaurant, our Grammy nominated full service restaurant and Aunt Granny's buffet. We also have Apple Jack's sandwiches and Miss Stellas with her hand cut fries and corndogs. Just inside Craftsman's Valley, we have Miss Lillians Honey Kissed Chicken and the BBQ side porch. A little further up, we have Granny Ogle's Ham and Beans with traditional southern fare. Hickory House is further up on the lft with its signature (award winning) BBQ and the awesome fried baloney sandwiches. We really do not have a eafood restaurant anywhere on park. The closest would be Lumber Camp across from Thunderhead. It offers salads, hand breaded chicken tenders and catfish. All that said we still have the Grist Mill and its cinamon bread, the Spotlight Bakery and The Sweet Shoppe in addition to the stands and carts around the park. You need to come and explore some more.
Jared4781 Posted July 18, 2011 Posted July 18, 2011 Thanks for the list Pete. I hope to make it Dollywood again one day, I'm about 8 hrs away from the park. Even with the food thing, Dollywood was one of the best parks I've ever been to.
CarolinaCoasterFreak Posted July 19, 2011 Posted July 19, 2011 Just made reservations for the 1st weekend in October. And will be making our first trip to Dollywood! My family is very excited! I've been to Pigeon Forge at least a dozen times and have always passed on Dollywood, due to my thinking of "Just don't think it's worth the money". I've learned a lot over the last couple years about the park, and have kicked myself in the rear end for not ever going! And my family is theme park freaks! I'm thinking after we get home, we will already be planning next year's trip so we can test out the new B&M!
tntornadox Posted July 19, 2011 Posted July 19, 2011 ^ That is indeed a pity, I sorta liked old school Dollywood better... it was alot more humble and personable before it got so big... I miss the old rides too. But progress is good too.
outbackjack Posted July 19, 2011 Posted July 19, 2011 Carolina, You are going to LOVE Dollywood. I've been to over 50 amusement parks (small number compared to the bigs on this site)...and it is tied with Magic Kingdom for my #1. We went for our 1st time 7 years ago, and have upped season passes each year since. A few notables.... 1. The food is INCREDIBLE. We've eaten at so many great places, but tend to end up lately at Miss Lillian BBQ Pit......it's next to her incredible Miss Lillians Chicken House. The chicken House is only $12 a person, buffet, with fried chicken, country fried steak, salads, tons of sides, cakes, desserts, etc. 2. Across the way at the Mill, the homemade cinnamon bread is legendary, get it every time we go. 3. The train ride is the best of any park. The train is HUGE, the engine is quite a site. I've spent lots of time just watching them prep the engine for rides.....it's not like normal park trains at all. 4. Employees. None better outside of Disney. Most everyone is retired, not teenagers on cell phones like at SFOG (I was there today, it was pathetic). The car ride ops are in full grease monkey gear, it's just so nice. 5. Trees and shaded paths. You could do nothing but walk the park, and it is so beautiful. No comparison in it's setting. 6. Unique rides.....Blazing Fury, Slidewinder, even Daredevil Falls it so much better than standard flumes (except Splash Mountain). 7. Shows. Top of the line, I mean big time top talent, performing in huge air conditioned theaters. They have 3 HUGE indoor theaters. Two covered outdoor theaters are also performed in several times daily, including my favorite two shows...Kinsfolk (Dolly's relatives share great Dolly stories and play incredible music)..and Country Crossroads...but I'm a huge sucker for old country music. The thing is these performers aren't standard teem park fare, they are big time talented. 8. Exhibits.....I can't help but love watching the guys bending steel, glass blowing, building horse drawn carriages, etc. Happens daily all over DW. 9. Thunderhead is just wonderful. You are just going to love it, it is such a great "theme" park experience.....I feel it really puts other parks to shame (ex. Disney). I know some want parks with 14 coasters, and if that's you, DW might not top your list. But for me and my family, it's darn near the perfect park. I can't wait to see what they have in store for 2012. Pete????????????????
tntornadox Posted July 19, 2011 Posted July 19, 2011 The car ride ops are in full grease monkey gear, it's just so nice. Tell me about it... LOL! It can be a hot outfit too... but it's worth it, completes the experience.
outbackjack Posted July 19, 2011 Posted July 19, 2011 While I'm sure it can be hot, it is noticed, and it is appreciated. And I just LOVE all of the old beat up mufflers adding to the experience. Or when I'm eating in Reds Diner and 4 "people" walk in, miked up, then spontaneously perform a humorous and wonderful music performance as we are all eating. The little touches like that are so nice.
CarolinaCoasterFreak Posted July 19, 2011 Posted July 19, 2011 Carolina, You are going to LOVE Dollywood. I've been to over 50 amusement parks (small number compared to the bigs on this site)...and it is tied with Magic Kingdom for my #1 ^ Wow! Now that's saying something! And thanks Jack for your "David Letterman top 10 reasons to go to Dollywood". Except you left off #10! No really, I do appreciate everything you mentioned, and if each one is true, it should easily be right up there with Disney. We are about 4 hours away and if all is true, I know my family will be finding ways to make this a once a year trip. Ok, Maybe 2 or 3 ....
jynx242 Posted July 19, 2011 Posted July 19, 2011 On TPR trips that include big, corporate parks - Dollywood ALWAYS comes in as the fan favorite. They are, to be blunt, simply amazing. They already have some awesome rides, but I'd go just for the entire park experience. I could have a ball there and not set foot in a coaster (not that that would EVER happen, I'm just saying.)
coasterfreaky Posted July 19, 2011 Posted July 19, 2011 This was in my weekly email from Dollywood... The sky is not the limit! But the days are numbered until Dollywood finally reveals the big news about the 2012 season. Rumors have been circulating for months as to exactly what is taking place behind the construction wall at Dollywood. If you want to know, mark your calendar for Sept. 4. During Knoxville’s annual Boomsday fireworks spectacular, Dollywood will make a major announcement that will once and for all put to rest any speculation. Boomsday is a free event that takes place in downtown Knoxville, Tenn., on Neyland Drive at Volunteer Landing along the Tennessee River. Be there on Sept. 4 when the mystery is finally revealed, and keep watching http://www.Dollywood2012.com in the meantime for hints! I would love some hints from the site, but none so far, that i have seen or have been discussed here, OVERDUE!
rosscoe Posted July 19, 2011 Posted July 19, 2011 You really did miss out on some great food ( while I skipped the pulled pork meal last year ) everything else I came across was outstanding and the choice was amazing. I need to go back to Dollywood!
jynx242 Posted July 19, 2011 Posted July 19, 2011 ^ Granny Ogles Ham and Beans is AMAZING and the Cinnamon Bread...can't say enough about it.
rosscoe Posted July 19, 2011 Posted July 19, 2011 ^ Granny Ogles Ham and Beans is AMAZING . David, I could not eat that, everyone else in the group said it was outstanding. But this thing Americas have for beans is slightly scary. ^ and the Cinnamon Bread...can't say enough about it. Now that I agree with you 100 per cent.
QueerRudie Posted July 19, 2011 Posted July 19, 2011 Dollywood is, in my humble opinion, the finest place to visit in the south, Park-Wise. First, the food. THE FOOD. THE FOOOOOOOOOD!!!! Probably the best food you'll find in any non-Disney park- and by far. One does NOT Miss the cinnamon bread. I don't care if they're giving out unlimited front-of-the-line passes, get the FREAKIN' CINNAMON BREAD. It's that good. Second: The rides. Tennessee Tornado is the second finest Arrow built- and is glass-smooth all over; it's a shame that Arrow went under, as had more parks invested in this Arrow technology, I'm quite sure they'd still be building rides. Thunderhead is beatuiful, a perfect example of GCI at their very best; Mystery Mine has a very different feel to it- not terrifying, but fun; and Blazing Fury is a great starter ride. And finally: The new B&M. Nuff said. I'm really looking forward to Dolly's next ride- as between it, HP2012 and BGW2012 it's going to be a great year for coasters in the USA- and one that Dollywood (I hope!) won't dissapoint on.
shivtim Posted July 21, 2011 Posted July 21, 2011 This is rather disappointing. From the Human Rights Campaign: Dollywood Official: No Admittance in “Marriage is so Gay” shirt
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