Dollywood Discussion Thread

[Dollywoodlover20]

Wonder when we’ll see the cosmetic changes made to the trains? It’s like the hoods/trunks appeared then disappeared haha. I’ll be at the park tomorrow if all goes well. First time of the season (a bit late for my usual but life happens) and I’m so ready. Season pass is ready to go! Question, my parents have the McDonalds 10 dollars off cups for each ticket. So you just enter that code on the cup online when you order your ticket and print it out? I know we used to do the cup deal when it was just 5 dollars off for one ticket if you brought the cup there. I go more than my parents do they didn’t get a pass. I go with friends like 5+ times.

[bluestreak]

Not only is LR running two today but the park is so packed that even Tennessee Tornado is putting a second train on right now. Thank goodness I have timesaver.

[LukeFlynn]

Wonder when we’ll see the cosmetic changes made to the trains? It’s like the hoods/trunks appeared then disappeared haha. I’ll be at the park tomorrow if all goes well. First time of the season (a bit late for my usual but life happens) and I’m so ready. Season pass is ready to go! Question, my parents have the McDonalds 10 dollars off cups for each ticket. So you just enter that code on the cup online when you order your ticket and print it out? I know we used to do the cup deal when it was just 5 dollars off for one ticket if you brought the cup there. I go more than my parents do they didn’t get a pass. I go with friends like 5+ times.

 

The hoods are nowhere to be seen, but the trunks are under the transfer track still. They look like atrocious flat plastic humps with painted on tires. They should stay off, I would be completely fine if they just did something similar to what Outlaw Run has at this point.

[Dollywoodlover20]

Luke are they really still under the transfer? I was looking everywhere and couldn’t see. Or do you mean in the maintenance bay?

Went to the park today. Was there from 11:30-8ish. Then my family wanted to eat Cheddars and we were absolutely killed out. So, let’s see. Started the day off with of course, LR. What better way. They were running two trains and running great. Crowds weren’t all that bad, I think the heat kept a lot of people away. Still LR’s crew was prepared because I only waited 5 mins and got 3 rides in back to back.

Before I go any further let me say this, at the bottom of the drop right as you crest flat something is up. The first ride I was like “Oop well there it is, ok”. The next rides it really felt like damage was done haha that’s how rough this was. On I think my 6th round of the day I heard the entire train say “UHMP OWW WHAT WAS THAT” followed by screams into the wave turn. I’ve ridden it 40+ times now though so on my way to 100 lol.

So around like 2 everything shut down for lightning for 2.5 hours. Everything was working in Mystery Mine, I was impressed. Although you could get high while sitting at the top of lift 2. Fumes were strong today.

New land? Same ole thing. No movement. Best view is MM’s que. All you can really see are placement for footers literally everywhere. They’re starting to do something towards the end of the clearing as well.

Fireworks are now being shot up at the train loop and I assume that’s where they’ll stay for a while.

Helped so many first time guests that traveled 8+ hours away. They said they were enjoying the park/loved it so much but just needed help finding things like Barnstormer, Mountain Slidewinder, Daredevil Falls etc. One guest didn’t know Lightning Rod existed until we were on Drop Like together and he asked what coaster that was. Told him I was going there next so I took his family there. They said hands down best wooden coaster. Pete, where’s my job? I’ll start ASAP.

[LukeFlynn]

Not sure if they are still there, but they were against the very back of the building under the transfer track leaning on the wall. You can only see them from the initial break run.

[mckayj93]

I was there last half of the day Sunday. Everything was a walk on, it was great! Some rides including LR started shutting down around 8pm though. Something new this visit from my last one 2 weeks ago was Mystery Mine and Wild Eagle ride ops asked about my glasses. I showed them my glasses strap and that satisfied them. Never had a ride op mention glasses before, maybe it was coincidence.

[Txcstrfan]

Thanks to every one on this forum for all of the info. We are from Texas and My family visited Dollywood last summer for the first time and fell in love with the park. So we are going again next week on a last minute trip.

I booked us at the Dollywood DreamMore because it advertised the TimeSaver. For a family of 4 this seemed to be a nobrainer vs staying in a chain hotel.

I now see that this timesaver is limited based on reading this message board. Now i am wondering if we should just stay at a chain and pay for the unlimited time saver oit of pocket. Or is there a way to upgrade with DreamMore or Dollywood?

[LukeFlynn]

I was there last half of the day Sunday. Everything was a walk on, it was great! Some rides including LR started shutting down around 8pm though. Something new this visit from my last one 2 weeks ago was Mystery Mine and Wild Eagle ride ops asked about my glasses. I showed them my glasses strap and that satisfied them. Never had a ride op mention glasses before, maybe it was coincidence.

 

I always ride with my glasses, they used to be much looser and I never had a problem. I've since had them adjusted and now they are a perfect fit, they don't move at all on any coasters thus far. I'd be pretty disgruntled if they started making people take off their glasses, It would kill the experience on rides like Lightning Rod for me if I wasn't able to see.

[TEDodd]

I'd be pretty disgruntled if they started making people take off their glasses

 

Just get a strap.

 

I've been surprised at how lax DW is about sunglasses (most aren't properly adjusted).

 

I won't wear mine on ride because I'd gate to have to replace them.

 

Plus they'd smart if they came off and hit someone on a fast coaster (glass lenses)

[cal1br3tto]

I was there last half of the day Sunday. Everything was a walk on, it was great! Some rides including LR started shutting down around 8pm though. Something new this visit from my last one 2 weeks ago was Mystery Mine and Wild Eagle ride ops asked about my glasses. I showed them my glasses strap and that satisfied them. Never had a ride op mention glasses before, maybe it was coincidence.

This season I've read about and witnessed multiple occasions of people being asked to show glasses straps at different parks. Could just be confirmation bias on my part, but it almost makes me wonder if there's some new restriction that's being rapidly adopted among a number of parks.

[CaptainUnknown]

I'd be pretty disgruntled if they started making people take off their glasses

 

Just get a strap.

Available at dollar stores

[DILinator]

I finally resorted to getting a strap for my glasses this year at CP, specifically in response to the heightened need on Steel Vengeance. Even if you buy them at the park (which I did), they aren't very costly. I don't like wearing them around everywhere, but I pop them on before the more intense rides, and then take them off when I'm done. I've been pleasantly surprised with how well they work, even on a complete maelstrom of forces like SV, and it's nice actually being able to see clearly on all coasters! I'd recommend getting some for your park-going trips, just to make things nicer for you, a fellow wearer of glasses.

[neilnky]

I have been going to the water park in my area more often this year. I would usually put in contacts (which I hate wearing ) so I wouldn't risk losing my glasses. I decided this year to get a strap and it has been great. I intend to use it for future roller coaster rides at theme parks or really just for a whole theme park visit in general. I just like my glasses as they have transition lenses and the strap takes the worry out of the risk of losing them and I can still see everything lol. Come on with the 2019 announcement already I thought it was going to be early this year. August is sort of normal right? I am hoping we get it between now and the end of July but if not it is a lesson in patience.

[jonskinny12]

This season I've read about and witnessed multiple occasions of people being asked to show glasses straps at different parks. Could just be confirmation bias on my part, but it almost makes me wonder if there's some new restriction that's being rapidly adopted among a number of parks.

 

When I was at Cedar Point a few weeks ago I wore my sunglasses almost the entire time. Sometimes they would ask if I had a strap and sometimes they wouldn't, but it's obviously possible that they were still looking even when they didn't ask. They've had that as a rule for at least a couple years now so I bought a strap for like $4 when I got to the park.

 

But at Kings Island the day before I wore them without a strap on a lot of rides and never got questioned once.

[mckayj93]

I got my current pair of glasses last October. I never thought about the glasses on rides because they were so tight on my face, my new ones are much bigger. Bought a strap and glad I did, I could tell it was needed, especially Lightning Rod. I'm fine with parks asking and checking, just hope I can keep them on. My eyes are too bad for contacts, I wouldn't be able to see anything riding without my glasses.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

Just so you're aware, they don't allow glasses even with a strap on Drop Line. Everything else the strap was cool.

[Ewrawr]

Just so you're aware, they don't allow glasses even with a strap on Drop Line. Everything else the strap was cool.

When did they implement this rule? We have visited several times last year and twice already this year, and never have been asked to remove our glasses.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

They did when I visted last May.

[dstephe9]

Glad to hear they are running two trains more consistently on LR now! Hopefully it will keep the lines down

 

Sent from my MHA-L29 using Tapatalk

[dstephe9]

http://m.tmz.com/?viewer_country=US#!article/2018/06/22/dollywood-sued-family-serious-spine-injury-water-ride/

 

Take it as you will because originally posted by TMZ but it's showing up other places now.

 

I know this same complaint and even a death from a similar ride has popped up originally so I wonder how much those complaints have fed into this one from Dollywood

 

Sent from my MHA-L29 using Tapatalk

[TEDodd]

Spinal injury on River Rush?

 

Seams fishy.

[SixFlagsTexas]

Last week, I had my very first visit to Dollywood from the 21-22nd. Luckily, the weather was perfect on Wednesday, but Thursday was rainy and humid. The rain kept the crowds away, and I was able to get a few rides in with no wait.

 

I’d like to take a moment to advocate the TimeSaver. This was the very first time I had purchased a ‘virtual queue’ system at a park, and it was worth it. The TimeSaver Unlimited let me work at my own pace throughout the park as I never had to stress out about wait times. Without it, I wouldn’t have been able to be on the 2nd and 5th train of the day on Lightning Rod. Totally worth it, and it was extremely beneficial on my first day at the park.

 

Some quick thoughts:

 

Lightning Rod

This is my third RMC after New Texas Giant and Outlaw Run, and it has the same intensity that Outlaw Run has. The ride never lets up, and it has the best second half of any coaster I have ever ridden. However, it does have a noticeable rattle/shake at the bottom of the first hill. Has anyone else experienced this? Nevertheless, the ride is full of energy, has major airtime, and it’s a terrain coaster. What more could you want?

I’d also like to note that it was running two trains a few hours after park opening.

10/10

 

Mystery Mine

My second Euro-Fighter. This ride has my favorite theming in the park, and the custom music for Mystery Mine is a nice touch. The first half of the ride was rougher than expected, but I still enjoyed the back half and the dark ride elements.

8/10

 

Wild Eagle

This is my very first wing coaster, and I honestly didn’t know what to expect from the ride. Based on past reports, it seems that wing coasters are very tame and force-less. However, I actually enjoyed Wild Eagle, and it didn’t seem force-less to me. The restraints never gave me any problems either. I preferred the right side.

7/10

 

FireChaser Express

Loved the setting, and unique backwards launch. I never experienced any airtime throughout the ride, but the theming, backwards launch, and length made up for it. This is the perfect family coaster.

7/10

 

Tennessee Tornado

This is one of the smoothest Arrow coasters I have ridden. It packs quite a punch without leaving me aching. I only rode it once in the front, so I can’t say what the ride experience is like elsewhere.

7/10

 

Thunderhead

This ride was quite rough, but it was full of energy and had quite a few pops of airtime. I’m still kicking myself for not riding Thunderhead on the second day when it was raining. I’m curious as to how it rides on a wet track.

6/10

After going to Silver Dollar City, I was aching to see how Dollywood compares!

Lightning Rod delivers.

A tad outdated, but still has charm.

Loved the fire station theming!

There's some heavy construction going on in the area, but I couldn't get enough of the theming/music.

Decent drop ride with a good view.

Loved the back half of Lightning Rod.

No trip is complete without a visit here. Don't forget to order the frosting!

One of the various entertainers throughout Dollywood.

[Nrthwnd]

^ Great Quick Trip TR of your visit there! You hit everything right, as far as I could see and read.

 

Thanks for sharing your visit.....and sharing The Bread (not).

[appel]

Last week, I had my very first visit to Dollywood from the 21-22nd. Luckily, the weather was perfect on Wednesday, but Thursday was rainy and humid. The rain kept the crowds away, and I was able to get a few rides in with no wait.

 

I’d like to take a moment to advocate the TimeSaver. This was the very first time I had purchased a ‘virtual queue’ system at a park, and it was worth it. The TimeSaver Unlimited let me work at my own pace throughout the park as I never had to stress out about wait times. Without it, I wouldn’t have been able to be on the 2nd and 5th train of the day on Lightning Rod. Totally worth it, and it was extremely beneficial on my first day at the park.

 

Some quick thoughts:

 

Lightning Rod

This is my third RMC after New Texas Giant and Outlaw Run, and it has the same intensity that Outlaw Run has. The ride never lets up, and it has the best second half of any coaster I have ever ridden. However, it does have a noticeable rattle/shake at the bottom of the first hill. Has anyone else experienced this? Nevertheless, the ride is full of energy, has major airtime, and it’s a terrain coaster. What more could you want?

I’d also like to note that it was running two trains a few hours after park opening.

10/10

 

Mystery Mine

My second Euro-Fighter. This ride has my favorite theming in the park, and the custom music for Mystery Mine is a nice touch. The first half of the ride was rougher than expected, but I still enjoyed the back half and the dark ride elements.

8/10

 

Wild Eagle

This is my very first wing coaster, and I honestly didn’t know what to expect from the ride. Based on past reports, it seems that wing coasters are very tame and force-less. However, I actually enjoyed Wild Eagle, and it didn’t seem force-less to me. The restraints never gave me any problems either. I preferred the right side.

7/10

 

FireChaser Express

Loved the setting, and unique backwards launch. I never experienced any airtime throughout the ride, but the theming, backwards launch, and length made up for it. This is the perfect family coaster.

7/10

 

Tennessee Tornado

This is one of the smoothest Arrow coasters I have ridden. It packs quite a punch without leaving me aching. I only rode it once in the front, so I can’t say what the ride experience is like elsewhere.

7/10

 

Thunderhead

This ride was quite rough, but it was full of energy and had quite a few pops of airtime. I’m still kicking myself for not riding Thunderhead on the second day when it was raining. I’m curious as to how it rides on a wet track.

6/10

So did you get unlimited rides on Lightningrod with time saver or was is it like one time only, because that is what the website states....?

[Ewrawr]

So did you get unlimited rides on Lightningrod with time saver or was is it like one time only, because that is what the website states....?

Timesaver Unlimited gives you unlimited rides on Lightning Rod, regular Timesaver gives you one ride, unless you forego dropline and then you can go a second time.