Dollywood Discussion Thread

[Shavethewhales]

Kudos to TPR for the great and professional coverage of this event. While some of the other sites have opted to go ahead and let the cat out of the bag early, TPR has kept us properly enticed and entertained through the event.

 

Looks like this is a big one indeed. I'm eager to hear the height specs. The concept art makes it look like some kind of wing-rider/hyper coaster combo.

[Rastuso]

The text address is live, as is the YouTube video from Dolly.

[bearcut]

The texting competition has been opened. Text the name of the ride (if you want to "take a guess at it") to 87654.

 

 

EDIT: ^What he said.

[megalyte]

The ride is up on Coaster Fusion, thanks for staying classy TPR!

[thrillerman1]

I hope Piers pops out of the egg.

[SharkTums]

I hope Piers pops out of the egg.

 

THIS!!!

 

Best ride announcement ever.

 

BTW, I'm looking over Robb's shoulder! You guys will see what I see very soon! (Not Robb's hairy back...the new ride!)

[tntornadox]

The live feed should switch over to Boomsday when it begins around 9:30 ish.

[dandaman]

I hope Piers pops out of the egg.

 

Piers singing Dolly Parton might be a welcome departure from Gaga...

[Intimidator305]

Kudos to TPR for the great and professional coverage of this event. While some of the other sites have opted to go ahead and let the cat out of the bag early, TPR has kept us properly enticed and entertained through the event.

 

+1. When dealing with one of the best (if not THE best) theme parks in the world you would think that the other sites would wait until 9:30 like Dollywood had asked. It is just a little rediculous how almost every new addition this year has gotten leaked somehow/someway.

 

I do find it crazy though how the Wild Eagle name was leaked a couple months back by a single park employee walking through park offices and noticed the tiny name on a piece of paper...

 

I must say, I love the badass logo for the ride!

[cfc]

BTW, I'm looking over Robb's shoulder! You guys will see what I see very soon! (Not Robb's hairy back...the new ride!)

 

Well, there are some who would like both.

[Shavethewhales]

BTW, I'm looking over Robb's shoulder! You guys will see what I see very soon! (Not Robb's hairy back...the new ride!)

 

What, we can't have both?

 

Sounds like they're having some trouble with the rain and that's what's caused the delay in the announcement. I guess the other site's didn't get the memo - oh well.

 

There's still the announcement itself to watch - aren't they doing something crazy with the fireworks? I'm guessing they've got a giant eagle shaped one.

[QueerRudie]

I hope Piers pops out of the egg.

 

Piers singing Dolly Parton might be a welcome departure from Gaga...

 

Or if he pops out of the egg with the wig, falsies, singing "9 to 5" while strumming a guitar.... Now THAT would be a ride-reveal worth paying for!

 

I hope the video goes smoother than HP2012/SkyRush did...

[robbalvey]

 

 

For Immediate Release

Sept. 4, 2011

 

DOLLYWOOD UNLEASHES $20 MILLION

WILD EAGLE STEEL COASTER IN MARCH 2012;

FIRST WING COASTER IN THE U.S. TO SOAR ABOVE SMOKY MOUNTAINS

 

For more details, visit the Dollywood 2012 Website: http://www.dollywood2012.com/

 

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn.—Dollywood’s 2012 season will be a historic one as the Tennessee-based theme park introduces the new $20 million Wild Eagle steel wing coaster, the first of its kind in the U.S.

 

Experiencing the freedom of flight, the new coaster’s innovative floorless design positions riders seated four abreast in a forward-facing position, with two riders actually seated on the “wings” along either side of the coaster’s track with nothing but air above and below them. “After the honor of the 2010 Applause Award, we knew that all eyes were on us at Dollywood to see what we’d do next,” Dolly Parton said. “Wild Eagle celebrates not only the majestic bald eagle but also my beautiful Smoky Mountains which folks will get a bird’s eye view of as they soar high above Dollywood. I’m just thrilled that Dollywood’s Wild Eagle is the only place in the entire country where folks can get their feathers ruffled on a coaster like this!”

 

Perched on the park’s highest peak, Wild Eagle rises 21 stories into the sky. Taking off from the Wilderness Pass area, riders experience the sensation of flight as the coaster’s massive track swoops and soars along a journey that measures 3,127 feet. Wild Eagle reaches a top speed of 61 miles per hour and maneuvers four inversions including a giant loop, a “zero-G” roll, and a giant flat spin.

 

Wild Eagle’s nearly two-and-a-half minute journey includes a plummeting 135-foot first drop. Located 210 feet above the coaster’s loading station, the ride provides spectacular views of the Smoky Mountains terrain below. Each coaster train consists of seven cars which carry four passengers for a total of 28 people per train. Each vehicle features an imposing bald eagle with piercing eyes and broad wings outstretched for flight.

 

Wild Eagle is the largest single capital investment in Dollywood’s 26-year history. The park’s development team is collaborating with Switzerland-based Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), the world’s premier coaster manufacturer. Pioneers in ride technology, B&M has built 11 of the 20 highest-ranking steel coasters in the world, according to Amusement Today magazine.

 

The ride’s name celebrates the bald eagle, a raptor whose population has increased in recent years due largely to the efforts of the American Eagle Foundation (AEF). Headquartered at Dollywood for 20 years, the AEF is home to Eagle Mountain Sanctuary, a 1.5-million-cubic-foot natural outdoor aviary with the largest presentation of non-releasable bald eagles. Dollywood is one of the AEF’s largest benefactors, supporting the not-for-profit organization’s work to preserve and protect birds of prey.

 

Wild Eagle joins Dollywood’s award-winning lineup of coasters. Thunderhead, twice named the world’s best wooden coaster, consistently ranks among the world’s top five. It was built in 2004. Mystery Mine, a 1,811-foot-long steel coaster, opened in 2007 and was named Theme Park Insider’s best new theme park attraction the same year. In addition, Dollywood is a two-time Golden Ticket Award winner for Best Shows and three-time winner for Best Christmas Event.

 

Dollywood was recognized in 2010 with the theme park industry’s most prestigious honor, the Applause Award. The Applause Award honors a park whose management, operations and creative accomplishments have inspired the industry with its foresight, originality and sound business development.

 

Based in the picturesque Great Smoky Mountains, Dollywood is a 150-acre family adventure park open nine months a year (late March through December) and offers more than 40 rides and attractions; award-winning live entertainment featuring country, bluegrass, gospel and mountain music; and a dozen crafters authentic to the East Tennessee region. A family-friendly vacation destination, Dollywood also includes the 35-acre Dollywood’s Splash Country, voted America’s “Must-See Waterpark.” Dollywood offers all-inclusive vacation planning with a variety of overnight lodging options. For more information, call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD or visit dollywood.com.

 

 

Fierce Facts!

Type: Steel Wing Coaster

Track Length: 3,127 feet

Top Speed: 61 miles per hour

Inversions : Four

Ride Elements: Giant Loop, Zero-G Roll, Inclined Immelmann, Giant Flat Spin, Camel Back, Spiral, Eight Curve

Top of Lift Height (above entrance grade): 210 feet

Top of Lift Height (above station grade): 190 feet

First Drop : 135 feet

Ride Duration: 2 minutes, 22 seconds

Passengers per Train: 28 (seven cars, four passengers each)

Seat type: Cantilevered – wing design

Manufacturer: Switzerland-based Bolliger & Mabillard

Color scheme: Tan columns with blue track; eagle-themed cars

 

Wild Eagle Teaser Video:

 

Dolly Parton talks about Wild Eagle:

 

Here is a "Fan-Made" Recreation of the ride. Note this is NOT an official video from Dollywood, and may not be accurate:

 

For more details, visit the Dollywood 2012 Website: http://www.dollywood2012.com/

Wild Eagle Fact Sheet.pdf

Edited September 5, 2011 by robbalvey

[daveydo5172]

I love it, and in traditional Dollywood fashion, I am sure the surrounding area will be done beautifully!

[moinab]

Looking forward to next summer!!!

[chadster]

Sweet!! Texting away to try and win those lifetime season passes!

[CoasterKidKyle]

Woah

[coasterfreak101]

I like it! It's like a normal B&M, but with the winged seats which should be great flying around the mountain. And it should look huge from ground-level - not to speak of the view from up there!

Edited September 5, 2011 by coasterfreak101

[Homeboy23]

Nice. Yeah, I will definitely visit Dollywood finally for the first time when this thing opens.

[sheikramatic2006]

Awesome! Can't wait to ride it on the New Hotness Tour! (If it gets chosen to be a trip )

[osm]

Very impressed! I like the height, and the layout seems very fast paced and intense. I wish the drop was a bit longer, but it's not a big deal. Great addition for the park, and a top-5 2012 coaster, IMO.

[John Knotts]

Great Job! The coaster looks spectacular. Like the "Tatsu" of wingriders. I love these peak above the terrain coasters, and very few parks can do those. Can't wait to ride it.

Edited September 5, 2011 by John Knotts

[carolinacaniac]

This looks like it could be a hit for the park! A great addition to a world-class park!

 

-Gary

[SharkTums]

Remember everyone, Wild Eagle and Dollywood will be featured on the TPR 2012 New Hotness Tour!!! Signup and details coming soon!

[chadster]

I see where they used a shot of wildfire from their SDC commericals in the teaser video. I can't wait to see some computerized pov's of the ride!

 

BTW: text "Wild Eagle" to 87654 for your chance to win lifetime passes to Dollywood!

Edited September 5, 2011 by chadster