Dollywood Discussion Thread

[middle_keeny]

I would honestly love to see a Gravity Group Family Coaster in Owens Farm in place of Slidewinder but wouldn’t see that happening for awhile considering they are adding a family coaster this year as for 2021 I could see a Mack or B&M Dive Coaster or a Hyper

 

The "landing area" for Slidewinder is big enough for a decent flat. just a matter of which one. That hillside would make a neat spot for a small mountain coaster. They could be the first park to have a mountain coaster inside the park.

[Voyage]

Hey everyone. Question about Dollywood’s TimeSaver Unlimited Pass... does it include unlimited rides on Lightning Rod? Or is it limited to one ride only on LR like the regular TimeSaver pass. Thanks!

[bluestreak]

When I had it last year it was unlimited on everything including LR.

[Voyage]

When I had it last year it was unlimited on everything including LR.

 

Thanks! Hopefully it’s still like that this year.

 

Anyone know what’s up with Mystery Mine? I haven’t seen it open on any of the Dollywood wait time websites this whole weekend.

[Canobie Coaster]

How cold was it? That one seemed to have the highest start up temperature from my Smoky Mountain Christmas visit a few years ago.

[Bobby2889]

I feel like Mystery Mine rarely operates smoothly at the season opening. I saw it testing on Friday. It definitely wasn't temperature related though.

[dstephe9]

Was at the park today! Festival of Nations food is excellent and on par with Disney! Even had drinks (non alcoholic though but still great) It used to be great and then went down hill for a number of years. I was glad to see qty and quality back! It actually made me want to pick u the passport and try things from every Country they offered! Still have two countries to try before the festival is over.

 

LR ran most of the day as far as I could tell, still only one train. Mystery Mine was down most of the day, and actually I never saw it open but they had OPs there like it was planned to open it had been open at one point

 

The park was clean, full of improvements. They repaved the roads but not parking (still need to repave parking lot Dollywood!!!!). Put up some new fencing in various places..

 

Park OPs were great for opening weekend. Plenty of trams running, plenty of people at the food booths and so on. I know lines are a thing at parks but when only one person is running a food booth or booths are closed, creating long lines, I get frustrated because parks can help that. None of that at Dollywood this year so far so that's a great sign!!

 

One question anyone know why they have a checkpoint before parking now? Maybe it was just for today but they had two people before the tolls splitting up cars between gold pass and paid. I felt this really really really slowed down parking. They only had two tolls open and then two folks telling everybody what lane to be in. This created two bottlenecks. First, three lanes had to merge into two for the precheck people and then only two booths open. Why not send the two precheck people to their own booths? Again, this might have just been something for today but it was really my only OPs complaint and I saw no reason for it, although I'm sure their is one in Dollywood's mind. If they are trying to give gold past people their own lane just open one up and say it's for gold pass only using signage.. yeah others will still use it from time to time, but much quicker than someone stopping traffic to split everyone up.

 

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Edited March 18, 2019 by dstephe9

[dstephe9]

How cold was it? That one seemed to have the highest start up temperature from my Smoky Mountain Christmas visit a few years ago.

Been close to 60 all weekend except in the mornings. Water rides open, so I doubt coldness had anything to do with it personally

 

But as I said in my other post, it was closed all day today as far as I could tell.

 

Oh and on another note, not sure if it has been posted but zip lines are gone, at least that's what my wife said. I didn't notice, but she told me on the way out they had been removed. But it is no longer on the website. I never look up haha!

 

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[Bobby2889]

^^ They are gone, my boyfriend actually pointed it out or else I never would have noticed. Didn’t think I had seen anything about their removal either.

[Djwadeknox]

Kinda strange to see them selling Time Traveler type hats at Mystery Mind at Dollywood today! (Maybe a hint) jk..... A time traveler type coaster would be nice for the slidewinder location. They could use the train of the mountain to get some huge drops. Also with the next thrill ride being 2021 it would give them time to work on it and even make a connection to the timber part of the park so it doesn’t dead end up there. Just thinking out loud!

[DollyWould]

When I had it last year it was unlimited on everything including LR.

 

Thanks! Hopefully it’s still like that this year.

 

Anyone know what’s up with Mystery Mine? I haven’t seen it open on any of the Dollywood wait time websites this whole weekend.

 

Did Mystery Mine open today? The app no longer has wait times available if you are outside the park, obviously. Just curious, what is the url for the site that still list wait times?

[DollyWould]

^^ They are gone, my boyfriend actually pointed it out or else I never would have noticed. Didn’t think I had seen anything about their removal either.

 

I suspected the ziplines were being taken away once all the signing was removed from the kiosk, as well as when it's web page was pulled.

 

I still "wonder" why the Wonder Wheel was ever removed at the end of 2017, too. :**-(

 

Could it be that phase 2 of WWG will bring a new ferris wheel to the park? Hmmmm....

[Voyage]

When I had it last year it was unlimited on everything including LR.

 

Thanks! Hopefully it’s still like that this year.

 

Anyone know what’s up with Mystery Mine? I haven’t seen it open on any of the Dollywood wait time websites this whole weekend.

 

Did Mystery Mine open today? The app no longer has wait times available if you are outside the park, obviously. Just curious, what is the url for the site that still list wait times?

 

I checked a few times today and still haven’t seen it open. Here’s the website: https://queue-times.com/parks/55/queue_times

[dstephe9]

I'd say zip lines were removed due to recertification. They have to be recertified every 10, 15 years or so (I forget). I just remember this from working at a camp and when recertification came up it was expensive due to parts having to be retired. Probably felt it wasn't worth it.

 

Just my guess.. also with the new area being about exploration and stuff, they might move the zips there. Or it's also possible they will open a zip line off park, around dream more or something to grab everyone, even those without Dollywood Tickets.

 

With Dolly's company buying up all the theaters on the area, it's clear she is trying to get money from those who don't come to Dollywood

 

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[drummermattk]

This past weekend I was able to visit the park all day Saturday (opening day) and half of the day on Sunday for the first time since my first visit in 2017. As much I would love to say that i enjoyed my visit I..........................................LOVED and enjoyed my visit. Despite the somewhat chilly temperatures all weekend (other than Sundays heatwave of almost 65 degrees) the park was still as beautiful as always and the rides where running amazing (minus Mystery Mine).

 

Here are some of my thoughts on my visit:

• The new retrack on Thunderhead looks amazing! sadly i did not get to ride it this weekend but alas i still have the credit
  
• the former area of splash battle really opens up the area and gives some good shots of Wild Eagle, Firechaser Express and Mystery Mine
  
• Wildwood Grove continues to look amazing (despite the green grass and giant tree centerpiece) However there is something that I will show in my photos that has myself and some of the people i was hanging out with curious.

 

This visit I did not miss out on Cinnamon Bread haha and it was the best $10 spent

 

Please enjoy these couple videos i put together from the weekend as well as some pictures:

[youtu_be]

[/youtu_be]

[youtu_be]

[/youtu_be]

Entrance to Wildwood Grove taking shape

Thunderhead gliding along its new retrack

Lightning Rod was open all weekend with no problems, the trains are still missing their zero car though (which front row rides are insanely cool without the zero car installed)

Now this........................this is what I was referring to above. This land is behind Wildwood Grove and can more than likely be for an expansion onto Wildwood Grove and HOPEFULLY maybe a new coaster! One can hope and dream and time will tell.

another photo of some of the land clearing

A construction worker filming the guests on the train as we rode by haha

[ripleybl]

Awesome trip report!

 

I just booked a weekend trip to Dollywood for June 7th through June 9th and this will be my first ever visit to the park (Saturday June 8th will be spent at the park). I have 4 questions...

 

Best restaurants at Dollywood? Go!

 

Best shows at Dollywood? Go!

 

Best seat on LR (front or back)? Go!

 

Cool things to do outside of Dollywood? Go!

 

I appreciate the feedback ya'll! Thanks!

[dstephe9]

One of the best restaurants is Aunt Grannies! All you can eat and good all you can eat! If you go during a festival though, you should also try some festival food.

 

Not sure if they have announced many summer shows yet? Last year my favorite was drum line. Sure Dollywood has a few staple shows but their seasonal are better

 

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[AmyUD06]

Can anyone enlighten me as to why Dollywood is closed on Tuesday and Thursdays in August?

[Dollywoodlover20]

This past weekend I was able to visit the park all day Saturday (opening day) and half of the day on Sunday for the first time since my first visit in 2017. As much I would love to say that i enjoyed my visit I..........................................LOVED and enjoyed my visit. Despite the somewhat chilly temperatures all weekend (other than Sundays heatwave of almost 65 degrees) the park was still as beautiful as always and the rides where running amazing (minus Mystery Mine).

 

Here are some of my thoughts on my visit:

• The new retrack on Thunderhead looks amazing! sadly i did not get to ride it this weekend but alas i still have the credit
  
• the former area of splash battle really opens up the area and gives some good shots of Wild Eagle, Firechaser Express and Mystery Mine
  
• Wildwood Grove continues to look amazing (despite the green grass and giant tree centerpiece) However there is something that I will show in my photos that has myself and some of the people i was hanging out with curious.

 

This visit I did not miss out on Cinnamon Bread haha and it was the best

Yea, that clearing there is presumed to be the area for the 2021 expansion they’re planning which is more than likely a coaster if I were to guess. Plenty room for one. Wildwood grove Phase 1 is only 5 acres, the rest that you see there is 6-7 acres. Phase 2 is 2021.

[Canobie Coaster]

Awesome trip report!

 

I just booked a weekend trip to Dollywood for June 7th through June 9th and this will be my first ever visit to the park (Saturday June 8th will be spent at the park). I have 4 questions...

 

Best restaurants at Dollywood? Go!

 

Best shows at Dollywood? Go!

 

Best seat on LR (front or back)? Go!

 

Cool things to do outside of Dollywood? Go!

 

I appreciate the feedback ya'll! Thanks!

 

I do not like sweets so I've never personally had it, but it's my understanding you need to get the cinnamon bread.

 

Most of the shows I've seen at Dollywood are during Christmas, so I can't help too much there. I have seen Dreamland Drive-In and remember the vocals being excellent. I also liked the Bubble Show, but I believe that was a special one a few summers ago.

 

I prefer the back on Lightning Rod slightly. It's amazing in every seat. Make sure you board the first available row for your first ride just in case the ride decides to go down (as it's known to do).

 

Outside of Dollywood, I love the mountain coasters (particularly Goat Coaster and Smoky Mountain), Hillbilly Golf, and Mama's Farmhouse. There are a ton of awesome things in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Oh and the Smoky Mountains are beautiful.

[Taylor Finn]

Awesome trip report!

 

I just booked a weekend trip to Dollywood for June 7th through June 9th and this will be my first ever visit to the park (Saturday June 8th will be spent at the park). I have 4 questions...

 

Best restaurants at Dollywood? Go!

 

Best shows at Dollywood? Go!

 

Best seat on LR (front or back)? Go!

 

Cool things to do outside of Dollywood? Go!

 

I appreciate the feedback ya'll! Thanks!

 

If you check out my post on page 1721 (it’s quite long so I didn’t want to quote it here)... I have loads of our favorites for the area, including some specific mountain highlights! Happy travels!

[dstephe9]

Can anyone enlighten me as to why Dollywood is closed on Tuesday and Thursdays in August?

Schools start early in the area and they cater to local school schedule

 

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[AmyUD06]

Can anyone enlighten me as to why Dollywood is closed on Tuesday and Thursdays in August?

Schools start early in the area and they cater to local school schedule

 

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Wow, back to school the 2nd week of August...those poor kids.

 

Wait, then why are they open on Wednesdays and Mondays?

[dstephe9]

It's open for old people who just shop and watch shows

 

And people like me who don't like visiting when all the kids are around. Dollywood is an interesting park and during the week when school starts it can be very very dead at the park..

 

I've seen it so dead that I'm surprised they don't do what six flags does and only open during the weekend when school is in session.

 

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[TEDodd]

If you check out my post on page 1721

 

Better to give the post number (17201) as the number of posts per page can vary.

And Tapatalk doesn't even do pages.