Dollywood Discussion Thread

[megan]

Yeah, shooting in August for a December release doesn’t sound like we’re talking Oscar contender.

 

Guess you haven't seen the two NBC movies, Coat of Many Colors and Christmas of Many Colors, or A Smoky Mountain Christmas from '86.

 

 

I HAVE seen those - The two on NBC were totally different in that they weren't shot in the park 4 months before they aired. Im not saying it will be bad, but I'm not expecting something EPIC with a 4 month turn around time from principle photography to airing. And best I recall, none of those were "Oscar worthy" not bad, just were what they were.

[TEDodd]

And best I recall, none of those were "Oscar worthy" not bad, just were what they were.

 

That was my point (sarcastically). None of the holiday stuff Dolly has done is Oscar worthy. So I never would expect such from the current one. Add in the Hallmark name and there was never a question.

[pryonisys]

Shooting a Christmas movie in August is going to be miserably hot. Can't imagine wearing sweaters in mittens in that heat. Also won't the foliage make it obvious that it is summer? I guess it's Hallmark so the details aren't that important.

Yeah, shooting in August for a December release doesn’t sound like we’re talking Oscar contender.

Haha, I mean... it is a Hallmark movie so they probably don't care about any of that.

That said my wife always likes watching Hallmark Christmas movies so at least this one will have Dollywood in it

[djcoastermark]

At least it is a cute disposable Hallmark movie and not a OMG He done her wrong I'll get revenge Lifetime movie, or something like that.

[TEDodd]

At least it is a cute disposable Hallmark movie and not a OMG He done her wrong I'll get revenge Lifetime movie, or something like that.

 

↑ this.

 

LOL

[megan]

That could be fun though, revenge movie at Dollywood. “ Burning beds, Blazing Fury”!

[dstephe9]

Wonder how much they will decorate the park

They actually have lights up already in parts of the park that have been up a month or so now. Not everywhere but mainly in Craftsman's Valley

 

Edit; someone already mentioned this above your post, sorry, I hadn't read them all yet. But like that post said, I'd imagine most of the movie will be shot in that area.

 

I'll probably be headed to the park today and we have a meeting at the park for work in a week or so so I'll keep an eye on lights!

 

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[megan]

Filming is this month. Interesting note. The waterfall and mill run through all of craftsman valley has been off most of the season. I noticed they were adding some spotlights to the base of the millrace supports near the mini waterwheel that used to turn the barnstormer sign propeller. Some of the support woods looks new as well. Anyone know if this is just general refurb with a little extra thrown in, or something bigger?

[dstephe9]

Filming is this month. Interesting note. The waterfall and mill run through all of craftsman valley has been off most of the season. I noticed they were adding some spotlights to the base of the millrace supports near the mini waterwheel that used to turn the barnstormer sign propeller. Some of the support woods looks new as well. Anyone know if this is just general refurb with a little extra thrown in, or something bigger?

If I had to guess it's just general refurb, especially if the movie is being shot in this area. Spotlights are to help with lighting during the filming. Some of the area looked kind of rough and a movie like this is essentially a commercial. I wouldn't be surprised if Dollywood has invested some in the movie.. Again, this is all just general observation due to the lights being put up so early in this area. Like the original poster of the lights in this area, my wife and I also thought it was very early but didn't think much into it. We just assumed, with Wildwood Grove, they just expect it to take longer to put lights up so they are getting an early start.

 

On a side note, I haven't noticed any work being done on the millrun but I haven't paid much attention to it.

 

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[dstephe9]

Filming is this month. Interesting note. The waterfall and mill run through all of craftsman valley has been off most of the season. I noticed they were adding some spotlights to the base of the millrace supports near the mini waterwheel that used to turn the barnstormer sign propeller. Some of the support woods looks new as well. Anyone know if this is just general refurb with a little extra thrown in, or something bigger?

So just got back from Dollywood, not really any new wood on the water run but parts have been pressure washed and cleaned. There were a few new fence pieces here and there and possibly a new board here and there on the run that had to be replaced. To me, it looks more like sprucing up that area vs anything bigger. Probably for the movie or just general maintenance.

 

And those tiny spotlights have actually been used there before and around the park. I thought you meant bigger spotlights

 

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[tndank]

I'll probably call the park tomorrow but maybe someone knows...

 

If I bring a friend next weekend and use the coupon for passholders, can we enter at 9:00? Good enough if I have a pass? Can't imagine they are that tight about it.

[dstephe9]

I assume you mean the opening an hour early on Saturday? Yeah your friend should be able to get in but no guarantee they will let them on the select ride that's opened early. The park usually opens the gates early in general and let guest into the front Midway of the park (they have ropes blocking off the rest of the park) so your friend should be able to get in. How early they open the front gates varies. I've seen it an hour early and sometimes only 15 - 30 mins

 

I've personally never been for the select early opened ride so not sure how they manage that and who rides.

 

 

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[tndank]

Lightning Rod has been struggling the last few days. Unusual this year. It was down most of today. Same for the last couple days. I ended up at the park for the last 2 hours and it was listed as closed for the day.

[JJLehto]

So I'm caving and booking my trip now.

I recall people saying during an October weekday the park should be dead, so that is my aim. I'm thinking earlier to miss whatever Halloween stuff they may do. I love the park has full operating hours, on weekdays, in October

Was tempted to ask how has LR been running in general and is it usually up/good in Oct? But I realize it's a literal crap shoot it seems, much like the early days of TTD (well ok still ) and I gotta just go and hope.

 

Im gunna make a long weekend of it, and do Gatlingburg/the Great Smoky Mnts and Knoxville. In theory I can switch days around if LR is down or hell even go twice if I like the park enough. I've never heard anything negative from anyone so yeah I'm stoked

[tndank]

Be careful. When they start lighting the pumpkins and starting that whole festival, it can become really crowded. Saturdays are pretty much the only busy days right now. Area schools are slowly starting back.

 

If you're going solo, drop me a line. Might be able to meet up for a bit if you want some company.

 

LR down all day today. Strange.

[JJLehto]

Yes, but if I recall correctly, quite a few here said they dont expect early Oct (Im talking first week) to be an issue, esp for a weekday. Yeah I'll be going solo. Once its set in stone I'll gladly drop a line. I don't mind going solo but ofc more the merrier.

[dstephe9]

The first year it opened, the first week was very very packed. Local fall breaks are actually that week, at least Blount County. (Haven't looked at the school schedule this year,but I'd imagine it's the same) I was at Disney last year during the first week of Luminights at Dollywood

 

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[CoasterGuy06]

Visited the park last week for the first time since 2016. Great day as always. Some notes/pics:

 

-Dragonflier is an excellent ride. After riding it and Freedom Flyer the past few years I really wish more parks would add these coasters. Fun for everyone!

-Lightning Rod was running one train and had a ton of downtime.

-Never been evacuated from a ride during normal operation. That changed that day. On my "first" Lightning Rod ride we did not clear the first hill and slowly rolled down. When I came back several hours later we came to a complete stop on the brakes before the turn back towards the station. After several minutes the crew came out and evacuated us.

-Wild Eagle was also down for several hours. Such a shame since I really love that ride.

-Cinnamon Bread . That is all.

 

On to some pictures

Back at an amazing park!!

Mystery Mine...thru the water!

Interesting.

Also interesting

So stunning

Glad BGW joined the club in adding these rides

So great

Well I got to experience a rollback, just not on TTD

Food porn. You're welcome.

After stuffing your face, Dollywood Express is a great follow up

Klondike Katie letting her presence be known

All the new hotness

Not many parks can beat Dollwood's setting

This is a new angle. Probably the worst ride on Thunderhead I've had though

Wildwood Grove

The real new hotness here

Drop Line was a good addition

A wild Dragonfly appears!

Wild Eagle is looping

The real Dollywood magic happens here.

Evacuation number two for me.

Reward for evacuated. Of course, the only thing that really had a line that day had been Lightning Rod

Such simple beauty.

Boomerang confirmed for 2021!

[Canobie Coaster]

At least Lightning Rod made it 5 months this year before it started having a few days with issues.

 

It looks like the ride ran pretty consistently over the weekend so hopefully last week was just a hiccup.

[SharkTums]

^^ +1 point for the Pokemon reference!

[TEDodd]

At least Lightning Rod made it 5 months this year before it started having a few days with issues.

 

Wonder if it's the heat. Have to think it's a factor. It had been a bit warmer than normal the last few weeks.

[tndank]

At least Lightning Rod made it 5 months this year before it started having a few days with issues.

 

It looks like the ride ran pretty consistently over the weekend so hopefully last week was just a hiccup.

 

Agreed. Been running fairly well this year. It was really hot last week in this area. We were scheduled to take my wife's brother but held off for another weekend. He's never been and LR hadn't run for a few days.

 

Rollbacks on LR...that doesn't happen every day. I'm jealous. And an evac later on? What a day!

[neilnky]

I've been watching theme park worldwide's youtube channel. They took a trip visiting 20 theme parks and really gave Silver Dollar City and Dollywood high ratings. Especially SDC. I love watching vlogs as I won't get to visit all those parks. I really appreciate Dollywood and other theme parks. I prefer those to amusement parks. The channel commentators said that other than Universal and Disney the American parks aren't too good at dark rides compared to European parks. I would love Dollywood to get an awesome dark ride. I think it would also be cool to add an iconic observation tower of some kind. The Eiffel Tower replicas at the Cedar Fair parks are 1/3 replicas I think so that is about 350 feet tall if I researched correctly. Dollywood could come up with some giant tree / flower observation tower with Butterfly and Bee shaped elevators on the outside maybe? I'm just brainstorming after watching so many of the videos. I am definitely more into SDC , Dollywood, and Busch Gardens type parks versus say Six Flags. Of course that is me. Many want the thrills. I am so glad there is a variety. I am so excited to see what the future brings !!! Sorry if I rambled I had to vent alittle after seeing all those vlogs lol

[Canobie Coaster]

At least Lightning Rod made it 5 months this year before it started having a few days with issues.

 

It looks like the ride ran pretty consistently over the weekend so hopefully last week was just a hiccup.

 

Agreed. Been running fairly well this year. It was really hot last week in this area. We were scheduled to take my wife's brother but held off for another weekend. He's never been and LR hadn't run for a few days.

 

Rollbacks on LR...that doesn't happen every day. I'm jealous. And an evac later on? What a day!

 

I think most of us get jealous with launch coaster rollbacks since they're usually no big deal and it means you get to experience the launch a second time.

 

Isn't a "rollback" on Lightning Rod more like it refuses to launch and just sits at the base rather than not having enough steam to make it over?

[TEDodd]

Isn't a "rollback" on Lightning Rod more like it refuses to launch and just sits at the base rather than not having enough steam to make it over?

 

Well early on there was failure to launch and partial launch (shut down before it cleared the last LSM). Both were safety systems tripping and stopping.

 

I don't think there's been a true rollback where it just didn't have enough to top the hill.

 

And any rides that have roll backs just reset and go. LR is always clear and test before riders go again because it was a safety shutdown.

Edited August 19, 2019 by TEDodd