Dollywood Discussion Thread

[TEDodd]

Just go see a show and go through the museum if/when the rides shut down. You'll have a great time.

 

And don't forget you can reserve a seat for some shows with TimeSaver. I think all the indoor theaters.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

Yes, good callout.

[Djwadeknox]

Dolly Parton said at the end of her interview the next big thing for Dollywood is adding on to the resort. So expect that to be the big news for next year. Hopefully they will add something to splash country. Don’t expect anything big for for Dollywood next year. https://www.waff.com/2019/06/06/dolly-parton-whats-new-pigeon-forge/

[megan]

Wildwood tree is nice, but WOW Indianapolis children’s museum really knocked it outbid the park with a tree with very realistic leaves, interactive climbing elements and beautiful “carvings” in the trunk. What happened to the “subtle music instruments” in the trunk at Dollywood. Honestly that centerpiece was the piece that I was least impressed by. The whole area is nice, but the centerpiece definitely could have been more.

[ripleybl]

My summarized trip report of the coasters from Dollywood... My first ever trip. Thanks again and shoutout to everyone who helped me plan my trip on this site/forum.

 

Okay this park is freaking amazing! Rained the whole time on Saturday (and weekend pretty much) and everything was still open all day (yes, even LR!!!). Highly recommend the unlimited fastpass thingy when visiting. Valet parking was awesome because of the rain and they brought my car right to us and didn't get any more wet than we already were. Food was the best I have had in an amusement park and the cinnamon bread... Yeah that is crack cocaine as well as Grandma Gee's (or whatever her name is that is the grandma that bakes biscuits and has been for 10000 years) garlic butter biscuits. I ate 6 biscuits and a loaf of cinnamon bread by myself on top of my meal.

 

Okay coasters... Rain=pins and needles piercing your skin when riding a coaster (this was for all of them)

 

LR- 6x on this thing (1st ride in the front, the rest in the back) This coaster is bad a$$! Way better in the back in my opinion and the quadruple down is absurd (in an awesome way). Yes I think SV is better, but only because of length. Girlfriend agrees. My shins and lower back are sore still... lol

 

Thunderhead- 4x on this and it's amazing. Every park should have a wooden coaster like this is all I will say about it. I get why is was ranked #1 coaster for so long back in the day.

 

Wild Eagle- 3x and the first drop in the back is great. Great wing coaster and the beginning and middle I think is better than Gatekeeper. Length of it make me like Gatekeeper a tad bit more. Amazing wing coaster though. Well, amazing coaster in general I meant to say as well.

 

Dragonflier- Front row 2x and back row 1x. This was awesome! I like how it's suspended and just a lap bar. Very comfortable seats and lap bars. There was a family and had 2 kids (10yr old and about a 5yr old- i'm guessing). 10yr old chickened out, got off the ride and started crying and made a scene, and the 5yr old stayed on and was her first coaster ever. She looked sooooo scared, but her dad had her hand and she went off and didn't look back as they ascended up the lift hill. She came back with the biggest smile on her face and looked at everyone in the queue, "that was fun daddy let's do it again! Brandon you're a scaredie cat!!!" everyone died laughing and Brandon had another breakdown and was embarrassed and now his younger sister owns him! LOL So funny!!!

 

Mystery Mine- 3x. Surprisingly very fun minus the length, but noticing this is Dollywood and doesn't probably have the budget for a longer coaster. Very comfortable seats and the bulky OTSR are very comfortable too and still give you room for airtime, etc

 

Firechaser Express- 2x... I was actually disappointed a little. Didn't realize it was going to be such a family coaster. I was expecting like a Verbolten or something for some reason. Going backwards is very cool though and I liked the launches.

 

Tennessee Tornado- 2x... Smoothest Arrow in the history of Arrow and loved the first and 2nd loop. 3rd inversion felt very much like Anaconda at KD. Still, it was smooth and I didn't feel like I wanted to die when I got off. The first drop was awesome that it was in a tunnel.

 

Blazing Fury- I didn't ride it because I didn't know about it until I just googled Dollywood to remind myself which coasters we went on while we were there. SMH!!! LOL

 

Anyway, I highly recommend this park to everyone. Not only is the park one of my favorites now, Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg is awesome! Tram was awesome, Alpine coaster was great, the new suspended bridge at Skypark is awesome, tons of stuff to do, go carts galore, restaurants galore!

 

Married with kids, married with no kids, not married, single, whatever... doesn't matter. Head to Pigeon Forge for a long weekend and check out Dollywood and Pigeon Forge! Well worth it!

[Canobie Coaster]

Glad you enjoyed Dollywood! Blazing Fury is cute, but it's not a must ride. I actually think it has been a few years since I've ridden it to be honest.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

Awesome man! I've never heard of anyone having a bad time at Dollywood. It's a fantastic place and I'm glad you got to experience it.

[tndank]

Sounds like a great trip. Awesome you enjoyed the area.

 

Blazing Fury...hate that you missed that gem. Great old indoor ride. And the last drop is actually RMC track.

[esvadj]

Great report, heading west to Dollywood Saturday for my first time. Staying a week in one of Dollywood's cabins and plan to do as much Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg stuff as a family can do in a week.

[neilnky]

I would think that the new resort hotel Dolly has said is coming soon will be over in the area where DreamMore is and not anywhere near the main Dollywood area right? Just curious what you guys thought. I would think the immediate Dollywood land area would have to be for more parking and future expansions. I am not sure how much land they own just can't wait to see actual theme park attraction expansions over the next decade like this last one. I know Opryland ran out of expansion room and was hoping that would never be an issue for Dollywood.

[Jdprince45]

Sounds like Dreammore will be expanded before Wildwood Grove Phase II https://www.waff.com/2019/06/06/dolly-parton-whats-new-pigeon-forge/

[octoroach]

I've never been to Dollywood and I 100% plan on fixing that this year. Anyone think lightning rod will be part of thrills in the hills ert this year (I think has never been so far)? I want to get night rides, so its either go to the event if its on the ERT schedule or plan my trip for october/november when its darker earlier.

[JJLehto]

I've never been to Dollywood and I 100% plan on fixing that this year. Anyone think lightning rod will be part of thrills in the hills ert this year (I think has never been so far)? I want to get night rides, so its either go to the event if its on the ERT schedule or plan my trip for october/november when its darker earlier.

 

Whoa there's an event? I had no idea.

Hmmm yes if anyone can provide any info on this (not seeing concrete on the site) I would be greatly interested. I too was planning on going later (prob Oct) or perhaps this summer and use fast pass, but if there's an ERT event...

Cause yeah hell or high water I wanna finally do Lightning Rod and I hear nothing but great things about this park.

[Nrthwnd]

^ Here.

 

https://www.dollywood.com/themepark/Festivals/ThrillsintheHills

 

Have a great time!

[JJLehto]

^ Here.

 

https://www.dollywood.com/themepark/Festivals/ThrillsintheHills

 

Have a great time!

 

Indeed, but per the earlier comment there doesn't seem to be mention of what rides will be on ERT.

Regardless, going this year. Deff gunna check out Knoxville, Gatlingburg etc while there! Maybe the Great Smoky Mountains, as a big fan of hiking I reckon that's gotta be top tier.

 

 

Blazing Fury...hate that you missed that gem. Great old indoor ride. And the last drop is actually RMC track.

 

BOOKING TRIP NOW

[TEDodd]

Anyone think lightning rod will be part of thrills in the hills ert this year (I think has never been so far)?

 

Past seasons LR has been having problems. If it continues running well I expect it will have ERT. Will it be after dark is anyone's guess.

 

Summer nights (til 9:30) starts this weekend and run through Aug 4.

Edited June 23, 2019 by TEDodd

[mikeykaise]

My gf and I are talking about heading to Gatlinburg for the 4th and will probably be there until the 7th, I was just wondering how busy Dollywood might be during this time?

[Vonni]

Any noticeable work at the Waterboggan site?

[tndank]

Thrills in the HIlls schedule was posted.

 

Friday, July 12

8 p.m. | Check-in begins

9 p.m. | Snack (cinnamon bread!)

9:30 - 10:30 p.m. | Exclusive Ride Time after the park closes (Lightning Rod)

 

Saturday, July 13

8 - 9 a.m. | Check-in and breakfast

9 - 10 a.m. | Exlusive Tour of the Thunderhead lift hill (appropriate footwear required)

10 - Noon | Free time in Dollywood

Noon - 1 p.m. | Lunch

1 - 3 p.m. | Free time in Dollywood

3 p.m. | Reserved show seating for Summer Feels...

4:30 - 9:30 p.m. | Free time in Dollywood

9:30 - 10:30 p.m. | Exclusive Ride Time after the park closes (all of Wildwood Grove)

[octoroach]

While lightning rod is on the schedule this year, isn’t wildwood grove all family rides for the Saturday ERT? I think I’m gonna pass on the event and just make a weekend trip in October or November for more night rides on all the coasters.

[Canobie Coaster]

Yeah I'm surprised Lightning Rod isn't on ERT both nights, but then again this is the first time the coaster isn't closed for the event so they probably didn't want to mess with fire.

 

While Wildwood Grove is mostly a family area, I've heard it looks nice at night and Dragonflier is fun for everyone.

[mikeykaise]

I've been googling and think I have my answer but just want to be sure, but is Dollywood no longer doing the come in after 3pm and come back the next day offer that they used to do?

[megan]

Unfortunately they discontinued that a couple of years ago. Not sure why as it was so nice. Especially at the water park where you could go in, do a few things but not “bake” all through the hottest part of the day. Seemed to get more bodies in the parks later in the evening eating and spending as well. Costs about the same to run an empty park as a full one, and a park full of people feeling like they got a good deal and “more than they paid for” are more apt to spend money in the real profit centers of food and Merch.

[mikeykaise]

I was afraid of that, at least it's open from 10am until 9:30 so that will be plenty of time.

[TBpony414]

We are in Pigeon Forge for the week. Does anyone know if Dollywood puts on a special fireworks show for the 4th? I know they do a so-so fireworks show every evening in the summer but wondered if they amped it up for the 4th.

 

Has anyone been to the new Dolly Parton Pirates Voyage (I think it’s called?) dinner show? It opened last month. Wondering how it is. There are evidently other locations around the US that have the show too.