Dollywood Discussion Thread

[fdelhomez]

Being recently on Raptor, I hardly can imagine how AMAZING this one is gonna kick ass. It's really nice to show us your exclusive pics. Wild Eagle is tall, photogenic, a perfect blue skin, I really hope Dollywood to be my first US theme park. Thanks.

[Karezza]

Wild Eagle seems to fit really well with the scenery! If I went to Dollywood in the future, I wouldn't be able to help myself from gathering a couple artsy shots!

[sfot11girl]

Thanks for the post! Lifthill looks sweet! So I see it has basically been put in to that hill.... not trying to ask a dumb question or anything, but is that potentially going to cause any problems later on as the dirt moves?

I can't wait to see this up and running! I want to make a trip to Dollywood in the next few years!

[BeemerBoy]

Nice coverage, Eric! I'm definitely surprised at how steep the lift hill is.

[Moose]

Thanks for the post! Lifthill looks sweet! So I see it has basically been put in to that hill.... not trying to ask a dumb question or anything, but is that potentially going to cause any problems later on as the dirt moves?

 

In one of the lift hill pics you can see some sort of netting that I assume is meant to stop any erosion etc.

 

Eric, could you tell if that "netting" is the final look or does it seem like its only reinforcement for something to come later (like shotcrete)?

[ernierocker]

^I would assume the netting is just temporary and that they would either drive soil nails or use shotcrete. I am trying to think what it is they are using on that steep slope across from Splash Battle when they made Wilderness Pass. I'm thinking it is a combination of the netting and soil nails.

Edited November 15, 2011 by ernierocker

[Rollercoaster5000]

Is it just me who thinks that Wild Eagle appears to be an average B&M with winged trains? X - Flight, Swarm and Raptor have more unique layouts to this. Experiencing a loop on a Wing coaster should pretty awesome. No doubt the views will be amazing!

[RollerCoasterSmi]

^ It looks like a more standard B&M than the others, but I think it looks by far the most awesome!

[DJeXeL]

^The location it's being built makes it most unique in my opinion. I simply love the way the lift hill integrates with that hill.

 

[harper83087]

^That picture is beautiful!!! Just imagine the same shot in the summer with a train on the lift, green trees, flowers....man I need to make it to dollywood.

[Moose]

^I would assume the netting is just temporary and that they would either drive soil nails or use shotcrete. I am trying to think what it is they are using on that steep slope across from Splash Battle when they made Wilderness Pass. I'm thinking it is a combination of the netting and soil nails.

 

Exactly what I was looking for, I knew you would know

[dominoes]

I would love to see that on a sunny autum evening, with everything golden and beautiful. I hate to admit it, but I am almost equally excited about this as Swarm...

[tnembalmer]

Went on Saturday Night the lift hill looks amazing, I can remember when there was nothing at the park, Dollywood has done an amazing job to bring the park into the 21 century. I can't wait for the 2012 Season.......

[ugaman15]

have they gotten the trains in yet?

[coasterfreak101]

Only two pages back.

 

Thanks for the awesome (exclusive) photos Eric. Even though the trains won't hit American soil until January, Is it fair enough to say that this ride will open on time? It sure looks like it .

[jedimaster1227]

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20111121006066/en/Dollywood-Entertainment-Wins-Brass-Ring-Awards

 

Dollywood’s live entertainment won two International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions (IAAPA) Brass Ring Awards for Excellence in Live Entertainment. With 20 Brass Ring Awards, Dollywood has won more than any other theme park in the world.

 

“It makes me proud to know that when folks come to Dollywood, we’re giving them our best, and I truly appreciate such high praise from our industry.”

The Gemtones won for Best Atmosphere/Street Performance and Sha-Kon-O-Hey! Land of Blue Smoke won Best Overall Production for the budget category $400,001-$700,000. In all, Dollywood entertainment was a finalist in eight categories.

 

The awards were presented on Wednesday, Nov. 16, at the annual IAAPA Expo in Orlando, Fla.

 

The Gemtones, a five-member a capella group, performs ‘50s and ‘60s music in Dollywood’s Jukebox Junction area. Sha-Kon-O-Hey! Land of Blue Smoke, which featured eight songs written by Dolly Parton, ended a three-year run on Oct. 19.

 

“What better news to get when I’m half way around the world on tour in Australia than to find out that Dollywood’s live entertainment won two more Brass Ring Awards from the fine folks at IAAPA,” Parton said. “It makes me proud to know that when folks come to Dollywood, we’re giving them our best, and I truly appreciate such high praise from our industry.”

 

Also at IAAPA, Dollywood’s Splash Country won the Big Squirt!® 2011 Million Dollar Sales Splash Award in recognition of more than $1 million in sales of the Big Squirt water toy.

 

IAAPA is the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities worldwide. The organization represents more than 4,500 facility, supplier, and individual members from more than 90 countries.

 

Dollywood, the 2010 Applause Award winner, is a 150-acre family adventure park located near the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Open nine months a year, Dollywood offers more than 40 rides and attractions including the award-winning coasters Thunderhead® and Mystery Mine®, live entertainment and crafters. In March 2012, Wild Eagle, the first wing coaster in the U.S., opens at the park. Winner of IAAPA’s Must-See Waterpark Award in 2009, Dollywood’s Splash Country is adjacent to Dollywood and spans more than 35 acres. For more information, call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD or visit dollywood.com.

[DougMJr]

This is probably my most anticipated stop on the New Hotness tour. Not only will I be able to ride a new kick-butt B&M wing-rider, but I'll be able to enjoy one of the nicest parks in the US. Congratulations Dollywood.

[Gerstlauer1]

This picture was posted over at Coasterforce.com

[coasterfreak101]

Best-looking corkscrew ever!

[imagenius128]

That looks freaking amazing. I wonder if it's just the perspective or if the track really gets that close to the trees.

 

I really hope I can get there sometime this coming season. I haven't been to Dollywood since I was like 8 years old and I've wanted to go back for awhile now...

[gisco]

That is a prettty cool picture. It will be awesome in the Spring when the trees leaf out.

[DJeXeL]

Pretty nice aerial shot...

 

Source: Screamscape

[ernierocker]

Nice angle indeed! Working on setting up a tour before the 2012 season ends, so look for more Wild Eagle Construction Photos on the horizon!

[Ed Farmer]

I wonder if we'll see B&M incorporate that elongated flatspin onto any of their other ride types.

[Guy T. Koepp]

I will be there Saturday. I'm hoping to get some nice pics as the trees have pretty much dropped their foliage which makes pictures easier to take around the hill.

 

Yay! Dolly Christmas here I come!