Creed Bratton

Coaster Crew Platinum does qualify for Holliwood Nights as well. Has for several years now. You forgot they have Vortex ERT lol.

One of the Bathrooms to X-Base....oh wait you said rides.....I stand by my thought But in all seriousness, I'd move WindSeeker to the former Flight Commander ride pad and Gliders to the Icee Stall in Coney Mall.

Don't forget, CP hosts Winter Chill Out in February where there is a lot of announcements generally made for the upcoming season.....that's more than likely what is being talked about at the end of the blog post. There is always a possibility that RMC Streak could open at some point in 2017. The conversions do take a while, but don't forget they can open the next season after closing, i.e. Wicked Cyclone, The Joker and Twisted Collossus.

I'm excited that I'll be there for the entire event this year unlike last year when I had to leave mid-day Saturday for a wedding. Definitely going to do the scavenger hunt, probably tag a long with Liz for it! I'm kinda surprised there isn't an ERT for Mystic Timbers during the morning annnnnnnnnndddddd I'm kind of shocked but not really there isn't ERT for Firehawk.

^^ Hahaha that had me laughing harder than I should have.

Eye of the Storm has gone vertical and construction is close to being completed. Pictures on behalf of Kentucky Kingdom on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kentuckykingdom/

Here's the teaser video: I'm wondering if they're limited on colors by zoning and permissions?

Correct, but in previous versions, the forum topic would be highlighted to let you know that there is at least one updated thread in that forum.

Positive I'm clicking on the right spot. Click the stars and it would go directly to the top of the newest page. (This post is the first I've been on) I'm not seeing a difference in the dark skin mode. On the main page, it looks just like a bunch of links, like this: The only thing that indicates a new post has been made are the dates/times on the right of the forum. Also worth noting and asking, adding attachments there isn't a way to tell where they'll be uploaded in your post that I can see, is there?

I'm mainly talking outside of specific groupings (I think that's the proper term). I grabbed these screen shots before opening this specific thread: There isn't anything specific saying that there was a new update to the different forums. They all look the same. As far as the stars go, I've clicked a few stars and it sends me to the top of the most recent page. (I'm on my laptop using the desktop version).

A couple of things I've noticed: 1) It's hard to distinguish which threads have been read and which haven't. I'm not seeing an indicator for threads that show there have been updates/new posts (such as bolder text or a bubble next to the thread). 2) When you do actually click on a thread where you click to read the most recent post, it doesn't take you to that post. It takes you to the top of the current page.

Don't forget, we're not the only park getting Winterfest this year. California's Great America already started Winterfest and I've yet to hear anything negative about how the park was decorated. I'd bet that they're going to go all out for it.

I've never been on one of these, don't see myself rushing to them. The simplistic layout and the terrible capacity are major turn offs for me with these rides.

It more than likely is going to be like the Marina Entrance as King Ding Dong has said. There are a ton of people crossing Perimeter Road and there haven't been many accidents if any at all there. I've observed that traffic moves much quicker at that part of the road than back by this area pictured.

Say hi to Desert Storm for me at Castles 'N Coasters for me! Very odd park, but still had fun.

Thank you for posting this Brad! I saw it, forgot to share. Apex taking over was the step needed for this park to move forward. I'm looking forward to it's future.

I can get behind your thoughts on the Festhaus. Although, I don't want to see Panda Express leave the park entirely, when I visit KI it's one of the only times I can get Panda..... So, being the person you are that sides with theming, where would you suggest Panda Express being moved to? (I've often wondered where I'd like to see it myself)

1) Really depends on different factors. Some coasters are over 100 years old ex. Leap The Dips (Opened in 1902). It depends on the care during the lifetime, depends on safety, and depends on the park too. 2) If/when these rides close, they will be removed. Not every wooden coaster gets RMC'd. 3) Occupy yourself with other things.

Yeah that's incredibly rough. I've been told and have seen electricians on site, especially around the lift, so it can be assumed the lift is the major problem. I've been told in the past that running 2 trains has made the ride throw faults left and right.

Nope it was down the entire week from what I have been told by my friend at the park. They tested 6 times after I went to guest services to talk to them about being lied to. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Those ones are the main ones I'm thinking about. I know there is a difference in definition of the word several....but I wouldn't believe that it's rare.

A majority of Dollywood's guests/Season Passholders are older folks who go for the shows and food. They park isn't a 100% thrill park. That's why you don't necessarily see lines for their coasters. On top of that they do have pretty efficient operations. As far as the wing coasters on North American Soil, I find Wild Eagle to be the most fun, with a tie between Gatekeeper and X-Flight for number 2 and then Thunderbird is just eh to me. The launch is awesome, but the layout isn't spectacular and is too short IMO.

I don't usually write trip reports but figured I would with this one. This trip to Dollywood was kind of a spur of the moment for me. I was invited my NoChickens/MrsNoChickens and Momma NoChickens. With me working two jobs and one being in retail I was unsure if I was going to be able to go. I found out the previous Thursday that I was able to go. So this past Wednesday, MrsNoChickens and I made our way to visit Magenta Lizard and her man before heading to the NoChickens homestead. We had a great visit and enjoyed the chats we had. Thursday morning we met up with some of the NoChicken's family, including Momma NoChickens. We made our way down to Tennessee. With a few stops we arrived into Pigeon Forge roughly around 3:40. We got checked into the DreamMore Resort and I was blown away just by what I saw walking in and heading up to our suite. NoChickens and I had to hop on the trolley to the park quickly to have some business taken care of and then we went back to the resort to get the group all together (Two ladies I believe that are in their 80s, 2 in their 60s and then the NoChickens duo plus me). We got the group loaded up onto the Trolley and headed to the park. NoChickens/MrsNoChickens and I were the only ones who had been to the park before. We gathered in front of the Dollywood sign in park to get a picture. Once pictures were underway we ended up walking the area and taking in the lights and other sights. We walked the lower area of the park, we then grabbed dinner at Reds and then decided to ride Rockin' Roadway. Afterwards I showed the new visitors the recreation of Dolly's childhood home. They all were blown away by that and the lights in the area. We then headed up toward the Village to get a ride on the train at night (something I had not even done myself). While we waited for the train to board, we took in more sights which included the new Parade of Many Colors. (Pictures later). We boarded the train and headed toward the top of the mountain. I had to take a picture (all though it's a bit blurry) of the light coming out of the train when they'd throw more coal into it. The conductor at the top of the mountain played Jingle Bells on the 3 Whistle Chime. It was so cool! Once we got off the train, the park was about to close so we headed toward the shuttle back to DreamMore. NoChickens, MrsNoChickens and I decided to explore the resort after we got back. We ventured outside to watch the light show! After exploring for a bit, we headed back to the suite to settle down for the evening so we could be well rested for the next day. After we woke up and got ready, we headed to the park. NoChickens and I guided the ladies to Chasing Rainbows while we went to get our shows reserved for the TimeSavers and pick up our breakfast aka Cinnamon Bread from the Grist Mill. We went back to meet the ladies and ended up having to wait for them because our time that we thought would take us to do both things took shorter than planned. When we finally got together we enjoyed the bread and the gals ended up shopping at Dolly's Closet. The NoChickens duo and I pointed decided to go ride Barnstormer. That was MrsNoChicken's first ride on a screamin' swing and I think she enjoyed it overall. We then headed over to Blazing Fury. We entered through the TimeSaver line even though there wasn't a normal wait, but hey we had a TimeSaver so why not use it?!?! While we were in line, we were waiting for the next train and struck up conversation with the ride host closest to us. We had mentioned we were baffled that we had been to the park 4 times this year and each time Lightning Rod was down. He had asked us some questions, we told him we were coaster enthusiasts as well as Season Passholders from Indiana and Ohio, we love coasters, etc. The train finally arrived for us to board and we went on our way. When we pulled back into the station, the same host we were talking to looked directly at us and said "hey Lightning Rod just opened." So we grabbed our stuff from the bins and "ran" over to Lightning Rod (not an exactly easy route, but not terrible either). When we got up to Lightning Rod we were greeted by 4 hosts in front of the doors saying that Lightning Rod was down for the day and noted the digital sign on the queue building verifying that. I immediately became livid. Why in the world would a ride host, especially at Dollywood purposely lie/mess with guests (forget that we're coaster enthusiast, but to really do that to Season Passholders)? I called my friend who works in the rides office as I walked toward guest services. She agreed with me that the interaction we had coming back into the station should not have happened. I got off the phone as I got to the front gate. I talked with an admissions employee and stated that I needed to go to Guest Services and asked where to go. She pointed me to the exact window I needed to go. As I went up there, I waited a few minutes to then be told by the employee there that I needed to get in line, even after coming out of the park behind 30 or so folks that were already queued and more coming. I was not too happy about that, but I got in line anyway. Both issues were honestly, the worst customer service I have ever had at an amusement park. I was even more blown away that it was at Dollywood. When it was finally my turn, I met with a really awesome employee in Guest Services. She listened, told me to fill out a form and that there was one woman who responds to each and every complaint, said that I would be hearing from her within a week. While I was filling out the form, she told me she was going to call a manager of high regard in the park structure to speak with me. He listened, agreed that the host interaction at Blazing Fury should not have happened and he would make it right. He stepped away for a minute while I finished filling out my form, when he came back he made me feel a lot less angry and made the situation turn around. He told me that he would be working with the rides office to ensure that proper response would be taken care of involving this. I met back up with the party and we headed back toward Craftsman Valley. NoChickens/MrsNoChickens and I guided the others where to shop as we went to ride some coasters. We hit up Tennessee Tornado, Wild Eagle (left side in the back) and then Thunderhead. All three rides gave great rides....still hard to believe we were riding coasters on December 23rd! After our ride on Thunderhead we called the others and asked if they were hungry. So we met up and proceeded to Miss Lillian's Chicken House. After a wonderful lunch, we ended up heading back over to the Village to get a daytime ride on the train! It seriously is my absolute favorite train ride anywhere. We then headed back toward the front of the park to do some shopping (I had to buy some Christmas gifts). We all sent our purchases back to the room (great benefit of staying in resort). We then headed over to Dolly Parton's Celebrity Theater for Christmas in the Smokies. ^^One of the many reasons I love this area, the Smoky Mountains! What a beauty! This was my first show to experience at Dollywood. I'm quite happy it was. It blew me away. If you can't make it down there, I suggest watching it on Youtube (look for the 2016 edition). The vocal ability of this cast was on fire, so great! There was one song that I absolutely cried on, "The Lord Is With You," which featured an Angel, Mary and Joseph. Once that show was over the group went to "My People Christmas Edition." I decided to skip that because I needed more coasters in my life! I of course checked out the lights and sights on the way to and from coasters. I ended up going to ride Tennessee Tornado, Firechaser Express and Mystery Mine. I headed back to meet up with the group, but the Parade of Many Colors started where I needed to meet up with them. After I met up with them, NoChickens/MrsNoChickens and I went to go finish the night out with a couple more coaster rides while the others went to grab snacks at the various shops. We grabbed a ride on Mystery Mine and ended the trip with a ride on Thunderhead in the back two rows. Holy cow, I love that coaster in any seat but especially in the back. ^^^^These are our post Thunderhead ride faces ^^^ These are our faces when we realized that the 2016 coaster season is officially is over. And like that, the 2016 coaster season was over. We headed back to the resort for our final night, had pizza and played a game before we packed up and left the next morning. I had an absolute blast with the NoChickens family as well as the other members of our group. I have to give them massive thank yous for inviting me. I look forward to making it back to Smoky Mountain Christmas in the future.

But what if I buy the new plan, it's really hot out, decide to get a Powerade while I wait in line for Diamondback, and then decide to eat after the less than hour wait for the ride? With that waiting period, I wouldn't be able to get another Powerade to go with my meal. I don't think that's fair or right.

Several coasters have their storage track/maintenance shed under them.