BB1 Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 Today I made the long trip down to pf. and g. Tn. It was mildly crowded today, making the stay a tad bit unpleasant. My favorite restaurant, the Apple Barn was not that crowded at my visit, and the service, about an 8 star area. The Ripleys Aquarium was not too crowded today, making the stay a 10 on my scale. Ober Gatlinburg was a requiem of my experiences at Ki, the alpine slide had a wait, but it was all worth while, a 9 on my scale. I soon made my way through the small attractions, with no lines, and fun times. The day w as warm and clear in the south with the sun shining and good temperatures. Hopefully my report will help you out and or tell you about a day in Tn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TombRaiderFTW Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 I love the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area. It's slightly cheesy and a bit of a tourist trap, but it's endearing. I'm incredibly jealous that you got to ride the Ober Gatlinbug alpine slide--it was closed in December, and I didn't get the chance to visit OG during my spring break trip. What'd you think of it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thekidd33 Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 I was down there over the weekend for my first trip to Dollywood. The aquarium was beyond packed on Saturday when we were there. Glad you had a good time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB1 Posted April 5, 2012 Author Share Posted April 5, 2012 I love the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area. It's slightly cheesy and a bit of a tourist trap, but it's endearing. I'm incredibly jealous that you got to ride the Ober Gatlinbug alpine slide--it was closed in December, and I didn't get the chance to visit OG during my spring break trip. What'd you think of it? It was the best ride i rode all day I was down there over the weekend for my first trip to Dollywood. The aquarium was beyond packed on Saturday when we were there. Glad you had a good time! Yes i did thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jandyb79 Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 I finally got the chance to ride the slide carts at Ober Gatlinburg last summer, though I visit Gatlinburg about 5 times a year. They were absolutely a blast! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kblanken Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 Did you ride Wild Eagle? I went last weekend, and enjoyed it, but thought the restraints were too painful on the shoulders, and kept squeezing more and more...really noticeable on the wait back into the station. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB1 Posted April 6, 2012 Author Share Posted April 6, 2012 Did you ride Wild Eagle? I went last weekend, and enjoyed it, but thought the restraints were too painful on the shoulders, and kept squeezing more and more...really noticeable on the wait back into the station. I actually didnt, it sounds like a pain train Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thekidd33 Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 I had heard a few reports of this happiening, but I didn't have any problem at all. I actually really liked the restraints. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustbucket Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 To me, Wild Eagle was not as intense as I hoped it would be. Left side was a far better ride that the right. It was quite interesting that my arms were hitting the tree branches when I was on the right side. This ride was less intense than Hydra at Dorney Park. I still much prefer Thunderhead over Wild Eagle. I will check out X-Flight at SFGAm for a comparison. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB1 Posted April 13, 2012 Author Share Posted April 13, 2012 I personally like The Beast than any other ride, execpt for the Alpine Slide, thats a new favorite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westcoaster Posted April 13, 2012 Share Posted April 13, 2012 Great trip report, 11 years ago, my wife and my honeymoon was spent in that area we loved it!, Would love to get to ride the new ride at dolly, but I'll say one thing for the National park down there, once you go out west to see how they try to keep developement away away from the park, it makes for a whole different experience. Also for those of you headed to FLORIDA, or GATLINBURG this summer: It could get very tricky on the roadway's: Till atleast August 24th 2012: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/04/13/2149379/kentucky-news-review-summer-traffic.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcgoble3 Posted April 13, 2012 Share Posted April 13, 2012 Also for those of you headed to FLORIDA, or GATLINBURG this summer: It could get very tricky on the roadway's: Till atleast August 24th 2012: http://www.kentucky....er-traffic.html Thanks for the tip. I still haven't decided whether I'm driving or flying to Florida, but I'm leaning toward driving. Fortunately, I have a GPS with traffic service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasper Posted April 13, 2012 Share Posted April 13, 2012 Went down there for Spring Break about a month ago and had one of the best times of my life. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge seem so small at times but you never run out of anything to do. Attractions I would strongly recommend. Chimney Tops hiking trail, Ober Gatlinburg, Smoky Mountain Knife Works, Bass Pro Shops, Downtown Gatlinburg, Bubba Gump Shrimp, of course Dollywood, Nascar Speed Park, and Tanger Outlet Malls just to name a few. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingsrattler Posted April 13, 2012 Share Posted April 13, 2012 Also for those of you headed to FLORIDA, or GATLINBURG this summer: It could get very tricky on the roadway's: Till atleast August 24th 2012: http://www.kentucky....er-traffic.html Do the heavy travelers think this will have a major impact on traffic at 2 AM on a Sunday Morning in may? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB1 Posted April 13, 2012 Author Share Posted April 13, 2012 Went down there for Spring Break about a month ago and had one of the best times of my life. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge seem so small at times but you never run out of anything to do. Attractions I would strongly recommend. Chimney Tops hiking trail, Ober Gatlinburg, Smoky Mountain Knife Works, Bass Pro Shops, Downtown Gatlinburg, Bubba Gump Shrimp, of course Dollywood, Nascar Speed Park, and Tanger Outlet Malls just to name a few. You know Bass Pro Shops are in Ohio right? Also Bubba Gump Shrimp was the one place that i didnt get to, im guessing its the same theme and food, miss the Paramount days as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingsrattler Posted April 13, 2012 Share Posted April 13, 2012 From the three Bass Pro Shops I have been to, two have been worthy to call attractions, one would was just a store. That happens to be the one in Cincinnati. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flightoffear1996 Posted April 13, 2012 Share Posted April 13, 2012 WOuld say Dollywood or the Six Flags park in Chicago would be better to go to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB1 Posted April 13, 2012 Author Share Posted April 13, 2012 WOuld say Dollywood or the Six Flags park in Chicago would be better to go to? That depends... I personally never have been to 6 Flags Ch. but i do know Dollywood has some really good rides in my view. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dvo Posted April 13, 2012 Share Posted April 13, 2012 I can help there! I think it depends what you're looking for. I live in the Chicagoland area now, and I just went down to Dollywood for opening day. If you're looking for a larger collection of coasters and such, Six Flags has a larger collection of rides and such. But the bad part is it's often very crowded, it's a concrete paradise, and it's pretty pricy if you're just going for one day (unless you have a season pass). Dollywood is a very charming park with some really cool views. Being in the middle of the mountains really helps out the atmosphere down there, at least for me. They have good live entertainment, good food, and as far as I can tell, smaller crowds. But they also have less rides. Thunderhead is a world-class woodie, no doubt about it. And Mystery Mine and Wild Eagle are definitely unique experiences. I'd even say Blazing Fury falls into that category. But after that, I think Dollywood benefits more from the overall feel of the park than anything else. So if you're just looking to ride, I'd say go to SFGAm. But if you're looking for a day at the park with the family, I'd recommend Dollywood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB1 Posted April 16, 2012 Author Share Posted April 16, 2012 Thanks Dvo! I really could not make an accurate say so in the matter, and i could agree with you 100% on the Blazing Fury, that is the #1 ride for me at DollyWood! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westcoaster Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 Yes unfortunately I've been to other bass pros the one in Cincy is just a store well put! also for lots of ride time I would pick for six flags. Yep I was a fan even in Louisville, but for the whole charm, food, and feel of the park Dollywood! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB1 Posted April 16, 2012 Author Share Posted April 16, 2012 Indeed Dollywood is a great place, its like Disney, its the perfect combination of athmosphere, and thrill! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingsrattler Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 And I was blown away at how nice everyone(not just employees, but guests also) was at Dollywood. It makes the day that much more enjoyable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB1 Posted April 16, 2012 Author Share Posted April 16, 2012 And I was blown away at how nice everyone(not just employees, but guests also) was at Dollywood. It makes the day that much more enjoyable. Its a little thing called "Southern Hospitality" its rare this far north.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 And I was blown away at how nice everyone(not just employees, but guests also) was at Dollywood. It makes the day that much more enjoyable. Its a little thing called "Southern Hospitality" its rare this far north.. Really? See Six Flags Over Georgia, Carowinds, the former Visionland, etc. I submit it's how The Dollywood Company treats its employees and makes clear how it wants its guests treated. Something about a Golden Rule. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB1 Posted April 16, 2012 Author Share Posted April 16, 2012 Indeed it is! To me personally its almost like a belt persay of S.H. it can spread from person to person, or not. Its almost like summer good will in some cases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TombRaiderFTW Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 ^^ I have to agree with Terp. Dollywood's definitely got the most consistently friendly staff I've ever encountered. I also agree with kingsrattler that the guests themselves have been far friendlier in my two visits than at any other park I've been to, too. It's the sort of mutual respect I wish Kings Island's employees and guests had, but I don't really know how they'd establish that at this point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 Treat your employees the way you want your customers treated. Want to know what Kinzel & Co. thought of employees? Look no further than Cedar Point's employee housing. Which, by the way, Mr. Ouimet is reportedly driven to improve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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