malem Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 ^ Backlot has a 48" height requirement and launches into an intense helix. KI even rates it as "5 - aggressive thrill". Probably not a "family coaster" by many definitions. (Not Dollywood's apparently.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTD-120-420 Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 The $300 Million includes the resort, right? I don't see a lot of in park additions after this ride; at least not new ones. Building that resort is going to be expensive. ..and just what Pigeon Forge needs, another resort! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markr Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 I think the new hotel is a great idea and, even though it will probably cost a mint to stay there, I like the convenience of being able to stay on site-while I loved Dollywood, I hated the bumper to bumper traffic in Pidgeon Forge. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malem Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 ^^ Dollywood probably learned a lot from their brief relationship with Gaylord. The Gatlinburg area lacks a hotel with this project's scope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jandyb79 Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge is one of my favorite getaway destinations. My wife and I visit at minimum 4 times per year (will be heading there again next week for the 3rd time this summer) and I am thrilled that they are investing this kind of money into the area! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Existential Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 I can't believe all the love for Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. I found it to be deplorable. I loved the Smokies and loved the remote cabins...but we did EVERYTHING we could to stay away from the main paths and Pigeon Forge itself. Again, the only reason I was disapointed by the announcement is that I would love a reason to return to Dollywood. I loved the place. But this doesn't give many a reason to change their travel plans. Which is too bad, because like I stated earlier...it is such a wonderful park that could really become quite a Destination Park with a few more AAA coasters and unique rides. It already has a nice amount. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 You are not the target market. Dollywood is primarily a show park. The rides exist to give the kids and twenty-somethings something to do when the grandparents come to the park and spend, spend, spend. Dollywood isn't Cedar Point South. They know that. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungStud Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 Back yard has a 48" requirement dwood's has a lower height. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Existential Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 I understand that Interpreter, and understood how much the park means to the working community there and to the southern elderly of the region, and their families. It smacks you in the face simply by who is employed at the stands and the geriatrics all around on the buses from the lot to the park. If they are complacent with that ...fine. It's almost amusement park Walmart in that regards. But the park is so nice...and I wish them to expand beyond who they attract. Why have rides like Mystery Mine and Wild Eagle and Thunderhead at all then? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Existential Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 And those with money willing to trade it for entertainment...should always be the target market. I will always argue that...in regards to your point I mean. But they should be throwing a hand out for the enthusiasts' dollar as well at this point in their gamesmanship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersRZ Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Except that dual launch coaster launched you forward both times. This one apparently will launch the trains both forward and backwards, which Backlot Stunt Coaster does not do. It will be interesting to see what plans they have in store for the park past 2015. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Dollywood draws its audiences from many, many hundreds of miles. It has one of the highest per caps in the industry. They have thrill rides for the same reason that fast food restaurants have salads. Few people order them, but it stops the veto factor. Group of 20 people planning a trip to Dollywood for a festival or Smoky Mountain Christmas, but a whiny, jaded teen gripes "There's nothing for me to do; it's an old people's park." Gramps says, "You can ride Thunderhead, Mystery Mine and Wild Eagle. Now hush." 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Existential Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 I do understand your point man. Always...even being a lurker for many years. But that park is teetering on the edge of incredible. And only recently mind you. Just wishing it good days ahead. I was blown away by it at this point of its cycle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcwizard13 Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Upon reading a news article, I found something very interesting that hasn't yet been discussed and could really help explain where all that money is going... Dollywood President Craig Ross says the hotel will be the first of multiple resorts on the property.Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2013/08/21/dollywood-to-spend-300-million-in-next-decade-resort-coming-in-2015-more-rides/#ixzz2ckm4J0h8 If that is true, it easily explains where a lot of money is going. However, I don't see how they know more will work out. I know people have said one resort should do fine, but multiple Dolly-owned resorts? I can't see that working out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 It'll work. Finding a place to stay in the Smokys can be incredible. So can be the pricing. Craig Ross is a fantastic GM. He used to be the GM of a park in southern Ohio. You may have heard of it. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Existential Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 On a side note...while we are speaking of the 'old and in the way'... When I was down at Dollywood in April [NO wait times for rides at all]. I was marathoning Thunderhead in the afternoon. My first ride Me and the GF chose the front and noticed this older gentleman already in the train by his lonesome ready for launch. Easily in his 70's. We were next, watching him from behind the bars and I was smiling and hoping I can do the same at that age. They were running a single train I assumed because of the month. I waited for the passthrough through the station to catch a glimpse of him as he passed in a blur in the front train as it passed, and he was hugging on to the bar with all of his 100 pound frame with the biggest smile I have seen aside from a childs smile. The train returned, he got out and we got in and that was that. So after the ride I exit the ramp and get right back in line. The GF has back issues and has trouble with woodens more than one ride, so I head back in alone to hit the rear train. As soon as I get behind the bars...I notice the same old man in the rear cart this time. I watch again as he passes through the flythrough of the station and he is doing the same bargrab with smile as the first time I saw him. I rode Thunderhead another time after and he was back again, ahead of me, already on the train...riding again. It just so happens that my GF was sitting by his wife on the benches outside, waiting for me to finish riding. She told my GF that he rides it 6 or 7 times a day during the few hours they visited everyday. His wife said he was 77. She said it was the only ride that he rode in the park...and that they were there everyday, being season pass holders. He rides it 6-7 times everyday or more...at 77. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 In less than 20 years, I'll be older than he now is. I only hope to still be at it. What a nice story. Thanks for sharing! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Existential Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 It touched me too...because I had to move on after 3 rides. [i think mostly because I hate keeping the GF waiting on me]. He has 40 years on me! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RailRider Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 As a young child I spent many a Summer at Opryland in Nashville and once it met its demise we started heading to Dollywood. Even to this day Dollywood is not your typical amusement or theme park. Yes they have quite the collection of thrilling and family rides, but the shows and natural beauty are what make the park special. Also because I have found Dollywood to have some of the nicest employees outside of Disney, especially how the make my daughter feel very special (I think the fact most are grandparents and love little kids has a big part to do with it.) Dolly's employees actually enjoy their job and its very noticeable. You have not truly visited Dollywood if you have never sampled a Cinnamon loaf from the old mill, made the hike to the Smokey Mountain Sidewinder, drooled over the 4ft wide cast iron skillet of food or seen Shakonohey. Dollywood is very unique in an industry that has lost a lot of its character and I am thankful for that. "Fire in the Hole!" 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTD-120-420 Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 It'll work. Finding a place to stay in the Smokys can be incredible. So can be the pricing. I thought a lot of the pricing was very reasonable, if not undervalued. We had plenty of options when some friends and I were looking for a place to stay during our senior trip. Very cheap and beautiful log cabins. I loved Dollywood. It felt as if my grandma designed her own amusement park. It made me feel at home. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 You went at a time when rooms were readily available. Not unlike Sandusky, that area has dynamic pricing. When demand appears ready to exceed supply, the prices can be as breathtaking as the views. I still remember when the main drag through Pigeon Forge was a two lane road with very few stoplights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTD-120-420 Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 July is the slow season? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 Midweek? Yes. Try an August weekend. Or leaf peeping time. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UnrealNightmare Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 When we went for Smoky Mountain Coasterfest I was checking out a lot of prices and they were way more expensive at that time then I had seen when I had just gone to the area 3 months prior. Gatlinburg is a busy place during the Holidays! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 I have been quoted $44 for a Thursday night there before when the next night in the same room was to be $289. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McSalsa Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 Well, I'm bumping this topic because an animated video of the new family coaster, FireChaser Express, has been made and posted. I got it from Coasterforce. Here ya go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_UZcXOpteU If this ride is anything like the video, it looks like a pretty solid family coaster. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westcoaster Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 Looks like a great addition, and seems incredible: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTD-120-420 Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 For a "kiddie coaster" this looks like it could rival the big boys of the park. Besides Thunderhead, I wasn't really impressed with the rest of Dollywood's lineup. This is a solid addition. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanna Posted October 11, 2013 Share Posted October 11, 2013 On a side note...while we are speaking of the 'old and in the way'... When I was down at Dollywood in April [NO wait times for rides at all]. I was marathoning Thunderhead in the afternoon. My first ride Me and the GF chose the front and noticed this older gentleman already in the train by his lonesome ready for launch. Easily in his 70's. We were next, watching him from behind the bars and I was smiling and hoping I can do the same at that age. They were running a single train I assumed because of the month. I waited for the passthrough through the station to catch a glimpse of him as he passed in a blur in the front train as it passed, and he was hugging on to the bar with all of his 100 pound frame with the biggest smile I have seen aside from a childs smile. The train returned, he got out and we got in and that was that. So after the ride I exit the ramp and get right back in line. The GF has back issues and has trouble with woodens more than one ride, so I head back in alone to hit the rear train. As soon as I get behind the bars...I notice the same old man in the rear cart this time. I watch again as he passes through the flythrough of the station and he is doing the same bargrab with smile as the first time I saw him. I rode Thunderhead another time after and he was back again, ahead of me, already on the train...riding again. T It just so happens that my GF was sitting by his wife on the benches outside, waiting for me to finish riding. She told my GF that he rides it 6 or 7 times a day during the few hours they visited everyday. His wife said he was 77. She said it was the only ride that he rode in the park...and that they were there everyday, being season pass holders. He rides it 6-7 times everyday or more...at 77. I've found that my asthma is practically non existant at the park, that's one reason I only so few smokes with me. He could be riding it as a folk cure for whatever- get his heart going. A rush of adrenalin lowers the occurance of asthma occurances. I don't know why the old gent is riding, but it's keeping him going, ain't it? Ride on, Cowboy. I hope to still be doing the same at his age. Hotel prices were fantastic The first week of November when I went, if you don't mind the "Nightmare Before Christmas" theme going on in the streets as they change decorations. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcwizard13 Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 Dollywood has just completed the track work for FireChaser Express. I've got to say this ride is much more than I had originally thought it would be. http://newsplusnotes.blogspot.com/2014/01/dollywood-completes-firechaser-express.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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