For those hoping to be one of the first riders on Dollywood’s Lightning Rod wooden coaster this weekend, you’ll have to wait a bit longer.
UPDATE: Lightning Rod is now open! Read our Lightning Rod review here.
Taken by Jason Slone during a January 2016 Lightning Rod construction tour
The park announced yesterday that the record-breaking coaster from Rocky Mountain Construction will not be ready for the upcoming opening weekend (March 19-20). Dollywood shared the news on social media as well on the Lightning Rod web page:
Lightning Rod will not be open to the general public at this time due to extended ride commissioning. Lightning Rod is an innovative ride featuring new technology never before used on a wooden coaster. The ride manufacturer asked for additional time to commission the ride. Keep watching here for future updates.
Fred Grubb of Rocky Mountain construction posted the following message on the company’s Instagram page:
We wanted to fill in all of our fans about the delayed opening of Lightning Rod at Dollywood Theme Park.
Firstly, we understand your frustration – we don’t like it when things are delayed, either.As many coaster enthusiasts are aware, launched coasters have unique challenges, especially when it comes to testing and opening. It is similar to fine tuning a real hot rod. As a prototype attraction, Lightning Rod is no different.
Lightning Rod is a first-of-it’s-kind design and so is its launch system. We have been working with the subcontractor to get the launch system working just right, to ensure it is up to the high standards you have come to expect with our products.We will be releasing a more detailed statement shortly, but wanted to send our thanks to all of our fans and the fans of Dollywood for your patience and support.
While the coaster won’t be open this weekend, the park did offer some consolation in the form of the first video of the coaster testing:
https://vimeo.com/159097494
Hopefully the ride won’t be delayed much longer. We’ll update this when we learn of the coaster’s new opening date.
Update: Lightning Rod is now open! Read our Lightning Rod review here.
I think its awesome that the park announced this and as well as RMC. It says loads about them and how they value their customers and fans.
Lagoon in Utah didn’t do that with Cannibal and had a huge opening weekend and they were all happy with it. Most went away angry because they didn’t know Cannibal wouldn’t be open till they got to the park.
It’s now open! Read our review here: http://www.coaster101.com/2016/06/12/review-lightning-rod-launched-wooden-coaster-dollywood/