Dollywood is now open for the 2018 season. I visited the park opening weekend to see what was new as well as to check out the park’s annual Festival of Nations event. Although this is a relatively quiet year for...
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Poll: Best Nighttime Coaster Ride at Dollywood?
Dollywood is home to two of my favorite roller coasters to ride at night: Wild Eagle and Lightning Rod. But each of those rides offers something unique after the sun sets. One offers unprecedented views (even at night) and the...
Continue reading...Reviews: Whistle Punk Chaser, Front Porch Cafe at Dollywood
The junior-sized, family-friendly Whistle Punk Chaser at Dollywood is now open. The park’s eighth roller coaster quietly opened to the public on May 21 following Drop Line’s debut earlier in the month. Whistle Punk Chaser Review What’s a Whistle Punk...
Continue reading...What’s New at Dollywood in 2017?
I decided to make this past Saturday at Dollywood the kickoff to my 2017 roller coaster-riding season. And as I expected, Dolly did not disappoint. Foolishly (April Fools Day pun intended), I made the assumption that the park opened at...
Continue reading...A Day at Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas 2016
Yesterday, I embarked on my annual trip to Dollywood for the park’s Smoky Mountain Christmas event, which features a slew of holiday-themed shows, a billion lights (maybe less, maybe more?), festive eats and, of course, most of the park’s rides. Before we...
Continue reading...Dollywood over Labor Day Weekend 2016
This weekend, I braved the Labor Day crowds to venture out to Dollywood in hopes of riding Lightning Rod again, nearly three months after I first rode it in June. Thankfully, the weather couldn’t have been better. Highs were in...
Continue reading...Coasters-101: How Launch Coasters Store Energy
In this edition of Coasters-101 we’re going to examine how launch coasters store their energy. Launched coasters are becoming more and more common. Even wood coasters are getting in on the game. Launch systems, from electromagnets, pneumatics, hydraulics,and friction wheels,...
Continue reading...The Art of On-ride Video with Upstop Media’s Scott Schaffer
It’s amazing how many different ways there are to get involved in the amusement park industry. Everyone from engineers to marketers to art designers to videographers can play a role in the industry. And we love meeting the people in each...
Continue reading...Rocky Mountain Construction Part Recall Closes Coasters
Update: We’ve added some new information about the earlier Joker closure to this post. A Rocky Mountain Construction part recall has closed two of its newest roller coasters, including Lightning Rod at Dollywood. So if you’re planning to ride a new...
Continue reading...Lightning Rod Open for Business at Dollywood
The wait is over! Lightning Rod is now open at Dollywood, according to the park’s website and Twitter account. Don’t miss our review of Lightning Rod, the world’s fastest and only launched wooden roller coaster here. Start your engines! Lightning Rod is now open!...
Continue reading...Lightning Rod Review: Dollywood Launched Wooden Coaster
I passed through the Dollywood turnstiles 15 minutes before the park’s scheduled 10 a.m. opening. My hands were already sweating — partially due to the soupy, humid air and partially due to the prospect of finally riding Lightning Rod. After...
Continue reading...A Rainy and Lightning Rodless Weekend at Dollywood
Pulling into a packed Dollywood parking lot Saturday morning, I knew exactly what I had done. I drove three hours to ride Lightning Rod, a roller coaster that may or may not be open. The a-frame signs standing in front of each parking toll booth...
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