Happy Memorial Day everyone! Hopefully you’re all enjoying a day off, maybe riding some roller coasters. In honor of our recent reviews of The Joker and Storm Chaser, and the (delayed) opening of Lightning Rod, we thought it would be...
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Lightning Rod Soft Opens at Dollywood
Could the long wait for Dollywood’s record-breaking Lightning Rod coaster be over? After a lengthy delay due to “extended ride commissioning,” the coaster entered the technical rehearsal (or soft opening) phase today, according to Dollywood’s website and multiple guest reports. The wooden coaster’s...
Continue reading...Dollywood Lightning Rod Delay Due to Launch System
It’s the question on many of our minds: what’s up with the Lightning Rod delay? When will the record-breaking wooden coaster open? Not for a while, at least. And the coaster’s prototype launch system is to blame, according to a...
Continue reading...Dollywood’s Lightning Rod Opening Delayed
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. The park announced yesterday...
Continue reading...Lightning Rod Behind the Scenes Video Series
While Lightning Rod’s precise opening date is unclear (although we’re hoping soon), Dollywood is taking us “under the hood” of the record-breaking wooden coaster in an appropriately titled, behind-the-scenes video series. The first “Under the Hood” video introduces manufacturer Rocky Mountain...
Continue reading...Lightning Rod Construction Tour + Train Reveal
Although Dollywood is closed for the season, the park was bustling with activity over the weekend as crews continued work on the new-for-2016 Lightning Rod launched (yeah, launched) wooden coaster from Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC). On Saturday, American Coaster Enthusiasts...
Continue reading...Dollywood Shares Lightning Rod Construction Progress
Dollywood’s Lightning Rod, the world’s first launched wooden coaster, is due to open in March. And construction crews have been hard at work for months preparing the hilly terrain, building supports and laying track. The park recently shared incredible drone footage...
Continue reading...Looking Forward to 2016
It’s hard to think that another year has come and gone. The 2015 coaster season was a great one for the Coaster101 team, and we’re excited about what’s to come in 2016. In June, we reached a significant milestone: Coaster101...
Continue reading...Lightning Rod December 2015 Construction Update
Roller coasters that disappear into the woods, shrouded by hills and towering trees are some of my favorites — to ride. When it comes to watching their construction, not so much. I visited Dollywood last month and saw Lightning Rod’s 20-story lift...
Continue reading...Dollywood’s Lightning Rod POV Unveiled
Dollywood is giving coaster fans a chance to jump aboard Lightning Rod, its newest record-breaking offering, before the final pieces of track are even in place. Thanks to Los Angeles-based 3D Live, anyone with a smartphone can stream via YouTube 360...
Continue reading...Lightning Rod Rises at Dollywood
More than three months have passed since Dollywood announced the record-and-ground-breaking Lightning Rod wooden coaster. While at the park over the weekend, I stopped by the construction site. So how does it look? It looks great! But spoiler alert: aside...
Continue reading...Dollywood Announces Lightning Rod Launched Wooden Coaster for 2016
Dollywood unveiled plans today for Lightning Rod, the world’s fastest — and first launched — wooden coaster. Opening in March 2016, Lightning Rod is another groundbreaking Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) wooden roller coaster — themed after a tricked out 1950s-era hot rod. Lightning Rod...
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