Dollywood's opening day event has come and went, and I still have a lot of things I'd like to say and hear about the park! I imagine I'm not alone as the rave at DW is getting more attention this year.

Here is a topic for the park for 2016. I couldn't find another topic regarding Dollywood in "Other Amusement Parks & Industry News" So here is one or it all.

 

--

 

I remember someone asking pertaining to Lightning Rod.. I remember someone asking who the subcontractor was providing the LSM launch system that seems to be the reason the ride is delayed so long. I was searching around and found people speaking on TPR about a company, http://velocitymagnetics.com/ . Just to throw it out there, but I mostly just wanted to say I think I found the company name and decided to start a new topic unrelated to opening day festivities.

I've heard from a friend that works at the park, that Velocity Magnetics is a subcontractor. It looks to me like they specialize in braking systems....so I'm wondering if it would be for slowing down the train safely should the power fail on the launch.

Yes, in their under the hood series they mentioned that a company in PA that specializes in breaking systems figured they could use their LSM tech to make cars go faster rather than slower.. soo I thought they fit the bill

Yes, in their under the hood series they mentioned that a company in PA that specializes in breaking systems figured they could use their LSM tech to make cars go faster rather than slower.. soo I thought they fit the bill

I hope they don't specialize in breaking systems.

Terp, who does, among other things, that, for a living. He's quite good at it.

Shoot. I knew I'd let that autocorrect slip through eventually! My phone aaalways wants to make that typo.. this time, I missed it. It shan't happen again probably.

You should see some of the things mine tries to "fix."

And the "corrections!"

Far too much transparency for comfort.

Terp, who worries like a wart at times.

A friend of my husband was hired to take some drone footage of the construction of Lightning Rod. This ride is going to be so good when it opens.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=93oa-XhJ1es&feature=youtu.be

Awesome shots! Shame he couldnt get it uploaded sooner! Time is of the essence when it comes to construction footage

I think he had it up sooner but not permission to share it. It's only a month old. I was a little surprised to see how much they had left to go at that point.

I'm planning on going to Dollywood and Carowinds this upcoming week.  I really like Dollywood, it has a great theme.  If only "our" Rivertown was as nice as hers. 

I'm putting in all my marbles, hoping that LR open for Thrills in the Hills. Dollywood recently changed the itenirary making the evening ERT on LR. And in RMC's recent announcement they said that the opening of the ride is ultimately decided by the customer (Dollywood) so I'm hoping these signs point to its opening by April 8. One can only hope...

Certainly more than just one can hope

Thrills in the Hills is being rescheduled (source is the Dollywood website)
''Thrills in the Hills has been postponed for a date later in the operating season. Details of the new date will be announced at a later time. If you do not wish to attend the rescheduled Thrills in the Hills, please contact us to arrange a refund.''

Put a space between the link address and the closing parentheses so that the link will work properly please

Fixed link: http://www.dollywood.com/themepark/Festivals/ThrillsintheHills

Anyone heard anything about the anticipated opening of lightning Rod? Their website has been the general down for commissioning page for a while. Was thinking of heading down to the park Monday...

Their TV ads are still saying opening Spring 2016 but I have not seen anything concrete anywhere. I am hoping to make it down there sometime after it opens. My original plan was to be there opening day but with the LR delay (and the I-75 woes) I did not make the trip. Perhaps a Fall or Christmas visit is in the cards this year. 

I read an article before bed last night that they are anticipating a late April early May opening.

Here's the article: http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/experience/america/2016/04/07/dollywood-hopes-capture-lightning-coaster-2016/82717528/

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I bet when it opens it'll be well worth the wait!

... Maybe as long as it's less than an hour.. maybe an hour an a half. 

 

 

-Not of fan of lines.

Time Saver is a great option!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Is that like Q to Q?

They call it Time Saver now.....Q2Q is the former name.

Sorry for double post but it's been a while
 

 

Lightning Rod to open in the next few weeks:

 

 

 

PIGEON FORGE (WATE) – Rollercoaster lovers can rejoice.

Pete Owens with Dollywood says the Lightning Rod will open in the next few weeks. According to Owens, crews finished testing of the roller coaster on Friday.

The innovative ride uses new technology never used on a wooden coaster and the manufacturer asked for additional time to finish up. It is the first launched wooden coaster in the world. It will also be the fastest wooden coaster in the world. The coaster’s hot rod themed trains will race down a 165-foot drop reaching a top speed of 73 miles per hour.

http://wate.com/2016/04/26/dollywood-says-lightning-rod-will-open-in-next-few-weeks/

Sounds good. I still don't like they're reasoning for it being delayed because it uses "new technology never used on a wooden coaster"

Buttt all will soon be irrelevant[emoji14]

It's "new" for a wooden coaster....it kinda goes back to Son of Beast days where it was sort of marketed as the only wooden coaster to go upside down. 

This kind of thing doesn't happen with B&M and GCI.

Maybe, but it doesn't seem to me that simply having a wooden track alters the launching technology at all.. especially with RMC's style of wooden coaster being like butter (allegedly)

Here's to hoping that eventually I'll find time to write up a full trip report, but a few weeks ago I went to Dollywood for the first time and loved it! Of course seeing Lightning Rod sitting there still and quiet was pretty unfortunate, but fingers crossed it will actually be up and running soon.

From what I gather, it's been testing constantly so it should be good to go in the next few weeks.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk