SDCFans - The Unofficial Fan Site For Silver Dollar City
General Category => Other Parks => Dollywood Discussion => Topic started by: shavethewhales on March 21, 2011, 08:38:27 PM
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Well, we may not have anything major to look forward to at SDC in 2012, but DW sure looks like they're getting ready to add something else huge.
http://themountainpress.com/view/full_story/12428724/article--Dollywood-on-planners%E2%80%99-agenda--shrouded-in-secrecy--but-2012-park-addition-to-be-discussed-Tuesday-?instance=main_article
While he won’t say anything about the attraction planned for 2012, Owens says more information will be revealed shortly after the park opens later this week. He’s also working hard to build expectations for the announcement, saying it will be unique and outsized.
That's always good to hear.
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really? ???
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Well that is a bummer for us at SDC...
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Why is that a bummer for SDC? It's not a competition for who has/gets the better rides. DW cannot even begin to come close to having the charm SDC has.
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eh, IMO, Dollywood is just a large busted step-sister to the first born & favorite child; SDC.
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Maybe the DW economy survey got more favorable results than the SDC economy survey.
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Dollywood is in an area that is growing rapidly with tourism, and simply has a much bigger market and stiffer competition to deal with. It makes sense for them to be investing heavily in the park right now. As for SDC, Branson isn't looking so hot anymore, and that might not change for awhile. As swoosh said, it's not a competition between the parks, the company just doesn't want to flush its money away.
If this project is indeed a coaster, I'm a little torn on what I want it to be. I really enjoyed the MM concept because it put a major looping coaster into a small, heavily themed package that really fit the HFEC feel. I hope they don't go and try to change the skyline of the park with this one. I would love to see them pick up a terrain B&M of any sort. DW could use a reliable, high capacity thrill ride.
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“I don’t know that anyone has ever announced a new theme park attraction, maybe not even a new business, in the manner that we’re planning to announce this,” Owens said.
This is the part that intrigues me. How could you make such a claim and not then disappoint? It seems a bad move to raise expectations in such a way. Perhaps, there will be flashmobs all over the region to announce the new attraction.
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I am also surprised at he timing of the announcement, why announce now. for NEXT year.. I would have thought they would want to get this year going strong 1st. Let people enjoy the newest attractions!
Maybe announce the NEW for 2012 midsummer or so.?
I still wonder if that is what SDC is doing.?
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Found this this morning, not much detail...
http://www.themountainpress.com/view/full_story/12471549/article--Planners-OK-2012-addition-for-Dollywood-?instance=homethirdleft
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Oh, there are some important details:
Not even a name was assigned to the new ride, which one planning staffer has said looks in draft plans like some type of roller coaster, as it was presented to the group.
The site plan approved by the group shows considerable excavation that will have to be done on the hill below the Sky Zip platforms to carve out a place for the ride. It also depicts a lengthy and winding ride track, the relocation of a few buildings, and plans to construct a couple new ones.
So that already answers the question of whether it will be a coaster or not.
I'm really glad to see another HFEC original coaster go up, and it already sounds like it will be another big winner with terrain features and excavations. I do wish we were getting here at SDC though, but maybe we'll get the improved second edition. ::)
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I read that! i also read this part>>
'""At its highest, the attraction will stand 11 feet. The project has already received approval for its stormwater impacts from state regulators, Wantiez said."""
Not sure what to make of all those little hints and details..
LOL! I like the idea of SDC getting the revised edition. that actually could happen
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Apparently Swoosh thinks that charm will keep the lights on. How I wish that was true. But we do have our new play land...worth the price of admission alone!
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Apparently Swoosh thinks that charm will keep the lights on. How I wish that was true. But we do have our new play land...worth the price of admission alone!
I'll thank you to not put words in my mouth.
That's not a game you want to play bud.
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Your the one that brought "charm" up...not me. And unlike some people here....your knowledge of the industry doesnt impress me very much, so drop trying to intemidate me....bud.
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^Stop being antagonistic, or you'll have to leave.
Back to the subject at hand, the article mentions the track will follow the hills below SkyZip, which from what I can tell loops around the Tennessee Tornado and Adventure Mountain. It looks like there's a steep valley just behind and to the side of TN that would work perfectly with a terrain coaster. I'm just hoping they don't scar the landscape too much. I mean, I can see why they wanted to add a pathway around the back of the park, but both parks have really started to go overboard with the earth-moving lately. The parks used to be so prized for how they fit into the landscape....
As for the 11 ft thing, I doubt that's correct. It might have meant to say 111ft or something, unless it really is a terrain coaster... or not exactly a coaster at all.
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right, that is i wondered about. 11ft? that seemed to be an "exact" number... and that wouldn't even clear the eave of a 1 story building..
probably 110 ft. I tried to find other details today, but had no luck doing so.
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Your knowledge of the industry doesnt impress me very much
Um, I'm sorry? You do realize I could care less right? I'm well past the whole "I know something you don't know phase" of my park/coaster enthusiast phase. You'll notice I rarely say anything about new projects or even current projects.
Yes I brought up charm. IMHO SDC has much more of that then DW which is more of a "Six Flags" version of SDC. DW tries too hard at being too many different things. By all accounts it is a great park that I have visited numerous times, BUT it is a far cry from being SDC.
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And what you say is always very entertaining and so informative. Please keep up the great work!
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This thread was mean't tp be fun for us all to discuss things, NOT for you guys to be at each others throats. Tone it down. Anyways, I agree It must've been a typo about 11ft. I'm thinking 110ft. lol :)
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Alpine coaster?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1zZU8pNzb4
That could be great fun
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what a ride!?? nice little video.
I checked a couple of sties today and the "11ft" statement has not been retracted yet. Not sure how that will work. guess as usual.. we will "" wait and see"
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My local news WATE 6 said 110ft. The 11ft thing was a typo. lol
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WHEW!!! that was close. thanks!
Things are starting to look "up" for that project then. LOL
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It's OK to disagree - it's what makes discussion - but threats and name calling are unnecessary. I've had to bite my tongue a few times, and on other occasions, I've had to apologize. People have very differing personalities, but we're all running human race.
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Posted today:
"""""" Possible New Coaster - Rumor - (3/30/11) I’ve heard some interesting details about a local event in Knoxville called “Boomsday” which will take place on September 4th, 2011. I’m told that Boomsday is a big annual fireworks festival, but the big news is that Dollywood is planning to announce their new 2012 attraction at Boomsday. This matches up with the hints Dollywood has released so far about making a very unique announcement for the new attraction.
Now… call me crazy, but if your going to announce a new ride at a fireworks festival, it says to me that the ride could very well have a very “explosive” theme perhaps. Stay tuned!"""""""
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Maybe they are going to copy the very successful Powder Keg......
They probably wouldn't copy the track layout as it may not work with there hills. If you consider this its
the only type of coaster that DW doesnt have.
After traveling to DW I believe SDC coasters are superior and beat the Tn Tornado and the Mystery Mine ( as far as I am concerned) as SDC are much smoother as a rule. The only thing DW has over SDC is a woodie.
Maybe in 2012 DW will get Powder keg, they could give us a woodie :o
Dont take that last one wrong but hey the thought of it does excite me :)
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:o :o A woodie ??? ???
thats ok mh, a little implication from time to time keeps us paying attention!
Will be interesting to see what they get.. and of course us to.. :-[ :-[
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Unless CC is going to be themed around OzCat, we have a woodie, just move it.
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I think we all agree with you on that oldsdcer.
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If only it were that easy. It's next to impossible to move a wooden coaster
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yea swoosh, I think we realize it would be almost impossible to do that, and i am sure totally cost prohibitive....... BUT since we are wishing anyway///////.........
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However, it can and has been done. Several years ago a Wildcat wooden coaster was moved to Frontier City.
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Oh yeah, it can be done. Phoenix at Knoebel's was moved. Wildcat at Frontier City. There was one at Cypress Gardens moved there. It's not impossible, just not cost effective -- and OW was built on a flat parcell of land which there is really none of at SDC
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Getting back to the subject at hand, it appears that this ride could possibly be DW's (and subsequently HFEC's) biggest ride expenditure yet.
During the 1980s and 1990s, Dollywood invested tens of millions of dollars in new attractions.
The investments continued into the new millennium, with more than $50 million for the Splash Country water park and almost $50 million for the Dixie Stampede themed dinner show. Dollywood now is ranked as one of the Top 50 most attended theme parks worldwide.
And it's not about to end. In coming years, Dollywood will see the largest investments in the park's history, Miller said.
Continual investments by Dollywood have been a blessing to the marketing folks in Pigeon Forge, said Leon Downey, executive director of the city's tourism board.
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/apr/03/at-50-pigeon-forge-still-growing/
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Here is another pretty good article on the new barnstormer.. also some good pictures with it.
http://www.themeparktourist.com/features/20110407/3463/review-barnstormer-dollywood
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It seems DW's attraction will be a first for the US, have a world record setting element, be the park's (and subsequently HFEC's) largest investment to date, and we will be pleased by the theming. All of this according to Pete Owens on Thrillnetwork's chat earlier tonight. http://www.thrillnetwork.com/content/transcript-industry-chat-night-pete-owens-dollywood-2698/
Sounds like another monster for the park, and only 4 years after the chain upped the bar with MM.
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B&M Wingrider? That would definitely be a first to the US.
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I'm going to hedge an early bet on an Intamin thirteen style ride with the piece of track that drops vertically. The only existing model is in the UK at Alton Towers, and the vertical track piece drop could easily be the largest in the world.
It fits all the info that's been given, and would be a sensible fit for the park since they've got several major thrill coasters already, and this would appeal to a slightly broader audience while strengthening that line up against the other parks in the region that are getting new coasters.
I'd be pleased with it, as it lends itself to extensive theming and an immersive environment.
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that would be quite an addition to their line up. And i would guess as you people have been saying all along, That DW needs/will get the additional funds because of the local and their attendence numbers.
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this posted today:
http://www.coaster101.com/2011/05/10/dollywood-2012-update/
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just posted, picsof new project.
http://screamscape.com/html/dollywood.htm#2012Project
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The footers seem too big for my earlier guess of a Thirteen-style ride. A B&M wing-rider is the popular guess right now, but somehow I don't really see it. I still really want Dollywood to just put in a solid tried-and-true B&M model rather than trying some sort of gimmick. I don't see what a Wing-Rider really offers in terms of thrills, and the review of the one at Gardaland have been so-so as far as the actual ride type goes. An Invert on the other hand would be incredible in this location.
Then again, judging from some of the things they've said about it, it probably isn't a B&M anyway.
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Either way it goes, Dollywood has been dreaming big lately!
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Dreaming Big yes, And then they have been realizing their dreams :D
someday,SDC will be on the receiving end again!
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Looks like DW may very well be getting a B&M after all: http://smarterthannot.tumblr.com/page/2
Lots of big track pieces apparently being tracked straight to Dollywood.
Seems strange that the track would be en route already, but manufacturers often supply track early, and parks will store it somewhere for months prior to the build.
It could still just be track headed for overseas shipping to Parc Asterix or something, but the more people have dug into this the more it looks like it is indeed for Dollywood.
Sooo.... Wingrider or sit-down? Either way I'm glad DW's getting a beemer. I wish it was headed here, but DW needs a good crowd pleaser and needs to stay competitive.
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well there ya go, big ole swing in 2011, and a coaster for 2012!
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Nice catch shave! :o
Well, this definitely adds another piece to the puzzle. However, with more information comes more questions about the who, what, when, where, and how? ;D
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I've just been following the discussions at Thrillnetwork.com and Themeparkreview.com, that's where I'm getting all this info.
It sounds like someone is able to confirm that the track has shown up at dollywood. Blue track w/ tan supports. The only questions now are whether it's a wing-walker or invert, and how it will be themed. Seems like it will be a wing-walker based on the hints that DW has given, but I thought the track had been spotted before and had an invert label code on it. We'll have to wait and see until somebody can get a closer look on this one.
Theming could go any direction, the only clue there is a sky-themed banner that says "the sky is not the limit". Could be bird theme, rocket theme (think steampunk/blackpowder, etc), storm theme, etc. I'm just curious as to their plans to make it fit the park without ruining the charm DW has left. That whole back area of the park has looked pretty sore to me since they carved it out of the hill a couple of years ago. Hopefully this will immerse the area with theming and bring it up to DW/SDC standards.
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Well, now it's official: the track is indeed meant for DW. Here's some photos: http://www.thrillnetwork.com/construction-rumors-27/71162-dollywood-2012-a-18.html#post850116
From the sounds of things, it pretty much has to be a Wing Rider based on statements by Pete Owens. This is indeed different track than what was spotted at the facility, so it didn't have the inverted labels after all.
I'd rather have an invert, or really pretty much any other type of B&M, but DW will kick this out of the park like always so it'll be a sweet ride no matter what. I still find the whole wing-walker thing to be another coaster fad like stand-ups and inline loopers. I haven't actually ridden one yet, but going by the majority of the reviews, it's not necessarily much to write home about, and they have a lot more issues with roughness.
It's good the chain is buying from B&M again in any case. Hopefully SDC will get another after we get our woodie.
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Wow, those pictures are like trying to spot Bigfoot in the forest!
B&M (why do I always think of bowel movement :-X) is a great company, and I completely agree that Dollywood will knock this one out of the park.
As a Silver Dollar City fan, I am kind of jealous that Silver Dollar City hasn’t seen any major excitement in a long time, but I know Dollywood certainly needs this boost. ;D
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at least we will be able to watch the progress all summer on this. will be interesting.. Hopefully somebody will keep the pictures coming....
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Looks like Dollywood will be getting a B&M after all. Read this article at screamscape. VERY INTERESTING! http://www.screamscape.com/html/dollywood.htm
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More photos and some new info here: http://coasterfusion.com/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?11961.20#post_12071
I never know how much to trust these kinds of sources, but at Dollywood info like this has been consistently leaked just like this for every major project in the last few years. I think Mystery Mine was the only ride they somewhat managed to keep under wraps.
I could see the 220 ft height being accurate if it goes up the hill side and is measured from the ground. It's a shame that this ride will apparently be so unabashedly visible though. Doesn't sound like they're going to any effort to maintain the park's charm and are instead looking to compete with Carowinds. Unlike Wildfire, this is right in the center of the park, and will be visible, and presumably hear-able from nearly all areas of the park.
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well there you go! There are quite a few details in that "report". And some great pics.
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Yep, it looks like a lot of rocks, and dirt. :P
Actually this is a very exciting time for Dollywood! It appears that there is a lot of progress is in motion, and very soon they will have a new, blue rollercoaster.
Putting the coaster in the middle of the park may, or may not be a good idea. Depends on if they had any perimeter land they could have worked with, or not.
Appreciate the updates!
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I just received this e-mail from Dollywood:
"What’s New for 2012
The sky is not the limit! But the days are numbered until Dollywood finally reveals the big news about the 2012 season.
Rumors have been circulating for months as to exactly what is taking place behind the construction wall at Dollywood.
If you want to know, mark your calendar for Sept. 4. During Knoxville’s annual Boomsday fireworks spectacular, Dollywood will make a major announcement that will once and for all put to rest any speculation.
Boomsday is a free event that takes place in downtown Knoxville, Tenn., on Neyland Drive at Volunteer Landing along the Tennessee River. Be there on Sept. 4 when the mystery is finally revealed, and keep watching www.Dollywood2012.com in the meantime for hints!"
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Interesting e-mail! Sounds like Dollywood is going all out, and making a really big deal about this coaster.
Where’s Silver Dollar City’s old spark for showmanship? ;)
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I will be in Dollywood this next month, I will report on what progress I see, maybe some pictures.
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you bet mhguy, pics are always good!
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As I had mentioned in the "refillable mugs" thread, we will be going to Dollywood this weekend, I'll be sure to relay as much as I see & find out.
We leave tomorrow morning @ 7 from Little Rock. ;D
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Ah, it’s good to hear from another fellow Little Rock dweller! :)
Let us know how the refillable mugs go, and be sure to take lots of pictures of the new area if you are able.
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New teaser site for the 2012 attraction: http://www.dollywood.com/dollywood2012/landing.php
It shows an egg that's about to hatch, guessing that means its definitely a bird theme. Vertical construction should start in the next couple of months. They've already got a bunch of footers in place. Once vertical construction does start it only takes about a month or less to get all the steel up, then another few weeks to get the mechanical/electrical components in so they can start testing.
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Good catch shave! :)
Dollywood is like Silver Dollar City gone wild. Each attraction sort of focuses on its own independent theme. The bird, or flight concept is intriguing, and I am interested to see how it will all "hatch' out.
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Have to watch the countdown and see what happens a time goes on...
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It's highly likely that's it a Wingrider, since there was a guest who asked a park management worker (or something like that) what the new ride would be, and he wasn't sure, but he said it was something that just opened in Italy. The track is also B&M, so there's another idea that its a Wingrider. The interesting thing is, is that they said something about not being able to pass 30 feet or something? Eh, I'm not sure what's going on.
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^It's been almost confirmed to be a wingrider for the past several months. There have been multiple accounts of employees coming straight out and saying as much, besides the fact that it is confirmed to be a first for the U.S. and the Wingrider model is the only model from B&M that hasn't come to the U.S. yet.
The bit about the low height was a misquote from an early article. I believe the actual highest point will be about 110' or so, with a first drop even larger than that down the side of a hill (a la Wildfire). There was another report that I posted a few posts back from a supposed employee that claimed there would be at least one inversion as tall as 220' and would be visible from the parking lot.
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Wow, very interesting!
I can't wait to see this thing in action. Although at Dollywood, the barnstormer theme would seem more appropriate for a wing rider rollercoaster than a bird.
Either way, I am sure it will be incredible ride!
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It has now been almost absolutely confirmed to be a wing-walker from the little snippets of the ride's layout the park has been releasing over the past week. The latest image, attached below, is clearly a blurred wing-walker train navigating a massive inversion. It looks like the rumors that this thing would have gargantuan loops might come true. It definitely seems like it will be the most intense wing-walker yet.
I was a little bummed they were getting one at first, seeing as Raptor at Gardaland was a little bit of a letdown as far as intensity goes, but each successive design that has been announced has gotten wilder. After looking at the recently announced X-Flight at Six Flags Great America, I'm getting pretty pumped to see this thing.
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Well, here we have it: http://themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1086053#p1086053
It's just a tad smaller than it was rumored to be, with only a 135ft drop, but that's still the largest Wing Rider yet, and judging by the looks of it, it will be the most intense yet. The ride features 4 (maybe 5?) inversions, most of which tower over the park.
Sadly, it does look like it has been designed to stand out over the park. The hill that it is being built on is being used to prop it way up in the air rather than to give it much of a terrain advantage. It seems like a direct response to Carowind's massive Intimidator coaster that was introduced last year... We'll have to wait until the final product is finished, but it looks like they're trying to make Dollywood feel like a coaster park to compete with Carowinds, trashing decades of classic charm...
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Triple posting now, I guess I'm the only interested in this ride on here ;D.
I have a few mixed feelings towards the ride. It is in fact a big beautiful new B&M and therefore it will be an awesome, thrilling, and reliable ride for Dollywood, which is what they really wanted right now. However, it's also a bit short in actual ride length, and the drop is not as big as we had hoped, and it doesn't really follow the terrain at all, with the exception of the break run and parts of the final curves. It's definitely not the hyper wing-rider some (including myself) were hoping for, but it does have some nice big inversions and a couple of swooping turns in the trees.
The layout really suggests that they were trying to emulate both SDC's Wildfire and Carowind's Intimidator. It will tower above the park like Intimidator, but it's short, inversion-filled layout with helix finale is very much reminiscent of Wildfire. The more I look at it the more I'm sure that's what the primary influences were for this ride.
As of yet there are no mentions of any thematic elements whatsoever on this ride, which is somewhat odd because all the other B&M Wing coasters that have been announced or built use thematics heavily in their layouts. For DW's to be the only "vanilla" Wing coaster in existence would be quite out of character.
Finally, this ride is going to be heavily dogged by Six Flags Great America's new X-Flight coaster that was announced just a few days ago, which is exactly the same type of ride from the same manufacturer. The comparisons between these two rides are going to be endless as they are built over the course of this off-season. To be honest, X-Flight looks like a more interesting layout upon first glance. It has more inversions, more interesting inversions, and it has interactions with thematics. After all the hype, people were expecting DW's ride to blow everyone away, but in reality it may be simply on par or worse with a Six Flags ride.
Meh, it'll still be a great addition to Dollywood, and I'm really excited to see how the final product turns out, but I can't say I wasn't expecting a bit more after all the hype DW put out there this year... in fact, this is the first time I've felt anything but blown away by a HFEC announcement like this... maybe I'm just spoiled though.
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shave, as always you summed up the project very well..
my thoughts- 20 million! WOW!
And 2 1/2 minute ride, quite a duration.
Nice for them..
SDC please, whats next here.. share the wealth PTB!
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video of construction
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCsQHJqPit0&feature=youtu.be
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After all the hype, people were expecting DW's ride to blow everyone away, but in reality it may be simply on par or worse with a Six Flags ride.
Wildfire cost 14 million 10 years ago, figure inflation..............the costs of metals, I bet its on par as they had a hit with Wildfire and it eats the crap out of people, I am not sure about the winger coaster, the load time will certainly be longer.
Talking about the 6 flags coaster it looks pretty cool.
Check this out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gjh0_YwX0g
If Dolly wood doesn't put in the keyhole or some near misses with the poles they are really screwing up!
This effect of being separate from the track is VERY effective.
We should only be so lucky.........
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Here's a link to a story and a video that was recently published in the Nashville newspaper, The Tennessean:
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111017/ENTERTAINMENT03/111017015/Dollywood-s-latest-ride-Wild-Eagle-taking-shape
(Generally links work for about 30 days to access the article for free.)
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huh that will be some ride. who wants to car pool when its ready???
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I'm game. Let's take you car, and gas trams. ;D
It really is an awesome ride, and I think it will serve Dollywood nicely. It's amazing to see all of the artwork, and computer graphics, and other media that has been devoted to this ride.
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I can squeeze in 2 people! and u pay for food!! ha!
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these pictures were posted a few days ago.. I missed em the 1st time around:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150369804887240.370243.239284692239&type=3
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ahhh that looks fun! WHEEEEEE!
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I have a friend who works at Dollywood who was telling me about this. :D
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Sorta looks like Wildfire in some ways from what I can tell. Love the wooden roller coaster in the background
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It's made by the same people as WildFire.
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new pics:
http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1110550#p1110550
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the bolts being so rusty make me kinda nervous......maybe I am paranoid and am not an engenieer (sp?) so I dont know any better, but rusty bolts dont sit well with me...other than that looked awesome!
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sandblast and paint! it will all be good! ;D
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:D I wondered about those bolts myself. How did they get so rusty so fast? I just hope to ride Mystery Mine someday.
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with new uncoated steel nuts and bolts, out int he weather, anything would get rusty looking. I gaurantee the rust is only superficial, and has not weakened the integrity of the bolt itself.
If you look closer at the bolts, it looks like they used a torch to make the whole in the flange bigger, probably to fit the bolt pattern.
as i said, sandblast and a little paint... all will be fine,
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Ooooorrrrr, they could just do the whole thing up rusty and give it a new theme. I think rust is pretty much an unofficial official color of HFE, or at least of SDC. Besides, if a 'lil rust were unsafe I'd be walking to work. 8)
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Wow, the person who took those pictures at themeparkreview.com really out did themselves! Incredible pics. The rollercoaster looks mostly complete except for the theme elements. Perhaps it's just the angle, or perspective, but that lift hill looks so short. I suppose it‘s because of how extra steep it is required to be. I love the project update! :)
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This looks like a wonderful project. I wonder if it will be a woodie or something like this that comes to SDC next? I guess we will have to wait and see...
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(http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee402/IJSDC1/thumb_dollywood_8_0.jpg)
Anyone know exactly what angle this lift hill is? Looks like a lotta fun, I know that. It's not as steep as the Plunge though! We'll probably get a sweet woodie that puts the Raven to shame. And I'm gonna ride it all evening during OTC. I can have a Christmas wish can't I?
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The first drop looks much more impressive from the other side as it drops into a valley. When you approach the lift hill from the Mystery Mine side it looks very imposing. They were welding steel for the load station over the weekend. It looks as though it is going to be a very fun ride.
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I.m sure will be a great ride for the coaster enthusiasts!
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Riding Wildfire this weekend made me realize what a winning formula they have here. You really don't need too many gimmicks to have a great coaster, just combine a great first drop, awesome views, and some nice big inversions with a sweeping finish and you have a ride you can ride over and over again.
I'm a bit disappointed that the ride is so visible throughout the park, I think it ruins a lot of the old time charm and makes it feel a lot more like just another theme park. I feel like Wildfire cheapens SDC too now that it's so visible, but at least you can really only see it from the park if you actually walk right up to the entrance. There's no going back to the old atmosphere that set the parks apart now...
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I feel like Wildfire cheapens SDC too now that it's so visible, but at least you can really only see it from the park if you actually walk right up to the entrance.
I agree that the rides should be carefully placed, I thought that wildfire was placed far enough back to not destrroy any atmosphere. As far as Wild Eagle is concerned as long as you mainly see the ride from the MM area that is nothing but rides anyway.....I can live with it. I just hope it doesn't show the ride to obviously to the front of the park.
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Screamscape.com recently posted these two links to a boat load of new Wild Eagle photos.
http://www.park-logic.com/community/index.php?topic=9.0
"In here will be an hours worth of a queue according to Pete. He said that once inside the riders will split up and choose their ride (both sides are completely different in every way)."
Not sure what that might mean. <edit: Oh, I just watched the video. I'm so jealous.>
A few more pics here:
http://www.screamscape.com/html/dollywood.htm#WildEagle
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That looks like alot of FUUUUUUUN!
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Just received this e-mail from Dollywood about the new ride, along with the new SCULPTURE.
"History will be made when Dollywood’s Wild Eagle, the first steel wing coaster in America, takes flight in March 2012.
To accompany this historic ride, Dollywood will unveil the country’s largest flying eagle steel sculpture, too.
This one-of-a-kind piece of art will feature a horizontal wing span equal to a four-story building and weigh more than four tons.
Visit Dollywood on YouTube for the exclusive video that takes you inside sculptor Kevin Stone's British Columbia studio for a first-ever glimpse into the making of this massive work of art. Be the first to see yet another leg of this incredible journey toward the opening of Wild Eagle at Dollywood! "
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posted yestarday"
http://screamscape.com/html/dollywood.htm#WildEagle
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another new video.!!! Looks like quite a ride!!
http://screamscape.com/html/dollywood.htm#WildEagle
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That looks like alot of fun!! But is it too "big" for the themeing of the park? Possibly the wrong style of ride? I would expect to see this at a big box amusement park. Is it just too much for DW??
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I have never been to DW before, but from what i read on this site, The PTB there do not worry about theming, and the traffic count is up. So another big coaster to keep the peopel coming in seems the right move for them.
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I will be honest i'm jealous.It really seems like Dollywood is getting most of the love.I know SDC is getting a new Roller Coaster next year but still.
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I will be honest i'm jealous.It really seems like Dollywood is getting most of the love.I know SDC is getting a new Roller Coaster next year but still.
Amazon, nobody here will argru with you on that statement!!
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^Actually, I would. SDC gets much more thought-out additions than Dollywood does, IMO. They are much more concerned with atmosphere and theming at SDC than at DW these days, even if they are laxing their standards. While DW may be currently getting more rides installed, but I think SDC is progressing in a better direction than DW for my personal tastes. DW has pretty much abandoned the old Silver Dollar City TN concept at this point and is quickly becoming little more than a highly themed amusement park. SDC will hopefully hang on to being a little more than that for a little while. Besides, DW's latest two big additions are simply proven concepts taken from SDC ;).
Getting back to this addition, the pacing looks good. A lot of people are disappointed that it's not absolutely ripping through those inversions, but it's not like there's any B&M out there that was built after 2000 that does that anyway. Again, it's very similar in feel to Wildfire.
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Hey folks, here are some photos of the actual "Eagle" going up today at the Wild Eagle.
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Here are a few others
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NICE!!!!!!!!!!!
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In the background of those two pictures you can see Adventure Mountain. My kids (and wife too) absolutely loved AM when we were at Dollywood last Thanksgiving. We're going back to DW first of April for spring break and Adventure Mountain is all the kids are talking about. Myself, I can't wait to ride Wild Eagle.
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Wow, that is one impressive eagle! Although, it looks funny without its wings attached. The progress is going great, and I can’t wait to see more. :)
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You can see a number of updated photos on this thread: http://themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=23793&start=2710
I love the eagle and I like the station, but I feel like it will take some significant tree regrowth to really make the area feel more complete. It's just too out in the open at the moment to feel like the wilderness theme works. It's still going to be a timeless ride though, just like WF - maybe better.
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After having visited Dollywood last July, I can honestly say that is the hottest section of the park. I know it is the 'new' section, but there are hardly any well established trees in that area at all, and almost no shade. The fans that have the misters attached were all we had to stay cool in that area.
Craftsman's Valley (the section that is most identical to SDC) is my favorite area of the entire park, course im a bit bias. ;)
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I am a big advocate of trees! With all of the trees that Silver Dollar City has, I still wish they had more. The update pictures in the link of the new coaster look wonderful shave! The station has taken on a very trendy, and modern look to it. It is a stark contrast to the original 1880’s theme that Dollywood branched off of.
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Well Wild Eagle opened today at Dollywood and it looks awesome. The Local news did their entire newscast at the park. Maybe SDC & Dollywood will have great seasons this year. Dolly said Season Pass & Ticket sales are the largest they've ever been & the local news said that season pass sales are up 20% this year. I hope this season is a good one for DW, DSC, SDC and all of HFEC!
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I saw Dolly on Fox & Friends this morning. She was hyping the opening of DW's season and the new roller coaster. Today was season passholder preview day at DW. Dolly is there today and tomorrow for some parades and special appearances in the park. I have been there when she visits DW and you can see how excited park guests and employees are that she is there. Say what you want about Dolly but she knows how to promote. The new coaster and area really looked good.
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Way to go Dollywood on the new coaster! I know it will be a hit with the coaster enthusiast, and a true compliment to Dollywood! ;D
Videos of the new coaster in action have already hit YouTube!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRVs5ffjknE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRVs5ffjknE)
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Boy howdy that looked like you were going to fly right off the track. It kinda threw me for a minute b/c when you see POV videos the track is in the middle of the screen. Not so here. Whew!!
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The view at the top is amazing. Now that the trees have bloomed and aren't bare anymore it would look incredible. I'm going in about 2 weeks. Probably the 2nd or 3rd week of April. I Can't wait to ride it!!!! The ride got great reviews on Thrillnetwork. I think this is a runaway hit. Also, Joel Manbey (not sure if I spelled it correct) was at the park yesterday and he spoke about the park and the coaster.
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I'm really happy Dollywood has this. I know it's going to be a solid, reliable, crowd eater for them for decades to come.
The only other comment I have to make on it right now is that I wish they had done more with the queue area underneath the station. It looks cold and barren down there, nothing but concrete and aluminum queue poles. Pretty much every station at DW and SDC thus far has been highly themed and interesting to walk through, but it looks like they spent all their money on a statue and some cute architectural detailing on the outside of the building. It certainly shows that there's a new generation behind ride development these days. It looks like they focused much more on the areas that the media will see and much less on what the customers will see and experience than usual.
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Posted today:
http://screamscape.com/html/dollywood.htm#WildEagle
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Wow! Lot’s of good information about the ride. I am glad to see Wild Eagle get so much coverage, and publicity.
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Very impressive. If I ever get to Dollywood, I know it will be fun to watch riders...I'm to chicken to ride!
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Oh, now Junior if you can deep lake dive, surely you can fly off a cliff. :P
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One week from today I am going to get my first flight on Wild Eagle. Needless to say I am excited and can't wait.
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and ill be behind you next weekend
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Arrived in Pigeon Forge a couple of hours ago. Going to Dollywood in the morning. Ready for my first ride on Wild Eagle
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Well, I can only assume you are at Dollywood right now. I look forward to your experiences when you get back. :)
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Had a great time at DW yesterday. Good crowd and excitement, Wild Eagle very nice. Very smooth. Heading back to DW today. Will post more on Wild Eagle later.
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My family and I had lots of fun at DW this week. Friday saw a crowd of 22,400 as the weather was great and Wild Eagle is really drawing a crowd. They were expecting 25,000 people yesterday (Saturday) but I don't think they quite made it although they stayed open until 9:00. I'll write more on Wild Eagle when I get home.
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i as well just got back from DW. wild eagle was great. prefer MM though. just such a bizarre ride