Dollywood 2012 Project - Wild Eagle

shavethewhales · February 22, 2012, 11:40:58 AM

^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

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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.

betamike · February 28, 2012, 06:49:21 PM

Hey folks, here are some photos of the actual "Eagle" going up today at the Wild Eagle.

betamike · February 28, 2012, 06:59:22 PM

Here are a few others

sanddunerider · February 28, 2012, 07:00:12 PM

NICE!!!!!!!!!!!

U Smell Smoke · March 06, 2012, 04:57:31 PM

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.

Ozark Outlaw · March 06, 2012, 11:11:26 PM

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.

shavethewhales · March 06, 2012, 11:39:38 PM

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.

DollarCityBoy · March 07, 2012, 03:01:45 PM

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.

Ozark Outlaw · March 07, 2012, 11:15:59 PM

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.

dwfan · March 23, 2012, 04:04:22 PM

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!

U Smell Smoke · March 23, 2012, 05:19:24 PM

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.

Ozark Outlaw · March 24, 2012, 11:17:06 AM

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!

Videos of the new coaster in action have already hit YouTube!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRVs5ffjknE

MissinTheGreenTrams · March 24, 2012, 04:24:27 PM

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!!

dwfan · March 24, 2012, 04:31:48 PM

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.

shavethewhales · March 24, 2012, 05:41:07 PM

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.