2 hour ERT at Dollywood on 9-11 - bad news

I wanted to secure a room at my favorite Pigeon Forge hotel today so I could attend the Sept 11, 2 hour ERT on Thunderhead. To my surprise, the hotel was already booked.

I asked her what was going on and the lady said that this is the weekend of the BIG car show. I told her I was in Pigeon Forge back on April 17th during the car show and how bad the traffic was. She said, Ohhh, the car show in Sept. is TWICE the size of the one in April.

I am debating whether or not I am going now. I mean, it literally took me 1.5 hours to travel 2 miles back in April. And if the Sept. car show is twice as large, I don't know if it would be worth the headache.

BTW, is it just a coincidence that both of the Thunderhead ERT's are/were scheduled during the car shows??? *** Edited 6/10/2004 3:53:10 AM UTC by HarryTraver***

Take the back road through Pigeon Forge. Ask a local about it...I can't remember what it's called. I was there during that same weekend in April and the back road kept me sane. :)

Thanks for the tip. I'll check that out!

Don't even mention that damn back road Dawn. I totally forgot the thing was over there and it took about 3 hours to get from Sevierville to Gatlinburg! If the car show is in town... I wouldn't plan on going. :)

Sounds like I'll be waiting for late Fall or next years Spring Con to get in more night rides. If this car show is bigger than the last, no way am I going to attempt attending this event.

I think you guys are talking about Teaster Lane. It runs the length of the main strip and merges with Middle Creek Road. Middle Creek Road then goes on out by Dolly's Splash Country and on into Sevierville.

There both very helpful, evan when PF is not that crowded. :)

The park was not crowded during last year's September "Rod Run". The April one seems to always disturb the park more.

It's not the park that I'm worried about, it's the town. The traffic was a total nightmare the whole time. We sat on Parkway for 30 minutes and only went through one light. If you're panning on going, take the back way through Gatlinburg if possible.

^^How true. I was also planning on hitting some of the go-karts and Skyscraper rides and there ain't no back roads to them.

I haven't totally washed the idea of going, but it's highly doubtful now. It's just that night rides on TH are almost impossible to do since the park closes at 8pm all summer long. I may break down and tough it out anyway.

I might add, the hotel rates jump 40% or more during the car show weekend too. The hotel I normally stay at for $79.99 jumps to $140.00 per night.

The skyscraper at one of the FECs closest to Dollywood Lane was dishing out one seriously intense ride when we were there last month. There's a tip jar for the ride ops, which pretty much guarantees a long and intense rides. It was $15/person, and definately worth it.

As far as the night rides, Thunderhead is scheduled to be open until the end of the seaon in December, when the sun will go down earlier. Hopefully the temperatures won't be too low and the ride will be operating. There's always next year's ACE Spring Con at Dollywood, which I'm sure will have nighttime ERT.

Maybe you can consider staying in Maryville, Townsend, Alcoa, near the Knoxville Airport, or even in Knoxville during that time.

Labor Day kicks off the fall season until the leaves have finished their color change.

I may go just for the car show. Sounds like a good time. Yes, it's possible without coasters ;)

If you stay in Sevierville or anywhere other than Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg; get on Dolly Parton Pkwy and get on Middle Creek Rd that way, but if your in PF, take the route Duke suggested.

Once you clear Sevierville's Horrid Bridge (I hate that bridge!!!the lights are always so slow!) the traffic should be better. DW may not be that bad either..but since im a local i plan my visits around the touristy times of the year :P

1.5 Hours to drive two miles? It would probably take 20 minutes to walk, and during THAT weekend I bet the people-watching is superb! :)

-Scott