Dolly Parton opens Big Bear Mountain roller coaster at Dollywood

RCMAC:

We were wondering after the last Top Chef episode if Padma has ever unpacked her knives.

Watch her Instagram. She makes so much food.

cmwein:
I've ridden Dragonflier numerous times, RCMAC.

Me too. That’s when I noticed there’s only one train. It’s all they have. It was mentioned a lot when the ride was built. There’s only one brake and one block section. There’s no storage track, no brake shed, and no switch track. The train makes its initial slow down and final stop all at once and in the same place. The station. Just for you, though, I will check when I’m there in case I’m wrong and there’s a second train in a garage somewhere. I’m not being an ass, I’m quite serious about it, and I will find out because now I need to know.
And I’m sorry to paint a broad stroke about your home state, but not really. My comment wasn’t meant to be directed at you or any other supporters. But yours is a state that has barred drag queens from performing or appearing in any public setting. Girls that I know have been warned not to appear anywhere including their vehicles in costume or face. Any getting ready must be done at a private club and they should not step outside. All to protect the children, what nonsense. It’s just an age-old way legislators have come up with to suppress gender non-conformity and pander to their base. I’m wondering what Pride celebrations will look like in Tennessee this year. Non-existent perhaps. If we were better friends, I’d ask (since you love drag queens as you do) if you’re out raising hell somewhere. Because what your state has done is not right.
Also it’s no secret that Nashville, its industry, and its fans have been notoriously unkind to the LGBTQ++ community, in spite of the money we’ve spent with them, which was the only reason I referenced Dolly as an anomaly. I like a lot of country music but Dolly’s and Reba’s shows were about the only ones where I felt like in attending I didn’t have to keep my eyes over one shoulder the whole time.
I seriously considered not traveling to Tennessee but I’m not mad at Dolly. And perhaps hypocritically, I want to visit the park and ride the new ride. I’m keeping my visit short and I’m thinking of ways to spend as little money as possible there. I’ll have to get a hotel for a night but I’m packing some food and snacks. They can keep their pancakes, lol.
Thanks for hearing me out.

RCMAC -- I agree that the recent legislation in TN is appalling, but you're missing a lot of what's happening locally and the greater context around the LGBTQIA+ community in this state.

So, I'll simply invite you to Nashville Pride Fest, which will include a stage entirely featuring drag performances next month.

Just to fill you in, cmwein, Coastersplainin isn't needed around here. Most of us a hundred years old and have been coaster enthusiasts our entire lives, give or take.

I'd love for Coastersplainin to be a new CoasterBuzz meme, but no one ever does it, so there's not going to be much opportunity to use the term.

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I thought Big Bear Mountain was going to be kind of lame, but if the ride is anything like it looks in the POVs, it's going to be a lot of fun. I know, I know... Don't judge a coaster before it opens. I think I'll add Dollywood to my calendar this year. They've opened four new coasters since my last visit, which doesn't really seem that long ago. (GASP! I just looked. That was TEN years ago.)

Lord Gonchar:

Dolly is like the next Betty White.

It's just become the thing to like her.

The ghost of Betty White will be bitch-slapping you in your sleep while you dream about Dollywood's recent expansions that include...very large tracts of land.

I do get it, though. People who are clueless about the history of film and comedy are largely clueless about Betty White and how awesome she was. Unless you weren't. Much like Dolly, who is perhaps one of the most beloved figures in the entire music industry regardless of genre. Some people are just awesome at being human. It shows when they get close to taking the eternal exit ramp.

I don’t know why people though Big Bear Mtn would be lame, the last two family coasters built by this park were the previous mentioned Dragonflyer, and the most daring family coaster of all time, Firechaser Express. I mean it’s totally normal for family coasters to feature a forward and backward launch, a backwards section and an explosion right?

Also got send a shoutout to the newest member of the club, my three year old 41 inch tall nephew who had Firechaser as his first coaster and also rode Dragonflyer multiple times. He starts any conversation about Dollywood with mentioning that he rode “the green roller coaster, WITH FIRE!”

LostKause:

Just to fill you in, cmwein, Coastersplainin isn't needed around here. Most of us a hundred years old and have been coaster enthusiasts our entire lives, give or take.

I've been lurking/active around here in a few forms for over 20 years. Thanks. Evidently only ApolloAndy and BrettV got the joke.

Having completed my day at Dollywood, I’m back with the promised report, and I learned a few interesting things.
First, Big Bear Mountain. It’s a great ride. Long and swoopy. It’s a hit with most families- I saw quite a few young, young kids who were excited to go. I also saw a few of those kids receiving consolation from parents after the ride, but everyone agrees that it’s fine for just about everyone. Which led me to comment that if for any reason the ride turns out to be a bad idea for someone, young or old, then due to the coaster’s length they’re really gonna hate it. The dynamic launch and boosts are surely another deciding factor. I rode it twice- once at rope drop and another during the last hour of the day. I’d say the line averaged around a half hour- the park was busier than I had anticipated but the queue houses weren’t ever all in use. I would have taken more rides at the end but instead I found myself engaged in conversation with one of the maintenance men. Here’s what I learned.
One thing that might’ve been obvious is that Big Bear only had 2 trains. I mistakenly assumed that 3 trains were called for and that the ride was blocked accordingly. Nope- there’s only two, but the efficiency of the operations and the overall speed of the ride seems to be the guarantee that the ride eats people. The man told me that Vekoma has been a dream to work with, both on this one and Dragonflier. He also said that he can call the company, someone always answers, and information or required parts are immediately shipped overnight. He also went so far as to say the maintenance team’s input weighed heavily into where the coaster came from and how they would operate it, and what safety procedures would be followed. That seemed refreshing. He also said that their Zamperla rides, mainly flats, have been a nightmare and the company is fairly unresponsive to requests for service. You can believe I filed that one away for the future.
He also confirmed that the park has only ever owned one Dragonflier train and that was by design. He explained the team’s busy time was off-season when they have to remove and restore or rebuild the train, adding that the department’s wishlist includes an additional lead carriage or two. The reasoning is so he can work on that worn piece of equipment and keep things smoother for transitions.
And here is a bit of info that explains the sudden desire for that extra lead carriage.At least I hadn’t heard it, but Dollywood will be going to year-round operation- probably not next season, ‘24, but instead the one after that, ‘25. The details seemed rather consistent with the other regionals that have ventured into that territory. Weather will dictate most of the plans, especially the schedule. New and different shows that have a decided wintertime feel will be in order. Food and merch as well. Ride availability may be scattered but he added this last winter was such that they could’ve been open for business just about every day. So this will be interesting. With warmer climate and weather predicted for the next few decades it seems like a no-brainer. But we also know that wishlists are just that.
I’m hoping that my new friend wasn’t spilling secrets to me (I mean, why would he?) but I’ll keep is identity and location a secret to avoid trouble for him. He seemed like a long-timer and a good, honest guy. People in the south love to visit, don’t they?
I’d like to add a couple of nit-picky things about Dolly’s new ride and the park in general. The ride seems to have an unfinished feel to it. It seems plopped down on the field with little to no landscaping. There is the stretch we’ve all seen with rock work and a waterfall but that’s it. There’s seed planted but no sign of any trees along the course. Dollywood has always presented a finished look to the audience but this time not so much.
The park is ghastly expensive. Admission, even with my discount, and parking fees were high. Food was expensive and merch was too. The days of the fried chicken buffet seem to be over- Aunt Granny’s has gone to family style dinners (think Paula Deen’s concept) at around 30 bucks per person. Lillian’s is a Smokehouse. I had planned to keep spending down and for the most part I was successful, but some things couldn’t help but be noticed. I had Food Festival meatballs and a minuscule cup, maybe 8 ounces, of passion fruit lemonade for 17 dollars. I know we have an expensive hobby and I’m used to it but sorry- all that seemed really high.
On the plus side, all rides, shops, and restaurants were open. Attractions and shows seemed slightly hit or miss, but it’s early into the season still.