Dollywood announces Barnstormer for 2011

No. Silver Dollar City's has similar theming.

Yeah, SDC's is nice, and I've been wanting Dollywood to get one ever since.

Now if they'd only build a Wildfire at Dollywood ;).

I thought a European park (which one? Not sure) had put one in with quite similar theming to it only a couple years ago - no idea where in the timeline that one sits vs. SDC's.

^^I actually liked Tennessee Tornado more. Powder Keg, on the other hand had no equal at DW. (Haven't been on Mystery Mine, thought Thunderhead and Ozark were comparable.)

No SDC Themed theirs pretty much the same way.

Really? That is entirely new information!

(see my post at the top of this page)

After reading the whole press release and what not, I love that they're putting this in the (soon to be former) Dreamland Forest area. Seems like they're adding this ride, then re-vamping the rest of the area, which has Slidewinder and a kids play section.

I think Dollywood has realized it's better to have stuff for everyone to do in all of the areas of the park. This section needed something else thrilling, since there isn't a lot to do from the bottom to the top of the hill that goes up to Tornado. Now they'll have 2 water rides, a kids area, 2 coasters, and it goes around to the new attraction for this year.

Dollywood continues to be one of my favorite parks, and every time they've added something, I've gotten excited about it.

When I was there, I noticed that Slidwinder had a very short line. Adding the new attractions there will have a positive impact on the Slidewinder's popularity, if needed, hopefully.

I really want them to do something about the hill leading up to this area. It is very steep, and scooters are prohibited from going there.

This area and the log ride area needs to be opened up somehow to allow for them to be easier to find. Maybe this tall swing will help with that area, providing somewhat of a "wienie" to help guest see that there is something there.

The short line for Slidewinder is due to the 10 mile hike to the station! I really had hoped that when they opened the back of the park up, they'd put the line back there, but, then you wouldn't have access to the lockers.

I agree, this area needs to be opened up, and is one of the last sections of Dollywood that hasn't received anything major in the last several years, so it's time.

I do wish they'd use the old Dollywood museum up on the hill for something, and the 50's Jukebox Junction could use something new. The other areas over there got a lift with the addition of the County Fair and the rides added there.

Now if they'd just do that re-theme of Blazin' Fury that was rumored!

I think in time we will see each area within the park get a facelift and some new attractions. Dollywood (as well as SDC) seem to have a good team planning out new attractions, and I am quite sure they are at least ten years ahead. What I would like to see at Dollywood are a powderkeg launch coaster, and the top spin that was hinted at in guest surveys "Calamity Canyon".

This is going to be a great addition, but I would like to see something done to that train ride too.

What would you like to see done to that amazing, top-of-the-line, best ever, first class train ride, Astro? ;)

CreditWh0re said:
Good choice, obviously, as the experience at SDC will attest.

I'm more amused about this being the 2nd ride name obviously lifted from the defunct Opryland.

The Barnstormer was the name used by Opryland for their Intamin Air Race ride (same as Six Flags over Georgia's old "Great Air Race"). The rides were famous for nothing other than the SFoG version mishapped in the early days of CNN, which allowed them to run full day coverage of stranded riders.

Dollywood also aped the name of Opryland's rapids raft ride (Grizzly River Rampage) when they named their's Smoky Mountain River Rampage.

Given that Dollywood is the logical successor to Opryland (same target market, and same emphasis on shows/entertainment over rides, per se), it's smart business.

i just didn't expect an exact lift of the old Barnstormer name.

You know, I was not aware of that. The Rampage opened when Opryland was in full swing. Opryland is really never in our discussions when we are taqlking about new attractions.

I agree that DW train it by far the best one only because it is not a park train but an actual locomotive that was built for the military in 1943.

Now if they wanted to add more visuals along the route, I would be fine with that.

Is this the swing they removed from wild adventures ?

Maybe they will get that annoying pig from the Geico commercial to ride it and make the "WEEEEE" sound... Great sponsorship marketing opportunity, and it's already themed for a barnyard scene.

^^kevin38 - no, WA had two four-seat swings (like KBF *still* unfortunately has). WA had small enough crowds so that a max of eight riders per cycle was enough to meet capacity needs. Sadly, the ride (along with Power Surge) has gone away. Not sure if HFEC is relocating or selling, but wow do I miss that Screamin Swing - the ops would leave just enough airspace to make it quite a thrilling ride...and the two-abreast seating enhanced that feeling greatly in comparison to the larger swings.

Tekwardo said:
Yeah, SDC's is nice, and I've been wanting Dollywood to get one ever since.

Now if they'd only build a Wildfire at Dollywood ;).

During a tour of the Wildfire maintenance shed at SDC last weekend, the guide, a ride maintenance officer, mentioned Dollywood is in talks to get a B&M for 2012. He made a point to say that no contract had been signed yet.

^ I had heard that too earlier this year.

As long as it doesn't replace Tornado I'm fine.

I wouldn't mind seeing them get either an invert or flyer from B&M.