Dollywood Semi-Announces '05 Plans!

I recieved my quarterly Dollywood season passholder newsletter, The Dollywood Insider, today and it speaks of the park's upcoming expansion in 2005.

"Dollywood's Country Fair will be the focus of a major expansionproject for the 2005 season. Country Fair is one of Dollywood's most popular areas, so our goal is to increase capacity by 50 percent.
Not only will this project provide easier access to Country Fair, but we also will be adding more family rides that parents and kids can enjoy together (More kiddy Rides!?!?!) A new restroom also will be added to this area. We hope to make an official announcement in December regarding this project, so we will keep you posted as plans progress."

Also, in 2005, the park will introduce the Moscow Circus to the Festival of Nations.

In other Dollywood News, Thunderhead AND Tennessee Tornado will be open this Christmas (Although the Tornado was supposed to go down Oct. 30, the park has changed it's mind).

Across the street, as many know, Splash Country will be adding a $2 Million addition. Bear Mountain Fire Tower will be themed to the many fire towers that dot the region. When a fire is spotted, alarms go off, and the huge bucket and smaller ones around the complex will dump it's watery load on guests below! Also included in this expansion is a new restaurant, named the Brushfire Grill. This new complex will be located adjacent to the Water Park's new Big Bear Plunge.

What?! Where's my hyper coaster or B&M invert?!?!

+Danny ;)

I said the same thing. ;)

Danny, that's coming, give it time!

JC, fo' real!

I think everyone will have to wait till '06 for the next serious expansion and from what I hear it's gonna be a doozy!

2006 will be the 20th anniversary for Dollywood (not the park itself, just the changing of the name). From what I hear we should get several flats that are NOT for kiddies and atleast one major coaster. I'm hearing either floorless or invert. Personally I'd prefer the invert but have a feeling they'll go for the floorless....first ;-)

As to this country fair expansion, I think it's a good idea and way past its time! Not only are restrooms needed in this area but a better entrance and newer/better capacity flats. And from the sounds of this I'd say that's exactly what they're doing.

I got a feeling Dollywood will be doing some shopping this year at IAAPA!

trust me, Dollywood has gotten more recognition this year and with the guidance of the SDC group is making huge strides. I don't think it will be another ten years before they add another major coaster. Perhaps with the sucess of the B&M they may go with something like that.

Chuck, who would just as soon have another woodie but you can't allways get what you want. Though you may try some times, You just might find .........

Hmm.....haven't got my newsletter yet. ;-) I plan getting down there one more time this year in November. I can't wait!

Glad to hear the exciting news! Thanks Chuck. ;-)

-Tina

This is great news!

I'm glad their trying to increase the capacity of that area. It always gets very crowded during the day. One thing they could do would be to open up the private path around the backside of the Rampage to pedestrians, and that way there would be a pathway loop to make the crowds flow better.

I hope they don't remove any rides like Country Fair Falls or Swingamajig. (Tennessee Twister as well, I like Tilt-a-whirls!) The reason for those two is that CFF was built for the 1964 Worlds Fair, and Swingamajig has been at the park for 24 years (Almost as old as Blazing Fury!).

Can't wait for the official annoucement!

*** Edited 9/4/2004 12:10:29 AM UTC by Dukeis#1***

I checked the Dollywood website and it seems that the Road Rally circular kiddie cars (Not Rockin' Roadway) will be closing on October 30th this year. Maybe they will be removing it?

Currently that is the only flat in the Country Fair that will be closing early.

Perhaps so.

That is great news for Dollywood. I felt that area of the park was the busiest of the park and there was a lot traffic congestion by the ferris wheel as that leads back to a culdesac. Is there any news on if they will add any other rides or if it will just be a reworking of the area to better handle the traffic?

The park newsletter says they are adding more rides to County Fair. I'm anxious to see what they come up with. That's always one of the most crowded areas of the park.

Kiddie flats, the BIG THRILL FLAT is coming next season! *Hint*Hint* HUSS GIANT FRISBEE*Hint*Hint* ;)

The most logical thing that they could do to the area is to relocate some things to open up the space more to handle the crowds. They obviously need to have another pathway go around the Log Flume to the back area of that section. That would mean moving the Tilt-a-whirl so that the path could connect that area. Another thing they need to seriously think about is either moving the midway games or the ferris wheel as that particular path is a bottle neck. How much unused space do they have in that area (inside the train tracks)? If they are hurting they might go ahead an expand over the tracks. That will help future expansion in that area. Also wouldn't a mouse fit in nicely in the theme of that area? That would help up the coaster count of the park just nicely. ;)

-SS

I hadn't thought of that Swoosh but it makes alot of sense to put a path behind the log flume. And if they did do that it would open up a good portion of space I believe.

I think that there would be enough space in that area to add 2-3 flats between there and the railroad tracks.

Anyone who's been to the park knows that they are masters of space. They can squeeze every bit of use out of the smallest spaces.

As for the mouse, I agree with you, but remember that the survey they did earlier this year had not one, but two mouse coasters in it for one of the new expansion areas.

There is a lot of open space between the Log Flume and the Convoy/Tennessee Twister (Tilt-a-whirl). I'm curious as to why the park didn't build anything there in 1993.

I'd like to know if Dollywood owns the field behind the CF, next to the Dollywood Lane parking lot entrance. The park could build something there, though they'd have to move the small employee parking lot. (And create a RR crossing/overpass)

One of the things they need to do with the Country Fair is tear down all those game stands next to the Log Flume drop (Monster Trucks and Basketball?). I can remember back before those were built, the walkway almost went right up to the side of the flume, and whenever a log would come down you could get splashed. I guess since the games bring in money, that won't happen.

I agree with what TNCoasterman said about Dollywood making the most of it's space. They really squeezed in almost as much as they could when they did the Fun Country/Country Fair renovation in 1993. Use to that area was much more open.

I think that Celebration Hall/Imagination Station/Barnwood Theatre has outlived its useful-ness. They should demolish it and build something like Red Gold Heritage Hall at SDC in Thunderhead Gap. Then, CH's land would be available for something new. [Yea, yea, wishful thinking]

I'd like to see the Balloon Race return as well...wonder if the park still has it in storage? It seems like it sat disassembled up on the future site of Thunderhead for some time before it finally disappeared. *** Edited 9/7/2004 8:33:55 AM UTC by Dukeis#1***