Dollywood Trip Advice 8/13 - 8/15/2007

I'm planning a trip to Dollywood for August 13, 14, and 15th. I just wanted to know any advice you all can give me? What not to miss, where to eat, what the best shows to see etc? What about the water park? Is it worth giving it a go? Thanks in advance.

Asside fromt he obvious coaster credits, don't miss the Mountain Slidewinder! You will get wet, but it is so worth it!

Try some eats at the giant skillets over by the county fair section and don't miss the Cinnamon Bread at the bakery up the hill on the way to Tennessee Tornado. Sorry, I don't know the name of the bakery, but I'm sure someone can point you to it. Just say you're looking for the place with the Cinnamon Bread. It is sooo yummy. If you like cinnamon rolls, you will love it!

there are actually two bakeries, the Spotlight Bakery on Showstreet and there's another one about halfway into Craftsman's Valley, can't remember the name. Our big fat favorites: Granny Ogle's Ham & Beans, Miss Lillian's Chicken House, and PaPaw's Flatbreads (that's the stuff in the big skillet). Just don't eat anything for about three days before you get there. Spend two days in the park, ride all the rides the first day and eat everything they have the second. If you do it the other way around, you probably wouldn't fit in any rides the second day. On the other hand, you can walk it all off, there's lots of hills there.

Oh that reminds me... Aunt Granny's Buffet is delicious!

Walk all the way to the back of the park to the Tennessee Tornado FIRST. Then work your way back down the hill and hit everything on the way down. Otherwise your tired by the time you get to the back of the park!! Also, this is a great park. I love it. But if you, like me, HATE Bluegrass and Country music...BRING EARPLUGS!!! lol

Joe

yeah, and that reminds ME - got all wound up about the food there, forgot about the rides - besides the coasters, gotta do Blazing Fury (previously known and still known at SDC as Fire in the Hole) - it's 80% power-rail dark ride, 18% gravity coaster, and 2% water ride. Some people call it a coaster credit. The car ride in Jukebox Junction has radios in the cars. Daredevil Falls is also good, and the Slidewinder too, and the train ride is LONG. And the River Rampage is a very good rapids ride. Keep in mind you may need a kid to get on the Veggie Tales coaster. Haven't been to Dolly's Splash Country but have heard nothing but good about it.

When I went in April, a kid was not required for the Veggie Tales credit.

that's good to hear. Also hopeful that Timber Tower will be open by your trip - or, is it open already?

Don't miss the steam train...being a train buff, IMO it is the best ride in the park. :)

If you don't like Country and Bluegrass music, see the Dreamland Drive-In show. It features pop and rock from the 50s, 60s, and early 70s. (Last season it won IAAPA's Heartbeat Award for best park show)

*** Edited 7/15/2007 10:12:19 PM UTC by Dukeis#1***

Ride Thunder Head as much as possible!

Wear some sort of eye protection on the Steam Train to keep all of the soot (sp?) out of your eyes, and when you get it on your clothes, don't try to wipe it off!

Even though you will get a bit wet, and you have to make a pretty good hike to get to it, you have to ride the Mountain Sidewinder.

If you have ear rings, take them out, or be careful on Mystery mine. Personally I thought there was only one bad spot for head/ear banging, but it was bad enough to make me take mine out every time I rode it. You may think otherwise.

If you are also a credit counter, I was just there last month as was able to ride Veggie Tales Side Show Spin without a kid. So give that a spin.

Be surprised at how smooth the Tennessee Tornado is for an Arrow. It definitely surprised me.

Have fun. It's a beautiful park!

Speeking of credit ho'ing, there's another kiddie coaster a few miles away at the Nascar Speed Park. Oh and Ghost Town In The Sky isn't too far away either. ;)

Is The Cliffhanger coaster open yet at Ghost Town in the Sky?

Unfortunately, no, Cliff Hanger is not going to open this year. I received news in my ACE regional email update today...

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Maggie Valley, NC – The world’s only roller coaster that is literally located on the side of a mountain, the Cliff Hanger, will open next season at Ghost Town in the Sky, Western North Carolina’s mountain top theme park and family destination.

Ghost Town recently re-opened on May 25 after a 5-year hiatus while the park was for sale. Although park officials planned on the one-of-a-kind coaster being ready for opening day, extensive restoration and updating safety components have caused delays.

Since the roller coaster was originally built over 20 years ago, originally known as the Red Devil, there have been improvements in coaster safety standards, parts and materials. First, the entire track was gauged to ensure the exact dimensions of the track. Over 14,000 parts and components, not including nuts and bolts, will be used in constructing the cars for the train, and each part had to be redesigned, fabricated and tested even before being assembled. North Carolina Department of Labor officials have been involved in the process of inspections during each stage of assembly. The Cliff Hanger will boast a magnetic brake system to assist the existing air brakes and to improve rider comfort.

This one-of-a-kind roller coaster will have a custom-built train on it. Although there are trains that could have been purchased with standard seat configurations, Ghost Town’s roller coaster will feature all new components and a completely new, one-of-a-kind train that has open-air cars and custom seats. Coaster enthusiasts will be pleased to know that the new train will not use standard over-the-shoulder harnesses. The new seats will utilize ergonomic padded lap bars and retractable seatbelts which were specially engineered and manufactured for the coaster. There is not a train on a roller coaster like it in the world.

Once completed, Ghost Town will need to have adequate run-time and testing for the brand-new train. “We will not compromise the safety of our guests,” states General Manager Bob Cordier, “And ride enthusiasts will certainly appreciate the extra efforts made to make the Cliffhanger better than ever. Aside from the train, the Cliff Hanger is so unique because the station (where guests enter and exit the ride) is built higher than the loop. Riders experience the loop within 7 seconds of beginning the ride!”

Ghost Town offered fans the opportunity to re-name this famous landmark on their website. “We had a great response from our fans. It was a really difficult decision with all the names and choices that were submitted,” said David King, Ghost Town’s Sales and Marketing Manager. The contest generated over 250 submissions from fans all over the country. Ghost Town’s management and staff voted on the name, and the most popular choice was “Cliff Hanger.”

The original Red Devil has not only received a new name, but a new look. The roller coaster has been sand blasted from “head to toe,” and each individual joint has been thoroughly tested and inspected. The Cliff Hanger features a corn husk yellow track, chili red cars and terminal. These colors are being used throughout the park to keep the theming synonymous with Ghost Town’s logo, website and all new collateral.

The Cliff Hanger is located on the side of Buck Mountain and has a top speed of 56 mph. As you leave the terminal, it seems as though you are going to fall off the face of the mountain. An exciting loop generates g-force pressure as you travel 2,063 feet of a fun-filled ride.

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It sounds like it will be more than worth the wait for these one of a kind trains!

Oh and yes I meant to add, the train ride at DW is amazing, but oh so bad for contact lens wearers. I found out the hard way lol. Even with sunglasses on, the soot gets in your eyes.