GCI coming to Dollywood in 2004!!

From Amusement Business-
"June 26, 2003 Dollywood to Debut Thunderhead Coaster in 2004 Thunderhead is the name of the new wooden coaster set to debut in 2004 at Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tenn.The Great Coasters International woodie reaches speeds of 55 mph and will have a maximum drop of 100 feet. Designed by Mike Boodley with the help of the GCI staff, the coaster is a twister with 3,230 feet of track. It's built on the sides of two mountains and makes use of the valley between them.The coaster will feature what officials are calling the world's first "fly-through" station. About half way through the ride, the trains come back through the station on a track eight feet above the exit platform, but still under the station roof. It will be traveling at 40 mph at that point. The ride will be the centerpiece of a new themed area of the park called Thunderhead Gap. Written by: Tim O'Brien"

Link: www.amusementbusiness.com/amusementbusiness/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1922159

-Danny
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Coaster Insomniacs

!!!!!!!11111111!!!!!!!11111111!!!!!!!!!!!1111111!!!!!!!!!1111111111111111111 !!1111111!!!!!11 !!!!111

Pretty much all that needs to be said right now.

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/\ Jonathan Hawkins
Starcoasters.com | ThrillSpot
Howard Dean for President!

The track running overhead in the station is also a very cool idea. Sounds like that tunnel/exit at Silverwood in the gift shop. Very cool! :)
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What's shaking in Robland? - Click it, or lose it. ;)

Sounds cool. I always liked the "earthquake effect" on the Santa Cruz Giant Dipper when the train passes overhead. This brings it to a new level (though the Revolution at Magic Mountain comes pretty close to the exit).

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"It's not a Too-mah!" - Arnold after riding Batman the Ride

100' drop? That would make it the largest GCI to date. Sounsd like a really cool ride.

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SCREAM with me... in 2003!

Ive been looking for a reason to convince my parents to take me back to Dollywood (IF you havent been, its an incredibly gorgeous park!) and this just may be it.

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"AHHH!! Oh wait, we didnt drop yet"

I concur with StarCoaster's statement above. Looks like I'll be making my second trip to Dollywood next year. A GCI and the best Arrow multilooper in one of the most beautiful parks in the country--sounds too good to be true!

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-Mike B.
Son of Hulk

Sounds very cool but I wouldn't want to be the operators listening to that train thunder through the station all day long. Get me some earplugs.

Exactly. Dollywood was one of those parks that was already spectacular, and this will really push it to the top. Here is another article: Click me From the descriptions there, it sounds like it might make some use of the terrain (for the lift possibly, like Tornado?), and it also sounds like it is going to be themed quite nicely, like the other rides at Dollywood.

*EDIT: Whoops! Link fixed

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/\ Jonathan Hawkins
Starcoasters.com | ThrillSpot
Howard Dean for President!
*** This post was edited by StarCoasters 6/26/2003 3:54:10 PM ***

Awesome! A GCI that's only 8 hours away ( :) ). Guess I should start making plans for a trip.
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CBuzz member since 3/25/01.
Everyone has a photographic memory....some just don't have film.

The Dollywood fanboy is thrilled. I can't wait for next summer (and my trip later this year). I highly recommend a visit for anyone questioning whether or not to go. It's a Busch-quality park.

-Danny
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Coaster Insomniacs

Star Coaster's link was broken...try this.

mOOSH [not surprised by the announcement]

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A random Mooshter's Dawntionary listing: Esplanade [v.] - to attempt an explanation while drunk.

I know mOOSH wasn't surprised, but considering the economy (and the absence of CCI), I wasn't expecting a smaller chain to be in the buying mode right now....

OTOH, after the overwhelming success of CC and OW, I guess this wasn't exactly "out of left field" either...

bill, wonders if HFEC needs some help in the marketing dept...:)

GCI? Wooded terrain? Station fly-through? If the initial reviews are favorable, I'll make it part of my coaster road trip next year. Sounds awesome.

Sigh...I'm glad they are still building woodies. I used to be a huge steel fan...but now they seem like McDonald's to me...but don't get me wrong, I get the urge to scarf a fillet-o fish now and again.

And terrain too! Built on two hills too! Should have called it "Dolly's Hooters in a Holler". ;)

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"It's not a Too-mah!" - Arnold after riding Batman the Ride

Of course it'd be themed like an owl's nest. :)

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"It's not a Too-mah!" - Arnold after riding Batman the Ride

Funny how when Ozark Wildcat was announced alot of enthusiasts poo-pooed it because it was from GCII and of course that meant it would be lame and boring with no Gs blah blah blah...
Now we have the first anounced GCII since OW and alot of folks are exicted and looking forward to Thunderhead. Just an observation that OW is maybe changing some peoples' opinion of GCII.
Hopefully GCII might be heading to other places in 2004 or 2005?
Sure
Does
Complex a person.
(Hopefully they will anyhow)

Jim "Pigeon Forge bound in 2004" Wolgamuth

I like GCI, Dollywood, and woodies in general, so I was excited about OW and now about Thunderhead.

-Danny, who has never met a lame or boring GCI
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Coaster Insomniacs

I wasn't any more excited about Ozark Wildcat as all the other GCI's. I've always liked GCI coasters, and can't wait to see what they do with some terrain.

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-Mike B.
Son of Hulk

"Hey Dolly it's time to get onto to your new woody. Better get out that super support bra."

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Judgement, Superiority (ego), intolerance, and Hostility.........Makes CB the "Jenny Jones for "Coaster Trekkies" LOL