Do you really think Dollywood draws the same demographic as SFoG and Carowinds do? Granted, it'll be four months before my first visit to Dollywood, but I've been to its sister park in Branson, MO, and the guests there were nothing like the other two parks.
I don't think Dollywood will be taking any attendance away from either park, and vice versa.
Joe "finally have a reason to go to Dollywood!" C.
While Dollywood does have more older and family visitors, a few people can be swayed on which park they plan to visit this summer. They all advertise themselfs as theme parks, and they are all within 300 miles of each other, so I find it hard to believe that they don't effect each other's final numbers, if only slightly. *** Edited 1/10/2004 5:40:47 PM UTC by Dukeis#1***
Joe <---- loves saving money
Legendary said:
...but I've been to its sister park in Branson, MO, and the guests there were nothing like the other two parks.
I think that the type of people attending there has a lot to do with the location (the live entertainment capital of the world -- which caters to older people on bus tours) and then the humble past of the park. It was originally a crafters park and then the rides came -- well the cave was first, but you get the idea.
As for it stealing the thunder of the midwest -- I see it happening. It is by far my favorite park here in Mighty MO, and I don't see that changing anytime soon. For one thing it has so much more to offer than WOF and SFStL. The festivals are just wonderful and then to top it off you have great rides.
If Dollywood is half as good as SDC then Dollywood must be a great park. It did appear that they lack in the festival dept, but I'm sure they will work on that to become the "SDC of the East". ;)
I'd much wrather them bring back the Sunset Music Fest from the early 90s when the park was open until 10 and 11 during the summer. But then again, the park is not quite as "loose" now as it was then.
Which begs the question if DW beats SDC in attendence why is developement so slow at DW?
Well, they don't really have that much space, being kind of stuck in a valley. I'm surprised that they could get a coaster like this in there.
Ok, maybe I'm just being jealous (and I'm really happy for DW to get this) -- but why the hell isn't this being built at SDC instead? I mean seriously! We have the terrain and everything to make a Kick @$$ woodie here in the Ozark Hills!!! WHY DON'T WE HAVE THIS THING??? Ok sorry I just had to vent the frustration that we only have one GCII in the Branson area & by God we need more. Oh BTW Clair is by far one of the best host when it comes to on-sight construction tours.
Gah!
Do you really think Dollywood draws the same demographic as SFoG and Carowinds do?
Chattanooga. We have a choice here, and most of us go to SFOG. No, it won't be any sort of large chunk, but it might hurt their attendence slightly. As to Carowinds, no.
...and bilboards (which they have already done in parts of East TN).
I've seen some of those billboards.
Now, some questions. What usually happens on a media day like this? How do you get in the event? Is there anything else to do besides ride Thunderhead?
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I ask because the park supposedly opens two days after Media Day, from what I remember in the website.
If you have a season pass, you are welcome to come the weekend prior to the Grand Opening, "Season Pass Sneak Preview" weekend (March 27th and 28th). All of the rides, resturants and shops are open (The shows don't start until GO). The park is also mostly deserted, with no lines. I think Thunderhead will be open if they are finished with construction and testing by then.
You are right about the space issues. With Thunderhead, the park had to open up a whole new area, and you'll have to climb a somewhat steep slope to get to it. Unless they do what they did in '92 again and move the entrance further down into the parking lot, most of the new rides will have to be up on the hill that Thunderhead is located on.
The area this is being built is in an entire NEW valley they will be developing-all new coasters being built here. Although the older areas will recieve some new rides (new show for SMWA) but this will start a new development for them.
Plus, we don't know-there could be alot of room for new expansion.
I'm planning on going to DW on Season Passholder's Sneak Peak Weekend to beat some of the crowds (if Thunderhead is open by then that is).
Media days are for the media, not the general public and unless you have some type of "coverage" to offer them (or you know some one) there is very little chance that you'll be able to go. :(
thepinkdoomofmonkeys said:
OK , just to chime in on some stuff here.
Do you really think Dollywood draws the same demographic as SFoG and Carowinds do?
Chattanooga. We have a choice here, and most of us go to SFOG. No, it won't be any sort of large chunk, but it might hurt their attendence slightly. As to Carowinds, no.
Just to clarify, I said demographic, which is what "age group" will go to said park. Not population base (ie "Chattanooga"). I honestly don't think SFoG pulls the same demo that Dollywood does.
Dukeis#1 said:
I'd much wrather them bring back the Sunset Music Fest from the early 90s when the park was open until 10 and 11 during the summer. But then again, the park is not quite as "loose" now as it was then.
Wow, someone else remembers the Summer Music Fest. That, along with the regular entertainment offerings in the early '90's was the best time in Dollywood's history. It's still an awesome park, and I will return, but they seem to have slipped in the entertainment category, and it's a shame. Imagine if they brought back some of the great production shows and the Summer Music Fest. on top of the great rides and attractions they have developed over the past few years. What an incredible park it would be.
CoastermanX said:
I think Opryland had alot to do with all the musical stuff DW did in the 90's.
I was thinking the same thing as I typed my previous post. What a shame to loose Opryland and also to loose the pressure it may have put on Dollywood to compete in the entertainment field.
I've been visiting DW since 1989, and I must say it is a completely different expierience now than it was back then. The park has a much more proffesional air about it now, but it does seem that somewhere along the line ('bout '96 or '97) it just started to seem like a whole different place.
I do miss the "earlier" Dollywood, but with the current way things are headed I would not be surprised if we are beggining to enter a second golden age. ;)
Only 81 days until Thunderhead opens! (74 if you own a pass!)
I agree the second golden age of DW is about to begin or may have been going sice 1999. Either way-it's starting to kick into high gear. I'm looking forward to the things we will se in the next ten years.
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