New Thunderhead Construction Update

I think Thunderhead will be crazy! I'll be there sometime in March to give her a go. I'm not sure what to expect other than insanity. I'm pretty sure the Ozark Wildcat shaved off a few seconds the first few weeks they were testing. I'm sure Thunderhead will do the same.

In other news the trains are coming along nicely. They are actually looking like Millennium Flyers now. A few more weeks and they will be ready to ship. We put the seat sides and backs on today. They look awsome! I think they have the best looking paint scheme I've seen on a wooden coaster. It's a close call between Thunderhead the Ghostrider trains and the SFNE Cyclone American flag trains it's a toss up.

...isn't the ride scheduled to open in April? March seems like it'd be a bad time to go :)

--Madison

For most people it is. I'll be going down sometime in March to test. I'm working on the trains at GCII's office in Sunbury, PA. I don't know if I'm more excited about riding or walking the track.

Chernabog,

Also, I don't want to jump the gun so I'll let Robert tell the full details, but I'm thinking there might be a chance for some people to get a preview of the ride in late March. Hopefully it all works out, as I definitely can't wait to ride.

Joe, who can't say he's ever been this excited for a GCI before

OMG I have a new sig!!!

Chernabog,
The official grand opening date for Thunderhead is Saturday, April 3.

I survived a Japanese typhoon and the Togo flat ride of death!!!!!!

March 27th, if you have a pass. :)

Ya-like Dukeis said, March 27 for me! :)

March 27th eh? Who has an extra pass they would like to share? :-)

I survived a Japanese typhoon and the Togo flat ride of death!!!!!!

I hear opening weekend at Dollywood is always insane because Dolly herself makes her annual appearance. I'd go the second open week if I were you!

Now I may be an idiot, but there is one thing I am not, sir, and that sir, is an idiot. ~ Peter Griffin

^Your right about that, but I'd watch out about the two weekends following as well. The next weekend is Easter (The park is closed Sun.11th) and the following is the big car show, when the traffic is evan worse that it normally is.

If you can get some weekdays off, I would go then. In April and May, the park is open everyday except Tuesday. *** Edited 2/2/2004 7:24:07 AM UTC by Dukeis#1***

Maybe this'll help:

http://www.pigeonforge.com/calendar/calendar_main.htm

I went to Rod Run back in '89. Yes, the traffic was insane.

Oh my. Does it usually fall this way? March 27 -- season pass preview day -- is Bristol race weekend. I would suggest you NOT come from out of town to visit Dollywood, even though it's season pass preview weekend. Even Pigeon Forge hotels are booked solid due to the races two hours up the road.

If media preview day doesn't conflict with race activities, I am going to try to make it to the park. My hubby has a few connections he can pull in favors from.

I'll actually end up at the park during Rod Run Weekend, as we have rooms. I like old cars, so the only real problem for me is the traffic. To try to miss the crowds, I'll probably spend Friday at the park and Saturday walking around Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.

March 18th, 2004

The focus of this update seems to be theming and the new train trestle.

The storage shed looks really nice in the faded red paint!

Very Good. Maybe if the thumbnails were clickable it woule make it better. Maybe GCI will update as well showing off the trains....

Looks like they've got a lot of landscaping left to do in the new area before the park opens in 2 more weeks.

I survived a Japanese typhoon and the Togo flat ride of death!!!!!!

Yes it does...but knowing them it will look great!

Look at this pics that where taken on the 12th: http://www.acesoutheast.org/thunder/

Thanks alot, kingdom! I didnt know ACE had updates as well.

Thunderhead is looking good. Thanks for the link Kingdom.