u/tpusater

What a great day I had at Dollywood yesterday! The crowd was light, with most waits for coasters very short, many of them walk-ons. I managed 20 rides in 5 hours, 5 each on Thunderhead and Lightning Rod. And I got a preview ride on NightFlight Expedition. No spoilers!

I want to thank Dollywood for making the preview event so welcoming for season passholders. I had a timed ticket for 1 pm and arrived about 10 minutes early to learn that the ride had technical issues but that I could enjoy a free lunch while waiting. They served us pulled pork, hot dogs, salad, corn, baked beans, potato chips, soft drinks, and water while we waited outside the building. By the time I finished eating, the ride opened, so my wait was less and 40 minutes.

All I will say about the ride is that it is a good fit for Dollywood. The queue is long but air conditioned, and the coaster element is no more severe than Blazing Fury. It is a good family ride that I expect most will enjoy.

Thanks again to the management and staff at Dollywood for the event itself and for helping season passholders, like myself, get timed tickets after the problems with the website. Special thanks for giving us an extra bring-a-friend ticket for the inconvenience we experienced.

Trip report in the comments.

Last ride is 7pm, presentation at 7:30pm

Trip report in comments.

Trip report in comments

I just rode Superman seven times today, all in torrential rain. Got the last ride before they stopped operations at 3:30pm.

Earlier today, I waited for Wicked Cyclone to open. When it did open, it was raining. When our train reached the brake run, the op announced that they had to shut down the ride because it was faulting for speed. Truly the wickedest ride I ever had on that coaster.

Making memories….

Kid Flash has been removed. I wonder if the management has any plans to reuse that space.

The gondola on Georgia Gold Rusher is missing its seats. I’m curious what issue(s) require the ride to be closed the rest of the season.

I forgot to take one more photo: Georgia Scorcher had both trains on the track when I first arrived. That was the first time this year I saw both trains.

Full trip report in the comments. Photo legend:
Pic 1: CannonBall’s first drop.
Pic 2: Lookout Safari waiting to open (formerly Kombo at Indianapolis Zoo)
Pic 3: Entrance to the Boat Chute’s 3-minute tunnel
Pic 4: Exit from the Boat Chute’s tunnel
Pic 5: Lake Winnie near the end of the Boat Chute
Pic 6: Oh-Zone (Larson drop tower)
Pic 7: Trigger Warning for clown-haters: A featured part of Wacky Factory dark ride

Fast Lane paid off today. We got a total of 52 rides with 14 on Beast, 10 each on Orion and Mystic Timbers, and 8 on Orion.

SFoG’s Facebook page announced early ride time for Dare Devil Dive and Goliath this month starting at 10:30. I visited today and went to both security guards at the the train trellises, both of whom had not heard of the decision and who said the rest of the park would not open until 11. They did run Twisted Cyclone early, and maybe Georgia Scorcher (I didn’t notice).

I wonder why they would announce early ride time on Facebook and not follow through.

I got this message at two different parks (SFoG and SFFT) when I tried to activate my all parks Fast Lane. I entered each park early, before the park’s official opening time. When I tried to activate my Fast Lane, the site indicated that I had not yet entered the park. I tried refreshing the app, re-entering my info, trying a new browser, etc. None of that worked.

What I found worked both times is going back to the entrance after the opening time and asking the staff to scan my pass again . That reset the site both times. If this happens to you, try that first before getting in line at Fast Lane or Guest Services.

Today is my 9th visit this year and the first time I had to show my season pass to enter the park 30 minutes early (10:30). Twisted Cyclone did not open early, but I managed two rides on Georgia Scorcher before the ride op announced that the ride would not run again until 11:00.

I received an email recently that announced that Goliath and, I think, Dare Devil Dive will open early in June for season passholders only. So it looks like we’ll be operating like Carowinds does, with some rides open early for passholders on a rotational basis. Time will tell.

It was hauling yesterday, especially around the turn-around. But, seriously?

Thankfully, I can edit the app to indicate I was a passenger. No option for amusement rides, though.

Anyone else get caught by an auto app speeding or braking on a ride?