We went to Charleston, SC for vacation so we decided to hit up Dollywood on our way back through the mountains. The plan looked bleaker and bleaker since it was supposed to rain all day and it was pouring when we got to Pigeon Forge, but around five it stopped raining and it was all better from there. We stayed from 5 to around 7:30 on the first day and from 9 to 1 on the second day. Here's what I rode:
Wild Eagle x3: I rode it in the middle on the right side on the first day and that was incredible, but it was my least favorite of the three. My favorite was the second when I rode in the front on the left side. Full of close calls, very smooth, very forceful, and flying around on that mountain with a completely unobstructed view is awesome. My last ride at Dollywood was taken on the back on the right side and I think it's the most forceful in the back. I actually flew out of my seat on the drop and had trouble holding my arms up at the bottom of the loop. Great ride; perfect addition to the park.
FUNNY STORY: My dad was bragging to a ride op on day two about his coaster enthusiast son that knew almost everything about roller coasters. This ride op came over to me and asked the speed. I told him sixty-one since I saw it on the shirts the day before. He asked me the height, I told him two-hundred and ten feet. He asked me how many inversions, and I needed to think, so out loud I counted a loop, a zero-g roll, an Immelmann, and a flat spin, and he was blown away that I knew not only how many inversions, but what they were. We talked about the fact that I was comparing the left side to the right side and he claimed that left was better and since I had sixty credits (Eagle was my sixtieth) he valued my opinion on the subject. Seemed happy to know that he was very right about that.
*Mystery Mine x2: I couldn't ride in the front but it's a Eurofighter, so that doesn't affect much. It's not as rough as I remember since I think they added padding to the restraints since we were there, but it was fun.
*Thunderhead x2: MUCH rougher than I remember but still my favorite woodie. I couldn't get the restraint down an extra click since the buckle was always over me, and as a result the ride that already has all sorts of odd laterals that whip you around was VERY rough since my restraint was loose.
*Blazing Fury x1: They took out the splash at the end? Come on, Herschend!
*Barnstormer x1: First S&S Screamin' Swing and I loved it! Plenty of airtime, very intense at the bottom, and my non-enthusiast dad and sister that like thrill rides refused to ride since they said it looked boring. And my dad's the one that flips out whenever he feels an ounce of air!
*Dollywood Express: I decided to take it easy and ride the train with my parents and it was a good decision. I got a cinder in my eye which hurt but it was fun riding around the smoky mountains and looking at the park from a different angle.
Pictures!
Me trying on the Wild Eagle test seat; first thing I did when getting to the park. Fitting into restraints has never been a problem for me but you're always better safe than waiting in a huge line for no reason.
Wild Eagle looks great from angles where you can see it.
Artsy shot of Wild Eagle and Mystery Mine
Me in front of the eagle sculpture.
Start of day 2. Rockin' the Wild Eagle swag in the hotel room even though I blinked!
Timber Canyon landscpape with Thunderhead and the old Timber Tower platform, now a restaurant.
I like this shot of Mystery Mine for some reason...
Mystery Mine and Lumberjack Lifts.
Most beautiful park I've been to in a LONG time...
I like this cabin, too.
Another pretty building.
Dollywood's coal buring train puts out a LOT of smoke. That thing was piping!
Me on the train ready to ride!
For a partially indoor coaster, Mystery Mine's photogenic...
I'm not posting all of my pictures (I'm making a slideshow with them all in it and posting that in the coming days) but I took a LOT of Wild Eagle. Very beautiful coaster.
And I like the huge metal eagle!
View from Wild Eagle's station.
I'll end with a pretty shot of the mill.
Have a good day!
