[Tawny71]

My advice for Lake Winnie...go in with realistic expectations. It's not a big chain park. It honestly has more of a carnival feel to me. Their coasters were rough, but the Cannonball was a unique experience that I enjoyed. I thought the train ride was fun (because of the other views of the coaster) and the chute ride was an interesting experience.
The water park was ok, though not huge. I do love that their lazy river has multiple entrances/exits and that you don't have to wait in a long line for a tube just to be able to get in.

[Jarsh]

To be fair, I also think it's reasonable to wait for LR to open if you've never been before (like me!) I actually won't be back on the east coast until August so it's not really a choice, but even if I was coming home now, I would wait until it opened if it was feasible. My family doesn't have enough money to go twice, and it doesn't necessarily make a difference to me what part of the summer we go, so why not wait? It's not that Dollywood wouldn't be worth it without Lightning Rod, but it's just that it can't hurt to wait, if you can only go once.

Valid reasoning as well. I've just always gone to the park and had a fantastic time even when I didn't ride coasters, so when I see regular people who are putting off a trip just because of LR, I just wonder what they did there before LR came along. There are folks like coasterbuh who go so often that it makes sense to wait for them, but I personally could go to Dollywood once a week and never get tired of the place. That's just me though and I realize not everyone is like that.

[Edwardo]

I can see people putting it off, what I can't see is people cancelling or complaining if they go and it's down. I'm with you, Josh. The park was AMAZING way before LR. If you go to Dollywood and don't have a good time, there's something wrong with you as a person. We've been in freezing weather with no coasters open and had a blast.

[Jarsh]

That snowball fight in front of Tennessee Tornado that year helped immensely, lol.

[ColetD]

Am I a huge fan of Dollywood? No, not really. It is a lovely park and location, but it just isn't a huge draw for me. But hey.. Last time I checked everyone was entitled to their own opinion, no?

In our case, anyway, it seems more worth it to try another park and/or a park that we haven't been to recently in order to enjoy our time more. While it is unfortunate that LR isn't open I think this recent conversation has been far from 'complaining'. Maybe that wasnt specifically geared towards Chris' post, but still.

[aoriole19]

^^^ Yeah I agree that it looks like an awesome park even without LR. It's been on my list of places to try to go for several years now, but it just hasn't had its turn yet. Everyone on here loves it so much, I'm so excited to go!

[aoriole19]

Am I a huge fan of Dollywood? No, not really. .

Everyone on here loves it so much

Lol I guess I'm wrong. Good timing

[Chris]

Am I a huge fan of Dollywood? No, not really. It is a lovely park and location, but it just isn't a huge draw for me. But hey.. Last time I checked everyone was entitled to their own opinion, no?

In our case, anyway, it seems more worth it to try another park and/or a park that we haven't been to recently in order to enjoy our time more. While it is unfortunate that LR isn't open I think this recent conversation has been far from 'complaining'. Maybe that wasnt specifically geared towards Chris' post, but still.

I agree completely with this. Don't get me wrong. I can appreciate the scenery, the customer service, etc. But I go to a park for more than JUST that. Also, I certainly wasn't trying to come off a complaining. I understand the complications that could occur when doing something innovative.

[Axel]

http://www.myajc.com/news/news/local/exploring-atlantas-lost-amusement-parks/nrMg5/

[Edwardo]

Without trying to speak for him, I think Josh is speaking to the larger attitude online that's going around of people complaining about Dollywood. Sure, they probably could have handled the initial even they had for enthusiasts better, but I think it worked out I the end.

Dollywood has no control over this situation. They went with a fairly proven company and technology. That company subcontracted a critical part of the ride to someone who apparently wasn't ready for the big time.

I've seen lots of complaints about Dollywood this year. But the park is quite popular amongst enthusiasts and, while I get the disappointment, the park didn't suddenly become a terrible place like some enthusiasses have tried to make it all of a sudden.

I postponed my trip but I live close and can go at any time. I went to KD and BGW instead since they've both gotten new stuff since my last visit two years ago so we swapped them
Out for a later Dollywood trip. And I'll likely go tonsillitis this winter. But even if I show up and any ride, including LR is down, I'm gonna enjoy myself.

[Jarsh]

That's exactly what I was trying to say. Thanks for translating for me, haha!

Seeing people who loved Dollywood last year say they hate it this year because LR was delayed just irritates me. Personally it's just weird, and slightly annoying, to see folks say that they are delaying their trip because LR isn't open yet and they won't enjoy the park without it open. (Yes, I've seen people say those exact words - no one here, but random folks. Enthusiasses if you will.)

I hold Dollywood in high regards in all areas of their operations so to see some folks slander them for something beyond their control, it's ridiculous. This isn't Six Flags. Dollywood is actually working 24/7 to get this thing up and running as soon as possible.

[Axel]

El Toro rider sues park after being hit in the face with a dropped cell phone...

http://www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/2016/05/18/huzenik-six-flags-adventure/84560080/

maybe parks need to provide helmets with face protection due to the multitudes of idiot riders holding cell phones... but then the parks probably be sued for transmitting head lice via the helmets

[Chris]

Does anyone have any pointers on how to spin the Fly-O-Planes?

[Jay]

IIRC there's a 2 wheels inside that you can spin. You really don't need more than that. You should figure it out pretty quick, and if not the line should be short so you can hop back on for a re-ride. There isn't some "technique" like the Flyers.

[pproteinc]

Is there a time when parks just say ok enough is enough we need to throw a few buckets of paint on these coasters?? Why does six flags wait 30 years to repaint their rides? Goliath is straight bare metal and the Georgia Scorchers is chipping horribly. Mindbender is nearly rusty with a hint of green paint here and there. I grabbed a shot of Goliath while in line this is ridiculous. Lol even the crossbars are bare now.