[Chris]

I can't wait. We're heading there Thursday, and possibly some Friday morning. I thought it was going to be impossible to dethrone Fury but it just may happen...

[dabrian]

Yea it might be my new favorite as well. Rode twice Monday and aggressive and intense describe it perfectly.

[Axel]

[carolinaman]

Just posted on Instagram that Lightning Rod caught fire. No other details.

[tarheel1231]

Here's Devin Olson's Lightning Rod documentary: http://www.wbir.com/news/local/documena ... /245091023

I definitely enjoyed the Fury325 documentary better (hopefully Devin hasn't peaked yet), but this one is pretty good. And there's a catchy song at the end!

[aoriole19]

I'm going to Tennessee the weekend of August 20. How crowded does Dollywood get? Would we be able to get everything done if we went on a Saturday? ( I don't know if they have any kind of fast pass, but we won't do that regardless.) Should we go Friday instead? My brother and mom could only get Friday and Saturday off so we don't have other options.

[coasterbruh]

Their new for 2018 launch wooden coaster wont be ready . . .

Lines aren't that bad but I heard the quick pass thing is pretty cheap so I would get one just in case.

[RacerAlex]

I'm going to Tennessee the weekend of August 20. How crowded does Dollywood get? Would we be able to get everything done if we went on a Saturday? ( I don't know if they have any kind of fast pass, but we won't do that regardless.) Should we go Friday instead? My brother and mom could only get Friday and Saturday off so we don't have other options.

Just a heads up, if you're going specifically to ride Lightning Rod I'd think twice about the trip. The ride has some serious technical issues and at this point you'd be lucky to have it open. And the park isn't really doing a good job to clearly show whether the ride is open or closed on the website or social media.

Now I'm not in the know, but it appears to be the launch system. The park is quick to defend Fred and RMC's role in the coaster, but is clearly put off by this ongoing problem that prevents this attraction from advancing beyond "technical ride rehearsals".

I went last week and not only was the coaster down for the two days I was there, but I never saw anyone even working on it. From what I can tell, the last day it ran was July 8th. I had a friend who went about five weeks ago and in the three days he was there, it ran part of one day.

I think Lightning Rod is an amazing attraction and certainly is going to be Dollywood's first world-class coaster to draw folks in from across the country. But there's something huge going on behind the scenes and I'd definitely wait until this ride gets sorted out before I'd venture back. Its operation is just not reliable enough to plan a visit around at the moment.

That said, to answer your question: Dollywood is a small park. One day is enough to see and do everything in the park proper. I would believe Friday is less crowded than Saturday at just about any theme park.

[Jarsh]

And the park isn't really doing a good job to clearly show whether the ride is open or closed on the website or social media.

I'm so sick of hearing/reading this...

Their website (mobile and browser versions), signs in front of the park as well as signs in front of the ride all clearly state that the ride is in technical rehearsal and may or may not be open at any given moment on any given day. Yes it technically opened at one point and the park flooded the market with a "NOW OPEN!" advertising campaign, but that was pulled as soon as the ride went back into technical rehearsal.

The park is doing it's best to work with RMC and the LSM provider to get the thing working correctly, but what would you rather the park do - pull a Six Flags a just have the thing closed completely until it's all up and running correctly? At least the park is attempting to get as many people as they can to ride it by opening it when it's possible instead of just letting it sit there.

Pre Lightning Rod, Dollywood was one of the "greatest parks in the world" according to enthusiasts. Now that they've built Lightning Rod and are having issues with getting it running correctly, it's "the worst park in the world" to those who travel there and then find out it's closed. No one has an excuse for saying that Lightning Rod's issues "ruined their day" at the park. Like I said, the rides status is posted everywhere and if you truly think your day is gonna be ruined by it's closure, then don't buy a ticket at the front gate. I don't get it... Maybe it's just youthful ignorance of the younger "instant gratification" crowd that can't see how great the park is even without Lightning Rod.

Sorry if this come off as being mean or rude. Not all of it was directed to you RacerAlex. I just keep seeing people post about this subject over and over and it blows my mind that no one can seem to see the forest because of the trees. #rantover

[Edwardo]

I don't even think you can blame it just on young mellinialsthey, Josh. I see plenty of older enthusiasses complaining as well.

I agree. The park is great with or without the ride. The constant complaints are out of control.

[RacerAlex]

@ Jarsh - Sorry if I struck a nerve there buddy. I understand your post was not directed entirely at me. And I understand there's a bit of a backlash from the public about this.

FWIW, I'm just trying to give forum members some information so they don't go off expecting to ride the coaster and come away disappointed. Personally, I wish more info was out there about what is happening so I could have made a more informed decision. I live in Raleigh, so Dollywood is just a 5-hour trip. But all I had to go on was what the park says, which is Lightning Rod might be open and it may be closed.

And lets be honest, "technical ride rehearsals" actually means something for an attraction like Skull Island: Reign of Kong. But we all know a coaster is either working or its not. I was there for two days and not once did I see a single person anywhere on, in, or underneath that coaster. To me, that's a much larger issue than just technical ride rehearsals. I was told RMC representatives are there every morning and basically give them a thumbs up or thumbs down as to whether the ride will open for that day. Whatever it is, its not something that can be corrected after the morning evaluation reveals its not up to spec. And whatever they're evaluating, its not something that can be corrected, repaired, or replaced in a few days or weeks. In fact, as far as I can tell, they're just coming in the next day hoping it runs while they try to figure out a permanent solution.

Again, I wish there was more information.

I think most of us understand this is a prototype and its going to have some teething pains. And I think we can all admit Lightning Rod is THE new coaster for 2016 (or as the park is starting to joke: "New for 2017"). Dollywood has knocked it out of the park by partnering with RMC to bring this coaster to life. But with that comes a little bit of responsibility to the public to let people know whats going on so they can plan their vacation time accordingly. Especially the enthusiasts nation-wide that this coaster is going to draw.

Also, I'd like to add that Dollywood has finally began to show whether the ride is open or closed on its website. Good for them!

[Jarsh]

I don't even think you can blame it just on young millennials, Josh. I see plenty of older enthusiasses complaining as well.

That's definitely true. There are some folks of the younger generation who have been in this hobby long enough to understand the scenario. I guess I was going off seeing some of the younger crowd get mad that it's closed and then write the whole park off whereas *most* of the older crowd seems to be mad that it's closed, but can still find it in themselves to have a good time at the park without it.

And to your comments RacerAlex - Knowing everything that's been wrong with Lightning Rod from the beginning until now, who knows what other "issues" they found with it now, lol. I keep kidding about it opening for our ACE event in November, but at this rate, it might just be!

[Edwardo]

Wanting 'more' information in the theme park/amusement park world isn't going to happen. The park is quite definitive about the fact that it's not officially open. As to why? They're not going to say why because then that could be a liability. They're not going to put themselves in that position.

[FamousAmos]

I'll be at Dollywood on August 4th with a bunch of people from here at Carowinds. It will be my first actual "visit" to the park when open, so with or without Lightning Rod, it will be a great trip!
The last time I was there was for our ACE Winter Warm Up event in January. The park was closed, but we went in for a construction tour of Lightning Rod. So, yeah, this will be my first time there (technically). What should I ride first? Any other suggestions while I'm there? Thanks for any advice.

[RacerAlex]

If you get there at open (and Lightning Rod's not seen running from the gate), I'd go up the path to the left - its hard to find - and hit Thunderhead first. Then you can essentially travel the park path backwards to what most people do. Mystery Mine would be next and that one usually has a good-sized line. So its good to hit early.

I have to admit I hadn't been to Dollywood since they opened Tennessee Tornado way back when. So I was especially excited to ride Wild Eagle and Mystery Mine. And Mystery Mine I thought was just a wonderfully themed unique experience. It was my first time on a Euro-fighter. The train wheelbase design, and its ability to quickly speed up and slow down was used to great effect. And honestly, I was blown away by the second drop. In particular, the ride's ability to mask any light from coming in from outside while drawing your attention someplace else. The sudden and flawless shift from themed show element, to drop, to outside in daylight was amazingly executed. I always assumed the videos I saw of it mask a lot of detail (read: lack of light spillage) because of the contrast. But in real life, its pretty much exactly like what you see - and more importantly - what you can't see.