[aoriole19]

Things have a way of working out (: Lightning Rod re-opened around 5:30 and we were off a little before 6, and it was pretty empty after! I guess everyone left during the 4+ hour storm, lol. Everything was a walk-on, so somehow in an hour we got on Firechaser, Wild Eagle, Thunderhead, and Tennessee Tornado. Mystery Mine was closed for maintenance, so we didn't make it on. But I'm still happy with how the end of the day went!

We also did some of the museum stuff, saw all the birds, and saw the 50s themed show during the storm, so I'll consider it a success!

[cwgator]

Did you ride Blazing Fury?

(I'm guessing that may have been one of the 2 you rode before the storm hit).

[FamousAmos]

So what was your opinion of Lightning Rod?

[aoriole19]

Yes, we did do Blazing Fury at the beginning of the storm, right when everything else just started to close (I imagine that line got a lot longer in the next hour, before people decided to leave). I think they did a good job with the themeing (or theming? How do you spell that?) and it was entertaining to look at all the things, and by the time we got to the first drop, I definitely was not expecting it, haha.

Lightning Rod: awesome. Even my brother said it was worth the wait (2.5-3 hours? I didn't keep track exactly) after we got off. I already loved RMC before riding LR, but now I have no doubt that they are the heroes we all didn't know that we needed. I I loved everything about the ride, except the length. I was so sad when it was over

I don't really keep rankings of coasters, because I have a really hard time comparing them, but I would say The Beast is my #1 wooden coaster, and I really don't think LR can top it. But I'm almost 100% sure that if Lightning Rod was twice as long as it was, it could be my #1. I also have actually really liked a lot of wooden coasters that I've ridden in the past 2 years, so it would be hard to choose a top 3, but if I was forced to, Lightning Rod would be #3 after The Beast and El Toro. However I feel bad for even saying that because I've probably forgotten one that I really really liked...

The tl;dr is that Lightning Rod was really, really good. Oh also I didn't find it rough at all. It gets an A+

[Axel]

^ Did you ride it with arms up or holding on? Because if your arms were up I would find it hard to believe you wouldn't find it rough in spots.

(and no, I didn't pay attention to whether I was in a seat over a wheel or not...)

[Chris]

I rode with my arms up in row 3 and row 4 (aka, I had a wheel seat for one ride). Was row 4 a little bumpier than row 3? Sure. Was it rough? Hell no.

[aoriole19]

Oh good question, I had my arms up and didn't find it rough, and I did purposely avoid the wheel seat.

[dabrian]

FWIW I didn't find my two rides rough at all. And on another note I enjoyed Thunderhead much more when riding with my hands down holding the restraints. It's my second favorite wooden coaster with Lightning Rod easily my favorite.

[arby]

I've seen some people say LR was really smooth and some say it was rough. I'm curious what's going on there. Outlaw Run was smooth as glass so I wonder what might be different here. Avoiding wheel seats is always a good rule of thumb on woodies, though.

I'm wondering if it is just because it is a woodie? I found Outlaw Run to be a bit rough in a few places when I rode it this year. However, I don't classify it as rough because it is a wooden coaster after all. Rough = hurler from the second turn on where there is not enough momentum to properly provide any real airtime and you just bounce around the track.

[FamousAmos]

What is a good (somewhat cheap) hotel to stay at near Dollywood? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

[KIJester]

Hi Amos,

Took my family to Dollywood last year and stayed at Hotel Pigeon Forge.
http://www.hotel-pigeonforge.com
Free Breakfast
Free WiFi
Pool e.t.c.
The best part is, you can hop on the Fun Time Trolley which has a stop right across the street from the hotel. (Do not use the trolley stop on the same side as the hotel or it will take you the wrong way) The stop you are looking for is across the Parkway between Bluff Mountain Realty and Mountain Valley Winery. Fare is .50 per person and will take you to the Main Trolley Station at stoplight #5 and from there you will catch another Trolley (Pink I believe) that goes directly to Dollywood. Trolley departs from the Gatlinburg Mass Transit Center at traffic light #5 approximately every 60 minutes, with stops in Pigeon Forge at the Dollywood Information Center on Parkway and the entrance to Dollywood. Dollywood drop-offs coincide with the park’s opening time each day and pick-ups run one & one-half hours after the park closing time. Fare is $1.00 each way.
Of course there is free parking at the Main Transit center if you choose to simply drive and hop on the trolley from there.
Hope this helps and hope to see a nice trip report upon your return.

[cwgator]

This is a bit off topic, but since most people look at this thread for Dollywood discussion I suppose it fits here better than the 2016 Ride Announcement one.
Coming this holiday season:
http://www.dollywood.com/themepark/Entertainment/ParadeofManyColors?cid=sf48490119+sf48490119

Parade of Many Colors
Gather the family for the Parade of Many Colors, an exciting new holiday tradition which begins at 8 p.m. this holiday season. The Parade of Many Colors includes vibrant floats, interactive characters and a number of other surprises sure to inspire guests with its heart-warming message.

The Parade of Many Colors was created by Dolly to express the values and principles that she and her family have held dear their whole lives. The new parade reflects the faith, fun and harmony which play prominently in Dolly’s new NBC movie Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love.

[FamousAmos]

We might have to cancel the trip for September. I'm not even sure if we'll make it to Smoky Mountain Coasterfest. Maybe next year though

[arby]

Don't worry, you probably won't be missing much. Smoky Mountain Coasterfest used to be awesome when Matt Lambert coordinated it but since he moved the event has gone down hill a little bit, IMO. It is still good, though.

[FamousAmos]

Tonya was telling me about that. And how last year's event was.