I may be alittle behind the times but I read on here in the Dollywood 2009 thread about a survey they issued about a possible future train loop village. In addition, I found an article on the River Battle ride where i think Pete said they used all the dirt from clearing the site to spread up in the train loop to prepare the site for future expansions. I was thinking it would be cool to brainstorm about what a future train loop village would be like. What the themeing would be, how you would get up there, could you get up there without riding the train, etc... If this post is redundant please forgive me. Since this has been discussed I felt the rumor section was the appropriate place. Just coming back from Dollywood (and riding the train and seeing all the dirt in the loop) has got the park on my brain and just anticipating what it will be like in ten or so years. Its so exciting.

I think it's a great idea, and then they don't have to really cut out a tons of trees either IMO.

The theming would be like a depot or something along those lines I guess (think Tweetsie) and as far as getting up there, they could probably make a wooded trail or path to take you up and back if you don't want to ride the train.

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Intimidator Racing in to Carowinds 3/27/2010!

I've been thinking myself, trying to come up with something. Here's what I am thinking. Since the area is up the mountain but is a flat area I think that can technically be called a mountain cove and so the new area could be called Climber's Cove. I think it should include a restaurant, a train depot, at least one shop, and of course some rides. As far as rides go I think a new Vekoma Stingray flyer coaster would go great since you are up the mountain. It could be themed appropriately. I haven't been able to come up with a catchy name yet. I also think there should be a normal walkway up to the Climber's Cove (It would feel like you climbed a mountain getting there I'm sure), the train stop to go via train, and a chairlift. The chairlift could be a ride in itself. I didn't get to ride the chairlift in Gatlinburg, I was too cheap to pay the $12 after I spent all the other money I did. I could get a chairlift ride at Dollywood!. I also think there should be some mountain hikes paved out up in the new area. That is something you go up in the Smokies to do, I did Laurel Falls and rode around Cade's Cove. I am trying to think of more specifics but this is what I have thought up so far!

Whatever they do with it (if they decide to), I know Dollywood will do a first rate job with the theming.

I can't see them putting a B&M flyer up there though. They would have to take down a lot of trees and you'd probably be able to see outside of the park if they did that as well. Like now when you ride up to the top of the mountain, it's like you're hundreds of miles away from civilization.

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Intimidator Racing in to Carowinds 3/27/2010!

A B&M Flyer might work. Or a B&M Invert built into the terrain.

I'm sure that whatever they put up there will be a great addition to the park.

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Adventure Mountain was going to be the first stage in getting to the train loop I think. It was going to start a path up that switch back you can see if you loop up from WP, heading towards TT. I don't think it would be that hard to do a coaster up there. To the right of the train loop there's a huge valley, just have a small lift hill and make it go of the side into the valley.

As far as theming goes, they should go with a patriotic theme, maybe even have a "Lake" in the middle and do a fireworks show at night. They also should build a new train depot.

Also, little unknown fact that one of my friends who works on the train told me that they were in fact due to build another train depot in the future. He also said that they've ran electrical wires up to the train loop.... Why do all that if you don't intend to use it soon??

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I just think it is so cool they try to be efficient and used the dirt from river battle to put up there at the loop. We try to do that at work here too. We shred all paper to use for packing, recycle bottles, etc... I am a huge Dolly fan, she is very young looking but she is 62. I'm sure she wants to get alot done in the next 10, 20, and 30 years. I just hate it we have to wait a year. But like they say, the parking improvements are necessary for all the other expansions coming up. Patience, I must have patience.

Ya know the B&M Invert has been tossed around as an idea alot.....maybe we will be getting one...Pete can you help us out a little?

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Dollywood 2010- Adventure Mountain

They don't have alot of room up there in that train loop to work with really.... I mean, a depot takes alot of room, add in a shop, restaurant, bathroom, and a path you're taking alot of room there... Maybe they can do with out the rides up there... I mean, dollywood already has atleast one ride in every section, do they need one here? Maybe one small one, but that's it. Maybe they can build a theatre up there...

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Interesting topic. It has been discussed previously but thats okay. There access road that can be seen from River Battle passes along the train route and does reach the train loop (which is obvious when riding). Therefore, this would connect an expansion in the area with the rest of the park. Adventure Mountain was going to be placed along the bottom of this road, which is evident from the construction walls and concept art. So, guests would in theory be able to ride or walk to the loop. While I am not sure of the exact land area, there is a decent amount of land along this route. So before the train loop is reached, i would like to see that area really filled in. The train loop may not be huge, but it is roughly the size of the loop in the village/country fair area. So you have to figure that it is enough room for atleast one big attraction and themed shops, etc... I will say that with this path being an uphill climb, and a fairly steep one at that, it would be nice if there was a transportation system from wilderness pass to the loop. Otherwise, i would suggest ride up, and walk down....

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2007-08 :: Mystery Mine Crew
2007 :: Thunderhead Crew

I would not mind seeing the train loop developed. I don't see a train station being added though because it takes so long to load and unload a train not to mention all the work it would take to get the engine up and running two times in the same distance. I would rather see a chairlift or something that takes you either "over/through the woods". Like Mike said ride up walk down!

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Very true. But there's no way that the upper train loop is the same size as the lower one.... No way...

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Okay, so here are some possibilities... If a train station is added in the loop, there is always the possibility that two trains could be operated at once, especially during busy days. Of course a single track connects the two loops, but if coordinated properly a loaded train could wait in the loop while the arriving train slowly moves into the loop. Once the arriving train clears the crossing, the departing would immeadiately leave the station.

CoasterKid, you got me curious as the exact comparisson and based on satelitte photography, the loops are practically identical in size...

Attached Thumbnails

 

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2007-08 :: Mystery Mine Crew
2007 :: Thunderhead Crew

I just know i remember reading somewhere that the upper loop is the same size as the lower loop. I think that since the lower loop is sort of a kiddie area (at least the country fair area) why not have the other loop be a teen(and adult)/thrill area with perhaps two or three coasters. I think they could do without a theatre there but that a shop, bathroom and restaurant would be nice. I definitely would like a chairlift to get up and down along with a path. I honestly think it might be better to forget another train depot. It does take a long time to load the train and alot of coal. I think it would be better and more efficient to just keep the existing depot and let the new village just serve as some more excitement for the train riders to see. Imagine riding the train around an area containing a flyer coaster, inverted coaster, and maybe a standing coaster, plus the chairlift! I think there is room for at least two coasters maybe three. An invert, flyer, and standup could all be uniquely themed for Dollywood and provide additional types of rides bringing their coaster total to six or seven. The Climber's Cove name could fit because of all the coasters with their lift hills plus the walk or ride itself up to the area. I can dream right! I really loved the batman invert, superman flyer, and iron wolf standup at SFGA a few weeks ago. I can only imagine what Dollywood would do with those types of coasters, especially on a mountain!

Dollywood did a survey some 5 or 6 years ago that showed a patriotic Americana village inspired by Thoams Kinkade's paintings in a train loop. There was a lake in the middle with dancing fountains and possible laser/firework shows at night.

In the corner of the concept art was a coaster of some sort.

Has anyone ever been to Broadway on the Beach in Myrtle Beach? Something like that up there would be nice...

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^It's been a while since I've been there, but I'm not sure if a boardwalk theme would fit into DW. I'd have to see it first though.

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I love my country very much but I am just not excited at all about Dollywood getting a patriotic section or a fireworks show. I just read they were closing Celebration City. I believe it was patriotic with a fireworks show each night. That didn't go over too well.

Yeah, but I really really dont see that happening at Dollywood......IMO.

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Dollywood's overall theme plan is that of Tennessee over time. You have victorian on Showstreet, different eras of the 19th century in The Village, Craftsman's Valley, Rivertown Junction, and Timber Canyon, as well as the 50's in Jukebox Junction.

What they are missing is colonial times, while Tennessee itself was largely undeveloped at the time of the Revolution, it started to rise quickly thereafter with the founding of the state and its first capital being placed nearby in Knoxville, where it remained for some time.

I think it would fit in well.

And, IMO, Celebration City had alot more problems than theming issues...

Does anyone know if Dollywood's master plan would include a hypercoaster? 200 - 299 feet is pretty tall. I think it could work perfectly in mountain terrain but I wonder if it is too extreme for Dollywood's master plan. I would think they could have at least one. Look at phantom's revenge at Kennywood. I was watching a videoclip of the management saying they intentionally stopped advertising the coaster because they didn't want to totally swamp the park with too big of a crowd. I believe their attendance went way up. One good hypercoaster could keep a crowd coming for years and years. From what diamondback and others are costing it would cost 20-25 million. Dollywood shelled out 17.5 million for Mystery Mine so i know they could do it. I still think the train loop area could work well for one.

It would be easy to do, merely place the station on a ridge or hillside, have a short lift and a steep drop into a valley could easily equal the 200 feet threshhold.

Will they ever do it? Who knows...

You know that is very true. Reading your post I got to thinking that Dollywood could probably do one much cheaper than a flat park. They have to use so much steel to get the ride so high with those tall supports. If the coaster was hugging a mountain side it wouldn't take near as much steel. I bet they could do a big coaster for alot less money. I am sure there would have to be some high supports but not near as many.

You made a very good point there!! I hadn't even thought about that, but that is very true. I mean dang the train loop is pretty high up and the mountains behind there are even higher.

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This is where a B&M Flyer could be utilized. If it were to hug the landscape, it could provide a very exciting ride.

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I really think that this could be an opportunity to have a unique coaster. It could be a flyer, invert, or regular train type coaster. Instead of having an initial lift hill, I can see the coaster vehicle leaving the station going straight alittle ways, turning, approaching the side of the mountain, and then WHAM straight down the mountain with a 200 foot drop! No lift hill required! That would be unique for a coaster wouldn't it? If the area was a valley the coaster could go up the other side of the mountain, then weave and twist. I have watched alot of youtube coaster clips and I love it when there are two lift hills during the ride. I think there should be one regular lift hill in the middle of this ride with a big drop following. I personally like verticle loops so one or two of them would be nice and then I think the final lift hill should just be a final steep climb back up the side of the mountain to the loading station. They could add a final drop if they wanted. I would be cool to go through a tunnel in the side of the mountain also during the ride.

At any rate. I think there is potential for a very unique ride with an intial steep first drop off the side of a mountain with no lift hill required. Then, having a lift hill at the END to get you back up to the starting point versus being the starting point. They could maybe even have a straight up and down lift hill like Mystery Mine to make it more thrilling. Oh well, its exciting to me and seems to be a realistic possiblilty that wouldn't require near as much steel by using the natural mountain terrain.

Great ideas! I keep passing them along!

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THE Smoky Mountain Family Adventure

Thanks so much for listening. It's exciting to know you guys care enough to come on here.

^^ Neil, Cliff Hanger at Ghost Town actually has a similar style layout. Although it's not a hyper of course.

You leave the station, turn right and dive right off the side of the mountain into a vertical loop. Your final moments on the ride are going up the lift hill at the end of the circuit.

Also, I've thought Dollywood with a hyper, that somehow uses the hills of the area would be awesome. Instead of putting up track all over the place, dig some holes and create tunnels under them thar hills! Of course that wouldn't be a cheap undertaking, but maybe one or two mountain tunnels would be cool. Just look at their lovely Tenn. Tornado for proof.

Not sure if this has ever been thought of in the US, but in Europe they have these cool little single rider coasters where gravity does everything, and you control your own speed. Kind of like the thing they have over in Gatlinburg, but on an actual track. It would be cool if they had a coaster of that sort where you start off at the top of the hill, and coast your way back down to the Thunderhead area.

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Intimidator Racing in to Carowinds 3/27/2010!

^Oh, like the alpine slide? Something like that would really be fun at Dollywood....WOW!

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