Thought I would point out some Dollywood-related articles in the Mountain Press:

Shields Mountain Wildfire

The wildfire (as pointed out elsewhere) was actually very close to Dollywood, as the park is located at the foot of Shields Mountain.

Also, Dixie Stampede will be celebrating it's 20th season in 2007:

Dixie Stampede celebrating 20 seasons

I'll add that DS was originally envisioned as an indoor version of the Water Circus, a popular water stunt show in Pigeon Forge. As the concept evolved the idea of building an indoor version of this was dropped in favor of a more Medieval Times-like attraction. (Water Circus closed after the 1987 season, however the stadium is still standing in the valley behind the National Parks Resort in Pigeon Forge)

In addition, Dollywood was one of three finalists, along with Denmark's Legoland and the winning Universal Islands of Adventure, for the 2006 IAAPA Applause Award.

You all have might have seen this, but for those who havn't, heres the latest from Scream Scape...

Screamscape has been sent a list of park attractions that are to be hooked into the Q2Q virtual queue system this season: Mystery Mine, Timber Tower, Thunderhead, Smokey Mountain Wilderness Adventure, Rampage, Dollywood Express Train, Dizzy Disc, Sky Ride, Tennessee Tornado as well as shows in the Pines Theater, Showstreet Theater and Celebrity Theater.

You know I'm really surprised that the Mountain Press just did publish the fact that Dollywood was nominated especially since it was awarded back in November and the people were at the park in June to vote on it o well though. Kind of stinks that Dollywood didn't win but it is still an honor to be considered in the top three for it.

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The 2007 regular season park map has been posted: http://www.dollywood.com/downloads/ and it looks like the other new Timber Canyon thing others than Mystery Mine are:The Mine Shaft which is a shop, Lucky Fleck's Gold Specks and they have added lockers and an additional designated smoking area to the section.


Also it has been posted on the Dollywood site for some time now but during KidsFest they will also have a show called CanDoos. What exactly are the CanDoos? (other than what it list please) I have heard that name before but I don't remember where anyone know anything about them?

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^ Wow that's pretty good. I haven't been there in about 4 or 5 years now but I've heard they've built a few new rides there.

I would love to go back. Has anyone been there recently?

^ I have (in October). Loved it... no lines at all on an October weekday.

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cheers

-p

http://www.myspace.com/pschroeder

I've been there recently...but of course, I work there. From a worker's standpoint...the weekends are always the hardest hit attendance-wise. During Christmas...our last three days that we were open were very busy. In the summer, it's hot, haha.

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2006-2008 - Dollywood Market Square Crew

^How crowded are you guys on a the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend (that will be first my visit since 1999). Also, is Thunderhead smooth (for a wooden coaster), I've always heard it was pretty smooth to be wooden. Thanks!

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^ last year I noticed thunder head was a little rougher but still VERY SMOOTH! I imagine itll start getting rough in a few years but I am sure that dollywood will maintain it well and if it does get rough later on itll prolly be smooth shortly after.

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http://ultimateparkreview.blogspot.com/
My park review blog.

^ That sounds like a pretty good coaster especially for a wooden. It wasn't there last time I was but it sounds like a cool ride. I would love to back to Dollywood considering I was younger when I was there and hardly rode any rides at all.

^Yes a lot has changed since you have been there probably: two new festivals (KidFest and BBQ & Bluegrass) Thunderhead, Country Fair remodeling, Timber Tower, Lumberjack lifts, Lil' loggers landing, LumberCamp and now Mystery Mine. You definitely need to go back.

And on the crowd things. With so many shows, crafts, shops, and the fact that it is a 130 acre park people are pretty well dispersed through out the park. Usually even the coasters don't have long waits. Now of course weekends are more crowded then weekdays but tend not to be that bad. Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends tend to be the most crowded like they are with most parks. Weekdays in Spring and Fall are the least crowded along with most weekdays during the Smoky Mountain Christmas festival (November - December).

I have also just noticed on there site that December 26th, 27th, and 28th are no longer 2 p.m. - 9 p.m. operation days the park will now be open from 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. on those days.

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^ Wow sounds like I've missed alot! I've been talking to my parents about going there maybe over the summer or early fall. Sounds like it's got much more to offer for the thrill-seekers now than it used to. Thanks for all the info!

^yeah I'm in the same boat, I have yet to experience thunder head myself, I have ridden Tenesee tornado and blazing fury. I cant wait to try out thunder head and MM hehe!!!

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Its rollercoaster time baby!!!

^ I haven't rode either of those. I was terrified of going upside at that time. How was Tennessee Tornado? I've heard mixes reactions on it.

The best Arrow Looper ever built. It's smooth, and is just a thrill!

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2006-2008 - Dollywood Market Square Crew

^ I liked it, it was better than any other arrow, but it left me kind of dizzey both times I rode but nothing I cant handle.

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Its rollercoaster time baby!!!

The most common complaint about it is that it is to short and it kind of is for a coaster it is only 1 minute and 30 seconds long. But it does have an awesome drop and an amazing 3 loops. It is a little ruff but the very back seat is really smooth and the front seat is rather smooth as well plus provides a great view. The two best time for the Tennessee Tornado is early in the morning as soon as the park opens because people usually don't head up that way early and in the last twenty minutes of park operation hours, usually at both of those time you can get several rides in with out even having to get off it's great. But beware it can be a little chilly in the mountains sometimes at 9 a.m. even on a day when it is going to be 80.

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^ How is the second row of seats? I don't always go for the first row. I can see why people would say it's short but that wouldn't bother me. Have you ever rode Thunderhead? How is it?

^ I know you probably don't want MY opinion but I just LOVE bragging about these too coasters! The Second row, in my opinon, is so-so. I always ride in the very front or the very back. In the front you get this strange rush that the wind in your face and your eyes water, the only downside is one time I got a bug stuck in my eye,lol. In the back, you get a one-of a -kind rush that you can't really explain-you just fly through the ride. The Thunderhead is AMAZING in any seat! (Ipersonally prefer back or front on it too,) but it's just one of THOSE coasters that's great all around! I hope you get to ride them both because they are AWESOME!

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GO TO DOLLYWOOD.RIDE MYSTERY MINE. #1s:
Steel: Apollo's Chariot
Wood:Thunderhead!!!!!!
OVERALL COASTER: MYSTERY MINE

It is all about the back seat on Tornado and the first drop and loop. THe last loop is very intense. Great ride. Thank Goodness for no tear drop loops.

As far as loopers its 2nd for me to Loch Ness Monster.

Overall Arrows though goes to Magnum.

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Intimidator Racing in to Carowinds 3/27/2010!

Does Dollywood have a some kind of fast pass system? If so, how much does it cost and what rides are included?

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^^^^ The back? Wow I never would have thought that! Thanks for all the info!

It's the Q2Q system, and i think it's 10 dollars for the first person, and 5 dollars for each additional person. It works for Mystery Mine, Timber Tower, Thunderhead, Smokey Mountain Wilderness Adventure, Rampage, Dollywood Express Train, Dizzy Disc, Sky Ride, Tennessee Tornado as well as shows in the Pines Theater, Showstreet Theater and Celebrity Theater.

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2006-2008 - Dollywood Market Square Crew

^ Wow, only $10? That sounds like it would be well worth it since in includes most of the big attractions as far as rides go!

^^$10?! That beats Six Flags' $50 per person! (I think thats how much it was when we went). Sounds like a great deal, especially since I'm going Memorial Day weekend and I'm sure it will be a little extra crowded. I'll be sure to get it!

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It is really depending on what days you go. Of course rainy days there is no point to get it because neither the rides or shows have lines. But for weekends, festivals, and near holidays it is perfect because those are more busy times. And for times of festivals they have so many visiting performers mixed in with the regular shows that it can really come in handy. Because there is times that festival performers can really get some big lines plus during those festival even in two days it is not possible to make it to all the festival shows along with the regular ones.

And coasterman1234 make sure that you head to the Q2Q reservation center first because there is only a limited number available and on busy days there is really a demand for them. I know they day they opened Bluegrass & BBQ last year they sold out in about 15-30 minutes of opening and there is quite a few available but that is a extreme circumstance but they have many days that they do sell out and with them including rides this year it will probably even happen more often.

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^ Sounds like a great thing to have when the park is super crowded. I wish more parks had something like that and at a price close to that as well.

^I think that is already covered in this thread: http://www.thrillnetwork.com/boards/...ad.php?t=39015

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So it has been confirmed that it is $10 dollars this year by dollywood? Because I was thinking it was 10 dollars last year as well, and now this year they have added all the rides, so I was expecting a price increase, to at least 15 or 20 dollars.

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