I went to dollywood on sunday 8/31/08 and alittlewhile on labor day 9/1/08. This trip was my first visit in about fifteen years. I also visited dollywood's splash country on saturday 8/30/08 and posted that review in another thread. I apologize for that but i am new to the boards and am getting used to them slowly but surely. Now back to the trip.

I was able to park between tram stops b and c. I walked instead of riding the tram as i was in it for excercise too. I couldn't help but notice the beautiful landscaping; every pole was decked out with potted plants and looked beautiful. I was met with the "welcome to dollywood" sign and was so excited. As i walked in and saw showstreet palace and the emporium i was just awestruck. Everything looked so beautiful. I felt like i was in an imaginary little city! I was on a mission to get ten rides in and focused on that first. I started down to timber canyon where thunderhead, timber tower, and mystery mine are located. Fortunately, the lines were not very long yet as i got there right when the park opened. I will try to break this up for clarity.

Timber Canyon:

1. Thunderhead. - I was so looking forward to this ride as i had ridden Voyage at holiday world twice earlier in the year. Thunderhead did not disappoint me. I was very thrilled and loved it! I agree it is ALMOST as good as voyage; however, Voyage still gets #1 with those three big drops and 90 degree bank turns. I will say that i would rather ride Thunderhead repetitively than i would Voyage though(and i did).

2. Timber tower. - I then got in line for timber tower (it was up and running). I had a blast. I was more scared on this ride than anything. I was so afraid I was going to fall out of my seat when the tower leaned over. I got totally soaked also. I enjoyed this ride but once was enough for this trip!

3. Mystery Mine. - The line for mystery mine was getting long. I think i had to wait 45 minutes but i didn't care. I was so looking forward to it as i love dark rides of any kind. I was not disappointed. The coaster was great. I loved all the effects and i know i didn't catch them all. I was so proud dollywood added this expensive ride.

I meandered through the wilderness pass. I had a fun time watching everyone fight it out on river battle. I didn't participate as i was by myself. I think the river battlers got plenty of excercise cranking those water guns! I headed off to craftsman's valley.

Craftsman's Valley

1. Tenessee Tornado. - I had ridden all the woodies at holiday world several times this summer and was looking forward to the steel coasters to see how they felt. While in line at mystery mine i got mixed reviews from fellow parkgoers on tenessee tornado. One lady said it was better and another said mystery mine was. I couldn't wait to decide myself. The line wasn't too long and man did I like the coaster! It goes by so fast. Turning upside down three times was awesome. I loved the funny twister tale signs they had up. I like mystery mine and tornado both the same. Tornado seems faster and more thrilling, but mystery mine has the special effects.

2. Blazing Fury. - I made my way down to blazing fury. I remembered loving this fifteen years ago and it didn't disappoint. I love looking at all the scenery in this dark ride. I even like the musty mine smell. You also can't beat them sending you off with the slogan "Fire in the hole!"

3. Daredevil Falls. - I looked at the eagle mountain sanctuary on the way to daredevil falls. Those birds are so impressive. I entered daredevil falls. I had been on frightfull falls at holiday world and the log flume ride at six flags st louis this summer. I was wanting to see how daredevil falls measured up. Boy did it measure up! The theming was so heavy, I loved it. You really enjoy the ride and going through a saw mill and a cave with bats. The plunge was awesome and made a huge splash! I loved it and got a bit wet.

Dreamland Forest

1. Mountain Slidewinder. - I walked up the hill to this ride and me and two little boys had to wait a bit for another to show up as there is a minimum weight requirement of 450#. I asked the gentleman if he would weigh me alone and he said sure but that he would be honest. I stepped on the scale and he asked how much i weighed. I said usually about 200# and he quipped "#207, you ask i tell!" I thought that was funny. At any rate, the ride was thrilling and very WET. I came out soaked from head to toe!

Rivertown Junction

1. Smoky Mountain River Rampage. - I decided i wanted to do the wet rides since i was already wet from timber tower, blazing fury, daredevil falls, and mountain slidewinder so i headed to rivertown junction to the somky mountain river rampage. It was actually down for a bit. The line kept growing and growing. The water started flowing, the employees came around for a test run and alittle bit later it was up and we were all clapping. The ride was so fun. I can see why the rampage rides are so popular.

The Village

1. Dollywood Express - I rode the train up the mountain. I was so happy that they have vendors serving people on the train as the loading occurs. I had rushed to the train and didn't stop to get a drink. I then saw vendors on the loading dock and they brought me a drink. The train ride was great. It was fun looking over the park and everyone waving at each other.

Country Fair

1. Sky Rider. - I rode these planes and they were great. It sure helped my dry off!

2. Dizzy Disk. - This ride is fun. I actually was more "scared" by this ride and timber tower than i was any of the roller coasters!

I suppose this hits the highlights. I was able to go back and ride thunderhead, mystery mine, and tenessee tornado again. I had to get going after that to get to the dixie stampede which was wonderful!

I went back on labor day to ride what i could again. I ended up on the tornado, blazing fury, and daredevil falls. The only thing i wanted to ride that i didn't get to was the ferris wheel. I had to choose between it and the heartsong's show so i picked the heartsong's show. I had ridden the much bigger ferris wheel at six flags st louis so i thought i would rather do the heartsong theatre.

I need to go back for the shows. I ate several times and the food was delicious. I am so glad dolly invested in dollywood!

Neil