Construction progress on the most anticipated new theme park attraction of 2016 is moving ahead at "lightning" pace. Dollywood recently showcased Lightning Rod, the park’s new record-breaking coaster, during a construction tour.
Upon arrival at the ride site, onlookers can’t help but notice the coaster’s massive lift hill, which now sits high above Dollywood—more than 20 stories to be exact. The first 165-feet drop propels riders to 73 mph. The ride’s innovative twin summit airtime hills were also on display. Thanks to the undulating topography, which the coaster races along during its 3,800-feet journey through the hills and valleys, surrounding Dollywood, much of the track is hidden from view inside the park. Its position serves to heighten anticipation for those waiting to step aboard the thrilling ride.
The tour featured a glimpse at Lightning Rod’s hot rod-themed ride vehicles, which closely resemble tricked-out speed machines from the 1950s. With the ride’s blisteringly quick top speed, Dollywood guests will soon feel the same adrenaline-packed rush hot rod mechanics have after stepping behind the wheel of one of their newest creations for the first time.
The ride, located in Dollywood’s Jukebox Junction, provides guests with nearly 20 seconds of airtime. The coaster train has 12 cars, carrying two passengers each, for a total of 24 thrill-seekers per train.
Dollywood’s development team has tapped Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) as the ride manufacturer. RMC is no stranger to out-of-the-box coaster projects, having designed many first-of-their-kind attractions around the world. Lightning Rod employs several unique features including the lift hill launch, twin summit airtime hills, a 90+ degree banked breaking wave turn, a 90+ degree outside banked turn, and a non-inverting half loop.
Lightning Rod has already earned quite a following from roller coaster enthusiasts, thanks to its unique attributes. Lightning Rod not only is the world’s fastest wood coaster but also the world’s first launching wood coaster.
For more information about Dollywood’s Lightning Rod visit Dollywood.com or call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD.
Dolly and her team are creating an all-new immersive experience for guests visiting Dixie Stampede in Branson, MO. Renovations are under way for the single largest show enhancement since the opening in 1995. Dolly said,
“First, I want to thank the Branson community for the support you’ve given my Dixie Stampede for the past 21 seasons. You all have made the show such a success, and now I’m excited to announce we’re making some changes that will take the show to a whole new level! My team is hard at work creating a new set, powerful new music, lots of amazing special effects and a few other surprises. This amazing technology has allowed us to really take our guests on a ‘new adventure.’ I just know families are truly going to love it!”
The High Spirited Adventure continues at Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge, TN. The talented cast is eager to entertain guests of all ages with their friendly North and South competition. Exciting sights and sounds including breathtaking scenes shown on a 12.5 million LED wall continue to delight audiences.
Guests at both locations will enjoy the unforgettable four-course family feast. View the show schedule and make reservations at DixieStampede.com
Dolly also plans to open an all-new show in May. Dolly Parton’s Lumberjack Adventure Dinner & Show, in Pigeon Forge, TN, promises the same level of entertainment as Dixie Stampede, giving families more opportunities to make lasting memories together. Dixie Stampede fans visiting the new show can expect a hearty feast large enough to feed a lumberjack's appetite.
Follow Lumberjack Adventure for the latest news.
Rounding out the park's award-winning Smoky Mountain Christmas event is a fantastic, family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration, complete with Fireworks. Dollywood is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on December 31, with Fireworks starting at 8:30 p.m.
Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana is the only winner of Amusement Today’s Best Christmas Event award. Ask a season passholder why they return year after year, and words like tradition, magic and memories are a common refrain.
Regardless of the number of visits, a trip to Dollywood to experience its four million Christmas lights, spectacular holiday entertainment and delicious treats and goodies warms every soul with the spirit of the Season. Even Scrooge himself visits the park every day during the festival—thanks to his leading role in Dollywood’s A Christmas Carol, which celebrates its final year in 2015. This ground-breaking production features Dolly Parton as a hologram of the Ghost of Christmas Past.
Discover more about season passes, annual festivals and more Dollywood fun.
The popular travel review site TripAdvisor recently named Dollywood one of the best theme parks in the world, continuing the Pigeon Forge park’s string of impressive accolades and awards.
Based on reviews and ratings for all theme parks worldwide, TripAdvisor compiled the list of the Top 25 theme parks around the globe. Dollywood placed 19th on the list, which included parks like Universal’s Islands of Adventure (#1), Magic Kingdom (#3), Universal Studios Florida (#6), Germany’s Europa-Park (#7), Disneyland (#8), Denmark’s Tivoli Gardens (#12), Epcot (#16), Six Flags Magic Mountain (#22), Silver Dollar City (#24) and Walt Disney Studios Park in France (#25).
One recent review on TripAdvisor, titled "One of the Best in the World," noted,
"This world-class attraction gets better every year…Great rides including seven roller coasters and some of the best shows and food in any park in the world can be found among the arsenal of activities."
The award-winning park certainly has endeared itself to its many guests, having recently been named #3 Best Theme Park in the country and #6 Best Musical Attraction by USA Today’s 10Best. In 2015, the park also earned Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards for Best Christmas Event, Best Shows and Friendliest Park. Dollywood earned the 2010 Applause Award, the theme park industry’s highest honor.
Dollywood is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary. This year also marked the grand opening of Dollywood's DreamMore Resort. The park's newest attraction, Lightning Rod - the world’s fastest wood coaster, is set to open in March 2016.
For many, visiting the Great Smoky Mountains during the holiday season is a family tradition. Dolly’s hometown will transform into a dazzling masterpiece as it comes to life with five million twinkling lights. This year, Dixie Stampede guests are in for a special treat as Christmas at Dixie will transport them from one treasured Christmas scene to another. Dolly said,
"I’m more excited than ever for Christmas and can’t wait to share our new adventure with everyone. Thanks to all of the exciting changes we’ve made, we hope this year’s Christmas show will leave our guests with more Christmas spirit than ever before."
Christmas at Dixie includes a LIVE Nativity scene, reminding guests of the reason for the season, as Mary and Joseph watch over their newborn child, Jesus, while wise men riding camels are led to the stable by a bright and shining star.
From the moment guests arrive, they will be greeted by all-new Christmas decorations illuminating the grounds of Dixie Stampede and creating a world of twinkling lights. Spokesperson for Dixie Stampede, Woody Peek said,
"Our creative team is already in the Christmas spirit hard at work combining our new and advanced technical elements with the timeless Christmas traditions our guests have grown to love."
The Christmas at Dixie show schedule kicks off on Tuesday, Nov. 3, and runs through Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016. Reserve tickets to Christmas at Dixie online or by calling 1-800-356-1676.
For more information on Dixie Stampede’s new Christmas Adventure visit DixieStampede.com.
