Dollywood announced the addition of Lightning Rod, both the world’s fastest wood coaster and the world’s first launching wood coaster. Set to roll to the starting line in March 2016, Lightning Rod adds another groundbreaking roller coaster to the park’s already impressive portfolio of world-class attractions. The thrilling $22 million ride also marks the single largest attraction investment in The Dollywood Company’s history.
Dolly along with Dollywood president, Craig Ross, made the announcement from the stage of The Pines Theater in Jukebox Junction.
“Lightning Rod reminds me so much of those colorful cars cruisin’ up and down Main Street in downtown Sevierville back when I was in high school. I remember all those souped up cars; but what I remember most were those good lookin’ boys behind the wheel with those flat top and ducktail haircuts,”
Dolly said with a laugh.
“I’m truly excited about this ride because it will let our guests experience something just as fast as those hot rods I remember,”
she continued.
“Even better, it’s the fastest wooden roller coaster in the world, so I think we’re going to see a lot of people coming from all over to peel out on the Lightning Rod.”
Themed after a tricked out 1950s-era hot rod, Lightning Rod launches riders from zero to 45 mph more than 20 stories up its lift hill to one of the ride’s first airtime moments. At the crest of the hill, riders face twin summit airtime hills before tackling the daring first drop. Lightning Rod races down the 165-foot drop and propels guests along its 3,800-ft. track to a top speed of 73 mph, the fastest speed for a wood coaster in the world.
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Featured image courtesy of Curtis Hilbun - Dollywood
Dollywood’s Great American Summer provides the ideal atmosphere for families to create lifelong memories thanks to a number of new entertainment offerings. This year, visitors can enjoy extended park hours and a nightly fireworks show. It’s the perfect way to enjoy the award-winning park’s 30th anniversary season!
Dollywood celebrates 30 years of the world’s best entertainment with the debut of two dance parties and an interactive new show. The new production features a number of America’s chart-topping songs. The Little Engine Playhouse features two new children’s stories, "Betty Bunny Didn't Do It" and "Old Bear and His Cub." Both shows are based on books of the same name from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library book selection list.
"Dolly’s Nights of Many Colors" has been reimagined to feature popular music from the last 30 years. Another guest favorite, "The Gazillion Bubbles Show," moves to D.P.’s Celebrity Theater. The new location offers an even larger space to fill with the fantastic bubble-making spectacle. Extended park operating hours—10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily— give guests more time to create the perfect summer getaway.
For the first time in a decade, the Showcase of Stars brings some of the biggest names in entertainment to Dollywood. Dolly, whose last benefit concert at the park was in 2005, kicks off the series with four concerts August 8 and 9 at D.P.’s Celebrity Theater, a venue which provides the perfect atmosphere for fans to enjoy this stellar concert schedule. Performers include Parton herself, as well Kenny Rogers and a few other special friends. The concert series takes place in August and September.
Thirty years ago Dolly envisioned a place in her hometown where families could spend time together and make memories; she found that in Dollywood. Thirty years later the theme park is the largest ticketed attraction in Tennessee and Dolly’s dream of helping to employ people in her hometown and bring families closer together has been fulfilled. In honor of Dollywood's 30th anniversary season, Dolly will open Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort in the summer along with new shows, events and exciting announcements all season long! Dolly isn’t done dreaming and the 30th anniversary season promises to kick off another 30 years of fun.
From inspiring traditional dance to thrilling strength and agility, Rhythm of the Dance, along with Timber!, headline the 15th anniversary of Dollywood’s Festival of Nations and provide guests an international experience which transports them around the world. Dolly said,
“I’ve been all over this big world, and as an entertainer, I love nothing more than to see truly talented performers from every corner of the globe traveling to Dollywood to perform during my Festival of Nations. I can’t wait to share these fascinating treasures with the families at Dollywood to celebrate the kick off of our 30th anniversary season!”
Countries from around the globe are represented in this cultural celebration through diverse entertainment showcases, exotic cuisine and authentic craftsmanship. Exciting traditional displays give park guests a fascinating look into cultures worldwide.
Returning to help Dollywood celebrate 30 years of entertainment, as well as the 15th annual Festival of Nations, is the visually stunning show, Rhythm of the Dance. Showcasing traditional Irish dance and music with state-of-the-art technology, Rhythm of the Dance marries the contemporary and the ancient to present a thrilling and rich performance which highlights the journey of Irish Celts through history.
