Dollywood’s 2016 Game Changer

        In today’s Theme/Amusement park industry, parks all over the world try to outdo each other on a yearly basis. All types of thrill machines are debuting ever year hoping to draw not just the locals, but guests from all over the country. While they all seem to generate excitement, every so often an announcement comes along that blows the lid of the ones before it and creates a buzz beyond just the enthusiasts. On August 7th 2015, Dollywood once again, has just done that.

        Who could have thought that when the area where Dollywood now resides was just a coal fired steam train attraction known as Rebel Railroad, that it would turn into one of the most incredible and beautiful theme parks in the United States. They are also no strangers to adding first of their kind attractions. 2004’s Thunderhead (a personal favorite of mine) offered up the world’s first “station fly through”. In 2012 they debuted Wild Eagle, America’s first ever wing rider coaster. Now, announced for 2016, Dollywood will debut the World’s first launched wooden coaster, Lightning Rod!

       While speculation has been running rampant amongst theme park and coaster sites and blogs for some time now in regards to the supposed details of new attraction, I don’t think anyone was prepared for the for the simply incredible and awe inspiring behemoth that should be ready to go in March 2016. To be built by the Rocky Mountain Construction company and themed to hot rod cars, Lightning Rod took the world by storm minutes after the details were released. Those details you ask? Well there are plenty! While, as mentioned before, being the world’s first launching wooden coaster, the mouthwatering stats continue as you are rocketed up at 45 miles per hour up the lift hill. Once there, you will be treated to your first of 12 airtime moments. Yes, I said 12 airtime moments! Then, you are sent careening down a 165 foot drop where you will reach a staggering 73 miles per hour, which if you didn’t know, makes this also the world’s fastest wooden coaster as well. To continue its onslaught, the track’s circuit will include a 90 plus degree banked “breaking wave” turn, a 90 plus degree outside banked top hat, and an unbelievable quadruple down that they are calling a “twist and shout” which by pictures alone is pure coaster nirvana. When all is said and done, riders will have experienced a total of 20 seconds of airtime. I don’t know about you, but I will be counting the days until I can head on down to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee to hop on this bad boy!