s***@aol.com
2016-12-03 04:57:48 UTC
Made the trip to the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area 2 weeks ago for the Smoky Mountain Coasterfest. Only my second visit to the area (June 2008 was my other). Arrived Thursday the 17 late afternoon, and stayed in Gatlinburg. First night, we did the Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster and Space Needle. My first alpine coaster, glad I finally got to experience this. It was just about dark, no wait. ACE discount is $12 as opposed to $16. I was kinda nervous but excited, had a lot of fun. Operators told us to leave the brake open the entire time. Also did the Space Needle, great views up there, place was empty. With a ticket we could go a second visit within 24 hours if we wanted. Not sure if that's an off season thing or a usual offer they have. They also have a decent size arcade. We ate at a pizza place near the Ober Gatlinburg transportation station. Food was a decent.
Second day, started at Ober. Transportation up was cool, with the changing leaves, not too busy. Park was nice, no waits. Did the chairlift. They had live music at the top, great views. Very long ride. Also did their alpine coaster, was good, no shoulder strap on this one. Ride looked brand new. I did their alpine slide as well. My first time on one of these, very fun as well, but enjoyed the alpine coasters better.
We then went to Pigeon Forge, ate at Pottery House Cafe. Food was excellent, I ordered the lunch salmon special. Also visited the Island. It reminds me of the I-360 complex in Orlando. Rode the observation wheel, was very nice, they accept coupons by showing them on your phone. They also have RDC bumper cars, but didn't get to ride them. Had an ice cream there. Did the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster, apparently this is the longest one. $8 with an ACE card. Then the Goats On the Roof Coaster, also $8 with an ACE card. This place actually has goats and some of them are on a roof. Very interesting place, you can feed the goats, too. After riding 4 alpine coasters in 2 days after never riding any, I found them all to be equally as fun. Also finally tried the Jurassic Boat Ride. Regretted not trying this one after my 2008 visit, very interesting ride. Decent, but odd, especially the ride system. Glad I got to try it. Finished the night at Circus Golf & mirror maze. Very good golf course, and fun mirror maze with loud music. Definitely worth it.
Saturday was Dollywood day. Arrived early for ERT and breakfast. Pastries, muffins, water, coffee and cocoa were provided. ERT was on Blazing Dury, with lights on for the second half hour. Got 5 rides in. Then went to Lightning Rod when the park opened. This coaster has some of the slowest operations I've ever seen. They also don't allow choice of seat, and I was stuck with my least desired row. Wasn't too impressed after the first ride. Rode Mystery Mine which is still fun. Then tried Firechaser and Wild Eagle for the first time. Firechaser was decent, apparently many effects were not working, but still enjoyed it. Wild Eagle was excellent, only my second B&M wing coaster (Thunderbird my first). I have to say, I enjoy the wing coasters much more than I expected to. We then saw the Smoky Mountain Christmas show, which was good, but was kind of all over the place. We had a brief q&a with park representative and also a group photo done. Then ate at Miss Lillian's Chicken which was superb and at a great price. We then went to Lightning Rod for a photo tour in back areas. Split into 2 groups, the better photo opportunities were in the second round (for my group). Took us up on the hill which we couldn't see much, then back behind the track for some better photos. Lasted a bit too long. We then saw the It's a Wonderful Life show, this one was excellent. At this point, we waited for the parade in the reserved area with complimentary food and drinks for the event. Parade was nice. Then went over to Thunderhead, got 2 amazing dark rides on this. ERT was about to start this point, ended up with 4 very cold rides on Lightning Rod. Choice of seat was only allowed later in the ERT when the lineup for the next train only had a few riders, and had to be an empty row (during ERT). Ride is also very dark at night, enjoyed it a lot more. Only my second RMC, I enjoyed it a lot more than Wicked Cyclone. An interesting note- Dollywood doesn't allow re-rides at all, not even during ERT. (Neither Blazing Fury nor Lighting Rod.)
All in all, a nice visit to the area.
Second day, started at Ober. Transportation up was cool, with the changing leaves, not too busy. Park was nice, no waits. Did the chairlift. They had live music at the top, great views. Very long ride. Also did their alpine coaster, was good, no shoulder strap on this one. Ride looked brand new. I did their alpine slide as well. My first time on one of these, very fun as well, but enjoyed the alpine coasters better.
We then went to Pigeon Forge, ate at Pottery House Cafe. Food was excellent, I ordered the lunch salmon special. Also visited the Island. It reminds me of the I-360 complex in Orlando. Rode the observation wheel, was very nice, they accept coupons by showing them on your phone. They also have RDC bumper cars, but didn't get to ride them. Had an ice cream there. Did the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster, apparently this is the longest one. $8 with an ACE card. Then the Goats On the Roof Coaster, also $8 with an ACE card. This place actually has goats and some of them are on a roof. Very interesting place, you can feed the goats, too. After riding 4 alpine coasters in 2 days after never riding any, I found them all to be equally as fun. Also finally tried the Jurassic Boat Ride. Regretted not trying this one after my 2008 visit, very interesting ride. Decent, but odd, especially the ride system. Glad I got to try it. Finished the night at Circus Golf & mirror maze. Very good golf course, and fun mirror maze with loud music. Definitely worth it.
Saturday was Dollywood day. Arrived early for ERT and breakfast. Pastries, muffins, water, coffee and cocoa were provided. ERT was on Blazing Dury, with lights on for the second half hour. Got 5 rides in. Then went to Lightning Rod when the park opened. This coaster has some of the slowest operations I've ever seen. They also don't allow choice of seat, and I was stuck with my least desired row. Wasn't too impressed after the first ride. Rode Mystery Mine which is still fun. Then tried Firechaser and Wild Eagle for the first time. Firechaser was decent, apparently many effects were not working, but still enjoyed it. Wild Eagle was excellent, only my second B&M wing coaster (Thunderbird my first). I have to say, I enjoy the wing coasters much more than I expected to. We then saw the Smoky Mountain Christmas show, which was good, but was kind of all over the place. We had a brief q&a with park representative and also a group photo done. Then ate at Miss Lillian's Chicken which was superb and at a great price. We then went to Lightning Rod for a photo tour in back areas. Split into 2 groups, the better photo opportunities were in the second round (for my group). Took us up on the hill which we couldn't see much, then back behind the track for some better photos. Lasted a bit too long. We then saw the It's a Wonderful Life show, this one was excellent. At this point, we waited for the parade in the reserved area with complimentary food and drinks for the event. Parade was nice. Then went over to Thunderhead, got 2 amazing dark rides on this. ERT was about to start this point, ended up with 4 very cold rides on Lightning Rod. Choice of seat was only allowed later in the ERT when the lineup for the next train only had a few riders, and had to be an empty row (during ERT). Ride is also very dark at night, enjoyed it a lot more. Only my second RMC, I enjoyed it a lot more than Wicked Cyclone. An interesting note- Dollywood doesn't allow re-rides at all, not even during ERT. (Neither Blazing Fury nor Lighting Rod.)
All in all, a nice visit to the area.