Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Six Flags Parks announces new additions for various parks in 2024

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Hi Everyone,
I usually focus on Dollywood news and other amusement news in Sevier County, as well as Dolly news. However, I thought some of you might be interested in seeing what Six Flags is up to across their chain. Several new additions have been announced in recent weeks.

Six Flags has created a quick video showcasing their new additions for 2024, including a new water coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia. SFOG is located in Atlanta, about three hours south of Dollywood. I know many theme park enthusiasts love both parks, as well as Carowinds and Kings Island, which are both about four hours from Dollywood.

Anyway, check out the new additions across the Six Flags chain of parks!






Natalie Grant Duet with Dolly Parton, singing an Annie Lennox written song, popularized by Whitney Houston!

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Hi Everyone, This duet was released in early August of 2023 and I wanted to share it with you all.

I think if you liked the Whitney Version, you'll like or love this one too.  Whitney's version of Step by Step appears on the Preacher's Wife Soundtrack from 1996, if you couldn't remember, like me.  Annie Lennox wrote this song as a B-side to her 1992 single Precious.

Natalie Grant had this to say about Step by Step:
“In 1996, ‘Step By Step’ is a song I would blast on cassette in my beat up Volkswagen Golf as I drove to my job at Medicare,” shares Grant. “The dream when I moved to Nashville was music, not Medicare, but I had to do what was necessary to keep going. This song was my reminder to keep putting one foot in front of the other. If you would’ve told me then that one day, I would not only be recording this song, but doing it with an international icon, I never ever would’ve believed it. I still can’t believe it.”




Some fellow vloggers - Adventures That Rock - were lucky enough to be in the audience at Dollywood this past spring when Natalie Grant was performing, and she was joined on-stage by none other than Dolly herself!  Check their video out below.



If you're curious - Here's Annie Lennox's version of Step by Step, Then Whitney's version below that.







Monday, August 28, 2023

Dolly chats with Nancy O'Dell about New Book and offers Invaluable Life Tips!

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Enjoy!
 


Check out my previous coverage of Rockstar HERE

Thursday, August 24, 2023

A Guide to Mountain Coasters and Other Similar Attractions in Sevier County, Tennessee

My Blog Post Title Hi Everyone,


Sevier County, Tennessee is home to eleven unique mountain coasters, one of the most popular attractions in the Smoky Mountains, and one of the highest concentrations of mountain coasters anywhere on the PLANET! While well-known Dollywood is famous for its roller coasters, these mountain coasters offer a unique experience that can only be found in Sevier County.

I've created a list of all of the current operating mountain coasters in Sevier County, Tennessee, along with some additional information to help you choose the right one for you. Some of the coasters require separate admission, while others are included in a wristband that gives you access to multiple attractions. I'll break down the information for you below the link to my spreadsheet.

To See The List Of Mountain Coasters, CLICK HERE!

🔵There are two main types of mountain coaster tickets:

  • Single tickets: These tickets allow you to ride one or two coasters. They are typically the most affordable option.
  • Wristbands: These tickets give you access to multiple coasters and other attractions. They can be a good option if you plan on riding multiple coasters or visiting multiple attractions.

🔵Wristbands can be either:

  • Timed: These wristbands are valid for a certain period of time, such as 2 hours or 4 hours. After the time expires, you will need to purchase another wristband or single ticket to ride the coasters.
  • Unlimited: These wristbands give you unlimited access to the coasters and other attractions for the entire day. They are typically the most expensive option, but they can be a good value if you plan on riding multiple coasters or visiting multiple attractions.

🔵The best type of ticket for you will depend on your budget and your plans for the day. If you are only planning on riding one or two coasters, then a single ticket may be the best option. If you plan on riding multiple coasters or visiting multiple attractions, then a wristband may be a better value.

🟢How are the coasters different from one another, or are they all the same?

Answer: Different! Read on to learn more.

All of these rides share one common feature: the brake. Each ride has one or two handles that you push forward to move forward or coast, and pull back or release to brake and slow down.

Weigands are more sophisticated than other rides in that each cart is "aware" of where the next cart is. If you get too close to another cart, it will automatically brake to avoid a collision. Weigands also have "brake zones" at the end of the course and before the next lift hill, where the carts will automatically brake.

🚨If your lift hill happens to stop, remain seated and calm. It will start up again momentarily. DO NOT TRY TO REMOVE YOURSELF FROM THE CART.

The Smokies are home to several Weigand mountain coasters, which come in two generations: Generation 1 and Generation 2. Both generations are visually similar and offer a similar ride experience.

🔷Here's a Weigand Gen 1, below.

You'll find these Gen 1's at Rocky Top Mtn Coaster, Smoky Mtn coaster, Goats & Moonshine Mtn.


🔷Here's Gen 2

You'll find Gen 2 at Skyland Ranch, Lost Mine, and at Anakeesta


🔷Anakeesta has a single rail coaster and they're building a dual rail....a Generation 2, I think.

Single Rail Mountain Coaster at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. 


What other types are there??


🔷The Powered Coaster at Rowdy Bear

Hill not required.  This one is powered the whole trip around the course.


🔷The Suspended Coaster with Shooting Targets, also at Rowdy Bear

Ready, aim, fire!  Compete against your buddy for high score.


🔷At Ober, two more styles are waiting for you!

🔹This is the ADG's version...similar to the Weigand model.


🔹This is the OG Alpine Slide of the Smokies - sliding since 1976.

You ride a chair-lift to the top of the course, disembark, and slide from there.  No lift hill like the others.  You can race here, unlike all the others.



🔷This is what you will find at the Wilderness at the Smokies resort. Now Open as of 10/31/2023.

Rendering of the Cloud Coaster at Wilderness at the Smokies




Here's an actual Cloud Coaster somewhere in the world.  It must be pretty amazing; it bends your arms backwards!


As you can see, there are many different options available, each with its own unique features. And with the Smoky Mountains being home to the highest concentration of mountain coasters on the planet, this is the perfect place to experience them all!

Let me know what you think about these in the comments! Good Luck!!



Wednesday, August 16, 2023

Silver Dollar City Announces Fire In The Hole 2.0 - Dollywood's Sister Park

My Blog Post Title Hi Everyone, 

This is a follow-up to my original post about the retirement of Fire In The Hole, found HERE.

On August 14, 2023, Dollywood's Sister Park in Branson, Missouri - Silver Dollar City - announced the replacement for the soon to be retired Fire In The Hole indoor roller coaster and dark ride.  Dollywood fans will recognize this as a mirror attraction to Blazing Fury.  SDC's original ride has reached the end of its working lifespan, and so a very impressive new version is set to open in 2024!

Let's check out the renderings and information provided by Silver Dollar City's Press Releases...


Source:  SDC Press Release | Burning Bridge Scene reimagined.


Source:  SDC Press Release | Overview of Ride in its new neighborhood.

Source:  SDC Press Release | Mural in the station


The wagon wheels will not be on the actual ride, but you can see these new trains are pretty faithful to the original, but these have a sort of bucket-seat and individual restraints rather than the shared bench with a safety bar found on the original.  Also new - on-board audio!

Source:  SDC Press Release | new logos

Source:  SDC Press Release | new logos



Source:  SDC Press Release

Source:  SDC Press Release

Source:  SDC Press Release


MidWest Info Guide has a great trip report from the construction tour that followed this announcement.  Tons of pictures!

Check that Trip Report out Here

Here are a few of the pictures that they shared, in random order.

Source:  midwestinfoguide.com | the burning bridge dip in the track

Source:  midwestinfoguide.com | new sets under construction


Source:  midwestinfoguide.com | Close Up the nearly identical to the original Splashdown


Source:  midwestinfoguide.com | Splashdown with maintenance switch track - just like the original.


Source:  midwestinfoguide.com | new station area

FITH has it's own unique soundtrack!



This looks fantastic to me because I was concerned that this might somehow be a ''lesser'' version of the original, but NO, this is a very faithful recreation of the original using new technology for the scenes, and all new ride components, new every single thing.  They have chosen to keep the water splashdown finale.  It's even about the same length, so I am impressed.  

Will Dollywood Be Getting This Too?  NO, not likely anytime soon.  As I wrote in my first post about FITH, Dollywood's version was upgraded in many ways in 2014, which is sure to expand its lifespan by several years.  As I explained, SDC's version is in a different state of being - it's deteriorating, basically, and so this more drastic solution was required.   $30 Million Dollars is obviously a lot of money and given that this isn't a priority at Dollywood, a replacement is far from happening.  At the moment Dollywood is hard at work on its next two or three (or more!) attractions.  One of which is rumored to be an all-new indoor roller coaster for the next phase of Wildwood Grove.  I look forward to finding more out about that!

That wraps this up.  Of course I'll keep an eye out for new details as they come up and share them here on my WhatsupatDollywood Blog.


Tuesday, August 15, 2023

30 Great Places to Eat in Pigeon Forge, Open Late!

My Blog Post Title Hi Everyone,
Pigeon Forge and Sevierville are two popular tourist destinations in Tennessee, known for their amusement parks, outdoor attractions, and, of course, their restaurants. With so many great places to eat, it can be hard to know where to start.


That's why I've put together this list of the best restaurants in Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, based on Average Ratings from Google, Facebook, Yelp, and TripAdvisor.



I've included a variety of restaurants to suit all tastes, from American to BBQ to pizza to steak houses to Mexican. There's also an all-day breakfast place, a diner, and a higher-end restaurant in Sevierville.

The list is sorted by my Average Rating, so you can easily find the best-rated restaurants in the area.





Good Luck and let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Check out all my videos, blog posts and facebook posts!  Follow along and I will help keep you up to date on Dollywood and I even share a lot of Dolly Parton news too!


Restaurants Featured in the spreadsheet:
Ristorante DellaSantina
The Corner Diner
Junction 35 Spirits - Mountain Mile Location
The Old Mill Restaurant
Old Mill Pottery House Cafe
The Appalachian
The Listening Room Cafe
Huck Finn's Catfish
Mel's Diner
The Local Goat
Smokies Cuban Cafe
Cookie Dough Monster - Burgers and Shakes
Iron Forge Breweing Co.
Gaucho Urbano Brazilian Steakhouse
Blue Moose Burgers & Wings - Pigeon Forge location
Applewood Farmhouse GRILL
Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant
Wild Bear Tavern
Big Daddy's Pizza - Pigeon Forge
Five Oaks Farm Kitchen
Bullfish Grill
Timberwood Grill
Sunliner Diner - Pigeon Forge
El Ranchero Loco
Mama's Farmhouse
Paula Deen's Family Kitchen
Azul Cantina
JT Hannah's Kitchen
Puckett's Restaurant - Pigeon Forge
Smoky Mountain Brewery
Downtown Flavortown

Friday, August 11, 2023

Updates to "Hotels With High Ratings Blog Article"

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Hi Everyone, 

I'm excited to announce that I've updated my blog post about the top hotels in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee! This is one of my most popular articles, and I know you all get a lot of use out of it. I love being able to help you out with practical information, and I hope you find this update helpful.

In the article you will see two new hotel newsy things that I share, but I will share them again here - since you're here and all.

1) A brand new Adult (Marriott Bonvoy) Hotel (Row 39) is scheduled to open in September 2023, and that may be of interest to some of you.  Read an article about it here:  https://tinyurl.com/4dhh7vaj

From the article: 

Get ready to go back in time for your vacation. Way back in time.

The Wayback is a groovy, retro-themed hotel mostly for adults opening in Pigeon Forge between Flapjack's Pancake Cabin and the Jurassic Jungle Boat Ride.

Inspired by old roadside motels in Palm Springs, the hotel is hoping to provide a "vibrant escape amidst the high energy of downtown Pigeon Forge."

The 134-room hotel is expected to open in early September, according to general manager Marty Rothchild, and is developed by Sevierville-based company Aatmos. It's a Tribute portfolio hotel, part of the Marriott family.

Marriott Bonvoy is Marriott's loyalty program for frequent guests. This hotel is geared towards its members, who enjoy a variety of amenities as part of their stay. Non-members are also welcome at this hotel, but they do not receive the same amenities as members. I wanted to point out this distinction so that you can make an informed decision about whether to become a Marriott Bonvoy member before booking your stay.


2) Country Cascades - Row 25 on Spreadsheet - Recently announced a new $14 million dollar expansion to its indoor water park offerings.  It's scheduled to open in 2025.  You can read more and see renderings here:  WATE TV news


Click On for the updates...
Updated article here- Click Here
Updated Spreadsheet - Click Here

Good Luck with your planning!

Tuesday, August 8, 2023

🚨2 New Videos!🚨 - Dollywood's Summer Celebration 2023

My Blog Post Title Hi Everyone, 
I hope you all are enjoying your summer!  Dollywood's Summer Celebration just concluded, but you can watch all the highlights from my day at the park!  I have TWO videos to share with you from my day.  In Part 1, I will take you around the park to check out all the decorations, watch some of the rides, and of course people watch!  I have the Full Performance of Good Vibes and a couple of songs from The Smoky Mountain String Band.

In Part 2, I will take you up to Wildwood Grove for the dance party.  After that, the Fireworks and Drone show takes place and is definitely a must-see attraction!

So, I hope you enjoy both of my videos!  
Check them out below







🥞🥓Dollywood's Breakfast Is Back 🥐🍩

My Blog Post Title Hi Everyone, Dollywood recently announced the return of Breakfast at the park.  It's been a few years, I ...