🔴 Dollywood's 2024 Operating Calendar Released 🔴

Hi Everyone,

Dollywood has released its operating calendar for 2024.  They are opening one week earlier than ''normal'' on March 8th, 2024.

Source:  dollywood.com

Some key points I noticed:

• Earlier Season Opening, March 8th for Season Passholder Preview Day.
• New Festival - IWALY Festival.  Watch my video of the IWALY Celebration in 2023 (HERE)
• 10am opening every day through the end of Harvest/LumiNights festival.
• They have added a lot of extra days to their calendar for 2024.
• Gone for 2024 - the Tuesday Closures in May, September, October & November 2023.
• Also, Gone for 2024 - 6pm Closures during August & September 2023.
• June & July - Closes at 10pm in 2024, vs 9:30p in 2023.
• Summer Celebration will run longer in 2024.  It will end on September 1, 2024, vs August 6, 2023.
• Harvest Festival/LumiNights begins September 9th, 2024, vs. September 20, 2023!  Nearly two weeks earlier in 2024!
• Smoky Mountain Christmas begins a few days earlier in 2024, vs in 2023.

Did I miss anything?  

I think these are all positive changes and they follow right along with Dollywood's fast track growth plans.  I have THREE blog posts from 2022 about Dollywood's Future Plans and this tracks right along with what I wrote back then.

• 1-https://whatsupatdollywood.blogspot.com/2022/08/dollywood-has-big-plans-major-projects.html
• 2-https://whatsupatdollywood.blogspot.com/2022/10/dollywoods-future-plans-one-point.html
• 3-https://whatsupatdollywood.blogspot.com/2022/11/dollywoods-future-plans-eye-on-2026.html

Here's where I think this is headed - from article 2:

Oddly enough, or coincidentally, this week, two 'neighboring' amusement parks in the Cedar Fair chain, Carowinds and King's Dominion, both announced year-round operations.   Carowinds is southeast of Dollywood near Charlotte, and King's Dominion is near coastal Virginia, in Doswell, so its winters are pretty mild for the most part.

That's great news for those who work at those parks and can now be employed year-round, and it's great for the guests who are looking for entertainment in January and February.    I see lots of potential in winter operations doing things that are challenging in the summer, like snow tubing & ice skating as a couple examples.

My understanding is that these two parks will be open for weekends-only during the two coldest months of winter, which obviously is weather dependent.  Other parks that stay open year-round cycle the operations of the rides in and out of service, so that routine maintenance can be performed.  It would not be reasonable to expect every single ride to be in operation during the winter months.  That's what happens in other year-round parks such as Six Flags Magic Mountain, Knott's Berry Farm, Disney-World-Land-Epcot, Universal, Sea Worlds, & Busch Tampa.  

It's interesting to me that these two parks have chosen to operate year-round.  Was it a way to beat Dollywood to the punch?  Done so in their own interest?  It's impossible to say.  Will Six Flags over Georgia follow suit?  At this point I doubt it.  Six Flags seems somewhat in operational disarray.  Six Flags Magic Mountain has, for several years, been open year-round and recently announced that they were scaling that back, which is unfortunate for those who bought season passes who were promised year-round operations.

What would year-round operations look like at Dollywood?  I don't have any insider info to know what they're thinking about doing, but based off of Ed Naughtons' comments, he said they would consider using the entrance as a sort of hub, making use of the theaters and restaurants.  Chasing Rainbows Museum is not far away from the entrance, and it was closed in 2022 for a major re-thinking of the experience.  Will it move closer to the entrance to align with the 10-year plan? [10/17/23 - now we know the Dolly Parton Experience will take over the space of Chasing Rainbows!]

Drop Line can operate in temps down to 5-degrees F and Thunderhead has, I think, four trains.  I believe they have the two trains from Celebration City's shuttered GCI coaster, so that means two trains could be in rehab at any given time and potentially would never have seasonal downtime, or at least not very long.  Mystery Mine seems to struggle with cold temperatures, so Im not sure it would open on the coldest of days.  So, Dollywood could open The Entrance area/Showstreet, Timber Canyon and maybe Wildwood Grove for winter, which would allow for seasonal maintenance in the rest of the park.  As years went on, they could introduce Wilderness Pass, then Craftsman's Valley the year after that.  They love to incrementally grow things, so that would seem to make sense.

Another possibility is that Dollywood adds an entire Snow Themed Area in the park that features cold-weather activities like snow tubing, ice skating, bonfire areas, stuff like that.  Before it was cancelled, the Nashville combo Water Park/Snow Park was a real idea they had.  They were set to partner with Gaylord, but it fell through.  So, they're well aware of the types of things they could do to make a snow park work.

Like I mentioned, I have no idea what they'll end up doing.  They hold their secrets pretty well.  I will certainly keep my eyes peeled for any developments.

🦋 The Dolly Parton Experience - Construction Update Video, Renderings and New Info! 🦋

Hi Everyone,

Dollywood has released some information and an awesome rendering of the New for 2024 - Dolly Parton Experience.  It's set to expand into multiple buildings.  Let's check it out!

These are on Dollywood.com.

link

link

Just looking at the rendering, and knowing what it looked like before as Chasing Rainbows, this looks like a fitting, if not over-the-top area that represents Dolly well.  Glitter, sequins, rhinestones, diamonds - everything that sparkles!  That's one way to describe Dolly and this looks like it belongs in Dolly's world - Dollywood.   I do like how the big expanse of concrete is broken up with new landscaping beds and adds a lot of interest.  Of course, the giant butterflies are one of the things associated heavily with Dolly and Dollywood too, they both honor the butterfly.  Then, off in the distance, the two twin peaks of Lightning Rod - talk about sightlines.  

Off to the right, in the theater it looks like some new programming.  "Precious Memories" is what's on the marquee.  On the left, the former Dolly's Closet looks to be transformed into Behind The Seams, which I imagine could be similar to Dolly's Closet - or perhaps they'll change it up?  We'll find out more, I'm sure, the closer we get to the 2024 season, which, by the way will begin on March 8, 2024.  That's one week before the more recent opening date of Mid-March.  Dollywood is inching closer and closer to year-round operations.

Im excited to see how this looks in the end.  If I recall, Dollywood mentioned they were incorporating some of the technology used in the recent Van Gogh Exhibit and Beyond Monet - that should be a real leveling up from Chasing Rainbows more traditional exhibits.

Dollywood posted this on facebook -

👄👄

Here's the three bullet points that are cut off:

Exhibits in multiple buildings spanning Dolly’s iconic career, inspiration behind her dreams, the importance of family and her signature style through the years

Feel like you're alongside Dolly as she journeyed from Locust Ridge to stages around the world

Three times the size of the former Chasing Rainbows Museum

🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋

If you're feeling nostalgic, or never got experience Chasing Rainbows - Take a look at my video filmed a few months before it closed in 2021.

⭐Lightning Rod received a lot of off-season changes - Opens March 8th, 2024!

March 6, 2024 Announcement ⤵️⤵️⤵️

👉👈

Big News out of Dollywood regarding Lightning Rod:

• LSM Launch will be replaced with a High-Speed Chain Lift.
• The new chain lift experience will be very similar to the current launch experience.
• 13 mph - the speed of the chain lift, per the video.
• The rides peak-speed will stay the same at 73 mph.
• It was not said, but I think the structure of the lift hill will change materials, from wood to steel.  Not Confirmed.
• Spring 2024 New and Improved Lightning Rod will open.
• Two Brand New Trains for Lightning Rod.
• No mention of any changes above the chassis.  We'll see!
• No other specific changes were made regarding the replacement of the wooden track to IBox Steel track.
• About 40% of the current track remains the original wooden "Topper Track".
• In 2020/21 Off -season, the process of replacing much of the wood track to steel was completed.

Watch Dollywood's Video to hear all of the details they share:

Well, that is certainly promising news.  I think we all know that Lighting Rod has had its share of down time since it opened in 2016.  I know that pain of travelling far away to go ride something and then you get there, and it's down.  Its unfortunate, it really is.  And Dollywood realizes that, and they are going to try and remedy that.  Yay Dollywood! 

Dollywood, to my knowledge, has never really said what exactly the issues are, but from all the credible internet rumblings that I have heard, it boiled down to the lift hill being made of wood, which created some sway and stability issues and all the sensors working properly, and so on.  So, based on what Dollywood is changing, and what Pete & Eugene said about realizing that 'now they know why launches and wooden coasters don't pair well together' - paraphrasing, but you get the idea. ...that seems to me to be the likeliest scenario.

Enjoy Lightning Rod until the end of the Harvest Festival as it will close on October 30th for a major overhaul and two brand new trains.

Follow me and of course I'll post more as details come out.

What are you thoughts about it?  Let me know in the comments!

🔴🔴🔴

Here a couple of pictures of Lightning Rod from Tuesday, November 28, 2023. All of the old hardware used for the launch has been removed. The overhead structure at the top of the lift has been temporarily removed to allow for the installation of the new high-speed chain lift.

November 28, 2023

November 28, 2023

🔴🔴🔴

Big Bear Mountain Rider Preview Day May 8th, 2023 - VIDEO & PICS / Bonus Content from May 12, 2023!

May 12, 2023 Update:

Here is Dolly introducing the world to BBM at Dollywood.

Hi Everyone, I was able to attend the first day of rider previews for Big Bear Mountain at Dollywood.  Far Below is a batch of pics and a couple vids I shot with my phone.  I've edited a short-form and a long-form videos, and those are below.

Video Update - Here's a short of Big Bear Mountain

Video #2 - Here's a 10 minute video filled to the brim with every available angle I could find around Big Bear Mountain.

Here's a social media post from Dollywood from 5/11/2023.

photo update

 

Big Bear Mountain is ready to ROAR! 🐻🚙🎉

Hi Everyone, Dollywood is announcing a period of Ride Previews for Passholders.  All the info is below.

from Dollywood.com - link: Big Bear Mountain Preview Night | Dollywood Parks & Resorts

Dollywood posted this to Facebook...

And Dollywood posted this too....  It's A Lot, All At Once!!!

On Friday, May 12, Diamond Passholders will have access to register for exclusive ride event times between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The ride will then open to the general public at the conclusion of those ride times.

— Dollywood Parks & Resorts (@Dollywood) April 26, 2023

I also have a short video to share.  This will likely be my last construction update for Big Bear Mountain since it's opening soon.  You will see in my video that there has been a lot of progress on the areas around the station since my last video on March 10th.  They're hustling along!

I'm really excited for this coaster!  I've ridden record-breaking coasters of all types, but Big Bear has what I love most which is good pacing - it doesn't stop anywhere along the course like other multi-launchers tend to do, and it looks as though it keeps a good pace up throughout the ride.  Other things I think I will like about it will be that the three launches will be forceful, but not uncomfortable, and then some great hills and loads of curves.  The theming looks to be well thought out and well executed.  I can't wait to see it up close and see more details.  Plus, it's a really long coaster and who doesn't love that?

The fact that it has a 39" height requirement will mean that this could be the first coaster for lots of kiddos.  I have so many good memories of working up the courage to ride Wabash Cannonball at Opryland and now I see kids half the age I was then, getting off of Lightning Rod - kids seem a lot more brave today than they were when I was 8 to 12'ish, lol.  But anyway, this will be a good starter or mid-sized coaster for a new generation.

Big Bear Mountain is a new generation Vekoma roller coaster, and it's been a long time since two Vekoma roller coasters have operated in Tennessee.  The first two Vekoma coasters were Chaos and The Hangman, which were located at Opryland and closed with the park in 1997.  I sadly never got to ride The Hangman because I never in my wildest dreams imagined that they would close Opryland.  Now, in 2023, we have Dragonflier and Big Bear Mountain, two Vekomas....so that's pretty cool to me too.

Dollywood's New Big Bear Mountain Roller Coaster Still Set for May Opening - Testing Video

Hi Everyone,

Dollywood held a special event at the park on Saturday and Amusement Insider was there, and was able to get lots of great video of Big Bear Mountain testing.  Check out their video below.

Dollywood announced a May Opening Time frame but have not yet specified an actual date.  This video shows lots of landscaping around the station is in place, so they are definitely hustling along with this project as quickly as possible.  And the fact that the coaster is cycling is a great sign that it works, and it works properly.  It looks like it's zipping through the course kinda fast, maybe more than the 45mph that it was supposed to have when announced.  We'll See!

This gets me even more excited for the opening of Big Bear Mountain.  How about you?

🚨 New Video - Dollywood's Opening Day for it's 38th Season! ✅Big Bear Mountain ✅Music ✅I Will Always Love You Celebration

Hi Everyone,

I finished my video of my day at Dollywood and you can watch that below.  I have over 30 minutes of Dollywood performances for you to enjoy, after touring around the park, including a Big Bear Mountain update.    Under the video is my trip report and lots of pictures from that day.   

 

Dollywood opened for its 38th Season on Friday March 10th, 2023, and I have made this photo trip report.   The weather was rainy early on, but the skies cleared, and it was a pretty great day to be at Dollywood.   My day, basically:  I went around the entire park to see what changes I noticed.  I took in three shows, Love Always, The Smoky Mountain String band and the Tones show at the Village stage next to the train.  They were all great and polished - no indications of opening day jitters!  And then I finished the day with the Dolly Parade, which was surreal.  

What I noticed first as I entered the park was that the entry plaza, Showstreet and Market Square were decked out to celebrate 50 years of Dolly's musical see-you-later to Porter Waggoner, "I Will Always Love You". There are new photo opportunities throughout this part of the park, new related merchandise and even new limited time treats you can enjoy celebrating IWALY.

General Observations:  The crowds seemed heavier to me than a year ago.  I'm not sure the reasoning behind that.  Dolly was expected to be there, which draws people in.  The weather forecast was iffy and at some point, included potential snow.  In the end it rained in the morning and turned into a beautiful sunny day.  The park looked great I thought.  It felt to me like most of the projects were wrapped up before opening day.  There's always lots of little changes that I go around and try and notice.  I will point those out in each area below.

The ride operations that I noticed were mostly uneventful.  I checked the app and the boards around the park from time to time.  Lightning Rod went down for the day sometime in the afternoon.  Dizzy Disk wasn't running and had a sign in front of it.  I saw some social media reports of ride stoppages and evacuations, so there were some minor hiccups, but those happen every day.  These types of events are perfect indicators of how safe Dollywood's rides are.  They are designed to come to a very safe stop when there are minor issues that pop up during the course of operating heavy machinery.  They can seem frightening when you're less familiar with how it works, but when a ride stops it's nothing to worry about.  Stay in your seat and wait for instructions.  Here's a couple of posts you can see - safety first!

Blazing Fury Evac - Facebook

Firechaser Safe Stoppage - Facebook

Here's a area-by-area breakdown of my day looking around the park:

Tram Station - I didn't notice any changes.

Entry Plaza - Permanent structures replaced the temporary tents for ECV Rental Annex as well as the Security Screening pass through area.

ECV-Wheelchair-Stroller Rental Annex

Security Screening Pass through area

Showstreet Right (from the front gate perspective) - It was decked out for the "I Will Always Love You" 50-year celebration.  There was a pop-up merchandise spot next door to Showstreet Snacks that has a huge selection of the 50-year Merch, so check that out.  There are other places in the park to get the 50-year merch as well.   You can see the photos above of Showstreet in IWALY finest.

pop up IWALY merch on Showstreet

Showstreet Left - The ECV/wheelchair/strollers Rentals, Lockers and the Ride Accessibility Center has been rearranged in a more spacious way.   Next to the Emporium you'll find the Measuring Center and, on the right, adjacent to the Palace Theater you'll find oversized lockers and the ECV/Wheelchairs/Strollers Rental location.  I'm not sure if this layout is final but take note that it has changed around.  

Wildwood Grove - seemed to me to be the hotspot of activity in the park.  As I got closer to Big Bear, I noticed some of the planters in the middle of the pathway had changed shape a bit.  A new permanent fence has replaced the wooden work-fence at the Waterfall part of the ride.  All the track is complete, so now the focus is on wiring up the ride components, and lots of hardscaping and landscaping yet to be completed.  There is quite a bit left to do before the opening sometime in May.

I spied a bunch of new Big Bear merchandise at Mountain Grove Merchants in between Frogs n Fireflies and Black Bear Trail Ride.

There's a lot of work left to do for a May 2023 opening.

Big Bear Nano Coaster, $34.99.

Timber Canyon - the major change that I saw was Thunderhead has had a lot of wood replaced in areas near the station.  I think this is the last phase (maybe?) of the multi-year phase full replacement of track.  IIRC they were switching to a Brazilian wood - Ipe, I think it is known as.  It's much stronger than the pine that it's replacing.  According to the social media comments I saw about Thunderhead this weekend, the changes were described in extremely positive terms.

new wood on Thunderhead!

Wilderness Pass - The Food Truck Plaza was back with two Food Trucks there.

Craftsman's Valley - I noticed a new water wheel outside of the Bird Show theater, and some work on the water trough has happened as well.  Daredevil Falls' exit ramp was looking good with new paint.  The Food Truck Park was back in the Tennessee Tornado Plaza.  The setup has been rearranged a bit.

Lots of new paint on the exit of Daredevil Falls

Rivertown - Butterfly Strings.  A new shop with Dolly, Elvis, Willie, Johnny Cash merchandise, and other cool music stuff.  It's next door to the Back Porch Theater.   If you're looking for the Dolly Funkos, they can be found here.

#funko #dollyfunko #FunkoPop #Collectibles #MusicIcons #CountryMusic #9to5 #Jolene #IWillAlwaysLoveYou #Dollywood #Tennessee #EastTennessee #Memorabilia #VinylFigures #PopCulture #LimitedEdition #ToyCollection

Country Fair - Dollywood has expanded its picnic/Group pavilions.  The Celebration Hall has been converted into group dining space.  CH is next door to the Blue Ribbon Pavillion which, both buildings have been there for a million years, at least.  I imagine both pavilions will be busy on weekends for the warmer months.  Scrambler received some paint-love in the off season and is looking sharp in its mustard-ketchup color scheme.  Does anyone know what has happened to Lemon Twist?  It turns as fast as a minute hand on a clock, and it has not always been this way.  

All Smiles on the Scrambler

Scrambler with fresh paint

The Village - New accessibility ramps for the train.  This will hopefully make this easier for those that need the ramps.

Adventures In Imagination - The biggest news came from Dolly about the replacement for Chasing Rainbows Museum, expected to open in 2024.

Chasing Rainbows prepares to morph into Dollys Interactive Experience

Dolly Parade - Dolly made one parade appearance this opening weekend and it was on Friday.  Enjoy my video below of Dolly going down Showstreet.

That wraps up my Trip Report.  I am working on several videos to share, so do be sure to Subscribe to my YouTube Channel (HERE) and click the bell for notifications, and you'll catch all my Dollywood videos.  

• #Dollywood

• #Dollywood38

• #Dollywood2023

• #DollywoodOpeningDay

• #DollyParton

• #ThemePark

• #RollerCoasters

• #FamilyFun

• #PigeonForge

• #Tennessee

• #SouthernHospitality

• #SmokyMountains

• #Vacation

• #Travel

• #Explore

• #Adventure

• #Memories

• #FunTimes

• #AmusementPark
• #BigBearMountain
• #RollerCoasters
• #newRollerCoasters

• @Dollywood

• @DollyParton

• @PigeonForge

• @VisitTennessee

• @ThemeParkReview

• @RollerCoaster

• @FamilyVacation

• @TravelBloggeres

• @ExploreSmokies

• @AmusementToday

• @screamscape