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DOLLYWOOD & Splash Country
Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
(Abbreviation: DW)
Herschend Family Entertainment
 Park News - (5/6/08) A couple of Screamscaper readers have noticed that the Dollywood Express hasn’t been running this season. According to Dollywood’s Pete Owens, they are in the middle of a complex restoration to the Dollywood Express and “Due to the age and complexity of the machinery, a readily available supply of parts and raw materials was not accessible. Parts needed for this first step of the renovation had to be fabricated by a blacksmith under exacting specifications. When this process is complete, the Dollywood Express will again return to operation. We expect a couple of more weeks for installation and inspection then we will be chugging again.”
Oh and one more thing… apparently this is a wild and crazy rumor going around claiming that Dollywood is removing Blazing Fury. Lets put an end to this rumor once and for all, Blazing Fury isn’t going anywhere. In fact we have confirmed that Dollywood actually began work on a major refurbishment project to fix up the ride’s interior over the off-season and is continuing that work.
(3/26/08) Dollywood has been sending out a link to a new guest survey lately that is very different than any other park survey we’ve heard about them sending out. It doesn’t deal with new attraction or your direct experience at the park at all, but instead talks about your thoughts and feelings on the economy, the price of gas and asks about the ways you are planning to cut back and save money. It also touches upon your feelings for the various political figures in the news today.
(3/12/08) Dollywood has posted an all new 2008 park map on their website that includes the new canyon pathway.
(2/26/08) The Resort at Governor’s Crossing and Smoky Mountain Resorts would like to offer a 15% discount towards accommodations to Screamscape readers for Dollywood’s Thrills in the Hills weekend June 6, 7 & 8. Guests may call The Resort at 800-497-5747 or Smoky Mountain Resorts at 800-523-3919 and ask for the “Screamscape” discount for these special rates.
Guests will also want to ask the front desk for the Smoky Mountain Family of Restaurants discount coupons, good for their five different restaurants located at 12 locations through out the area.
(2/19/08) The nearby Dixie Stampede has added an impressive new show segment that hasn’t been done in more than a decade. The segment which I believe kicks off the new show will feature a “rare indoor stampede of Texas longhorn steers”, “a feat rarely attempted in an indoor arena” since each of the beasts weigh up to 1,800 pounds with horn lengths as long as 6-8 feet from tip to tip. Other highlights of the show will feature an appearance by a Native American medicine man who calls upon the ‘Spirit of the Bird” leading in to a new aerialist act, suspended high over the arena. The new show segment will be added to the Pigeon Forge and Branson locations.
(1/25/08) Dollywood has finally confirmed the details for their new 2008 coaster enthusiast event which they are calling Dollywood’s Thrills in the Hills. This first ever event will take place June 6, 7 and 8th offer all new experiences such as exclusive ride time on Thunderhead, Mystery Mine, Tennessee Tornado and explore Blazing Fury. A ticket to the three day event will run you $75 for adults, $65 for children and just $45 for Dollywood passholders. The complete itinerary hasn’t been listed yet but do say that if you can’t make the Friday night ERT, there will be more on Saturday plus a meal and Q&A session, “You might even find yourself aboard Dollywood’s new $5 million River Battle for a special “enthusiast only” water fight.” They are also offering special add-on options such as a ticket to a Dixie Stampede show on Saturday night for an extra $25 or add on a ticket to Dolly’s Splash Country for just $15 for some fun waterpark exclusive ride time. Click here for all the details on how to register and see the Thrills in the Hills logo… and no, it’s not put over a picture of Dolly. (Though that would make a funny T-shirt…)
(8/23/07) Boy, that was sure fast. It was just nine days ago that I was talking (below) about how Dollywood was looking into closing the current main entrance road in favor of sending all traffic in through the current exit route. According to the new announcement on their website this will begin starting November 10th. I’m guessing they will use this as a test run of the new traffic flow for the end of the season so they can make any changes and improvements needed by Spring 2008.
2008 - River Battle, The Loop and Thunder Road - (4/14/08) Dollywood held the grand opening for River Battle and Dollywood’s 23rd season and look a little ride on River Battle with some kids, warning them not to shoot anything. (They’ve got a good video posted too showing Dolly talk to the crowd from the ride.) Dolly also mentions to the local news that she wants an on-site resort hotel to be added in the next two or three years. She said that they are working on it now, but not ready to announce anything yet. Other future goals for the park that she would like to see include a television production center with the goal of creating new children’s TV programs to be shot on site at Dollywood.
You can also find a video update showing off the park and the new River Battle posted to Rex And The Beast. You can jump ahead to see the River Battle footage at about the 4:40 mark, and it’s quite funny to see them pumping the guns like mad to soak each other.
(4/10/08) New pictures from Dollywood show off the new River Battle attraction.
(3/25/08) A reader sent in a
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