One of the best water rides at Dollywood! As an Amazon Associate I earn commissions from qualifying purchases. Read More Breweries in Gulf Shores, AL (Plus Other Craft Beer Hot Spots)Continue, Some consider Charleston to be the foodie capital of the South and in my opinion, they arent wrong. And Thunderhead, although somewhat smooth for a wooden roller coaster, is not a complete exception. One of our boys is a type 1 diabetic and has special needs. This is the oldest coaster in the park, dating back to 1978. 1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802, USA. Lightning Rod has been named one of the top roller coasters in the country by USA Today. And it is important to note that Blazing Fury is listed among the thrill rides at Dollywood and has a 42-inch height requirement. Seems there is no in between. Rides at Dollywood that go upside down include Mystery Mine, Tennessee Tornado, and Wild Eagle. Make sure you have good walking shoes for theme parks because youll be doing a lot of it! You'll climb the hill and turn into a 128-foot . This ride sits 21 stories above the ground, giving you the feeling you're actually soaring like eagles. I love going to theme parks. The coaster is named the Dragonflier because it mimics the flight of a Smoky Mountain dragonfly, one of the most playful creatures in the area. This was by far and away my favorite roller coaster at Dollywood. Its a time machine, taking us back through the summers of our youths to 1978 but without all the Disco. I can certainly see why! Part metal and part wooden coaster, this thrill ride takes off at high speeds while racing over its track. I will have to be totally honest here and say that this was not a favorite of mine. Then, you plunge down the tower as it drops you! Its genuinely a fun little coaster for all ages, and quite a bit longer than our previously ranked ride, but still shorter than some of the bigger coasters in the park. Youll love the parks, restaurants, murals, and walking tours. Come explore the mine for yourself and see if you have what it takes to challenge this wild ride in the Timber Canyon section of the park. I think Wild Eagle is the smoothest big roller coaster that Ive ever been on. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate and a partner of other affiliate programs including Booking.com, CJ and Tripster, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases via links found in this article. To me, the water rides at Dollywood might be the most nerve-wracking because you have no idea how wet youll get! This iconic Dollywood roller coaster takes you around an 1880s town as its being taken over by an out-of-control fire. They did what they had done in Missouri and found a few guys and designed it in-house. There had to be a few changes, of course. This ride actually seems like it lasts a pretty long time, too. It is a great way to have fun if you are not a fan of Dollywood roller coasters. This is a slow-moving ride that the entire family can enjoy. Let us know in the comments below. In that short time you get up to almost 70 mph. Again, we have a drop. Even though it does have a drop over 100 feet, youre going down the side of a mountain so it doesnt feel quite so scary for those afraid of heights, but still provides all the thrills that youd expect from a thrill ride. You can shop, eat delicious food, do some people watching, enjoy entertaining shows and so much more while youre at Dollywood. Wild Eagle - Nation's First Wing Rollercoaster. Heres a twist on the classic teacup ride its lemonade! This small figure-8 roller coaster is perfect for the littles as it doesnt go too high or too fast. Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 1-800-DOLLYWOOD. Grab your crew and head over to Jukebox Junction to experience the excitement of Lightning Rod. It's a wing coaster where your legs will hang in the air, simulating the flight of an eagle. My youngest sons adore this ride and we visit it every time we go to the park. This is a great one to ride before the Wild Eagle! But he does like Scorpion at Busch that goes upside down. They have incredible shows, working tradespeople like blacksmiths and glassblowers, and award-winning dining. So why is it listed third on the list? The little pig cars go slowly around in a circle. Taking riders on speeds up to 73 mph, this is the perfect ride for daredevils who want a rush of excitement but do not want to go upside down to do it. This drop ride will take you up 20 stories as you slowly rotate around the tower. Its the nations first dual-launch family coaster, and our kids love that it goes both forward and backward. Im personally not the biggest fan of rides that take you up and then drop you down, but obviously, some people like them because just about every theme park has a ride like this. Riders swing back and forth on this pendulum ride, progressively reaching taller heights and eventually flying up to 81 feet in the air. Two of my favorite Dollywood coasters Lightning Rod and Thunderhead both dont go upside down! Sometimes, the best attractions are the simplest and most nostalgic. Molly dangles from a burning second-story porch as Luther waits hesitatingly underneath. Maggie Valley's Ghost Town in the Sky has been closed since the late 2000s (photo submitted to TheSmokies.com with permission by Gary and Carol Cox, circa 2007), Find out which popular steakhouse prepared each of these delicious bites of steak below (photos by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com), Our site produces editorial content for the purpose of entertainment. When I am at Dollywood I wait the longest for Dragonflier and Firechaser because the most people can ride them. This is one of those rides where you sit in a round car and it slowly spins unless you turn the wheel in the center and get it spinning faster and faster! Head to the Dollywood Theme Park website to learn more about these rides before visiting the park. Features: There are plenty of easter eggs from the parks history in this ride! Do you agree with the ranking? Plan on arriving at the park 30 minutes before opening (earlier in peak season) and go ahead and park and walk in as they open the gates before the rides officially open. Its the iconic log flume ride where youre taken down a huge drop and get splashed at the end. When youre finished why not check out one of the best bakeries in the area? We love these, and kids between 42-48 can ride in a double swing with and adult. Dark theming? Ill indicate those with an asterisk. This is genuinely one of my favorite roller coasters in the park. Additionally you can grab some great snacks and play lots of carnival-like games in this area of the park. Kids will also love watching the cars come out of the Fire Station. Blazing Fury is Dollywood's original dark ride (photo by Morgan Oerholt/TheSmokies.com). So each side loads two people per row on each ride. Its famous for its 95-degree, 85-foot vertical drop into darkness and full 1,811-foot track with speeds up to 43 mph. Did they hire a design team to come in and create Silver Dollar Citys first thrill ride? I hope youll give our favorite theme park a try soon and see why we love it so much. (Guide), Dollywood Water Rides (Splash Country + Theme Park), When Does Dollywood Decorate for Christmas? You've come to the right place (photos by Morgan Overholt and Bill Burris/TheSmokies.com). There are plenty of other fun rides here that dont go upside down. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. She doesnt much like dark rides, and Blazing Fury isnt for her. Not to mention, were only 2 miles away! See Also: Guide to Dollywood Roller Coasters. With a 100-foot drop and plenty of quick turns, this is a pleaser for thrill-seekers. It features a launch (similar to the steel Hulk at Universal Studios) speed of up to 73 mph. Finally, we have the most intense and arguably, the scariest ride at Dollywood. Our family loves Dollywood Theme Park and visits several times every year. This ride is perfect for thrill-seekers with its 210-foot drop, 110-foot loop, and 61 MPH speeds! This is a great ride for the littlest ones who are just starting to be brave on rides. Our four year old loves this one, as he barely meets the 42 height requirement. There are plenty of other fun rides here that don't go upside down. I wouldnt do that here. Want to know more? There are several rides at Dollywood that do not go upside down and are still a ton of fun. This is one of the unique Dollywood rides as you typically see this type of ride in the shape of a ship. Two of my favorite Dollywood coasters - Lightning Rod and Thunderhead - both don't go upside down! The Dragonflier is the centerpiece of Wildwood Grove, Dollywood's new area of the park. This wooden roller coaster is one of my kids favorites and has been part of the park since 2004. Many of the employees who work on Thunderhead even wear earplugs because of this! The ride was actually constructed on site and used to feature a splash at the end, which had to be removed due to wear and tear on the cars. The drops are pretty mild, estimated to be only about 20-30 feet. The ride starts out with a slight drop into a dark coal mine where youll see some bats and eventually come out at a very steep incline. Id say it depends on whos asking. Tennessee Tornado is supposed to mimick being caught up in a tornado so this one is pretty intense. Most of the best kiddie rides are located in the Country Fair area of the park, but Wildwood Grove is the second best area for the youngest. A popular theme park attraction is bumper cars, and Dollywood is not lacking in that department. Its a piece of cake, a kiddie ride. The Wild Eagle was the first ride of its kind in the United States and is situated 21 stories above Dollywood, providing a true bird's eye view of the park. Dollywood: Hours, Location, Rides, Prices and Ticket Information On Mystery Mine, riders travel through an abandoned coal mine. As you go around the town you get to see a number of different characters as theyre dealing with the fire. Its one of my favorite parts of going to theme parks or amusement parks, riding the carousel you rode as a kid, or the coaster that your grandparents took your parents on for the first time. Ride #4 - Lumberjack Lifts. I love that ride more every year. Rides at Dollywood that go upside down include Mystery Mine, Tennessee Tornado, and Wild Eagle. Located in Owens Farms, Barnstormer is a ride that takes you 81 feet in the air at rotations up to 230 degrees. The Dollywood Express is one of the parks most popular rides, so expect lines on busy park days. If you are a roller coaster enthusiast who prefers thrill rides, there are several coasters that travel at top speed and offer a unique experience. Learn more. And if you pay attention, some of them look a little creepy. Fire in the hole!.
Height to Ride: At least 36, but anyone under 48 must be accompanied by someone 16 or older. The Wild Eagle is an amazing winged coaster that takes you on an amazing ride. Even both Mom and Dad have ridden this one. Whether youre visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park or just checking out the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge area, a visit to Dollywood Theme Park is a must. What rides should I ride first at Dollywood? Big Bear Mountain opens this May. Wild Eagle is our first coaster on the list that does go upside down. Height to Ride: No minimum height requirement, but anyone under 36 must be accompanied by someone 16 or older. 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd. Then, it launches you backwards for a thrilling ending to the ride. If you want to take a trip down memory lane, stop by the Village and ride on the Village Carousel. When I think of a roller coaster, I think of something like Lightning Rod, the best coaster in Dollywoods history. Change the direction of the wind by turning the birds head. This was our first roller coaster of the day! The added fun of this ride is the extra hang time you get as the ride progresses to higher angles.
Height to Ride: At least 36, but anyone under 48 must be accompanied by someone 16 or older. The Wild Eagle is an amazing winged coaster that takes you on an amazing ride. Even both Mom and Dad have ridden this one. Whether youre visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park or just checking out the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge area, a visit to Dollywood Theme Park is a must. What rides should I ride first at Dollywood? Big Bear Mountain opens this May. Wild Eagle is our first coaster on the list that does go upside down. Height to Ride: No minimum height requirement, but anyone under 36 must be accompanied by someone 16 or older. 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd. Then, it launches you backwards for a thrilling ending to the ride. If you want to take a trip down memory lane, stop by the Village and ride on the Village Carousel. When I think of a roller coaster, I think of something like Lightning Rod, the best coaster in Dollywoods history. Change the direction of the wind by turning the birds head. This was our first roller coaster of the day! The added fun of this ride is the extra hang time you get as the ride progresses to higher angles.