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Post by skinnyguy on Nov 8, 2007 17:57:31 GMT -8
So, Screamscape's been holding this Dollywood ticket giveaway contest over the past few months, and for the last entry, he asked people to send in a picture of their pumpkin for Halloween. Whoever had the best one would win the last pair of tickets. I sent a picture of mine in, and I won! Check it out: www.screamscape.com/html/screamscape_news.htmlAnd yes, I really did carve that. Long time tradition in my family is to carve images into pumpkins rather than traditional jack-o-lanterns. My dad taught me and my two brothers how to do it when we were little, and we've been doing it ever since. So, yay for me!  |
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Post by wolfblood on Nov 9, 2007 15:01:54 GMT -8
Nice going Chris, that's really good O.P. you carved! Hope you have fun at Dollywood.
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Post by 65skylark on Nov 9, 2007 18:21:16 GMT -8
Great job. Now you better use those tickets. Dollywood is my favorite "non-Disney" park out there. You think Tremors and Timber Terror are good? Wait until you ride Thunderhead!
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Post by skinnyguy on Nov 12, 2007 11:47:04 GMT -8
^I will definitely be using the tickets for sure. I'm not passing up coaster credits!!!!
So...I gotta ask - why is Dollywood your favorite non-Disney park? I looked at some stuff online, and a couple of their coasters look pretty sweet - but I guess I just don't understand what makes it so great. Please elaborate - I'm anxious to learn more about this park.
Also, my wife and I are thinking, while we'll be out in the area we might as well hit up Holiday World, too. I know you've said many good things about that place as well. So, tell me what you think.
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Post by 65skylark on Nov 12, 2007 16:01:40 GMT -8
Dollywood has a feel like no other park I have been to. The reason I love that park really has little to do with the roller coasters there. Although, Thunderhead is by far the best woodie I have ever been on, so that does help.
For starters, the staff is probably more friendly than even any Disney park I have been to. 90% of the staff is over the age of 60. That includes all the ride ops. They have an RV park where they let retired people stay in exchange for working in the park. They all really seem to enjoy working there too.
The atmosphere is great. Not just the theming, but the amazing food, and honestly, the patrons. There is a great mix of people that visit the park. You do not get the heavy teenage crowds that a Six Flags or Cedar Fair park will attract. It is primarily families. Plus, a lot of people visit Dollywood exclusively for the live shows. It is the only place I know of that had a Q-bot system for their shows, before they ever had one for their rides. There is also a huge arts and crafts section. You can actually purchase a full blown covered wagon there. Or, maybe if that is a little much for you, then just settle for a small carriage. There is even a functioning church inside of Dollywood that holds services every Sunday during park hours. Those are just some of the things that set the park aside from all of the other parks I have personally been to.
If you and your wife have time, plan to stay in Gatlinburg and spend a day there too. Gatlinburg is a really cool city. It is a tourist trap, but has some great things to see. Take a chair lift ride up the Smokey Mountains. Have Dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe. There is really a lot to do. Pigeon Forge has a lot to do also.
As far as Holiday World goes, I can not tell you from personal experience, as I have not been there. I have several close friends who have, and all of them (with the exception of one) really like it. It is consistently rated one of the top parks in the nation for friendly service. You do not pay to park and you get unlimited free drinks (Pepsi products and Gatorade) the entire time you are in the park.
If you want to head south instead, I can tell you Six Flags Over Georgia is a GREAT park, IMO. I believe it is a shorter drive than HW too, but I am not 100% on that without checking. Goliath is still my favorite coaster (wood or steel) by far. It dethroned Xcelerator last year, and this year I added quite a few major coasters to my line-up (Kumba, Griffon, Millennium Force, Appollo's Chriot) and none of them even came close. Goliath is the real deal. Simply amazing. So, that would be another option.
Basically, Dollywood is just a very unique park. You may not end up liking it as much as I did, but I guarantee you, you will like it!
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