Thrillography Rides Lightning Rod: My Smoky Mountain Winterfest 2016 Trip Report!

Welcome back Thrillographers!!!

Our travels have finally brought us back to the jewel of the Great Smoky Mountains, Dollywood! 

It's so nice to be back at an ACE event! Michael and Michael agree!

This is the first time in my adult life that I've not worked retail, which means it's the first time in my life that I've had the time off this time of year to attend one of the most popular ACE regional events, Smoky Mountain Winterfest!

The morning was a bit soggy, but the forecast calls for great weather today!

:}

Here it is! The one you've all been waiting for! The ride of the century!!! 

Following a delicious breakfast, ACErs lined up at Lightning Rod's entrance to await the ride's opening. 

Soon we were granted entry to Lightning Rod's amazing 3-story body shop of a station. Seats were assigned for general operation but seat requests were accepted. :}

Through the windows of the body shop we can admire some of Lightning Rod's curves!

LR tears up its signature quintuple-dip with all the grace of a swan on cocaine.

Lightning Rod looks like a video that's playing on fast-forward. It's sustained speed is almost comical. 

When you fly into the brake run the upstop wheels are practically on fire. You can hear them spinning for a good 30 seconds after the train comes to a stop. 

For the last year, El Toro at Six Flags Great Adventure and Wood Coaster at Knight Valley have been passing my #1 Woodie designation back and forth. I never could make up my mind between the two. 

I can now say with unwavering certainty that Lighting Rod is the best roller coaster I've ever ridden. Wood or steel. 

Dollywood already had one of the most stellar coaster line-ups anywhere. It's such a great feeling; finishing a ride on arguably the best roller coaster in the world and then remembering there's still a park full of world-class coasters!

Firechaser! I just rode your little sibling in Anaheim! 

Mystery Mine is no longer my favorite coaster at Dollywood, but I still love it dearly despite its roughness. 

While Lightning Rod triumphs on the other side of the park, Thunderhead seems to be struggling. 

It still runs better than your average GCI, but these were the roughest rides I've ever had on it. Now that LR is squared away, hopefully Dollywood will be able to put more focus back on their original woodie!

After enjoying VIP seating at Dollywood's Country Christmas show (made for a great nap), we were treated to what would become my new favorite walk-back tour!

I SEE YOU LR!

Here be a glimpse of the Heavens.

LR takes off before even approaching it's initial 200ft incline. About 3/4 of the way up the magnets run out and gravity begins to take over.

Despite this, LR carries a tremendous amount of speed over its double camelback hills  and then shreads its way down the big drop into the valley.

Lightning Rod lacks the inverting overbank found on Outlaw Run, but I personally prefer LR's remarkable "Tsunami Turn".

As if being the perfect roller coaster wasn't enough, LR also features the greatest roller coaster rolling stock ever conceived. 

Never have I seen a group of ACErs so captivated by a roller coaster! 

In fact, not since Dolly Parton's performance at the 2012 Coaster Con have I seen ACErs so captivated!

The tour group was split into two subgroups. The other half of the group gets the employee lot view of LR. Then we switch.

I decided to do the up-close portion of the tour first so that I could take advantage of what's left of this daylight. 

Cheers to the LR crew for getting trains out so swiftly! We didn't have to wait long between dispatches to get our photos!

Notice how wide the parabola of the largest drop's approach is. When you take that at 73mph the transition doesn't seem nearly as gradual!

*SSOOO FFAAASSTTT*

Guys. This ride. 

The view from the employee parking lot is great!

Although it doesn't offer the same number of vantage points as the up-close tour.

This employee building has the cutest tree out front. :}

Leave it to Dolly Parton to build a roller coaster that looks like an enormous bosom on the horizon. 

Let's take a stroll around Dollywood to enjoy all of the amazing lights!

Every year Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas wins best holiday event at the Golden Ticket Awards. Their amazing attention to detail is one of the reasons why!

Even Lightning Rod is looking festive with its track lights!

"Smile, Michael!"

Having just come from Disneyland, I can say for certain that Dollywood looks just as beautiful as Disney at Christmastime.

It may not have small world holiday, but it does have the largest number of Christmas lights I've ever seen in one place.

It's no wonder that Dollywood starts installing their Christmas lights in August!

This tree alone probably took several people an entire day to light. Just incredible.

The Grist Mill is ready for the holidays! Who needs Dole Whip when you've got cinnamon bread? ;}

Dollywood's probably the only amusement park on earth where you can enjoy an authentic Christmas service. :}

Blazing Fury's fire engine is covered in twinkling lights!

Apparently this is the first year of major light displays for Tennessee Tornado. It looks amazing!

TT's big loop is red for the occasion. :}

Wild Eagle's loop is blue!

(well it's always blue, but now it's blue at night too!)

This shot was supposed to have a train in it but the camera was not cooperating. 

Mystery Mine is also looking spectacular in its holiday best!

Durning the holidays, the misty Mystery Mine becomes the Merry Mystery Mine! 

(ok not really. But I think it sounds nice)

This is the last year of the giant tree on Timber Tower's old spot! Next spring we'll have the new "Drop Line" drop tower to enjoy!

With red Tennessee Tornado and blue Wild Eagle comes green Mystery Mine, naturally. :}

This isn't the most festive shot in the report, but it's still very exciting! the former home of the Beaver Creek Boat Float and Little Logger's Landing will soon welcome Dollywood's 9th roller coaster, "Whistle Punk Chaser!" With LR running consistently and with new rides on the way, 2017 will be Dollywood's best year yet!

The night concluded with a dessert buffet and an epic (but freezing) hour of Lightning Rod ERT. A perfect end to a perfect event!


Thrillography's thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost loved ones and homes to the devastating wildfires of the Smoky Mountains. The Dollywood Foundation has started the "My People Fund" to help raise money for the families effected by the fires. 100% of donations will go to families in need! To learn more about how to contribute go to: 


https://dollywoodfoundation.org


A great way to support the Dollywood Foundation is to go to Dollywood! (As if you didn't already have enough reasons) :}


Our Dollywood time has come to an end, but the holiday festivities keep on comin'! Holiday event coverage at Knott's Berry Farm, Sea World, and Magic Mountain are one the way!

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