It is the perfect way to spend a great day with your family. Like the FireChaser Express, this is one of the easy rides at Dollywood and good for kids. The operating hours, policies and procedures of other businesses may change at any time without notice. The Lightning Rod reaches a top speed of 73 mph. If you asked different people about the best rides at Dollywood, I am sure you would get tons of different answers. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Half of the ride is outdoors and the other half is inside a dark . You dont go upside down on this one but its still one of the best thrill rides youll find. Which upside down coaster would be the best for someone who's never ridden a coaster with inversions to try? You will see younger children and adults riding this themed ride. Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 1-800-DOLLYWOOD. There is an incredible collection of wooden and steel Dollywood roller coasters that will have you screaming in delight for an entire day of fun! Its very short and makes a few loops around its small track, making it the perfect intro ride for little ones or timid riders. Tennessee Tornado is supposed to mimick being caught up in a tornado so this one is pretty intense. Hi friend! I hope youll give our favorite theme park a try soon and see why we love it so much. Weve been here with our kids aged 2 months all the way up to 12 so well help you navigate these rides with ease! I dont like the big drop rides, but I love this smaller one. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. One of the cool things about the ride is that at one point youll zoom back through the waiting area on a platform above everyone. Thisis the longest Alpine Coaster in the United States at more than a mile long, and you control how fast you go. Sometimes, the best attractions are the simplest and most nostalgic. These cookies do not store any personal information. Height to Ride: At least 42, and anyone under 48 must ride with someone 16 or older. You might even find a surprise before the final drop! The Lucky Ducks are super simple and safe and just go around in a slow circle. One of the scariest things of all? Hop aboard one of the beautifully painted animals and get ready to go around and around on the fun attraction. Its always fun. And if you pay attention, some of them look a little creepy. Our boys were always so excited when they grew tall enough to ride by themselves. This steel coaster will have your feet dangling as you sit securely in your own seat. That upgrade made the coaster smoother and more reliable. Mystery Mine is another one that will surprise you and leave you wanting to ride again and again. The best part is that Cherokee Lodge Condos is just minutes from all of this exciting action at Dollywood! Pro tip: It might be helpful to wear your sunglasses on this ride to protect your eyes from particles. With your legs dangling in the air, this ride mimics the flight of a dragonfly as it speeds through twists and unpredictable turns. Whether youre looking for the ultimate thrill or something more family-friendly, you can find it at this world-class theme park. Even the youngest in the family can safely ride the train, just get there early because it tends to fill up fast. In fact, its consistently ranked as one of the top ten coasters in the country by USA Today. Ride #4 - Lumberjack Lifts. When this roller coaster hangs you out to the side, you may forget you're on a track. The Dollywood Express is one of the park's most popular rides, so expect lines on busy park days. Its almost like the bear is galloping through the woods its kinda funny, but everyone always loves riding these. This ride may not be scary for some riders, but it definitely gives me that drop feeling in my stomach. Additionally you can grab some great snacks and play lots of carnival-like games in this area of the park. We love these, and kids between 42-48 can ride in a double swing with and adult. The biggest coaster is Lightning Rod. The operating hours, policies and procedures of other businesses may change at any time without notice. None of the rides in the Country Fair go upside down. This ride is not intense and it gives views of the vistas of the Smoky Mountains as well as a view of other nearby rides. Height to Ride: At least 42, and anyone under 48 must ride in a double swing with someone 16 or older. Its not a scary coaster and has a low minimum rider height, making it a family favorite. Dollywood Theme Park in Pigeon Forge, Tennesse is one of my favorites. This is genuinely one of my favorite roller coasters in the park. Its not always easy being the best. I rarely leave Dollywood without riding Blazin Fury. But as a family coaster with a top speed of 48 mph, this is expected to be a family-friendly roller coaster in the Wildwood Grove section of the park. Its definitely one of the best rides at Dollywood! This massive coaster features a 100 foot drop and a top speed of 55 miles per hour, as well as a portion of track that literally flies through the top of the station to surprise waiting riders! Its such a fun one though! For all the steps you're sure to get in after a day at the parks, consider this ride your arm workout for the day. Its a slow moving, circular ride with little bumblebees as the cars. I could actually ride this one multiple times no problem. This quaint, small town offers a great variety of cuisine and if youre staying downtown then many of the restaurants are walkable from your accommodations. It has a 135-foot drop and a top speed of 61 mph. Whether youre staying in town or just passing through, here are, Read More 10 Best Restaurants in Bellefonte, PAContinue. Seems there is no in between. Theres a minimum height of 39 inches and a maximum height of 81 inches. Its up to you to decide how high or low you want to go! Web Visit website. 3. Well, I remember being young and a little afraid of this ride. Heres What We Know [2023], Who Has the Best Steak in Gatlinburg? This is a great ride for the littlest ones who are just starting to be brave on rides. Manufactured by Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC), the ride is themed to hot rod cars from the 1950s and opened to the public on June 13, 2016. 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. So on my recent trip to Sevierville, I made it my mission to find the best rides at Dollywood. Receive our latest discounts plus great area attraction information directly in your inbox! The ride has a 210-foot drop, a 110-foot loop, and a top speed of 61 miles per hour. Dollywood doesnt list exactly how large the drop is. (Guide), Dollywood Water Rides (Splash Country + Theme Park), When Does Dollywood Decorate for Christmas? If you make a purchase through this link, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Put your hands high in the air on Thunderhead, the wildest ride in the wilderness! However, youre sure to have an amazing time on these rides if you come for the thrills. I love this one, and of course we try to sit in the very back to feel the stomach drop the most. If you have a younger kid that isnt a fan of the dark then Mystery Mine and Blazing Fury arent for them. So the Herschends decided to bring their best ride to Pigeon Forge. Make Dining Reservations at Song & Hearth Book A Spa Appointment And therefore rides that we go on as a family or me and the girls we would never do single rider . However, Blazing Fury is the oldest attraction still in operation at the park so its basically a must-do. There are many incredible restaurants in this city highlighting Southern comfort food with an elegant twist so obviously it can be tough figuring out where to eat in Charleston, SC. This small roller coaster is perfect for the smallest ones in the family. There are plenty of other fun rides here that don't go upside down. If you purchase through a link on my site, I may earn a commission. Is it fast coasters? Youll be 81 feet high at the peak of the ride and according to Dollywood, the views are supposed to resemble those of what a 1920s stunt pilot would have seen. My wife, for instance, hates it. Located in the Jukebox Junction area, Lightning Rod is a fan-favorite ride that takes you from zero to 45 mph to more than 20 stories up. 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. Its a pretty easy ride with a couple of drops near the end perfect for those who arent into big coasters but still want a bit of a thrill. The props are homemade, something the adult me loves and appreciates while the young me found a bit scary. The Wild Eagle is an amazing winged coaster that takes you on an amazing ride. The quaint little towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are only three hours away from us and they really are our home away from home. Let me offer a list, starting out with the less scary rides. You are launched up 20 stories at 45 miles per hour for the first lift hill and you get almost 20 total seconds of air time on this ride. A popular theme park attraction is bumper cars, and Dollywood is not lacking in that department. . Oceano Dunes SVRA is the only large riding place you can ride and camp right on the ocean in California. The entrance to this ride is right next to the arcade and food truck park so plenty to do for those who dont want to ride! It involves the James Gang who were devil-mask-wearing vigilantes-turned-outlaws and a giant cave of miracles but without the local context, none of that makes sense in Sevier County. This totally depends on who you are but personally, I didnt think any of them were scary. I absolutely love roller coasters. Let us know in the comments! This is the oldest coaster in the park, dating back to 1978. This style of ride is called a wing coaster where guests actually ride on the outside of the coaster track, leaving nothing below your feet but the ground below! Your feet dangle for this ride and youll go upside down as well as corkscrew around the track. Height to Ride: No minimum height to ride but anyone under 42 must be accompanied by someone 16 or older. Ride through a town set ablaze and enjoy three drops but nothing too far or crazy. This is exactly like the pirate ship rides at the county fair! With the low height requirement, weve ridden this with kids as young as 18 months (our kids are tall). There are a couple times where you literally are going straight up so you are lying flat on your back. Lightning Rod is a steel roller coaster located at Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Its the nations first dual-launch family coaster, and our kids love that it goes both forward and backward. The ride is a lot of fun, but if going backward isnt your jam, you may want to skip this one. Thanks for keeping Stuck On The Go going! This thrilling ride is so much fun. 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. The challenge lies in determining the right time to purchase stocks . These elephants take off up into the sky with the push of a button. Mystery Mine has both (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com). But how scary is Blazing Fury? Many of the employees who work on Thunderhead even wear earplugs because of this! Blazing Fury does feature a drop in the dark at the end of the ride. All four of our boys have visited Dollywood since they were babies or toddlers and have ridden and loved these rides. Once is enough. Our site produces editorial content for the purpose of entertainment. It feels great when its hot out, too, as you really feel the wind on this one. I love that ride more every year. At 42 you can add Blazing Fury and ride the Whistly Punk Chaser without someone 16 or older. Its one that shouldnt be missed! See Also: Guide to Dollywood Roller Coasters. I wouldnt do that here. Kids will also love watching the cars come out of the Fire Station. I will have to be totally honest here and say that this was not a favorite of mine. Call, Things to Do Near Our Condos in Pigeon Forge, 4 Incredible Roller Coasters at Dollywood That You Need to Ride Right Now, best lodging near these Dollywood roller coasters, 5 Things to Know About the Apple Barn in Sevierville TN, Top 4 Reasons Why Youll Want to Visit the Old Mill in Pigeon Forge This Spring, Top 5 Romantic Things to Do in Pigeon Forge with Your Sweetheart, Top 4 Reasons to Take the Pigeon Forge Trolley to Dollywood, 3 Frequently Asked Questions About Our Pigeon Forge Condos. While we do our best to bring you the most up-to-date information, TheSmokies.com LLC makes no warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of any content contained within. Again, we have a drop. But I am not a huge fan of thrill rides. I think Wild Eagle is the smoothest big roller coaster that Ive ever been on. The theme for this one is based on a 1950s hot-rod so while you walk through the line you go through a car sales area and what looks like a mechanics shop. Ride in an 8 person raft (2 people each in 4 rows) to view an abandoned logging camp, then up the conveyor to the top, where you go over the falls! Lightning Rod has been named one of the top roller coasters in the country by USA Today. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Wild Eagle is our first coaster on the list that does go upside down. You will be reminded of your days at the town fair or amusement park. 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. There are several coasters in the park that go upside down. Come on out to the park to experience the current record holder for the fastest wooden roller coaster in the world! However, there are many more kiddie coasters and carnival-like rides. Do you enjoy dark rides? 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. Enjoy a sunset with your favorite craft brew. In fact, getting me on a ride that goes upside down is pretty hard. From Rebel Railroad to Goldrush Junction to Silver Dollar City and on to Dollywood for more than 60 years now, people have come to Pigeon Forge to ride the rails and have a good time. Well, if youre just looking for adult roller coasters at Dollywood then there are 11 different thrill rides. It has a minimum height requirement of 48 inches. images courtesy of Dollywood. Learn more. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Be aware that you will be jerked around a bit, and also for the 90-degree lifts! Lightning Rod is the fastest wooden coaster in the worldandits the only wooden launch coaster in the world. They get so excited! If you want a good warm-up coaster then check out Thunderhead or Mystery Mine first. So heres my personal pick of the scariest rides at Dollywood, from least scary to most scary: This is a small junior coaster with a small lift at the front and a few minor twists and turns. Whether you are a roller coaster fanatic or just getting up the nerve to ride for the first time, head on over to Dollywood for some of the top thrilling coasters in the country! In particular, I enjoy Blazing Fury as much for what it was as what it is now. Riders will experience almost 20 seconds of airtime during their thrilling journey through the hills and valleys surrounding Dollywood. This coaster is a suspended coaster, which means your ride beneath the track and your feet dangle. This is a great one to ride before the Wild Eagle! Height to Ride: At least 36, but anyone under 42 must be accompanied by someone 16 or older. This one is really fun! Features: This classic wooden coaster weaves in and out of its wooden track as it races along over 3000 feet of track. Typically they also have the banks boobie-trapped to spray water at your group out of nowhere or dump a bucket of water on your head. This was a fun one but if youre into big thrills then it will be a one and done for you. While I did put this on the list for the whole family, you do have to be 42 to ride, but once your kiddos get to that point this is one of the most fun things to ride at the park! Learn more. This ride actually seems like it lasts a pretty long time, too. On this coaster, you go upside down three times with their triple loop track, go down a 128-foot drop and reach nearly 70 mph. They always think its funny when their parents are the ones getting blasted with water. Add a stay at Dollywoods DreamMore Resort to your list and you are signing yourself up for even more fun. 2023 Lil' Travel Folks Journey Theme by Restored 316. Phone +1 714-781-4636. At the entrance to the ride, youll find a huge statue of an eagle. Head to the Dollywood Theme Park website to learn more about these rides before visiting the park. It swings you like a pendulum arm and gets higher and higher each time. Height to Ride: No minimum height requirement but under 42 needs someone 16 or older to ride with them. If you know you want to ride this one then I would go first thing. 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), Wanna know where the locals eat in Pigeon Forge? The Dollywood Express is a coal-powered locomotive that takes riders on a beautiful ride through Dollywood with views of the beautiful Smoky Mountains. Definitely not for the faint of heart. The ride has a minimum height requirement of 48 inches. Enjoy this unique experience as you turn upside down three times and soar high above the Smoky Mountains! There will be a decent line at Thunderhead but we were on the first cart for Mystery Mine. As an Amazon Associate I earn commissions from qualifying purchases. Maximum height is 81. Finally, you have to be 50 tall to ride the Wild Eagle. Your definition of scary may involve theming or ride intensity. Now that our youngest is old enough to ride with a brother Mom and Dad have even had a few rides together. Large drops? A roller coaster for the little ones! I dont care how smart you are. Read Also: Blazing Fury history: The untold story behind Dollywoods beloved ride. The ride is meant to simulate the daring stunts of pilots from the 1920s as they zoomed over nearby farms. Our family loves Dollywood Theme Park and visits several times every year. It is a great way to have fun if you are not a fan of Dollywood roller coasters. You get a pretty good look at the park this way. This ride sits 21 stories above the ground, giving you the feeling you're actually soaring like eagles. The shape mimics a lazy river but its more like rapids with all the dips and curves. Still, the vast majority of the ride is a relaxing boat ride until you get to the main drop. Riding Area. Then youll go straight down! Features: This coaster has two really steep drops, several sharp turns, goes upside down and has a 95-degree, 85-foot drop (be sure to watch the video for this one!). Herschend Family Entertainment had purchased Gold Rush Junction in Pigeon Forge from Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell in 1976. Minimum Height to Ride: 50 Ride Drop: 135 feet Top Speed: 61 mph Track Length: 3127 feet Ride Length: 2 minutes Features: Even though you go upside down four times and experience zero-gravity turns, this ride is incredibly smooth. Before you come back into the station, you'll go upside down in a corkscrew, which every thrill seeker loves! If you have allergies, its something to be aware of. This is genuinely one of my favorite roller coasters in the park. My familys guide to the best rides at Dollywood for every level of adventurer, not just the best rated. So each side loads two people per row on each ride. Its not as fast or as crazy as the Lightning Rod, but you do go down a 100 foot drop and reach a top speed of 55 mph. You know the ride where you sit in a circle as youre taken around a lazy river that isnt so lazy? This part is indoors, so unless you know about it you cant see it from the park, but you can see the upside down portion of the track. In particular, it feels like more of a dark ride, winding slowly through the 1880s town struggling to control fire as it terrorizes the cast of characters. Dollywood Theme Park. You'll climb the hill and turn into a 128-foot . });
, Copyright 2020| Creatively Made by Tiffanie Page Creative, Comprehensive Guide to Self Care | E-Book, Best Getaway Gift Ideas for Those Who Love to Travel, Beach Gift Ideas for Moms That She Will Love, Beach Essentials that Every Family Needs | 30 Must-Have Items. Other members of my family? It does go upside down and you corkscrew a few times but it didnt feel like we were going very fast. He likes rides similar to those at Disney or a local fair. 1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802, USA. Trending Now: Gatlinburg Hotels with Indoor Water Park, Lil Travel Folks is supported by its readers. Height to Ride: No minimum height requirement, but anyone under 36 must be accompanied by someone 16 or older. Of course you safely come to a neat stop near the bottom. This was by far and away my favorite roller coaster at Dollywood. Dollywood really loves their abandoned places, dont they? 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 is one unique coaster! This one has been named one of the top ten roller coasters in the US by USA Today multiple times. When I am at Dollywood I wait the longest for Dragonflier and Firechaser because the most people can ride them. And I like to imagine the families in 1978 with wide collars and polyester pants lining up for a sparkling new Blazing Fury and feeling the exhilaration of that unexpected drop. Its crazy what middle age will do to you, right? This was Americas first wing coaster and it certainly does feel like you are an eagle soaring as you turn upside down and go through the corkscrew. Heres a twist on the classic teacup ride its lemonade! If you have ever wanted to soar through the sky like an eagle, now is your chance on Dollywoods Wild Eagle looping steel coaster! Molly dangles from a burning second-story porch as Luther waits hesitatingly underneath. Here is the Dollywood ride height chart to help you decide which rides your kids are ready for. This was our first roller coaster of the day! Features: The world fastest and only launched wooden roller coaster, Lightning Rod really thrills! Located in the heart of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, the Dollywood theme park rides offer thrilling fun in the Smoky Mountains. Its one of two water rides at Dollywood. 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. Pro tip: You might want to bring along a sling backpack to carry your park essentials for the day. Its frequently down for maintenance. Minimum Height to Ride: 36 but guests under 42 must ride with someone 16 or older, Ride Length: 1 minute (3 times around the track). For me? 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. This is our youngest sons favorite coaster in the park!