Blazing Fury is an indoor roller coaster located in the Craftsman Valley part of the park. The theme of the ride is a fire is about to engulf an 1880's town as you ride past trying to escape the inferno. This ride opened in on June 6, 1978 and it was part of the theme park named Silver Dollar City that later became Dollywood. The ride was designed and built by Silver Dollar's maintenance staff. There are 3 cars per train and each train holds 18 people. When the train leaves the station the ride operator yells "fire in the hole".
The ride starts out in peaceful Appalachian town with waterfalls and trees in the mountains. As you enter the town you can start to see that the buildings are catching on fire. A famous scene is that of the lady on the hotel porch about to jump in the fireman's trampoline. Fire effects are created with billowing sheets and LED lights.
If you can catch them while zooming past there are several signs paying homage to the history of the park. One sign features the former names of the park: Rebel Railroad (1961-1969), Gold Rush Junction (1970-1974), Goldrush (1975), and Silver Dollar City (1976-1985). There is also a sign for the Flooded Mine, a ride removed to make room for Daredevil Falls. The Timber Tower Water Company sign references the problematic Timber Tower ride that was removed for Drop Line and Blazing Fury.
As you go past the town scenes there are sensors on the rail that triggers special effects with the animatronics. My favorite was Ma Hatfield who offered hot baths for 25 cents to the local gentlemen in a bid to find her next "husband any size any shape".
The first 15 foot drop in the ride happens as the train bypasses the bridge closed sign and it simulates a collapsing bridge. Another drop gives you the impression that you are about to collide with an oncoming train. Before 2011, Blazing Fury ended in a splash down but that part of the ride was removed because it was causing too much wear and tear so the decision was made to remove the water in order to preserve the life of the ride. Instead of water slowing the ride at the end, magnetic brakes were added. A blast of compressed air not mimics the whoosh riders used to get from the splash. Blazing Fury has a sister coaster, Fire in the Hole, at Silver Dollar City in Missouri that still has the splash.
This is a mild coaster good for most ages. The length of the coaster is 1.500 feet, the top height is only 22 feet, and the top speed is 22 miles per hour. The scenes are a little hokey but that is part of the charm of this ride. If you are pressed on time you can skip this ride especially if you are an adult primarily focused on the thrill rides. I liked the history of the ride and there wasn't a wait on the day I rode so I enjoyed it. This is a beloved ride and visit to the park would not be complete for many families without a ride of Blazing Fury. read more