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    Lightning Rod

    4.8 (16 reviews)

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    Arlene M.

    Lightning rod is by bar the best wooden coaster I have ever ridden. Overall at Dollywood it is now is my favorite and has Big Bear mountain beat.(Reviewed separately) Who would ever thought that when you begin you first accent up the mountain that all of a sudden you would be whoosed at such a speed to get you on you way before you even reach the top. The ride rounds out with twists and curves that has you screaming for more. Perhaps another thing I like is that the side of your seats don't come in contact with you ears. Several of the coasters here including those at other amusement parks have your head banging from side to side and thus you ear gets slapped against the the sides of your seat. Timesaver pass is available for Lightning rod but due to popularity you are only able to use it once. I've always been a fan of the woods and this one is truly not to be missed. You owe it to yourself to check out this coaster when visiting Dollywood.

    Rachel Macie H.

    An RMC Coaster that's also a launch oh is it even possible you better believe it and this coaster has it so buckle up and get ready for one hell of a ride! To be honest I really do didn't expect this Coaster this be as awesome as it really is as it has a bit of a unique factor as it's the only launch coaster built by RMC which is totally awesome as who doesn't like a good hybrid! This is yo there with some of my favorites as the ride itself is totally unpredictable as your speeding through the awesomeness that is the Smokey Mountains with the wind in your hair wile your twisting and turning not knowing where you'll go next all the way to the end! This is a great addition to the awesomeness that is Dollywood I will be looking forward to my next visit here as this ride has s awesome and just soo much fun in that super Unique RMC type of way!

    Signage is simple, meant to look like a 1950's gas station! Pretty cool tbh
    Eric S.

    SPEED DÆMONS The world's fastest wooden roller coaster (yes, you read that right) is an unbelievable rush and Dollywood's headlining attraction. Ever since this unprecedented ride debuted in mid-2016, I'd heard stories from fellow coaster enthusiasts about just how balls-to-the-wall Lightning Rod was. Apart from the wicked speed, it dishes out a considerable amount of 'airtime' in a glorious woodsy setting. LR eschews the conventional clickety-clack chain lift mechanism; instead, it utilizes a magnetic launch identical to the one on 'Maverick' @ Cedar Point. Linear synchronous motors rocket the train up the side of the mountain at 45mph and through a quick dip before things really kick into overdrive. A 165ft drop brings the trains -- fashioned to look like a 1950's hot rod -- to a mind numbing 73mph at the base of a large hill. A series of heavily banked turns (some turning the train completely horizontal) and zippy snapbacks lead to a double-up and the ride's highlight. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you: THE QUADRUPLE-DOWN. All coasters have a drop, many have a double-down, and at least one special ride has a triple-down in the dark. But the series of 4 drops in succession on Lightning Rod takes the cake. It's sublime. Though there aren't any inversions like on 'Goliath' @ Six Flags Great America or 'Outlaw Run' @ Silver Dollar City (a sister park to Dollywood, as a matter of fact), L-Rod doesn't need 'em. Its claim to fame is simple: speed + airtime. And you get a whole lotta both! Sadly, as with all things that push the envelope of possibility, Lightning Rod was -- and still very much is -- prone to issues. The LSM launch used on the ride's lift hill caused the attraction to miss virtually its entire opening season. Further delays were encountered on & off throughout 2017, and when I visited on 3/28/18, the coaster was only operating intermittently. (( quick shout-out to Mitchell D, who gave Lightning Rod the 1-star treatment. what the f*ck happened, man? did a girl spurn your advances while waiting in line? were you inappropriately fondled by a ride operator?? I rode in the EXACT same seat as you did and am just as tall/heavy. I was fine, my petite latin girlfriend was fine. your "leg pain" is probably an existing condition, roller coasters don't cause that. L-Rod is an *extreme* thrill ride, so perhaps the merry-go-round is more your speed, you gigantic pussy. thanks for trying to ruin the rating of a brilliant wooden roller coaster. )) ______________ FINAL VERDICT: This diabolical thrill machine from Rocky Mountain Construction is three things -- fast, furious, unreliable. It can take your breath away, or leave you heartbroken depending on the day/time you visit. We got lucky on a Wednesday late afternoon, but the launch is dicey at best, meaning you MIGHT miss this on a day at the park. Lighting Rod is an exhilarating 90 seconds to be sure, though it's not the best roller coaster here, and only the 7th-best wooden roller coaster I've ridden so far in life....... Eric S's Dollywood coaster rating: 2nd out of 7!

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    Review Highlights - Lightning Rod

    Apart from the wicked speed, it dishes out a considerable amount of 'airtime' in a glorious woodsy settin

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    Dollywood

    Dollywood

    3.9
    (1.6k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    To say we were excited about our trip to Dollywood is an understatement. I am a single mom of four…read morewho doesn't often get to take vacations. I'm also a cancer patient who doesn't know how many vacations that she has left in this lifetime. So, when someone offered us a chance to take this trip, we were over the moon and jumped at the chance. So writing this review is quite painful. I've always heard that Dollywood employees are the best so I was expecting kindness and helpfulness, but I was mostly disappointed. I want to start this review by saying that I could not do what the employees at Dollywood do all day in the blistering heat. They have to deal with people all day long and people can be unpleasant on a good day and vicious on a bad day. I deal with people in my job and it can be difficult. I know and I sympathize. It started when I had to rent a mobility scooter. Trust me, I hated having to rent that blasted thing, but I had a cancer treatment two days before our visit and my treatment can zap the energy right out of me. So, I went to rent a scooter even though I was embarrassed to have to do so. The young lady behind the counter was unfriendly and unprofessional. I was surprised really by her complete lack of kindness. She never once even cracked a smile and her behavior at my questions was rude. I was also disappointed at the employees lack of help when you asked for directions. We only had a day in the park and we had some specific things that we wanted to accomplish. When asked for directions, the employees were short with me and seemed annoyed that we even asked. I ceased asking employees and began asking other park goers. They were kind and helpful. Then there was the candy store near the train depot. The gentleman behind the candy counter was amazing. He was friendly and encouraging. Just when I thought we wouldn't find any employees up to park standards, he showed up and with his sunny disposition really brought a bright spot to our day. Then, my hopes were instantly dissolved when we checked out at the register. The female employee at the register was utterly rude and blatantly disrespectful. I was shocked and wanted to match her energy, but I didn't want to set a bad example for my kids. Also, the kindly gentleman was right next to her and I just didn't want to cause a scene. Also, the employees who deal with people with disabilities on the rides just treated us like we were an imposition. That's just not the way you treat people who are already struggling. Most people who have a disability would do anything to be normal. I know I would have loved to have not known this information about the employees who help people with disabilities. I believe some sensitivity training is in order for all the employees who come in contact with people with disabilities. We already feel like a burden and we HATE it. There were some employees that went above and beyond which is the reason I didn't give a one star review. I've already spoken of the gentleman at the candy store. He needs a raise. There was the sweet young man in the jewelry booth by the Mystery Mine ride. He was an absolute gem and was so helpful. There was a sweet young lady at Miss Lillian's where we ate. Two of my kiddos have severe food allergies. It makes it difficult to find food that won't land us in the ER. This young lady went out of her way to make sure that our food wasn't contaminated by allergens and she even found chips for my son who couldn't have the other side dishes. Bravo to her!!! She deserves a gold star, a crown, and a wand. Also the tram conductors were fabulous They were funny, kind, and helpful. Whoever trained those guys needs to train EVERYONE in the park. The employees involved in the Dollywood Express were another standout. They were kind, hilarious, entertaining, and really did help to make the day memorable especially for my son who has a popular YouTube channel about trains. It wasn't all bad, but there were enough disappointments to prompt me to write this review. I really hated writing something negative. I absolutely adore Dolly Parton. She is one of my heroes. I feel terrible for saying anything negative about something associated with her. I'm hoping this review will encourage some additional training for employees who deal with people with disabilities. Those people sitting in the mobility scooters could be on their last vacation and you could make all the difference.

    Amazing theme park. Roller coasters everywhere…read more Lumber Jack pizza was the best pizza I've had in my whole life. They have a little skytube place for little kids. Amazing staff. Amazing hand-scooped ice cream. Free Time-Saverpass for people staying at the hotels there (me.) Which works like this: 10 to 11 AM is the golden hour where you can ride any rides with it. After 11 you have 5 more uses on select rides.

    Photos
    Cinnamon bread plushies
    Cinnamon bread plushies
    Dollywood
    Dollywood
    Rise over the Smokies on the wings of Wild Eagle.

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    Rise over the Smokies on the wings of Wild Eagle.
    The Island

    The Island

    4.1
    (545 reviews)
    2.0 mi

    The island is always a wonderful stop for everyone. My son…read moreloves Dino's and they currently have the dinosaur experience going on. Our big girl was finally big enough for the harness adventure here. Mom and dad got to do a moonshine tasting.

    The Island in Pigeon Forge is one of those places where you can easily spend several hours…read morewandering around without really having a plan--and that's part of the fun! There's a great mix of shops, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, and plenty of colorful details that make it an enjoyable place to explore. I visited during the fall, and I especially loved all of the seasonal touches. Pumpkins, mums, hay bales, a vintage tractor, and other autumn decorations made the entire area feel festive and gave me plenty of fun photo opportunities. Of course, the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel is the landmark you can't miss. Riding it gives you a completely different perspective of Pigeon Forge and the surrounding area, and the enclosed gondolas make for a comfortable ride. My biggest hesitation is the price. Since you pay per person, taking an entire family up in one gondola can become expensive pretty quickly. Overall, The Island is a fun stop whether you want to ride attractions, grab something to eat, shop, people-watch, or simply walk around and enjoy the atmosphere. Even if you don't ride the wheel, it makes a pretty spectacular backdrop! Four stars from me--fun, photogenic, and definitely worth exploring, but some of the attractions can make a family visit pricey.

    Photos
    Turkey was here
    Turkey was here
    Pumpkin was here
    Pumpkin was here
    March 2026

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    March 2026
    Dollywood's Splash Country

    Dollywood's Splash Country

    3.7
    (156 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    I came here with my wife and 4 year old and it was a great time!…read more We came right at opening on a random weekday and the line to get in was still pretty long. Parking was a little expensive at $25, but I kind of expected that. Luckily for us, most of the people entering the park were going to Dollywood and not Splash Country, so we got to park our car near the entrance and didn't have to wait long at all to get inside. Importantly, my son was free because of a pre-K voucher that they were offering, which was very cool. We started off our trip with Big Bear Plunge, and it was a pretty decent water slide. We then hit up the splash pad before journeying into the wave pool, where we spent most of our time :) My son really liked the waves! It got a little boring for me, but whatever. It was sometimes challenging to find a tube for my son to ride in (it felt like a free-for-all!) but we managed to secure one most of the time. We wanted to ride Big Bear Plunge one more time before we left, but by that time the line was exceedingly long and our 4 year old was definitely not going to wait, so we just peaced out. The food was OK but not great, as expected. I liked that they offered complimentary water for everyone, since it was quite hot. Overall, we had a great time and would definitely come back!

    Splash Country and Dollywood lack adequate handicap accessible parking. Instead of creating more…read morehandicap accessible parking, they blocked all the surrounding spots off and marked them as $55 "preferred parking". Or $45 if you are a diamond pass holder. Once you're inside it is so overcrowded you will not have time to do much unless you pay $55-$70 for a fast pass. Some lines had a 70 minute wait. Then the bathrooms were horrible, I bet Dolly wouldn't use them!! I was only here because I have a 2 park season pass but these kids will not get me back to this water park. Yall can have it. I'll stick to the theme park.

    Photos
    Chicken tenders, garlic Parmesan chicken tenders, cookies n cream fry bread
    Chicken tenders, garlic Parmesan chicken tenders, cookies n cream fry bread
    Dollywood's Splash Country
    Dollywood's Splash Country

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    Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster

    Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster

    4.5
    (503 reviews)
    3.4 mi

    I kind of feel bad. The last time I was in Pigeon Forge with my children, I declined going on a…read moremountain coaster with them, because they just didn't look like my thing. So my kids went on the coaster and I watched and took photos. Then recently, I was forced to visit Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster for a work trip. It was either ride the dang coaster, or irritate the people who set up the trip, so I went. Holy cats! Alpine coasters are super fun! You kind of feel like you're going to fly off the tracks during the ride, but you won't. It seems safe enough, and the ride goes by so fast (it's definitely less than 10 minutes). Before you know it, you're done and wish you could go again. (I didn't, but I'm sure kids would.) You can control the speed, which is nice. At one point, I was feeling wild and crazy, and let it fly and zipped around the track at full speed. I visited with a small group on a weekday, and there was zero wait to start riding. Literally, we just paid and got right on.

    This was a very fun adventure even for a scary person like me. I purchased the groupon which was a…read moregreat deal for 2 for $23. I reviewed the pricing upon arrival and it was $14 for kids. Every penny count nowadays so I'll take it. If the child is under a certain height they require them to ride with an adult. *Insert my nerves kicking in about this* I will say it looks more intimidating that it actual is. No big drops and you can adjust the speed as you ride. I built my courage to go faster the second ride but the employee did ask for me to not hold up traffic like previous did! Good adventure!

    Photos
    Pumpkin was here
    Pumpkin was here
    Nice ride
    Nice ride
    Me on the ride

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    Me on the ride

    Lightning Rod - amusementparks - Updated August 2026

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