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    Tennessee Tornado

    3.9 (9 reviews)

    Tennessee Tornado Photos

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    Outside devastation
    Arlene M.

    This ride is wicked!! My daughter and I were surprised to find no wait to get on this attraction in the middle of the day. You hop right on. Ladies let me warn you to remove your earrings on this ride. Your head will be slammed from side to side on the sides of the seat if you don't. You got at a fast speed to simulate a tornado with several loops to give you the actual feel of getting caught up in the middle of a tornado. Even the outside facade give you a the look of how destructive a tornado can be. The ride is very intense. I probably would have enjoyed it more without the side to side head banging. I came off the ride with a slight headache. Still if you are tackling the coasters of Dollywood it's worth a try.

    Ariel W.

    The Tennessee Tornado is a roller coaster at Dollywood. It opened on April 17, 1999, and was one of Arrow Dynamics' last major coasters. The ride is in the valley location previously occupied by Thunder Express, an Arrow Dynamics Runaway Mine Train roller coaster. The theme of Tennessee Tornado is an old Tennessee mining company in the 1800's hit by a tornado. The cars were ripped out of the mineshaft and tossed around. The safety restraint is an over the shoulder harness which you are going to need. As your car races through the triple spiral loops you are meant to feel like you are in the middle of the tornado. The ride features a 128 foot drop through the mountain at speeds at 70 MPH. This roller coaster also has an element called the iron butterfly which is a vertical loop combined with a sidewinder which resemble a butterfly. The ride felt super short to me, It is only 1 minute and 48 seconds. I didn't find the shoulder restraints to be the most comfortable either but the first drop is fun as are the loops. I don't know if I would wait on a huge line for this. Its no soaring Eagle but if you happen on a short line, go for it.

    Classic Arrow Train!
    Rachel Macie H.

    One of Arrows finest coasters was also one of it's last as the Tennessee Tornado features a unique style of the Arrow track as at this time in their legacy they changed the design up a bit to make it smoother and more durable as Arrow coasters aren't known for a smooth ride! Tennessee Tornado ranks up there for me as not only a well designed coaster but a super fun and smooth one especially for being an Arrow it's a bummer that not more got made after this as it's a really fun ride that hits you just right and no not in a bad way it's super fun for everyone! To be totally honest this coaster took me by surprise as I wasn't expecting it to be as good as it was but hey it rocked soo much so that we just had to ride it again! Overall it's a great Arrow Coaster that's how nice and hidden in the trees you can't go wrong here at all so give it a try you'll be happy you did!

    Signage for this custom Arrow "terrain" looper is centered around a renegade twister!
    Eric S.

    SMOKY MOUNTAIN TWISTER This custom steel looping coaster is a brief, but fun, terrain hugger. For my 750th review -- 3/4ths of the way to the big 1000, baby! -- I'm giving some love to Arrow Dynamics' swan song. As one of the very last models built by the esteemed steel roller coaster company, the Tennessee Tornado takes full advantage of its woodsy surroundings, as well as the change in elevation. There are a total of 3 inversions, and some other notable highlights including: *underground tunnel *110ft tall 'spiro' loop *overbanked turn *vertical loop *sidewinder *overbanked turn So what the hell is a 'spiro' loop? It's an element unique to this ride, designed by Arrow as a way of putting a quirky -- and literal -- twist on a standard vertical loop. It's the biggest inversion they ever put on a coaster at a whopping 110ft tall. In fact, the trains experience a moment of hangtime at the top, which is a whole lotta fun. A 163ft chain lift carries the train toward the top of a hill, where a heavily-banked turnaround sends riders plummeting down a 128ft drop. It's at the base of the drop where trains enter a tunnel and hit a top speed of 63mph. There's an on-ride camera here, shortly before entering the impressively-large 'spiro' loop. Following this, there's an overbanked curve -- where riders in the front are treated to a quick pop of airtime -- which leads into a straight vertical loop and sidewinder element (a half vertical loop ending with a corkscrew). Another overbanked curve and the train hits the brake run. One cycle lasts roughly 1min 48sec. Arrow wasn't know for comfortable rides, and the TN Tornado is no exception. The cars on the 28-person trains are boxy, while the over-the-shoulder restraints are less than ideal for taller riders. I'd actually recommend the front row, as there's far more leg room in the lead car and the brief pops of airtime are nice (not to mention the unobstructed view). _____________ FINAL VERDICT: I have to say, after having ridden 'Vortex' (Kings Island), the ill-fated 'Shockwave' (Great America) and a few others here and there, the Tennessee Tornado is one of the better Arrow Dynamics steel looping coasters. My only real gripe is that it's very short, though not having a block brake section makes for a more fluid, uninterrupted riding experience. The terrain adds another layer of thrill to this intense looper. I enjoyed it and would recommend the TN Tornado to teens, as older adults will find it too rough to be enjoyable. Eric S's Dollywood coaster rating = 5th out of 7.

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    Dollywood - Experience great southern cooking at Front Porch Cafe.

    Dollywood

    3.9(1.6k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    •$$

    The Baseline: For a theme park, quality experiences must be provided, fun amusement attractions be…read moreavailable, immersive environments must be established, and safety must be a top priority. Special Note: Dolly! We love and miss you already! You have built so much in the eastern Tennessee area and you were truly a blessed soul. Attractions: Dollywood has some fun rides and especially fun if you like rollercoasters. My favorite being the Wild Eagle! They had a new 2026 attraction called Nightflight Expedition which is one part motion screen/one part rollercoaster/one part water flume and I have never experienced anything like it before. The Lightning Rod is another great coaster that really shows you the views in the Great Smokey Mountains! I loved the attractions here! Entertainment: Great shows if you like or love country music! They even had Gospel Entertainment and they were unapologetic about offering it which was refreshing to see. Plus Dolly Parton music pumping out throughout the park. Theme: It is Dolly Parton all the way with tons of Butterfly's and country charm. The 1950's town theme bled into the rural country theme that bled into the Fantasy Forest theme to the country Nashville town theme. No space or Superheroes themes but isn't Dolly Parton a superhero in her own way (we miss you Dolly!) Special Theme: We were here for Great Pumpkin Luminights and it sure did deliver on the Halloween themed fun. I suggest a fall trip to Dollywood if you can!

    We've done Disney, we've done Universal, and Dollywood holds its own with both of them in ways that…read moresurprised us. The scale is different but the experience is just as memorable and in some ways more personal. The coaster lineup is legitimately impressive. Big Bear Mountain is the longest in the park and a great ride for the whole family. Lightning Rod is one of the fastest wooden coasters in the world. Wild Eagle gives you incredible views of the Smoky Mountains from the top. Dragonflier in Wildwood Grove is perfect if you have younger kids who want in on the fun. The new NightFlight Expedition that opened in 2026 is a unique indoor hybrid coaster and river raft ride that works in any weather, a great addition. Beyond the rides the park has real soul to it. Live Appalachian music playing throughout, craftspeople demonstrating woodworking and glassblowing, the Dolly Parton Experience museum, seasonal festivals and theater performances at the Back Porch Theater. You could skip the rides entirely and still have a full day. The cleanliness here is consistently remarked on and it's earned. Every corner of the park is well maintained and the staff are the friendliest we've encountered at any theme park anywhere. Go on a weekday if you can, weekends get packed. Buy tickets in advance. Wear comfortable shoes. Worth every mile of the drive from the Carolinas.

    Photos
    Dollywood - Fall at Dollywood!

    Fall at Dollywood!

    Dollywood - Cinnamon bread plushies

    Cinnamon bread plushies

    Dollywood - Dollywood

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    Dollywood

    Dollywood's Splash Country - One of our spacious Retreats or cozy Canopies can offer the ultimate getaway during your next Dollywood's Splash Country visit.

    Dollywood's Splash Country

    3.7(157 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
    Dollywood's Splash Country - 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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    Rocky Top Mountain Coaster

    Rocky Top Mountain Coaster

    4.5(196 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    We stopped at Rocky Mountain Roller Coaster on our way back from South Carolina, and it ended up…read morebeing one of the most fun random stops of the trip. The wait was short, the instructions were simple, and the ride was longer than I expected. I loved riding through the trees and taking in the beautiful Tennessee scenery along the way. The seats were comfortable, and being able to ride with another person made it even better. The staff was young, energetic, and always ready to help people get on and off the track. Everything ran smoothly from start to finish. If you're passing through the area and looking for something fun to break up a road trip, this is absolutely worth it. I'd gladly do it again.

    My daughter, wife, and I were driving back to our hotel in the afternoon when we passed Rocky Top…read moreand quickly turned into the parking lot to try it out. We had seen other coasters, but this one claimed to be the longest. It didn't look like it from the street, though. After seeing the loading area, my wife bowed out because she was wearing a dress. It would have been difficult to climb into the sled with any degree of modesty. My daughter and I, though, climbed aboard. Everyone gets their own sled. The load operator was friendly and helpful. The sled gets pulled up the hill with you on it. We soon discovered there are multiple climbs and that the ride might be one of the longest. The trip down was super fun and fast. Unlike an alpine slide, it seems very unlikely the sled could come off the track. In fact, in a couple of spots, the brakes are automatically applied to keep you safe. One trip down was good enough for us. They offered a second ride at half price, but we passed.

    Photos
    Rocky Top Mountain Coaster - Friends

    Friends

    Rocky Top Mountain Coaster - Having fun!

    Having fun!

    Rocky Top Mountain Coaster

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    Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster - The queue.

    Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster

    4.5(504 reviews)
    3.8 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
    Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster - Pumpkin was here

    Pumpkin was here

    Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster - Nice ride

    Nice ride

    Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster - Me on the ride

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    Me on the ride

    Goats On The Roof

    Goats On The Roof

    4.2(178 reviews)
    4.5 mi

    I always see this place advertised on TikTok and happened to drive by it on our way back into town…read morefrom Jeep Invasion, so we decided to stop.We went around the back of the building where they have a bunch of goats that you can feed. The goats were super cute and definitely made the stop worth it. The coaster was pretty fast and at a couple points it honestly felt like you might fall off, but overall it was a lot of fun and definitely a fast ride. It's a little cheaper than some of the other coasters in town, but still a little pricey at about $17 a ticket after the 12.5% tax. The store is HUGE and just kept going and going. They have all kinds of different knickknacks and random stuff to look at. They also have rocking chairs where you can sit and chill or buy one. Overall, it was a fun place to stop and check out.

    Goats on the Roof was one of the most fun laid back and unique stops on our trip! We originally…read moreplanned to ride the Alpine Coaster down the street, but the wait was over an hour, so we came here instead, and we're glad we did. The mountain coaster was a lot of fun, had a short wait, and was only about $15. My favorite part, though, was feeding the goats on the roof! You buy goat food inside the gift shop for about $3 a cup, ($1 refill) pour it into a bowl, then pedal a bike that carries the food up a conveyor to the rooftop. The goats are already waiting, and it's hilarious watching them compete for the food. It's a unique experience that's fun for both kids and adults. Definitely worth the stop!

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    Goats On The Roof
    Goats On The Roof
    Goats On The Roof - Alpine coaster !

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    Alpine coaster !

    Tennessee Tornado - amusementparks - Updated October 2026

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