2012 - Possible New Coaster - Rumor - (5/30/11) A reader has sent in new pictures from Dollywood showing off features of the 2012 project, as seen from the Slidewinder queue. Clearing, construction of footers, and a fairly large hole have all been dug alongside the Slidewinder pathway in preparation for whatever the park has in store for 2012. And near the top, next to the Slidewinder launch area, it also appears that they have relocated an existing maintenance building. According to our source, this appears to them to have been a maintenance building that was formerly located down the hill, closer to the top of Daredevil Falls.
(5/24/11) A fellow Screamscape reader dropped into Dollywood last week and sent back a nice batch of construction pictures from the site of the new 2012 mystery attraction. From what I’m told, the only ‘clue’ Dollywood seems to be giving up right now is in the form of the huge blue cloudy skyline they’ve decorated the construction wall with, which kind of suggests that the attraction could have a flying or aerial theme to it.
The majority of visible construction where Timber Canyon and Craftsmen Valley meet, near Adventure Mountain and the Zip Line attraction. I’ve also been told that it looks as if some clearing may have taken place behind Mystery Mine, and where the pathway leading up to the Mountain Slidewinder. According to our photographer, since the largest site clearing was taking place across from Adventure Mountain, they suspect that this may be where the station building for the ride may be located.
They also sent in an aerial map showing off the general site areas. The red circles are said to be what look like concrete footers, easy to see from the Slidewinder pathway. The yellow area is where it seems several trees have been removed and the Orange area is where the major land excavation is taking place, from the pathway all the way back to the side of the Blazing Fury building.
(5/11/11) Coaster101 has posted a new update from the park, showing off their trip on the park’s SkyZip attraction, where they got a good look at several new survey markers and early construction clearing taking place for the 2012 attraction. They even marked the sites on an overhead map so you can get an idea of where things are taking place right now. Check it out.
On a related note, you can read the chat with Pete Owens posted to ThrillNetwork where he confirms they will announce the name of the 2012 ride “in the sky over Knoxville” at the Boomsday event. He also confirms that the ride is taller than 11 feet and than it will be a “first” for a park in the United States.
(3/30/11) I’ve heard some interesting details about a local event in Knoxville called “Boomsday” which will take place on September 4th, 2011. I’m told that Boomsday is a big annual fireworks festival, but the big news is that Dollywood is planning to announce their new 2012 attraction at Boomsday. This matches up with the hints Dollywood has released so far about making a very unique announcement for the new attraction.
Now… call me crazy, but if your going to announce a new ride at a fireworks festival, it says to me that the ride could very well have a very “explosive” theme perhaps. Stay tuned!