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Dollywood Adds World’s Fastest Wood Roller Coaster for 2016

Lightning Rod Coaster at Dollywood | I-75 Exit Guide

Dollywood has announced the addition of Lightning Rod, the world’s fastest wood coaster and the world’s first launching wood coaster, set to open March 2016. The $22 million ride also marks the single largest attraction investment in The Dollywood Company’s history.

Themed after a tricked out 1950s-era hot rod, Lightning Rod launches riders from zero to 45 mph more than 20 stories up its lift hill to one of the ride’s first airtime moments. At the crest of the hill, riders face twin summit airtime hills before tackling the daring first drop. Lightning Rod races down the 165-foot drop and propels guests along its 3,800-ft. track to a top speed of 73 mph.

“Lightning Rod reminds me so much of those colorful cars cruisin’ up and down Main Street in downtown Sevierville back when I was in high school,” said Dolly Parton. “I remember all those souped up cars; but what I remember most were those good lookin’ boys behind the wheel with those flat top and ducktail haircuts. I’m truly excited about this ride because it will let our guests experience something just as fast as those hot rods I remember. Even better, it’s the fastest wooden roller coaster in the world, so I think we’re going to see a lot of people coming from all over to peel out on the Lightning Rod.”

Like any proper hot rod, massive header pipes and an imposing injector scoop peer out from the train’s flamed bodywork.

Located in Dollywood’s Jukebox Junction, Lightning Rod rockets riders around its massive wooden structure on an adrenaline-charged lap through the trees in the hills and valleys surrounding Dollywood. During the ride, guests experience nearly 20 seconds of airtime. The coaster train is comprised of 12 cars, carrying two passengers each, for a total of 24 people per train.

Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) is the ride manufacturer. RMC has designed a number of innovative attractions around the world. Lightning Rod employs several features including the lift hill launch, twin summit airtime hills, a 90+ degree banked breaking wave turn, a 90+ degree outside banked turn, and a non-inverting half loop.

In March 2012, Dollywood opened the $20 million Wild Eagle, the country’s first wing coaster. The company introduced RiverRush, Tennessee’s first and only water coaster, at Dollywood’s Splash Country in 2013. FireChaser Express, the nation’s first dual-launch family coaster, was added at Dollywood in 2014. Dollywood’s Thunderhead is consistently among the world’s top five wood coasters.


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