It was my first time in Dollywood. This was the first ride that I stumbled upon. It must be a popular ride as very few people got out of line when it was announced that the ride was temporarily offline. Eventually, the ride was back up and the line moved at a decent pace. When it was time to get on the ride, they had cubby holes for you to store your stuff. They also didn't want you to have anything in your pockets. In addition to a lap bar, they also had an over-the-shoulder restraint. I don't think I've ever been that strapped in even for Six Flags Magic Mountain rides. It was a pretty decent thrilling ride! It reminded me a bit of the Incredicoaster at Disney California Adventure Park. However in hindsight, I probably should've taken off my glasses. It was still drizzling, making my nose wet and slippery. I had to hold on to it or else it most likely would've slipped off! read more

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Riding Lightning Rod was an absolute thrill.The launch out of the gate is insane suddenly you're shooting up that hill with the wind in your face. The airtime hills are some of the best I've felt on any coaster, and the twists and turns keep the adrenaline going the whole time. My only small gripe is that the ride felt a bit short, and the line can get pretty long, but honestly, the intensity and uniqueness of the ride make it worth the wait. Definitely a must do for coaster fans. read more

Woooooooo! What a wild ride! Not for the faint of heart. You will lose any loose items including eye glasses! read more

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I wish I would have been able to ride this coaster when it first opened as it was a launch system coaster, but for the 2024 season they changed it to a chain lift coaster. So it took away some of the appeal of the coaster. But the theming of this coaster is truly amazing and can overshadow that. This is in the Jukebox Junction section of the park and the theming of the area is carried heavy into the attraction. You enter what is a 50s garage and make your way to the head of the line. Zigzagging through the garage and shops until you reach the end of the queue. This coaster takes advantage of the natural terrain of the area. That adds to the coaster's overall aesthetic. You whip through the curves, climb and soar down the hills until you come to a stop at the end. Overall, great experience. The theming is amazing, the ride is refreshing, and the wait isn't too bad. Definitely a nice addition to this section of the park. read more

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. read more

Lightning Rod - Loading zone - Amusement Parks Near Me - Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

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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! read more

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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! read more

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This ride was so freaking fun. I had no clue what I was getting myself into. Never been to the park and never even read up on the ride. It was the first ride we tried in the park and it was freaking amazing. Can't wait to do it again! read more

First ride of the day and I prayed that this ride would be open and I am glad that my prayers were answered. They were running 1 train which sort of sucked. I am used to RMC were the attendant strap you in but this you do yourself. The theming to the ride is good as it is 50s theme and the train is cool. The launch is great and exciting. No inversions though but that is okay. But this is intense not as intense as steel vengeance but it is very fun. Can not wait to ride it later. read more

Lightning Rod - Amusement Parks Near Me - Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

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This coaster is amazing. The launch up the hill is so intense! The drop makes me feel like i'm flying! The sideways parts are that way too. The reason i took off a star was the roughness, but other that really good ride! read more

Wow such a fast roller coaster!! Fastest wooden rollercoaster in the US 72mph!! Not much time in your seat for sure but smoother than you expect. Can't wait to go back again. read more

Great ride if you can manage to ride it! It was only open for about two hours during my recent visit and has suffered from extensive downtime since its debut, but once you climb aboard you'll forget about all that. It's got everything you need for a good coaster: a great layout, beautiful setting, and fantastic airtime every which direction. If you see it running, though, get in line immediately as it is quite prone to breakdowns. read more

Very scary ride, I am a bigger girl and I came out of my sit. It's a good thrill ride and a must try for adults but I wouldn't recommend kids on this ride. read more

Very slow moving line, but it's a great wooden coaster that is quite smooth. The initial climb is high speed to the top, there is a great drop that keeps you off of your seat. There are two turns that feel like you are completely sideways and 6 or 7 hills that give you serious hang time out of your seat. Overall a great ride, they just need to speed up the line. The line was not even out of the queue up area, and most of the zig zags were closed so the line looked very short, but it still took 45 minutes at 10:15am. read more

Wow, when they say fastest wooden roller in the world, they do mean it. This is a definite ride to try out at the park if you are here. When I rode it, they were still testing the ride out so it was on and off with test rides so I waited like 2 hours but it was definitely worth the wait. It's a experience like no other with the launch mechanism. read more

This one of my favorite roller coasters I have ever ridden! The ejector airtime and laterals are off the chain. Glad I made the trip to Dollywood! read more