Vertical Construction Has Begun!

You walked right into that one, Chris49 lol

The blue track is amazing and the white supports are so clean looking! It really is a beautiful ride! But Twister does not look blah...take it back! :)

You know what I want for internet christmas? Google street view for Dollywood.

Even the gate of the station where the Wild Eagle train exits is nicer than average.

^ It truly is a nice coaster and station. I do now regret not riding it when I there this past June but it was 108 degrees and the lines and the people I was with at the time were both miserable. I'll get back there soon. I do see GK being a longer ride time though and having a better view.

You went to Dollywood and didn't ride WE? For shame, for shame...

We're still going through pics from our Smoky Mountain Christmas trip a couple weeks ago, but I must say my first impression was that standing in front of the station was like looking at a small ski lodge, and not a roller coaster. The way it was decked out with the Christmas lights was extraordinary.

So whose to blame? Granted- our coasters kick ass, but why don't we get these kind of details embedded into our attractions? Is it Decker? Leadership? Or do they just have a history influenced by Kinzel where the money wasn't thrown at those types of things?

I don't think anyone's to blame necessarily. I think CP just operates differently and focuses on different aspects of the visitor experience. Would rather you come in and enjoy the rides, not focus on the periphery.

I think the planning and design folks have done an extraordinary job over the years despite being constrained. I still think the Dragster station is brilliant. Some of the newer building facades, like the doughnut shop and the games area are quite nice as well. Heck, look at all of Maverick, and that includes the recycled White Water Landing station.

I suspect the future will be even brighter without a heavy red pen that has to approve everything.

It looks like they finished off the stairs/railing on the top of the lift leading to the dive loop. Why did they hault the completion of the stairs/railing to construct the dive loop and immelman, and now are just getting back to it to finish it?

stability for the rest of the structure maybe?

It almost appears like they are starting to put up supports for the station.

davidw said:
stability for the rest of the structure maybe?

Who knows? Your guess is just as good as mine...

Perhaps it's related to the crane. Get all the high stuff done and installed so you can move it. At least that's my guess.

Yeah about the station, I thought someone said they would be starting it in December

My question is are they doing any more to the route of Gatekeeper or are they waiting until they get the station done?

It's hard to know those kinds of things for sure. Those are things that only those who are in charge of construction, construction planning, etc would know. It's definitely a question that can only be answered by them.

TTD 120mph said:
Get all the high stuff done and installed so you can move it.

That's my assumption as well. Finish up everything you need to do in one area before you worry about relocating the crane.

Well from what I can see on the cams, it appears the crane has moved for the next set of track construction.

looks like the "breakers" cam is down :(