Dollywood Theme Park Announces New Barnstormer for 2011

(BUSINESS WIRE)--High-flying high jinks take to the sky at Dollywood for the 2011 season with the new Barnstormer ride, a $5.5 million family thrill ride situated in a barnyard-themed area which also includes play areas for younger guests.

“I remember my daddy and granddaddy talking about the old barnstormers that used to do all kinds of crazy stunts above the fields where they’d work crops,” Dolly Parton said. “My new Barnstormer ride offers folks those same breathtaking moments, high in the sky above Dollywood. And I’ve recreated a critter-themed barnyard that reminds me of growing up on the farm here in the Smoky Mountains!”

Taking its name from the daring aerialists and stunt pilots of the 1920s, the Barnstormer features two pendulum arms with seating for 32 riders. Seated back to back, riders travel progressively higher on each swing of the Barnstormer’s massive arms, reaching a maximum speed of 45 miles per hour and 230 degrees of rotation. At its peak, the Barnstormer reaches a staggering 81 feet in the air, taking riders high above the barn’s rooftop and the area’s treetops. Situated in the lush foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, the Barnstormer rests amid a traditional red barn on the Owens Farm, a nod to Parton’s family’s rural upbringing.

While the Barnstormer fills the air above the barn, children’s play areas dot the landscape around the barn. With a fun, barnyard theme, children can enjoy a 22-foot by 16-foot bi-plane play area as well as a pig pen water play area.

The Barnstormer has a ride capacity of 450 passengers per hour, and a 48-inch minimum height requirement.

The Barnstormer is adjacent to the Mountain Slidewinder, one of the park’s most popular rides which opened in 1987.

The new area opens in March 2011 to usher in Dollywood’s 26th operating season.

The number one ticketed attraction in Tennessee, Dollywood is an award-winning 150-acre family adventure park located in Pigeon Forge near the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Open nine months a year (late March to early January), Dollywood hosts four of the South’s largest festivals and offers more than 40 rides and attractions, including Thunderhead, twice named the world’s No. 1 wooden coaster, and Mystery Mine coaster, Theme Park Insider’s 2007 Best New Attraction. In addition to the 2009 Golden Ticket Award for Best Shows, Dollywood is the recipient of 15 Big E Awards in recognition of the park’s live entertainment which features country, bluegrass, gospel and Appalachian music. The Golden Tickets’ 2007 Publisher’s Pick for best theme park, Dollywood also is a two-time winner of the Golden Ticket Award for Best Christmas Event. In addition, a dozen crafters authentic to the East Tennessee region demonstrate daily. For more information, visit www.dollywood.com.

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Oh, I Wish I was at Dixieland

"In Dixieland where fun is born,
Early on a springtime morn,
Come along, have some fun, have more fun,
Dixieland.

Oh I wish I was in Dixie,
Hooray, Hooray,
At Dixieland, we'll take our stand
To have more smiles and fun."

I have to admit it. I packed up a group of fun seekers representing all age groups to go and check out the rumor of an improved Dixieland Fun Park in Fayetteville, Georgia. The group consisted of a younger child, a teenager, a dad who really didn't want to go, and me.

We expected to be there for a couple of hours. After all, when riding past the park, it really didn't look any different. Not only that, but the thought of having to purchase all those tickets for the rides was enough to dampen my day.

The park has just opened for the season with its Dixie Dayz Spring Break. We thought it was a beautiful day to waste just a couple of hours, but we just couldn't do it. The hum drum of winter blues soon gave way to a fantastic sunny adventure for our group.

Gone are the days of carrying tickets around. Now there is just one admission price which allowed us to get in to everything- all the rides and the shows. Okay, so my winter blues were starting to see some rays of sunshine. No more would I have the burden of digging through my pockets to find tickets. One armband and off we went.

The lines were short on this opening day. The longest line we stood in was about 8 minutes for the famed Go Karts rides. The Go Kart rides have three tracks from which to choose, depending on your age and height, and are the most popular rides at the park.

After speeding around the track, off we raced to the roller coaster. Small by today's standards at the larger parks, this classic coaster still can hold its tracks up high. It was great as the Ok-so-I'm Here dads started to yell shouts of glee as the coaster flexed its muscle and had the riders off their seats in no time. Yep, we quickly realized the drops were faster than gravity, and we were laughing so hard as we experienced the momentary sensation of weightlessness.

Quickly now, we were ready for the Scrambler and the Spider. I admit it. The spinning rides were for me. Quick speed and turns were enough to make me scream in delight while the younger members of our party still had the loud laughter erupting from their throats.

Maybe it's time to settle down for a few minutes, or at least let the tummies calm down, and take in a show. On our visit, we were able to see the 2X World Champion Tommi Ahvala strut his stuff on his 145 pound bike. The trick riding was exceptional and the stunts were fun to watch. Just ask Steve, who was offered a shave and a hair cut!

The other show of the day was a reptile show. The difference between this show and others I've attended was the overall nature of it. The audience was allowed to view the snakes and large lizards up close and personal. Of course, all the snakes were quite docile and nonpoisonous. With that said, I still get queasy around the slithering animals. After the show, the audience was invited to hold some of the snakes and get to know them. Suffice it to say they were cold and had slick skins.

There was so much to do. We rode every ride in the park, and even took some time to enjoy a round of miniature golf.

Who knew that our winter time blues would turn to smiles of spring? Who knew that we would happily spend over eight hours in the park? Who knew that my wallet would enjoy the savings offered during these tough days of our economy?

Dixieland Fun Park. I've got to agree with their new slogan. It is, indeed, Fantastic Family Fun. And I can't wait to go back and see more of their new super shows over the season. After all, a quick commute of less than half an hour after a full day of family fun and memories will make me smile for a long time.

To find out more about Dixieland Fun Park, visit DixielandFunPark.com .

"Oh it was such fun in Dixieland,
Hooray, Hooray,
In Fayetteville, we'll take our stand
To have more smiles and fun,
Hooray, hooray,
What fun we had at Dixieland."

By A. S. Eldredge
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