Lightning Rod: Launched RMC Coming to Dollywood!

My own feeling for Lightning Rod is like, why is this Launched RMC facing "out of comprehension" problems while the RMC Joker is now ready to keep us amused? Way too different.

Mixed feelings.

^ Probably because RMC doesn't know how to work a launch.

[Coasterkidmwm]

That stupid overspeed rumor keeps popping up. Now it's on screamscape.

Since I've personally witnessed the ever so fun "over-speed in main" breakdown and how it'll totally freak out a ride computer I really doubt it's magically 7mph over. That's way too severe.

I'd only believe it if I see it myself. But good god, crank that biotch up to 80mph and that would be a #1 ride

A 7 mph difference would probably cause red-out-inducing negative Gs, considering that this ride seems to already have some intense airtime even without that kind of speed increase. Also don't really believe the ride could possibly go that fast, because that means the launch is probably like 20 mph faster, which is near impossible.

Yeah, I assume that such speed difference is also something to do with intensity at those winding turns.

[mkingy]

AmatsuNL wrote:

A 7 mph difference would probably cause red-out-inducing negative Gs, considering that this ride seems to already have some intense airtime even without that kind of speed increase. Also don't really believe the ride could possibly go that fast, because that means the launch is probably like 20 mph faster, which is near impossible.

Yeah I agree, these rides are calculated so that in the very extreme (best) situations that they're not going to be inducing unsafe g forces. For RMC who push the limits (as we know they tend to) I think your right in saying 7mph would make a huge difference.

I'm at the park right now, saw employees riding Lightning Rod about an hour ago.

[Paradox]

>Inb4 Smiler v2

[Coasterkidmwm]

I have more faith in their training.

JUST RODE LIGHTNING ROD!! Absolutely phenomenal! Forceful, intense, out of control, airtime galore! My new favorite woodie! Congrats to Dollywood and RMC on a job well-done!

^ OUR GREATEST NEWS!

Okay, here's my full Lightning Rod review:

I had been walking past the ride about every hour or so since I was aware of the rumors that it might soft open today. When I walked by around 12:45, I noticed that there were people on the ride that didn't look like employees. After looking around for a bit, I saw an employee handing out boarding passes to ride during the technical ride rehearsal session. I was able to get one, and then proceeded up the steps to the station. Waited there for a minute, then I was assigned a seat in the fifth row. As the train pulled out of the station, everyone on the train was going nuts. Then we headed up the launched lift hill. The launch wasn't mind-blowing, but it is one of the better launches I've experienced. The first drop was awesome with great air! The first banked turned after the lift hill was the only spot where I felt the ride let up at all (still a fun element). After that, it was pedal-to-the-metal all the way to the end, with a layout full of speed, intensity, airtime, quick transitions, and the out-of-control feeling. This might also be the smoothest coaster I've ridden, no roughness whatsoever. The best part of the ride for me was by far the quad-down, full of great ejector air! The last turn before the brake run was just icing on the cake. The train was roaring with applause as we returned to the station. A few hours later, I'm still shocked that it happened. I wouldn't have been able to come back tomorrow because my flight back home leaves tomorrow morning, so the fact that I got to ride it is almost a miracle. Overall, Lightning Rod is truly an amazing coaster. It's my new favorite wooden coaster and my #2 coaster overall (out of 85 coasters), with Fury 325 being the only coaster I rank higher. Huge thanks to Dollywood, Rocky Mountain Construction, and everyone else involved with this project. I would certainly recommend making a trip out to Dollywood to ride it, but I would wait until they officially announce an opening date (hopefully tomorrow or sometime this week) before making plans if you aren't a local.

[Coasterkidmwm]

Watch it catastrophically break down tomorrow lol. Glad it's finally open and the one review I've seen is so positive.

I figured that once people actually got to ride it, all of the complaining about delays would be drowned out by praise for this awesome looking ride. Can't wait to get over there to experience this monster!

I'm honestly a little surprised it's already taking riders, but that is excellent news. Perhaps a Memorial Day opening is possible. This is probably the most anticipated ride of 2016 and it definitely sounds like it delivers. At this point, I'm unfortunately unsure if I'll be able to make it to Dollywood this year but it is definitely on my list.

just take out the launch and put in a 20mph lift done and done... still a lift launch XD

[Blase Rhine]

Oh my god...

Awesome! I'd think they'll have enough testing with riders done to have it open for memorial day weekend. It's going so fast on that quad down ugh.

^^ & ^ They now know how to make a legit program for a proper launch, so I believe that they will produce the "Launched Zero-G-Roll" like the Hulk in the future!

[mkingy]

That looks dirt quick, like even the final little ramp into the brakes looks fast.

[gouldy]

*chanting*
P. O. V.
P. O. V.
P. O. V.

^ Yeah, that's exactly what we CC goers and all coaster fanatics want! 5/28/2016: We're still hankering for that "spectacular" P.O.V!

[Coasterkidmwm]

I'm kinda surprised one hasn't been dumped on youtube yet

Screamscape is reporting that Lightning Rod is having troubles with the launch again.

2016 - Lightning Rod - (5/29/16) I don't feel confident enough in the information to go into too many details, but Screamscape sources tell us that Lightning Rod is having some difficulties with the launch system that are being addressed. No word on when the limited testing may begin again, as it could be any day now, or it could be a couple of weeks... as everyone is under the gun to get this ride up and running ASAP.

http://www.screamscape.com/html/dollywood.htm