CONSTRUCTION ON SCHEDULE FOR DOLLYWOOD’S NEW
$6.5 MILLION TIMBER TOWER RIDE
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn.—Construction of Dollywood entertainment park’s new Timber Tower™ is progressing on schedule with plans to unveil the ride April 1. Timber Tower is the first and only ride of its kind in North America.
Timber Tower’s footing and foundation are both complete. Two technicians from HUSS Manufacturing in many are currently on site to oversee the steel ride installation. With the ride’s center ring in place, Dollywood and HUSS construction teams are now preparing to install the 93-ton counter weight which will allow Timber Tower to “drop” six times in various directions. The pond in which the ride is based has been prepared and plumbing is currently being installed.
Timber Tower stands 65 feet tall upon a base that measures 26 feet in diameter. Timber Tower’s 2.5-minute ride experience features dual rotation, both from the tower and the ride carrier. Situated in the middle of a 5,100-sq.-ft. pond, Timber Tower takes passengers high into the air where the ride carrier rotates 11 times per minute as it approaches the top of the tower. Once there, Timber Tower begins a side-to-side swinging motion with six complete “dips” in various directions at staggering 60-degree angles. Appearing to splash riders into the dicey water below, Timber Tower “drops” passengers almost within reach of a sawmill blade, a bear cave, a water geyser, a beaver dam and a treacherous log jam. With a 40-passenger capacity, Timber Tower will accommodate 565 riders per hour.
Timber Tower anchors Dollywood’s newest area, Timber Canyon, a new area designed to entertain the entire family. Themed to resemble a once-thriving turn-of-the-century lumber camp, Timber Canyon also features Lumberjack Lifts, two 30-foot-tall towers where passengers control the ride experience in twin-seated, kid-powered cars by drawing a cable, lifting the car as high as 25 feet. Passengers can release the cable for an incredible, kid-friendly “free-fall.”
Timber Canyon also is home to Lil’ Loggers’ Landing, an exciting, interactive children’s play area created just for children 48” and under. Little ones can test the waters at the Beaver Creek Boat Float and wade into the ripples of Beaver Creek. Concrete and lighting installation is complete, and landscaping of the area is under way. Installation of the area’s rustic play structure is scheduled for Feb. 6.
Construction of Timber Canyon’s new rustic-themed 150-seat LumberCamp restaurant is on schedule as well. Concrete installation as well as block and roughed-in plumbing and electrical work are complete. Roof framework, wooden support timbers and siding is currently being installed. Once finished, LumberCamp will welcome guests with a a gigantic skillet from which hand-battered chicken tenders and catfish are served.
Timber Tower marks Dollywood’s latest multi-million dollar expansion project in recent years. The park’s 2005 season welcomed a $5 million renovation in the Country Fair area, bringing 10 new family rides. The $7 million Thunderhead™ welcomed guests in 2004.
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