PIGEON FORGE, Tenn.—Dollywood hopes to hear guests shouting a mighty “tim-berrrrr!” in 2006 as the theme park unveils its new $6.5 million Timber Tower™, the first and only ride of its kind in North America.
Construction is under way in the park’s Thunderhead Gap area where the Timber Tower will stand 65 feet tall upon a base that measures 26 feet in diameter. Designed by Germany’s Huss Manufacturing, the 2.5-minute ride experience features dual rotation both from the tower and the ride vehicle. Situated in the middle of a 5,100-square-foot pond, the Timber Tower takes passengers high into the air above Thunderhead Gap where the ride vehicle rotates nine times per minute as it makes its way to the top of the tower. Once there, the tower begins a side-to-side swinging motion, allowing the ride vehicle to topple multiple times in various directions at a 60-degree angle, appearing to splash riders into the water below. With a 40-passenger capacity, the Timber Tower will accommodate 565 riders per hour.
“We are thrilled to bring the Timber Tower, the first ride of its type in the country, to our Dollywood guests in 2006,” said Barbara Joines, Dollywood Vice President and General Manager. “This project adds yet another area where families can enjoy lots of fun times together.”
The Timber Tower is the latest addition to Dollywood’s Thunderhead Gap, home to the Thunderhead™ award-winning wooden roller coaster which opened in 2004. The surrounding setting for the Timber Tower will continue the area’s lumber camp theme and include a variety of interactive, rustic children’s activities and play areas to accommodate guests 48” and under. Included is a 30-foot-tall tower attraction with twin-seated, kid-powered cars where the passengers control the ride experience by drawing a cable, lifting the car as high as 25 feet. During the car’s climb, the rider can secure the cable and enjoy the area’s mountain scenery or release the cable to provide a “free-fall.” Lumbercamp, a new themed, 150-person capacity restaurant is included as well.
Upon completion, the Timber Tower and surrounding additions will increase Thunderhead Gap from its existing five acres to six.
The Timber Tower marks the latest multi-million dollar expansion project in recent years. For the park’s 2005 20th anniversary season, Dollywood completed 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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