Lightning Rod is Getting a Chain Lift! Say Goodbye to the Worlds Only Launch on a Wooden Coaster

Dollywood is making big changes to Lightning Rod next year, replacing its LSM launch with a chain lift. This is being done to improve reliability, because as we know, Lightning Rod has a big problem staying open. We'll discuss our thoughts on these changes and what we can expect!

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[CoasterStudios]

To learn more about Lightning Rod’s origins and it’s troubles with reliability, check out This is How We Roll! The scene at the beginning is just a small section that goes into the history of that ride, as told from the people who built it! Use the coupon code LIGHTNINGROD for 25% off at checkout!

[meadamillion]

The launch was a great part of the ride, but Dollywood made a wise decision to do this. Even with the launch gone it will still be a fantastic ride and I’m excited for the future of this ride!

[Dalton]

How much money, time, and effort Dollywood continues to put into its flagship coaster just goes to show how much they care about customer satisfaction and really cements themselves as a top 5 park in the usa

[jacoblinker]

The fact that this is the second roller coaster opening next year that is getting its unreliable launch system replaced with something more reliable 😭

[kingpiniv]

Would you rather have a 9.5/10 coaster that is open 50% of the time, or an 8/10 that is open 90% of the time.

This was a smart business decision for the park.

[harlandeke]

I will add this, as cool as the original launch was...in my opinion the Quad Down is and always will be the greatest part of this ride...it is just a spectacular feature.

[MrClean-real]

Another solution would be to retrack the old launch track and supports, and make them all steel. After all, LSM’s work perfectly on steel structures

[TheBitNerd]

I think if RMC ever tries the launch again, it will almost certainly be on a hybrid coaster, with the launch track section being all steel.
But GCI has teased with their new trains that they are designed in a way where they could do launches if they wanted, so maybe the concept isn’t dead quite yet.

[MmmOrgansPlays]

I have been to Dollywood numerous times and only have rode Lightning Rod three times. Last time, we had to wait for repairs being the next riders. When we got on and got over the hill, it was an eruption of cheers. People were so excited. I'm glad they're fixing it.

[devdevthrills]

So happy about this, this ride hasn’t really existed the last few years, screw that launch. Will be infinitely better because it will BE OPEN. Launch wasn’t even good lol

[andrewc]

We need an updated Lightning Rod parody!

[final]

Taylor mah boy. Gettin’ that JUICE High five!

[rbjr]

I'm devastated at the announcement, though I understand and appreciate their dedication to visitor experience. Dollywood is my home park, and I will always love it, but I'm glad that my children and I got to experience the launch.

[brianward]

7:27 not a great credit collector for enthusiast myself, my parents took me to cedar point when I was little, I want a couple of times with friends when I was older, didn't go to ride any coasters anywhere for 25 years and just went back to cedar point, I didn't even get to ride everything there at that time, but even I have written it uphill launch, Maverick, I loved it, my friend loved it we want to ride it again!

[JMaster]

This year was my 1st trip to Dollywood in 7 years. Last time I went the ride was there but not open. This time I got to ride it for this 1st time and I'm glad now I got to experience it for what it was before this change happens.

[donoakes]

Very happy I got to experience the launch lift hill this year. Sad I missed the original launched hill cause I see the slowed down version as a gimmick due to that dead zone at the top.

[mitchellries]

I rode this once with the launch back in June of this year. Looks like I got on it just in time. And based on how we waited a full hour without any breakdowns, I guess I was pretty lucky also.

[ItsDannyRobbins]

Q: Why is a launch on a wooden coaster so difficult to perfect?
A: The wooden support structure expands and contracts with temperature throughout the day, and throughout the season, causing misalignment of the magnetic fins and the trains. These systems must be aligned to clearances that are within fractions of an inch, and the continuous warping of the structure makes that nearly impossible to control.
Swapping the lift launch structure with steel would resolve these issues, but is more expensive. In the end, a chain lift's total cost with continued maintenance included is simply more affordable than the running cost of a magnetic launch, and any replacement parts.

[DeadAsmodean]

I don't know if it had been said already but I know Taylor mentioned how underrated drive tire launches are. I wonder if they could have tried drive tires as a launch instead and it would have been more reliable that way.

[camikelly]

I was so sad to hear Lightning Rod was going to lose its launch. However, I am glad they aren't getting rid of the coaster. Glad I got to ride it a few times with the launch. It definitely won't be the same.