Ride Profile
www.parkworld-online.com
Steel Eagle
To accompany the opening of Wild Eagle, Dollywood commissioned the USA’s largest steel flying eagle sculpture, with a horizontal wing span equivalent to a four-story
building. Created by Canadian metal sculptor Kevin Stone, the sculpture weighs more than two tonnes and cost $250,000.
Smooth and Powerful Perched on the park’s highest peak, Wild Eagle rises 21 storeys into the sky. Taking off from the Wilderness Pass area, riders travel the coaster’s 3,127ft (almost 1km) of track as it dives, drops, twists and turns. Traversing the mountainous terrain, Wild Eagle reaches a top speed of 61mph (almost 100kmh) and manoeuvres through four inversions including a giant loop, a zero-G roll and a giant flat spin. “Our guests are loving it because it truly offers the feeling of flight,” Ross reports. “They are raving about the smooth ride and the powerful first drop. They are very impressed with the quality and beauty of the entire new area.” Wild Eagle includes four inversions and six moments of weightlessness. Each vehicle features an imposing bald eagle with piercing eyes and broad wings. Secured by a soft over-the-shoulder restraint, riders leave the station with a left turn onto the lift hill. As they quickly climb the hill, the coasters Mystery Mine and Thunderhead become visible below. To the North and West, a view of Bluff Mountain and Pigeon Forge is clear.
At the top of the hill, passengers are 210ft above the plaza. They dive powerfully 135ft and at the bottom of the first drop enter a huge loop and exit into a zero G roll. The width of the train is exaggerated as the roll takes them 360 degrees around the axis of the track. They fly up and over a small rise and enter a vertical Immleman, emerging in time to enter a 360- degree flat spin. Upon exiting, they encounter a large camelback and then manoeuvre through a powerful figure eight into the brake run.
Best Seat Ross has ridden many times. “I love the front seat on the left side,” he tells us. “The front gives you a dive- coaster feel. Being on the left, you travel the farthest along the centre line because most of the inversions spin or turn to the right.” The park’s general manager adds that so far Dollywood is well ahead of last year in attendance
and what it predicted for this season. “We are hopeful that continues,” he says. “With a signature attraction like Wild Eagle, we believe people will begin to think of us for more than just our award winning shows and festivals. This is a park that entertains the whole family but it also has some unique, world-class attractions.” “We completed the erection [of Wild Eagle] earlier than expected,” he recalls. “It has been an awesome experience. B&M certainly delivered all they said they would and more. They are a great crew to work with and they have the same focus on excellence and customer service we have.” Wild Eagle follows the debut last season of Raptor at Gardaland in Italy and The Swarm at Thorpe park near London, which opened in March. A fourth B&M Wing Coaster has since opened at Six Flags Great America near Chicago, named X-Flight.
dollywood.com
36
JUNE 2012
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