Robert Niles
Editor
Robert Niles

Dollywood releases full ride animation for Firechaser Express

October 9, 2013, 10:14 AM · Dollywood released today a full-ride computer animation video of its upcoming Firechaser Express family coaster.

If the ride ends up looking anything like the animation, this might be the most impressively decorated family coaster in the country — and that includes competition such as Disney's Barnstormer and Universal's Flight of the Hippogriff.

Firechaser Express
Maybe the volunteer fire-fighters' job would be easier if there weren't a gas station selling fireworks in the middle of the forest. Just sayin'…

Firechaser Express's launch stats won't frighten anyone — zero-to-16mph in 1.1 second forward and zero-to-20mph in two seconds backward — but that's the point. This is a family coaster, and Dollywood appears to be providing riders plenty of other entertainment on the ride, including Dollywood's iconic lush mountain terrain and a nice little special effects interlude. Hey, it's not a theme park ride unless something goes terribly wrong, correct?

Firechaser Express opens next spring. What do you think?

Replies (7)

anonymous
74.83.130.118
October 9, 2013 at 10:37 AM · Pretty impressive for a "family" coaster!
Mr.Emery
Brian Emery
October 9, 2013 at 11:38 AM · This looks great.... Fun for all...
Bigwig30
Writer
James Rao
October 9, 2013 at 1:04 PM · Who says coasters can;t be for the whole family?! I would love to see more parks take this approach and design more things to do as a family. Nice!
Anonymous878
Anon Mouse
October 9, 2013 at 1:10 PM · The ride is lengthy and it goes backwards as a selling feature, but the theming isn't as much as you claim and there's no perceptable storyline. The opening sequence is pretty lame with a gentle hill and a twist and then it immediately goes up a chain lift hill, thus losing all momentum. The center part of the ride is boring. It doesn't get interesting until the backwards part, then it gets long. When will it end? End it does.
anonymous
69.166.191.86
October 9, 2013 at 2:47 PM · That looks like a fun coaster.
I went to Dollywood a few years back expecting to be underwhelmed as I am a die hard Disney/Universal regular. I was pleasantly surprised at how nice it was. Very beautiful grounds and some really nice coasters.
egieszl
egieszl
October 9, 2013 at 4:20 PM · Anon Mouse thanks for the detailed critique (more like bashing) of a roller coaster you haven't even ridden, much less hasn't even been built yet. I don't know what you're expecting for this category of coaster, but your expectations are certainly out of whack.

For a roller coaster in the "family" category this looks incredible. I love the length, theme, the launches and the change of direction. What an impressive addition this will be for Dollywood. It will likely be a favorite, especially with the youngsters.

Robert is right on with his suggestion that it may have the most elaborate theme for a roller coaster of its kind.

Bigwig30
Writer
James Rao
October 9, 2013 at 4:36 PM · One thing to note (which is probably obvious to everyone but me) is that the video often shows the same length of track several times from different angles. So the ride length is probably closer to 90 seconds or so, but I am still impressed. Again, for a whole family attraction and starter coaster, FE looks like a real winner!

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