Lightning Rod • Dollywood

Airtimes Location Intensity Disappointing! Lap Bar

Lightning Rod was all the rage back in 2016. No one talked about anything BUT the world’s first launched wooden coaster, meaning that my hype for this ride had skyrocketed for when I would finally get to experience it in October 2016. It certainly did live up to my absurdly high expectations, but the very next morning my thighs were riddled with black-and-blue bruises. Then, it placed at my 4th favorite spot, just behind Mako, Fury 325 and Skyrush. I revisited Dollywood in spring 2017, and was able to get one ride on Lightning Rod. Unfortunately, I was stapled — meaning that I couldn’t feel any of the incredible airtime that I’d experienced back in 2016. Thankfully I came off with no injuries, but this experience disappointed me greatly. My most recent ride was in December 2017, in which the ride ops caught me trying to get more room. I begged and used the old “puff out your stomach” trick (which worked), and I actually secured some room! The airtime was great, sure, yet I didn’t find this altered version of Lightning Rod to be nearly as intense and airtime-filled as the former one I had ridden the previous October. While Lightning Rod’s layout makes for a fantastic ride, the restraints, inconsistent quality and colossal hype unfortunately ruined it for me. There’s no denying that it is a very impressive coaster — however, the quality of my more recent rides on it did not match the sheer insanity that this coaster delivered back in October 2016. It’s the flagship attraction at Dollywood and a must-ride for any coaster enthusiast like me, but I have yet to understand why others rate it so much higher than I do.

Airtimes Masterpiece Intensity

Out of 159 credits including Steel Vengeance, Japanese and Chinese Credits, most of the East Coaster, Lighting Rod reigns not only as my #1 wooden but #1 overall.

Intensity Discomfort

I rode it twice, once in the back row and once in the middle, and both were some of the least enjoyable rides i've ever been on. The layout is awesome, but the ride just hurt like hell and was incredibly uncomfortable. The ride broke down both times we were in line as well, making it even less enjoyable. Almost all other reviews seem to say this coaster is amazing though. So maybe it just had an off day? I'll try it again next time I'm in the area, and can hopefully update my rating.

Airtimes Masterpiece Ejectors

Lightning Rod is the best coaster I have yet ridden out of 280 different coasters. Although it is a short ride, the layout leaves very little to be desired as a lot is accomplished in every element of the ride. Every single moment of Lightning Rod features ejector airtime, and although the airtime may not be as strong as El Toro, the different sensations of airtime found during the first wave turn (my favorite element of the ride), the outward banked turn, and the final overbank were pure bliss. While the launch has been troublesome to the ride's reliability, it is what makes the rest of the ride paced so well. What sets Lightning Rod apart from other rides is an amazing ride paired with theming, as most coasters are stellar in only one of those aspects. Lightning Rod is a near-perfect roller coaster experience, and is a must ride for every enthusiast out there.

First Drop Pace Intensity Too short

Lightning Rod is the king of ejector air. The launch is neat, the location is great, it is truly a relentless beast, but, frankly, the imfamous quadruple-down makes this coaster. To put it simply, Lighting Rod is a full buffet-worth of airtime that Dollywood aggressively shoves down your throat till you simply can't handle anymore. This is the type or coaster that you are out of breath on when you arrive back at the station. Somehow despite its incredible intensity, this coaster remains comfortable too. Fast, smooth, and ferocious—what's not to love?

Location Intensity Ejectors Harness

What a wild and intense ride! Love the "launched" lift hill, the pre-drop and the following "first drop". The rest of the layout hugs the terrain and was a little bit too hectic for my tastes (especially the quadruple down wasn't as fun as I expected - you are thrown against the restraints four times in a row). After riding Wildfire in Kolmarden, I also wish they had added an inversion or two, because RMC inversions are exceptionally great. But still, one of the best coasters I have ever ridden.

Airtimes Location Masterpiece

Not a wasted inch of track

Airtimes Launch Pace Discomfort

One of the best coasters ever built, it's just not the most comfortable ever.

Airtimes Launch Layout Reliability

Location Launch Ejectors

Airtimes Theming Smoothness

Location Launch Pace Too short

Airtimes Pace Ejectors Too short Discomfort

Pace Masterpiece Ejectors Too short

Airtimes Masterpiece Ejectors

Airtimes Pace Masterpiece

Pace Fun Masterpiece