Why Everyone is Wrong About Lightning Rod | Full Review 

I rode Lightning Rod in its opening year, and I didn’t remember anything about it, so I had no idea what to expect. I got 5 rides this year and it’s my #4 overall coaster. I never thought I’d say this, but Lightning Rod has become underrated these days

This is honestly how I feel about Lighting Rod. I rode it for the first time in August of 2023, and it was amazing. Every element after the main drop gave ejector, with most of the airtime being really strong ejector. The pacing was also some of the best I've experienced. I even got to ride it 9 times across the 2 days I was at Dollywood. It's my number 3 at the moment.

I'm glad you found my footage useful.

A cool thing about that fog… that’s not fake. They run a mister on the first launch fin because it’s very susceptible to overheating.

I rode Lightning Rod in 2016 with the ejector at the top of the launch... It was my #2 coaster. Rode it again in 2021 and it was easily my least favorite RMC conversion, and yes, it's a conversion. The launch cuts out too soon which eliminated the ejector and made the other elements awkward or sluggish. Thunderhead is, BY FAR, the best ride in the park.

You got the prediction right about the lift hill 2 weeks b4 the announcement congrats

Lightning Rod kicks ass in a major way, I love it, but Dollywood means Thunderhead to me, as I'm a wood coaster hobbyist & it's one of my favorites. Was there 2 days in 23 & didn't see Lightning Rod go down once. Rode it around 15 times & Thunderhead about 40. There is a single rider line for LR which I always use. I'm unsure what the new lift will be like, we'll see soon! A close comparison is Outlaw Run, which I prefer because it's a wood coaster & LR is not. LR is a little stronger, faster & longer than Outlaw Run, but the two have similar ride feeling. Also, don't miss Tennessee Tornado, the best Arrow multi-looper in the world. Incredibly smooth & fun, it was part of the new generation of Arrow coasters which I won't go into since I'm already long-winded. Mystery Mine is the best Eurofighter, too so ride it! Dollywood is arguably the cleanest, friendliest, most well-run & beautiful theme parks in the U.S. Great video & review!

These are exactly my thoughts! My first rides came back in March 2023 in 40-degree weather and I STILL thought it was elite! My first ride or two was a tad sluggish, but once it warmed up, it was flying. And the POV timings prove that it was barely affected. I've compared a bunch of POVs over the years and also comparing filled vs. empty trains, and most ran about 40 seconds from drop to brakes. Lightning Rod is my favorite RMC for its sheer speed and aggressiveness. Easily a top 5 coaster for me and one of the greatest coasters ever built!

I rode 2018 or 2019 and it was insane and loved it to bad it’s getting a chain

I've been to Dollywood once and rode Lightning Rod when it was Topper Track. I thought it was good but a bit overrated. I personally have always preferred Outlaw Run. I think it's good but not like best wooden roller coaster good. RMCs do run slower in the morning than they do later in the day. That has always been my experience with them.

I find it funny how RMC, RMC’d a RMC.

Looks like a great ride but would take iron gwazi over this any day of the week.

🐐 coaster

Great review! I think I had a day at Dollywood that was EXACTLY the same as yours a couple weeks ago. like uncannily similar. My boyfriend and I got 10 rides on Lightning Rod and both decided the front was absolutely better, despite usually liking the back row on RMCs. As the day went on Lightning Rod never went down and I consistently got more and more blown away by it, it's a truly special experience, and I don't understand a lick of the hate for this coaster. Even if it's not my #1, I think Lightning Rod is the most fun coaster I've ridden. I always came off with a smile. The only coasters that beat it for me right now are Wildcat's Revenge, my current #1, and Steel Vengeance. I've got it above coasters like Maverick, Fury 325, VelociCoaster, and Twisted Timbers! Really phenomenal ride and a phenomenal review.

I rode it recently on a pigeon forge/Gatling burg trip. Though even after slowing and down and people's opinions changing, the ride was very over rated. The first drop was honestly weak same with the wave turn which it had very little speed through it. The valley after the wave turn is still topper track, and it was indeed much different from the steel I-box track. Much rougher if id have to say. Honestly after riding it im fine with whatever the park does with it. If they get rid of it, or add steel I-box track to the entire ride.