Some of the track and supports appear to be galvanized rather than being painted. I'm sure this is far from the first use of galvanized steel in constantly wet applications, but it's an interesting note.
News Project 2026: NightFlight Expedition (Mack Rocking Boat Dark Ride)
- Thread starter Tacky3663
- Start date
Here's another picture from Tuesday. Looks like they still have a long way to go...
I could see some rockwork and other decorative pieces inside, but it was hard to get pictures of.
I could see some rockwork and other decorative pieces inside, but it was hard to get pictures of.
This sure doesn't seem like a spring opening anymore.
keep in mind; that "spring" runs until June 21st. I could see a soft opening around that timeframe. But agree that it won't be open before summer vacation begins (around Memorial Day).
Being a prototype attraction with a lot of blocks and moving elements like the turntable, there should likely be a lengthy testing phase. It will be interesting to see if all that can play out by the end of June.
Yeah when it comes to prototype attractions, the best expectation for a grand opening, is no expectation. Prototypes historically have sometimes brutal issues causing massive delays in my experience and lots of downtime.
If this ride opens early summer and operates routinely without issue, it will be a surprise to be sure, but a welcome one.
If this ride opens early summer and operates routinely without issue, it will be a surprise to be sure, but a welcome one.
To everyone that says this is a prototype, have you forgotten about Mission Bermudes at Futuroscope? That's the first rocking boat
Doesn't this one have a lot of new tricks vs Futuroscope's? I think it's probably still fair to call it a prototype.
I"ve only seen a turntable delivered, which I assume is to transfer cars into the maintenance bay.
Turntable is, from my understanding, part of the ride. Add in using the boats as basically a simulator motion base for part of it, all powered by the brains of Eatrenalin, yeah. The rockin' boat ride system may have been used, but this is very much a prototype in many ways.
I know from reliable sourcing that there is a decent chance at this point that the ride ends up slipping into being a 2027 opening. Nothing is known for sure and it's still hoped to be a 2026 opening but there is an interal date listed that If they can't open by they will move it. Delays on the project are astronomical right now.
It would be sad to see it pushed to 2027 however in these times not unexpected. So many moving parts that are many times outside the parks control.
Going to enjoy seeing everyone that trashes other parks for delays go into defense mode for Dollywood when the Rocking boat gets delayed. For the record I can fully respect this particular project getting delayed but the double standard will be entertaining to see as it plays out haha
I thought about that so deeply as I wrote my post, but seeing the amount of work going back to last year at least there is a known effort to get this done. That and the fact my first time to Dollywood was last year so I don’t have a biased view of them. You are very correct though that this should be interesting to watch.
An early spring opening was never a realistic timeline for this ride. The park's misplaced optimism probably comes from not yet building a ride of this complexity and theaming.
I was always of the opinion that this should become a 2027 ride, this would give time to properly test the ride and give the ride the theaming details it deserves. The park is currently trying to target the customer that wants to have a Disney vacation, but is currently priced out of the mouse. If done right, this ride is capable of putting them on the path to be comparable with De Efteling in the Netherlands.
As to why the park does not receive the backlash other parks would receive (and often deserve) for missing expected opening timelines? They will receive some; but the park is enchanting, they spend a lot of effort building goodwill with their customers, the don't treat their employees as disposable, and Dolly Parton.
I'm not sure it's a double standard so much as fans not overreacting when delays happen only occasionally and with some explanation from the park that isn't just meaningless spin.
A Six Flags park delaying a new ride at this point should elicit nothing but groans and eye rolls because it predictably happens every year. Herschend doesn't have the same spotty record.
Come on, that is such a vague statement that your "sourcing" could have easily just made that up by paying attention to the construction progress and assuming that Dollywood might be wary of opening the ride too late in the season. Educated guesses aren't the same as actually getting inside information.
You are free to believe what you want but I stand by my statement.
There's nothing to stand by because that statement contains nothing of substance.
I bet you were one of the Ka deniers wern't you. People know things most others don't. Sources arn't allowee to be said because it can get those said sources in trouble + other reasons.
The Kingda Ka rumors were specific and had substance, i.e. "The ride is going to close at the end of the season." There was definitive, clear information being conveyed in those rumors that could not just be an educated guess.
The claim above was vague, lacked any substantive, definitive claim, and smells like an attempt at an educated guess. "I know from reliable sourcing that there is a decent chance at this point that the ride ends up slipping into being a 2027 opening. Nothing is known for sure and it's still hoped to be a 2026 opening but there is an interal date listed that If they can't open by they will move it. Delays on the project are astronomical right now."
Blather on all you want about protecting sources -- since I'm an actual journalist in my day job, I don't need the lecture from amateurs who can't spell -- but there's no useful, specific information here to protect.