"Each time you make a turn, it gets more exciting.” That's how Ralph Nielsen described the new Mystery Mine roller coaster under construction at Dollywood. Nielsen is the creative director of the $17.5 million coaster on course to open April 13 and was on hand this week to provide a sneak peek at the coaster's progress.
As for turns, there are plenty of them. Robert Urlich, regional representative for the American Coaster Enthusiasts pointed out there seemed to be only a few straightaways where riders can catch their breath.
"This is crazy," Urlich, of Marietta, Ga., said as he studied from below the twists and turns the tracks make during the initial stretch. "From up there it's got to look insane," he said of the point where the car will shoot from outside of the Mystery Mine building and into open air.
In fact, the eight-seat cars will enter and exit the building twice in the two-and-a-half minute span of the ride. Urlich said the design of the cars - two rows of four seats - is what makes them able to move like regular coaster cars do not.
Seven cars can be on the tracks at one time, giving almost 60 people not just an invigorating roller coaster ride, but an entertainment experience, its builders say.
Pete Owens, Dollywood's public relations manager, said the park worked the last two years to bring a roller coaster that would be unique and provide another opportunity a great family experience.
"This is not a ride most people in the industry would expect to see at a regional theme park," Owens said.
Franz Mayer, of Gerstlauer Elektro, the coaster's manufacturer, said one of the most unique aspects of the coaster is its vertical lift system and its vertical drops, "not only 90 degrees, but more than 90 degrees."
The attraction is also one of the mostly highly-themed rides, not just a roller coaster, Owens explained.
There are six "scenes" riders will go through, said the ride's producer, Brian Dudash. The scenes center around superstitions surrounding coal mines, including it's bad luck for miners take their boots off, only one type of bird - the canary- is good luck to have in a mine and that whistling in mines is bad luck.
Nielsen said much research went into every aspect of the coaster's design, from the date of 1892 given to the Mystery Mine to the light fixtures. The year 1892, Nielsen said, was significant in that it was a time when coal mining was common and when a number of coal mining disasters occurred.
Plus, "We wanted you to think it was old," Nielsen said. Part of making it look old was the distressing of the wooden planks that make up the Mystery Mine building. While the wood looks like it's been there for a good while, it's actually lumber that was harvested and cut on site specifically for the project. Owens said they brought in a rough cut saw mill to cut the wood.
Another detail is the rust-colored lanterns hanging in the loading dock. Dudash said the electric lanterns were installed with special modules that will cause the lights to flicker. Other lighting effects will make water appear to be dripping from walls and other surprises.
Of course, all of those special effects only enhance the ride that for the most part is still a mystery and will be until Friday, April 13th.
"The finale is really exciting," Nielsen promised.