Thunderhead was unbelievable. Probably the best paced coaster I've experienced and one of the most intense and out of control. I prefer it just slightly to Mystic Timbers, the only other GCI I've currently ridden. Though Lighting Rod has that crazy intense speed and air, Thunderhead is undoubtedly much more insane and out of control feeling to me. I actually really enjoyed both the front and back though the air was stronger in the front.
I agree this ride has great pacing. I definitely think Lightning Rod is wilder, but this feels exactly how an out of control wooden coaster should feel.
I really enjoyed Thunderhead. It's pacing is awesome! I thought the back and front were both great. This is the second best coaster in the park, and the second best GCI I have been on. I prefer Gold Striker to it but I would take Thunderhead over Mystic Timbers. I still need to get on Renegade as I feel that has potential to be better than Thunderhead as well.
Renegade is one of the few GCIs I prefer to Thunderhead. I'm torn on Gold Striker. I think Gold Striker is better when it's running smoothly, but my last ride was a bit rough on it.
lol finally a coaster that u reviewed that ive actually ridden, and i think thunderhead is pretty underrated, mainly cuz u have Lrod in the same park, but the pacing is world class, unfortunately the airtime didnt really do it for me cuz im not a floater fan, i also really didnt get laterals either, but it was butter smooth when i rode it, also congrats on 700 subs
This is the best ride from GCI that I've personally ridden. What took me by surprise was how incredibly smooth this ride was, especially since it's not an RMC topper track ride of an Intamin Prefabricated ride either.
Thunderhead has gotten a major retrack this year and it runs smoother than some of the steel coasters at Dollywood. (Looking at you Tennessee Tornado) It has everything that makes wooden coasters fun. I love the twister layout weaving under and over tracks, head choppers, laterals, pops of airtime, and the overall sense the ride is out of control. The pacing is phenomenal. This one just beats out Lightning Rod in my opinion.
Went back to get a ride in the front instead of the back after see this and I'm glad I did. I was surprised by how much I was out of my seat in the front row
How would you compare Thunderhead at Dollywood to other wooden coasters like: Bandit at Movie Park Germany Boss at Six Flags St. Louis Hell Cat at Clementon Park in terms of seat padding?
I've not ridden it. I'm more of a back seat enthusiast, but because this is coaster has such a twisted layout I can understand why the front is better. My two favourites are Ghostrider and Coaster at Playland Vancouver where I like the back better, although he front of Coaster has more sustained airtime during its crests, the drop and subsequent dips are all best in the back.
You definitely forgot to mention most of the lateral moments this ride has. The helix out of the station is the highlight of the ride in the back row, and the turn into the station fly through offers some strong laterals too. The single best element of Thunderhead is definitely the off axis stepup into the last turnaround offering strong airtime with the single strongest laterals of the whole ride. Hot take but I slightly prefer this to The Voyage. And it’s definitely my favorite wooden coaster.
If you prefer theming, Dollywood without a doubt. If you prefer coasters, I would probably give the slight edge to Carowinds. I prefer Lightning Rod over anything at Carowinds, but the rest of the Carowinds lineup is superior to Dollywood's.
Thunderhead was unbelievable. Probably the best paced coaster I've experienced and one of the most intense and out of control. I prefer it just slightly to Mystic Timbers, the only other GCI I've currently ridden. Though Lighting Rod has that crazy intense speed and air, Thunderhead is undoubtedly much more insane and out of control feeling to me. I actually really enjoyed both the front and back though the air was stronger in the front.
I agree this ride has great pacing. I definitely think Lightning Rod is wilder, but this feels exactly how an out of control wooden coaster should feel.
Underrated ride!
Agreed!
Congrats on 700 subs!
Thanks!
Dolly sure loves her wood.
Lol yes she does.
It’s my third best wooden coaster!!!! I love it it’s just outside my top 10!
It's a great ride!
I really enjoyed Thunderhead. It's pacing is awesome! I thought the back and front were both great. This is the second best coaster in the park, and the second best GCI I have been on. I prefer Gold Striker to it but I would take Thunderhead over Mystic Timbers. I still need to get on Renegade as I feel that has potential to be better than Thunderhead as well.
Renegade is one of the few GCIs I prefer to Thunderhead. I'm torn on Gold Striker. I think Gold Striker is better when it's running smoothly, but my last ride was a bit rough on it.
lol finally a coaster that u reviewed that ive actually ridden, and i think thunderhead is pretty underrated, mainly cuz u have Lrod in the same park, but the pacing is world class, unfortunately the airtime didnt really do it for me cuz im not a floater fan, i also really didnt get laterals either, but it was butter smooth when i rode it, also congrats on 700 subs
Thanks! I think people forgot how good it was when it ran rough at points over the past decade.
@@CanobieCoaster yeah roughness can really get to most people, it doesnt really affect a ride for me tho, unless its just absolutely unbearable
Thunderhead is an amazing night ride. Fast,dark & loud. Whipps you around but feels very smooth for a wooden coaster. My new favorite wooden coaster
Dollywood has many great night rides.
Great review!
Thanks!
beautiful ride
Agreed!
This is the best ride from GCI that I've personally ridden. What took me by surprise was how incredibly smooth this ride was, especially since it's not an RMC topper track ride of an Intamin Prefabricated ride either.
The retrack work has it running super smoothly.
love this ride!
Me too!
Thunderhead has gotten a major retrack this year and it runs smoother than some of the steel coasters at Dollywood. (Looking at you Tennessee Tornado) It has everything that makes wooden coasters fun. I love the twister layout weaving under and over tracks, head choppers, laterals, pops of airtime, and the overall sense the ride is out of control. The pacing is phenomenal. This one just beats out Lightning Rod in my opinion.
I rode it this year. It's running great!
Went back to get a ride in the front instead of the back after see this and I'm glad I did. I was surprised by how much I was out of my seat in the front row
I much prefer this in front too.
@@CanobieCoaster I usually don't ride in the front but I went back to try it after watching your review, glad I did
How would you compare Thunderhead at Dollywood to other wooden coasters like:
Bandit at Movie Park Germany
Boss at Six Flags St. Louis
Hell Cat at Clementon Park
in terms of seat padding?
Thunderhead has the comfiest seats.
I just rode it recently, and marathoned it. Some seats are quite rough still to me, but i've never ridden the original opening version of the ride.
I've enjoyed all my recent rides on it.
@@CanobieCoaster Yeah, great GCI still though.
NICE!
Thanks!
I've not ridden it. I'm more of a back seat enthusiast, but because this is coaster has such a twisted layout I can understand why the front is better. My two favourites are Ghostrider and Coaster at Playland Vancouver where I like the back better, although he front of Coaster has more sustained airtime during its crests, the drop and subsequent dips are all best in the back.
I love PNE Playland's Coaster. That ride is insane.
I agree that the front is actually the superior seat on Thunderhead!
Yes!
You definitely forgot to mention most of the lateral moments this ride has. The helix out of the station is the highlight of the ride in the back row, and the turn into the station fly through offers some strong laterals too. The single best element of Thunderhead is definitely the off axis stepup into the last turnaround offering strong airtime with the single strongest laterals of the whole ride.
Hot take but I slightly prefer this to The Voyage. And it’s definitely my favorite wooden coaster.
I much prefer Voyage myself.
There's something special about Thunderhead at night. I know it's not in the middle of the woods but it feels like you're so isolated.
It is quite dark!
Lots of fresh wood.
Yes!
Thunderhead hauls!
Yes it does!
I think the Millennium Flyer trains on Thunderhead look to have soft seats
They do.
Rode it when it got the retrack it was much and yes I rode it in 2019 which it was rough and I got non stop head banging
It's running great right now.
Hey canobie coaster if you ever come back to wisconsin, ride zippin pippin in bay beach
I plan to make it to Bay Beach the next time I visit Six Flags Great America.
When is that
Fun fact: Thunderhead opened on April 3, 2004. 15 days before I was born.
Nice!
Hi i need to choose between dollywood and carowinds in next year or 2 what you pick?
Carowinds.. I love both parks very much. If you haven't ridden fury, then I definitely recommend you experience it
If you prefer theming, Dollywood without a doubt. If you prefer coasters, I would probably give the slight edge to Carowinds. I prefer Lightning Rod over anything at Carowinds, but the rest of the Carowinds lineup is superior to Dollywood's.
Thunderhead might be better than lighting rod for it being longer and having more twists and turns
Thunderhead is good, but I much prefer Lightning Rod.
Its my second fav GCI my first is mystic timbers
I prefer a few others over Thunderhead as well, but it's a great ride.
I went my first time to Dollywood in 2015 I want to go back badly
Definitely make it back for Lightning Rod!
You should do a most intense flat rides list
I could do a top 10 flat ride list for sure. The intense one would be a bit harder for me to compile.
Canobie Coaster ok
Canobie Coaster Did you ever ride Malestrom at Morey’s Piers before it got removed
@@ThrillsofColdplay I did not, but I rode the same model at a fair in California. Fun ride!
Canobie Coaster I rode that with my dad a couple years ago and man that was so damn intense I felt so heavy
I was getting flown near the back
The back is good too, but I prefer the front.
The Fly By is so loud
Agreed!
Great review!
Thanks!