Lightning Rod Review Dollywood Launched Wooden Roller Coaster

[@CoasterStudios]

Want more Lightning Rod? Read up on it in this article I published on it! www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/58ead5d5e4b06f8c18beed5c

[@coolisasome1076]

Coaster Studios I

[@JrJrJrJrphD]

Wow thanks man

[@AnotherSwissYoutubeUser]

Coaster Studios Is it now opened without technical issues?

[@whobutwbmarci5200]

Loved the article, but I can't believe you are an Eagle Scout, congrats, this is coming from an Eagle canadate who his having his Board of Review next Thursday.

[@Praire22]

Taylor, I think you, by far, have the BEST coaster channel out there. Your reviews are so complete on info and also you are NEVER biased about your scores. Thank u so much!!

[@revimfadli4666]

He does have a slight bias towards his preference for intensity & aggressiveness, but he acknowledges it as a matter of taste(repeatedly, in every vid)

[@adamcapozzoli1950]

I have just turned this on and I bet anyone 10 bucks Taylor will give it less than 10 because of all the issues

[@adamcapozzoli1950]

Update, I was correct

[@BrianSkytracker]

I think he has emotional scars because of the difficulties he had riding it.

[@Lkendrick]

Correct!

[@deanmiller6177]

ride is a let down..

[@bacondude3696]

no it's still awesome

[@georgiabundick]

I love when a very serious review is happening and Taylor sprinkles in little shots of the GP freaking out or being stupid, that's my absolute favorite. The best one is probably Mean Streak coming back into the station where that one guy's pretending to be passed out.

[@CoasterStudios]

haha thank you! I love that shot! It was so funny cause I had no idea who that was; I was just filming the ride coming into the station and the dude acted like he died and it was hilarious!

[@LidJo1686]

So last year we went to Dollywood after years of not being able to. My 9 yo brother, who has never ridden a roller coaster in his life, wanted to go on Lightning Rod because it was car themed. So we all got on it, thinking it wasn’t gonna be too bad because of the height requirement being so low……. That ride tricks you, you can’t see most of the track while in line other than the launch and end. How quickly our faces went from laughs to “oh crap why did we do this…” should be a world record. And the fact it was my brother’s first ever roller coaster too just makes it even better💀

[@Matt-vf1rn]

Wow I just rode it today. Finally. I did it. And it exceeded my expectations. He is right it really is that good. It’s insane. Can’t imagine what Steel Vengeance and other new ones would do. But this one is insane! Best ride in Dollywood.

[@jeremybigham467]

Have you been on steel vengeance yet? I have but haven't been on lr want to but steel vengeance is my number 1 rn

[@johncaywood5888]

Nice, thoughtful, objective review. I appreciate that you factored in prototype, terrain hugging, being a wooden launch, and compare to very successful steel coasters. This made me want to ride it yet made me aware of the inherent logistical risks. Thanks:

[@coasternerd3506]

I just rode Lighting Rod 3 days ago and it just blew me away, Love this coaster so much and it is definally a top 5 coaster or so

[@Kettie5]

The ride is perfect and you can’t convince me otherwise

[@erikskidmore8355]

This ride is an engineering marvel. I can't wait to finally ride this!!

[@mitchellries256]

We didn't do this ride at the beginning of the day and ended up waiting sixty minutes to ride as they were only running one train. Thankfully it was totally worth it because that ride was amazing. You never lost any pacing throughout its course, you come out of your seat a lot, and it the views of the surrounding woods make it even more exciting. This could possible be my favorite ride for sure. I am just glad it didn't break down while we were waiting, and I am making this my first ride of the day from now on if it's open.

[@theripoffchicago]

That's a great idea. El Toro / Lightning Rod comparison. Don't make us wait !! Lol.

[@aly3753]

theripoffchicago It’s happened

[@TheAshevillian]

Rode for the 1st time this year. Best wooden coaster I have ever been on. Lucky live 2 hours away from this & 3 hours from Fury 325.

[@dcross446]

We to Dollywood yesterday. No crowd at all. Southern Gospel was going on so lots of older folks. Rod lightning rod 3 times. No wait on any ride. Kings Island is my home park and I was there for haunt. Wait times averaged 40mins. Dollywood and Lightning Rod are refreshing.

[@polartndra5215]

I went one night and it went down 2 times, the first time it was just down for maintenance, but the second time (right when I was about to get on) it had a rollback, I was devastated but around 30 mins later it opened again and I got a back row night ride!! which was just.... wow.

[@darrelld1496]

Went around the same time as you and finally got to ride it after 4 visits last year....but rode it 10 times in a row and over 40 over the 4 days at the park and can easily say it's the best coaster I've ever ridden!

[@Gwensdragons122]

One of the best parts of the video 4:04

[@vincentbrowning1291]

Lol

[@sharkmanxbro7082]

I just rode this coaster two days ago when I went down to Tennessee. I have to say, this is probably the most insane experience of my life. When I rode this in the front it was after after they removed the front so you feel super exposed, it is just incredible. That launch feels like your going 100 with the wind blowing is your face. I would ride this every day of my life if I didn't live in Wisconsin.

[@CapnCody1622]

I'm no coaster expert. I haven't ridden a ton. But I love Lightning Rod. I rode it last summer and it's one of the first coasters in a long time to give me an actual thrill!

[@kendallphipps5596]

I believe lightning rod is a good coaster. Even though I have not ridden the ride, my family is planning to go to Dollywood to see and ride this fantastic coaster. I am now a coaster enthusiast. THANK YOU COASTER STUDIOS

[@zayb07]

3:57 ......... He ju- He just stapled his self😖😔😂💀

[@oliverjasinski1829]

poor guy

[@railblaze7196]

I rode both Lightning Rod and Fury 325 last year and I can't say witch one is better. There both awesome but I think Lightning Rod was the highlight of the trip. They are both my new Number 1 coasters for steel and wood

[@nationalcoasternews5798]

I was enjoying the review and at the part where you say I'm gonna give it a final score, I'm thinking oh yeah I know what this is gonna be, then you say nine and I'm like WWWWWWHHHHHHAAAAAAAATTTTTTT!!!!!!! When. you gave the reason I understood though. But I did hear a rumor that RMC came in and did some work in the launch over the off season so it'll be more consistent from now on.

[@petergau8400]

I'm really happy to get to go to Dollywood in June , looking forward to lightning rod!

[@richey0995]

I finally rode it a few days ago, and It was amazing, I rode it in the back and it’s my favorite roller coaster of all time, I have not gotten a front row ride and you said you prefer the front row, I can’t even image that it can get better than that

[@Cam_hurdles]

Lightning Rod is 206ft tall making it a wooden hypercoaster

[@AirtimeAxolotl]

3:55 why did that kid staple himself 😂

[@bradyf6971]

The fact that this coaster is along a mountain is awesome and definitely represents the true character of RMCs.

[@jayzworld31]

This coaster was an EXPERIENCE!!! It thoroughly exceeded my expectations, I had low hopes and it WOW'ed me. I highly recommend trying this if you love coasters.

[@irishmusiclover100]

I think this is an awesome review! 👍 I'm glad that you were not only able to ride it but marathon it as well. The rollercoaster does look incredible! 🎢

[@therealponyboy_curtis]

2017: everybody trying to decide if fury or l-rod is the best in the world 2018: hold my vengance

[@StephenCcars]

Nice job Taylor, really loved this one. I'm going to Dollywood in August, I hope I can ride it!

[@jgriff22]

As of June 2019, this is my favorite coaster hands up (Lol) :)!

[@brunacdo_]

I love adrenaline and roller coasters, I loved your blog and your channel on youtube. Helped me in a job for college. Thank you very much and success!

[@madelinegarber7860]

This sounds insane!!! You at the end of this was me after torro. It takes a while to process even if you know the lay out. Wish I could’ve ridden it again. But this seems even crazier. I think I’m the only person who doesn’t mind a little roughness on a high quality woodie like these two. All of my friends were complaining about headbanging on torro and I was like again!!! I hope I get to ride this someday.

[@angelberkeypile5127]

YES, IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS VIDEO

[@taitondeboer366]

Crest over the Dolly, LMAO, AND ROFL

[@M-NL2]

8:53 "Everyone came into the station clapping..." 1 person claps Much logic

[@dmciiiq5743]

When I rode it every 1 was clapping

[@jamesbarrett4539]

Actually 3 people clapped 😂

[@tannercallahan]

"I'm hoping all the issues are behind us..." Oh no... little did you know they're gonna RMC THE RMC for the ULTIMATE hybrid!

[@clintmartin3343]

Just rode this past Sunday, awesome ride.

[@totallyrealcia]

This was my first roller coaster and i had no idea what i was getting into and now i love roller coasters.

[@SchrodingersCat8813]

I may take a trip just to Dollywood just to ride this. Wow that looks insane

[@vekoma7427]

7:10 “Making it seem like you’re going so much faster than you actually am” 😂😂😂😂👌👌👌🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@pdk25]

Hey Taylor. Just a couple of things I want to mention. The launch has a max speed of 45 mph and the max height of the ride is 206 feet. You did a great job with this review.

[@CoasterStudios]

Gotcha, thanks! Appreciate it!

[@sharkmanxbro7082]

I'm going there in April and I cannot wait!!!!!!!!!

[@IC-lg5ll]

2:10 Who cares about roughness? Is everyone just too spoiled by couch-comfort Intamin, B&M, and GCI? If a ride is too smooth, it's like you are sitting in your living room. You have to be a little mean sometimes

[@hannahphuckall866]

Illinois Coasters I agree 100%

[@triple7marc]

Illinois Coasters The point of the video is to review the coaster. Of course he'd mention if it's rough.

[@IC-lg5ll]

Yeah, but he mentioned it as a con, so I feel I had to give my opinion about roughness

[@pskch9778]

I agree, smooth coasters are boring

[@th3maverick180]

Metal Coasters better than rough ones

[@JLWGames]

I'm looking at going to Dollywood this year and I sure do hope it's open.

[@JLWGames]

thank you :)

[@mittenskittyfilms9144]

I might be going to Dollywood this summer. And while I'm there, I hope I can get on lightning rod.

[@isaiahginder1760]

I am going in July to ride. I am so excited. your review was great. Made me even more excited after your the video.

[@molliebowers1]

When I went to Dollywood on June 11, 2017 this ride was down that whole day but last year I managed to get a ride on Lightning Rod two times last year.

[@cdleland1212]

It's the best coaster I've ever ridden.

[@brycefourn2001]

Yes!!!! I knew this would be posted sometime today! Awesome review! Hoping for a LR off ride video.

[@urbex_coasters]

One of my classmates in school (part of the GP) got to ride it last year. I went in December and didn't. I wasen't too happy, but it still put me over 100 credits before the end of 2016.

[@TS_Mind_Swept]

lol, at the top of the dolly. Still holding on to that one, ey Taylor?

[@Tbone1725]

The main problem with Lightning Rod is the launch. They used a company who makes magnetic brakes and had just started to try out magnetic launches. If they went with another company they probably wouldn't have all the issues. But Lightning Rod is my #1 out of the coasters at Dollywood, Cedar Point, Kings Island, SFOG, Magic Mountain, and all of the US Disney Parks.

[@chuck4714]

U

[@dragonfire101g]

Same as Cannibal? Wow, that makes me feel better about my coaster count!

[@robheath217]

12:25 That's not stopping Alton Towers from building a Launched GCI...

[@revimfadli4666]

Guess that's why it turned out to have a lifthill instead...

[@shanehesse4065]

I think this ride is most comparable to Phantoms Revenge. Both start out with really big elements which are fun, but halfway through their short ride they have small hills that the train flies over. Overall I think Lightning Rod is a top 10 coaster, but doesn't quite make it into my top 5

[@kw6stheater539]

yessssssssss

[@elliott7568]

There needs to be a downward launch coaster :) on like 30 degree declining 250-300 foot hill on the way down so the drop is like 100mph. It would be the surprise ending to a great ride. And of course some great elements leading up to it.

[@CoasterFan15]

The good old days of Coaster Studios. Imo he’s way to official now. He’s lost his teen having fun making videos vibe.

[@weezie168]

Thank you, Taylor! Awesome job!

[@456swagger]

You had a better chance of winning the Lottery than riding this ride the first year. This was a very well thought out tactic. It made guests expectations sink so low that it had to be a huge hit.

[@kyle.k.art777]

2:22 that guy's about to throw up 0_0

[@StamfordBridge]

Yay!! Great review and well worth waiting for! Your vid that you uploaded right after you rode this for the first time actually prompted me to book a trip to Dollywood this summer, and this review now has me even more pumped! I take it by your ignoring my comments on your last vids that you were irked by those of us expressing impatience for this review; I think you should be flattered, not irked, but hey I'm not you.

[@whobutwbmarci5200]

I can't wait to hopefully ride Lightning Rod in a month, I have already been on Wicked Cyclone so I hope this coaster has better air time.

[@LucasBradley]

I'm guessing Taylor's top three are Lightning Rod, Fury 325, and Maverick/I305.

[@StamfordBridge]

Taylor's top five as of October 2016 was 5. Voyage. 4. iron Rattler. 3. El Toro. 2. intimidator 305. 1. Fury 325. Now he has said that this enters his top three. So the only question left for him is whether it's ahead of i305 and Fury, behind them, or in between them.

[@lithiumscience6861]

Mako?

[@danthecoasterman22]

Lol when you're at school and you can't watch it right now, but then see the review is 13 minutes long and then you can't contain yourself for the two hours until you can watch it 😂

[@alexheed5654]

This thing is my number one wood coaster (BARELY ahead of Voyage) because of how much ejector airtime there was and how powerful said airtime was. I felt like I was going to fly out of my seat on it.

[@celkel123]

I hope the problems are mostly behind us! I'm going to dollywood next week!

[@richardmclaughlin6551]

i actually talked to some of the dollywood staff after i rode it for the first time this april, and they said something about having to recalibrate the on ride photo system, because it was actually going something like 80 mph

[@dragsterguy21]

richard mclaughlin gp

[@dustinhere1419]

YESSSSSS!!!!!!!! TOP 3!!!!!! OMG IM GONNA CRY!!!!!

[@ebk-tw7ry]

3:55 my man stapled himself so hard lmao

[@bengordon4453]

i got off it and was like "i feel the same way i did after intimidator 305" and also i loved this video!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@fambultje5828]

Finally!!!!! Well done. Nice review. But can you Turn down the volume of your intro?

[@druryku64]

This is easily in my top 3

[@brucewyane1246]

I went to Dollywood yesterday and we ran to lighting rod right when they opened and we were up in the station then the second train of the day went half way up the hill and rolled back we left the line came back a hour later than we got in line waited for 2 lighting delays even though it wasn't raining then after 2 hours we finally got on and it was awesome.

[@Drumdude62]

Thank you for the excellent review Taylor, I predicted that it would come out one day this week, --- sure hope to check this out some time; this year I'll be checking out Cedar Point & Kings Island for the 1st time, & finally find out what the Hell is in that Shed! --- Your review came quicker than my replacement remote from Dish TV, still waiting on that.

[@Nelkity]

LR sticks out like a sore thumb at Dollywood, very intense and awesome.

[@ryanbantz6600]

11:38 I started dying of laughter when I saw that

[@kyleflounder9783]

Having been to Dollywood 3 times in the last 4 years now and still been unable to ride it, hearing all these good things about this ride is a mistake for me haha, I am a massive fan of wooden coasters so to hear this may be one of the best rollercoasters in the world is killing me. I can't wait to ride this sexy 70mph beast in the future!

[@jasonryan9387]

that looks awesome!!!

[@jasonmyers8278]

I went on Lightning Rod for the first time in 2022 without knowing anything about it. It blew my mind. Sad to see the launch leave in 2024.

[@27JDub27]

This ride at night must be sensational

[@BryceAdvice]

I rode Lightning Rod and that thing hits hard. Enough said. lol

[@Alex-eo7my]

I am HOPEFULLY riding this coaster this weekend. Is he right about front row? I want the best experience

[@Mascot_Mike01]

When I rode lightning Rod in June of 2017, Lightning Rod we’re running 1 train operations, It was a 90 minute wait and I got 11 rides on it in two days. Two or three night rides.

[@TheWiFiDKLegend]

I rode this today, and every other coaster at Dollywood. I must say it has to be my new favorite coaster by far! However, shortly after we rode it it closed for the day but I don't know why

[@Copitz]

I rode it today also :o

[@TheWiFiDKLegend]

Copitz sick that's awesome! Did you get to ride that many? We tried to ride Tennessee tornado but then the lightning came. But then afterward we got them all in

[@Copitz]

I came in at 3PM and rode all of them but Mystery Mine, didn't have any problems with closing. I will be there tomorrow (for as long as it doesn't rain) and on Friday, so I should get some more good time to ride then. Also my phone fell out of my pocket on lightening rod and hit someone behind me, gonna have to see if they found it tomorrow!

[@TheWiFiDKLegend]

Copitz oh no! Good luck finding that

[@Copitz]

Thanks, I'll probably need it!

[@nicholasbarkley4095]

I went to Dollywood last year and Lightning Rod was shut down. I'm hoping it won't be broken down Monday when I go!

[@Dilemma009]

"Everyone loves it" "it's not for everyone" :DdDD

[@noahbenscoter9558]

Gonna try to get on it this summer

[@jennalotocki5919]

You should make a video on the concept of a Magnum XL200 redo and the possibility of it happening

[@CoasterStudios]

Jenna Lotocki 0% chance.

[@isaachair4081]

Well ok then

[@loki3523]

They're not going to redo Magnum XL200. It has a lot of historical significance and people love it as it is. Cedar Point's not touching that one.

[@ThrillCentral]

The launch sounds awesome. This is why they need a coaster with a full out 90 degree launch, like if Fahrenheit was a launch. The gs on that would be crazy

[@donovanw2150]

Dedrick0429 yea but that launch is weak

[@sebo8872]

3:45 I admit I just watched the meat squish instead of listening.

[@donovanmullen2588]

Whoa!!!! It's getting compared to Fury?? Dang I hope I can ride it one of these days

[@haydenlynchmtb1949]

Finally!!! Nice review

[@ryanfrieman733]

awesome review!!

[@pud219]

Rode Lightning Rod 38 times total. My goal before the season ends is try for 100 times. I live almost an hour away and I go to Dollywood almost all the time.

[@Specialguy29]

pud219 almost all the time?

[@pud219]

Nose usually about once every week. I usually try to go on a slower day.

[@randomkopping2904]

My experience with lightning rod, well kind of. I actually haven't been on it but I was supposed to be one of the first people to ride it since I was there for the season pass holder preview in March 2016

[@damocoaster8451]

I thought this review would never be uploaded!

[@jerryfurgerson9176]

I'm going to try to ride lightning rod this year. I have never been on an RMC and I'm almost to 200 coasters.