Comments on: Mystery Mine at Dollywood | Roller Coaster Reviews

By: Bobbie Butterfield

Bobbie Butterfield — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 02:18:51 +0000

This was a welcome surprise. I went into it blind except for a comment from a kid sitting next to me on Wild Eagle who said that he didn't like Mystery Mine because there was a fire in it, so now I had to worry about being immolated. Well, that didn't happen; what did happen was a good and very interesting, different ride. I especially liked the special effects inside the mine, the nearly vertical climb out of it and the inversions although I must admit that they were a bit on the rough side.

By: Alan

Alan — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 22:05:32 +0000

I've ridden this ride and trust me – it packs a punch. The drops are quick but intense. Like others have said, it bangs you around some but that kind of goes along with the "old mine" theme. The last time I rode it a girl in the row behind me would not shut up talking and when we went down the last hill (at 95 degrees) it SHUT HER UP COLD.

With the addition of Wild Eagle, Dollywood is becoming a ride park as well as a show park. It's true Tennessee hospitality that's completely worth the trip.

By: @mattmcirvin

@mattmcirvin — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 19:07:13 +0000

I've been curious about Mystery Mine ever since I first learned they were building a Euro-Fighter at my home park, and poked around for POV videos of Euro-Fighters. But this one looks really special because of the theming.

By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 04:14:46 +0000

Mystery Mine seemed like an oversized Wild Mouse. I can see why the manufacturer is now making cars with lap bars instead of over the shoulder restraints … the turns in the first part of the ride (between the two lifts) definitely require defensive riding.

The one change (other than lap bars) I'd recommend is to get rid of the fire at the top of the second lift. The day I rode it there was a smog warning for Knoxville (which should be spelled NOx-ville) and breathing a big lung full of exhaust at the top of the lift was irritating in many ways (psychologically and to my lungs). The ride doesn't need a fireball, especially in an enclosed space where you cannot avoid breathing it. The exhaust makes the "no smoking" signs all over that park seem silly.

I liked Wild Eagle much more than Mystery Mine although my three top favorite coasters are all Intamins.

By: Doug

Doug — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 05:10:26 +0000

I'm a regular at D-Wood. I like Mystery Mine as a change-of-pace coaster. It has a very different feel from the other coasters. And this is what makes D-Wood a great park – what it lacks in quantity it makes up for in quality and variety. While I don't enjoy Mystery Mine as much as Thunderhead or Wild Eagle (mainly because of my head banging against the restraints), I can appreciate it for what it is. And the theme work is excellent. Looking forward to your trip report, and hopefully a review of Thunderhead too.

By: AttractionsOOTl

AttractionsOOTl — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 03:49:53 +0000

When I read that quote about stats, I immediately thought of Maverick too!

By: Judy P in Pgh

Judy P in Pgh — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 01:49:28 +0000

One of the things I look for in a coaster is re-rideability. While I enjoy Mystery Mine for 1 or 2 rides, mainly because I have forgotten the little details, I don't find myself riding it over and over again as I do with Thunderhead (max: 71 times in 2 days). I have to agree with you about Wild Eagle … I had shot so many photos of it while it was under construction that there just didn't seem to be any surprise elements. Good ride, but out of the batch of coasters at Dollywood, Thunderhead wins, hands-down.

As for the food …….. someone may have to start a blogsite for that!

By: CoasterCritic

CoasterCritic — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 00:59:17 +0000

After this visit, I almost see Dollywood on like a Busch Gardens level. Not as many coasters, but what's there is top-notch. The staff is amazing, the park is beautiful, and apparently the food is a huge draw too. I got all of these tweets about their food when I announced I was going there. I'll have a trip report up soon.

By: cft925

cft925 — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 00:54:22 +0000

My experience on a Eurofighter was indoors on the Spongebob Squarepants Rock Bottom Plunge at Mall of America in Minnesota. It has a 90-degree lift hill followed by a 97 degree drop, a loop, and then a heartline roll. This was a pretty intense ride for an indoor coaster with a ride time of less than one minute. The cars are similar to those on Mystery Mine. I remember it being a smooth ride, but I was a little dizzy after a ride on the outside seats. With the theming and wild inversions towards the end, Mystery Mine looks like a great ride!

By: DRU

DRU — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 10:45:12 +0000

Your description of the air on the first drop reminds me a bit of Maverick. Like you said… you can't judge a coaster by it's stats. I can't wait to check out Dollywood next season.