Dollywood has opened its new $5.5 million addition, Barnstormer, in time for the start of the 2011 season. What can riders expect from the S&S Screamin\u2019 Swing ride? Theme Park Tourist correspondent Steven A. Lowe headed to the park to find out.<\/p>\n

Barnstormer was launched on March 25, 2011, with a brief but fun performance by Dolly Parton. The Dollywood PR Department was kind enough to invite me to this event, and they made sure everyone was well-fed and entertained.<\/p>\n

Though the VIP treatment made my job much easier, it did not affect my review of the ride. I planned to return the following day with my family, but the weather was uncooperative. We were able to return a few days later, however. The weather was beautiful and the park was not crowded.<\/p>\n

First Impressions<\/h3>\n

According to the pre-construction announcements, Dollywood built a \u201ccritter-themed barnyard\u201d locale named Owens Farm to house the new Barnstormer attraction (Dolly\u2019s mother was an Owens, and there were quite a few Owens and Partons at the launch event). I did not notice a strong \u201ccritter\u201d theme, other than a couple of pig props in the \u201cPig Pen\u201d water play area plus a caterpillar and a butterfly in the \u201cGranny\u2019s Garden\u201d play area. However, the experience and surroundings were consistent and added to the ambiance of the attraction \u2013 that\u2019s about as close to a \u201crealistic\u201d barnyard as most people would want to get.<\/p>\n

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The first impression is the sign leading up to the covered bridge.<\/div>\n

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The entrance to the Barnstormer area is through a covered bridge to the Owens Farm.<\/div>\n

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The landscaping is beautiful, and includes some very pleasant water features.<\/div>\n

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Barnstormer is next to the Grist Mill, which is an authentic log structure built in 1982 (where really good coffee and cinnamon bread are served!).<\/div>\n

The attention to detail is excellent. Everything looks authentic and even feels authentic. The airplane in front of the Barnstormer seems to have a real wood propeller, and there\u2019s even dirt on the tires like it had just landed. The weather vane on top of the barn looks just right, as does the windmill next to the barn.<\/p>\n

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The surrounding areas are equally eloquent in their reproduction artistry. Of course, the giant pendulum swinging in and out of the \u2018barn\u2019 reminds you that you are not in a real farmyard!<\/div>\n

Pig Pen<\/h3>\n

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The Pig Pen is aimed at younger guests.<\/div>\n

This is a water-play area for smaller children, with randomly-spouting water jets to surprise and amuse. A few children braved the less-than-balmy temperatures, including one who seemed happy just to lie on top of a jet and giggle when it spouted, and another who frantically ran from one jet to another trying to get wet. I personally did not participate in this particular attraction, but it did look like fun!<\/p>\n

Plane playground<\/h3>\n

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Probably the only safe place to let your kids climb on a plane wreck.<\/div>\n

This is a dry play area for smaller children, rendered as a crashed airplane, with a springy ground cover. It was not open on the preview day, but it was open when we returned. I was too large to fit into the climbing areas, but judging from the giggling and running around that my son (age 3.5) did, I\u2019d say it was an enjoyable experience.<\/p>\n

Granny\u2019s Garden play area<\/h3>\n

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Parents can put their feet up while kids play in Granny’s Garden.<\/div>\n

This is a pretend garden play area for smaller children, with a butterfly ramp, a caterpillar crawl-through barrel, and a treehouse slide. Again, I was too large to fit, but my son seemed to be having fun. There is plenty of seating for parents to rest while they watch.<\/p>\n

Note that each play area has its own attendant to help keep things orderly and safe. They were without exception very pleasant and helpful, especially the gentlemen manning the Pig Pen station. He also knew exactly where to stand to keep from getting wet.<\/p>\n

On to the main event!<\/p>\n

Caveats and Confessions<\/h3>\n

I like pendulum rides. Pendulum rides are like giant swing sets, and make me feel like a little kid on the playground again. So I had high expectations for Barnstormer based on the pre-construction description, but once on-site I resolved to be thorough, inpartial, and ruthless.<\/p>\n

Lines and Wait Time<\/h3>\n

When you enter the waiting area there is a large sign describing the ride and the rules, like all of the attractions at Dollywood. One says \u201cHigh Thrill Ride\u201d and warns that \u201cThe ride manufacturer prohibits persons with a fear of heights from riding the Barnstormer\u201d. I laughed and went on in.<\/p>\n

The interior resembles a barn somewhat, with amusing signs on the walls, but is a model of efficient queuing. Attendants alternate selecting people from different entrances and assign them to wait in color-coded stalls, to ensure the proper number of passengers on each “flight”.<\/p>\n

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Barnstormer’s entrance and queue feature some strong theming.<\/div>\n

When it is your turn to ride, you simply follow the color-coded line on the floor that matches the color of your waiting area, sit down, and buckle in. There are bins at the sides to stow loose items while you ride.<\/p>\n

The first time I rode, I was VIP\u2019d in through the Q-Bot entrance and only had to wait about 5 minutes. I\u2019d guess that the normal wait time was around 20 minutes, because the ride was not particularly crowded on that day \u2013 I don\u2019t think many people knew that it would be open early. When I returned a few days later, in the morning only one pendulum was operational, but since the park was not crowded (Wednesdays and Thursdays are the least-crowded days to visit, by the way) the wait time was less than 10 minutes. Later in the day both pendulums were operational and the wait time was still far less than I expected for the newest ride in the park.<\/p>\n

The Ride<\/h3>\n

In common with other S&S Screamin\u2019 Swing rides around the world, Barnstormer features two swinging pendulums which can hold sixteen riders each. The ride reaches a height of 81 feet, a maximum rotation of 230 degrees and a top speed of up to 45 miles per hour.<\/p>\n

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Every rider gets a front-row seat on Barnstormer.<\/div>\n

Each of the two pendulums has two rows of seats, back-to-back. This allows everyone a front-row seat, though the scenery will vary depending on which pendulum you ride and which way you are facing. I sat on the left pendulum facing the barn, but I don\u2019t think the experience is significantly affected by where you sit.<\/p>\n

I think of the ride as being about ten “swings”, five forward and five backward. The first eight swings build to the climax and the last two decelerate and stop. To the best of my recollection, here is how it went:<\/p>\n

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Swing 1 – Hey, this thing is faster than it looks! You can really feel the wind.<\/div>\n

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Swing 2 – Not too bad, I can handle this.<\/div>\n

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Swing 3 \u2013 There\u2019s a slight weightless feeling at the top transition of the swing\u2026probably just my imagination.<\/div>\n

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Swing 4 – It seems scarier going backwards, I wonder why?<\/div>\n

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Swing 5 – I can see over the roof now. The wind noise is considerable!<\/div>\n

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Swing 6 – The weightless feeling seems to be lasting longer. I\u2019m not sure I like that.<\/div>\n

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Swing 7 – I see nothing but sky. It is pretty, but not relaxing. Gripping the harness doesn\u2019t help but it\u2019s something to do. Birds passing overhead appear to be laughing at me.<\/div>\n

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Swing 8 – I am looking straight down at the ground, 8000 feet away [Note: actually about 81 feet]. If I grip the harness any harder my fingers will break. The weightless feeling seems to go on and on. We\u2019re not moving. My heart is pounding. I think I just discovered what \u201cheight vertigo\u201d means. The people look like ants. I think I\u2019m not touching the safety harness any more. Why aren\u2019t we moving? I hear a little girl screaming. It might be me, I\u2019m not sure. [Note: elapsed time about one second.]<\/div>\n

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Swing 9 – We\u2019re moving again: straight down at the ground. The wind noise is so loud I\u2019m sure we\u2019re going to crash. But we don\u2019t; the ground rushes by, fast. I\u2019m looking over the roof again. I can feel it slowing down. I try to remember how to breathe.<\/div>\n

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Swing 10 – Much slower now, breathing back on automatic.<\/div>\n

My first steps were a bit wobbly, and it took a few minutes for the rush to fade. On the way out I looked at the sign again: \u201cHigh Thrill Ride\u201d \u2013 they are not kidding!<\/p>\n

Video<\/h3>\n

Dollywood\u2019s extremely courteous and efficient PR Department graciously provided a short point-of-view video clip, since taking a camera on the ride would be dangerous \u2013 if you let it go, there\u2019s no telling where it might land!<\/p>\n