Inexperience. We all have it at one point or another, and sometimes such inexperience leads us to wonder if we have overvalued some rides. Such was the case with Thunderhead and myself. When I rode Thunderhead for the first time, I was blown away, but that was back when my coaster count was a shade under 1/3 of my current count, so I developed doubts as to how good it really was. Well, I guess its true, you dont neccessarily need to have a ton of experience to recognize greatness. Several Golden Ticket winners and other well-praised coasters later, Thunderhead continues to reign atop my personal coaster list. The ride is awesome in the day as it tosses you wildly about the comfy seats and you experience positive, negativ and tons and tons of lateral G-forces. The ride is simply awesome, and then the sun sets. Ancient Egyptians used to equate the setting sun to death (which is why they placed all of the pyramids on the west banks of the Nile  ), but for this coaster, quite the opposite. While no one in their right mind would tell you its ok to count Thunderhead laps at night as a seperate credit, I cant help but be amazed at how much different of a ride it is. A new ride is born with the dusk skies, and its a wilder, more insane and totally out of control. Only the station and brake run lights break through the darkness back in the valley that is Thunderhead Gap, and even half of that was cured when some of the ride ops killed the lights as the train roared through the station. As incredible as Thunderhead is during the day, the nighttime brings an unprecedented beast, one of a disguising setting, decietful hills that deliver inconcievable jolts of airtime and lateral forces and pacing that can only be described as breathtaking - even paralyzing, if you will.Thunderhead delivers a killer ride, but thats not the whole story behind it. As mentioned, the trains are awesome, even if the seatbelts seemed to be a bit tighter this season. The wood lattice work is briliant, a true work of art hinting at the craftsmanship of the parks valley. The terrain is utilized well, as an overwhelming majority of the ride is spent no more than 25 feet off the ground. Thunderheads operations are wonderful, even with one train and 80+ ACERs taking in some nighttime ERT, the lines moved where I never waited more than one train. Oh, and the staff, theyre just plain awesome. Courteous, funny, and perhaps most importantly, efficient.Overall, Thunderhead is an incredible roller coaster. Speed, airtime, laterals, headchopping side rails, darkness, a steep, twisting drop, a station fly-through.. all of it is phenomenal, and best of all, the charm of Dollywood wasnt ruined with the $7 million baby. Still my #1 everything: wooden coaster, roller coaster, attraction.. you name it, Thunderhead gets the trophy :trophy: Im done now, so off you go, let the Thundeeerrr Roooollllll!!
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