How To Know What Roller Coasters are Safe To Ride at Dollywood

Dollywood’s Ride Accessibility Center helps guests make informed decisions on what to ride

There was a time that I didn’t worry about things like roller coaster g-force. As far as I was concerned, the roller coaster warnings – with the legal mumbo jumbo – were strictly for other people.

There was a time, in fact, when my only concern about whether or not I should ride a roller coaster hinged exclusively on if it would make me hurl. But in my 20s, I hurt my back for the first time. And into my 40s, high blood pressure developed along with other maladies, ailments or conditions. As a result, I give some of those warnings a more serious thought.

No longer was the question simply whether I’d hurl or not. I had to weigh a few minutes of fun versus the potential for back pain or worse. The first time I ever regretted riding a roller coaster was in Disney World on the then new Tron coaster in Magic Kingdom. It has a fairly unique ride vehicle and a relatively intense launch. I found myself merely enduring the ride instead of enjoying it. My roller coaster evaluation system has changed.

Roller coaster safety in the news

Over the summer, a man died on a coaster at the new Epic Universe Park. So roller coaster safety has become a topic of new and travel organizations all over the world. Who should or shouldn’t, could or couldn’t ride became topics of intense discussion.

And it left us discussing how the lessons learned – and being learned – in Orlando and other parks would affect operations here back home at Dollywood.

What happened on the coaster in Orlando?

A gentleman at Epic Universe in Orlando had a spinal cord condition. He needed a ECV or wheelchair to get around. The man boarded the Stardust Racers which is an intense coaster with multiple launches. The ride reaches speeds of 62 mph and 4.22 G’s, if the internet is to be believed. G-Force is essentially the amount of pressure put on your body during rapid acceleration – like fighter pilots feel. Also, per the internet, a trained pilot can sustain 9g for a few seconds. And for comparative purposes, Dollywood’s Lightning Rod reportedly reaches 3.5 gs or 3 and a half times the force of gravity.

It appears that the man – who reportedly had the aid of Universal employees in boarding the ride – suffered a medical episode or condition on the ride. Evidently, he was unconscious for a significant portion of the ride. Early autopsy reported he suffered multiple blunt force injuries. The family has hired a lawyer and the case will play out in the courts – as well as the court of public opinion. We will make no claim to who is right and who is wrong.

I will say in my own situation, Universal’s ride warnings – some of which have been changed and updated since the incident – were too boiler plate. They seemingly are written by attorneys rather than offering genuine information about the intensity of the ride.

If all the adult level rides carry essentially the same warning as to whether they are very intense or not, it becomes a ‘boy who cried wolf’ situation. In other words, it makes it hard to take the warning seriously, leaving the visitor really to rely on their own common sense rather than any official warning or statement.

That doesn’t mean I think Universal was in the wrong here. I’m keeping an open mind until the facts are in. But it’s something that they seem to have improved upon.

Are Dollywood roller coasters safe?

Yes. Absolutely they are. Dollywood is among the best run theme parks in the world. The rides are inspected by Dollywood’s people as well as outside regulators. I would – and do – let my own kids ride without a moment’s concern.

Now, things can and do happen. There’s a woman suing SeaWorld because she hit a duck with her face while riding the Mako roller coaster. The suit alleges the park failed to “maintain the premises in a reasonably safe condition” and warn against dangerous conditions.

But in general terms you are in far more danger driving on the Interstate and the parkway to get to Dollywood than you are riding any of the Dollywood coasters.

But just because they are safe doesn’t mean YOU should ride. I would advise anyone with back or neck conditions to really give it a good think before getting on Tennessee Tornado. It is a fun, but rough ride.

And if you’re pregnant, have a history of back and neck pain or heart conditions and high blood pressure, you should probably heed the warnings provided.

How do I know whether or not I should ride?

One of the great things Dollywood offers is the Ride Accessibility Center.

“Years ago, our team identified a need for a landing place for people who arrive at Dollywood with questions about what they are able to enjoy. Whether you recently broke your ankle, have a family member with a sensory processing disorder, have a prosthetic or are pregnant, the Ride Accessibility Center is the frontline resource for guests to ask questions in a private setting,” the Dollywood website states.

The Center is located over behind the emporium – to your left if you’re entering through the main gate. Guests can speak privately with park representatives. They can help you decide what rides will or won’t be accessible to you.

“Our hosts are trained to help you determine what rides and attractions will work best for you. Each ride manufacturer specifies rider requirements we follow (example: height requirements and must be able to maintain upper body control). When you visit the Ride Accessibility Center, our hosts are able to review all the relevant guidelines so you know what to expect before you get in a line queue,” the website states.

Some of the accommodations offered include a Boarding Pass for those unable to stand in longer queues. This isn’t a line-skipping pass. If you have a boarding pass you will be given a time to return. It is equivalent to the current wait with your group, up to five people to ride.

Dollywood also offers a calming room – available for anyone who has become overstimulated

Is there any way we can assess whether or not its safe to ride before we get to the park?

Yes. The park offers an accessibility guide and rider requirement chart online. It has a ski-run like rating system for mild thrill rides, moderate thrill rides and high thrill rides. There are explanations of the requirements and recommendations for each of them. Maybe the most important tip in the guide? If in doubt, don’t ride.

Yes, I know it’s a bummer to pay full ticket price and only get some of the experience. I know it sucks to feel a little left behind.

But I also know that a three or four minute ride isn’t worth spending the rest of your trip in discomfort because your back and neck are acting up. The guide up online is for the 2024 season but I don’t expect there have been any changes. There will be, I imagine, an updated one for 2026, as the new Night Flight Expedition will be opening.

Do you think Roller Coasters are safe? Let us know about your experience in the comments and on the socials!