Thrill Network interview

So, K, you won our contest over the winter for Wild Eagle! What did you think about our contest?
I loved the contest! I thought it was amazing and a little challenging. It was quite fair for everyone who participated in it and really, anyone had the chance to win. Personally, it took me 4 hours to gind the answers to all the questions from the second round.
Were you excited that you were getting to go to Media Day?
 I was so excited about the getting the chance to go to Media Day.  It didn't sink in until I actually started getting emails from Ashley, Dollywood's PR Specialist, and we were planning my trip up to Dollywood.

What did you think about Wild Eagle before you actually got to ride?
 Before I got to ride Wild Eagle, I thought that it was spectacular. Walking around the corner of the park near Tennessee Tornado and seeing it up on the top of the mountain completed and ready to "fly", took my breath away.  I've never wanted to ride a roller coaster as badly as I wanted to ride Wild Eagle.

What about after? Did it meet your expectations?
 After I rode it, I didn't want to get off the ride! I was so surprised about how smooth the ride was.  I've ridden many coasters but this is definitely one of the best, if not the best. It exceeded my expectations by far. I didn't expect the theme to be carried through the ride as well as it was (I should have though, based off of Dollywood's other rides). And it was quiet! If there were no people screaming, it would be hard to hear. I could watch it all day, swooping and soaring over the mountain. Wild Eagle is absolutely gorgeous!

What did you think about Media Day? Describe your feelings!
 Media Day was outstanding! My family and I are always excited about going to Dollywood but this time, there was just that extra surge of adrenaline to get us even more excited.  That entire morning, I had a smile non-stop.  I have to admit though, during the actual opening ceremony, there were a couple of tears shed while hearing Dolly talk and sing and especially watching one of the eagles fly. That was the most majestic thing I've ever seen.  (For those who may not know, Dollywood had two eagle handlers holding an eagle under the ride's lift hill while Dolly was talking with the crowd. During her song, "The Sky is Not The Limit," the eagle was released to soar above the audience to two other handlers on a lower platform.)  The entire thing was surreal.  I couldn't believe that I was actually getting the chance to be at my favorite theme park as a special guest with a ton of other "important" people.  I felt so privileged!

Did you enjoy hanging out at the park during the weekend?
 I really enjoyed hanging out at the park that weekend. For the first time, I felt like I could truly be happy/ecstatic about riding a coaster and not get strange looks. There were many people at the park that weekend but riding the coasters with other enthusiasts was so cool.

What do you think about Wild Eagle as an addition to the park?
 As an addition to the park, I think Wild Eagle is fantastic. It will birng in thousands of people, if only just to experience the coaster. Everything brings in fans, and fans bring in money. I really want Dollywood to succeed and grow larger than they are now. Dollywood is my Disney World.

Do you enter a lot of contests? Why did this one peak your interest?
 I do enter a lot of contests. I enter every contest that piques my interest. This one piqued my interest for a few reasons. First, the reward was for Dollywood, which (if I haven't said it enough) is my favorite park. Second, Media Day was specifically for introducing Wild Eagle and I love me some roller coasters! Third, there was a chance that I might get to see Dolly Parton in person (not necessarily meet her).