Just a few more weeks to wait for Dollywood to open its gates again. Opening day will bring even more excitement with the opening of the new attraction: Barnstormer. Here's how the folks at Dollywood describe the new ride:

"Take to the sky high above Dollywood next season with the new Barnstormer family thrill ride!

Enjoy the same breathtaking moments that daring stunt pilots of the1920s might have experienced as they zoomed over the fields of nearby farms.  The $5.5 million Barnstormer features two pendulum arms with seating for 32 riders.

Seated back to back, riders travel progressively higher on each swing of the Barnstormer’s massive arms, reaching a maximum speed of 45 miles per hour and 230 degrees of rotation.  At its peak, the Barnstormer reaches a staggering 81 feet in the air!"

And you know what else looks to us to be a new idea over there? Season pass holders get into the park an hour early on Saturday mornings with access to a select ride, varying each time. Yup, on opening day,  and each Saturday in April, you can get your shot at Barnstormer an hour early. Then in May the one-hour early get you into other rides (a different one each Saturday) like Thunderhead, Tennessee Tornado, Mystery Mine or Smoky Mountain River Rampage...

Are you counting down with us? We LOVE Dollywood!