Dollywood’s newest addition, the $60 million NightFlight Expedition attraction, has officially opened to guests.
Described as a game changer for the theme park industry, NightFlight Expedition is the largest single attraction investment in Dollywood's history, and the park's 11th roller coaster.
During the ride experience, guests enjoy a nighttime flight over the Smoky Mountains and embark on a thrilling rafting excursion through more than 500,000 gallons of water.
Riders will also traverse a mountain ridge on a roller coaster and splash into a shimmering Smoky Mountain lake.
"This ride truly is an adventure that lets you see the mountains the way I always remember them, full of wonder and beauty," Dolly Parton said in a previous statement.
"I’m also excited that with NightFlight Expedition we’re able to tell stories about what happens in the mountains after the sun goes down."
Created and built by Dollywood, Herschend Creative Studios and Mack Rides, the attraction features amphibious ride vehicles, vivid multimedia projections, onboard and off-board audio, and special lighting effects.
"NightFlight Expedition represents a defining moment not only for Dollywood but for the theme park industry as a whole," said Eugene Naughton, president of Dollywood Parks & Resorts.
"This attraction redefines how a family ride can be used to tell a rich, authentic story true to your park and its surroundings."
Billed as the world's first indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater river raft ride, NightFlight Expedition is part of the park's Wildwood Grove.
"We’re blessed to be in the Great Smoky Mountains, and NightFlight Expedition allows us to take guests on an unforgettable nighttime adventure in the mountains with groundbreaking technology, immersive storytelling and a ride system that offers four distinct experiences," Naughton added.
“We believe NightFlight Expedition will be a true game changer, further elevating Dollywood’s reputation for innovation, true heart and world-class experiences rooted in the beauty of the Smoky Mountains.”
