If you need one more reason to book a late-summer getaway to the Great Smoky Mountains, Dolly Parton and Dollywood just delivered with enough shine to light up the whole mountain.
On Friday, August 14, Dollywood officially hosted a dedication celebration for NightFlight Expedition, the park’s colossal, record-breaking new indoor adventure coaster. Clocking in at an eye-popping $60-plus million, the groundbreaking ride marks the largest single attraction investment in Dollywood’s entire history—and easily stands as the most talked-about, anticipated theme park ride launch of the year. Writing for Theme Park Insider, veteran expert Robert Niles even bet “a cup of eggnog and a leftover Christmas cookie” that it would be the best new ride of 2026.
The ride serves as the park’s 11th roller coaster and an expansion of the beloved Wildwood Grove section. But this isn’t just your standard coaster track. It is a one-of-a-kind indoor experience that actually combines four distinct adventures into a single, nearly five-and-a-half-minute journey.
Riders soar on a simulated nighttime flight over the Smokies, plunge into a daring whitewater rafting excursion through more than 500,000 gallons of surging water, climb up and over a rugged mountain ridge, and splash right down into a shimmering mountain lake.
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“Full of Wonder and Beauty”
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For Dolly Parton, the ambitious project is deeply personal, inspired by the enchanting nighttime magic of the East Tennessee mountains where she grew up.
“I’m so proud that we’re able to create something like NightFlight Expedition and give families a brand-new way to experience the Smokies together,” Dolly shared about the attraction. “Growing up here, I learned to love these mountains in a way that stays with you your whole life. I always want folks who visit Dollywood to feel that same way. This ride truly is an adventure that lets you see the mountains the way I always remember them, full of wonder and beauty. 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. Whether a family is coming for their hundredth visit or if they’re coming for their very first time, I hope they’ll make memories here that are just as special as the ones I made growing up.”
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Groundbreaking Technology Meets Smoky Mountain Lore
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Housed inside a massive 44,000-square-foot, temperature-controlled building—meaning you can ride comfortably no matter what the weather is doing outside—the attraction picks up on the park’s rich narrative storytelling.
Guests are enlisted to search for the legendary “Secret Lake,” the mystical water source that makes Wildwood Grove’s iconic Wildwood Tree glow. Led by twin scientists Cora and Jasper Oakley (the adventurous niece and nephew of Ned Oakley from the Big Bear Mountain coaster), riders board custom “Smoky Mountain Tracker Vehicles” equipped with a Bioluminator device.
Developed alongside renowned ride manufacturer Mack Rides—which took home the prestigious Golden Ticket Award for Best New Innovation for the ride’s custom system—the experience weaves vivid multimedia projections, dynamic lighting, and synchronized on-and-off-board audio to plunge riders straight into the story.
Eugene Naughton, President of Dollywood Parks & Resorts, called the opening a watershed moment for the industry.
“NightFlight Expedition represents a defining moment not only for Dollywood but for the theme park industry as a whole,” Naughton explained. “This attraction redefines how a family ride can be used to tell a rich, authentic story true to your park and its surroundings. 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. 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.”
With an accessible 39-inch height requirement, NightFlight Expedition is designed so the entire family can climb aboard together.
To celebrate the launch, Dollywood has extended its daily park hours from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. through September 13, giving guests extra evening time to experience the new coaster alongside the upcoming Harvest Festival and Great Pumpkin LumiNights this fall.
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