Dolly’s ride of many colors
Big-budget, multi-modal E-Ticket attraction coming to Dollywood
Dollywood has long been hailed for its fabulous coasters, incredible live entertainment (which shouldn’t be surprising given whose name is on the marquee), delicious food, wonderful hotels, and more that places it among the top echelon of theme parks. It has been aggressively expanding, which has only made it more popular. In 2026, Dolly Parton’s Tennessee park will expand yet again when it debuts NightFlight Expedition, a major E-Ticket ride. Budgeted at over $50 million, the multi-modal attraction, which would not be out of place at a Disney or Universal park, is generating a lot of buzz.
The highly anticipated dark ride will take place inside a 44,000-square-foot show building and incorporate a vehicle that will travel on both roller coaster track and through a water-filled flume. Themed to the Great Smoky Mountains, the park says that guests will fly above a nighttime vista of the beloved national park, soar down one of its mountain peaks, brave river rapids, and float along a shimmering lake lit by colorful bioluminescent plants on the five-and-a-half-minute adventure. Climbing about 30 feet and reaching a top speed of 29 mph, NightFlight Expedition will be less a thrill ride (although there will likely be some modest thrills) and more of a family attraction. Its announced 39-inch height requirement will make it accessible to a wide swath of visitors.
Developed by Mack Rides, the Dollywood attraction will represent the company’s second iteration of its Rocking Boat ride concept. It will feature 10-passenger vehicles that will behave like a coaster car for part of the experience as it careens through the Smokies. The hybrid ride will also ply a facsimile of the national park’s waters. Rather than floating through a flume like most boat rides, the amphibious vehicles will remain tethered to the submerged track. The powered coaster will use onboard drive motors to control the speed of the vehicles and sync them up with the show scenes. Mack’s unique design will allow the boats to take tight turns and literally rock while they navigate through the water. Earlier this year, France’s Futuroscope opened Mission Bermudes, the first attraction to incorporate the Rocking Boat ride system.
With its glowing plants and nighttime setting, the Dollywood attraction gives off distinct Pandora – The World of Avatar vibes. After dusk, the land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom comes alive with glimmering bioluminescent flora. It’s always nighttime when guests take a ride through Pandora’s lush, colorful forest aboard Na’vi River Journey, which would seem to have served as inspiration for NightFlight Expedition (although the new ride will be more thrilling than Disney’s tranquil experience). Both of the attractions are prime examples of the ways that LED lighting has given designers a powerful storytelling tool and revolutionized the industry.
NightFlight Expedition will be located in Wildwood Grove. It will build on the story established for the fanciful land’s Big Bear Mountain. Opened in 2023, the wonderful family coaster introduced Ned Oakley, an explorer that invites guests to search for the titular bear aboard his tricked-out off-road vehicles. His niece and nephew, Cora and Jasper Oakley, will be taking passengers on a quest to find the Smokies’ Secret Lake in the new attraction. The scientists have developed a “Bioluminator” to detect the glowing plants that will lead the crew to the elusive hideaway.
“NightFlight Expedition is truly exceptional, combining cutting-edge technology and immersive storytelling that stays true to the heart of Dollywood and the Smoky Mountains to deliver an experience unlike anything else,” says Eugene Naughton, the park’s president. “As the largest addition in our history, it not only represents a major milestone for our company, but it also sets a new standard for guest offerings.”
Have you visited Dollywood? Might you make your way to the Tennessee park next year to check out NightFlight Expedition?
I'm really looking forward to this one! I might have a business trip to this area next summer which would be perfect.