This bear heads for the mountains
This bear heads for the mountains
Dollywood’s latest coaster is accessible but surprisingly thrilling
4 (out of 5)
When I first previewed Dollywood’s newest addition to its coaster lineup, Big Bear Mountain, in 2022, I wrote about its relatively mild thrill quotient and its broad appeal. After all, Vekoma, the Dutch manufacturer that designed and built the ride, categorizes it as a “Family Launch Coaster”–implying that it is for folks of all ages, including little kids and their grandparents.
Then I rode it. Now, I’m guessing some kiddos (the height requirement is a mere 39 inches) are clinging pretty tightly to their bewildered grandmas as they grin and bear the surprisingly potent coaster.
Don’t get me wrong. Nobody would mistake the ride for Kingda Ka–or Dollywood’s own Lightning Rod for that matter. But I was thinking Big Bear Mountain would approximate family coasters such as Slinky Dog Dash at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in temperament. That launch coaster hits a top speed of 40 mph. The Dollywood ride, on the other hand, reaches 48 mph and is an altogether different animal. It turns out the eight-mph differential puts quite a growl into Big Bear.
Located in the Wildwood Grove section of the park, the nearly 4,000-foot-long orange track snakes throughout the land. The well-themed queue is loaded with doodads depicting sightings of the legendary bear, gear to track the elusive beast, and other artifacts. The line moves quickly (Dollywood’s ride ops are great), and the distractions help engage guests as they make their way to the loading station.
The backstory for the ride is that noted explorer, Ned Oakley, is inviting adventurers to search for the elusive Big Bear aboard his off-road vehicle. The stylish lead cars for the trains look like Jeeps. Passengers sit two across in the comfy cars.
The train launches out of the station but not at breakneck speed. It veers to the left, and hits a straightaway with a longer, second LIM launch that really revs things up. The train meanders around near the front of Wildwood Grove and enters a cave where an apparently lumbering (but unseen) Big Bear expresses his displeasure with a roar. The cave is nicely outfitted with rock work, a waterfall, and a geyser that activates whenever a train passes through it.
All the while, Ned Oakley is chattering away via the vehicles’ onboard audio. He mostly sputters silly puns, such as “Bear left!” and “Whew, we barely made it!” There is a rousing musical soundtrack to accompany the ride as well.
The train heads back towards the station for its second act where a third and final magnetic launch sends it soaring up a hill. This is where, I believe, the ride hits its highest point some 66 feet in the air. It then curves and banks this way and that before dipping into a tunnel and hitting the brake run.
At roughly a minute and 44 seconds, Big Bear Mountain is quite long considering there is no poky lift hill. The ride is satisfying and wonderfully smooth with no jarring moments, and the pacing is spot-on. A nighttime ride is especially fun with the trains’ headlights and rear taillights illuminating the course.
Depending on the seat location and other conditions, there may be some mild airtime. The coaster does not include any inversions, nor does it have any steep drops. Nonetheless, Big Bear is just this side of aggressive and claws its way into thrill territory. Coaster fans and more casual guests alike will love it. Grandmas and their grandkids may freak out just a bit, but in the end should bear up well.
I also got an after-dusk ride on Dollywood’s Thunderhead. Holy moly! It had been awhile since I last rode the woodie, and in the intervening years it had undergone extensive re-tracking that eliminated virtually all of the overly rough spots I not so fondly remembered. Now, it’s just wonderfully out of control in a good, wooden coaster kind of way, and positively loaded with delirious airtime.
For my Dollywood visit, I also got to experience the new, 300-room HeartSong Lodge and Resort. The second on-site hotel (after the DreamMore Resort and Spa), it aspires to the same level of exquisite comfort and quality. Befitting its name, it has a national park lodge vibe that complements its lovely setting in the Smoky Mountains foothills. The guest rooms are spacious and have nice touches, including a sound machine that can simulate soothing waterfalls and other soundscapes to lull folks to sleep after a long day of braving coasters; that’s a hotel amenity I had never seen before.
Guests receive complimentary trolley service to and from the park, TimeSaver passes that get them to the front of many of the ride queues as well as preferred seating at the park‘s wonderful shows, and Camp DW activities such as crafts and storytelling to enjoy during their stay. Among the dining spots is the 195-seat Ember & Elm, which serves breakfast and dinner. The cinnamon bread French toast is to die for.
As you might expect, Dolly is omnipresent throughout her hotel. For example, the Acoustic Lobby features photos of the beloved star along with her musical instruments and other memorabilia. Guests can ogle the comfy lounge and hang out there, provided that it isn’t booked for private parties.
With more hotels on the way, the HeartSong Lodge further establishes Dollywood as a destination theme park resort. Its impressive accommodations are enticing overnight travelers from farther afield to discover the gem of a park.
Have you made it aboard Big Bear Mountain? Did the “family” ride also take you by surprise?
My family and I were lucky enough to visit Dollywood on two separate days in May, a week after Big Bear opened. My daughter and I got to ride it twice during daylight hours after almost one hour waits each time. We definitely had to hold on most of the time, especially during the launches. We appreciated the length of the ride, the smoothness, and the on-ride audio. We unfortunately didn't get to see it at night.
Also, my daughter, wife, and I enjoyed Thunderhead and rode it twice in a row with a 5 min wait each time. It was both smooth and intense and is now a top wood coaster for me.