Dollywood’s Next Ride Sounds Like a Total Flex

Dollywood’s already on the shortlist of best theme parks in America. It’s got the best food, the best entertainment, a well-rounded collection of world-class roller coasters at all thrill levels, and, oh yeah, most important of all, Dolly Parton herself—aka the most universally beloved person in our increasingly fractious and divided world. The Tennessee theme park is operating at the highest possible level, giving the big resorts in Florida and California an honest run for their money, and somehow it might be on the verge of getting even better. 

Yesterday Dollywood officially announced its next major attraction—which will also be the biggest investment into a single attraction the park has ever made. NightFlight Expedition is scheduled to open in spring 2026 in the park’s Wildwood Grove area, which is already home to its popular Big Bear Mountain family coaster. The new ride isn’t another coaster, though–or at least not only another coaster. Based on Dollywood’s description, NightFlight Expedition is unlike any attraction we’ve seen before; it’s both a coaster and a raging rivers ride—or, as the press release calls it, “the world’s first indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater river raft ride.”

Now, if a combo roller coaster and water ride immediately makes you think of Mr. Show’s Devastator, well, first off, congrats on your good taste in TV, and then furthermore I assume you are roughly the exact same age as me. If you don’t constantly have 30-year-old short-lived sketch comedy shows on the brain, you’re probably just wondering how NightFlight Expedition will work—and guess what, I’m still right there with you on that one.

Here’s more from the press release: 

NightFlight Expedition will take guests on an unforgettable journey through the Smoky Mountains to search for bioluminescence in the nation’s most-visited national park. During the 5 ½-minute experience, guests will soar on a nighttime flight over the scenic Smokies, enjoy a thrilling whitewater rafting excursion through more than 500,000 gallons of surging water, traverse a mountain ridge on a roller coaster, and navigate a mysterious shimmering lake by boat.

So, yeah: that sounds amazing. And the images and video shared by Dollywood give more of a sense of how it’ll actually work. With a 39-inch height requirement, all but the youngest children should be able to ride it, and since it’s fully indoors, it should keep running no matter what kind of weather is going on outside. 

Like any good Dollywood press release, the NightFlight announcement includes a quote from Dolly herself. “I’m just so proud that Dollywood has grown so much in its first 40 years that we’re able to add a ride like NightFlight Expedition,” she told attendees at the park’s media event via video. “We’re always trying to take the natural beauty of the Smokies and make it part of everything we’re doing in the park, and they’ve definitely been able to do it with this ride. A lot of people ask me about my favorite season in the Smokies, but no one ever asks me what my favorite time of day is. Our new ride sends you out into the mountains at night, which is the time that I think they really come to life!”

As a serious critic and internet writing person I try to temper my praise and avoid effusive hype but I can’t help it with Dollywood. It truly is that good, and a place any fan of theme parks, country music, or Dolly Parton needs to visit at some point. And with NightFlight Expedition it’s poised to introduce a unique new ride that seems to be a good fit for families while also continuing the park’s reputation as a roller coaster haven. All the more reason to head on over to Pigeon Forge. Really, all Dollywood needs at this point to be truly perfect is a Great Movie Ride-style dark ride about the history of country music. Make it happen, Dolly!

You can watch the announcement video for NightFlight below: 

Editor-in-chief Garrett Martin writes about video games, theme parks, pinball, travel, and more. Find him on Bluesky.