Ride Preview
www.parkworld-online.com
Big things are coming
Park World takes a peek at Dollywood’s hotly anticipated new roller coaster Big Bear Mountain
Dollywood’s largest ever park expansion, Wildwood Grove, is getting even bigger! Debuting in the spring of 2023, Big Bear Mountain will be the longest coaster at Dollywood, taking guests of all ages on an unforgettable family- friendly expedition in search of the Big Bear. Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee has announced that the new roller coaster will launch on 12 May. Big Bear Mountain is the park’s longest roller coaster to date and part of its $500 million expansion. The $25m family-friendly coaster by Vekoma Rides, the Dutch roller coaster specialist, has maximum speeds of 48 mph, three separate launches, multiple airtime hills, high-speed carousel turns and tunnels. Circling Wildwood Grove for nearly two minutes on 3,990 ft. of track, this gigantic coaster is a first of its kind at Dollywood with onboard audio, including music and announcements from Ned Oakley - fourth generation wilderness explorer and Benjamin Bear’s caretaker - himself. The coaster features SUV-style ride vehicles, which were unveiled at IAAPA Expo 2022. Dollywood installed the final pieces of track for the new attraction in January. Founder of Dollywood, Dolly Parton, says: “The Smokies are all about adventure and going exploring. I’m excited our guests will be able to head out on their own trip into the Smokies to see if they can find that Big Bear! Whether he’s out there or not, I’m sure they’ll find a lot of memories along the way that they’ll keep forever.”
“Big Bear Mountain is an exciting ride that really is going to be a game changer for us,” adds Eugene Naughton, president of the Dollywood Company. It’s almost time to venture into the Smokies for an unforgettable adventure aboard Dollywood’s largest attraction. Ned Oakley, Wildwood Grove’s resident wilderness explorer, knows a thing or two about this hidden land and is setting up the Adventure Outpost Base Camp, located just a stone’s throw away from the Grove’s Hidden Hollow. Here, visitors can join Ned in his specially-outfitted, four-wheel drive SUVs for the ride of their life in search of the Grove’s most storied and elusive inhabitant, Big Bear.
Big Bear Mountain joins the 11 other attractions of Wildwood Grove to continue the story of this hidden land just beyond the hollow log. As
32
Dollywood’s newest land grows in size, so does its charm, making it an even more wonderful place for families to have fun, relax and be together surrounded by the beauty of the Smoky Mountains. Continue your adventure and discover all the stories of the Grove.
BIG BEAR MOUNTAIN
• Longest coaster at Dollywood at 3,990 ft. • Maximum speed of 48 mph • Ride duration of 99-104 seconds • 66 feet at highest track elevation • 20 passengers per train • Minimum height requirement of 39 inches
APRIL 2023
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
