Dolly Parton Just Announced Dollywood's Biggest-Ever Ride-and It's a World First

"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,"

"I have no doubt it's going to be a huge part of Dollywood's next 40 years. 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."

"an unforgettable journey through the Smoky Mountains to search for bioluminescence in the nation's most-visited national park."

NightFlight Expedition is a $50 million indoor family attraction at Dollywood, slated to open in spring 2026 in Wildwood Grove inside a 44,000-square-foot temperature-controlled facility. The ride combines a coaster track with an amphibious ride vehicle capable of submerging to mimic varied terrain and operates rain or shine. Over five minutes long, riders search for bioluminescence while experiencing four distinct atmospheres: scaling a mountain, splashing through more than 500,000 gallons of water, exploring a shimmering lake, and flying over the mountains. The experience features vivid multimedia projections, dynamic onboard and offboard audio, and special lighting effects.

Read at Travel + Leisure