Dolly Parton and her theme park Dollywood announced a first-of-its-kind attraction this week, introducing the world’s first indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater river raft ride.
The $50 million NightFlight Expedition ride, which is expected to open in spring 2026, marks the single largest investment in Dollywood’s history, the resort shared with Travel + Leisure. Located in the park’s Wildwood Grove, it’s set inside a sprawling 44,000 square foot, temperature-controlled facility, with the ability to operate rain or shine.
The ambitious, family-friendly attraction will “immerse guests in an extraordinary Smoky Mountain adventure,” the very mountains where Parton herself grew up.
“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,” Dolly Parton said in a statement shared with T+L. “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.”
At over five minutes in length, riders will set out on “an unforgettable journey through the Smoky Mountains to search for bioluminescence in the nation’s most-visited national park.” Uniquely, the brand-new ride system utilizes a coaster track and an amphibious ride vehicle with the ability to submerge in water, mimicking the varying terrain visitors would discover in the Smokies.
NightFlight Expedition will feature four distinct atmospheres: riders will experience a roller coaster scaling a mountain, splash through more than 500,000 gallons of water, explore a shimmering lake, and fly over the mountains all while aboard one vehicle in one building. The innovative attraction is enhanced with “vivid multimedia projections, dynamic onboard and offboard audio, as well as special lighting effects.” Original storytelling and characters will further deepen the attraction’s storyline, cohesively bringing it all together.
The attraction was created and built by Dollywood along with its parent company Herschend and world-class ride manufacturer Mack Rides.
“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,” Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton said in a statement.
The Dollywood Company
An opening date has not yet been revealed, but current Dollywood season passholders who renew for 2026 will have the first opportunity to experience the new attraction before its public opening.
The Tennessee theme park resort has been working “9 to 5” as it’s in the midst of a decade-long, $500 million expansion plan, which included the opening of a second on-property hotel, Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort. Dollywood was also recently named the No. 1 theme park in the United States.
Currently celebrating its 40th anniversary season, visitors have much to look forward to ahead of the ride opening, including the award-winning Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas. The highly-anticipated seasonal offering takes place from Nov 1. through Jan. 4, 2026.
