Big Bear Mountain is ready to ROAR! 🐻🚙🎉

Hi Everyone, Dollywood is announcing a period of Ride Previews for Passholders.  All the info is below.

from Dollywood.com - link: Big Bear Mountain Preview Night | Dollywood Parks & Resorts

Dollywood posted this to Facebook...

And Dollywood posted this too....  It's A Lot, All At Once!!!

On Friday, May 12, Diamond Passholders will have access to register for exclusive ride event times between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The ride will then open to the general public at the conclusion of those ride times.

— Dollywood Parks & Resorts (@Dollywood) April 26, 2023

I also have a short video to share.  This will likely be my last construction update for Big Bear Mountain since it's opening soon.  You will see in my video that there has been a lot of progress on the areas around the station since my last video on March 10th.  They're hustling along!

I'm really excited for this coaster!  I've ridden record-breaking coasters of all types, but Big Bear has what I love most which is good pacing - it doesn't stop anywhere along the course like other multi-launchers tend to do, and it looks as though it keeps a good pace up throughout the ride.  Other things I think I will like about it will be that the three launches will be forceful, but not uncomfortable, and then some great hills and loads of curves.  The theming looks to be well thought out and well executed.  I can't wait to see it up close and see more details.  Plus, it's a really long coaster and who doesn't love that?

The fact that it has a 39" height requirement will mean that this could be the first coaster for lots of kiddos.  I have so many good memories of working up the courage to ride Wabash Cannonball at Opryland and now I see kids half the age I was then, getting off of Lightning Rod - kids seem a lot more brave today than they were when I was 8 to 12'ish, lol.  But anyway, this will be a good starter or mid-sized coaster for a new generation.

Big Bear Mountain is a new generation Vekoma roller coaster, and it's been a long time since two Vekoma roller coasters have operated in Tennessee.  The first two Vekoma coasters were Chaos and The Hangman, which were located at Opryland and closed with the park in 1997.  I sadly never got to ride The Hangman because I never in my wildest dreams imagined that they would close Opryland.  Now, in 2023, we have Dragonflier and Big Bear Mountain, two Vekomas....so that's pretty cool to me too.

AP article: How Dolly (and a dog) 'made it big'

Hi everyone,

I found this video from the Associated Press about Dolly Parton and wanted to share it with you.

Source:  AP/https://www.oleantimesherald.com

Save $15 on Paula Deen's Lumberjack Feud or Lumberjack Adventure!

Hi Everyone,

I came across a deal for $15 off adult tickets to Paula Deen's Lumberjack Feud or the Lumberjack Themed Adventure Park. As of this publishing, an Adult ticket to the Feud-show is $39.99, and an Adult ticket to the Adventure Park is $49.99.

There are several Food City Locations in Pigeon Forge.  So, to take advantage of this offer, you'll need to head to a Food City and buy your tickets with this promo code/barcode.

Details here are sparse, so, I wish I could tell you when it ends, or let you know other details about this offer, but Im sure they will fill you in at the store. 

Links:

Paula Deen's Lumberjack Feud Show and Adventure Park

Food City Promotion for PDLFSAP

Food City Locations in Sevierville/Pigeon Forge

Dollywood's New Big Bear Mountain Roller Coaster Still Set for May Opening - Testing Video

Hi Everyone,

Dollywood held a special event at the park on Saturday and Amusement Insider was there, and was able to get lots of great video of Big Bear Mountain testing.  Check out their video below.

Dollywood announced a May Opening Time frame but have not yet specified an actual date.  This video shows lots of landscaping around the station is in place, so they are definitely hustling along with this project as quickly as possible.  And the fact that the coaster is cycling is a great sign that it works, and it works properly.  It looks like it's zipping through the course kinda fast, maybe more than the 45mph that it was supposed to have when announced.  We'll See!

This gets me even more excited for the opening of Big Bear Mountain.  How about you?

The Great Smoky Mountains Are the Perfect Place to Get Away in 2023! Let's See What's Up!

Hi Everyone, I came across this detailed article in the Knoxville News Sentinel about all of the new attractions coming soon to Sevier County-Smoky Mountain FunPlex Area.  Obviously, this is a great story to share on the blog for all of you trip planners from out of town or region.   Check out their article below.  Source:  https://www.knoxnews.com/

Looking for things to do in the Smokies? These attractions are open now or will be soon.

Here's what's new in the Great Smoky Mountains in 2023 including roller coasters, water slides and treehouses!

Devarrick Turner - Knoxville News Sentinel

Published 5:10 AM EDT Apr. 14, 2023 Updated 5:10 AM EDT Apr. 14, 2023

The vision for the 407: Gateway to Adventure attraction on Interstate 40 in Sevierville is becoming a reality. Smoky Gap, the area’s entertainment hub, just broke ground and Buc-ee’s is slated to open in the coming months.

But you don’t have to wait to have some springtime fun. Various new and updated attractions in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg have opened and are available to enjoy right now, including waterparks, treehouse adventures and, of course, Dollywood.

More attractions will open as summer moves in, and there are plenty of new experiences and expansions to look forward to as well.

What's open in spring 2023 in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg?

Anakeesta

• The mountaintop adventure park is open, and guests can enjoy its newest attraction, Astra Lumina. The celestial experience brings the stars into a Smoky Mountain Forest lit with projections and lights.

• Other things to do at the park include Chondola and Ridge Rambler rides, Treetop Skywalk, Vista Gardens, and the TreeVenture Challenge Course.

• You can check anakeesta.com/events for a full list of attractions and events available.

• Location: 576 Parkway, Gatlinburg

• General admission tickets: $22.99-$34.99; Free for children age 3 and younger; Astra Lumina add on: $15.99

Dollywood

• Offering rides, shows, food and Dolly Parton, one of America’s favorite theme parks opened for its 2023 season in March.

• Dollywood’s Flower and Food festival begins April 21, Splash Country waterpark open May 13 and the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration starts June 17.

• The 2023 calendar can be found at dollywood.com/calendar.

• Location: 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd., Pigeon Forge

• Tickets: $89+

Sanctuary Treehouse Resort

• This unique treehouse resort with mountain views in Sevierville offers luxe accommodations outfitted with slides, drawbridges and scavenger hunts.

• The first seven treehouses, including a double tree fort, are open for reservations, but there is limited availability until around July. More treehouses will be built and available for reservations throughout the year.

• Location: 107 Pheasant Ridge Road, Sevierville,

• Single treehouse price: $275 to $796 per night; Double treehouse: $651-$1,522 per night.

Wilderness at the Smokies

• The Lake Wilderness outdoor waterpark and the yearlong Wild WaterDome, Tennessee’s largest indoor waterpark, are both open.

• Only the slides are currently open at Lake Wilderness. Full access to the outdoor waterpark begins May 27.

• Visitors also can enjoy the dry indoors family entertainment center, Adventure Forest. Admission for those who aren't resort guests is based on availability.

• Check wildernessatthesmokies.com for pricing options and passes.

• Location: 1424 Old Knoxville Highway, Sevierville

"Sanctuary Treehouse Resort in Sevierville," "Dollywood," "Anakeesta in Gatlinburg"

What’s opening soon in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg

Soaky Mountain

• The waterpark’s 2023 season begins the weekend of May 13-14. It will be open daily starting May 20. Regular day admission is $47.99.

• Location: 175 Gists Creek Road, Sevierville

Salamander Springs outdoor waterpark

Visitors enjoy at Soaky Mountain waterpark, Buc-ee's' billboard, Dolly Parton during an event at the resort's construction site of HeartSong Lodge and Resort

• Salamander Springs at Stone Hill Lodge is the second Wilderness at the Smokies outdoor waterpark, and is scheduled to open May 27.

• Check wildernessatthesmokies.com for pricing options and passes.

• Location: 190 Gists Creek Road, Sevierville

Dollywood’s Big Bear Mountain

• Dollywood’s longest roller coaster, Big Bear Mountain, is set to open in May.

• The two-minute roller coaster ride in the Wildwood Grove section of the Pigeon Forge theme park will travel through hills, turns, tunnels and even waterfalls at speeds up to 48 miles per hour and maximum elevation of 66 feet.

• Location: 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd., Pigeon Forge

Buc-ee’s

• The popular travel center is opening its Great Smoky Mountains location in Sevierville. A grand opening had been set for early June but has since been delayed to a yet-to-be-announced date, a spokesperson told Knox News.

• It will be open 24 hours a day and will feature 120 fueling stations, a 250-foot-long car wash, and, of course, the famous Buc-ee’s snacks and beaver mascot merchandise.

• The 74,000-square-foot location is set to be the world’s largest Buc-ee's, until a slightly larger one opens in Texas later.

• Buc-ee's will be the first business to open as part of upcoming 407 attraction in Sevier County.

• Location: 170 Foretravel Drive, Kodak

Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge and Resort

• The massive 302-room resort inspired by Parton’s love for the Great Smoky Mountains is scheduled to open in November. Many of the rooms will have balconies with a view of the Smokies.

• Located in Pigeon Forge, the resort will feature family suites, bunk rooms, a large pool, balconies on half the suites and even a Dolly suite that will be available when she’s not using it.

• Reservations for the resort will open in June. Visit dollywood.com/heartsong for more information.

• Location: 2525 Dollywood Resorts Blvd., Pigeon Forge

New Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg attractions opening later in 2023 and beyond

Dig ‘n Zone

• This construction-themed park for adults and kids is scheduled to open in Sevierville this spring.

• The park will have more than 25 attractions allowing families to ride, drive and operate different construction equipment like forklifts on a go-kart track and excavators with modified buckets to swing around.

• An opening date has not been announced yet, but tickets are available. Tickets are $50-$55; it’s free for children age 4 and younger. More information is available at dignzone.com.

• Location: 1707 Veterans Blvd., Sevierville

BirdVenture and Hellbender Mountain Coaster

• A $34 million expansion is still underway at Anakeesta and is expected to open in 2023.

• BirdVenture: This interactive attraction will feature three large birdhouses, a dozen adventure zones and seven giant slides.

• HellBender: Named after the salamander species native to the Smoky Mountains, this roller coaster will navigate a steep mountain incline, sway through tunnels, slither through twists and turns and offer 360-degree views of the Smokies.

• Location: 576 Parkway, Gatlinburg

Wilderness at the Smokies expansion

• The Sevierville waterpark and resort is celebrating its 15th season with a $40 million and 40,000-square-foot expansion set to open in fall 2023.

• The expansion includes a three-story water coaster with a 22-foot drop at 29 mils per hour, a lazy river with an immersive tunnel experience, rooftop pool with glass edges and a new XD adventure theatre.

• Location: 1424 Old Knoxville Highway, Sevierville

407: Gateway to Adventure

• Development of Smoky Gap, the planned entertainment district at the 407: Gateway to Adventure attraction off Interstate 40, began April 11. The entertainment hub is set to open in 2025.

• Smoky Gap, an immersive entertainment experience, will have an Americana theme with restaurants and retail stores. The area will also be home to a Marriott Courtyard hotel and a still-to-be-announced attraction that will anchor the Smoky Gap district.

• Phase two of the massive 407 project will feature a resort, which might be sports-themed.

• Location: Exit 407 off Interstate 40

Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. Twitter @dturner1208. 

Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

© 2023knoxnews.com, All rights reserved.

Rock Star, Dolly's Rock Album - updates to previous post

Hi Everyone,

I have been keeping up - as best I can - with all of the collaborations Dolly has pulled together for her rock album, and the list is pretty large.  Pop over to my original post and check in with the updates I've had since January....and I do update that article when I discover new news, so check back.

Read the Rock Star Collaborations article here.

Furthermore, there were a couple of Rob Halford interviews that are worth a moment of your time.

Read those here and here.

-until next time!