Night Flight Expedition schedule to open in 2026 at Dollywood!!!!
Dollywood unveiled their newest family friendly attraction, Night Flight Expedition, which will take travelers on a unique and thrilling expedition through the Great Smoky Mountains and is scheduled to open in the spring of 2026.
The first-of-its-kind ride is a hybrid rollercoaster and whitewater rapids ride and will feature four thrilling adventures in this one attraction. It is currently under construction in the Wildwood Grove area of Dollywood, right behind Big Bear Mountain. Costing over $50 million, this is the parks most expensive single attraction in Dollywood history.
The four parts of this ride will take guests soaring above the Great Smoky Mountains, plunging into whitewater rapids, sending them floating down drops and then navigating to a “very special lake”. The theme is one that embraces nighttime in the Great Smoky Mountains, taking riders up in the air and down to the river. The entire ride takes place inside a five story, 44,000 square foot building which allows for protection from the summer heat and the cold winter days. This ride will include 500,000 gallons of water in a “roaring rapids” segment of the ride.
Many are asked what their favorite season is in the Smokies, yet no one ever asks what their favorite time of day is. This ride sends you into the mountains at night, which is when some say is the time that everything comes to life. The Great Smoky Mountain are known for the synchronous lightning bugs, but it’s also a favorite to just sit back and listen to the owls calling or the frogs croaking. Plus, everyone loves to see the beautiful star display in the sky which resembles the sparkling of rhinestones. It’s said to be pure mountain magic!!!
Much of the details won’t be revealed beforehand, because the part of what makes this ride and its storyline magical is the discovery, and this will be something everyone should experience first in person. This ride promises to be a truly exceptional experience, combining cutting edge technology and immersive storytelling unlike any other. It stays true to the heart of Dollywood and the Smoky Mountains and will deliver an experience unlike any other!!
Sometimes you're not given what you want because something better is planned for you instead.