PIGEON FORGE, Tenn.—Dollywood Parks & Resorts announced the largest investment in the theme park’s history with a new $50 million attraction, set to debut in 2026. The new attraction marks the most significant addition since the park opened 40 years ago.
The new NightFlight Expedition ride will be located in the Wildwood Grove area of the park; it is scheduled to open in spring 2026. Described as the world’s first indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater river raft ride, NightFlight Expedition combines multiple technologies and ride systems into a single attraction. It was developed by Dollywood in collaboration with Herschend Creative Studios and Mack Rides, the manufacturer recently honored with the 2025 Golden Ticket Award for Best New Innovation by Amusement Today.
The five-and-a-half-minute ride experience will feature a custom-designed amphibious ride vehicle navigating immersive environments using multimedia projections, dynamic lighting, and both onboard and offboard audio. Guests will embark on a nighttime adventure through the Smoky Mountains, complete with a scenic flight, whitewater rafting through more than 500,000 gallons of water, a roller coaster ridge crossing, and a tranquil lake journey.
“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,” said Dolly Parton via a video announcement. “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.
“A lot of people ask me about my favorite season in the Smokies, but no one ever asks me what my favorite time of day is,” Parton added. “Our new ride sends you out into the mountains at night, which is the time that I think they really come to life!”
The attraction will be housed inside a 44,000-square-foot, temperature-controlled facility, allowing it to operate year-round, regardless of weather conditions. It will have a 39-inch height requirement.
Current 2025 Dollywood season passholders can purchase 2026 passes now and will have early access to NightFlight Expedition before the public opening.
